AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 2, 2013.
No. 811-22704
No. 333-180879
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. 2 | x |
Post-Effective Amendment No. | o |
and/or | |||
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | x |
Amendment No. 2 | x |
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
CAMBRIA ETF TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
2321 Rosecrans Avenue
Suite 3225
El Segundo, CA 90245
(Address of Principal Executive Office)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (310) 683-5500
Name and Address of Agent for Service: | With a copy to: | |
Corporation Service Company | Stacy L. Fuller | |
2711 Centreville Road | K&L Gates LLP | |
Suite 400 | 1601 K Street NW | |
Wilmington, DE 19808 | Washington, D.C. 20006 | |
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 that the 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 date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.
CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
This registration document is comprised of the following:
Cover Sheet
Contents of Registration Statement
Prospectus
Statement of Additional Information
Part C of Form N-1A
Signature Page
This registration statement does not affect the registration of any series or any class of a series of the Registrant not included herein.
Cambria Investment Management [logo]
Prospectus
May 6, 2013
Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF (FXFX)
(not currently offered for sale)
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD)
Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF (FYLD)
(not currently offered for sale)
Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF (EYLD)
(not currently offered for sale)
This Prospectus provides important information about Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF, Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF, Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF and Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), each of which is a series of Cambria ETF Trust (“Trust”), that you should know before investing. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.
These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Shares of each of the Funds (“Shares”) will be listed and traded on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (“Exchange”).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
FUND SUMMARY | |
CAMBRIA GLOBAL INCOME AND CURRENCY STRATEGIES ETF | 1 |
CAMBRIA SHAREHOLDER YIELD ETF | 8 |
CAMBRIA FOREIGN SHAREHOLDER YIELD ETF | 13 |
CAMBRIA EMERGING SHAREHOLDER YIELD ETF | 18 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS | 23 |
FUND MANAGEMENT | 35 |
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS | 37 |
BUYING AND SELLING FUND SHARES | 37 |
ACTIVE INVESTORS AND MARKET TIMING | 39 |
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN | 40 |
NET ASSET VALUE | 40 |
FUND WEBSITE AND DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS | 41 |
INVESTMENTS BY OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES | 42 |
DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES | 42 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | 45 |
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this Prospectus and the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information dated May 6, 2013 (“SAI”) (which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and is legally a part of this Prospectus) and, if given or made, such information or representations may not be relied upon as having been authorized by us.
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FUND SUMMARY
Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks income and capital appreciation from investments in securities and instruments that provide exposure to the global currency and bond markets, independent of market direction.
Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund. You may also pay brokerage commissions on the purchase and sale of Shares, which are not reflected in the example.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fee: | 0.69 | % | ||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees:(1) | 0.00 | % | ||
Other Expenses:* | 0.00 | % | ||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses: | 0.10 | % | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses:* | 0.79 | % |
* Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
(1) Pursuant to a 12b-1 Distribution and Service Plan, the Fund may bear a 12b-1 fee not to exceed 0.25% per annum of the Fund’s average daily net assets. However, no such fee is currently paid by the Fund, and the Board of Trustees has not currently approved the commencement of any payments under the plan.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
One Year: | Three Years: | |||
$81 | $252 |
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Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, including commissions when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund has not yet commenced operations, it does not have a portfolio turnover rate to provide.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund seeks positive absolute returns by investing in securities and other instruments that provide income and exposures to global currencies. The Fund will primarily seek exposures to currencies of developed countries that, in Cambria’s opinion, have liquid currency markets, including countries in the G-20 and other countries such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the value of the Fund’s net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) will be exposed to income-producing securities and global currencies through investments in:
· Forward foreign currency contracts that create exposures for the Fund to global currencies;
· Global currencies and ETPs that invest in global currencies and ETFs that provide exposure to global currencies;
· Sovereign and corporate debt securities of any credit quality, duration and maturity, denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies and ETFs that invest in such sovereign debt securities;
· ETPs and ETNs that invest in or provide exposure to global currencies or physical gold;
· Money market instruments or other high-quality debt securities denominated in foreign currencies and ETFs that invest in such instruments; and
· The U.S. dollar, including U.S. dollar-denominated money market instruments and U.S. Treasuries and registered investment companies that invest in such instruments and Treasuries. |
Forward Currency Contracts are agreements to buy or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract.
ETP s or “exchange-traded products” are exchange-traded equity securities whose value derives from an underlying asset or portfolio of assets, which may correlate to a benchmark, such as a commodity, currency, interest rate or index. ETFs are one type of ETP.
ETF s or “exchange-traded funds” are registered investment companies whose shares are exchange-traded and give investors a proportional interest in the pool of securities and other assets held by the ETF.
ETN s or “exchange-traded notes” are unsecured and unsubordinated debt securities whose value derives, in part, from an underlying asset or benchmark and, in part, from the credit quality of the securities’ issuer. |
When making currency-related investments, a “long” exposure to one currency inherently creates a “short” exposure to other currencies, since exposure to a particular currency through a currency-related investment is measured in relation to other currencies. Thus, the Fund may effectively take long and short positions in particular currencies.
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Cambria utilizes a quantitative model to select long and short currency exposures for the Fund. The model reviews various characteristics of potential currency investments, such as the interest rate paid by the government backing the currency to issue short- and long-term debt and market sentiment about the currency as reflected in trading activity related to the currency. By considering together the various characteristics of potential currency investments, the model identifies potential long and short currency allocations for the Fund, as well as opportune times to make such allocations. Under normal market circumstances, at least 40% of the Fund’s net assets will be exposed, long or short, to foreign securities or currencies.
Cambria’s quantitative model is based on factors that, historically, have been uncorrelated to the debt and equity markets. Accordingly, Cambria uses it to construct the Fund’s portfolio to seek income and grow capital irrespective of the performance of the traditional equity and fixed income markets.
Cambria considers the realization of income and the growth of capital, irrespective of the performance of the traditional equity and fixed income markets, to be a “positive absolute return.” Positive absolute returns may be generated from the income produced by portfolio instruments, including underlying ETPs, plus (or minus) the gains (or losses) resulting from fluctuations in the values of currencies to which the Fund is exposed, relative to the U.S. dollar. Over a complete market cycle, U.S. and non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities in the Fund’s portfolio, and in ETPs in the Fund’s portfolio, are expected to provide the Fund’s primary source of income.
The Fund is an actively managed ETF and thus does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index. Cambria has discretion on a daily basis to actively manage the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and expects to rebalance to target allocations at least monthly. As a result, the Fund may experience high portfolio turnover.
When using forward foreign currency contracts, fund assets will be primarily invested in a combination of U.S. dollar and non-U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments or other high-quality debt securities, or ETFs that invest in these instruments. The Fund may allocate up to 20% of its exposures to high yield U.S.-dollar denominated and non-U.S.-dollar denominated fixed income instruments (“junk bonds”) and ETFs that invest in these instruments. The Fund may be considered a “fund-of-funds” because at times it may seek to achieve its investment objective by, in part, investing in other ETFs.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risk, including those described below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective . An investor may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund may engage in investment transactions or other contracts with third parties ( i.e. , “counterparties”), including over-the-counter forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund bears the risk that the counterparty to these contracts becomes bankrupt, defaults on its obligations or otherwise fails to honor its obligations. If a counterparty defaults on its payment obligations, the Fund will lose money and the value of an investment in Fund Shares may decrease.
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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. Changes in currency exchange rates may affect the U.S. Dollar value of the Fund’s investments, including foreign securities, forward currency contracts and cross currency forwards.
Emerging Markets Risk. Investments that provide exposure to emerging markets, companies or currencies involve Foreign Investment Risk and additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in more developed markets. For example, emerging markets may be subject to, among other risks, greater market volatility; lower trading volume and liquidity; greater social, political and economic uncertainty; governmental controls on foreign investments and limitations on repatriation of invested capital; lower disclosure, corporate governance, auditing and financial reporting standards; fewer protections of property rights; restrictions on the transfer of securities or currency; and different settlement and trading practices. Each of these factors may make the Fund more volatile and adversely affect the price for Shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.
Exchange-Traded Funds and Exchange-Traded Products and Investment Companies Risk. The risks of investing in securities of ETFs, ETPs and investment companies typically reflect the risks of the types of instruments in which the underlying ETF, ETP or company invests. ETFs, ETPs and investment companies may invest in derivatives; to the extent that one does so, the Fund will be exposed to the risks of derivatives, including potentially counterparty and leverage risks. In addition, when the Fund invests in ETFs, ETPs and investment companies, the Fund bears its proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the underlying entity. As a result, an investment by the Fund in an ETF, ETP or investment company may cause the Fund’s operating expenses to be higher and, in turn, performance to be lower than if the Fund were to invest directly in the securities underlying the ETF, ETP or investment company.
Exchange-Traded Notes Risk. Because ETNs are unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities, an investment in an ETN exposes the Fund to the risk that an ETN’s issuer may be unable to pay. In addition, as with investments in other ETPs, the Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the ETN, which may cause the Fund’s operating expenses to be higher and its performance to be lower.
Foreign Investment Risk. Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities. Investments in or exposures to foreign securities are subject to special risks, including risks associated with foreign securities generally, including differences in information available about issuers of securities and investor protection standards applicable in other jurisdictions; capital controls risks, including the risk of a foreign jurisdiction imposing restrictions on the ability to repatriate or transfer currency or other assets; currency risks; political, diplomatic and economic risks; regulatory risks; and foreign market and trading risks, including the costs of trading and risks of settlement in foreign jurisdictions.
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Forward Currency Contracts Risk. Forward currency contracts and other currency management strategies may substantially change the Fund’s exposure to currency exchange rates and could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not perform as Cambria expects. The forecasting of currency market movement is extremely difficult, and whether any strategy will be successful is uncertain. The Fund may be required to buy or sell additional currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such transaction) if Cambria’s predictions regarding the movement of foreign currency prove inaccurate. In addition, currency management strategies may reduce the Fund’s ability to benefit from favorable changes in currency exchange rates. The use of forward currency contracts subjects the Fund to counterparty risk and leveraging risk, as discussed in this Prospectus.
High Yield Securities Risk. High yield securities and unrated securities of comparable credit quality are subject to the increased risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility. The secondary markets in which high yield securities are traded may be less liquid than the market for higher grade securities. Less liquidity in the secondary trading markets could adversely affect the price at which the Fund could sell a particular high yield security when necessary to meet liquidity needs.
Interest Rate Risk. The market value of fixed income securities, and financial instruments related to fixed income securities, will change in response to changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise, the value of certain fixed income securities is likely to decrease. Similarly, if interest rates decline, the value of fixed income securities is likely to increase. Longer maturity securities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates and more volatile; and thus a Fund with a longer portfolio maturity generally is subject to greater interest rate risk.
Investment Risk. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Leveraging Risk. A forward currency contract is a form of derivative that may include leverage, allowing the Fund to obtain the right to a return on stipulated capital that exceeds the amount the Fund has paid or invested. Although the Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets to cover the market value of its obligations under a forward currency contract, the amount will be limited to the current value of the Fund’s obligations to the counterparty, and will not prevent the Fund from incurring losses greater than the value of those obligations. The use of forward currency contracts could cause the Fund to be more volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to changes in the values of the currencies subject to the forward currency contract than if the Fund had made direct investments. Use of leverage involves special risks and is speculative. If Cambria is incorrect in evaluating movements in foreign currency, leverage will magnify any losses, and such losses may be significant.
Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed using proprietary investment strategies and processes. There can be no guarantee that these strategies and processes will produce the intended results and no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.
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Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund’s strategy may result in high turnover rates, which may increase the Fund’s brokerage commission costs and negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Such portfolio turnover also may generate net short-term capital gains.
Premium-Discount Risk. The Shares may trade above or below their net asset value, or NAV. The market prices of Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of, and demand for, Shares on the Exchange. The trading price of Shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility.
Quantitative Security Selection Risk. Data for some companies, particularly for emerging market companies, may be less available and/or less current than data for companies in other markets. Cambria will use quantitative techniques to generate investment decisions and its processes and stock selection can be adversely affected if it relies on erroneous or outdated data. In addition, securities selected using quantitative analysis can perform differently from the market as a whole as a result of the characteristics used in the analysis, the weight placed on each characteristic, and changes in the characteristic’s historical trends.
Secondary Market Trading Risk. Investors buying or selling Shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Shares.
Sovereign Debt Securities Risk. Investments in sovereign debt obligations involve special risks not present in corporate debt obligations. The issuer of the sovereign debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and the Fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt, and the Fund’s NAV, may be more volatile than prices of U.S. debt obligations. In the past, certain non-U.S. markets have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments of principal and interest and declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debts. These risks increase for lower-rated and high yield debt securities, as discussed in this Prospectus.
Trading Risk. Although the Shares are listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active or liquid trading market for them will develop or be maintained. In addition, trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted.
Performance
The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus. Performance information will be available in the Prospectus after the Fund has been in operation for one full calendar year. When provided, the information will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns compare with a broad measure of market performance. Past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
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Investment Adviser
Cambria Investment Management, L.P. (“Cambria” or the “Investment Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio Managers
Mebane T. Faber and Eric W. Richardson are the portfolio managers for the Fund and have managed the Fund since its inception in 2013.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis only in large blocks of Shares, typically 50,000 Shares, called “Creation Units.” Creation Units are issued and redeemed in-kind for securities and/or for cash. Individual Shares may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. Once created, individual Shares generally trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day. Market prices of Shares may be greater or less than their NAV.
The acquisition of Shares of the Fund by other investment companies is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Tax Information
Distributions you receive from the Fund are generally taxable to you as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes, except that distributions will be taxed to you as long-term capital gain to the extent reported by the Fund as “capital gain dividends,” and may also be subject to state or local taxes. Fund distributions may not be taxable to you if you are investing through a tax-advantaged retirement plan account or are a tax-exempt investor, although you may be taxed on withdrawals from your tax-advantaged account.
Purchases Through Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend Shares over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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FUND SUMMARY
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks income and capital appreciation with an emphasis on income from investments in the U.S. equity market.
Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund. You may also pay brokerage commissions on the purchase and sale of Shares, which are not reflected in the example.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fee: | 0.59 | % | ||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees: (1) | 0.00 | % | ||
Other Expenses:* | 0.00 | % | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses:* | 0.59 | % |
* Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
(1) Pursuant to a 12b-1 Distribution and Service Plan, the Fund may bear a 12b-1 fee not to exceed 0.25% per annum of the Fund’s average daily net assets. However, no such fee is currently paid by the Fund, and the Board of Trustees has not currently approved the commencement of any payments under the plan.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
One Year: | Three Years: | ||
$60 | $189 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, including commissions when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund has not yet commenced operations, it does not have a portfolio turnover rate to provide.
- 8 - |
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, primarily in equity securities that provide a high “shareholder yield.” Cambria views equity securities as providing a high shareholder yield if they exhibit strong cash flows, as reflected by their payment of dividends to shareholders and their return of capital to shareholders in other forms, such as through net stock buybacks and net debt paydown. Cambria believes that, while any one of these measures of a company’s cash flows, in isolation, is inadequate to determine the attractiveness of its equity securities, considered together these measures have the potential to result in the construction of a portfolio of companies with better cash flows, stronger growth potential and higher yield characteristics. Considering these measures together, which comprise shareholder yield, may result in a more attractive investment portfolio.
The Fund will invest primarily in equity securities, including the common stock, of U.S. companies, though the Fund may obtain a limited amount of foreign and emerging markets exposure through investments in American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). The Fund may invest in securities of companies in any industry and of any market capitalization. Although the Fund generally expects to invest in companies with larger market capitalizations, the Fund may invest in small- and mid-capitalization companies.
The Fund is an actively managed ETF and thus does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index. Rather, Cambria has discretion on a daily basis to actively manage the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective.
Cambria utilizes a quantitative model to identify which securities the Fund might purchase and sell and opportune times for purchases and sales. While the Fund will invest in approximately 100 of the top equity securities as determined by their shareholder yield, the quantity of holdings in the Fund will be based on a number of factors, including the asset size of the Fund and the number of companies that satisfy Cambria’s quantitative measurements at any one time. Filters will be implemented to screen for companies that pass various market capitalization, sector concentration, and liquidity requirements. The Fund’s portfolio will be rebalanced to Cambria’s internal target allocations, developed pursuant to Cambria’s quantitative strategy, at least quarterly.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risk, including those described below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective . An investor may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Depositary Receipts Risk. The risks of investments in depositary receipts, including ADRs, are substantially similar to Foreign Investment Risks. In addition, depositary receipts may not track the price of the underlying foreign securities, and their value may change materially at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading.
Dividend Paying Security Risk. Securities that pay high dividends as a group can fall out of favor with the market, causing these companies to underperform companies that do not pay high dividends. Also, changes in the dividend policies of companies owned by the Fund and the capital resources available for these companies’ dividend payments may adversely affect the Fund.
- 9 - |
Emerging Markets Risk. Investments that provide exposure to emerging markets, companies or currencies involve Foreign Investment Risk and additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in more developed markets. For example, emerging markets may be subject to, among other risks, greater market volatility; lower trading volume and liquidity; greater social, political and economic uncertainty; governmental controls on foreign investments and limitations on repatriation of invested capital; lower disclosure, corporate governance, auditing and financial reporting standards; fewer protections of property rights; restrictions on the transfer of securities or currency; and different settlement and trading practices. Each of these factors may make the Fund more volatile and adversely affect the price for Shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.
Equity Investing Risk. An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund holding equity securities, such as market fluctuations, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices. The values of equity securities could decline generally or could underperform other investments. In addition, securities may decline in value due to factors affecting a specific issuer, market or securities markets generally.
Foreign Investment Risk. Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities. Investments in or exposures to foreign securities are subject to special risks, including risks associated with foreign securities generally, including differences in information available about issuers of securities and investor protection standards applicable in other jurisdictions; capital controls risks, including the risk of a foreign jurisdiction imposing restrictions on the ability to repatriate or transfer currency or other assets; currency risks; political, diplomatic and economic risks; regulatory risks; and foreign market and trading risks, including the costs of trading and risks of settlement in foreign jurisdictions.
Investment Risk. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. When you sell your Shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed using proprietary investment strategies and processes. There can be no guarantee that these strategies and processes will produce the intended results and no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.
Premium-Discount Risk. The Shares may trade above or below their net asset value, or NAV. The market prices of Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of, and demand for, Shares on the Exchange. The trading price of Shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility.
- 10 - |
Quantitative Security Selection Risk. Data for some companies, particularly for emerging market companies, may be less available and/or less current than data for companies in other markets. Cambria will use quantitative techniques to generate investment decisions and its processes and stock selection can be adversely affected if it relies on erroneous or outdated data. In addition, securities selected using quantitative analysis can perform differently from the market as a whole as a result of the characteristics used in the analysis, the weight placed on each characteristic, and changes in the characteristic’s historical trends.
Secondary Market Trading Risk. Investors buying or selling Shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Shares.
Small and Medium Capitalization Company Risk. Investing in securities of small and medium capitalization companies involves greater risk than customarily is associated with investing in larger, more established companies. These companies’ securities may be more volatile and less liquid than those of more established companies. Often small and medium capitalization companies and the industries in which they focus are still evolving and, as a result, they may be more sensitive to changing market conditions.
Trading Risk. Although the Shares are listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active or liquid trading market for them will develop or be maintained. In addition, trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted.
Performance
The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus. Performance information will be available in the Prospectus after the Fund has been in operation for one full calendar year. When provided, the information will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns compare with a broad measure of market performance. Past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Investment Adviser
Cambria Investment Management, L.P. (“Cambria” or the “Investment Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio Managers
Mebane T. Faber and Eric W. Richardson are the portfolio managers for the Fund and have managed the Fund since its inception in 2013.
- 11 - |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis only in large blocks of Shares, typically 50,000 Shares, called “Creation Units.” Creation Units are issued and redeemed in-kind for securities and/or for cash. Individual Shares may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. Once created, individual Shares generally trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day. Market prices of Shares may be greater or less than their NAV.
Tax Information
Distributions you receive from the Fund are generally taxable to you as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes, except that distributions will be taxed to you at long-term capital gain rates to the extent reported by the Fund as “capital gain dividends” or “qualified dividend income,” and may also be subject to state or local taxes. Fund distributions may not be taxable to you if you are investing through a tax-advantaged retirement plan account or are a tax-exempt investor, although you may be taxed on withdrawals from your tax-advantaged account.
Purchases Through Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend Shares over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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FUND SUMMARY
Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks income and capital appreciation with an emphasis on income from investments in the developed foreign equity markets.
Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund. You may also pay brokerage commissions on the purchase and sale of Shares, which are not reflected in the example.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fee: | 0.69 | % | ||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees: (1) | 0.00 | % | ||
Other Expenses:* | 0.00 | % | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses:* | 0.69 | % |
* Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
(1) Pursuant to a 12b-1 Distribution and Service Plan, the Fund may bear a 12b-1 fee not to exceed 0.25% per annum of the Fund’s average daily net assets. However, no such fee is currently paid by the Fund, and the Board of Trustees has not currently approved the commencement of any payments under the plan.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
One Year: | Three Years: | |||
$70 | $221 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, including commissions when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund has not yet commenced operations, it does not have a portfolio turnover rate to provide.
- 13 - |
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, primarily in equity securities that provide a high “shareholder yield.” Cambria views equity securities as providing a high shareholder yield if they exhibit strong cash flows, as reflected by their payment of dividends to shareholders and their return of capital to shareholders in other forms, such as through net stock buybacks and net debt paydown. Cambria believes that, while any one of these measures of a company’s cash flows, in isolation, is inadequate to determine the attractiveness of its equity securities, considered together these measures have the potential to result in the construction of a portfolio of companies with better cash flows, stronger growth potential and higher yield characteristics. Considering these measures, which comprise shareholder yield, together, therefore may result in a more attractive investment portfolio.
The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of companies located in developed foreign markets. For these purposes, Cambria considers a company to be located in the country where it is domiciled and/or listed for trading and considers eligible investments generally to include common stocks, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) of companies in such markets. Cambria considers developed markets to include, but not be limited to, countries with companies represented in the S&P Developed Broad Market Index.
Securities held by the Fund may be denominated in either the U.S. dollar or other currencies. The Fund may invest in securities of companies in any industry and of any market capitalization. Although the Fund generally expects to invest in companies with larger market capitalizations, the Fund may invest in small- and mid-capitalization companies.
The Fund is an actively managed ETF and thus does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index. Rather, Cambria has discretion on a daily basis to actively manage the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective.
Cambria utilizes a quantitative model to identify which securities the Fund might purchase and sell and opportune times for purchases and sales. While the Fund will invest in approximately 100 of the top foreign developed equity securities as determined by their shareholder yield, market capitalization and other quantitative characteristics. The quantity of holdings in the Fund will be based on a number of factors, including the asset size of the Fund and the number of companies that satisfy Cambria’s quantitative measurements at any one time. Filters will be implemented to screen for companies that pass various market capitalization, sector concentration, and liquidity requirements. The Fund’s portfolio will be rebalanced to Cambria’s internal target allocations, developed pursuant to Cambria’s quantitative strategy, at least quarterly.
- 14 - |
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risk, including those described below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective . An investor may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Depositary Receipts Risk. The risks of investments in depositary receipts, including ADRs, are substantially similar to Foreign Investment Risks. In addition, depositary receipts may not track the price of the underlying foreign securities, and their value may change materially at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading.
Dividend Paying Security Risk. Securities that pay high dividends as a group can fall out of favor with the market, causing these companies to underperform companies that do not pay high dividends. Also, changes in the dividend policies of companies owned by the Fund and the capital resources available for these companies’ dividend payments may adversely affect the Fund.
Equity Investing Risk. An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund holding equity securities, such as market fluctuations, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices. The values of equity securities could decline generally or could underperform other investments. In addition, securities may decline in value due to factors affecting a specific issuer, market or securities markets generally.
Foreign Investment Risk. Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities. Investments in or exposures to foreign securities are subject to special risks, including risks associated with foreign securities generally, including differences in information available about issuers of securities and investor protection standards applicable in other jurisdictions; capital controls risks, including the risk of a foreign jurisdiction imposing restrictions on the ability to repatriate or transfer currency or other assets; currency risks; political, diplomatic and economic risks; regulatory risks; and foreign market and trading risks, including the costs of trading and risks of settlement in foreign jurisdictions.
Investment Risk. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed using proprietary investment strategies and processes. There can be no guarantee that these strategies and processes will produce the intended results and no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.
Premium-Discount Risk. The Shares may trade above or below their net asset value, or NAV. The market prices of Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of, and demand for, Shares on the Exchange. The trading price of Shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility.
- 15 - |
Quantitative Security Selection Risk. Data for some companies , particularly for emerging market companies, may be less available and/or less current than data for companies in other markets. Cambria will use quantitative techniques to generate investment decisions and its processes and stock selection can be adversely affected if it relies on erroneous or outdated data. In addition, securities selected using quantitative analysis can perform differently from the market as a whole as a result of the characteristics used in the analysis, the weight placed on each characteristic, and changes in the characteristic’s historical trends.
Secondary Market Trading Risk. Investors buying or selling Shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Shares.
Small and Medium Capitalization Company Risk. Investing in securities of small and medium capitalization companies involves greater risk than customarily is associated with investing in larger, more established companies. These companies’ securities may be more volatile and less liquid than those of more established companies. Often small and medium capitalization companies and the industries in which they focus are still evolving and, as a result, they may be more sensitive to changing market conditions.
Trading Risk. Although the Shares are listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active or liquid trading market for them will develop or be maintained. In addition, trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted.
Performance
The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus. Performance information will be available in the Prospectus after the Fund has been in operation for one full calendar year. When provided, the information will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns compare with a broad measure of market performance. Past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Investment Adviser
Cambria Investment Management, L.P. (“Cambria” or the “Investment Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio Managers
Mebane T. Faber and Eric W. Richardson are the portfolio managers for the Fund and have managed the Fund since its inception in 2013.
- 16 - |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis only in large blocks of Shares, typically 50,000 Shares, called “Creation Units.” Creation Units are issued and redeemed in-kind for securities and/or for cash. Individual Shares may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. Once created, individual Shares generally trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day. Market prices of Shares may be greater or less than their NAV.
Tax Information
Distributions you receive from the Fund are generally taxable to you as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes, except that distributions will be taxed to you at long-term capital gain rates to the extent reported by the Fund as “capital gain dividends” or “qualified dividend income,” and may also be subject to state or local taxes. Fund distributions may not be taxable to you if you are investing through a tax-advantaged retirement plan account or are a tax-exempt investor, although you may be taxed on withdrawals from your tax-advantaged account.
Purchases Through Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend Shares over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
- 17 - |
FUND SUMMARY
Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks income and capital appreciation with an emphasis on income from investments in emerging foreign equity markets.
Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund. You may also pay brokerage commissions on the purchase and sale of Shares, which are not reflected in the example.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fee: | 0.69 | % | ||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees: (1) | 0.00 | % | ||
Other Expenses:* | 0.00 | % | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses:* | 0.69 | % |
* Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
(1) Pursuant to a 12b-1 Distribution and Service Plan, the Fund may bear a 12b-1 fee not to exceed 0.25% per annum of the Fund’s average daily net assets. However, no such fee is currently paid by the Fund, and the Board of Trustees has not currently approved the commencement of any payments under the plan.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
One Year: | Three Years: | |||
$70 | $221 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, including commissions when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund has not yet commenced operations, it does not have a portfolio turnover rate to provide.
- 18 - |
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in equity securities that provide a high “shareholder yield.” Cambria views equity securities as providing a high shareholder yield if they exhibit strong cash flows, as reflected by their payment of dividends to shareholders and their return of capital to shareholders in other forms, such as through net stock buybacks and net debt paydown. Cambria believes that, while any one of these measures of a company’s cash flows, in isolation, is inadequate to determine the attractiveness of its equity securities, considered together these measures have the potential to result in the construction of a portfolio of companies with better cash flows, stronger growth potential and higher yield characteristics. Considering these measures, which comprise shareholder yield, together, therefore may result in a more attractive investment portfolio.
The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of companies located in emerging (less developed) markets. For these purposes, Cambria considers a company to be located in the country where it is domiciled and/or listed for trading and considers eligible investments generally to include common stocks, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) of companies in such markets. Cambria considers emerging markets to include, but not be limited to, countries with companies represented in the S&P Emerging Broad Market Index (“S&P Emerging BMI”), although Cambria may invest in emerging market countries with similar characteristics as those represented in the S&P Emerging BMI.
Securities held by the Fund may be denominated in either the U.S. dollar or other currencies. The Fund may invest in securities of companies in any industry and of any market capitalization. Although the Fund generally expects to invest in companies with larger market capitalizations, the Fund may invest in small- and mid-capitalization companies.
The Fund is an actively managed ETF and thus does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index. Rather, Cambria has discretion on a daily basis to actively manage the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective.
Cambria utilizes a quantitative model to identify which securities the Fund might purchase and sell and opportune times for purchases and sales. While the Fund will invest in approximately 100 of the top foreign emerging equity securities as determined by their shareholder yield, the quantity of holdings in the Fund will be based on a number of factors, including the asset size of the Fund and the number of companies that satisfy Cambria’s quantitative measurements at any one time. Filters will be implemented to screen for companies that pass various market capitalization, sector concentration, and liquidity requirements. The Fund’s portfolio will be rebalanced to Cambria’s internal target allocations, developed pursuant to Cambria’s quantitative strategy, at least quarterly.
- 19 - |
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risk, including those described below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective . An investor may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Depositary Receipts Risk. The risks of investments in depositary receipts, including ADRs, are substantially similar to Foreign Investment Risks. In addition, depositary receipts may not track the price of the underlying foreign securities, and their value may change materially at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading.
Dividend Paying Security Risk . Securities that pay high dividends as a group can fall out of favor with the market, causing these companies to underperform companies that do not pay high dividends. Also, changes in the dividend policies of companies owned by the Fund and the capital resources available for these companies’ dividend payments may adversely affect the Fund.
Emerging Markets Risk . Investments that provide exposure to emerging markets, companies or currencies involve Foreign Investment Risk and additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in more developed markets. For example, emerging markets may be subject to, among other risks, greater market volatility; lower trading volume and liquidity; greater social, political and economic uncertainty; governmental controls on foreign investments and limitations on repatriation of invested capital; lower disclosure, corporate governance, auditing and financial reporting standards; fewer protections of property rights; restrictions on the transfer of securities or currency; and different settlement and trading practices. Each of these factors may make the Fund more volatile and adversely affect the price for Shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.
Equity Investing Risk. An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund holding equity securities, such as market fluctuations, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices. The values of equity securities could decline generally or could underperform other investments. In addition, securities may decline in value due to factors affecting a specific issuer, market or securities markets generally.
Foreign Investment Risk. Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities. Investments in or exposures to foreign securities are subject to special risks, including risks associated with foreign securities generally, including differences in information available about issuers of securities and investor protection standards applicable in other jurisdictions; capital controls risks, including the risk of a foreign jurisdiction imposing restrictions on the ability to repatriate or transfer currency or other assets; currency risks; political, diplomatic and economic risks; regulatory risks; and foreign market and trading risks, including the costs of trading and risks of settlement in foreign jurisdictions.
Investment Risk. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
- 20 - |
Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed using proprietary investment strategies and processes. There can be no guarantee that these strategies and processes will produce the intended results and no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.
Premium-Discount Risk. The Shares may trade above or below their net asset value, or NAV. The market prices of Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of, and demand for, Shares on the Exchange. The trading price of Shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility.
Quantitative Security Selection Risk. Data for some companies, particularly for emerging market companies, may be less available and/or less current than data for companies in other markets. Cambria will use quantitative techniques to generate investment decisions and its processes and stock selection can be adversely affected if it relies on erroneous or outdated data. In addition, securities selected using quantitative analysis can perform differently from the market as a whole as a result of the characteristics used in the analysis, the weight placed on each characteristic, and changes in the characteristic’s historical trends.
Secondary Market Trading Risk. Investors buying or selling Shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Shares.
Small and Medium Capitalization Company Risk. Investing in securities of small and medium capitalization companies involves greater risk than customarily is associated with investing in larger, more established companies. These companies’ securities may be more volatile and less liquid than those of more established companies. Often small and medium capitalization companies and the industries in which they focus are still evolving and, as a result, they may be more sensitive to changing market conditions.
Trading Risk. Although the Shares are listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active or liquid trading market for them will develop or be maintained. In addition, trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted.
Performance
The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus. Performance information will be available in the Prospectus after the Fund has been in operation for one full calendar year. When provided, the information will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns compare with a broad measure of market performance. Past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Investment Adviser
Cambria Investment Management, L.P. (“Cambria” or the “Investment Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser of the Fund.
- 21 - |
Portfolio Managers
Mebane T. Faber and Eric W. Richardson are the portfolio managers for the Fund and have managed the Fund since its inception in 2013.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis only in large blocks of Shares, typically 50,000 Shares, called “Creation Units.” Creation Units are issued and redeemed in-kind for securities and/or for cash. Individual Shares may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. Once created, individual Shares generally trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day. Market prices of Shares may be greater or less than their NAV.
Tax Information
Distributions you receive from the Fund are generally taxable to you as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes, except that distributions will be taxed to you at long-term capital gain rates to the extent reported by the Fund as “capital gain dividends” or “qualified dividend income,” and may also be subject to state or local taxes. Fund distributions may not be taxable to you if you are investing through a tax-advantaged retirement plan account or are a tax-exempt investor, although you may be taxed on withdrawals from your tax-advantaged account.
Purchases Through Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend Shares over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
- 22 - |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS
How Are The Funds Different From Index Funds?
Whereas index-based Funds seek to replicate the holdings of a specified index, the Funds use an actively managed investment strategy to meet their investment objective. This means that the Funds’ Investment Adviser has the discretion on a daily basis to choose securities for the Funds’ portfolios consistent with the Funds’ investment objectives. The Funds are designed for investors who seek exposure to an actively managed portfolio of securities.
How Are The Funds Different From Mutual Funds?
Redeemability. Mutual fund shares may be bought from, and redeemed with, the issuing fund for cash at NAV typically calculated once at the end of the business day. Shares of the Funds, by contrast, cannot be purchased from or redeemed with the Funds except by or through APs (defined below), and then typically for an in-kind basket of securities (and a limited cash amount) or cash amount. In addition, the Funds issue and redeem Shares on a continuous basis only in large blocks of Shares, typically 50,000 Shares, called “Creation Units.”
Exchange Listing. Unlike mutual fund shares, Shares will be listed for trading on the Exchange. Investors can purchase and sell Shares on the secondary market through a broker. Investors purchasing Shares in the secondary market through a brokerage account or with the assistance of a broker may be subject to brokerage commissions and charges. Secondary-market transactions do not occur at NAV, but at market prices that change throughout the day, based on the supply of, and demand for, Shares and on changes in the prices of a Fund’s portfolio holdings. The market price of Shares may differ from the NAV of a Fund. The difference between market price of Shares and the NAV of a Fund is called a premium when the market price is above the reported NAV and called a discount when the market price is below the reported NAV, and the difference is expected to be small most of the time, though it may be significant, especially in times of extreme market volatility.
Tax Treatment. Shares have been designed to be tax-efficient. Specifically, their in-kind creation and redemption feature has been designed to protect Fund shareholders from adverse tax consequences applicable to mutual funds as a result of cash transactions in the mutual fund’s shares, including cash redemptions. Nevertheless, to the extent redemptions from the Funds are paid in cash, the Funds may realize capital gains or losses, including in some cases short-term capital gains, upon the sale of portfolio securities to generate the cash to satisfy the redemption. Because the Funds are actively managed, they may generate more taxable gains for shareholders than an index-based exchange-traded fund, particularly during the Funds’ growth stages when portfolio changes are more likely to be implemented within the Funds rather than through the in-kind creation and redemption mechanism.
- 23 - |
Transparency. Each Fund’s portfolio holdings are disclosed on its website daily after the close of trading on the Exchange and prior to the opening of trading on the Exchange the following day. A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio holdings is available in the Funds’ SAI.
Premium/Discount Information. Information about the premiums and discounts at which the Funds’ Shares have traded will be available at www.cambriafunds.com.
Additional Information About The Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks
This Prospectus does not describe all of the Funds’ investment practices. For more information about other types of investments a Fund may make, and about the risks of investing in each Fund, please see the Funds’ SAI, which is available upon request.
Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Objectives
The Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF seeks income and capital appreciation from investments in securities and instruments that provide exposure to the global currency and bond markets, independent of market direction. The Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF, Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF and Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF seek income and capital appreciation with an emphasis on income from investments in, respectively, the U.S. equity market, the developed foreign equity market and the emerging foreign equity market. Each Fund’s investment objective is a non-fundamental investment policy and may be changed without a vote of shareholders upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.
Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies
Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF. The Fund seeks positive absolute returns by investing in securities and other instruments that provide income and exposures to global currencies. The Fund will primarily seek exposures to currencies of developed countries that, in Cambria’s opinion, have liquid currency markets, including countries in the G-20 and other countries such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the value of the Fund’s net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) will be exposed to income-producing securities and global currencies through investments in:
· | Forward foreign currency contracts that create exposures for the Fund to global currencies; |
· | Global currencies and ETPs that invest in global currencies and ETFs that provide exposure to global currencies; |
· | Sovereign and corporate debt securities of any credit quality, duration and maturity, denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies and ETFs that invest in such sovereign debt securities; |
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· | ETPs and ETNs that invest in or provide exposure to global currencies or physical gold; |
· | Money market instruments or other high-quality debt securities denominated in foreign currencies and ETFs that invest in such instruments; and |
· | The U.S. dollar, including U.S. dollar-denominated money market instruments and U.S. Treasuries and registered investment companies that invest in such instruments and Treasuries. |
When making currency-related investments, a “long” exposure to one currency inherently creates a “short” exposure to other currencies, since exposure to a particular currency through a currency-related investment is measured in relation to other currencies. Thus, the Fund may effectively take long and short positions in particular currencies.
Cambria utilizes a quantitative model to select long and short currency exposures for the Fund. The model reviews various characteristics of potential currency investments, such as the interest rate paid by the government backing the currency to issue short- and long-term debt and market sentiment about the currency as reflected in trading activity related to the currency. By considering together the various characteristics of potential currency investments, the model identifies potential long and short currency allocations for the Fund, as well as opportune times to make such allocations. Under normal market circumstances, at least 40% of the Fund’s net assets will be exposed, long or short, to foreign securities or currencies.
Cambria’s quantitative model is based on factors that, historically, have been uncorrelated to the debt and equity markets. Accordingly, Cambria uses it to construct the Fund’s portfolio to seek income and grow capital irrespective of the performance of the traditional equity and fixed income markets.
Cambria considers the realization of income and the growth of capital, irrespective of the performance of the traditional equity and fixed income markets, to be a “positive absolute return.” Positive absolute returns may be generated from the income produced by portfolio instruments, including underlying ETPs, plus (or minus) the gains (or losses) resulting from fluctuations in the values of currencies to which the Fund is exposed, relative to the U.S. dollar. Over a complete market cycle, U.S. and non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities in the Fund’s portfolio, and in ETPs in the Fund’s portfolio, are expected to provide the Fund’s primary source of income.
The Fund is an actively managed ETF and thus does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index. Cambria has discretion on a daily basis to actively manage the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and expects to rebalance to target allocations at least monthly. As a result, the Fund may experience high portfolio turnover.
When using forward foreign currency contracts, fund assets will be primarily invested in a combination of U.S. dollar and non-U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments or other high-quality debt securities, or ETFs that invest in these instruments. The Fund may allocate up to 20% of its exposures to high yield U.S.-denominated and non-U.S.-denominated fixed income instruments (“junk bonds”) and ETFs that invest in these instruments. At times, the Fund may be considered a “fund-of-funds” because it seeks to achieve its investment objective by, in part, investing in other ETFs.
- 25 - |
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF, Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF and Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF each seek to achieve its investment objective by primarily investing in equity securities that provide a high “shareholder yield.” Cambria views equity securities as providing a high shareholder yield if they exhibit strong cash flows, as reflected by their payment of dividends to shareholders and their return of capital to shareholders in other forms, such as through net stock buybacks and net debt paydown. Cambria believes that, while any one of these measures of a company’s cash flows, in isolation, is inadequate to determine the attractiveness of its equity securities, considered together these measures have the potential to result in the construction of a portfolio of companies with better cash flows, stronger growth potential and higher yield characteristics. Considering these measures, which comprise shareholder yield, together therefore may result in a more attractive investment portfolio.
Each Fund invests primarily in equity securities, including the common stock. The Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF invests primarily in the common stock of U.S. companies, though the Fund may obtain a limited amount of foreign and emerging markets exposure through investments in ADRs. The Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of companies located in developed foreign markets. Cambria considers developed markets to include, but not be limited to, countries with companies represented in the S&P Developed Broad Market Index. The Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of companies located in emerging (less developed) markets. Cambria considers emerging markets to include, but not be limited to, countries with companies represented in the S&P Emerging Broad Market Index (“S&P Emerging BMI”), although Cambria may invest in emerging market countries with similar characteristics as those represented in the S&P Emerging BMI. For these purposes, Cambria considers a company to be located in the country where it is domiciled and/or listed for trading and considers eligible investments generally to include common stocks, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) of companies in such markets. Securities held by the Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF and the Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF may be denominated U.S. or non-U.S. currencies.
Each Fund may invest in securities of companies in any industry and of any market capitalization. Although each Fund generally expects to invest in companies with larger market capitalizations, it may invest in small- and mid-capitalization companies.
Each Fund is an actively managed ETF and thus does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index. Rather, Cambria has discretion on a daily basis to actively manage each Fund’s portfolio in accordance with its investment objective.
Cambria utilizes a quantitative model to select securities for the Funds. While each Fund will invest in approximately 100 of the top equity securities as determined by their shareholder yield, the quantity of holdings in a Fund will be based on a number of factors, including the asset size of the Fund and the number of companies that satisfy Cambria’s quantitative measurements at any one time. Filters will be implemented to screen for companies that pass various market capitalization, sector concentration, and liquidity requirements. Each Fund’s portfolio will be rebalanced to Cambria’s internal target allocations, developed pursuant to Cambria’s quantitative strategy, at least quarterly.
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Temporary Defensive Positions . To respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, each Fund may invest 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality debt securities and money market instruments. The Funds may be invested in these instruments for extended periods, depending on Cambria’s assessment of market conditions. Debt securities and money market instruments include shares of other mutual funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. Government securities, repurchase agreements and bonds that are BBB or higher. While a Fund is in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve its investment objective will be limited. Furthermore, to the extent that a Fund invests in money market mutual funds, the Fund would bear its pro rata portion of such money market fund’s advisory fees and operational fees.
Additional Information About the Funds’ Risks
The table below provides additional information about the risks of investing in each Fund, including the principal risks identified under “Principal Risks” in each Fund Summary. Following the table, each risk is explained.
Risks |
Cambria Global
Income and Currency Strategies ETF |
Cambria
Shareholder Yield ETF |
Cambria
Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF |
Cambria
Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF |
||||
Principal Risks | ||||||||
Counterparty Risk | X | |||||||
Currency Exchange Rate Risk | X | |||||||
Dividend Paying Security Risk | X | X | X | |||||
Emerging Markets Risk | X | X | X | |||||
Equity Investing Risk | X | X | X | |||||
Exchange-Traded Funds, Exchange-Traded Products and Investment Companies Risk | X | |||||||
Exchange-Traded Notes Risk | X |
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Risks |
Cambria Global
Income and Currency Strategies ETF |
Cambria
Shareholder Yield ETF |
Cambria
Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF |
Cambria
Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF |
||||
Foreign Investment Risk | X | X | X | X | ||||
Forward Currency Contracts Risk | X | |||||||
High Yield Securities Risk | X | |||||||
Interest Rate Risk | X | |||||||
Investment Risk | X | X | X | X | ||||
Leveraging Risk | X | |||||||
Management Risk | X | X | X | X | ||||
Portfolio Turnover Risk | X | |||||||
Premium-Discount Risk | X | X | X | X | ||||
Quantitative Security Selection Risk | X | X | X | X | ||||
Secondary Market Trading Risk | X | X | X | X | ||||
Small and Medium Capitalization Company Risk | X | X | X | |||||
Sovereign Debt Securities Risk | X | |||||||
Trading Risk | X | X | X | X |
Principal Risks
Counterparty Risk. A Fund may engage in investment transactions or other contracts with third parties ( i.e. , “counterparties”), including over-the-counter forward foreign currency contracts. For example, a Fund may enter into forward currency contracts or repurchase agreements. A Fund bears the risk that the counterparty to these contracts becomes bankrupt, defaults on its obligations or otherwise fails to honor its obligations. A Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. A Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in these circumstances. If a counterparty defaults on its payment obligations, a Fund will lose money and the value of an investment in Fund Shares may decrease.
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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. Changes in currency exchange rates may affect the U.S. Dollar value of a Fund’s investments, including foreign securities, forward currency contracts and cross currency forwards. To the extent that a large investor or foreign government moves to devalue a currency to which the Fund has long (rather than short) exposure, such action could cause the Fund to lose money.
Dividend Paying Security Risk. Securities that pay high dividends as a group can fall out of favor with the market, causing these companies to underperform companies that do not pay high dividends. Also, changes in the dividend policies of companies owned by a Fund and the capital resources available for these companies’ dividend payments may adversely affect a Fund.
Emerging Markets Risk. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to these securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. For example, emerging markets may be subject to, among other risks, greater market volatility; lower trading volume and liquidity; greater social, political and economic uncertainty; governmental controls on foreign investments and limitations on repatriation of invested capital; lower disclosure, corporate governance, auditing and financial reporting standards; fewer protections of property rights; restrictions on the transfer of securities or currency; and settlement and trading practices that differ from U.S. markets and markets of more developed countries. Each of these factors may impact the ability of a Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund Shares and cause a Fund to decline in value.
Equity Investing Risk. An investment in a Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund holding equity securities, such as market fluctuations, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices. The values of equity securities could decline generally or could underperform other investments. Different types of equity securities tend to go through cycles of outperformance and underperformance in comparison to the general securities markets. In addition, securities may decline in value due to factors affecting a specific issuer, market or securities markets generally. Recent unprecedented turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in credit and fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers worldwide, which may have an adverse effect on a Fund.
Exchange-Traded Funds, Exchange-Traded Products and Investment Companies Risk. The risks of investing in securities of ETFs, ETPs and investment companies typically reflect the risks of the types of instruments in which the ETF, ETP or investment company invests. When a Fund invests in these securities, shareholders of the Fund bear their proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the ETF ETP or other investment company, as well as their share of the Fund’s fees and expenses. As a result, an investment by a Fund in an ETF, ETP or investment company could cause the Fund’s operating expenses to be higher and, in turn, performance to be lower than if the Fund were to invest directly in the securities underlying the ETF, ETP or investment company.
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Exchange-Traded Notes Risk. Because ETNs are unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities, an investment in an ETN exposes the Fund to the risk that an ETN’s issuer may be unable to pay. As a result, the value of the ETN may decline, including to zero. In addition, as with investments in other ETPs, ETFs and investment companies, the Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the ETN, which may cause the Fund’s operating expenses to be higher and its performance to be lower than it would if it invested directly in the securities of the index or other reference assets of the ETN.
Foreign Investment Risk. A Fund may invest in foreign securities, including non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities traded outside of the United States and U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers traded in the United States. Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities. Investments in foreign securities, including investments in ADRs or GDRs, are subject to special risks, including the following:
Foreign Securities Risk . Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. There may be less information publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than a U.S. issuer. Non-U.S. issuers may be subject to different accounting, auditing, financial reporting and investor protection standards than U.S. issuers. Changes to the financial condition or credit rating of foreign issuers may also adversely affect the value of a Fund’s securities. Investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. Because legal systems differ, there is also the possibility that it will be difficult to obtain or enforce legal judgments in certain countries. Since foreign exchanges may be open on days when a Fund does not price its Shares, the value of the securities in a Fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell a Fund’s Shares. Conversely, Fund Shares may trade on days when foreign exchanges are closed. Investment in foreign securities may involve higher costs than investment in U.S. securities, including higher transaction and custody costs as well as the imposition of additional taxes by foreign governments. Each of these factors can make investments in a Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments. |
Capital Controls Risk . Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to government intervention and the imposition of “capital controls” or expropriation or nationalization of assets. The possible establishment of exchange controls or freezes on the convertibility of currency, or the adoption of other governmental restrictions, might adversely affect an investment in foreign securities. Capital controls include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to transfer currency, securities or other assets within or out of a jurisdiction. Levies may be placed on profits repatriated by foreign entities (such as a Fund). Capital controls may impact the ability of a Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities or currency, may adversely affect the trading market and price for Shares of a Fund, and may cause the Fund to decline in value. |
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Depositary Receipt Risk . A Fund’s investments in foreign companies may be in the form of depositary receipts or other securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers, including ADRs, European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and GDRs. ADRs, EDRs, and GDRs are generally subject to the risks of investing directly in foreign securities and, in some cases, there may be less information available about the underlying issuers than would be the case with a direct investment in the foreign issuer. ADRs are U.S. dollar-denominated receipts representing shares of foreign-based corporations. GDRs are similar to ADRs but are shares of foreign-based corporations generally issued by international banks in one or more markets around the world. Investment in ADRs and GDRs may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market and GDRs, many of which are issued by companies in emerging markets, may be more volatile. Depositary receipts may be “sponsored” or “unsponsored” and may be unregistered and unlisted. Sponsored depositary receipts are established jointly by a depositary and the underlying issuer, whereas unsponsored depositary receipts may be established by a depositary without participation by the underlying issuer. Holders of an unsponsored depositary receipt generally bear all the costs associated with establishing the unsponsored depositary receipt. In addition, the issuers of the securities underlying unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States and, therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts. A Fund’s investments may also include ADRs and GDRs that are not purchased in the public markets and are restricted securities that can be offered and sold only to “qualified institutional buyers” under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Cambria will determine the liquidity of these investments pursuant to guidelines established by the Board. If a particular investment in such ADRs or GDRs is deemed illiquid, that investment will be included within a Fund’s limitation on investment in illiquid securities. Moreover, if adverse market conditions were to develop during the period between a Fund’s decision to sell these types of ADRs or GDRs and the point at which the Fund is permitted or able to sell such security, the Fund might obtain a price less favorable than the price that prevailed when it decided to sell. |
Currency Risk . Each Fund’s net asset value is determined on the basis of U.S. dollars; therefore, a Fund may lose value if the local currency of a foreign market depreciates against the U.S. dollar, even if the local currency value of a Fund’s holdings goes up. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by intervention; by failure to intervene by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks; or by currency controls or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates may affect the NAV of a Fund and the price of a Fund’s Shares. Devaluation of a currency by a country’s government or banking authority would have a significant impact on the value of any investments denominated in that currency. |
Political and Economic Risk . A Fund is subject to foreign political and economic risk not associated with U.S. investments, meaning that political events (civil unrest, national elections, changes in political conditions and foreign relations, imposition of exchange controls and repatriation restrictions), social and economic events (labor strikes, rising inflation) and natural disasters occurring in a foreign country could cause a Fund’s investments to experience gains or losses. A Fund also could be unable to enforce its ownership rights or pursue legal remedies in countries where it invests. |
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Foreign Market and Trading Risk . The trading markets for many foreign securities are not as active as U.S. markets and may have less governmental regulation and oversight. Foreign markets also may have clearance and settlement procedures that make it difficult for a Fund to buy and sell securities. The procedures and rules governing foreign transactions and custody (holding of the Funds’ assets) also may involve delays in payment, delivery or recovery of money or investments. These factors could result in a loss to a Fund by causing the Fund to be unable to dispose of an investment or to miss an attractive investment opportunity, or by causing Fund assets to be uninvested for some period of time. |
Forward Currency Contracts Risk. A Fund may seek to achieve exposure to global currency markets by investing in short-term forward currency contracts. Currency management strategies, including forward currency contracts, may substantially change a Fund’s exposure to currency exchange rates and could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not perform as Cambria expects. The forecasting of currency market movement is extremely difficult, and whether any strategy will be successful is uncertain. Moreover, it is impossible to forecast with precision market values at the expiration of a forward currency contract, and a Fund may be required to buy or sell additional currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such transaction) if Cambria’s predictions regarding the movement of foreign currency prove inaccurate. In addition, currency management strategies, to the extent that these strategies reduce a Fund’s exposure to currency risks, may also reduce the Fund’s ability to benefit from favorable changes in currency exchange rates. Further, the use of forward currency contracts subjects a Fund to counterparty risk and leveraging risk, as discussed in this Prospectus. There is no assurance that Cambria’s use of currency management strategies will benefit a Fund or that they will be, or can be, used at appropriate times.
High Yield Securities Risk. Securities that are high yield, commonly known as “junk bonds,” are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. High yield securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than higher grade securities. The prices of high yield securities have been found to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than are more highly rated investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic downturns or individual corporate developments. Yields on high yield securities will fluctuate. If the issuer of high yield securities defaults, a Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. The secondary markets in which high yield securities are traded may be less liquid than the market for higher grade securities. Less liquidity in the secondary trading markets could adversely affect the price at which a Fund could sell a particular high yield security when necessary to meet liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions may decrease the values and liquidity of high yield securities.
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Interest Rate Risk. The market value of fixed income securities, and financial instruments related to fixed income securities, will change in response to changes in interest rates and may change in response to other factors, such as perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness. As interest rates rise, the value of certain fixed income securities is likely to decrease. Similarly, if interest rates decline, the value of fixed income securities is likely to increase. While securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates and thus subject to greater volatility than securities with shorter maturities. A Fund with a longer portfolio maturity generally is subject to greater interest rate risk.
Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in a Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in a Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time. An investment in a Fund is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Leveraging Risk. A forward currency contract is a form of derivative that includes leverage, allowing a Fund to obtain the right to a return on stipulated capital that exceeds the amount the Fund has paid or invested. Although a Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets to cover the market value of its obligations under a forward currency contract, the amount will be limited to the current value of the Fund’s obligations to the counterparty, and will not prevent the Fund from incurring losses greater than the value of those obligations. The use of forward currency contracts could cause a Fund to be more volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to changes in the values of the currencies subject to the forward currency contract than if the Fund had made direct investments. Use of leverage involves special risks and is speculative. If Cambria is incorrect in evaluating movements in foreign currency, leverage will magnify any losses, and such losses may be significant.
Management Risk. A Fund is actively managed using proprietary investment strategies and processes. There can be no guarantee that these strategies and processes will produce the intended results and no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its investment objective or outperform other investment strategies over the short- or long-term market cycles. Securities selected by Cambria may not perform as expected. This could result in a Fund’s underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.
Portfolio Turnover Risk. A Fund’s investment strategy may from time to time result in higher turnover rates. This may increase a Fund’s brokerage commission costs. The performance of a Fund could be negatively impacted by the increased brokerage commission costs incurred by the Fund. Rapid portfolio turnover also exposes shareholders to a higher current realization of short-term capital gains, distributions of which would generally be taxed to you as ordinary income and thus cause you to pay higher taxes.
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Premium-Discount Risk. The Shares may trade above or below their NAV. The NAV of a Fund will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of Shares, however, will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of, and demand for, Shares on the Exchange. The trading price of Shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility. Cambria cannot predict whether Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the securities held by a Fund. However, given that Shares can be purchased and redeemed in large blocks of Shares, called Creation Units (unlike shares of closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their NAV), and a Fund’s portfolio holdings are fully disclosed on a daily basis, Cambria believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of Shares should not be sustained, but that may not be the case.
Quantitative Security Selection Risk. Data for some companies, particularly for emerging market companies, may be less available and/or less current than data for companies in other markets. Cambria will use quantitative techniques to generate investment decisions and its processes and stock selection can be adversely affected if it relies on erroneous or outdated data. In addition, securities selected using quantitative analysis can perform differently from the market as a whole as a result of the characteristics used in the analysis, the weight placed on each characteristic, and changes in the characteristic’s historical trends. The characteristics used in quantitative analysis and the weight placed on those characteristics may not be predictive of a security’s value, and the effectiveness of the characteristics can change over time. These changes may not be reflected in the current quantitative model.
Secondary Market Trading Risk. Investors buying or selling Shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Shares. In addition, secondary market investors will also incur the cost of the difference between the price that an investor is willing to pay for Shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell Shares (the “ask” price). This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “spread” or “bid/ask spread.” The bid/ask spread varies over time for Shares based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if a Fund’s Shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if a Fund’s Shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads.
Small and Medium Capitalization Company Risk . Investing in securities of small and medium capitalization companies involves greater risk than customarily is associated with investing in larger, more established companies. These companies’ securities may be more volatile and less liquid than those of more established companies. These securities may have returns that vary, sometimes significantly, from the overall securities market. Small and medium capitalization companies are sometimes more dependent on key personnel or limited product lines than larger, more diversified companies. Often small and medium capitalization companies and the industries in which they focus are still evolving and, as a result, they may be more sensitive to changing market conditions.
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Sovereign Debt Securities Risk. Investments in sovereign debt obligations involve special risks not present in corporate debt obligations. The issuer of the sovereign debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and a Fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt, and a Fund’s net asset value, may be more volatile than prices of U.S. debt obligations. In the past, certain non-U.S. markets have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments of principal and interest and declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debts. These risks increase for lower-rated and high yield debt securities, as discussed in this Prospectus.
Trading Risk. Although the Shares are listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active or liquid trading market for them will develop or be maintained. In addition, trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable. Further, trading in Shares on the Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.
FUND MANAGEMENT
Cambria acts as each Fund’s Investment Adviser. Cambria is located at 2321 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 3225, El Segundo, CA 90245. Cambria is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Cambria was founded in 2006 and manages approximately $110 million as of March 31, 2013.
Cambria is responsible for overseeing the management and business affairs of the Funds, and has discretion to purchase and sell securities in accordance with the Funds’ objectives, policies, and restrictions. Cambria continuously reviews, supervises, and administers the Funds’ investment programs. Cambria has entered into an investment advisory agreement, dated April 26, 2013, (“Management Agreement”) with respect to the Funds. Pursuant to that Management Agreement, each Fund pays Cambria an annual advisory fee based on its average daily net assets for the services and facilities it provides payable at the annual rates set forth in the table below:
Fund | Advisory Fee | |||
Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF | 0.69 | % | ||
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF | 0.59 | % | ||
Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF | 0.69 | % | ||
Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF | 0.69 | % |
Cambria bears all of its own costs associated with providing these advisory services and all expenses of the Funds, except for the fee payment under the Management Agreement, payments under each Fund’s 12b-1 plan, brokerage expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest (including borrowing costs and dividend expenses on securities sold short), litigation expense and other extraordinary expenses. The Management Agreement for a Fund provides that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees or, with respect to a Fund, by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, on 60 days’ written notice to Cambria, and by Cambria upon 60 days’ written notice and that it shall be automatically terminated if it is assigned.
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Portfolio Managers
Mebane T. Faber and Eric W. Richardson are the portfolio managers responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.
Mebane T. Faber, Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of Cambria
Mr. Faber is a co-founder and the Chief Investment Officer of Cambria, and has been portfolio manager of each Fund since its inception in 2013 . Mr. Faber is the manager of Cambria’s Global Tactical ETF (GTAA), separate accounts and private investment funds for accredited investors. Prior to Cambria’s formation in 2006, Mr. Faber served as a quantitative research analyst with VTrader, LLC, a proprietary trading and market making firm that is a registered broker/dealer and a member of the CBOE. He also served as a biotechnology equity analyst with the Genomics Fund. Mr. Faber is also the co-founder of AlphaClone, an investing research website, a writer for the World Beta blog, and the co-author of The Ivy Portfolio: How to Invest Like the Top Endowments and Avoid Bear Markets . Mr. Faber graduated from the University of Virginia with a double major in Engineering Science and Biology. He holds the Series 3 and 66 licenses, and is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), and Chartered Market Technician (CMT).
Eric W. Richardson, Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio Manager of Cambria
Mr. Richardson is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cambria, and has been portfolio manager of each Fund since its inception in 2013 . Mr. Richardson is the manager of Cambria’s Global Tactical ETF (GTAA), separate accounts and private investment funds for accredited investors. Prior to Cambria’s formation in 2006, Mr. Richardson served as the President and portfolio manager of Kwai Financial, the venture capital division of Headwaters Incorporated (NYSE: HW). Previous to this, Mr. Richardson served as Vice President of Institutional Sales for Imperial Capital, LLC, a FINRA-registered broker/dealer, where he was responsible for sales and trading of public and private securities to institutional investors. Mr. Richardson began his professional career as a banking and real estate attorney in the Los Angeles office of Milbank, Tweed Hadley & McCloy, where he represented institutional lenders in private banking and structured finance transactions. Mr. Richardson is the co-author of The Ivy Portfolio: How to Invest Like the Top Endowments and Avoid Bear Markets . Mr. Richardson received his B.A. from the University of Southern California and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. Mr. Richardson is a member of the California Bar Association, and holds the Series 7, 24 and 66 licenses.
The Funds’ SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including other accounts they manage, their ownership in the Funds, and their compensation.
Approval of Advisory Agreements
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustee’s approval of the Management Agreement with respect to each Fund will be available in the Trust’s first report to shareholders.
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OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
SEI Investments Distribution Co. (“Distributor”), 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456, serves as the distributor of Creation Units (defined below) for the Funds on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in Shares.
SEI Investments Global Funds Services, 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456, is the administrator and fund accountant for the Funds.
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, is the transfer agent and custodian for the Funds.
K&L Gates LLP, 1601 K Street, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20006, serves as legal counsel to the Funds.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Two Commerce Square, Suite 1700, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Funds.
BUYING AND SELLING FUND SHARES
S hares will be issued or redeemed by each Fund at NAV per Share only in Creation Units of 50,000 Shares, which are likely to cost over a million dollars. Creation Units are issued and redeemed for cash and/or in-kind for securities.
Shares will trade on the secondary market, however, which is where most retail investors will buy and sell Shares. It is expected that only a limited number of institutional investors, called Authorized Participants or “APs,” will purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Funds. APs may acquire Shares directly from the Funds, and APs may tender their Shares for redemption directly to the Funds, at NAV per Share only in large blocks, or Creation Units. Purchases and redemptions directly with the Funds must follow the Funds’ procedures, which are described in the SAI.
Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable with the Funds.
Buying and Selling Shares on the Secondary Market
Most investors will buy and sell Shares in secondary market transactions through brokers and, therefore, must have a brokerage account to buy and sell Shares. Shares can be bought or sold through your broker throughout the trading day like shares of any publicly traded issuer. When buying or selling Shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered prices in the secondary market for Shares. The price at which you buy or sell Shares ( i.e. , the market price) may be more or less than the NAV of the Shares. Unless imposed by your broker, there is no minimum dollar amount you must invest in a Fund and no minimum number of Shares you must buy.
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Shares of each of the Funds will be listed on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the Exchange) under the following symbols:
Fund | Trading Symbol | |
Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF | FXFX | |
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF | SYLD | |
Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF | FYLD | |
Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF | EYLD |
The Exchange is generally open Monday through Friday and is closed for weekends and the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
For information about buying and selling Shares on the Exchange or in the secondary markets, please contact your broker or dealer.
Book Entry. Shares are held in book entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), or its nominee, will be the registered owner of all outstanding Shares of the Funds and is recognized as the owner of all Shares. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of Shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have Shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of Shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of Shares, you must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any stocks that you hold in book entry or “street name” through your brokerage account. Your account information will be maintained by your broker, which will provide you with account statements, confirmations of your purchases and sales of Shares, and tax information. Your broker also will be responsible for distributing income dividends and capital gain distributions and for ensuring that you receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Funds.
Share Trading Prices. The trading prices of a Fund’s Shares may differ from the Fund’s daily net asset value, or “NAV,” and can be affected by market forces of supply and demand for the Fund’s Shares, the prices of the Fund’s portfolio securities, economic conditions and other factors.
The Exchange through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association or another market information provider intends to disseminate the approximate value of each Fund’s portfolio every fifteen seconds. This approximate value should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the NAV of a Fund because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed once a day. The quotations for certain investments may not be updated during U.S. trading hours if such holdings do not trade in the U.S., except such quotations may be updated to reflect currency fluctuations. The Funds are not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the approximate values and make no warranty as to the accuracy of these values.
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Continuous Offering. The method by which Creation Units of Shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of Shares are issued and sold by the Fund on an ongoing basis, a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may occur at any point. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirements and liability provisions of the Securities Act. For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares and sells the Shares directly to customers or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a characterization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). As a result, broker-dealer firms should note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with engaging in ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the Shares that are part of an overallotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, will be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the Securities Act is only available with respect to transactions on a national exchange.
ACTIVE INVESTORS AND MARKET TIMING
The Board of Trustees has evaluated the risks of market timing activities by the Funds’ shareholders. The Board noted that the Funds’ Shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from a Fund in Creation Units by APs and that the vast majority of trading in the Funds’ Shares occurs on the secondary market. Because the secondary market trades do not directly involve the Funds, it is unlikely those trades would cause the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the Funds’ trading costs and the realization of capital gains. With regard to the purchase or redemption of Creation Units directly with a Fund, to the extent effected in-kind ( i.e. , for securities), the Board of Trustees noted that those trades do not cause the harmful effects (as previously noted) that may result from frequent cash trades. To the extent trades are effected in whole or in part in cash, the Board of Trustees noted that those trades could result in dilution to a Fund and increased transaction costs, which could negatively impact a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. However, the Board of Trustees also noted that direct trading by APs is critical to ensuring that a Fund’s Shares trade at or close to NAV. The Funds also employ fair valuation pricing to minimize potential dilution from market timing. In addition, the Funds impose transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Fund Shares to cover the custodial and other costs incurred by a Fund in effecting trades. Given this structure, the Board of Trustees determined that it is not necessary to adopt policies and procedures to detect and deter market timing of the Funds’ Shares.
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DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
Each Fund has adopted a distribution and service plan (“Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act. Under the Plan, a Fund is authorized to pay distribution fees to the Distributor and other firms that provide distribution and shareholder services (“Service Providers”). If a Service Provider provides such services, a Fund may pay fees at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of average daily net assets, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act.
No distribution or service fees are currently paid by any Fund, however, and there are no current plans to impose these fees. In the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged, over time they would increase the cost of an investment in a Fund because they would be paid on an ongoing basis.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value, or “NAV,” of Shares is calculated each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time.
Each Fund calculates its NAV per Share by:
• Taking the current market value of its total assets,
• Subtracting any liabilities, and
• Dividing that amount by the total number of Shares owned by shareholders.
If you buy or sell Shares on the secondary market, you will pay or receive the market price, which may be higher or lower than NAV. Your transaction will be priced at NAV only if you purchase or redeem your Shares in Creation Units.
Because securities listed on foreign exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when a Fund does not price its Shares, the NAV of the Fund, to the extent it may hold foreign securities, may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell Shares.
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When calculating the NAV of a Fund’s Shares, expenses are accrued and applied daily and stocks held by the Fund are valued at their market value when reliable market quotations are readily available. Equity securities are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations reported on stock exchanges and other securities markets around the world. If an equity security is listed on a national exchange, the security is valued at the closing price or, if the closing price is not readily available, the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. Certain equity securities, debt securities and other assets are valued differently. For instance, fixed-income investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued primarily using the amortized cost method and those maturing in excess of 60 days are valued at the readily available market price, if available. Investments in open-end funds are valued at their NAVs. Forward foreign currency contracts will generally be valued based on the marked-to-market value of the contract. Both market quotations and indicative bids are obtained from outside pricing services approved and monitored pursuant to a policy approved by the Funds’ Board of Trustees.
If a market price is not readily available or is deemed not to reflect market value, a Fund will determine the price of the security held by the Fund based on a determination of the security’s fair value pursuant to policies and procedures approved by the Board. In addition, a Fund may use fair valuation to price securities that trade on a foreign exchange, if any, when a significant event has occurred after the foreign exchange closes but before the time at which the Fund’s NAV is calculated. Foreign exchanges typically close before the time at which Fund Share prices are calculated, and may be closed altogether on some days when a Fund is open. Such significant events affecting a foreign security, in the event a Fund holds foreign securities, may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions, earnings announcements, litigation or other events impacting a single issuer; governmental action that affects securities in one sector or country; natural disasters or armed conflicts affecting a country or region; or significant domestic or foreign market fluctuations. If a Fund holds foreign securities, it would use various criteria, including an evaluation of U.S. market moves after the close of foreign markets, in determining whether a foreign security’s market price is readily available and reflective of market value and, if not, the fair value of the security.
To the extent a Fund has holdings of tax-exempt, foreign or other securities that may trade infrequently, fair valuation may be used more frequently than for other funds. Fair valuation may have the effect of reducing stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund Shares. However, when a Fund uses fair valuation to price securities, it may value those securities higher or lower than another fund would have priced the security. Also, the use of fair valuation may cause the Shares’ NAV performance to diverge from the Shares’ market price and from the performance of various benchmarks used to compare a Fund’s performance because benchmarks generally do not use fair valuation techniques. Because of the judgment involved in fair valuation decisions, there can be no assurance that the value ascribed to a particular security is accurate.
FUND WEBSITE AND DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust maintains a website for the Funds at www.cambriafunds.com. Among other things, this website includes this Prospectus and the SAI, and will include the Funds’ holdings, the Funds’ last annual and semi-annual reports (when available), pricing information about Shares trading on the Exchange, daily NAV calculations and a historical comparison of the trading prices to NAV.
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Each day a Fund is open for business, the Trust publicly disseminates the Fund’s full portfolio holdings as of the close of the previous day through its website at www.cambriafunds.com. A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio holdings is available in the Funds’ SAI.
INVESTMENTS BY OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Trust and the Funds are part of the Cambria family of funds and related for purposes of investor and investment services, as defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the Investment Company Act.
For purposes of the Investment Company Act, Shares are issued by a registered investment company and purchases of such Shares by registered investment companies and companies relying on Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Act are subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 12(d)(1) of the Act, except as permitted by an exemptive order of the SEC. The SEC has granted the Trust such an order to permit registered investment companies to invest in Shares of each Fund beyond the limits in Section 12(d)(1)(A), subject to certain terms and conditions, including that the registered investment company first enter into a written agreement with the Trust regarding the terms of the investment. Accordingly, registered investment companies that wish to rely on the order must first enter into such a written agreement with the Trust and should contact the Trust to do so.
DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
F und d istributions
Each Fund generally pays out dividends from its net investment income, and distributes its net capital gains, if any, to shareholders annually. Each Fund typically earns dividends from stocks in which it invests. These amounts, net of expenses, are passed along to Fund shareholders as “income dividends.” Each Fund realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net long-term capital gains are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain dividends.”
Brokers may make available to their customers who own Shares the DTC book-entry dividend reinvestment service. To determine whether the dividend reinvestment service is available and whether there is a commission or other charge for using this service, consult your broker. Brokers may require Fund shareholders to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and net realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole Shares of the distributing Fund purchased in the secondary market. Without this service, investors would receive their distributions in cash.
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T axes
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in Shares of a Fund will be taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided only as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in Shares.
Fund distributions to you and sale of your Shares in a Fund will have tax consequences to you. Such consequences may not apply if you hold your Shares through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an individual retirement account or 401(k) plan.
T axes on D istributions
Distributions by the Funds generally are taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of a Fund’s “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, ordinary income, net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss, and net gains or losses from certain foreign currency transactions) will be taxable as ordinary income to the extent of a Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Shares.
Distributions of a Fund’s net capital gain (which is net long-term capital gain in excess of net short-term capital loss) that are properly designated by the Fund as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable to you as long-term capital gains at a maximum rate of 15% in the case of individuals, trusts or estates (20% for taxpayers with taxable income exceeding $400,000 or $450,000 if married and filing jointly), regardless of your holding period in a Fund’s Shares and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Shares. Distributions in excess of a Fund’s earnings and profits first will reduce your adjusted tax basis in its Shares and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain. Such capital gain will be long-term capital gain and thus, will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15% (20%), if the distributions are attributable to Shares held by you for more than one year. Distributions by the Funds that qualify as “qualified dividend income” are taxable to you at the long-term capital gain rate. In order for a distribution by a Fund to be treated as qualified dividend income, it must be attributable to dividends the Fund receives on stock of most domestic corporations and certain foreign corporations with respect to which the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other requirements and you must meet similar requirements with respect to the Fund’s Shares.
Distributions of a Fund’s investment company taxable income and net capital gains will also be subject to a 3.8% U.S. federal Medicare contribution tax on “net investment income” beginning in 2013 for individuals with incomes exceeding $200,000 (or $250,000 if married and filing jointly) and for certain trusts and estates.
Corporate shareholders are generally eligible for the 70% dividends-received deduction with respect to a Fund’s ordinary income dividends, but not its capital gain dividends, to the extent the Fund designates such dividends as qualifying for this deduction, except that the aggregate amount so designated in any year cannot exceed the dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations.
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Under a dividend reinvestment service, you may have the option to have all cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional Fund Shares. Any distributions reinvested under such a service will nevertheless be taxable to you. You will have an adjusted basis in the additional Shares purchased through such a reinvestment service equal to the amount of the reinvested distribution plus the amount of any fees charged for the transaction. The additional Shares will have a holding period commencing on the day following the day on which they are credited to your account.
A distribution will reduce a Fund’s NAV per Share and may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain even though, from an investment standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital. In general, distributions are subject to federal income tax for the year when they are paid. However, certain distributions paid in January may be treated as paid on December 31 of the prior year.
You may be subject to federal back-up withholding tax, if you have not provided a Fund with a taxpayer identification number (for an individual, a social security number) and made other required certifications. You may also be subject to state and local taxes on distributions, sales and redemptions.
T axes W hen S hares are S old
Generally, you will recognize taxable gain or loss if you sell or otherwise dispose of your Shares. Any gain arising from such a disposition generally will be treated as long-term capital gain if you held the Shares for more than one year; otherwise, it will be classified as short-term capital gain. However, any capital loss arising from the disposition of Shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received with respect to such Shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of Shares may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules if other Shares of the same Fund are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of the Shares acquired.
T axes on P urchase and R edemption of C reation U nits
An Authorized Participant that exchanges equity securities for one or more Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss on the exchange. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Unit(s) at the time and the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus (or minus) the Cash Component paid (or received). A person who redeems one or more Creation Units for equity securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Unit(s) and the aggregate market value of the securities received plus (or minus) the Cash Component received (or paid). The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Unit(s) cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
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Any capital gain or loss realized upon a redemption of one or more Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Creation Unit(s) have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if they have been held for one year or less.
If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many Shares you purchased or sold and at what price.
The foregoing is only a summary of certain federal income tax considerations under current law, which is subject to change in the future. Shareholders such as non-resident aliens, foreign trusts or estates, or foreign corporations or partnerships may be subject to different U.S. federal income tax treatment.
You should consult your tax adviser for further information regarding federal, state, local and/or foreign tax consequences relevant to your specific situation. More information about taxes is in the Funds’ SAI.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Funds are newly organized and therefore have not yet had any operations as of the date of this Prospectus and do not have financial highlights to present at this time.
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If you would like more information about the Funds and the Trust, the following documents are available free, upon request:
Annual/Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders
Additional information about the Funds will be in their annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, when available. The annual report will explain the market conditions and investment strategies affecting each Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information
An SAI dated May 6, 2013, which contains more details about the Funds, is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus, which means that it is legally part of this Prospectus.
To receive a free copy of the latest annual or semi-annual report, when available, or the SAI, or to request additional information about the Funds, please contact us as follows:
Call: | 855-ETF-INFO (383-4636) |
Write: | 2321 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 3225 |
El Segundo, CA 90245 | |
Visit: | www.cambriafunds.com |
Information Provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission
Information about the Funds, including their reports and the SAI, has been filed with the SEC. It can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC or on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 202.551.8090. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the Public Reference section of the SEC, 100 F Street NE, Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549.
Investment Company Act File No. 811-22704.
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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CAMBRIA ETF TRUST
Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF (FXFX)
(not currently offered for sale)
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD)
Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF (FYLD)
(not currently offered for sale)
Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF (EYLD)
(not currently offered for sale)
2321 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 3225, El Segundo, CA 90245
PHONE: (310) 683-5500
May 6, 2013
Shares of each of the Funds will be listed and traded on the NYSE Arca, Inc.
This SAI describes certain series of the Cambria ETF Trust. The Trust is an open-end registered management investment company under the Investment Company Act, and is currently comprised of four Funds: Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF, Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF, Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF and Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF. Additional series may be added or launched in the future.
Each Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund. Cambria Investment Management, L.P. (“Cambria” or the “Investment Adviser”), serves as the investment adviser to each Fund. SEI Investments Distribution Co. serves as the Distributor for each Fund.
Shares of the Funds are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. Government.
This SAI, dated May 6, 2013, is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the Funds’ Prospectus, dated May 6, 2013, which incorporates this SAI by reference. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by writing to the Distributor, calling 855-ETF-INFO (383-4636) or visiting www.cambriafunds.com. An annual report for the Funds will be available in the same manner once the Funds have completed their first annual period.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||
GLOSSARY | 3 | |
TRUST AND FUNDS OVERVIEW | 4 | |
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING | 5 | |
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS | 5 | |
INTRADAY INDICATIVE VALUE | 5 | |
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS | 6 | |
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS | 6 | |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS | 19 | |
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES | 24 | |
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES | 24 | |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 26 | |
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE | 26 | |
THE DISTRIBUTOR | 28 | |
ACCOUNTING AND LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS | 29 | |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING SHARES | 29 | |
TRANSACTIONS IN CREATION UNITS | 31 | |
Purchasing Creation Units | 31 | |
Transaction Fees | 35 | |
Redeeming Creation Units | 35 | |
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE | 39 | |
TAXATION | 39 | |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 42 | |
Appendix A: Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for the Trust | A-1 | |
Appendix B: Description Of Securities Ratings | B-1 | |
Appendix C: Foreign Holidays | C-1 |
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this SAI and the Prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representations may not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trust. This SAI does not constitute an offer to sell securities.
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GLOSSARY
The following terms are used throughout this SAI, and have the meanings used below:
“ 1933 Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“ 1934 Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“ Authorized Participant ” means a broker-dealer or other participant in the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) or a participant in DTC with access to the DTC system, and who has executed an agreement with the Distributor that governs transactions in the Funds’ Creation Units.
“ Balancing Amount ” means an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of a Creation Unit and the market value of the In-Kind Creation (or Redemption) Basket, used to ensure that the NAV of a Fund Deposit (or Redemption) (other than the Transaction Fee), is identical to the NAV of the Creation Unit being purchased.
“ Board ” means the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
“ Business Day ” means any day on which the Trust is open for business.
“ Cambria ” means Cambria Investment Management, L.P., or the Investment Adviser.
“ Cash Component ” means an amount of cash consisting of a Balancing Amount and a Transaction Fee calculated in connection with creations.
“ Cash Redemption Amount ” means an amount of cash consisting of a Balancing Amount and a Transaction Fee calculated in connection with redemptions.
“ CEA ” means the Commodity Exchange Act.
“ CFTC ” means the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
“ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“ Creation Unit ” means an aggregation of 50,000 Shares that each Fund issues and redeems on a continuous basis at NAV. Shares will not be issued or redeemed except in Creation Units.
“ Distributor ” means SEI Investments Distribution Co.
“ Dodd-Frank Act ” means the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
“ DTC ” means the Depository Trust Company.
“ Exchange ” means the NYSE Arca, Inc.
“ FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
“ Fund ” means a series of the Trust: currently, Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF, Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF, Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF and Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF.
“ Fund Deposit ” means the In-Kind Creation Basket and Cash Component necessary to purchase a Creation Unit from a Fund.
“ Fund Redemption ” means the In-Kind Redemption Basket and Cash Redemption Amount received in connection with the redemption of a Creation Unit.
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“ IIV ” means an approximate per Share value of a Fund’s portfolio, disseminated every fifteen seconds throughout the trading day by the Exchange through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association or other information providers, known as the Intraday Indicative Value.
“ In-Kind Creation Basket ” means the basket of securities to be deposited to purchase Creation Units of a Fund.
“ In-Kind Redemption Basket ” means the basket of securities a shareholder will receive upon redemption of a Creation Unit.
“ Investment Advise r” means Cambria Investment Management, L.P., or Cambria.
“ Investment Company Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
“ IRS ” means the Internal Revenue Service.
“ NAV ” means the net asset value of a Fund.
“ NSCC ” means the National Securities Clearing Corporation.
“ NYSE ” means the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
“ Prospectus ” means the Funds’ Prospectus, dated May 6, 2013, as amended and supplemented from time to time.
“ SAI ” means this Statement of Additional Information, dated May 6, 2013, as amended and supplemented from time to time.
“ SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“ Shares ” means the shares of a Fund.
“ Transaction Fees ” are fees imposed to compensate the Trust for costs incurred in connection with transactions for Creation Units. The Transaction Fee is comprised of a flat (or standard) fee and may include a variable fee. For the Transaction Fees applicable to each Fund, see “Transaction Fees” in this SAI.
“ Trust ” means the Cambria ETF Trust, a Delaware statutory trust.
TRUST AND FUNDS OVERVIEW
The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust formed on September 9, 2011 and an open-end registered management investment company comprised of four Funds, which are discussed in this SAI and have not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI. Each of the Funds is a diversified, actively managed exchange-traded fund. Other Funds may be added to the Trust in the future. The offering of the Shares is registered under the 1933 Act.
Each Fund offers and issues Shares at NAV only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares, generally in exchange for a basket of securities constituting the portfolio holdings of the Fund, together with the deposit of a specified cash payment, or, in certain circumstances, for an all cash payment. Shares of each Fund will be listed and traded on the Exchange. Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices that may be below, at, or above NAV.
Unlike mutual funds, Shares are not individually redeemable securities. Rather, each Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis at NAV, only in Creation Units of 50,000 Shares. In the event of the liquidation of a Fund, the Trust may lower the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.
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In the instance of creations and redemptions, Transaction Fees may be imposed. Such fees are limited in accordance with requirements of the SEC applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. Some of the information contained in this SAI and the Prospectus — such as information about purchasing and redeeming Shares from a Fund and Transaction Fees — is not relevant to most retail investors because it applies only to transactions for Creation Units and most retail investors do not transact for Creation Units.
Once created, Shares generally trade in the secondary market, at market prices that change throughout the day, in amounts less than a Creation Unit. Investors purchasing Shares in the secondary market through a brokerage account or with the assistance of a broker may be subject to brokerage commissions and charges.
Unlike index-based ETFs, the Funds are “actively managed” and do not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index.
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING
Shares of each Fund will be listed and traded on the Exchange. Shares trade on the Exchange or in secondary markets at prices that may differ from their NAV or IIV, including because such prices may be affected by market forces (such as supply and demand for Shares). As is the case of other securities traded on an exchange, when you buy or sell Shares on the Exchange or in the secondary markets your broker will normally charge you a commission or other transaction charges. Further, the Trust reserves the right to adjust the price of Shares in the future to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors (namely, to maintain a price per Share that is attractive to investors) by share splits or reverse share splits, which would have no effect on the NAV.
There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of each Fund will continue to be met. The Exchange may, but is not required to, remove the Shares of a Fund from listing if: (i) following the initial 12-month period beginning at the commencement of trading of a Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners of the Shares of the Fund for 30 or more consecutive trading days, or (ii) such other event shall occur or condition exist that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. The Exchange will remove the Shares of a Fund from listing and trading upon termination of a Fund.
The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Exchange. The Exchange makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of Shares of the Funds or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Funds particularly or the ability of the Funds to achieve their objectives. The Exchange has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Funds.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Board has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Funds’ portfolio securities. Under the policy, portfolio holdings of the Funds, which will form the basis for the calculation of NAV on a Business Day, are publicly disseminated prior to the opening of trading on the Exchange that Business Day through financial reporting or news services, including the website www.cambriafunds.com. In addition, each Business Day a portfolio composition file, which displays the In-Kind Creation Basket and Cash Component, is publicly disseminated prior to the opening of the Exchange via the NSCC.
INTRADAY INDICATIVE VALUE
The IIV is an approximate per Share value of a Fund’s portfolio holdings, which is disseminated every fifteen seconds throughout the trading day by the Exchange through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association or by other information providers. The IIV is based on the current market value of a Fund’s Fund Deposit. The IIV does not necessarily reflect the precise composition of the current portfolio of securities held by a Fund at a particular point in time. The IIV should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the NAV of a Fund because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV. The quotations for certain investments may not be updated during U.S. trading hours if such holdings do not trade in the U.S., except such quotations may be updated to reflect currency fluctuations. The Funds are not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the IIV and make no warranty as to the accuracy of the IIV.
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INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
The investment policies enumerated in this section may be changed with respect to a Fund only by a vote of the holders of a majority of the Funds’ outstanding voting securities, except as noted below:
1. The Funds may not borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
2. The Funds may not issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
3. The Funds may not engage in the business of underwriting securities except to the extent that the Funds may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act in the acquisition, disposition or resale of its portfolio securities or in connection with investments in other investment companies, or to the extent otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
4. The Funds may not purchase or sell real estate, except to the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
5. The Funds may not purchase or sell commodities, contracts relating to commodities or options on contracts relating to commodities except to the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief. This policy shall not prevent the Funds from purchasing or selling foreign currency or purchasing, selling or entering into futures contracts, options, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and other financial instruments as currently exist or may in the future be developed.
6. The Funds may not make loans, except to the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
7. The Funds will not concentrate their investments in issuers of one or more particular industries.
If a percentage limitation is satisfied at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in such percentage resulting from a change in the value of a Fund’s investments will not constitute a violation of such limitation. Thus, a Fund may continue to hold a security even though it causes the Fund to exceed a percentage limitation because of fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s assets, except that any borrowing by a Fund that exceeds the fundamental investment limitations stated above must be reduced to meet such limitations within the period required by the Investment Company Act or the relevant rules, regulations or interpretations thereunder.
For purposes of applying the limitation set forth in the concentration policy, the Funds, with respect to their equity holdings, will generally use the industry classifications provided by the Global Industry Classification System. Securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities) and tax-free securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions (and repurchase agreements collateralized by government securities) are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
The investment objective, principal strategies of, and risks of investing in each Fund are described in the Prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus or this SAI, the investment objective and policies of a Fund may be changed without shareholder approval.
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Credit Quality Standards (All Funds)
When investing in fixed income securities and, if applicable, preferred or convertible stocks, the Funds maintain the following credit quality standards, which apply at the time of investment:
For securities that carry a rating assigned by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (a “Rating Organization”), Cambria will use the highest rating assigned by the Rating Organization to determine a security’s credit rating. Commercial paper must be rated at least “A-1” or equivalent by a Rating Organization. Corporate debt obligations, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities and municipal securities must be rated at least “B-”or equivalent by a Rating Organization. For securities that are not rated by a Rating Organization, Cambria’s internal credit rating will apply and be subject to the equivalent rating minimums described here.
Each Fund may also engage in the following investment strategies or techniques (except where indicated otherwise). For the Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF, it may be exposed to the investment strategies or techniques and risks described below either by directly using the strategy or technique, or indirectly by investing in an exchange-traded fund or other vehicle which uses the strategy or technique described below.
Securities Lending (All Funds)
The Funds may make secured loans of their portfolio securities; however, securities loans will not be made if, as a result, the aggregate amount of all outstanding securities loans by a Fund exceeds 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the market value of collateral received). For purposes of complying with a Fund’s investment policies and restrictions, collateral received in connection with securities loans is deemed an asset of the Fund to the extent required by law. A Fund continues to receive dividends or interest, as applicable, on the securities loaned and simultaneously earns either interest on the investment of the cash collateral or fee income if the loan is otherwise collateralized.
To the extent a Fund engages in securities lending, securities loans will be made to broker-dealers that Cambria believes to be of relatively high credit standing pursuant to agreements requiring that the loans continuously be collateralized by cash, liquid securities, or shares of other investment companies with a value at least equal to the market value of the loaned securities. As with other extensions of credit, a Fund bears the risk of delay in the recovery of the securities and of loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. A Fund also bears the risk that the value of investments made with collateral may decline.
Voting rights or rights to consent with respect to the loaned securities pass to the borrower. A Fund has the right to call loans at any time on reasonable notice. However, a Fund bears the risk of delay in the return of the security, impairing the Fund’s ability to vote on such matters. The Investment Adviser will retain lending agents on behalf of the Funds that are compensated based on a percentage of a Fund’s return on its securities lending. A Fund may also pay various fees in connection with securities loans, including shipping fees and custodian fees.
Dollar Rolls, Delayed Delivery Transactions and When Issued or Forward Commitment Securities (Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF)
The purchase or sale of when-issued securities enables an investor to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices by locking in an attractive price or yield. The price of delayed delivery transactions, including when-issued securities, is fixed at the time the commitment to purchase or sell is made, but delivery and payment for the securities takes place at a later date, normally one to two months after the date of purchase. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the purchaser to the issuer and no interest accrues to the purchaser. Such transactions therefore involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date. A sale of a when-issued security also involves the risk that the other party will be unable to settle the transaction. Dollar rolls are a type of forward commitment transaction. Purchases and sales of securities on a forward commitment basis involve a commitment to purchase or sell securities with payment and delivery to take place at some future date, normally one to two months after the date of the transaction. As with when-issued securities, these transactions involve certain risks, but they also enable an investor to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. Forward commitment transactions are executed for existing obligations, whereas in a when-issued transaction, the obligations have not yet been issued. When purchasing securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, a segregated account of liquid assets at least equal to the value of purchase commitments for such securities will be maintained until the settlement date.
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Depositary Receipts (Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF, Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF and Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF)
The Funds may invest in foreign securities by purchasing depositary receipts, including American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) or other securities convertible into securities of issuers based in foreign countries. These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities which they represent. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are denominated in U.S. dollars and are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, GDRs, in bearer form, are issued and designed for use outside the United States and EDRs (also referred to as Continental Depositary Receipts (“CDRs”)), in bearer form, may be denominated in other currencies and are designed for use in European securities markets. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities. EDRs are European receipts evidencing a similar arrangement. GDRs are receipts typically issued by non-United States banks and trust companies that evidence ownership of either foreign or domestic securities. For purposes of a Fund’s investment policies, ADRs, GDRs and EDRs are deemed to have the same classification as the underlying securities they represent. Thus, an ADR, GDR or EDR representing ownership of common stock will be treated as common stock.
Preferred Stocks (Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF, Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF and Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF)
Each Fund may invest in preferred stocks. Preferred stocks include convertible and non-convertible preferred and preference stocks that are senior to common stock. Preferred stocks are equity securities that are senior to common stock with respect to the right to receive dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from the issuer’s liquidation. Some preferred stocks also entitle their holders to receive additional liquidation proceeds on the same basis as holders of the issuer’s common stock, and thus represent an ownership interest in the issuer. Depending on the features of the particular security, holders of preferred stock may bear the risks disclosed in the Prospectus or this SAI regarding equity or fixed income securities.
Repurchase Agreements (All Funds)
The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements with banks and broker-dealers. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which securities are acquired by a Fund from a securities dealer or bank subject to resale at an agreed upon price on a later date. The acquiring Fund bears a risk of loss in the event that the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities. Such a default may subject a Fund to expenses, delays, and risks of loss including: (i) possible declines in the value of the underlying security while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights, (ii) possible reduced levels of income and lack of access to income during this period, and (iii) the inability to enforce its rights and the expenses involved in attempted enforcement.
Debt and Other Fixed Income Securities Generally (Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF)
Debt securities include obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, corporate debt securities, master-demand notes, Yankee dollar and Eurodollar bank certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper and other notes, inflation-indexed securities, and other debt securities. Debt securities may be investment grade securities or high yield securities, which are described below. Investment grade securities include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, as well as securities rated in one of the four highest rating categories by at least two Rating Organizations rating that security, such as Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“Standard & Poor’s”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or rated in one of the four highest rating categories by one Rating Organization if it is the only Rating Organization rating that security or unrated, if deemed to be of comparable quality by Cambria and traded publicly on the world market. A Fund, at the discretion of Cambria, may retain a debt security that has been downgraded below the initial investment criteria.
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Debt and other fixed income securities include fixed and floating rate securities of any maturity. Fixed rate securities pay a specified rate of interest or dividends. Floating rate securities pay a rate that is adjusted periodically by reference to a specified index or market rate. Fixed and floating rate securities include securities issued by federal, state, local, and foreign governments and related agencies, and by a wide range of private issuers, and generally are referred to in this SAI as “fixed income securities.” Indexed bonds are a type of fixed income security whose principal value and/or interest rate is adjusted periodically according to a specified instrument, index, or other statistic ( e.g ., another security, inflation index, currency, or commodity).
Holders of fixed income securities are exposed to both market and credit risk. Market risk (or “interest rate risk”) relates to changes in a security’s value as a result of changes in interest rates. In general, the values of fixed income securities increase when interest rates fall and decrease when interest rates rise. Credit risk relates to the ability of an issuer to make payments of principal and interest. Obligations of issuers are subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws that affect the rights and remedies of creditors.
Because interest rates vary, the future income of a Fund that invests in fixed income securities cannot be predicted with certainty. The future income of a Fund that invests in indexed securities also will be affected by changes in those securities’ indices over time ( e.g ., changes in inflation rates, currency rates, or commodity prices).
Zero Coupon Securities (Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF)
Zero coupon securities may be issued by a wide variety of corporate and governmental issuers. Zero coupon securities tend to be subject to greater market risk than interest-paying securities of similar maturities. When an investor purchases a traditional coupon-bearing bond, it is paid periodic interest at a predetermined rate. Zero coupon securities tend to be subject to greater price fluctuations in response to changes in interest rates than are ordinary interest-paying debt securities with similar maturities. The value of zero coupon securities appreciates more during periods of declining interest rates and depreciates more during periods of rising interest rates than ordinary interest-paying debt securities with similar maturities.
High Yield Securities (Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF)
Securities rated lower than Baa by Moody’s, or equivalently rated by S&P or Fitch, are sometimes referred to as “high yield securities” or “junk bonds.” Investing in these securities involves special risks in addition to the risks associated with investments in higher-rated fixed income securities. While offering a greater potential opportunity for capital appreciation and higher yields, high yield securities typically entail greater potential price volatility and may be less liquid than higher-rated securities. A Fund may have difficulty selling certain junk bonds because they may have a thin trading market. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse effect on the market price and a Fund’s ability to dispose of particular issues and may also make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations in valuing these assets. High yield securities may be regarded as predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. They may also be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than higher-rated securities. Issuers of securities in default may fail to resume principal or interest payments, in which case a Fund may lose its entire investment.
Companies that issue high yield bonds are often highly leveraged and may not have more traditional methods of financing available to them. During an economic downturn or recession, highly leveraged issuers of high-yield securities may experience financial stress, and may not have sufficient revenues to meet their interest payment obligations. Economic downturns tend to disrupt the market for high yield bonds, lowering their values and increasing their price volatility. The risk of issuer default is higher with respect to high yield bonds because such issues may be subordinated to other creditors of the issuer.
The credit rating of a high yield bond does not necessarily address its market value risk, and ratings may from time to time change to reflect developments regarding the issuer’s financial condition. The lower the rating of a high yield bond, the more speculative its characteristics.
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Cash Items (All Funds)
A Fund may temporarily invest a portion of its assets in cash or cash items pending other investments or to maintain liquid assets required in connection with some of the Fund’s investments. These cash items and other high quality debt securities may include money market instruments, such as securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper, bank certificates of deposit and investment companies that invest primarily in such instruments.
U.S. Government Securities and Foreign Government Securities (All Funds)
U.S. government securities include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its authorities, agencies, or instrumentalities. Foreign government securities include securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments (including political subdivisions) or their authorities, agencies, or instrumentalities or by supra-national agencies. Different kinds of U.S. government securities and foreign government securities have different kinds of government support. For example, some U.S. government securities ( e.g ., U.S. Treasury bonds) are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Other U.S. government securities are issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or government-chartered or -sponsored enterprises but are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government ( e.g. , debt securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA” or “Fannie Mae”), and Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLBs”). Similarly, some foreign government securities are supported by the full faith and credit of a foreign national government or political subdivision and some are not. Foreign government securities of some countries may involve varying degrees of credit risk as a result of financial or political instability in those countries or the possible inability of a Fund to enforce its rights against the foreign government. As with issuers of other fixed income securities, sovereign issuers may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal or interest payments.
It is possible that the availability and the marketability (that is, liquidity) of the securities discussed in this section could be adversely affected by actions of the U.S. and foreign governments to tighten the availability of credit.
Supra-national agencies are agencies whose member nations make capital contributions to support the agencies’ activities. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the Asian Development Bank, the European Coal and Steel Community, and the Inter-American Development Bank.
As with other fixed income securities, U.S. government securities and foreign government securities expose their holders to market risk because their values typically change as interest rates fluctuate. For example, the value of U.S. government securities or foreign government securities may fall during times of rising interest rates. Yields on U.S. government securities and foreign government securities tend to be lower than those of corporate securities of comparable maturities.
In addition to investing directly in U.S. government securities and foreign government securities, a Fund may purchase certificates of accrual or similar instruments evidencing undivided ownership interests in interest payments and/or principal payments of U.S. government securities and foreign government securities. Certificates of accrual and similar instruments may be more volatile than other government securities.
Foreign Investments (All Funds)
Foreign Market Risk. Foreign security investment or exposure involves special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that a Fund will lose money. These risks are higher for emerging markets investments, which can be subject to greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and may have significantly less liquidity, than developed markets. In particular, the Funds are subject to the risk that because there are generally fewer investors on foreign exchanges and a smaller number of shares traded each day, it may be difficult for a Fund to buy and sell securities, or increase or decrease exposures, on those exchanges. In addition, prices of foreign securities may fluctuate more than prices of securities traded in the U.S.
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Foreign Economy Risk . The economies of certain foreign markets often do not compare favorably with that of the U.S. with respect to such issues as growth of gross domestic product, reinvestment of capital, resources, and balance of payments positions. Certain foreign economies may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of capital controls, nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of assets, or the imposition of punitive taxes. In addition, the governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investing in their capital markets or in certain industries. Any of these actions could severely affect security prices, impair a Fund’s ability to purchase or sell foreign securities, or obtain exposure to them, or transfer the Fund’s assets back into the U.S., or otherwise adversely affect the Fund’s operations. Other foreign market risks include foreign exchange controls, difficulties in pricing securities, defaults on foreign government securities, difficulties in enforcing favorable legal judgments in foreign courts, and political and social instability. Legal remedies available to investors in certain foreign countries may be less extensive than those available to investors in the U.S. or other foreign countries. Foreign corporate governance may not be as robust as in the U.S. As a result, protections for minority investors may not be strong, which could affect security prices.
Currency Risk and Exchange Risk. Securities in which the Funds invest, or to which they obtain exposure, may be denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of these securities. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, an investment in a security denominated in that currency loses value because the currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars. Similarly when the U.S. dollar decreases in value against a foreign currency, an investment in, or exposure to, a security denominated in that currency gains value because the currency is worth more U.S. dollars. This risk is generally known as “currency risk,” which is the possibility that a stronger U.S. dollar will reduce returns for U.S. investors investing overseas. Foreign currencies also involve the risk that they will be devalued or replaced, adversely affecting the Funds’ investments.
Governmental Supervision and Regulation/Accounting Standards. Many foreign governments supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to a lesser extent than the U.S. government. Some countries may not have laws to protect investors the way that the U.S. securities laws do. Accounting standards in other countries are not necessarily the same as in the U.S. If the accounting standards in another country do not require as much disclosure or detail as U.S. accounting standards, it may be harder for a Fund’s portfolio managers to completely and accurately determine a company’s financial condition.
Certain Risks of Holding Fund Assets Outside the U.S. Foreign securities in which the Funds invest, or to which they obtain exposure, are generally held outside the U.S. in foreign banks and securities depositories. The Funds’ custodian is the Funds’ “foreign custody manager” as provided in Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act. The “foreign custody manager” is responsible for determining that each Fund’s directly-held foreign assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on standards applicable to custodians in relevant foreign markets, but will not have jurisdiction over banks and depositories holding foreign assets to which a Fund has indirect exposure through swap agreements. However, certain foreign banks and securities depositories may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. They may also have operations subject to limited or no regulatory oversight. Also, the laws of certain countries may put limits on a Fund’s ability to recover its assets if a foreign bank or depository or issuer of a security or an agent of any of the foregoing goes bankrupt. In addition, it likely will be more expensive for a Fund to buy, sell and hold securities, or increase or decrease exposures thereto, in certain foreign markets than it is in the U.S. market due to higher brokerage, transaction, custody and/or other costs. The increased expense of investing in foreign markets reduces the amount a Fund can earn on its investments.
Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets differ significantly from those in the U.S. Foreign settlement and clearance procedures and trade regulations also may involve certain risks (such as delays in payment for or delivery of securities) not typically involved with the settlement of U.S. investments. Communications between the U.S. and emerging market countries may be unreliable, increasing the risk of delayed settlements or losses of security certificates. Settlements in certain foreign countries at times have not kept pace with the number of securities transactions. The problems may make it difficult for the Funds to carry out transactions. If a Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a purchase of securities, the Fund may miss attractive investment opportunities and certain of its assets may be uninvested with no return earned thereon for some period. If a Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a sale of securities, directly or indirectly, it may lose money if the value of the security then declines or, if it has contracted to sell the security to another party, the Fund could be liable to that party for any losses incurred.
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Dividends and interest on, and proceeds from the sale of, foreign securities a Fund holds, or has exposure to, may be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes, and special federal tax considerations may apply.
Emerging Markets (All Funds)
Investing in companies domiciled in emerging market countries may be subject to greater risks than investments in developed countries. These risks include: (i) less social, political, and economic stability; (ii) greater illiquidity and price volatility due to smaller or limited local capital markets for such securities, or low or non-existent trading volumes; (iii) foreign exchanges and broker-dealers may be subject to less scrutiny and regulation by local authorities; (iv) local governments may decide to seize or confiscate securities held by foreign investors and/or local governments may decide to suspend or limit an issuer’s ability to make dividend or interest payments; (v) local governments may limit or entirely restrict repatriation of invested capital, profits, and dividends; (vi) capital gains may be subject to local taxation, including on a retroactive basis; (vii) issuers facing restrictions on dollar or euro payments imposed by local governments may attempt to make dividend or interest payments to foreign investors in the local currency; (viii) investors may experience difficulty in enforcing legal claims related to the securities and/or local judges may favor the interests of the issuer over those of foreign investors; (ix) bankruptcy judgments may only be permitted to be paid in the local currency; (x) limited public information regarding the issuer may result in greater difficulty in determining market valuations of the securities, and (xi) lax financial reporting on a regular basis, substandard disclosure, and differences in accounting standards may make it difficult to ascertain the financial health of an issuer. Many emerging market countries have experienced currency devaluations and substantial (and, in some cases, extremely high) rates of inflation. Other emerging market countries have experienced economic recessions. These circumstances have had a negative effect on the economies and securities markets of such emerging market countries.
Foreign Currencies Transactions (Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF, Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF, Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF)
A Fund may hold funds in bank deposits in U.S. or foreign currency, including during the completion of investment programs. For additional currency exposure, a Fund may also conduct currency exchange transactions either on a spot (cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign exchange market or by entering into a forward currency contract. These transactions will expose the Fund to foreign currency fluctuations.
The prediction of currency movements is extremely difficult and the successful execution of a speculative strategy is highly uncertain. Should exchange rates move in an unexpected manner, a Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the transaction, or it may realize losses. The successful use of forward currency contracts will usually depend on Cambria’s ability to forecast accurately currency exchange rate movements and its skill in analyzing and predicting currency values. There is no assurance that Cambria’s use of forward currency contracts will be advantageous to a Fund or that Cambria will hedge exposures at an appropriate time. The precise matching of forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved is generally not possible because the value of such securities, measured in the foreign currency, will change after the forward currency contract has been established. The projection of short-term currency market movements is extremely difficult, and the successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain. Further, under certain circumstances, a Fund may have to limit its currency transactions to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Code or to maintain its exception from registration as a commodity pool operator under the CEA.
Forward contracts may be considered “derivatives” — financial instruments whose performance is derived, at least in part, from the performance of another asset (such as a security, currency or an index of securities). A forward currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific amount of a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days (usually less than one year) from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract.
At or before settlement of a forward currency contract, a Fund may either deliver the currency or terminate its contractual obligation to deliver the currency by purchasing an offsetting contract; or, if the forward currency contract is cash settled, pay or receive the difference between its and its counterparty’s obligations under the contract. If a Fund makes delivery of a currency at or before the settlement of a forward contract, it may be required to obtain the currency through the conversion of assets into the currency. A Fund may close out a forward contract obligating it to purchase currency by selling an offsetting contract. If a Fund engages in an offsetting transaction, it may later enter into a new forward currency contract to sell the currency. If a Fund engages in an offsetting transaction, it will incur a gain or loss to the extent that there has been movement in forward currency contract prices.
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Forward currency contracts have historically been individually negotiated and privately traded by currency traders and their customers, though in the future they may become centrally cleared. These contracts may result in a loss if a counterparty, including a central clearing agency, does not perform as expected or becomes insolvent. In the event of insolvency of a counterparty, a Fund might be unable to close out a forward currency contract at any time prior to maturity or, even if it entered an offsetting transaction with a second counterparty, the Fund would continue to be subject to settlement risk relating to the transaction with the insolvent counterparty.
A Fund may enter into forward contracts for a variety of reasons, including hedging and extracting investment returns.
Hedging. With respect to hedging, a Fund may invest in forward currency contracts to hedge either specific transactions (transaction hedging) or portfolio positions (position hedging). Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward currency contracts with respect to specific receivables or payables of a Fund in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. Position hedging is the sale of a forward currency contract on a particular currency with respect to portfolio positions denominated or quoted in that currency.
Position hedging and transaction hedging generally involve a Fund seeking to “lock in” the exchange rate between currencies. For example, if a Fund owned securities denominated in euros, to effectuate a position hedge, it could enter into a forward currency contract to sell euros in return for U.S. dollars to hedge against possible declines in the euro’s value. Such a hedge would tend to offset both positive and negative currency fluctuations, but would not offset changes in security values caused by other factors. A Fund could also hedge the position by selling another currency expected to perform similarly to the euro. This type of hedge, sometimes referred to as a proxy hedge, could offer advantages in terms of cost, yield or efficiency, but generally would not hedge currency exposure as effectively as a simple hedge into U.S. dollars. Proxy hedges may result in losses if the currency used to hedge does not perform similarly to the currency in which the hedged securities are denominated.
Purchasing a forward currency contract to lock in the U.S. dollar price of a security denominated in a foreign currency that the Fund intends to acquire may serve as a long hedge. Alternatively, selling a forward currency contract to lock in the U.S. dollar equivalent of the proceeds from the anticipated sale of a security or a dividend or interest payment denominated in a foreign currency may serve as a short hedge. Currency hedges do not protect against price movements in the securities that are attributable to other causes.
A Fund might seek to hedge against changes in the value of a particular currency when no forward currency contracts on that currency are available or such forward currency contracts are more expensive than certain other derivative instruments. In such cases, a Fund may seek to hedge against price movements in that currency by entering into transactions using forward currency contracts on another currency or a basket of currencies, the values of which Cambria believes will have a high degree of positive correlation to the value of the currency being hedged. The risk that movements in the price of the forward currency contract will not correlate perfectly with movements in the price of the currency subject to the hedging transaction is magnified when this strategy is used.
A Fund is not obligated to actively engage in currency hedging transactions; therefore, a Fund may not attempt to hedge its exposure to a particular foreign currency at a time when doing so might have avoided a loss. Further, a Fund may not be able to hedge against a currency devaluation that is so generally anticipated that a Fund is unable to contract to sell the currency at a price above the devaluation level it anticipates.
Investing. A Fund may invest in a combination of (i) forward foreign currency contracts and U.S. dollar-denominated instruments or (ii) forward currency contracts and non-U.S. dollar-denominated instruments to seek performance that is substantially the same as a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated instrument. This investment technique creates a “synthetic” position in the particular foreign-currency instrument whose performance Cambria is trying to duplicate. For example, the combination of U.S. dollar-denominated exchange-traded funds or money market instruments with “long” forward currency exchange contracts creates a position economically equivalent to an instrument denominated in the foreign currency itself.
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A Fund also may use forward currency contracts to attempt to enhance income or yield. A Fund could use forward currency contracts to increase its exposure to foreign currencies that Cambria believes might rise in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or shift its exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. For example, if a Fund owned securities denominated in a foreign currency and Cambria believed that currency would decline relative to another currency, it might enter into a forward currency contract to sell an appropriate amount of the first foreign currency, with payment to be made in the second foreign currency. This is accomplished through contractual agreements to purchase or sell a specified currency at a specified future date and price set at the time of the contract.
Forward currency contracts may involve the sale of U.S. dollars and the purchase of a foreign currency, or may be foreign cross-currency contracts involving the sale of one foreign currency and the purchase of another foreign currency. Such foreign cross-currency contracts may be considered a hedging strategy rather than a speculative strategy if a Fund’s commitment to purchase the new (more favorable) currency is limited to the market value of the Fund’s securities denominated in the old (less favorable) currency.
With respect to transactions not entered into for hedging purposes, a Fund’s custodian bank maintains, in a separate account of the Fund, liquid assets, such as cash, short-term securities and other liquid securities (marked to the market daily), having a value equal to, or greater than, any commitments to purchase currency on a forward basis.
Normally, consideration of the prospect for currency parities will be incorporated into the longer term investment decisions made with regard to overall diversification strategies. However, Cambria believes that it is important to have the flexibility to enter into such forward currency contracts when it determines that the best interests of a Fund will be served.
Conversion. Although a Fund values its assets daily in U.S. dollars, it does not convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a daily basis. A Fund will convert its holdings from time to time, however, and incur the costs of currency conversion. Foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, but they do realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they buy and sell various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to a Fund at one rate, and offer to buy the currency at a lower rate if a Fund tries to resell the currency to the dealer.
Settlement of transactions involving foreign currencies might be required to take place within the country issuing the underlying currency. Thus, a Fund might be required to accept or make delivery of the underlying foreign currency in accordance with any U.S. or foreign regulations regarding the maintenance of foreign banking arrangements by U.S. residents and might be required to pay any fees, taxes and charges associated with such delivery assessed in the issuing country.
The value of a Fund ’ s investments is calculated in U.S. dollars each day that the NYSE is open for business. As a result, to the extent that a Fund’s assets are invested in instruments denominated in foreign currencies and the currencies depreciate relative to the U.S. dollar, a Fund’s NAV per share as expressed in U.S. dollars (and, therefore, the value of your investment) should decrease. If the U.S. dollar appreciates relative to the other currencies, the opposite should occur.
The currency-related gains and losses experienced by a Fund will be based on changes in the value of portfolio securities attributable to currency fluctuations only in relation to the original purchase price of such securities as stated in U.S. dollars. Gains or losses on shares of a Fund will be based on changes attributable to fluctuations in the NAV of such shares, expressed in U.S. dollars, in relation to the original U.S. dollar purchase price of the shares. The amount of appreciation or depreciation in a Fund’s assets also will be affected by the net investment income generated by the money market instruments in which a Fund invests and by changes in the value of the securities that are unrelated to changes in currency exchange rates.
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Foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market might involve substantially larger amounts than those involved in the use of such forward currency contracts. Therefore, a Fund could be disadvantaged by having to deal in the odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of less than $1 million) for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for round lots. There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies or any regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Quotation information generally is representative of very large transactions in the interbank market and thus might not reflect odd-lot transactions where rates might be less favorable. The interbank market in foreign currencies is a global, round-the-clock market. To the extent the U.S. options or futures markets are closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open, significant price and rate movements might take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the markets for the forward currency contracts until they reopen.
Corporate Debt Securities (All Funds)
The rate of interest on a corporate debt security may be fixed, floating or variable, and may vary inversely with respect to a reference rate. Debt securities may be acquired with warrants attached. A Fund may invest in commercial interests, including commercial paper, master notes and other short-term corporate instruments that are denominated in U.S. dollars. Commercial paper consists of short-term promissory notes issued by corporations. Commercial paper may be traded in the secondary market after its issuance. Master notes are demand notes that permit the investment of fluctuating amounts of money at varying rates of interest pursuant to arrangements with issuers who meet the quality criteria of a Fund. The interest rate on a master note may fluctuate based upon changes in specified interest rates, be reset periodically according to a prescribed formula or be a set rate. Although there is no secondary market in master demand notes, if such notes have a demand future, the payee may demand payment of the principal amount of the note upon relatively short notice. Master notes are generally illiquid and therefore subject to a Fund’s percentage limitations for investments in illiquid securities.
Securities rated Baa and BBB are the lowest that are considered “investment grade” obligations. Moody’s describes securities rated Baa as “subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.” S&P describes securities rated BBB as “regarded as having adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.” For securities rated BBB, Fitch states that “…expectations of default risk are currently low…capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.”
Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities (Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF)
Mortgage-related securities include mortgage pass-through securities, collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), commercial mortgage-backed securities, mortgage dollar rolls, CMO residuals, stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBSs”) and other securities that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans on real property. The value of some mortgage- or asset-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. Early repayment of principal on some mortgage-related securities may expose a Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. When interest rates rise, the value of a mortgage-related security generally will decline; however, when interest rates are declining, the value of mortgage-related securities with prepayment features may not increase as much as other fixed income securities. The rate of prepayments on underlying mortgages will affect the price and volatility of a mortgage-related security, and may shorten or extend the effective maturity of the security beyond what was anticipated at the time of purchase. If unanticipated rates of prepayment on underlying mortgages increase the effective maturity of a mortgage-related security, the volatility of the security can be expected to increase. The value of these securities may fluctuate in response to the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuers. Additionally, although mortgages and mortgage-related securities are generally supported by some form of government or private guarantee and/or insurance, there is no assurance that private guarantors or insurers will meet their obligations.
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One type of SMBS has one class receiving all of the interest from the mortgage assets (the interest-only, or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal only, or “PO” class). The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on the Funds’ yield to maturity from these securities. The Funds may invest in other asset-backed securities that have been offered to investors.
Other mortgage-related securities include securities other than those described above that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans on real property, including mortgage dollar rolls, CMO residuals or SMBSs. Other mortgage-related securities may be equity or debt securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks, partnerships, trusts and special purpose entities of the foregoing.
Asset-Backed Securities (Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF)
Asset-backed securities (“ABS”) are bonds backed by pools of loans or other receivables. ABS are created from many types of assets, including auto loans, credit card receivables, home equity loans, and student loans. ABS are issued through special purpose vehicles that are bankruptcy remote from the issuer of the collateral. The credit quality of an ABS transaction depends on the performance of the underlying assets. To protect ABS investors from the possibility that some borrowers could miss payments or even default on their loans, ABS include various forms of credit enhancement.
Some ABS, particularly home equity loan transactions, are subject to interest-rate risk and prepayment risk. A change in interest rates can affect the pace of payments on the underlying loans, which in turn affects total return on the securities. ABS also carry credit or default risk. If many borrowers on the underlying loans default, losses could exceed the credit enhancement level and result in losses to investors in an ABS transaction. Finally, ABS have structure risk due to a unique characteristic known as early amortization, or early payout, risk. Built into the structure of most ABS are triggers for early payout, designed to protect investors from losses. These triggers are unique to each transaction and can include: a big rise in defaults on the underlying loans, a sharp drop in the credit enhancement level, or even the bankruptcy of the originator. Once early amortization begins, all incoming loan payments are used to pay investors as quickly as possible.
Consistent with a Fund’s investment objectives and policies, Cambria also may invest in other types of ABS.
Municipal Securities (Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF)
Municipal securities include debt obligations issued by governmental entities to obtain funds for various public purposes, such as the construction of a wide range of public facilities, the refunding of outstanding obligations, the payment of general operating expenses, and the extension of loans to other public institutions and facilities. Other types of municipal securities include short-term General Obligation Notes, Tax Anticipation Notes, Bond Anticipation Notes, Revenue Anticipation Notes, Project Notes, Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper, Construction Loan Notes and other forms of short-term tax-exempt loans. Such instruments are issued with a short-term maturity in anticipation of the receipt of tax funds, the proceeds of bond placements or other revenues. An issuer’s obligations under its municipal securities are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the federal bankruptcy code, and laws, if any, which may be enacted by Congress or state legislatures extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon the enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. The power or ability of an issuer to meet its obligations for the payment of interest on and principal of its municipal securities may be materially adversely affected by litigation or other conditions.
Municipal securities can be significantly affected by political changes as well as uncertainties in the municipal market related to taxation, legislative changes, or the rights of municipal security holders. Because many municipal securities are issued to finance similar projects, especially those relating to education, health care, transportation and utilities, conditions in those sectors can affect the overall municipal market. In addition, changes in the financial condition of an individual municipal insurer can affect the overall municipal market.
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Municipal bonds, which generally have maturities of more than one year when issued, are designed to meet longer-term capital needs. Some longer-term municipal bonds allow an investor to “put” or sell the security at a specified time and price to the issuer or other “put provider.” If a put provider fails to honor its commitment to purchase the security, a fund holding the security may have to treat the security’s final maturity as its effective maturity, potentially increasing the volatility of the Fund.
The Fund may invest in municipal lease obligations. Municipal leases frequently carry risks distinct from those associated with general obligation or revenue bonds. State constitutions and statutes set requirements that states and municipalities must meet to incur debt. These may include voter referenda, interest rate limits or public sale requirements. Many leases and contracts include no appropriation clauses, which provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purposes by the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. Municipal lease obligations also may be subject to abatement risk. For example, construction delays or destruction of a facility as a result of an uninsurable disaster that prevents occupancy could result in all or a portion of a lease payment not being made.
Investing in the municipal bond market is subject to certain risks. The amount of public information available about the municipal bonds held by the Fund is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds, and the investment performance of the Fund may therefore be more dependent on the analytical abilities of Cambria. The secondary market for municipal bonds, particularly the lower-rated bonds, also tends to be less well developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect a Fund’s ability to sell its bonds at attractive prices. The ability of municipal issuers to make timely payments of interest and principal may be diminished during general economic downturns and as governmental cost burdens are reallocated among federal, state and local governments. In addition, laws enacted in the future by Congress or state legislatures or referenda could extend the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or impose other constraints on enforcement of such obligations, or on the ability of municipal issuers to levy taxes. Issuers of municipal securities might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, the Fund investing in the issuer’s securities could experience delays in collecting principal and interest and the Fund may not, in all circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to which it is entitled.
Illiquid Securities (All Funds)
A Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose, “illiquid securities” are securities that a Fund may not sell or dispose of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the amount at which the Fund has valued the securities. A repurchase agreement maturing in more than seven days is considered illiquid, unless it can be terminated after a notice period of seven days or less.
The Investment Adviser also may deem certain securities to be illiquid as a result of Cambria’s receipt from time to time of material, non-public information about an issuer, which may limit Cambria’s ability to trade such securities for the account of any of its clients, including a Fund. In some instances, these trading restrictions could continue in effect for a substantial period of time.
At times, the inability to sell illiquid securities can make it more difficult to determine their fair value for purposes of computing a Fund’s net asset value. The judgment of Cambria normally plays a greater role in valuing these securities than in valuing publicly traded securities.
Investments in Other Investment Companies or Other Pooled Investments (All Funds)
Each Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies to the extent permitted by law. Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, a Fund may invest in shares of both open- and closed-end investment companies (including money market funds and ETFs). The market price for ETF and closed-end fund shares may be higher or lower than, respectively, the ETF’s and closed-end fund’s NAV. Investing in another investment company exposes a Fund to all the risks of that investment company and, in general, subjects it to a pro rata portion of the other investment company’s fees and expenses. As a result, an investment by a Fund in an ETF or investment company could cause the Fund’s operating expenses to be higher and, in turn, performance to be lower than if the Fund were to invest directly in the securities underlying the ETF or investment company. A Fund also may invest in private investment funds, vehicles, or structures.
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CFTC Regulation (All Funds)
Cambria may use non-deliverable (or “cash-settled”) forward currency contracts to attempt to gain exposure to currencies or to otherwise manage the risks of a Fund’s investments. Such forward contracts are considered to be derivatives.
The 2010 enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act resulted in historic and comprehensive statutory reform of derivatives, including such forward contracts, and the manner in which they are designed, negotiated, reported, executed, settled (or “cleared”) and regulated. The Dodd-Frank Act requires the SEC and the CFTC to establish new regulation with respect to such derivatives. Many of the rules implementing the Dodd-Frank Act have not been finalized, and the impact of these rules, including how they might apply to a Fund’s forward currency contracts, is uncertain. For example, such contracts may be centrally cleared, as noted above and below in this SAI.
Central Clearing. Forward currency contracts that are centrally cleared are subject to the creditworthiness of the clearing organizations involved in the transaction. For example, an investor could lose margin payments it has deposited with the clearing organization as well as the net amount of gains not yet paid by the clearing organization if it breaches its agreement with the investor or becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy. In the event of bankruptcy of the clearing organization, the investor may be entitled to the net amount of gains the investor is entitled to receive plus the return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the clearing organization’s other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the investor.
To the extent a forward currency contract is not centrally cleared, the use of forward currency contracts also involves the risk that a loss may be sustained as a result of the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty or the failure of the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the agreement. The creditworthiness of firms with which a Fund enters into forward currency contracts will be monitored by Cambria. If a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of the forward currency contract might decline, potentially resulting in losses to a Fund. Changing conditions in a particular market area may have an adverse impact on the creditworthiness of the counterparty. For example, the counterparty may have experienced losses as a result of its exposure to a sector of the market that adversely affect its creditworthiness. If a default occurs by the other party to such transaction, a Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction, but exercising these remedies could take significant time and expense.
Commodity Pool Exclusion. In February 2012, the CFTC announced substantial amendments to the exclusion in its Regulation 4.5 for registered investment companies from registration as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”). Under these amendments, if a Fund uses commodity interests (such as cash-settled forward contracts) other than for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by the CFTC), the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish these positions (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions and excluding the amount by which options are “in-the-money” at the time of purchase) may not exceed 5% of the Fund’s NAV. Alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of these positions, determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100% of the Fund’s NAV (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). The CFTC amendments became effective on April 24, 2012, but the compliance date for the Funds is their inception date.
Cambria has claimed the Regulation 4.5 exclusion registration as a CPO under the CEA, in its management of each Fund and intends to comply with one of the two alternative limitations described above. To the extent these limits are approached, Cambria may not be able to take advantage of investment opportunities for a Fund in order to comply with and maintain the exclusion.
Cover. Transactions using derivative instruments, such as forward currency contracts, may expose a Fund to an obligation to another party. Under such circumstances, each Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these obligations and will, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or liquid assets in an account or on the books with its custodian in the prescribed amount as determined daily. Such cover will generally be either (1) an offsetting (covered) position in securities, currencies or other options, futures contracts, forward contracts or swaps, or (2) cash and liquid assets with a value, marked-to-market daily, sufficient to cover its potential obligations.
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Assets used as cover or held in an account cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding derivative is open, unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of a Fund’s assets to cover or to segregated accounts could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
Turnover. A Fund’s forward currency contracts activities may affect its turnover rate. The sale or purchase of forward currency contracts may cause a Fund to sell or purchase related investments, thus increasing its turnover rate.
Portfolio Turnover
The Funds are newly established. Accordingly, information on the Funds’ portfolio turnover rates is not available as of the date of this SAI.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
Trustees and Officers
The business and affairs of the Trust are managed by its officers under the oversight of its Board. The Board sets broad policies for the Trust and may appoint Trust officers. The Board oversees the performance of Cambria and the Trust’s other service providers. Each Trustee serves until his or her successor is duly elected or appointed and qualified.
The Board is comprised of three Trustees. One Trustee and certain of the officers of the Trust are directors, officers or employees of Cambria. The other Trustees are not “interested persons” (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”). The fund complex includes all Funds advised by Cambria (“Fund Complex”).
The Trustees, their age, term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen and other directorships, if any, held by each Trustee, are shown below. The officers, their age, term of office and length of time served and their principal business occupations during the past five years, are shown below. Unless noted otherwise, the address of each Trustee and each Officer is: c/o Cambria ETF Trust, 2321 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 3225, El Segundo, CA 90245.
Name,
Address,
Age |
Position(s)
Held with Trust |
Term
of Office
and Length of Time Served |
Principal
Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Number
of
Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee |
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years |
|||||
Independent Trustees | ||||||||||
Eric Leake DOB: 1970 |
Trustee | Since 2013 | Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc. (since 1996). | 4 | Board Member, National Association of Active Investment Management (NAAIM) (2008-2010). | |||||
Dennis G. Schmal DOB: 1948 |
Trustee | Since 2013 | Self-employed consultant (since 2003). | 4 | Director, Genworth GuideMark Mutual Funds (2007-present); Trustee, Grail Advisors ETF Trust (2009-2011); Director, MCF Corp. (financial services) (2003-present); Director and Chairman, Pacific Metrics Corporation (2005-present) (educational services); Director and Chairman, Sitoa Global (2011-present) (e-commerce); Director, Varian Semiconductor (2004-2011); Trustee, Wells Fargo ASGI Hedge Funds (2008-present). | |||||
Interested Trustee* | ||||||||||
Eric W. Richardson DOB: 1966 |
Trustee and President of the Trust
|
Trustee and President since 2012.
|
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Cambria Investment Management, L.P. (2006-present) | 4 | None |
* Mr. Richardson is an “interested person,” as defined by the Investment Company Act, because of his employment with and ownership interest in Cambria.
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Officers
Name, Address, Age |
Position(s)
Held with
Trust |
Term
of Office and
Length of Time Served |
Principal
Occupation
During Past 5 Years |
|||
Martin Dziura DOB: 1959 |
Chief Compliance Officer | Since 2013 | Managing Director, Cipperman Compliance Service (2010 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, Hanlon Investment Management (2009 to 2010); Vice President - Compliance, Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2000-2009). | |||
Mebane Faber DOB: 1977 |
Vice President | Since 2012 | Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer, Cambria Investment Management, L.P. (2006-present); Co-founder and Writer, Alphaclone (investing research website) (2008-present) | |||
Carolyn Mead DOB: 1957 |
Assistant Secretary | Since 2013 | Counsel, SEI Investments (2007-present). | |||
Peter Rodriguez DOB: 1962 |
Principal Financial Officer | Since 2013 | Director, Fund Accounting, SEI Investments Global Fund Services (March 2011, September 2002 to March 2005 and 1997-2002); Director, Mutual Fund Trading, SEI Private Trust Company (May 2009 to February 2011); Director, Asset Data Services, Global Wealth Services (June 2006 to April 2009); Director, Portfolio Accounting, SEI Investments Global Fund Services (March 2005 to June 2006). |
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Additional Information About the Trustees
The following provides information additional to that set forth in the table above regarding other relevant qualifications, experience, attributes or skills applicable to each Trustee.
Eric Leake: Mr. Leake has extensive experience in the investment management industry as a partner and chief investment officer of an investment adviser.
Eric W. Richardson: Mr. Richardson has extensive experience in the investment management industry, including as a portfolio manager and a corporate and securities attorney.
Dennis G. Schmal: Mr. Schmal has extensive experience in the investment management industry, including as a member of senior management of the investment company audit practice at a large public accounting firm, as well as service on multiple boards of directors overseeing public companies, registered investment companies and private funds.
The Board has determined that each Trustee on an individual basis and in combination with the other Trustees is qualified to serve, and should serve, on the Board. To make this determination the Board considered a variety of criteria, none of which in isolation was controlling. Among other things, the Board considered each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes and skills.
Board Structure
Mr. Richardson is considered to be an Interested Trustee and serves as Chairman of the Board. The Chairman’s responsibilities include: setting an agenda for each meeting of the Board; presiding at all meetings of the Board and, if present, meetings of the Independent Trustees; and, serving as a liaison between the other Trustees, Trust officers, management personnel and counsel.
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The Board believes that having an interested Chairman, who is familiar with Cambria and its operations, while also having two-thirds of the Board composed of Independent Trustees, strikes an appropriate balance that allows the Board to benefit from the insights and perspective of a representative of management while empowering the Independent Trustees with the ultimate decision-making authority. The Board has not appointed a lead Independent Trustee at this time. The Board does not believe that an independent Chairman or lead Independent Trustee would enhance the Board’s effectiveness, as the relatively small size of the Board allows for diverse viewpoints to be shared and for effective communications between and among Independent Trustees and management so that meetings proceed efficiently. Independent Trustees have effective control over the Board’s agenda because they form a majority of the Board and can request presentations and agenda topics at Board meetings.
The Board holds four regularly scheduled meetings each year, at least two of which are in person. The Board may hold special meetings, as needed, either in person or by telephone, to address matters arising between regular meetings. The Independent Trustees meet separately at each regularly scheduled in-person meeting of the Board; during a portion of each such separate meeting management is not present. The Independent Trustees may also hold special meetings, as needed, either in person or by telephone.
The Board conducts a self-assessment on an annual basis, as part of which it considers whether the structure of the Board and its Committees is appropriate under the circumstances. Based on such self-assessment, among other things, the Board will consider whether its current structure is appropriate. As part of this self-assessment, the Board will consider several factors, including the number of Funds overseen by the Board, their investment objectives, and the responsibilities entrusted to Cambria and other service providers with respect to the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Trust and the Funds.
The Board sets broad policies for the Trust and may appoint Trust officers. The Board oversees the performance of Cambria and the Trust’s other service providers. As part of its oversight function, the Board monitors Cambria’s risk management, including, as applicable, its management of investment, compliance and operational risks, through the receipt of periodic reports and presentations. The Board has not established a standing risk committee. Rather, the Board relies on Trust officers, advisory personnel and service providers to manage applicable risks and report exceptions to the Board in order to enable it to exercise its oversight responsibility. To this end, the Board receives reports from such parties at least quarterly, including, but not limited to, investment and/or performance reports, distribution reports, Rule 12b-1 reports, valuation and internal controls reports. Similarly, the Board receives quarterly reports from the Trust’s chief compliance officer (“CCO”), including, but not limited to, a report on the Trust’s compliance program, and the Independent Trustees have an opportunity to meet separately each quarter with the CCO. The CCO typically provides the Board with updates regarding the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures, including any enhancements to them. The Board expects all parties, including, but not limited to, Cambria, service providers and the CCO, to inform the Board on an intra-quarter basis if a material issue arises that requires the Board’s oversight.
The Board generally exercises its oversight as a whole, but has delegated certain oversight functions to an Audit Committee. The function of the Audit Committee is discussed in detail below.
Committees
The Board currently has two standing committees: an Audit Committee and a Nominating Committee. Each Independent Trustee serves on each of these committees.
The purposes of the Audit Committee are to: (1) oversee generally each Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, their internal controls and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers; (2) oversee the quality, integrity, and objectivity of each Fund’s financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (3) assist the full Board with its oversight of the Trust’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to each Fund’s accounting and financial reporting, internal controls and independent audits; (4) approve, prior to appointment, the engagement of the Trust’s independent auditors and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Trust’s independent auditors; and (5) act as a liaison between the Trust’s independent auditors and the full Board.
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The purposes of the Nominating Committee are, among other things, to: (1) identify and recommend for nomination candidates to serve as Trustees and/or on Board committees who are not “interested persons” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act (“Interested Person”) of the Trust and who meet any independence requirements of Exchange Rule 5.3(k)(1) or the applicable rule of any other exchange on which shares of the Trust are listed; (2) evaluate and make recommendations to the full Board regarding potential trustee candidates who are Interested Persons of the Trust; and (3) review periodically the workload and capabilities of the Trustees and, as the Committee deems appropriate, to make recommendations to the Board if such a review suggests that changes to the size or composition of the Board and/or its committees are warranted. The Committee will generally not consider potential candidates for nomination identified by shareholders.
Compensation of Trustees. The Independent Trustees were elected to the Board of the Trust effective April 25, 2013 and prior to that date had not received any compensation from the Funds. The Trust’s officers and any interested Trustees receive no compensation directly from the Trust.
The Independent Trustees determine the amount of compensation that they receive. In determining compensation for the Independent Trustees, the Independent Trustees take into account a variety of factors including, among other things, their collective significant work experience ( e.g ., in business and finance, government or academia). The Independent Trustees also recognize that these individuals’ advice and counsel are in demand by other organizations, that these individuals may reject other opportunities because of the time demands of their duties as Independent Trustees, and that they undertake significant legal responsibilities. The Independent Trustees also consider the compensation paid to independent board members of other mutual fund complexes of comparable size.
Independent Trustees are paid $2,500 per quarter for attendance at meetings of the Board and the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional $2,500 per quarter. All Trustees are reimbursed for their travel expenses and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending Board meetings. The Trust does not accrue pension or retirement benefits as part of the Funds’ expenses, and Trustees are not entitled to benefits upon retirement from the Board.
The Trust commenced operations in 2013 and has not had operations for a full year. The table shows the estimated compensation that is contemplated to be paid to Trustees for a full year by the Fund Complex:*
Independent Trustees | Compensation | Compensation Deferred |
Total Compensation
from the Fund
Complex Paid to Trustee |
|||||||||
Eric Leake | $ | 10,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 10,000 | ||||||
Dennis G. Schmal | $ | 20,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 20,000 | ||||||
Interested Trustee | ||||||||||||
Eric W. Richardson** | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 |
* Trustee compensation is allocated across the Funds of the Fund Complex on the basis of assets under management.
** Mr. Richardson is an “interested person,” as defined by the Investment Company Act, because of his employment with and ownership interest in Cambria.
Equity Ownership of Trustees. As of March 31, 2013, the Trustees did not own any of the outstanding Shares of the Funds as the Funds were not operational prior to the date of this SAI.
As of March 31, 2013, none of the Independent Trustees or their immediate family members beneficially owned any securities in any investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust, or in any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust.
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Codes of Ethics
The Board, on behalf of the Trust, has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act. In addition, Cambria and the Distributor each have adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1. These Codes of Ethics (each a “Code of Ethics” and together the “Codes of Ethics”) apply to the personal investing activities of trustees, directors, officers and certain employees (“access persons”). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes of Ethics are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by access persons. Under each Code of Ethics, access persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. In addition, certain access persons are required to obtain approval before investing in private placements and are prohibited from investing in IPOs. Copies of the Codes of Ethics are on file with the SEC, and are available to the public.
Proxy Voting
The Board has delegated to Cambria the responsibility to vote proxies related to the securities held in the Funds’ portfolios. Under this authority, Cambria is required by the Board to vote proxies related to portfolio securities in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders. The Investment Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which are included in Appendix A to this SAI. The Board will periodically review a Fund’s proxy voting record.
The Trust will annually disclose its complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX. The Trust’s most recent Form N-PX is available without charge, upon request, by calling 855-ETF-INFO (383-4636). The Trust’s Form N-PX also is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Cambria owns all of the initial Shares issued by the Funds prior to the commencement of investment operations and the public launch of the Funds. No other person owns of record or is known by the Funds to own beneficially 5% or more of the Funds’ outstanding equity securities.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES
Investment Advisory Agreement
Under an investment advisory agreement between Cambria and the Trust, on behalf of each Fund (“Management Agreement”), each Fund pays Cambria a fee at an annualized rate, which is calculated daily and paid monthly, based on its average daily net assets, set forth in the table below:
Fund | Advisory Fee | |||
Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF | 0.69 | % | ||
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF | 0.59 | % | ||
Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF | 0.69 | % | ||
Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF | 0.69 | % |
Cambria manages the investment and the reinvestment of the assets of each of the Funds, in accordance with the investment objectives, policies, and limitations of the Funds, subject to the general supervision and control of the Board. Cambria is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and is limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware. The address of Cambria is 2321 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 3225, El Segundo, CA 90245. Mebane Faber, Eric Richardson, Angel Reyes, IV Descendants Trust and Sofia Reyes Descendants Trust are limited partners and Cambria GP, LLC is the general partner. Cambria GP, LLC is owned by Mebane Faber and Eric Richardson. Cambria was founded in 2006 and provides investment advisory services to registered and unregistered investment companies, individuals (including high net worth individuals), pensions and charitable organizations. As of March 31, 2013, Cambria managed nearly $110 million.
Under the Management Agreement, Cambria bears all of the costs of each of the Funds, except for the advisory fee, payments under each Fund’s 12b-1 plan, brokerage expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest (including borrowing costs and dividend expenses on securities sold short), litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation to which the Trust or a Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trustees and officers with respect thereto).
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The Management Agreement provides that Cambria will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which the Management Agreement relates, but will be liable to the Trust and its shareholders only for willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties thereunder.
The Management Agreement also provides that Cambria may engage in other businesses, devote time and attention to any other business whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, and render investment advisory services to others.
The Management Agreement with respect to a Fund will remain in effect for two (2) years from its effective date and thereafter continue in effect for as long as its continuance is specifically approved at least annually, by (1) the vote of the Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the shareholders of a Fund, and (2) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or Interested Persons of any person thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Management Agreement for a Fund provides that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees or, with respect to a Fund, by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, on 60 days’ written notice to Cambria, and by Cambria upon 60 days’ written notice and that it shall be automatically terminated if it is assigned.
Custodian and Transfer Agent
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH”), located at 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, serves as the Custodian and Transfer Agent of each Fund’s assets. As Custodian, BBH has agreed to: (1) make receipts and disbursements of money on behalf of a Fund, (2) collect and receive all income and other payments and distributions on account of a Fund’s portfolio investments, and (3) make periodic reports to a Fund concerning the Fund’s operations. BBH does not exercise any supervisory function over the purchase and sale of securities. As compensation for these services, the Custodian receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by Cambria from its fees.
As Transfer Agent, BBH has agreed to: (1) issue and redeem shares of each Fund in Creation Units, (2) make dividend and other distributions to shareholders of each Fund, (3) maintain shareholder accounts, and (4) make periodic reports to the Funds. As compensation for these services, the Transfer Agent receives certain out-of-pocket costs and transaction fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by Cambria from its fees.
Administrator
SEI Investments Global Funds Services (“SEI Global”), located at 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456, serves as Administrator, and Fund Accountant to each Fund. As Administrator, SEI Global provides each Fund with all required general administrative services, including, without limitation, clerical and general back office services; bookkeeping, internal accounting and secretarial services; the calculation of NAV; and the preparation and filing of all reports, updates to registration statements, and all other materials required to be filed or furnished by a Fund under federal and state securities laws. As compensation for these services, the Administrator receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by Cambria from its fees.
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PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The following table provides information about the portfolio managers who have day-to-day responsibility for management of the Funds. The reporting information is provided as of March 31, 2013:
Registered
Investment
Companies |
Other
Pooled
Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
Performance
Fee
Accounts |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio
Manager |
Number
of
Accounts |
Total
Assets (in millions) |
Number
of Accounts |
Total
Assets (in millions) |
Number
of Accounts |
Total
Assets (in millions) |
Number
of Accounts |
Total
Assets (in millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mebane Faber | 1 | $67 | 2 | $32 | 24 | $12 | 1 | $1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eric Richardson | 1 | $67 | 2 | $32 | 24 | $12 | 1 | $1 |
Potential Conflicts of Interest
The portfolio managers’ management of “other accounts” may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with their management of the Funds’ investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts may have the same investment objective as the Funds. Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby the portfolio managers could favor one account over another. Another potential conflict could include the portfolio managers’ knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby a portfolio manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Funds. However, Cambria has established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are fairly and equitably allocated. There can be no assurance that these policies and procedures will be effective, however.
Compensation
Each portfolio manager owns an equity interest in Cambria and their compensation is determined by the advisory fee revenue generated by the firm’s assets under management. Thus, portfolio manager compensation is aligned with the interests of Cambria’s clients, including the Funds and their investors. The portfolio managers may also earn a bonus each year based on the profitability of Cambria.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Brokerage Transactions
Portfolio changes will generally be implemented through in-kind transactions for Creation Units; however, Cambria may execute brokerage transactions for a Fund and a Fund may incur brokerage commissions, particularly during the early stages of the Funds’ development or in the case of transactions involving realized losses. Also, a Fund may accept cash as part or all of an In-Kind Creation or Redemption Basket, in which case Cambria may need to execute brokerage transactions for a Fund. Generally, equity securities are bought and sold through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable. Purchases from underwriters will include the underwriting commission or concession, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a dealer’s mark-up or reflect a dealer’s mark-down. Money market securities and other debt securities are usually bought and sold directly from the issuer or an underwriter or market maker for the securities. Generally, the Funds will not pay brokerage commissions for such purchases. When a debt security is bought from an underwriter, the purchase price will usually include an underwriting commission or concession. The purchase price for securities bought from dealers serving as market makers will similarly include the dealer’s mark-up or reflect a dealer’s mark-down. When a Fund executes transactions in the over-the-counter market, it will generally deal with primary market makers unless prices that are more favorable are otherwise obtainable.
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In addition, Cambria may place a combined order, often referred to as “bunching,” for two or more accounts it manages, including the Funds, engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security or other instrument if, in its judgment, joint execution is in the best interest of each participant and will result in best price and execution. Transactions involving commingled orders are allocated in a manner deemed equitable to each account or Fund. Although it is recognized that, in some cases, the joint execution of orders could adversely affect the price or volume of the security that a particular account or a Fund may obtain, it is the opinion of Cambria and the Board that the advantages of combined orders outweigh the possible disadvantages of separate transactions. In addition, in some instances a Fund effecting the larger portion of a combined order may not benefit to the same extent as participants effecting smaller portions of the combined order. Nonetheless, Cambria believes that the ability of a Fund to participate in higher volume transactions will generally be beneficial to the Fund.
Because the Funds are newly organized, they have not incurred brokerage commissions as of the date of this SAI.
Brokerage Selection
The Trust does not expect to use one particular broker-dealer to effect the Trust’s portfolio transactions. When one or more broker-dealers is believed capable of providing the best combination of price and execution, Cambria may not select a broker-dealer based on the lowest commission rate available for a particular transaction. In such cases, Cambria may pay a higher commission than otherwise obtainable from other brokers in return for brokerage or research services provided to Cambria consistent with Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, which provides that Cambria may cause a Fund to pay a broker-dealer a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged as long as Cambria makes a good faith determination that the amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the broker-dealer. To the extent Cambria obtains brokerage and research services that it otherwise would acquire at its own expense, Cambria may have an incentive to place a greater volume of transactions or pay higher commissions than would otherwise be the case.
The Investment Adviser will only obtain brokerage and research services from broker-dealers in arrangements that are consistent with Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act. The types of products and services that Cambria may obtain from broker-dealers through such arrangements will include research reports and other information on the economy, industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, political developments, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis. The Investment Adviser may use products and services provided by brokers in servicing all of its client accounts and not all such products and services may necessarily be used in connection with the account that paid commissions to the broker-dealer providing such products and services. Any advisory or other fees paid to Cambria are not reduced as a result of the receipt of brokerage and research services.
In some cases Cambria may receive a product or service from a broker that has both a “research” and a “non-research” use. When this occurs, Cambria will make a good faith allocation between the research and non-research uses of the product or service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with brokerage commissions, while Cambria will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, Cambria faces a potential conflict of interest, but Cambria believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to appropriately allocate the anticipated use of such products and services to research and non-research uses.
Because the Funds are newly organized, they have not directed any transactions to brokers-dealers pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whereby the broker-dealer provides research or other brokerage services to Cambria, as of the date of this SAI.
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Brokerage with Fund Affiliates
Although not expected, the Funds may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker-dealer affiliates of the Fund, Cambria, or the Distributor for a commission in conformity with the Investment Company Act, the 1934 Act and rules promulgated by the SEC. Under the Investment Company Act and the 1934 Act, affiliated broker-dealers are permitted to receive and retain compensation for effecting portfolio transactions for a Fund on an exchange if a written contract is in effect between the affiliate and the Fund expressly permitting the affiliate to receive and retain such compensation. These rules further require that commissions paid to the affiliate by a Fund for exchange transactions not exceed “ usual and customary” brokerage commissions. The rules define “usual and customary” commissions to include amounts that are “reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time.” The Board, including those who are not “interested persons” of the Funds, has adopted procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of commissions paid to affiliates and reviews these procedures periodically.
Securities of “Regular Broker-Dealers”
The Funds are required to identify any securities of their “regular brokers and dealers” (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act) that the Funds may hold at the close of their most recent fiscal year. “Regular brokers and dealers” of the Trust are the ten brokers or dealers that, during the most recent fiscal year: (i) received the greatest dollar amounts of brokerage commissions from the Trust’s portfolio transactions; (ii) engaged as principal in the largest dollar amounts of portfolio transactions of the Trust; or (iii) sold the largest dollar amounts of the Trust’s shares. Because the Funds are newly organized, they have not completed a fiscal year and therefore have not held any securities of their “regular brokers and dealers.”
THE DISTRIBUTOR
The Distributor is SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the “Distributor”), 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456.
Shares will be continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor only in Creation Units, as described below under “Transactions in Creation Units.” Shares in less than Creation Units are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor also acts as agent for the Trust. The Distributor will deliver a Prospectus to persons purchasing Shares in Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The Distributor has no role in determining the investment policies of the Funds or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Funds.
The Board has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act (“Plan”). In accordance with its Plan, each Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each year for certain distribution-related activities. In addition, if the payment of management fees by a Fund is deemed to be indirect financing by the Fund of the distribution of its shares, such payment is authorized by the Plan. The Plan specifically recognizes that Cambria may use management fee revenue, as well as past profits or other resources, to pay for expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of Shares. The Investment Adviser may pay amounts to third parties for distribution or marketing services on behalf of the Funds.
The Plan was adopted in order to permit the implementation of the Funds’ method of distribution. No fees are currently paid by any Fund under a Plan, however, and there are no current plans to impose such fees. In the event such fees were to be charged, over time they would increase the cost of an investment in a Fund because they would be paid on an ongoing basis. If fees were charged under each Plan, the Trustees would receive and review at the end of each quarter a written report provided by the Distributor of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made.
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Each Plan will remain in effect for a period of one year and is renewable from year to year with respect to a Fund, so long as its continuance is approved at least annually (1) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees and (2) by a vote of the majority of those Independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plan (“Rule 12b-1 Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Plans may not be amended to increase materially the amount of fees paid by any Fund unless such amendment is approved by an Investment Company Act majority vote of the outstanding shares and by the Fund Trustees in the manner described above. A Plan is terminable with respect to a Fund at any time by a vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by an Investment Company Act majority vote of the outstanding shares.
ACCOUNTING AND LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, Two Commerce Square, Suite 1700, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Funds.
Legal Counsel
K&L Gates LLP, located at 1601 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING SHARES
Organization and Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest
The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust and registered open-end investment company. The Trust was organized on September 9, 2011 and has authorized capital of unlimited Shares of beneficial interest of no par value that may be issued in more than one class or series. Currently, the Trust consists of four actively managed series, which have not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI. The Board may designate additional series and classify Shares of a particular series into one or more classes of that series.
Under Delaware law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual shareholders meeting if the Investment Company Act does not require such a meeting. Generally, there will not be annual meetings of Trust shareholders, but if requested in writing by shareholders of at least 25% of the outstanding Shares of the Trust, the Trust will call a meeting of shareholders. Shareholders holding two-thirds of Shares outstanding of the relevant Fund may remove Trustees from office by votes cast at a meeting of Trust shareholders or by written consent.
All Shares are freely transferable. Shares will not have preemptive rights or cumulative voting rights, and none of the Shares will have any preference to conversion, exchange, dividends, retirements, liquidation, redemption, or any other feature. Shares have equal voting rights. The Trust Instrument confers upon the Board the power, by resolution, to alter the number of Shares constituting a Creation Unit or to specify that Shares of a Fund may be individually redeemable. The Trust reserves the right to adjust the stock prices of Shares to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any such adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits that would have no effect on the NAV of a Fund.
The Trust Instrument of the Trust disclaims liability of the shareholders or the officers of the Trust for acts or obligations of the Trust that are binding only on the assets and property of the Trust. The Trust Instrument provides for indemnification out of a Fund’s property for all loss and expense of the Fund’s shareholders being held personally liable solely by reason of his or her being or having been a shareholder and not because of his or her acts or omissions or for some other reason. The risk of a Trust shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which a Fund itself would not be able to meet the Trust’s obligations and this risk should be considered remote.
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If a Fund does not grow to a size to permit it to be economically viable, the Fund may cease operations. In such an event, shareholders may be required to liquidate or transfer their Shares at an inopportune time and shareholders may lose money on their investment.
Book Entry Only System
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Book Entry.”
DTC acts as Securities Depository for Shares. Shares of the Funds are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.
DTC, a limited purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by NYSE and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants”).
Beneficial ownership of Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase and sale of Shares.
Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the Shares of a Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Fund distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in Shares of a Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.
The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.
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DTC may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost.
TRANSACTIONS IN CREATION UNITS
Each Fund sells and redeems Shares in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form on any Business Day. As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. No Fund will issue fractional Creation Units.
A Creation Unit is an aggregation of 50,000 Shares. The Board may declare a split or a consolidation in the number of Shares outstanding of a Fund or Trust, and make a corresponding change in the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.
To purchase or redeem any Creation Units from a Fund, you must be, or transact through, an Authorized Participant. In order to be an Authorized Participant, you must be either a broker-dealer or other participant (“Participating Party”) in the Continuous Net Settlement System (“Clearing Process”) of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) or a participant in DTC with access to the DTC system (“DTC Participant”), and you must execute an agreement (“Participant Agreement”) with the Distributor that governs transactions in the Fund’s Creation Units.
Transactions by an Authorized Participant that is a Participating Party using the NSCC system are referred to as transactions “through the Clearing Process.” Transactions by an Authorized Participant that is a DTC Participant using the DTC system are referred to as transactions “outside the Clearing Process.”
Investors who are not Authorized Participants but want to transact in Creation Units may contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants. An Authorized Participant may require investors to enter into a separate agreement to transact through it for Creation Units and may require orders for purchases of shares placed with it to be in a particular form. Investors should be aware that their broker may not be an Authorized Participant and, therefore, may need to place any order to purchase or redeem Creation Units through another broker or person that is an Authorized Participant, which may result in additional charges. There are expected to be a limited number of Authorized Participants at any one time.
Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement. Market disruptions and telephone or other communication failures may impede the transmission of orders.
Purchasing Creation Units
Fund Deposit . The consideration for a Creation Unit of a Fund is the Fund Deposit. The Fund Deposit will consist of the In-Kind Creation Basket and Cash Component, or an all cash payment (“Cash Value”), as determined by Cambria to be in the best interest of the Fund. Because any short positions in the Fund’s portfolio cannot be transferred in-kind, they will be represented by cash in the Cash Component and not in the In-Kind Creation Basket.
The Cash Component will typically include a “Balancing Amount” reflecting the difference, if any, between the NAV of a Creation Unit and the market value of the securities in the In-Kind Creation Basket. If the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the securities in the In-Kind Creation Basket, the purchaser pays the Balancing Amount to a Fund. By contrast, if the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the market value of the securities in the In-Kind Creation Basket, a Fund pays the Balancing Amount to the purchaser. The Balancing Amount ensures that the consideration paid by an investor for a Creation Unit is exactly equal to the value of the Creation Unit.
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The Transfer Agent, in a portfolio composition file sent via the NSCC, generally makes available on each Business Day, immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), a list of the names and the required number of shares of each security in the In-Kind Creation Basket to be included in the current Fund Deposit for each Fund (based on information about the Fund’s portfolio at the end of the previous Business Day) (subject to amendment or correction). If applicable, the Transfer Agent, through the NSCC, also makes available on each Business Day, the estimated Cash Component or Cash Value, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per Creation Unit.
The announced Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, for purchases of Creation Units of the Funds until such time as the next-announced Fund Deposit is made available. From day to day, the composition of the In-Kind Creation Basket may change as, among other things, corporate actions and investment decisions by Cambria are implemented for a Fund’s portfolio. All questions as to the composition of the In-Kind Creation Basket and the validity, form, eligibility, and acceptance for deposit of any securities shall be determined by a Fund, and the Fund’s determination shall be final and binding. Each Fund reserves the right to accept a nonconforming ( i.e ., custom) Fund Deposit.
Payment of any stamp duty or the like shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant purchasing a Creation Unit. The Authorized Participant must ensure that all Deposit Securities properly denote change in beneficial ownership.
Cash in lieu. A Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (“cash in lieu”) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any security in the In-Kind Creation Basket. A Fund may permit or require cash in lieu when, for example, the securities in the In-Kind Creation Basket may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process. Similarly, a Fund may permit or require cash in lieu when, for example, the Authorized Participant or its underlying investor is restricted under U.S. or local securities law or policies from transacting in one or more securities in the In-Kind Creation Basket. Each Fund will comply with the federal securities laws in accepting securities in the In-Kind Creation Basket, including the securities in the In-Kind Creation Basket that are sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. All orders involving cash in lieu are considered to be “custom orders.”
Order Cut-Off Time . For an order involving a Creation Unit to be effectuated at a Fund’s NAV on a particular day, it must be received by the Distributor by or before the deadline for such order (“Order Cut-Off Time”). The Order Cut-Off Time for creation and redemption orders for the Funds is generally expected to be 4:00 p.m. Eastern time for In-Kind Creation and Redemption Baskets, and 3:00 p.m. Eastern time for Cash Value transactions. Accordingly, In-Kind Creation and Redemption Baskets are expected to be accepted until the close of regular trading on the Exchange on each Business Day, which is usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. On days when the Exchange or bond markets close earlier than normal (such as the day before a holiday), the Order Cut-Off Time is expected to track the Exchange closing and be similarly earlier than normal.
Custom orders typically clear outside the Clearing Process and, therefore, like other orders outside the Clearing Process, may need to be transmitted early on the relevant Business Day to be effectuated at that day’s NAV. A custom order may be placed when, for example, an Authorized Participant cannot transact in a security in the In-Kind Creation or Redemption Basket and additional cash is included in a Fund Deposit or Fund Redemption in lieu of such security. Custom orders may be required to be received by the Distributor by 3:00 p.m. Eastern time to be effectuated based on a Fund’s NAV on that Business Day.
In all cases, cash and securities should be transferred to a Fund by the “Settlement Date,” which is generally the Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date for cash and the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date for securities. Persons placing custom orders or orders involving Cash Value should be aware of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, such as DTC and/or the Federal Reserve Bank wire system, which may delay the delivery of cash and securities by the Settlement Date.
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Placement of Creation Orders . All purchase orders must be placed by or through an Authorized Participant. To order a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable purchase order to the Distributor. In-kind (portions of) purchase orders will be processed through the Clearing Process when it is available. The Clearing Process is an enhanced clearing process that is available only for certain securities and only to DTC Participants that are also participants in the Clearing Process of the NSCC. In-kind (portions of) purchase orders not subject to the Clearing Process will go through a manual clearing process run by DTC. Fund Deposits that include government securities must be delivered through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system (“Federal Reserve System”). Fund Deposits that include cash may be delivered through the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System. Certain orders for the Funds may be made outside the Clearing Process. In-kind deposits of securities for such orders must be delivered through the Federal Reserve System (for government securities) or through DTC (for corporate securities).
Orders Using Clearing Process . In connection with creation orders made through the Clearing Process, the Distributor transmits, on behalf of the Authorized Participant, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions, the Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the requisite Fund Deposit to the Trust, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. An order to create Creation Units through the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Business Day the order is placed (“Transmittal Date”) if (i) such order is received by the Distributor by the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Cash Components will be delivered using either the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System, as described below.
Orders Outside Clearing Process . Fund Deposits made outside the Clearing Process must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Units will instead be effected through a transfer of securities and cash directly through DTC. With respect to such orders, the Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of securities in the In-Kind Creation Basket (whether standard or custom) through DTC to the relevant Trust account by 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, (the “DTC Cut-Off Time”) on the Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date. The amount of cash equal to the Cash Component, along with any cash in lieu and Transaction Fee, must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than 12:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date. The delivery of corporate securities through DTC must occur by 3:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date. The delivery of government securities through the Federal Reserve System must occur by 3:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date.
An order to create Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor by the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. If the Custodian does not receive both the required In-Kind Creation Basket by the DTC Cut-Off Time and the Cash Component by the appointed time, such order may be canceled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, a canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then-current In-Kind Creation Basket and Cash Component. Except as provided in Appendix C, the delivery of Creation Units so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the order is deemed received by the Distributor. Authorized Participants that submit a canceled order will be liable to a Fund for any losses resulting therefrom.
Orders involving foreign securities are expected to be settled outside the Clearing Process. Thus, upon receipt of an irrevocable purchase order, the Distributor will notify Cambria and the Custodian of such order. The Custodian, who will have caused the appropriate local sub-custodian(s) of a Fund to maintain an account into which an Authorized Participant may deliver the Fund Deposit (or cash in lieu), with adjustments determined by a Fund, will then provide information of the order to such local sub-custodian(s). The Authorized Participant must also make available on or before the Settlement, by means satisfactory to a Fund, immediately available or same day funds in U.S. dollars estimated by the Fund to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component and Transaction Fee.
While, as stated above, Creation Units are generally delivered no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the order is deemed received by the Distributor, as discussed in Appendix C, the Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF, Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF and Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF may settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than the one described above in order to accommodate foreign market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates (that is the last day the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security), and in certain other circumstances.
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Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units . The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor in respect of a Fund if: (i) the order is not in proper form; (ii) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Shares, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of a Fund; (iii) the securities delivered do not conform to the In-Kind Creation Basket for the relevant date; (iv) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would have adverse tax consequences to a Fund; (v) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (vi) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust, a Fund or Cambria, have an adverse effect on the Trust, a Fund or the rights of beneficial owners; or (vii) in the event that circumstances that are outside the control of the Trust, Custodian, Distributor and Investment Adviser make it practically impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; fires, floods or extreme weather conditions; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, Cambria, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, the Custodian or sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process; and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify an Authorized Participant of its rejection of the order. A Fund, the Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits, and they shall not incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
Issuance of a Creation Unit . Once a Fund has accepted a creation order, upon next determination of a Fund’s NAV, a Fund will confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit, against receipt of payment, at such NAV. The Distributor will transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the Authorized Participant that placed the order.
Except as provided below, a Creation Unit will not be issued until a Fund obtains good title to the Kind-Creation Basket securities and the Cash Component, along with any cash in lieu and Transaction Fee. Except as provided in Appendix C, the delivery of Creation Units will generally occur no later than the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date for securities.
In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.
With respect to orders involving foreign securities, when the applicable local sub-custodian(s) has confirmed to the Custodian that the In-Kind Creation Basket (or cash in lieu) has been delivered to a Fund’s account at the applicable sub-custodian(s), the Distributor and Cambria shall be notified of such delivery, and the Fund will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit.
Creation Units may be created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable In-Kind Creation Basket, provided the purchaser tenders an initial deposit consisting of any available securities in the In-Kind Creation Basket and cash equal to the sum of the Cash Component and at least 115% of the market value, as adjusted from time to time by Cambria, of the In-Kind Creation Basket securities not delivered (“Additional Cash Deposit”). Such initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the Creation Unit on the date the order is placed. The order shall be deemed to be received on the Transmittal Date provided that it is placed in proper form prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on such date, and federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited with the Custodian by the DTC Cut-Off Time the following Business Day. If the order is not placed in proper form by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, or federal funds in the appropriate amount are not received by the DTC Cut-Off Time the next Business Day, then the order will be canceled or deemed unreceived and the Authorized Participant effectuating such transaction will be liable to a Fund for any losses resulting therefrom.
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To the extent securities in the In-Kind Creation Basket remain undelivered, pending delivery of such securities additional cash will be required to be deposited with the Trust as necessary to maintain an Additional Cash Deposit equal to at least 115% (as adjusted by Cambria) of the daily marked-to-market value of the missing securities. To the extent that either such securities are still not received by 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor or a marked-to-market payment is not made within one Business Day following notification to the purchaser and/or Authorized Participant that such a payment is required, the Trust may use the cash on deposit to purchase the missing securities, and the Authorized Participant effectuating such transaction will be liable to a Fund for any costs incurred therein or losses resulting therefrom, including any Transaction Fee, any amount by which the actual purchase price of the missing securities exceeds the Additional Cash Deposit or the market value of such securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Distributor, as well as brokerage and related transaction costs. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing securities have been received by the Trust. The delivery of Creation Units so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.
Transaction Fees
To compensate the Trust for costs incurred in connection with creation and redemption transactions, investors will be required to pay to the Trust a Transaction Fee as follows:
Fund | Standard Transaction Fee | Variable Charge | ||||||
Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF | $ | 1000 | * | Up to 2.0% | ||||
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF | $ | 700 | * | None | ||||
Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF | $ | 2000 | * | Up to 2.0% | ||||
Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF | $ | 3000 | * | Up to 2.0% |
* The Transaction Fee may be higher for transactions outside the Clearing Process.
The Standard Transaction Fee applies to in-kind purchases of the Fund effected through the Clearing Process on any Business Day, regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased or redeemed that day (assuming, in the case of multiple orders on the same day, that the orders are received at or near the same time). A Transaction Fee of up to four times the standard fee may apply to creation and redemption transactions that occur outside the Clearing Process. As shown in the table above, certain Fund Deposits consisting of a Cash Value will be subject to a variable charge of up to 2.0% in addition to the standard Transaction Fee. With cash received from the variable charge, Cambria will purchase the necessary securities for the Fund’s portfolio and return any unused portion thereof to the investor.
The Investment Adviser, subject to the approval of the Board, may adjust the Transaction Fee from time to time. The Standard Creation/Redemption Transaction Fee is based, in part, on the number of holdings in a Fund’s portfolio and may be adjusted on a quarterly basis if the number of holdings increase. Investors will also be responsible for the costs associated with transferring the securities in the In-Kind Creation (and Redemption) Baskets to (and from) the account of the Trust. Further, investors who, directly or indirectly, use the services of a broker or other intermediary to compose a Creation Unit in addition to an Authorized Participant to effect a transaction in Creation Units may be charged an additional fee for such services.
Cash Purchase Method . When cash purchases of Creation Units are available or specified for a Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases. In the case of a cash purchase, the investor must pay the cash equivalent of the Fund Deposit. In addition, cash purchases may be subject to Transaction Fees.
Redeeming Creation Units
Fund Redemptions . Fund Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by a Fund through the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. The redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit will consist of the In-Kind Redemption Basket and a Cash Redemption Amount, or an all cash payment (“Cash Value”), in all instances equal to the value of a Creation Unit. Because short positions cannot be transferred in kind, however, any short positions in a Fund’s portfolio will be represented by cash in the Cash Redemption Amount and not in the In-Kind Redemption Basket.
There can be no assurance that there will be sufficient liquidity in Shares in the secondary market to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. In addition, investors may incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a Creation Unit.
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The Cash Redemption Amount will typically include a Balancing Amount, reflecting the difference, if any, between the NAV of a Creation Unit and the market value of the securities in the In-Kind Redemption Basket. If the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the securities in the In-Kind Redemption Basket, a Fund pays the Balancing Amount to the redeeming investor. By contrast, if the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the market value of the securities in the In-Kind Redemption Basket, the redeeming investor pays the Balancing Amount to a Fund.
The composition of the In-Kind Creation Basket will normally be the same as the composition of the In-Kind Redemption Basket. Otherwise, the In-Kind Redemption Basket will be made available by the Adviser or Transfer Agent. Each Fund reserves the right to accept a nonconforming ( i.e ., custom) Fund Redemption.
In lieu of an In-Kind Redemption Basket and Cash Redemption Amount, Creation Units may be redeemed consisting solely of cash in an amount equal to the NAV of a Creation Unit, which amount is referred to as the Cash Value. Such redemptions for the Funds may be subject to a variable charge, as explained above. If applicable, information about the Cash Value will be made available by the Adviser or Transfer Agent.
From day to day, the composition of the In-Kind Redemption Basket may change as, among other things, corporate actions are implemented for a Fund’s portfolio. All questions as to the composition of the In-Kind Redemption Basket and the validity, form, eligibility, and acceptance for deposit of any securities shall be determined by a Fund, and the Fund’s determination shall be final and binding.
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed: (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares or determination of a Fund’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as permitted by the SEC, including as described below.
Cash in lieu. A Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (“cash in lieu”) to be added to the Cash Redemption Amount to replace any security in the In-Kind Redemption Basket. A Fund may permit or require cash in lieu when, for example, the securities in the In-Kind Redemption Basket may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process. Similarly, a Fund may permit or require cash in lieu when, for example, the Authorized Participant or its underlying investor is restricted under U.S. or local securities law or policies from transacting in one or more securities in the In-Kind Redemption Basket. Each Fund will comply with the federal securities laws in satisfying redemptions with the applicable In-Kind Redemption Basket, including the securities in the In-Kind Redemption Basket that are sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. All redemption orders involving cash in lieu are considered to be “custom redemptions.”
Placement of Redemption Orders . Redemptions must be placed to the Transfer Agent through the Distributor. In addition, redemption orders must be processed either through the DTC process or the Clearing Process. To redeem a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable redemption order to the Distributor.
An Authorized Participant submitting a redemption order is deemed to represent to a Fund that it or, if applicable, the investor on whose behalf it is acting, (i) owns outright or has full legal authority and legal beneficial right to tender for redemption the Creation Unit to be redeemed and can receive the entire proceeds of the redemption, and (ii) all of the Shares in the Creation Unit to be redeemed have not been borrowed, loaned or pledged to another party nor are they the subject of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or such other arrangement which would preclude the delivery of such Shares to the Fund. A Fund reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to verify these representations, but will typically require verification in connection with higher levels of redemption activity and/or short interest in the Fund. If the Authorized Participant, upon receipt of a verification report, does not provide sufficient verification of the requested representations, the redemption order will not be considered to be in proper form and may be rejected by a Fund.
In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.
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Placement of Redemption Orders Using Clearing Process . Orders to redeem Creation Units through the Clearing Process are deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than the Order Cut-Off Time on such Transmittal Date, and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Orders deemed received will be effectuated based on the NAV of a Fund as next determined. An order to redeem Creation Units using the Clearing Process made in proper form but received by the Trust after the Order Cut-Off Time will be deemed received on the next Business Day and will be effected at the NAV next determined on such next Business Day. In connection with such orders, the Distributor transmits on behalf of the Authorized Participant such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the redemption. Pursuant to such trade instructions, the Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the requisite Creation Unit(s) to a Fund, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. Cash Redemption Amounts will be delivered using either the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System. The applicable In-Kind Redemption Basket and the Cash Redemption Amount will be transferred to the investor by the third NSCC business day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.
Placement of Redemption Orders Outside Clearing Process . Orders to redeem Creation Units outside the Clearing Process must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that redemption of Creation Units will instead be effected through transfer of Shares directly through DTC. Such orders are deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than the Order Cut-Off Time on the Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is accompanied or followed by the delivery of both (a) the Creation Unit(s), which delivery must be made through DTC to the Custodian no later than the DTC Cut-Off Time on the Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and (b) the Cash Redemption Amount by 12:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date; and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. After the Trust has deemed such an order received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer, and expect to deliver, the requisite In-Kind Redemption Basket and/or any Cash Redemption Amount owed to the redeeming party by the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date on which such redemption order is deemed received by the Trust.
Orders involving foreign securities are expected to be settled outside the Clearing Process. Thus, upon receipt of an irrevocable redemption order, the Distributor will notify Cambria and the Custodian. The Custodian will then provide information of the redemption to the Fund’s local sub-custodian(s). The redeeming Authorized Participant, or the investor on whose behalf it is acting, will have established appropriate arrangements with a broker-dealer, bank or other custody provider in each jurisdiction in which the securities are customarily traded and to which such securities (and any cash in lieu) can be delivered from a Fund’s accounts at the applicable local sub-custodian(s).
The calculation of the value of the In-Kind Redemption Basket and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received upon redemption will be made by the Custodian computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Transfer Agent by a DTC Participant or an Authorized Participant with the ability to transact through the Federal Reserve System, as applicable, not later than Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of Shares of the relevant Fund are delivered to the Custodian prior to the DTC Cut-Off-Time, then the value of the In-Kind Redemption Basket and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received will be determined by the Custodian on such Transmittal Date. If, however, either: (i) the requisite number of Shares of the relevant Fund are not delivered by the DTC Cut-Off-Time, as described above, or (ii) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In such case, the value of the In-Kind Redemption Basket and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received will be computed on the Business Day following the Transmittal Date provided that the Fund Shares of the relevant Fund are delivered through DTC to the Custodian by 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, the following Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.
If it is not possible to effect deliveries of the securities in the In-Kind Redemption Basket, the Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem Shares in cash, and the redeeming beneficial owner will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that a Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its Shares based on the NAV of Shares of the relevant Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a Transaction Fee, including a variable charge, if applicable, as described above).
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A Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the In-Kind Redemption Basket, or cash in lieu of some securities added to the Cash Component, but in no event will the total value of the securities delivered and the cash transmitted differ from the NAV. Redemptions of Fund Shares for the In-Kind Redemption Basket will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific securities in the In-Kind Redemption Basket upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the securities in the In-Kind Redemption Basket under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the In-Kind Redemption Basket applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming beneficial owner of the Shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment, beneficial ownership of shares or delivery instructions.
Delivery of Redemption Basket . Once a Fund has accepted a redemption order, upon next determination of the Fund’s NAV, the Fund will confirm the issuance of an In-Kind Redemption Basket, against receipt of the Creation Unit(s) at such NAV, any cash in lieu and Transaction Fee. A Creation Unit tendered for redemption and the payment of the Cash Redemption Amount, any cash in lieu and Transaction Fee will be effected through DTC. The Authorized Participant, or the investor on whose behalf it is acting, will be recorded on the book-entry system of DTC.
In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.
Cash Redemption Method . When cash redemptions of Creation Units are available or specified for a Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind redemptions. In the case of a cash redemption, the investor will receive the cash equivalent of the In-Kind Redemption Basket minus any Transaction Fees.
Settlement of Foreign Securities and Regular Foreign Holidays
The Funds generally intend to effect deliveries of Creation Units and portfolio securities on a basis of the Transmittal Date (“T”) plus three Business Days ( i.e., days on which the national securities exchange is open) (“T+3”). The Funds may effect deliveries of Creation Units and portfolio securities on a basis other than T+3 in order to accommodate local holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates or under certain other circumstances. Given that foreign securities settle in accordance with the normal rules of settlement of such securities in the applicable foreign market, coupled with foreign market holiday schedules, the Settlement Date may be up to 14 calendar days after the Transmittal Date in certain circumstances.
The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind creations and redemptions within three Business Days of receipt of an order in good form is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the order to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are holidays in the applicable foreign market. In such cases, the local market settlement procedures will not commence until the end of the local holiday periods. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable foreign market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle will be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within normal settlement periods. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” ( e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays or changes in local securities delivery practices could affect the information set forth herein at some time in the future.
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Because the Funds’ portfolio securities may trade on days that the Funds’ Exchange is closed or on days that are not Business Days for the Funds, Authorized Participants may not be able to redeem their Shares, or to purchase and sell Shares on the Exchange, on days when the NAV of the Funds could be significantly affected by events in the relevant non-U.S. markets.
A schedule of regular foreign holidays applicable to the Funds is included in Appendix C.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value, or NAV, of Shares is calculated each business day as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE, generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. A Fund’s NAV per Share is computed by dividing the net assets by the number of Shares outstanding.
TAXATION
The following supplements the tax information contained in the Prospectus.
For federal income tax purposes, each Fund is treated as a separate corporate entity and has elected and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. Such qualification generally relieves each Fund of liability for federal income taxes to the extent its earnings are distributed in accordance with applicable requirements. If, for any reason, a Fund does not qualify for a taxable year for the special federal tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies, the Fund would be subject to federal tax on all of its taxable income at regular corporate rates, without any deduction for dividends to shareholders. In such event, dividend distributions would be taxable as ordinary income to shareholders to the extent of such Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits and would be eligible for taxation at reduced rates for non-corporate shareholders and for the dividends received deduction available in some circumstances to corporate shareholders. Moreover, if a Fund were to fail to make sufficient distributions in a year, the Fund would be subject to corporate income taxes and/or excise taxes in respect of the shortfall or, if the shortfall is large enough and cannot be remedied, the Fund could be disqualified as a regulated investment company.
A 4% non-deductible excise tax is imposed on regulated investment companies that fail to distribute currently an amount equal to at least 98% of their ordinary taxable income and 98.2% of their capital gain net income (excess of capital gains over capital losses), if any. Each Fund intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions of its ordinary taxable income and any capital gain net income prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for this excise tax.
Any market discount recognized by the Funds on a bond is taxable as ordinary income. A market discount bond is a bond acquired in the secondary market at a price below redemption value or adjusted issue price if issued with original issue discount. Absent an election by a Fund to include the market discount in income as it accrues, gain on the Fund’s disposition of such an obligation will be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain to the extent of the accrued market discount.
Dividends declared in October, November or December of any year payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such months will be deemed to have been received by shareholders and paid by a Fund on December 31 of such year if such dividends are actually paid during January of the following year.
The tax principles applicable to transactions in financial instruments that may be engaged in by a Fund and investments in passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”) are complex and, in some cases, uncertain. Such transactions and investments may cause a Fund to recognize taxable income prior to the receipt of cash, thereby requiring the Fund to liquidate other positions or to borrow money so as to make sufficient distributions to shareholders to avoid corporate-level tax. Moreover, some or all of the taxable income recognized may be ordinary income or short-term capital gain, so that the distributions may be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. In addition, in the case of any shares of a PFIC in which a Fund invests, the Fund may be liable for corporate-level tax on any ultimate gain or distributions on the shares if the Fund fails to make an election to recognize income annually during the period of its ownership of the PFIC shares.
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Special rules govern the federal income tax treatment of certain transactions denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar or determined by reference to the value of one or more currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The types of transactions covered by the special rules include the following: (1) the acquisition of, or becoming the obligor under, a bond or other debt instrument (including, to the extent provided in Treasury regulations, preferred stock); (2) the accruing of certain trade receivables and payables; and (3) the entering into or acquisition of any forward contract or similar financial instrument if such instrument is not marked to market. The disposition of a currency other than the U.S. dollar by a taxpayer whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar is also treated as a transaction subject to the special currency rules. With respect to transactions covered by the special rules, foreign currency gain or loss is calculated separately from any gain or loss on the underlying transaction and is normally taxable as ordinary income or loss. These gains or losses increase or decrease the amount of a Fund’s investment company taxable income available to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the amount of that Fund’s net capital gain. A taxpayer may elect to treat as capital gain or loss foreign currency gain or loss arising from certain identified forward contracts that are capital assets in the hands of the taxpayer and that are not part of a straddle. The Treasury Department issued regulations under which certain transactions subject to the special currency rules that are part of a “Section 988 hedging transaction” will be integrated and treated as a single transaction or otherwise treated consistently for purposes of the Code. Any gain or loss attributable to the foreign currency component of a transaction engaged in by a Fund that is not subject to the special currency rules (such as foreign equity investments other than certain preferred stocks) will be treated as capital gain or loss and will not be segregated from the gain or loss on the underlying transaction.
Certain foreign currency contracts are considered “Section 1256 contracts” for federal income tax purposes. Section 1256 contracts held by a Fund at the end of each tax year are “marked to market” and treated for federal income tax purposes as though sold for fair market value on the last business day of the tax year. Gains or losses realized by a Fund on Section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses. A Fund can elect to exempt its Section 1256 contracts that are part of a “mixed straddle” (as described below) from the application of Section 1256 of the Code.
Any forward contract or other position entered into or held by a Fund in conjunction with any other position held by that Fund may constitute a “straddle” for federal income tax purposes. A straddle of which at least one, but not all, the positions are Section 1256 contracts may constitute a “mixed straddle.” In general, straddles are subject to certain rules that may affect the amount, character and timing of a Fund’s gains and losses with respect to straddle positions by requiring, among other things, that: (1) any loss realized on disposition of one position of a straddle may not be recognized to the extent that the Fund has unrealized gains with respect to the other position in such straddle; (2) the Fund’s holding period in straddle positions be suspended while the straddle exists (possibly resulting in a gain being treated as short-term capital gain rather than long-term capital gain); (3) the losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions that are part of a mixed straddle and that are non-Section 1256 contracts be treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital loss; (4) losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions that would otherwise constitute short-term capital losses be treated as long-term capital losses; and (5) the deduction of interest and carrying charges attributable to certain straddle positions may be deferred. Various elections are available to a Fund, which may mitigate the effects of the straddle rules, particularly with respect to mixed straddles. In general, the straddle rules described above do not apply to any straddles held by a Fund if all of the offsetting positions consist of Section 1256 contracts.
Distributions from a Fund’s net investment income, including any net short-term capital gains, if any, and distributions of income from securities lending, are taxable as ordinary income. Distributions reinvested in additional Shares of the Funds through the means of a dividend reinvestment service will be taxable dividends to shareholders acquiring such additional Shares to the same extent as if such dividends had been received in cash. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of net short-term capital losses are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long shareholders have held the Shares.
If, for any calendar year, the total distributions made exceed a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will, for federal income tax purposes, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to each shareholder up to the amount of the shareholder’s basis in his or her Shares, and thereafter as gain from the sale of Shares. The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce the shareholder’s adjusted basis in his or her Shares, thereby increasing his or her potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the subsequent sale of his or her Shares.
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The sale, exchange or redemption of Shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of Shares of a Fund may be disallowed if other substantially identical Shares are acquired (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a sixty-one (61) day period beginning thirty (30) days before and ending thirty (30) days after the date that the Shares are disposed of. In such a case, the basis of the Shares acquired must be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Shares held for six (6) months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the shareholders. Distribution of ordinary income and capital gains may also be subject to state and local taxes.
Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers generally are taxed at a maximum rate of 15% (20% for taxpayers with taxable income exceeding $400,000 or $450,000 if married and filing jointly). Each Fund will report to shareholders annually the amounts of dividends received from ordinary income, tax-exempt income, the amount of distributions received from capital gains and the portion of dividends, if any, which may qualify for the dividends received deduction.
Investment income received by the Funds from sources within foreign countries and gains they realize on the disposition of foreign securities may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. The U.S. has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries that may entitle the Funds to a reduced rate of such taxes or exemption from taxes on such income. It is impossible to know the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Funds’ assets to be invested within various countries cannot be determined. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign issuers, that Fund will be eligible and intends to file an election with the IRS to pass through to its shareholders the amount of foreign taxes paid by that Fund. However, there can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to do so. Pursuant to this election, you will be required to (1) include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) your pro rata share of foreign taxes paid by that Fund, (2) treat your pro rata share of such foreign taxes as having been paid by you and (3) either deduct such pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing your taxable income or treat such foreign taxes as a credit against federal income taxes. You may be subject to rules that limit or reduce your ability to fully deduct or claim a credit for your pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund in which you invest.
The Funds will be required in certain cases to impose “backup withholding” on taxable dividends or gross proceeds realized upon sale paid to shareholders who have failed to provide a correct tax identification number in the manner required, who are subject to withholding by the IRS for failure properly to include on their return payments of taxable interest or dividends, or who have failed to certify to the Funds when required to do so either that they are not subject to backup withholding or that they are “exempt recipients.” Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s ultimate federal income tax liability if proper documentation is provided.
As a result of tax requirements, the Trust on behalf of each Fund has the right to reject an order to purchase Shares if the purchaser (or group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of a Fund and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Code, the Fund would have a basis in the transferred securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial Share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.
Except as described below, dividends paid by a Fund to non-U.S. Shareholders are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty to the extent derived from investment income and net short-term capital gains. In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a non-U.S. Shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty. The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a non-U.S. Shareholder who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. Shareholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the non-U.S. Shareholder were a U.S. Shareholder. A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate). A non-U.S. Shareholder who fails to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form may be subject to backup withholding at the appropriate rate.
- 41 - |
In general, withholding tax will not apply to any distributions to a non-U.S. Shareholder of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss or upon such a shareholder’s sale or other disposition of Shares. For taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2013, withholding tax also did not apply to “interest-related dividends” and “short-term capital gain” dividends. It is possible that legislation will be enacted extending this exemption to later periods.
Under legislation known as “FATCA” (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), a U.S. withholding tax of 30% will apply to payments to certain foreign entities of U.S.-source dividends paid after December 31, 2013, and the gross proceeds paid after December 31, 2017, from dispositions of shares that produce U.S.-source dividends, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements that are different from, and in addition to, the beneficial owner certification requirements described above have been satisfied. Non-U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisers regarding the effect, if any, of this legislation on their ownership and sale or disposition of a Fund’s common shares.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Financial Statements
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF
(a portfolio of Cambria ETF Trust)
April 18, 2013
With Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees of Cambria ETF Trust and Shareholder of Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (the "Fund") at April 18, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit. We conducted our audit of this financial statement 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 statement is free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
May 1, 2013
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Two Commerce Square, Suite 1700, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042
T: (267)330 3000, F: (267) 330 3300 , www.pwc.com/us
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF
(a portfolio of Cambria ETF Trust)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
April 18, 2013
Assets | ||||
Cash | $ | 100,000 | ||
Net Assets | $ | 100,000 | ||
Components of Net Assets | ||||
Paid in Capital | $ | 100,000 | ||
Net Assets | $ | 100,000 | ||
Shares Issued and Outstanding | 4,000.00 | |||
Net Asset Value Per Share | $ | 25.00 |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
2 |
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF
(a portfolio of Cambria ETF Trust)
Notes to Financial Statements
April 18, 2013
1. Organization
Cambria ETF Trust (the “Trust”), was formed on September 9, 2011 as an open-end registered management investment company comprising four exchange-traded funds: Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF, Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF, Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF and Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF. These financial statements relate only to Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF ("Fund"). Cambria Investment Management, L.P. (the “Investment Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. The Trust has had no operations to date other than matters relating to its organization and registration as a diversified, open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
The investment objective of Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF is to seek income and capital appreciation from investments in the U.S. equity market. The Fund has had no operations to date other than matters relating to its organization and the capital contribution to the Trust resulting in the issuance to the Investment Adviser of 4,000 shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”) of the Fund at an aggregate purchase price of $100,000 on April 18, 2013. At April 18, 2013, the Investment Adviser owned 100% of the outstanding Shares of the Fund.
Shares of the Funds will be listed and traded on the NYSE Arca, Inc. Market prices for the Shares may be different from their net asset value ("NAV"). The Fund will issue and redeem Shares on a continuous basis at NAV only in large blocks of Shares, typically 50,000 Shares, called "Creation Units." Creation Units will be issued and redeemed principally in-kind for a basket of securities and a balancing cash amount. Shares generally will trade in the secondary market in amounts less than a Creation Unit at market prices that change throughout the day.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
3 |
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF
(a portfolio of Cambria ETF Trust)
Notes to Financial Statements
April 18, 2013
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in these financial statements.
Income Taxes
The Fund intends to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under Sub-chapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. If so qualified, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent it distributes substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains to its shareholders.
Organizational Expenses
All organizational and offering expenses of the Trust will be borne by the Investment Adviser and will not be subject to future recoupment. As a result, organizational and offering expenses are not reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Cash at April 18, 2013 is on deposit at Brown Brothers Harriman in a non-interest bearing account.
3. Agreements
Investment Advisory Agreement
The Investment Adviser is responsible for overseeing the management and business affairs of the Fund, and has discretion to purchase and sell securities in accordance with the Fund's objectives, policies, and restrictions. The Investment Adviser continuously reviews, supervises, and administers the Fund's investment program. The Investment Adviser has entered into an investment advisory agreement (“Management Agreement”) with respect to the Fund. Pursuant to that Management Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser an annual advisory fee based on its average daily nets assets for the services and facilities it provides payable at an annual rate of 0.59%.
4 |
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF
(a portfolio of Cambria ETF Trust)
Notes to Financial Statements
April 18, 2013
3. Agreements (continued)
Investment Advisory Agreement (continued)
The Investment Adviser bears all of the costs of the Fund except for the advisory fee, payments under the Fund’s 12b-1 plan, brokerage expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest (including borrowing costs and dividend expenses on securities sold short), litigation expenses, and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation to which the Trust or the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trustees and officers with respect thereto). The Management Agreement for the Fund provides that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees or, with respect to the Fund, by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, on 60 days’ written notice to the Investment Adviser, and by the Investment Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Trust and that it shall be automatically terminated if it is assigned.
Administrator, Custodian, Fund Accountant and Transfer Agent
SEI Investments Global Fund Services (the “Administrator”) serves as the Fund's Administrator pursuant to an administration agreement. Brown Brothers Harriman (the “Custodian” and “Transfer Agent”) serves as the Fund's Custodian and Transfer Agent pursuant to a Custody Agreement and a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement.
Distribution Agreement
SEI Investments Distribution Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SEI Investments and an affiliate of the Administrator (the “Distributor”), serves as the Fund’s distributor of Creation Units pursuant to a distribution agreement. The Distributor does not maintain any secondary market in Fund shares.
5 |
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF
(a portfolio of Cambria ETF Trust)
Notes to Financial Statements
April 18, 2013
3. Agreements (continued)
Distribution Agreement (continued)
The Trust has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan (“Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In accordance with its Plan, the Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each year for certain distribution-related activities. However, no such fee is currently paid by the Fund, and the Board of Trustees has not currently approved the commencement of any payments under the plan.
4. Creation and Redemption Transactions
The Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis at NAV in groups of 50,000 shares called “Creation Units.”
Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable securities of a Fund. Shares of the Fund may only be purchased or redeemed by certain financial institutions (“Authorized Participants”). An Authorized Participant is either (i) a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation or (ii) a DTC participant and, in each case, must have executed a Participant Agreement with the Distributor. Most retail investors will not qualify as Authorized Participants or have the resources to buy and sell whole Creation Units. Therefore, they will be unable to purchase or redeem the shares directly from the Fund. Rather, most retail investors will purchase shares in the secondary market with the assistance of a broker and will be subject to customary brokerage commissions or fees.
5. Related Parties
Certain officers of the Trust are also employees of the Investment Adviser.
6. Principal Risks
As with all exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), a shareholder of the Fund is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. The Fund is subject to the principal risks noted below, any of which may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and ability to meet its investment objective. A more complete description of principal risks is included in the prospectus under the heading “Principal Risks”.
6 |
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF
(a portfolio of Cambria ETF Trust)
Notes to Financial Statements
April 18, 2013
6. Principal Risks (continued)
Dividend Paying Security Risk
Securities that pay high dividends as a group can fall out of favor with the market, causing these companies to underperform companies that do not pay high dividends. Also, changes in the dividend policies of companies owned by the Fund and the capital resources available for these companies’ dividend payments may adversely affect the Fund.
Equity Investing Risk
An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund holding equity securities, such as market fluctuations, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices. The values of equity securities could decline generally or could underperform other investments. In addition, securities may decline in value due to factors affecting a specific issuer, market or securities markets generally.
Management Risk
The Fund is actively managed using proprietary investment strategies and processes. There can be no guarantee that these strategies and processes will produce the intended results and no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.
Foreign Investment Risk
Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities. Investments in or exposures to foreign securities are subject to special risks, including risks associated with foreign securities generally, including differences in information available about issuers of securities and investor protection standards applicable in other jurisdictions; capital controls risks, including the risk of a foreign jurisdiction imposing restrictions on the ability to repatriate or transfer currency or other assets; currency risks; political, diplomatic and economic risks; regulatory risks; and foreign market and trading risks, including the costs of trading and risks of settlement in foreign jurisdictions.
7 |
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF
(a portfolio of Cambria ETF Trust)
Notes to Financial Statements
April 18, 2013
7. Guarantees and Indemnifications
In the normal course of business the Fund enters into contracts with third-party service providers that contain a variety of representations and warranties and that provide general indemnifications. Additionally, under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as it involves possible future claims that may or may not be made against the Fund. Based on experience, the Investment Adviser is of the view that the risk of loss to the Fund in connection with the Fund’s indemnification obligations is remote; however, there can be no assurance that such obligations will not result in material liabilities that adversely affect the Fund.
8. Subsequent Events
In preparing these financial statements, management has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were available to be issued. Management has determined that there are no material events, except as set forth above that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.
8 |
Appendix A
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for the Trust
CAMBRIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, L.P.
Proxy Voting Policy
A. Discretionary Accounts .
The Firm instructs each custodian for a Discretionary Account to deliver to the Firm all proxy solicitation materials that the custodian receives for that Discretionary Account. The Firm reviews the securities held in its Discretionary Accounts on a regular basis to confirm that the Firm receives copies of all proxy solicitation materials concerning such securities. The Firm marks each proxy solicitation with the date it is received by the Firm.
For each Client Account that is a registered investment company (such as the Funds), the Firm votes all proxies after carefully considering proxy solicitation materials and other available facts, except when it abstains from voting as described below. The CCO makes all voting decisions on behalf of a Discretionary Account based solely on the CCO’s determination of the best interests of that Discretionary Account. The Firm uses reasonable efforts to respond to each proxy solicitation by the deadline for such response.
For all other Client Accounts, the Firm decides whether to vote a proxy on behalf of its Discretionary Accounts after considering whether the proposal will have a material effect on the Firm’s investment strategy for Discretionary Accounts. This analysis typically leads the Firm to determine not to vote proxies.
The CCO may designate an appropriate Employee to be responsible for insuring that all proxy statements are received and that the Firm responds to them in a timely manner.
1. Company Information . If the Firm is considering voting a proxy, it reviews all proxy solicitation materials it receives concerning securities held in a Discretionary Account. The Firm evaluates all such information and may seek additional information from the party soliciting the proxy and independent corroboration of such information when the Firm considers it appropriate and when it is reasonably available.
2. Proxy Voting Policies .
a. Guidelines . The Firm follows any proxy voting guidelines and procedures provided by Client Accounts for which the Firm votes proxies (such as the Funds). If no guideline exists for a particular vote, the Firm votes FOR a proposal when it believes that the proposal serves the best interests of the Discretionary Account whose proxy is solicited because, on balance, the following factors predominate:
(i) If adopted, the proposal would have a positive economic effect on shareholder value;
(ii) If adopted, the proposal would pose no threat to existing rights of shareholders;
(iii) The dilution, if any, of existing shares that would result from adoption of the proposal is warranted by the benefits of the proposal; and
(iv) If adopted, the proposal would not limit or impair the accountability of management and the board of directors to shareholders.
b. The Firm votes AGAINST a proposal if it believes that, on balance, the following factors predominate:
A- 1 |
(i) If adopted, the proposal would have an adverse economic effect on shareholder value;
(ii) If adopted, the proposal would limit the rights of shareholders in a manner or to an extent that is not warranted by the benefits of adoption of the proposal;
(iii) If adopted, the proposal would cause significant dilution of shares that is not warranted by the benefits of the proposal;
(iv) If adopted, the proposal would limit or impair accountability of management or the board of directors to shareholders; or
(v) The proposal is a shareholder initiative that the Firm believes wastes time and resources of the company or reflects the grievance of one individual.
c. Abstentions . The Firm abstains from voting proxies when it believes that it is appropriate. Usually, this occurs when the Firm believes that a proposal holds negative but nonquantifiable implications for shareholder value but may express a legitimate concern or, for accounts other than registered investment companies (such as the Funds), when the Firm believes that a proposal will not have a material effect on the Firm’s investment strategy for Discretionary Accounts.
3. Conflicts of Interest . Due to the size and nature of the Firm’s operations and the Firm’s limited affiliations in the securities industry, the Firm does not expect that material conflicts of interest will arise between the Firm and a Discretionary Account over proxy voting. The Firm recognizes, however, that such conflicts may arise from time to time, such as, for example, when the Firm or one of its affiliates has a business arrangement that could be affected by the outcome of a proxy vote or has a personal or business relationship with a person seeking appointment or re-appointment as a director of a company. If a material conflict of interest arises, the Firm will vote all proxies in accordance with Part VI.A.2. The Firm will not place its own interests ahead of the interests of its Discretionary Accounts in voting proxies.
If the Firm determines that the proxy voting policies in Part VI.A.2 do not adequately address a material conflict of interest related to a proxy, it will provide the affected Client Account with copies of all proxy solicitation materials that the Firm receives with respect to that proxy, notify that Client Account of the actual or potential conflict of interest and of the Firm’s intended response to the proxy request (which response will be in accordance with the policies set forth in Part VI.A.2(b)), and request that the Client Account consent to the Firm’s intended response. If the Client Account consents to the Firm’s intended response or fails to respond to the notice within a reasonable period of time specified in the notice, the Firm will vote the proxy as described in the notice. If the Client Account objects to the intended response, the Firm will vote the proxy as directed by the Client Account.
4. Shareholder Proposals by the Firm . The Firm may submit a shareholder proposal on behalf of an Investment Fund only if permitted by the Investment Fund’s governing documents or by agreement between the Firm and the Investment Fund and if the Firm believes that the proposal would provide a substantial overall benefit to the Investment Fund. The Firm will submit a shareholder proposal on behalf of any other Discretionary Account only at the request of the Discretionary Account or with that Discretionary Account’s prior written consent. The Firm will vote any shares in a Discretionary Account on behalf of a proposal submitted by the Firm in accordance with Part VI.A.2, unless otherwise directed by the Discretionary Account.
5. Disclosures to Clients . The Firm includes in Part 2A of its Form ADV (1) a summary of these policies and procedures relating to proxy voting, (2) an offer to provide a copy of such policies and procedures to clients on request, and (3) information concerning how a client may obtain a report summarizing how the Firm voted proxies on behalf of such client. At the request of a Client Account or Investor (other than a Client Account that is a registered investment company under the ICA (a “Registered Fund”)), the Firm provides that Client Account or Investor with a copy of this Part VI and a report summarizing all proxy solicitations the Firm received with respect to that Client Account during the period requested and action taken by the Firm on each such proxy. Regarding the proxy votes in respect of the portfolio securities in a Registered Fund, the Firm will provide that Registered Fund with the information required to be disclosed by that Registered Fund pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 of the ICA and SEC Form N-PX promulgated thereunder, including:
A- 2 |
a. The name of the issuer of the portfolio security;
b. The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security;
c. The CUSIP number for the portfolio security (unless not available through reasonable practical means, e.g., in the case of certain foreign issuers);
d. The shareholder meeting date;
e. A brief identification of the matter voted on;
f. Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder;
g. Whether the Firm cast its vote on the matter;
h. How the Firm cast its vote (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of directors); and
i. Whether the Firm cast its vote for or against management.
B. Non-Discretionary Accounts .
The Firm promptly forwards any proxy solicitation materials concerning securities held in a Non-Discretionary Account that the Firm receives at least five business days before the applicable proxy voting deadline to the appropriate Client Account. The Firm votes any such proxy as directed by that Client Account. At a Client Account’s request, the Firm may, but is not obligated to, advise that Client Account with respect to voting any proxy. The Firm does not provide advice concerning the voting of any proxy to any Client Account unless such advice is first approved by the CCO.
C. Records .
See Part VII.B regarding records that the Firm must maintain relating to these proxy voting policies and procedures.
A- 3 |
Appendix B
Description Of Securities Ratings
A. | Long-Term Ratings | ||
1. |
Moody’s Investors Service — Long-Term Corporate Obligation Ratings Moody’s long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed-income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings use Moody’s Global Scale and reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default. |
||
Aaa | Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk. | ||
Aa | Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk. | ||
A | Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk. | ||
Baa | Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics. | ||
Ba | Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk. | ||
B | Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. | ||
Caa | Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk. | ||
Ca | Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. | ||
C | Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest. | ||
Note | Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. | ||
2. | Standard and Poor’s — Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (including Preferred Stock) | ||
Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations: | |||
· | Likelihood of payment—capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation; | ||
· | Nature of and provisions of the obligation; | ||
· | Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights. |
B- 1 |
Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.) | ||
AAA | An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong. | |
AA | An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong. | |
A | An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong. | |
BBB | An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
Note | Obligations rated ‘BB,’ ‘B,’ ‘CCC,’ ‘CC,’ and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions. | |
BB | An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
B | An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB,’ but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
CCC | An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
CC | An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. | |
C | A ‘C’ rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among others, the ‘C’ rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument’s terms. |
B- 2 |
D | An obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. | |
Note | Plus (+) or minus (-). The ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories. | |
NR | This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy. | |
3. |
Fitch — International Long-Term Credit Ratings
International Long-Term Credit Ratings (LTCR) may also be referred to as Long-Term Ratings. When assigned to most issuers, it is used as a benchmark measure of probability of default and is formally described as an Issuer Default Rating (IDR). The major exception is within Public Finance, where IDRs will not be assigned as market convention has always focused on timeliness and does not draw analytical distinctions between issuers and their underlying obligations. When applied to issues or securities, the LTCR may be higher or lower than the issuer rating (IDR) to reflect relative differences in recovery expectations.
The following rating scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings: |
|
Investment Grade | ||
AAA | Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events. | |
AA | Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events. | |
A | High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings. | |
BBB | Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that there are currently expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category. | |
Speculative Grade | ||
BB | Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade. |
B- 3 |
B | Highly speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment. | |
CCC | Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic conditions. | |
CC | Default of some kind appears probable. | |
C | Default is imminent. | |
RD | Indicates an entity that has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace period) on some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of obligations. |
D | Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations. Default generally is defined as one of the following: | |
· Failure of an obligor to make timely payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of any financial obligation; | ||
· The bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of business of an obligor; | ||
· The distressed or other coercive exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation. | ||
Default ratings are not assigned prospectively; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period. | ||
Issuers will be rated ‘D’ upon a default. Defaulted and distressed obligations typically are rated along the continuum of ‘C’ to ‘B’ ratings categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. Additionally, in structured finance transactions, where analysis indicates that an instrument is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to meet pay interest and/or principal in full in accordance with the terms of the obligation’s documentation during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default in accordance with the terms of the documentation is imminent, the obligation may be rated in the ‘B’ or ‘CCC-C’ categories. | ||
Default is determined by reference to the terms of the obligations’ documentation. Fitch will assign default ratings where it has reasonably determined that payment has not been made on a material obligation in accordance with the requirements of the obligation’s documentation, or where it believes that default ratings consistent with Fitch’s published definition of default are the most appropriate ratings to assign. | ||
Note | The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ long-term rating category, to categories below ‘CCC,’ or to short-term ratings other than ‘F1’. (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.) |
B- 4 |
B. | Preferred Stock Ratings | |
1. | Moody’s Investors Service | |
aaa | An issue that is rated “aaa” is considered to be a top-quality preferred stock. This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stocks. | |
aa | An issue that is rated “aa” is considered a high-grade preferred stock. This rating indicates that there is a reasonable assurance the earnings and asset protection will remain relatively well-maintained in the foreseeable future. | |
a | An issue that is rated “a” is considered to be an upper-medium grade preferred stock. While risks are judged to be somewhat greater than in the “aaa” and “aa” classification, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be maintained at adequate levels. | |
baa | An issue that is rated “baa” is considered to be a medium-grade preferred stock, neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Earnings and asset protection appear adequate at present but may be questionable over any great length of time. | |
ba | An issue that is rated “ba” is considered to have speculative elements and its future cannot be considered well assured. Earnings and asset protection may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during adverse periods. Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class. | |
b | An issue that is rated “b” generally lacks the characteristics of a desirable investment. Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other terms of the issue over any long period of time may be small. | |
caa | An issue that is rated “caa” is likely to be in arrears on dividend payments. This rating designation does not purport to indicate the future status of payments. | |
ca | An issue that is rated “ca” is speculative in a high degree and is likely to be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payments. | |
c | This is the lowest rated class of preferred or preference stock. Issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing. | |
Note | Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each rating classification; the modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category. | |
C. | Short Term Ratings | |
1. | Moody’s Investors Service | |
|
Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted. | |
Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers: | ||
P-1 | Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations. | |
P-2 | Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations. |
B- 5 |
P-3 | Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations. | |
NP | Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories. | |
Note | Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider. | |
2. | Standard and Poor’s | |
A-1 | A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong. | |
A-2 | A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory. | |
A-3 | A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
B | A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. Ratings of ‘B-1’, ‘B-2’, and ‘B-3’ may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the ‘B’ category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
B-1 | A short-term obligation rated ‘B-1’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors. | |
B-2 | A short-term obligation rated ‘B-2’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors. | |
B-3 | A short-term obligation rated ‘B-3’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors. | |
C | A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
D | A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. | |
Note | Dual Ratings. Standard & Poor’s assigns “dual” ratings to all debt issues that have a put option or demand feature as part of their structure. The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature. The long-term rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the short-term rating symbols for the put option (for example, ‘AAA/A-1+’). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, note rating symbols are used with the short-term issue credit rating symbols (for example, ‘SP-1+/A-1+’). |
B- 6 |
3. | Fitch | |
The following ratings scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings. A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 13 months for most obligations, or up to three years for US public finance, in line with industry standards, to reflect unique risk characteristics of bond, tax, and revenue anticipation notes that are commonly issued with terms up to three years. Short-term ratings thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner. | ||
F1 | Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature. | |
F2 | Good credit quality. A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings. | |
F3 | Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non investment grade. | |
B | Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions. | |
C | High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment. | |
D | Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations. | |
Note | The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ long-term rating category, to categories below ‘CCC,’ or to short-term ratings other than ‘F1’. (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.) |
B- 7 |
Appendix C
Foreign Holidays
The Funds generally intend to effect deliveries of Creation Units and portfolio securities no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the order is deemed received by the Distributor. The Funds may effect deliveries of Creation Units and portfolio securities on a basis other than the one just described in order to accommodate local holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates, or under certain other circumstances. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind creations and redemptions within three business days of receipt of an order in good form is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the order to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are holidays in the applicable foreign market. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable foreign market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle will be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within the normal settlement period.
The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring portfolio securities to redeeming investors, coupled with foreign market holiday schedules, will require a delivery process longer than seven calendar days in certain circumstances.
The holidays applicable to the Funds investing in foreign securities during such periods are listed below, as are instances where more than seven days will be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Although certain holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days required to deliver redemption proceeds in any given year is not expected to exceed the maximum number of days listed below for the applicable Funds. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays, or changes in local securities delivery practices, could affect the information set forth herein at some time in the future.
The dates of the Regular Holidays in calendar year 2013 are:
Australia:
January 1 | April 1 | June 10 | November 5 |
January 28 | April 25 | August 5 | December 25 |
March 4 | May 6 | August 14 | December 26 |
March 11 | May 20 | September 30 | |
March 29 | June 3 | October 7 |
Austria:
January 1 | May 9 | November 1 | December 31 |
March 29 | May 20 | December 24 | |
April 1 | May 30 | December 25 | |
May 1 | August 15 | December 26 |
C- 1 |
Belgium:
January 1 | May 9 | November 1 | |
March 29 | May 10 | November 11 | |
April 1 | May 20 | December 25 | |
May 1 | August 15 | December 26 |
Brazil:
January 1 | March 29 | November 15 | December 31 |
January 25 | May 1 | November 20 | |
February 11 | May 30 | December 24 | |
February 12 | July 9 | December 25 |
Canada:
January 1 | May 20 | September 2 | December 26 |
January 2 | June 24 | October 14 | |
February 18 | July 1 | November 11 | |
March 29 | August 5 | December 25 |
Chile:
January 1 | May 27 | November 1 | |
March 29 | August 15 | December 25 | |
May 1 | September 18 | December 31 | |
May 21 | September 19 |
China:
January 1 | February 14 | May 7 | October 3 |
January 21 | February 15 | May 27 | October 4 |
February 7 | February 18 | July 4 | October 7 |
February 8 | May 1 | September 2 | October 14 |
February 11 | May 2 | September 30 | November 11 |
February 12 | May 3 | October 1 | November 28 |
February 13 | May 6 | October 2 | December 25 |
C- 2 |
Columbia:
January 1 | May 1 | August 7 | December 25 |
January 7 | May 13 | August 19 | December 31 |
March 25 | June 3 | October 14 | |
March 28 | June 10 | November 4 | |
March 29 | July 1 | November 11 |
Czech Republic:
January 1 | July 5 | December 26 | |
April 1 | October 28 | December 31 | |
May 1 | December 24 | ||
May 8 | December 25 |
Denmark:
January 1 | April 26 | December 24 | |
March 28 | May 9 | December 25 | |
March 29 | May 20 | December 26 | |
April 1 | June 5 | December 31 |
Egypt:
January 1 | May 5 | August 8 | October 16 |
January 7 | May 6 | August 11 | November 4 |
January 24 | July 1 | October 6 | November 5 |
April 25 | July 23 | October 14 | |
May 1 | August 7 | October 15 |
The Egyptian market is closed every Friday.
Finland:
January 1 | May 9 | December 25 | |
March 29 | June 21 | December 26 | |
April 1 | December 6 | December 31 | |
May 1 | December 24 |
C- 3 |
France:
January 1 | May 8 | November 11 | |
March 29 | May 9 | December 25 | |
April 1 | August 15 | December 26 | |
May 1 | November 1 |
Germany:
January 1 | May 1 | August 15 | December 25 |
February 11 | May 9 | October 3 | December 26 |
March 29 | May 20 | November 1 | December 31 |
April 1 | May 30 | December 24 |
Greece:
January 1 | April 1 | June 24 | December 26 |
March 18 | May 1 | August 15 | |
March 25 | May 3 | October 28 | |
March 29 | May 6 | December 25 |
Hong Kong:
January 1 | April 4 | September 20 | December 26 |
February 11 | May 1 | October 1 | December 31 |
February 12 | May 17 | October 14 | |
March 29 | June 12 | December 24 | |
April 1 | July 1 | December 25 |
Hungary:
January 1 | May 20 | November 1 | |
March 15 | August 19 | December 24 | |
April 1 | August 20 | December 25 | |
May 1 | October 23 | December 26 |
C- 4 |
Iceland:
January 1 | April 1 | May 19 | December 24 |
March 28 | April 25 | May 20 | December 25 |
March 29 | May 1 | June 17 | December 26 |
March 31 | May 9 | August 5 | December 31 |
India:
January 25 | April 20 | August 10 | November 4 |
January 26 | April 23 | August 15 | November 5 |
March 27 | May 1 | August 22 | November 14 |
March 29 | May 25 | September 9 | November 15 |
April 1 | June 29 | September 30 | December 25 |
April 11 | July 1 | October 2 | |
April 19 | August 9 | October 16 |
Indonesia:
January 1 | May 9 | August 12 | December 24 |
January 25 | June 7 | August 13 | December 25 |
March 12 | August 7 | October 15 | December 26 |
March 29 | August 8 | November 4 | December 30 |
April 11 | August 9 | November 5 | December 31 |
Ireland:
January 1 | May 1 | October 28 | December 27 |
March 18 | May 6 | December 24 | |
March 29 | June 3 | December 25 | |
April 1 | August 5 | December 26 |
Israel:
February 24 | April 14 | September 4 | September 19 |
March 25 | April 15 | September 5 | September 25 |
March 26 | May 14 | September 6 | September 26 |
March 31 | May 15 | September 13 | |
April 1 | July 16 | September 18 |
The Israeli market is closed every Friday.
C- 5 |
Italy:
January 1 | May 1 | December 25 | |
March 29 | August 15 | December 26 | |
April 1 | November 1 | December 31 | |
April 25 | December 24 |
Japan:
January 1 | February 11 | May 6 | October 14 |
January 2 | March 20 | July 15 | November 4 |
January 3 | April 29 | September 16 | December 23 |
January 14 | May 3 | September 23 | December 31 |
Malaysia:
January 1 | May 1 | June 1 | October 15 |
January 24 | May 24 | August 7 | November 4 |
February 1 | May 25 | August 8 | November 5 |
February 11 | May 30 | August 9 | December 25 |
February 12 | May 31 | August 31 |
Mexico:
January 1 | March 21 | September 16 | December 25 |
February 4 | March 28 | November 18 | |
February 5 | March 29 | November 20 | |
March 18 | May 1 | December 12 |
Morocco:
January 1 | May 1 | August 14 | October 17 |
January 11 | July 30 | August 20 | November 5 |
January 24 | August 8 | August 21 | November 6 |
January 25 | August 9 | October 16 | November 18 |
C- 6 |
Netherlands:
January 1 | April 30 | May 20 | |
March 29 | May 1 | December 25 | |
April 1 | May 9 | December 26 |
New Zealand:
January 1 | February 6 | June 3 | |
January 2 | March 29 | October 28 | |
January 21 | April 1 | December 25 | |
January 28 | April 25 | December 26 |
Norway:
January 1 | May 1 | December 24 | |
March 28 | May 9 | December 25 | |
March 29 | May 17 | December 26 | |
April 1 | May 20 | December 31 |
Peru:
January 1 | July 29 | December 24 | |
March 28 | August 30 | December 25 | |
March 29 | October 8 | December 31 | |
May 1 | November 1 |
Philippines:
January 1 | April 8 | August 8 | December 24 |
February 25 | May 1 | August 9 | December 25 |
March 28 | May 13 | August 21 | December 30 |
March 29 | June 12 | November 1 | December 31 |
C- 7 |
Poland:
January 1 | May 3 | November 11 | |
March 29 | May 30 | December 25 | |
April 1 | August 15 | December 26 | |
May 1 | November 1 |
Portugal:
January 1 | April 25 | June 13 | December 25 |
February 12 | May 1 | August 15 | December 26 |
March 29 | May 30 | November 1 | |
April 1 | June 10 | December 24 |
Russia:
January 1 | January 8 | May 9 | |
January 2 | January 9 | May 10 | |
January 3 | February 25 | June 12 | |
January 4 | March 8 | November 4 | |
January 7 | May 1 |
Singapore:
January 1 | May 24 | November 2 | |
February 11 | May 25 | November 4 | |
February 12 | August 8 | December 25 | |
March 29 | August 9 | ||
May 1 | October 15 |
South Africa:
January 1 | May 1 | December 16 | |
March 21 | June 17 | December 25 | |
March 29 | August 9 | December 26 | |
April 1 | September 24 |
C- 8 |
South Korea:
January 1 | May 17 | September 19 | |
February 11 | June 6 | September 20 | |
March 1 | July 17 | October 3 | |
April 5 | August 15 | December 25 | |
May 1 | September 18 | December 31 |
Spain:
January 1 | March 29 | May 15 | December 25 |
January 7 | April 1 | August 15 | December 26 |
March 19 | May 1 | November 1 | |
March 28 | May 2 | December 6 |
Sweden:
January 1 | May 9 | December 25 | |
March 29 | June 6 | December 26 | |
April 1 | June 21 | December 31 | |
May 1 | December 24 |
Switzerland:
January 1 | May 1 | August 15 | December 26 |
January 2 | May 9 | September 5 | December 31 |
March 19 | May 20 | November 1 | |
March 29 | May 30 | December 24 | |
April 1 | August 1 | December 25 |
Taiwan:
January 1 | February 12 | April 4 | October 10 |
February 7 | February 13 | May 1 | |
February 8 | February 14 | June 12 | |
February 11 | February 28 | September 19 |
C- 9 |
Thailand:
January 1 | April 16 | July 1 | December 5 |
February 25 | May 1 | July 23 | December 10 |
April 8 | May 6 | August 12 | December 31 |
April 15 | May 27 | October 23 |
Turkey:
January 1 | August 9 | October 16 | October 29 |
April 23 | August 30 | October 17 | |
August 7 | October 14 | October 18 | |
August 8 | October 15 | October 28 |
United Kingdom:
January 1 | May 6 | December 25 | |
March 29 | May 27 | December 26 | |
April 1 | August 26 |
Redemption: The longest redemption cycle for the Funds is a function of the longest redemption cycle among the countries whose stocks are held by a Fund.
C- 10 |
In the calendar year 2013, the dates of regular holidays affecting the following securities markets present the worst-case redemption cycle for the Funds as follows:
Country |
Trade
Date |
Settlement
Date |
Number
of Days to Settle |
|||
Austria | 12/19/13 | 12/27/13 | 8 | |||
12/20/13 | 12/30/13 | 10 | ||||
12/23/13 | 01/02/14 | 10 | ||||
China | 02/04/13 | 02/19/13 | 15 | |||
02/05/13 | 02/20/13 | 15 | ||||
02/06/13 | 02/21/13 | 15 | ||||
04/26/13 | 05/08/13 | 12 | ||||
04/29/13 | 05/09/13 | 10 | ||||
04/30/13 | 05/10/13 | 10 | ||||
09/25/13 | 10/08/13 | 13 | ||||
09/26/13 | 10/09/13 | 13 | ||||
09/27/13 | 10/10/13 | 13 | ||||
The Czech Republic | 12/19/13 | 12/27/13 | 8 | |||
12/20/13 | 12/30/13 | 10 | ||||
12/23/13 | 01/02/14 | 10 | ||||
Denmark | 03/25/13 | 04/02/13 | 8 | |||
03/26/13 | 04/03/13 | 8 | ||||
03/27/13 | 04/04/13 | 8 | ||||
12/19/13 | 12/27/13 | 8 | ||||
12/20/13 | 12/30/13 | 10 | ||||
12/23/13 | 01/02/14 | 10 | ||||
Egypt | 10/08/13 | 10/17/13 | 9 | |||
10/09/13 | 10/18/13 | 9 | ||||
10/10/13 | 10/21/13 | 11 | ||||
10/29/13 | 11/06/13 | 8 | ||||
10/30/13 | 11/07/13 | 8 | ||||
10/31/13 | 11/08/13 | 8 | ||||
Finland | 12/19/13 | 12/27/13 | 8 | |||
12/20/13 | 12/30/13 | 10 | ||||
12/23/13 | 01/02/14 | 10 | ||||
Germany | 12/19/13 | 12/27/13 | 8 | |||
12/20/13 | 12/30/13 | 10 | ||||
12/23/13 | 01/02/14 | 10 |
C- 11 |
Hungary | 12/19/13 | 12/27/13 | 8 | |||
12/20/13 | 12/30/13 | 10 | ||||
12/23/13 | 12/31/13 | 8 | ||||
Indonesia | 08/02/13 | 08/14/13 | 12 | |||
08/05/13 | 08/15/13 | 10 | ||||
08/06/13 | 08/16/13 | 10 | ||||
12/19/13 | 12/27/13 | 8 | ||||
12/20/13 | 01/02/14 | 13 | ||||
12/23/13 | 01/03/14 | 11 | ||||
Ireland | 12/19/13 | 12/30/13 | 11 | |||
12/20/13 | 12/31/13 | 11 | ||||
12/23/13 | 01/02/14 | 10 | ||||
Italy | 12/19/13 | 12/27/13 | 8 | |||
12/20/13 | 12/30/13 | 10 | ||||
12/23/13 | 01/02/14 | 10 | ||||
Malaysia | 08/02/13 | 08/12/13 | 10 | |||
08/05/13 | 08/13/13 | 8 | ||||
08/06/13 | 08/14/13 | 8 | ||||
Norway | 03/25/13 | 04/02/13 | 8 | |||
03/26/13 | 04/03/13 | 8 | ||||
03/27/13 | 04/04/13 | 8 | ||||
12/19/13 | 12/27/13 | 8 | ||||
12/20/13 | 12/30/13 | 10 | ||||
12/23/13 | 01/02/14 | 10 | ||||
The Philippines | 12/23/13 | 01/02/14 | 10 | |||
Portugal | 12/19/13 | 12/27/13 | 8 | |||
12/20/13 | 12/30/13 | 10 | ||||
12/23/13 | 12/31/13 | 8 | ||||
Portugal | 12/19/13 | 12/27/13 | 8 | |||
12/20/13 | 12/30/13 | 10 | ||||
12/23/13 | 12/31/13 | 8 |
C- 12 |
South Africa | 03/14/13 | 03/22/13 | 8 | |||
03/15/13 | 03/25/13 | 10 | ||||
03/18/13 | 03/26/13 | 8 | ||||
03/19/13 | 03/27/13 | 8 | ||||
03/20/13 | 03/28/13 | 8 | ||||
03/22/13 | 04/02/13 | 11 | ||||
03/25/13 | 04/03/13 | 8 | ||||
03/26/13 | 04/04/13 | 8 | ||||
03/27/13 | 04/05/13 | 8 | ||||
03/28/13 | 04/08/13 | 11 | ||||
04/24/13 | 05/02/13 | 8 | ||||
04/25/13 | 05/03/13 | 8 | ||||
04/26/13 | 05/06/13 | 10 | ||||
04/29/13 | 05/07/13 | 8 | ||||
04/30/13 | 05/08/13 | 8 | ||||
06/10/13 | 06/18/13 | 8 | ||||
06/11/13 | 06/19/13 | 8 | ||||
06/12/13 | 06/20/13 | 8 | ||||
06/13/13 | 06/21/13 | 8 | ||||
06/14/13 | 06/24/13 | 10 | ||||
08/02/13 | 08/12/13 | 10 | ||||
08/05/13 | 08/13/13 | 8 | ||||
08/06/13 | 08/14/13 | 8 | ||||
08/07/13 | 08/15/13 | 8 | ||||
08/08/13 | 08/16/13 | 8 | ||||
09/17/13 | 09/25/13 | 8 | ||||
09/18/13 | 09/26/13 | 8 | ||||
09/19/13 | 09/27/13 | 8 | ||||
09/20/13 | 09/30/13 | 10 | ||||
09/23/13 | 10/01/13 | 8 | ||||
12/11/13 | 12/19/13 | 8 | ||||
12/12/13 | 12/20/13 | 8 | ||||
12/13/13 | 12/23/13 | 10 | ||||
12/18/13 | 12/27/13 | 9 | ||||
12/19/13 | 12/30/13 | 11 | ||||
12/20/13 | 12/31/13 | 11 | ||||
12/23/13 | 01/02/14 | 10 | ||||
12/24/13 | 01/03/14 | 10 |
C- 13 |
Spain | 03/25/13 | 04/02/13 | 8 | |||
03/26/13 | 04/03/13 | 8 | ||||
03/27/13 | 04/04/13 | 8 | ||||
Sweden | 12/19/13 | 12/27/13 | 8 | |||
12/20/13 | 12/30/13 | 10 | ||||
12/23/13 | 01/02/14 | 10 | ||||
Switzerland | 12/19/13 | 12/27/13 | 8 | |||
12/20/13 | 12/30/13 | 10 | ||||
12/23/13 | 01/02/14 | 10 | ||||
Taiwan | 02/05/13 | 02/15/13 | 10 | |||
02/06/13 | 02/18/13 | 12 | ||||
Turkey | 10/10/13 | 10/21/13 | 11 | |||
10/11/13 | 10/22/13 | 11 |
C- 14 |
CAMBRIA ETF TRUST
PART C
Item 28. Exhibits.
(a) | (i) | Certificate of Trust. (Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s initial registration statement filed on April 23, 2012) |
(ii) | Trust Instrument. (Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s initial registration statement filed on April 23, 2012) | |
(b) | By-laws. ( Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s initial registration statement filed on April 23, 2012 ) | |
(c) | T rust Instrument, Articles IV, V, and VI, and By-Laws, Articles V, VI, VII and VIII | |
(d) | Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Cambria Investment Management, L.P. (Filed herewith) | |
(e) | (i) | Distribution Agreement between Registrant and SEI Investments Distribution Co. (Filed herewith) |
(ii) | Form of Authorized Participant Agreement. (Filed herewith) | |
(f) | Bonus, profit sharing or pension plans. (Not applicable) | |
(g) | Custodian and Transfer Agent Agreement between Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (Filed herewith) | |
(h) | Administration Agreement between Registrant and SEI Investments Global Funds Services (Filed herewith) | |
(i) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel. (Filed herewith) | |
(j) | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. (Filed herewith) | |
(k) | Financial Statements Omitted from Prospectus. (None) | |
(l) | Letter of Investment Intent. (Filed herewith) | |
(m) | Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 with respect to shares of the Registrant. (Filed herewith) | |
(n) | Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act. (Not applicable) | |
(o) | Reserved. | |
(p) | (i) | Code of Ethics of Registrant. (Filed herewith) |
(ii) | Code of Ethics of Cambria Investment Management, L.P. (Filed herewith) | |
(iii) | Code of Ethics of SEI Investments Distribution Co. (Filed herewith) | |
Other Exhibits | ||
Powers of Attorney for Messrs. Leake and Schmal |
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund.
None.
Item 30. Indemnification.
The Registrant is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is operated pursuant to an Trust Instrument dated as of September 9, 2011 (the “Trust Instrument”), that permits the Registrant to indemnify its trustees and officers under certain circumstances. Such indemnification, however, is subject to the limitations imposed by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Registrant’s Trust Instrument provides that officers and trustees of the Trust shall be indemnified by the Trust against liabilities and expenses of defense in proceedings against them by reason of the fact that they each serve as an officer or trustee of the Trust or as an officer or trustee of another entity at the request of the entity.
In particular, Article IX, Sections 2 and 3 of the Registrant’s Trust Instrument provide that:
Section 2. | INDEMNIFICATION. |
(a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in subsection (b) below:
(i) every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or an officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who act at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (“Covered Person”) shall be indemnified by the Trust or the appropriate Series to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his or her being or having been a Covered Person and against amounts paid or incurred by him or her in the settlement thereof.
(ii) as used herein, the words “claim,” “action,” “suit” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (whether civil, criminal or administrative proceedings, regulatory investigations, or other proceedings, including appeals), actual or threatened, and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include, without limitation, counsel fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.
(b) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:
(i) who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the proceeding was brought (A) to be liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office or (B) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interest of the Trust; or
(ii) in the event of a settlement, if there has been a determination that such Covered Person engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office: (A) by the court or other body approving the settlement; (B) by at least a majority of those Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or (C) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry).
(c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of a Covered Person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
(d) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, expenses in connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character described in subsection (a) of this Section shall be paid by the Trust or applicable Series from time to time prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him or her to the Trust or applicable Series if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Section.
(e) Any repeal or modification of this Article IX by the Shareholders, or adoption or modification of any other provision of this Trust Instrument or the By-laws inconsistent with this Article, shall be prospective only, to the extent that such, repeal or modification would, if applied retrospectively, adversely affect any limitation on the liability of any Covered Person or indemnification available to any Covered Person with respect to any act or omission which occurred prior to such repeal, modification or adoption.
Section 3. | INDEMNIFICATION OF SHAREHOLDERS. |
If any Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series is held personally liable solely by reason of his or her being or having been a Shareholder and not because of his or her acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his or her heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or, in the case of any entity, its general successor) shall be entitled out of the Assets belonging to the applicable Series to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, on behalf of the affected Series, shall, upon request by such Shareholder or former Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against him or her for any act or obligation of the Series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the Assets belonging to the Series.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Advisor.
Reference is made to the caption “Fund Management” in the Prospectus constituting Part A that is included in this Registration Statement and “Management of the Funds” in the Statement of Additional Information constituting Part B that is included in this Registration Statement.
The information as to the directors and executive officers of Cambria Investment Management, L.P. (formerly known as Cambria Investment Management, Inc.) is set forth in Cambria Investment Management L.P.’s Form ADV filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2013, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 32. Principal Underwriters.
(a) The sole principal underwriter for each Fund is SEI Investments Distribution Co., which acts as distributor for the Registrant and the following other funds:
1) | SEI Daily Income Trust | |
2) | SEI Liquid Asset Trust | |
3) | SEI Tax Exempt Trust | |
4) | SEI Institutional Managed Trust | |
5) | SEI Institutional International Trust | |
6) | The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund | |
7) | The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund II | |
8) | Bishop Street Funds | |
9) | SEI Asset Allocation Trust | |
10) | SEI Institutional Investments Trust | |
11) | CNI Charter Funds | |
12) | Causeway Capital Management Trust | |
13) | ProShares Trust | |
14) | Community Reinvestment Act Qualified Investment Fund | |
15) | SEI Alpha Strategy Portfolios, LP | |
16) | TD Asset Management USA Funds | |
17) | SEI Structured Credit Fund, LP | |
18) | Wilshire Mutual Funds, Inc. | |
19) | Wilshire Variable Insurance Trust | |
20) | Global X Funds | |
21) | ProShares Trust II | |
22) | Exchange Traded Concepts Trust (f/k/a FaithShares Trust) | |
23) | Schwab Strategic Trust | |
24) | RiverPark Funds | |
25) | Adviser Managed Trust Fund | |
26) | Huntington Strategy Shares | |
27) | New Covenant Funds | |
28) | Cambria ETF Trust | |
29) | Pyxis Funds I | |
30) | KKR Series Trust | |
31) | KKR Alternative Corporate Opportunities Fund | |
32) | KKR Alternative Corporate Opportunities Fund P | |
33) | KraneShares Trust |
The Distributor provides numerous financial services to investment managers, pension plan sponsors, and bank trust departments. These services include portfolio evaluation, performance measurement and consulting services ("Funds Evaluation") and automated execution, clearing and settlement of securities transactions ("MarketLink").
(b) The following directors and officers of the Distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co., hold the following positions. The principal business address for all directors and executive officers is 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456.
NAME |
POSITIONS AND OFFICES
WITH REGISTRANT |
POSITIONS AND OFFICES
WITH UNDERWRITER |
||
William M. Doran | None | Director | ||
Edward D. Loughlin | None | Director | ||
Wayne M. Withrow | None | Director | ||
Kevin P. Barr | None | President & Chief Executive Officer | ||
Maxine J. Chou | None | Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operations Officer & Treasurer | ||
Karen E. LaTourette | None | Chief Compliance Officer, Anti-Money Laundering Officer & Assistant Secretary | ||
John C. Munch | None | General Counsel & Secretary | ||
Mark J. Held | None | Senior Vice President | ||
Lori L. White | None | Vice President & Assistant Secretary | ||
John P. Coary | None | Vice President & Assistant Secretary | ||
John J. Cronin | None | Vice President | ||
Robert M. Silvestri | None | Vice President |
(c) Not applicable.
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.
All accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder are maintained at the addresses below.
Cambria Investment Management, L.P.
2321 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 3225 El Segundo, CA 90245 |
SEI Investments Distribution Co.
1 Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, PA 19456 |
SEI Investments Global Fund Services
1 Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, PA 19456 |
Item 34. Management Services.
Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings.
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”) and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of El Segundo and State of California, on the 2nd day of May, 2013.
CAMBRIA ETF TRUST | ||
By: | /s/ Eric W. Richardson | |
Eric W. Richardson | ||
President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE | TITLE | DATE | ||
/s/ Peter Rodriguez | Principal Financial Officer | May 2, 2013 | ||
Peter Rodriguez | ||||
/s/ Eric Richardson | President and Trustee | May 2, 2013 | ||
Eric Richardson | ||||
/s/ Eric Leake | Trustee | May 2, 2013 | ||
Eric Leake* | ||||
/s/ Dennis G. Schmal | Trustee | May 2, 2013 | ||
Dennis G. Schmal* |
* Signatures affixed by Stacy Fuller on May 2, 2013 pursuant to a power of attorney filed herewith.
Exhibit Index
Type | Description | |
EX-99.d | Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Cambria Investment Management, L.P. | |
EX-99.e.i | Distribution Agreement between Registrant and SEI Investments Distribution Co. | |
EX-99.e.ii | Form of Authorized Participant Agreement | |
EX-99.g | Custodian and Transfer Agent Agreement between Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. | |
EX-99.h | Administration Agreement between Registrant and SEI Investments Global Funds Services | |
EX-99.i | Opinion and Consent of Counsel | |
EX-99.j | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | |
EX-99.l | Letter of Investment Intent | |
EX-99.m | Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 with respect to shares of the Registrant | |
EX-99.p.i | Code of Ethics of Registrant | |
EX-99.p.ii | Code of Ethics of Cambria Investment Management, L.P. | |
EX-99.p.iii | Code of Ethics of SEI Investments Distribution Co. | |
Other Exhibits | ||
Powers of Attorney for Messrs. Leake and Schmal |
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of April 29, 2013, between CAMBRIA ETF TRUST, a Delaware statutory trust (“ Trust ”), and Cambria Investment Management, L.P. (“ Adviser ”), a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“ Advisers Act ”).
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“ 1940 Act ”), as an open-end management investment company; and
WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Trust intends to offer shares of the series listed on Schedule A hereto (“ Funds ”), and may issue shares in any other series as to which this Agreement may hereafter be made applicable, including by amending Schedule A hereto from time to time (included in the defined term Funds; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain Adviser as investment adviser, to furnish certain investment advisory and portfolio management services to the Trust with respect to the Funds, and Adviser is willing to furnish such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS.
(a) The Trust hereby appoints Adviser as investment adviser of the Trust and each Fund for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.
(b) The Trust has delivered, or will delivery within 45 days, to the Adviser copies of the Trust’s Trust Instrument and Bylaws (collectively, as amended from time to time, “ Organic Documents ”). The Adviser has delivered, or will deliver within 45 days, to the Trust a copy of its code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (the “ Code ”). The Adviser shall promptly furnish the Trust with all material amendments of or supplements to the Code and shall furnish the Trust with all updated versions of the Code at least annually.
2. REPRESENTATIONS AND DUTIES OF ADVISER.
(a) Subject to the supervision and direction of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (each, a “ Trustee ,” and collectively, the “ Board ”), Adviser will provide a continuous investment program for each Fund, including investment research and management with respect to all securities and investments and cash equivalents in the Fund. Adviser will determine, from time to time, what securities and other investments will be purchased, retained or sold by the Fund. In making purchases and sales of securities and other investment assets for the Fund, the Adviser shall comply with the directions set from time to time by the Board as well as the limitations imposed by the Organic Documents and the relevant Fund’s Registration Statement, the limitations in the 1940 Act, the Securities Act of 1933, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and other applicable laws.
(b) Adviser agrees that, in placing orders with brokers, it will attempt to obtain the best net result in terms of price and execution; provided that, consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), the Adviser may allocate brokerage on behalf of the Fund to broker-dealers who provide research, analysis, advice and similar services. Subject to compliance with Section 28(e), the Adviser may cause a Fund to pay to any broker-dealer who provides such services a commission that exceeds the commission the Fund might have paid to a different broker-dealer for the same transaction. The Adviser may aggregate sales and purchase orders of the assets of the Fund with similar orders being made simultaneously for other accounts advised by the Adviser or its affiliates. Whenever the Adviser simultaneously places orders to purchase or sell the same asset on behalf of a Fund and one or more other accounts advised by the Adviser, the orders will be allocated as to price and amount among all such accounts in a manner believed to be equitable over time to each account.
(c) Adviser will maintain records relating to portfolio transactions on behalf of the Funds and placing and allocation of brokerage orders as are required to be maintained by the Trust under the 1940 Act. The Adviser shall prepare and maintain, or cause to be prepared and maintained, in such form, for such periods and in such locations as may be required by applicable law, all documents and records relating to the services provided by the Adviser pursuant to this Agreement required to be prepared and maintained by the Adviser or the Trust pursuant to applicable law. To the extent required by law, the books and records pertaining to the Trust which are in possession of the Adviser shall be the property of the Trust. The Trust, or its representatives, shall have access to such books and records at all times during the Adviser’s normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, copies of any such books and records shall be provided promptly by the Adviser to the Trust or its representatives.
(d) Adviser will oversee the computation of the net asset value and the net income of each Fund as described in the currently effective registration statement of the Trust under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“ 1933 Act ”), and the 1940 Act, and any amendments or supplements thereto (“ Registration Statement ”) or as more frequently requested by the Board. In addition, Adviser will provide the Fund’s custodian and fund accountant on each business day with such information relating to all transactions concerning the Fund’s assets as the custodian and fund accountant may reasonably require to provide contracted for services to the Trust and Funds. Adviser will also assist in any fair valuation of Fund assets by, among other things, using reasonable efforts to arrange for the provision of prices from parties who are not affiliated persons of the Adviser for each asset for which a Fund’s fund accountant cannot obtain prices in the ordinary course of business.
(e) The Trust hereby authorizes Adviser and any entity or person associated with Adviser which is a member of a national securities exchange to effect any transaction on such exchange for the account of any Fund, which transaction is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, and the Trust hereby consents to the retention of compensation by Adviser or any person or entity associated with Adviser for such transaction.
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(f) Adviser on its own initiative will furnish the Board with such information as the Adviser may believe appropriate for keeping the Board informed of important developments affecting the Trust, the Fund and the Adviser. The Adviser will notify the Trust of any change of control of the Adviser and any changes in the key personnel who are either the portfolio manager(s) of a Fund or senior management of the Adviser, in each case prior to or promptly after such change. In addition, whenever requested by the Board, Adviser will report to the Board on developments related to the Trust, any Fund or Adviser.
(g) Adviser will cooperate with the Funds’ independent public accountants and shall take reasonable action to make all necessary information available to those accountants for the performance of the accountants’ duties.
(h) Adviser will provide the Funds’ custodian(s) and fund accountant on each business day with such information relating to all transactions concerning the Fund’s assets as the custodian and fund accountant may reasonably require. In this respect, Adviser shall determine and make such modifications to the identity and number of shares of the securities to be accepted pursuant to such Fund’s benchmark index or portfolio, as applicable, in exchange for creation units for each Fund and the securities that will be applicable that day to redemption requests received for such Fund as may be necessary as a result of rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events (and may give directions to the Trust’s custodian or other service provider, as necessary, with respect to such designations).
(i) Adviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be duly elected as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in the capacities in which they are elected.
(j) Adviser represents and warrants that: (i) it is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) has met, and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any self-regulatory agency, necessary to be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and (iv) will promptly notify the Trust of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9 of the 1940 Act or otherwise.
3. USE OF NAME. The Trust may use the name “Cambria” or any variant thereof in connection with the name of the Trust or any of the Funds, only for so long as this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment hereof remains in effect. At such time as this Agreement shall no longer be in effect, the Trust shall cease to use such a name or any other similar name. In no event shall the Trust use the name “Cambria” or any variant thereof if Adviser’s functions are transferred or assigned to a company over which Adviser does not have control or with which it is not affiliated. In the event that this Agreement shall no longer be in effect or Adviser’s functions are transferred or assigned to a company over which Adviser does not have control or with which it is not affiliated, the Trust shall use its best efforts to legally change its name by filing the required documentation with appropriate state and federal agencies.
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4. FURTHER DUTIES. In all matters relating to the performance of this Agreement, Adviser will act in conformity with the Organic Documents and relevant Fund’s Registration Statement and with the instructions and directions of the Board and will comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations applicable to the Trust and the Funds.
5. SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE. The services furnished by Adviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive and Adviser shall be free to furnish similar services to others so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired thereby or unless otherwise agreed to by the parties hereunder in writing. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any director, officer or employee of Adviser, who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust, to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar nature or a dissimilar nature.
6. EXPENSES. During the term of this Agreement, the Adviser shall pay all of the expenses of each Fund of the Trust, except for the fee payment under this Agreement, payments under each Fund’s 12b-1 plan, brokerage expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest (including borrowing costs and dividend expenses on securities sold short), litigation expense and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation to which the Trust or a Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trustees and officers with respect thereto).
7. COMPENSATION.
(a) For the services to be provided by Adviser hereunder with respect to each Fund listed on Schedule A attached hereto, as it may be amended from time to time, the Trust shall pay to Adviser a fee in an amount set forth in Schedule A to this Agreement, so long as the Adviser has not waived all or a portion of such compensation. The Adviser’s fees shall be accrued by the Trust daily and shall be payable monthly in arrears on the first business day of each calendar month for services performed hereunder during the prior calendar month. If fees begin to accrue in the middle of a month or if this Agreement terminates before the end of any month, all fees for the period from that date to the end of that month or from the beginning of that month to the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion that the period bears to the full month in which the effectiveness or termination occurs.
(b) Adviser may waive fees or reimburse expenses of a Fund to the extent necessary to maintain a Fund’s expense ratio at an agreed-upon amount for a period of time specified in a separate letter of agreement. The Adviser’s reimbursement of a Fund’s expenses shall be estimated and paid to the Trust monthly in arrears, at the same time as the Trust’s payment to the Adviser for such month as provided in this Section 7(a). The Trust may withhold the payment of fees under Section 7(a) to the extent the Adviser, under this Section 7(b) has any amount due and owing to the Trust.
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8. SUB-ADVISERS. Subject to the prior approval of a majority of the members of the Trust’s Board, including a majority of the Board members who are not “interested” within the meaning of the 1940 Act (“Independent Board Members”), Adviser may, through a sub-advisory agreement or other arrangement, delegate to any other company under Adviser’s control, or under common control with Adviser, or to specified employees of any such companies, or to more than one such company, to the extent permitted by applicable law, certain of Adviser’s duties enumerated in section 2 hereof; provided, that Adviser shall continue to supervise and oversee the services provided by such company or employees and any such delegation shall not relieve Adviser of any of its obligations hereunder.
Subject to the prior approval of a majority of the members of the Trust’s Board, including a majority of the Independent Board Members, Adviser may, through a sub-advisory agreement, delegate to any other company that is not an “affiliated person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of Adviser or of the Trust (other than by reason of serving as an investment adviser to the Trust) (each a “ sub-adviser ”), to the extent permitted by applicable law, certain of the duties enumerated in section 2 hereof; provided, that Adviser shall continue to supervise and oversee the services provided by such sub-adviser and any such delegation shall not relieve Adviser of any of its obligations hereunder.
Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the duties of any sub-adviser or delegate, the portion of portfolio assets of the Trust that the sub-adviser or delegate shall manage and the fees to be paid to the sub-adviser or delegate by Adviser under and pursuant to any sub-advisory agreement or other arrangement entered into in accordance with this Agreement may be adjusted from time to time by Adviser, subject to the prior approval of a majority of the Independent Board Members.
9. STANDARD OF CARE; LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY.
(a) Adviser will give the Trust the benefit of, the Adviser’s best judgment and efforts in rendering its services to the Trust. Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by any Fund, the Trust or any of its shareholders, in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except to the extent that such a loss results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its 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, employee, or agent of Adviser, who may be or become an officer, Trustee, employee or agent of the Trust shall be deemed, when rendering services to any Fund or the Trust or acting with respect to any business of such Fund or the Trust, to be rendering such service to or acting solely for the Fund or the Trust and not as an officer, director, employee, or agent or one under the control or direction of Adviser even though paid by it.
(b) Adviser is expressly put on notice of, and hereby acknowledges and agrees to, the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the Trust Instrument of the Trust and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Trust under this contract shall be limited in all cases to the Trust and its assets. Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Trust, nor shall Adviser seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the Trustees or any individual Trustee of the Trust. Adviser understands that the rights and obligations of each series of shares of the Trust under the Trust Instrument are separate and distinct from those of any and all other series.
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(c) Neither party shall 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 reasonable control including, without limitation, acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties (other than those related to the Adviser’s employees), fire, mechanical breakdowns, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.
(d) Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement.
10. DURATION AND TERMINATION.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective upon the date hereabove written provided that, with respect to any Fund, this Agreement shall not take effect unless it has first been approved (i) by a vote of a majority of the Independent Board Members cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by vote of a majority of that Fund’s outstanding voting securities, if required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law.
(b) Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date of approval for each Fund as set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue automatically for successive periods of twelve months each, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually: (i) by a vote of a majority of the Independent Board Members of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by the Board or, with respect to any given Fund, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Fund, this Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, (i) by vote of the Board, (ii) by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund, on 60 days’ written notice to Adviser or (iii) by Adviser, on 60 days’ written notice to the Trust. Termination of this Agreement with respect to any given Fund shall in no way affect the continued validity of this Agreement or the performance thereunder with respect to any other Fund. This Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
11. AMENDMENTS. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought, and no amendment of this Agreement as to any given Fund shall be effective until approved by vote of a majority of such Fund’s outstanding voting securities, if required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. No amendment to this Agreement or the termination of this Agreement with respect to a Fund shall affect this Agreement as it pertains to any other Fund, nor shall any such amendment require the vote of the shareholders of any other Fund.
12. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof, and in accordance with the 1940 Act, provided, however, that to the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Delaware conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
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(b) Headings. 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.
(c) Severability. 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.
(d) Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.
(e) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement between those parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written.
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of counterparts, and all of the counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
(g) Notices. Notices, requests, instructions and communications sent to the parties at their respective principal places of business, or at such other address as a party may have designated in writing, shall be deemed to have been properly given, provided such notice was provided by a reputable overnight courier, facsimile, or return receipt email.
(h) Meaning of Terms. As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “affiliated person,” “interested person,” “assignment,” “broker,” “investment adviser,” “national securities exchange,” “net assets,” “prospectus,” “sale,” “sell” and “security” shall have the same meaning as such terms have in the 1940 Act, subject to such exemption as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission by any rule, regulation or order. Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
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(i) Each of the undersigned warrants and represents that they have full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated and that their signature will bind the party indicated to the terms hereof and each party hereto warrants and represents that this Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the party, enforceable against the party in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated as of the day and year first above written.
CAMBRIA ETF TRUST | CAMBRIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, L.P. | |||
4/29/13 | 4/29/13 | |||
Eric W. Richardson | Date | Eric W. Richardson | Date | |
President | Chief Executive Officer |
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APPENDIX A
Fund | Fee Rate | Effective Date | |||||
Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF | 0.69 | % | May 2, 2013 | ||||
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF | 0.59 | % | May 2, 2013 | ||||
Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF | 0.69 | % | May 2, 2013 | ||||
Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF | 0.69 | % | May 2, 2013 |
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement’ ) is made as of this 30 th day of August, 2012 by and between Cambria ETF Trust (the “ Company ”), a Delaware statutory trust, and SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the “ Distributor ” ), a Pennsylvania corporation.
WHEREAS, the Company is registered as an investment company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ 1940 Act ”), and its shares of beneficial interest (“ Shares ”) are registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ 1933 Act ”); and
WHEREAS, the Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ 1934 Act ”) and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”); and
WHEREAS, the Company intends to create and redeem groups of Shares of each class or series of the Company (each a “ Fund ” and collectively, the “ Funds ”) identified on Schedule A hereto, as may be amended from time to time, on a continuous basis at their net asset value only in aggregations constituting Creation Units (as defined in the Funds’ Registration Statement); and
WHEREAS, the Shares of each Fund will be listed on one or more national securities exchanges (together, the “ Listing Exchanges ”);
WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Distributor to act as the distributor with respect to the issuance and distribution of Creation Units of each Fund, hold itself available to receive and process orders for such Creation Units in the manner set forth herein, and to enter into arrangements with broker-dealers who may solicit purchases of Creation Units.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter contained and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1 | APPOINTMENT |
The Company hereby appoints Distributor as its distributor of Creation Units of the Funds and to provide such other services in accordance with the terms set forth in this Agreement. Distributor accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish certain related services as set forth in this Agreement.
SECTION 2 | SOLICITATION OF SALES AND OTHER SERVICES |
2.01 Solicitation of Sales . The Company grants to Distributor the right to sell its Creation Units authorized for issue at the applicable net asset value, in accordance with the then-current Prospectus, as agent and on behalf of the Company, during the term of this Agreement and subject to the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, the rules and regulations of the SEC and applicable laws governing the sale of securities in the various states (“ Blue Sky Laws ”). As used in this Agreement, the term, “ Prospectus ” means any registration statement or part thereof, proxy solicitation and tender offer materials, including all amendments or supplements thereto.
2.02 Other Services . Without limiting the foregoing, the Distributor will perform or supervise the performance by others of the additional services set forth herein, including those set forth in Schedule B , attached hereto. If the Distributor delegates any obligations hereunder, it shall be solely responsible for ensuring all such delegates comply with the terms of this Agreement and Distributor shall remain responsible and liable for any non-compliance by such delegates such that any non-compliance by delegates shall constitute non-compliance by Distributor.
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SECTION 3 | REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS |
3.01 Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company. The Company represents, warrants and covenants that:
(a) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its formation, and has all requisite power under the laws of such state and applicable federal law to conduct its business as now being conducted and to perform its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement;
(b) this Agreement has been duly authorized by the board of trustees of the Company, including by unanimous affirmative vote of all of the independent directors of the Company and, when executed and delivered by the Company, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms;
(c) it shall timely perform all obligations identified in this Agreement as obligations of the Company, including, without limitation, providing the Distributor with all due diligence and marketing materials reasonably requested by the Distributor and giving all necessary consents or approvals in good faith and within a timely manner;
(d) to the best of its knowledge, it is not a party to any, and there are no, pending or threatened legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions or governmental or regulatory investigations or inquiries (collectively, “ Actions ”) of any nature against it, its advisor or its properties or assets which could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect upon its business or financial condition, and there is no injunction, order, judgment, decree, or regulatory restriction imposed upon it or any of its properties or assets;
(e) it is an investment company that is duly registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, and each Fund is a separate series of the Company;
(f) each Prospectus has been prepared in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and, at the time such Prospectus was filed with the SEC and became effective, no Prospectus will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact that is required to be stated therein so as to make the statements contained in such Prospectus not misleading;
(g) it will notify the Distributor as soon as reasonably practical of any matter that it believes could materially affect the Distributor’s performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, including any amendment to the Prospectus;
(h) it will provide Distributor with the opportunity to review and comment on each registration statement and supplement thereto at least one week prior to filing the same with an applicable regulatory body;
(i) it will provide Distributor with the opportunity to review and comment on each exemptive application or amendment thereto at least two weeks prior to filing the same with an applicable regulatory body;
(j) it shall fully cooperate with requests from government regulators and the Distributor for information relating to customers and/or transactions involving the Creation Units, as permitted by law, in order for the Distributor to comply with its regulatory obligations; and
(k) in the event it determines that it is in the interest of the Company to suspend or terminate the sale of any Creation Units, the Company shall promptly notify the Distributor of such fact in advance and in writing (e.g., by email) prior to the date on which the Company desires to cease offering the Creation Units.
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3.02 Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Distributor . Distributor hereby represents, warrants and covenants as follows:
(a) it has full power, right and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly approved by all requisite actions on its part, and no other proceedings on its part are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it; this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms;
(b) information about litigation to which SEI or its affiliates is a party will be set forth in SEI Investments Company’s periodic SEC filings in accordance with the rules of the SEC and will be publicly available in filings on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K from time to time, and the Distributor will promptly notify the Company of any actions, including regulatory examinations to which it is or becomes a party that relates to the services provided to Company hereunder;
(c) it is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC under the 1934 Act and a member of FINRA, and agrees to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of FINRA and to notify the Company in the event that it is suspended or expelled from FINRA;
(d) it shall not give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in the current Prospectus of the Company filed with the SEC or contained in shareholder reports or other material that may be prepared by or on behalf of the Company for the Distributor’s use;
(e) it may prepare and distribute sales literature and other material as it may deem appropriate, provided that such literature and materials have been prepared in accordance with applicable rules, regulations and Section 3.02(d) above;
(f) it has as of the date hereof, and shall at all times have and maintain, net capital of not less than that required by Rule 15c3-1 under the 1934 Act, or any successor provision thereto;
(g) upon reasonable request by the Company, the Distributor shall provide the Company with information relating to the services provided pursuant to this Agreement as necessary and applicable to enable the Company to complete required regulatory filings; and
(h) it shall deliver or cause the delivery of a prospectus to persons purchasing Shares in Creation Units and shall maintain records of both orders placed with the Distributor and confirmations of acceptance furnished by Distributor.
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SECTION 4 | REGISTRATION OF SHARES |
The Company agrees that it will take all action necessary to register or qualify Shares under the federal and applicable state securities laws so that there will be available for sale the number of Shares necessary in connection with the number of Creation Units the Distributor may reasonably be expected to sell and to pay all fees associated with said registration. The Company will make available to the Distributor such number of copies of its Prospectus as the Distributor may reasonably request. The Company will furnish to the Distributor copies of all information, financial statements and other papers which the Distributor may reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution of Creation Units of the Company.
SECTION 5 | AGREEMENTS WITH AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANTS |
The Distributor will enter into agreements (each, an “ Authorized Participant Agreement ”) with authorized participants of its choice for the creation and redemption of Creation Units of a Fund. Each authorized participant shall be a registered broker/dealer, a clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or a participant in the system for book-entry of the Depository Trust Company. Each Authorized Participant Agreement will include such terms and conditions as the Distributor will deem necessary or appropriate from time to time.
SECTION 6 | EXPENSES |
6.01 Company Expenses . The Company will pay all fees and expenses (i) in connection with the preparation, setting in type and filing of any Prospectus under the 1933 Act and amendments for the issue of its Shares or Creation Units; (ii) if applicable, in connection with the registration and qualification of Shares for sale in the various states in which the board of directors of the Company will determine advisable to qualify such Shares for sale; (iii) of preparing, setting in type, printing and mailing any report or other communication to shareholders or authorized participants of the Company in their capacity as such; and (iv) of preparing, setting in type, printing and mailing any Prospectus sent to existing shareholders or authorized participants.
6.02 Distributor Expenses . Distributor will pay all of its costs and expenses (other than expenses and costs deemed payable by the Funds and other than expenses which one or more authorized participants may bear pursuant to any agreement with Distributor) incurred by it in connection with the performance of its distribution duties hereunder.
SECTION 7 | COMPENSATION |
As compensation for providing the services under this Agreement, Distributor will receive the fees set forth in Schedule C hereto. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Distributor and its affiliates may receive compensation or reimbursement from the Company or the Company’s investment advisor with respect to any services not included under this Agreement, as may be agreed upon by the parties from time to time. The parties acknowledge, that to the extent the Company lacks resources to pay the fees (or other expenses) payable to Distributor, the Company’s investment adviser may make such payment to Distributor from the past profits or other resources of the investment adviser. The parties further acknowledge that to the extent that fees payable to the Distributor are paid by the investment adviser, the investment adviser shall be responsible for making all disclosures of such payments to the board of directors.
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SECTION 8 | INDEMNIFICATION; CONTRIBUTION |
8.01 Indemnification of Distributor . The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless, the Distributor, each of its directors, officers, principals, representatives, employees and each person, if any, who controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the “ Distributor Indemnified Parties ”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, whatsoever (including any investigation, legal or other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted) to which the Distributor Indemnified Parties may become subject, arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus or any document incorporated by reference therein or filed as an exhibit thereto, or any marketing literature or materials distributed on behalf of the Company with respect to the securities covered by the Prospectus (the “ Covered Documents ”) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse the Distributor for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Distributor in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred and (ii) any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made by the Company in this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Covered Documents in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Distributor expressly for use therein; and provided further that the Distributor shall not be entitled to indemnification from the Company or protected from liability under the Agreement related to any claim directly caused by Distributor’s, or its delegates’ gross negligence, bad faith, fraud, willful misconduct or criminal misconduct in the performance of the services hereunder.
8.02 Indemnification of the Company . Distributor will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its trustees, directors, officers, employees and each person, if any, who controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the “ Company Indemnified Parties ”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, whatsoever (including any investigation, legal or other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted) (“Loss”) to which the Company Indemnified Parties may become subject, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such Loss arises out of or is based upon (i) an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Covered Document, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Distributor expressly for use therein, (ii) arising out of your breach of any representation or warranty pursuant to this Agreement, or (iii) your failure to comply in any material respect with securities laws applicable to the services provided hereunder.
8.03 Indemnification Procedures .
(a) If any action or claim shall be brought against any Distributor Indemnified Party or Company Indemnified Party (any such party, an “ Indemnified Party ” and collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”), in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the other party hereto, such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the indemnifying party in writing, and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel and payment of all fees and expenses; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party except to the extent such indemnifying party has been materially prejudiced by such failure.
(b) Any Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (i) the indemnifying party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense and employ counsel, or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded party) included such Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or which may also result in a conflict of interest (in which case if such Indemnified Party notifies the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such Indemnified Party, it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys for all such Indemnified Parties).
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(c) No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party.
(d) The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its written consent, but if such action is settled with the written consent of the indemnifying party, or if there shall be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action and the time for filing all appeals has expired, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnified Party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
(e) The obligations of the indemnifying party under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability that the indemnifying party may otherwise have.
8.04 Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is insufficient or unavailable to any Indemnified Party under this Section 8 in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Distributor on the other from the offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the Indemnified Party failed to give the notice required under Section 8.3(a) , above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Distributor on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Distributor on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the amount of gross proceeds received by the Company from the offering of the Shares under this Agreement (expressed in dollars) bears to the net proceeds received by the Distributor under this Agreement. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether if applicable, any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or the Distributor on the other and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Distributor agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 8.4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
8.05 Consequential Damages . In no event and under no circumstances will either party to this Agreement be liable to anyone, including, without limitation, the other party, for consequential damages for any act or failure to act under any provision of this Agreement .
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SECTION 9 | TERM AND TERMINATION |
This Agreement will be effective upon its execution, and, unless terminated as provided, will continue in force for two years and thereafter from year to year, provided that such annual continuance is approved by either (i) the vote of a majority of the Board of the Company, or the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the directors and (ii) the vote of a majority of those trustees / directors of the Company who are not parties to this Agreement or the Company’s distribution plan(s) or interested persons of any such party (“ Qualified Director ”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the approval. This Agreement may be terminated at any time without penalty by a vote of the trustees / directors; by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company; or by the Distributor upon not less than thirty days prior written notice to the other party; and shall automatically terminate upon its assignment. As used in this paragraph the terms, “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “assignment” and “interested person” will have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act. In the event the Company gives notice of termination, all expenses associated with the movement (or duplication) of records and materials and conversion thereof to a successor service provider, and all trailing out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Distributor, will be borne by the Company unless such termination is based on Distributor’s suspension or expulsion from FINRA or deregistration as a broker-dealer.
SECTION 10 | MISCELLANEOUS |
10.01 Records . The books and records pertaining to the Company, which are in the possession or under the control of Distributor, will be the property of the Company. Such books and records will be prepared and maintained as required under the 1940 Act and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. The Company and its authorized persons will have access to such books and records at all times during the Distributor’s normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Company, the Distributor will make available copies of such books and records to the Company or its authorized persons, at the Company’s expense.
10.02 Independent Contractor. The Distributor will undertake and discharge its obligations hereunder as an independent contractor. Neither Distributor nor any of its officers, directors, employees or representatives is or will be an employee of a Fund in connection with the performance of Distributor’s duties hereunder. Distributor will be responsible for its own conduct and the employment, control, compensation and conduct of its agents and employees, and for any injury to such agents or employees or to others through its agents and employees. Any obligations of Distributor hereunder may be performed by one or more third parties or affiliates of Distributor and Distributor accepts responsibility and liability for their performance as if the obligations were performed by Distributor.
10.03 Notices . All notices provided for or permitted under this Agreement will be deemed effective upon receipt, and will be in writing and (a) delivered personally, (b) sent by commercial overnight courier with written verification of receipt, or (c) sent by certified or registered U.S. mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, to the party to be notified, at the address for such party set forth below. Notices to the Distributor will be sent to the attention of: General Counsel, SEI investments Distribution Co., 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. Notices to the Company will be sent to Cambria ETF Trust, Attention: Eric Richardson, 2321 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 3225, El Segundo, CA 90245 (310) 683-5500, er@cambriainvesfments.com .
10.04 Dispute Resolution . Whenever either party desires to institute legal proceedings against the other party concerning this Agreement, it will provide written notice to that effect to such other party. The party providing such notice will refrain from instituting said legal proceedings for a period of thirty (30) days following the date of provision of such notice. During such period, the parties will attempt in good faith to amicably resolve their dispute by negotiation among their executive officers.
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10.05 Entire Agreement; Amendments . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement, draft or agreement or proposal with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement or any part hereof may be amended or waived only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such amendment or waiver is sought.
10.06 Non-Solicitation . During the term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year afterward, the Company will not recruit, solicit, employ or engage, for the Company or any other person, any of the Distributor’s employees.
10.07 Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without giving effect to any conflict of laws or choice of laws rules or principles thereof. To the extent that the applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or any of the provisions of this Agreement, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter will control.
10.08 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which will constitute one and the same instrument. Each such counterpart will be deemed an original, and it will not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. This Agreement will be deemed executed by both parties when any one or more counterparts hereof or thereof, individually or taken together, bears the original, scanned or facsimile signatures of each of the parties.
10.09 Force Majeure . No breach of any obligation of a party to this Agreement (other than obligations to pay amounts owed) will constitute an event of default or breach to the extent it arises out of a cause, existing or future, that is beyond the control and without negligence of the party otherwise chargeable with breach or default, including without limitation: work action or strike; lockout or other labor dispute; flood; war; riot; theft; act of terrorism, earthquake or natural disaster. Either party desiring to rely upon any of the foregoing as an excuse for default or breach will, when the cause arises, give to the other party prompt notice of the facts which constitute such cause; and, when the cause ceases to exist, give prompt notice thereof to the other party.
10.10 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability in such jurisdiction, without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any provision of this Agreement to be invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree that the court making such determination will have the power to reduce the scope, duration, or area of the provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace the provision with a provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the original intention of the parties, and this Agreement will be enforceable as so modified.
10.11 Confidential Information .
(a) The Distributor and the Company (in such capacity, the “ Receiving Party ”) acknowledge and agree to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) provided by the Distributor and the Company (in such capacity, the “ Disclosing Party ”) in connection with this Agreement. The Receiving Party will not disclose or disseminate the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information to any Person other than (a) those employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees of the Receiving Party, or (b) with respect to the Distributor as a Receiving Party, to those employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees of any agent or affiliate, who have a need to know it in order to assist the Receiving Party in performing its obligations, or to permit the Receiving Party to exercise its rights under this Agreement. In addition, the Receiving Party (a) will take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access to the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information, and (b) will not use the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information, or authorize other Persons to use the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information, for any purposes other than in connection with performing its obligations or exercising its rights hereunder. As used herein, “reasonable steps” means steps that a party takes to protect its own, similarly confidential or proprietary information of a similar nature, which steps will in no event be less than a reasonable standard of care.
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(b) The term “ Confidential Information ,” as used herein, will mean all business strategies, plans and procedures, proprietary information, methodologies, data and trade secrets, and other confidential information and materials (including, without limitation, any non-public personal information as defined in Regulation S-P), markets software, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, and marketing or distribution or sales methods or systems, sales or profit figures, or other financial information of the Disclosing Party, its affiliates, their respective clients or suppliers, or other Persons with whom they do business, that may be obtained by the Receiving Party from any source or that may be developed as a result of this Agreement, whether or not such information is marked as confidential.
(c) The provisions of this Section 10.11 respecting Confidential information will not apply to the extent, but only to the extent, that such Confidential Information is: (a) already known to the Receiving Party free of any restriction at the time it is obtained from the Disclosing Party, (b) subsequently learned from an independent third party free of any restriction and without breach of this Agreement; (c) or becomes publicly available through no wrongful act of the Receiving Party or any third party; (d) independently developed by or for the Receiving Party without reference to or use of any Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party; or (e) required to be disclosed pursuant to an applicable law, rule, regulation, government requirement or court order, or the rules of any stock exchange (provided, however, that the Receiving Party will advise the Disclosing Party of such required disclosure promptly upon learning thereof in order to afford the Disclosing Party a reasonable opportunity to contest, limit and/or assist the Receiving Party in crafting such disclosure).
(d) The Receiving Party will advise its employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees, and will require its agents and affiliates to advise their employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees, of the Receiving Party’s obligations of confidentiality and non-use under this Section 10.11 , and will be responsible for ensuring compliance by its and its affiliates’ employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees with such obligations. In addition, the Receiving Party will require all persons that are provided access to the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information, other than the Receiving Party’s accountants and legal counsel, to execute confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements containing provisions substantially similar to those set forth in this Section 10.11 . The Receiving Party will promptly notify the Disclosing Party in writing upon learning of any unauthorized disclosure or use of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information by such persons.
(e) Upon the Disclosing Party’s written request following the termination of this Agreement, the Receiving Party promptly will return to the Disclosing Party, or destroy, all Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party provided under or in connection with this Agreement, including all copies, portions and summaries thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (a) the Receiving Party may retain one copy of each item of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information for purposes of identifying and establishing its rights and obligations under this Agreement, for archival or audit purposes and/or to the extent required by applicable law, and (b) the Distributor will have no obligation to return or destroy Confidential Information of the Company that resides in save tapes of Distributor; provided, however, that in either case all such Confidential Information retained by the Receiving Party will remain subject to the provisions of Section 10.11 for so long as it is so retained. If requested by the Disclosing Party, the Receiving Party will certify in writing its compliance with the provisions of this paragraph.
10.12 Use of Name .
(a) The Company will not use the name of the Distributor, or any of its affiliates, in any Prospectus, sales literature, and other material relating to the Company in any manner without the prior written consent of the Distributor (which will not be unreasonably withheld); provided , however , that the Distributor hereby approves all lawful uses of the names of the Distributor and its affiliates in the Prospectus of the Company and in all other materials which merely refer in accurate terms to their appointment hereunder or which are required by applicable law, regulations or otherwise by the SEC, FINRA, or any state securities authority.
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(b) Neither the Distributor nor any of its affiliates will use the name of the Company in any publicly disseminated materials, including sales literature, in any manner other than with respect to representative client lists, without the prior written consent of the Company (which will not be unreasonably withheld); provided , however, that the Company and each Fund hereby approves all lawful uses of its name in any required regulatory filings of the Distributor which merely refer in accurate terms to the appointment of the Distributor hereunder, or which are required by applicable law, regulations or otherwise by the SEC, FINRA, or any state securities authority.
10.13 Insurance . The Trust hereby represents that it maintains insurance coverage with respect to its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, including commercially reasonable fidelity bond(s), errors and omissions, directors and officers, professional liability insurance, the adequacy of which shall be determined in the sole, reasonable judgment of the Company’s board of directors/trustees. The Distributor shall be included as an additional insured on the Trust’s commercial liability policies and shall be named as a loss payee on the Trust’s fidelity bond(s). All of the foregoing policies shall be issued by insurance companies having an “A minus” rating or better by A.M. Best Company or an equivalent Standard & Poor’s rating. The Trust shall furnish Certificates of Insurance evidencing all of the foregoing insurance coverages upon execution of this Agreement, and annually upon the written request of the Distributor. Annually upon the written request of the Distributor, the Trust shall provide insurance policy documentation evidencing the Trust’s “additional insured” status with respect to the Trust’s Commercial General Liability and “loss payee” status with respect to the Trust’s Fidelity Bond. The Trust shall promptly inform the Distributor of any material changes to its policies, endorsements or coverages.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company and Distributor have each duly executed this Agreement, as of the day and year above written.
CAMBRIA ETF TRUST | SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO. | |||
By: | /s/ Eric W. Richardson | By: | /s/ Maxine J. Cho | |
Name: Eric W. Richardson | Name: Maxine J. Cho | |||
Title: President | Title: CFO & COO |
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SCHEDULE A
List of Funds
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SCHEDULE B
List of Services
Contract Management
• | Coordinate and execute Authorized Participant Agreements pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement |
• | Coordinate and execute operational agreements related to the services contemplated by this Agreement (networking agreements, NSCC redemption agreements, etc.) |
• | Coordinate and execute on behalf of the Company shareholder service and similar agreements to the extent permitted by applicable law, and as contemplated by the Company’s distribution and/or shareholder servicing plan, if applicable |
• | It shall provide an order processing system pursuant to which Authorized Participants may contact the Distributor (or its affiliates) and place requests to create and redeem Creation Units, including without limitation: (i) generating and transmitting confirmations of purchase and redemption order acceptances to purchasers and redeemers of Creation Units; (ii) providing acknowledgement to authorized participants that orders have been accepted; (iii) rejecting any orders that were not submitted in proper form or on a timely basis; (iv) obtaining representations from authorized participants that their trades will not raise their total holdings to 80% or more of any Fund; and (v) maintaining a dedicated line for authorized participants to place share creation and redemption orders; |
FINRA Review
• | Review and approve all sales and marketing materials for compliance with applicable SEC and FINRA laws, regulations and the conditions of any applicable exemptive order. |
• | All such sales and marketing materials must be approved, in writing (e.g. through its MARS review system), by the Distributor prior to use, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld |
• | Conduct timely FINRA filing of materials |
• | Timely Provide FINRA comments on marketing materials to Company and timely respond to FINRA |
Other Services
• | Forward any complaints concerning the Company received by the Distributor to the Company, assist in resolving such complaints, and maintain a log of such complaints as required by applicable law; |
• | Keep and maintain all books and records relating to the services provided by the Distributor in accordance with applicable law. |
Distribution Services
• | It shall deliver copies of the Fund’s Prospectus to purchasers of Creation Units and, upon request, it shall deliver copies of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“ SAI ”), periodic reports and Prospectus. Such delivery by Distributor may be made directly or indirectly by electronic hyperlink to a website where the Prospectus, SAI and periodic reports are made available online. The Distributor will generally make it known that Funds’ prospectuses and SAIs are available in all marketing and advertising materials prepared and/or filed by the Distributor with FINRA, and (iii) as may otherwise be required by the SEC. The Distributor shall consult with the Company or its agent with respect to the production and printing of prospectuses to be used in connection with creations by authorized participants of Creation Units. The Distributor shall not bear any costs associated with printing prospectuses, SAIs and other such materials. |
• | Distributor shall ensure that all requests to it for Prospectuses are fulfilled. |
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• | If the Company, on behalf of any Fund, adopts a distribution and/or shareholder servicing plan(s) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “ Plan ”), the Distributor shall enter into selling and/or investor servicing agreements or similar (“ Sales and Investor Services Agreements ”), consistent with applicable law and the registration statement and prospectus, with various broker-dealers, to sell Shares and provide services to shareholders. The Distributor agrees that (i) it shall assist in the administration of any Plan(s); (ii) it shall, at its own expense, set up and maintain a system of recording payments of fees and reimbursement of expenses disseminated pursuant to this Agreement and other agreements related to any such Plan(s) and, pursuant to the 1940 Act, report such payment activity to the Company at least quarterly; (iii) it shall receive from the Company all distribution and shareholder servicing fees, as applicable, at the rate and to the extent payable under the terms and conditions set forth in any Plan(s) adopted by the Company, applicable to the appropriate class of shares of each Fund or class of Shares thereof, as such Plan(s) may be amended from time to time, and subject to any further limitations on such fees as the Board of Trustees of the Company may impose; and (iv) it shall pay, from the fees received from the Company pursuant to any such Plan(s), all fees and make reimbursement of all expenses, pursuant to and in accordance with such Plan(s) and any and all Sales and Investor Services Agreements. In no event shall Distributor pay any fees pursuant to any such Plan(s) until it has received payment of such fees from the Company or the adviser. |
• | It agrees to maintain compliance policies and procedures (a “ Compliance Program ”) that are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Federal Securities Laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act) with respect to the Distributor’s services under this Agreement, and to provide any and all information with respect to the Compliance Program, including without limitation, information and certifications with respect to material violations of the Compliance Program and any material deficiencies or changes therein, as may be reasonably requested by the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer or Board of Trustees. |
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SCHEDULE C
Fees
The Distributor will receive from the Company, to the extent available pursuant to Section 7 hereof, fees in the amount of $0 annually, payable in equally monthly installments of $0, and to the extent not available, the Distributor will look solely to the Company’s investment adviser or its affiliates for the payment of such fees.
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AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT
This Authorized Participant Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of this ___ day of __________ 20__ (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between _____________________ (the “ Participant ”) and SEI Investments Distribution Co. (together with its affiliates, the “ Distributor ”), principal underwriter of Cambria ETF Trust (the “ Trust ”), and is subject to acceptance by the Trust and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. as transfer agent (the “ Transfer Agent ” or “Index Receipt Agent”) to each investment portfolio of the Trust (each, a “Series”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meaning assigned to them in SECTION 14 of this Agreement.
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ 1940 Act ”), as an open-end management company;
WHEREAS, each Series is listed for trading on one or more U.S. national securities exchanges or associations and operates as an “ Exchange Traded Fund ” or “ ETF ”;
WHEREAS, the Distributor serves as the principal underwriter of the Trust acting on an agency basis in connection with the sale and distribution of shares of beneficial interest of each Series of the Trust (“ Shares ”);
WHEREAS, the Transfer Agent serves as the transfer agent for the Trust, and is an Index Receipt Agent as that term is defined in the rules of the “ NSCC ”;
WHEREAS, the Shares of any Series offered by the Trust (now or in the future) may be directly purchased from or redeemed to the Trust at a price based on the net asset value per Share (subject to applicable “Law” and the terms hereof) only in “Creation Units” and only by or through a registered broker-dealer and member of the “ DTC” that has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Distributor; and
WHEREAS the Distributor and the Participant intend that the Trust shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement and shall receive the benefits contemplated by this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto in consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, agree as follows:
SECTION 1 | ORDERS FOR CREATION AND REDEMPTION |
1.01 Creation Units . The Shares of any Series offered by the Trust may only be directly purchased from or redeemed to the Distributor in Creation Units. The number of Shares of a Series constituting a Creation Unit will be stated in the “ Prospectus ” of the applicable Series. The Participant is authorized to create and redeem Creation Units of such Series as determined in the discretion of the Trust and/or the Distributor, subject to applicable Law and the terms hereof.
1.02 Procedures for Orders . The procedures for placing and execution of “ Creation Orders” and Redemption Requests are described in the Prospectus for each Series and in the AP Handbook (and any updates) which shall be provided by the Trust and Distributor. All Orders shall be placed and executed in accordance with the terms and procedures set forth in the Prospectus and the “ AP Handbook” . Orders received in proper form in accordance with such terms and procedures shall be processed at the net asset value per Share of the relevant Series next determined after such Order is received in proper form. The Participant agrees to comply with any and all requirements stated in the Prospectus and in the AP Handbook to the extent applicable to it. The Trust reserves the right to revise or augment the procedures relating to the manner of creating or redeeming Creation Units. The Distributor will make commercially reasonable efforts to provide prior notice to the Participant of any material changes to the AP Handbook with respect to the placement of Orders. Revised procedures shall not apply retroactively to Orders submitted prior to such change in procedure, unless required by applicable Law. The Participant agrees to comply with such procedures as they may be revised or augmented from time to time. Such revised or additional procedures may be implemented by the Trust, with respect to any or all Series, due to changing applicable Law, market conditions, administrative or operational processes or requirements for new or existing Series, or any other purposes.
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Any Series may, subject to applicable Law, change the manner in which a Creation Order and/or Redemption Request may be placed and/or executed by the Participant, including, without limitation, requiring that a Creation Order or Redemption Request be cleared outside the “ CNS Clearing Process” or any “ Non-CNS Clearing Process ” subject to approval by the Index Receipt Agent.
1.03 NSCC Authorization . Solely with respect to Orders processed through the CNS Clearing Process, the Participant, as a Participating Party, hereby authorizes the Index Receipt Agent to transmit to the NSCC on behalf of the Participant instructions, including without limitation instructions regarding the transfer of Deposit Securities, Cash Amounts and Cash Components, consistent with the Order instructions issued by the Participant to the Distributor. The Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of such instructions issued by the Index Receipt Agent and reported to NSCC as though such instructions were issued by the Participant directly to NSCC.
1.04 Consent to Recording . It is contemplated that the phone lines used by the Distributor, the Trust or their Affiliated Persons with respect to any Orders will be recorded, and the Parties hereby consent to the recording of all calls with any of those Parties. The Participant also acknowledges and agrees that its access to, and actions taken on, the Website may be recorded.
1.05 Irrevocability . All Orders are irrevocable and considered final when placed by a Participant. Accordingly, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that it will not be possible to cancel or modify an Order once the Order Cut-Off Time has passed for the Business Day on which the order is placed. Even if the “ Order Cut-Off Time ” for the Business Day on which the Order was placed has not passed, the Participant acknowledges that it may not be possible to cancel or modify an Order once the Participant has placed it. Any attempt the Participant makes to revise or cancel an Order may be deemed a request to place a new Order that may modify or cancel the previous Order, at the sole discretion of the Trust. The Participant shall be responsible for any and all reasonable expenses and costs incurred by the Trust or the Distributor in connection with any modified or cancelled Order. It is acknowledged and agreed that the Trust has the absolute right to reject any Creation Order or Redemption Request (to the extent permitted by Law and the Prospectus) transmitted to it by the Distributor. The Distributor shall notify the Participant as soon as reasonably practicable of any such rejection of an Order. It is acknowledged and agreed that notice may not be reasonably practicable until after the time the Distributor stops accepting Orders for that day. Neither the Distributor nor the Trust shall be liable to any person by reason of the rejection of any Order so long as such rejection is a result of the rejecting party’s good faith determination that such rejection complies with the Prospectus and the AP Handbook.
1.06 Prospectus and Trade Confirmation Delivery . The Participant acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus and represents that it has reviewed that document and understands the Series and Shares. The Participant consents to the delivery of a link to the Prospectus and trade confirmations electronically, and understands that unless the Participant notifies the Distributor in writing that this consent is revoked, the Participant can only obtain access to Prospectuses from the Distributor electronically. The Trust makes the current Prospectuses and annual and semi-annual shareholder reports for each applicable Series available on the Trust’s website: www.cambriafunds.com.
1.07 The Participant agrees to maintain a valid electronic mail address for purposes of receiving links to Prospectuses and trade confirmations and further agrees to promptly notify the Distributor if its electronic mail address for this purpose changes. The Participant understands that it must have regular and continuous Internet access to access all documents relating to a Series.
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SECTION 2 | EXECUTION OF CREATION ORDERS |
2.01 Fund Deposit . To affect the purchase of a Creation Unit of a Series, the Participant agrees to deliver to the Series a “ Fund Deposit ” plus any applicable “ Cash Amount ”.
2.02 Cash in Lieu . The Trust may, in its sole discretion, permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to any “ Cash Component” to replace any “ Deposit Security” (“ cash in lieu ”). The Trust may suspend the ability of the Participant to engage in cash in lieu transactions with respect to any Series at any time, without prior notice.
2.03 Delivery of Collateral or Fund Deposit . As described in the Prospectus and the AP Handbook from time to time, the Trust may, in its sole discretion, permit collateral to be posted to the Custodian (or such other agent as may be agreed in writing by the Participant and the Trust from time to time) for the benefit of a Series in anticipation of delivery of all or a portion of the requisite Deposit Securities, and may require additional collateral of 115% of the market value of such Deposit Securities to be posted, in the sole discretion of the Trust. The Series may at any time use such cash or collateral to purchase Deposit Securities without further consultation with the Participant. To the extent permitted by the Prospectus, the Participant shall be responsible for any and all expenses and costs incurred by the Trust, including all Cash Amounts, in connection with any Creation Orders. The Participant understands and agrees that in the event collateral or the Fund Deposit are not fully transferred to the Trust by the time specified, a Creation Order may be cancelled by the Trust and the Participant will be solely responsible for any and all expenses and costs incurred by the applicable Series, Distributor and the Index Receipt Agent related to the cancelled Creation Order. Orders processed through the NSCC via CNS are not eligible for cash collateralization.
2.04 Title to Securities; Restricted Shares . The Participant represents that upon delivery of a portfolio of Deposit Securities to the Custodian and/or the relevant subcustodian in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus, the Trust will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to such securities, free and clear of any and all liens, restrictions, hypothecations, charges, duties imposed on the transfer of assets and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claims, including, without limitation, any restriction upon the sale or transfer of such securities imposed by (A) any agreement or arrangement entered into by the Participant or any “ Participant Client” , or (B) any applicable provision of the 1933 Act, and any regulations thereunder (except that (I) securities of issuers other than U.S. issuers shall not be required to have been registered under the 1933 Act if exempt from such registration and (II) securities of U.S. issuers shall not be required to have been registered under the 1933 Act if (1) exempt from such registration or (2) eligible for sale without registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act and such security is included by a Series as a Deposit Security (a “ Rule 144A Security ”), or of the applicable Law of any other applicable jurisdiction and (C) any such securities being “restricted securities” as such term is used in Rule 144(a)(3)(i) promulgated under the 1933 Act.
2.05 Corporate Actions . With respect to any Creation Order, the Trust, on behalf of each applicable Series, shall return to the Participant or the Participant Client any dividend, distribution or other corporate action paid to the Trust in respect of any Deposit Security that is transferred to the Trust that, based on the valuation of such Deposit Security on the Business Day on which the Trust receives and accepts the Creation Order in proper form, should have been paid to the Participant or the Participant Client. Likewise, the Participant acknowledges and agrees to return to the Trust any dividend, distribution or other corporate action paid to the Participant or any Participant Client in respect of any Deposit Security that is transferred to the Participant that, based on the valuation of such Deposit Security on the Business Day on which the Trust receives and accepts the Creation Order in proper form, should have been paid to the Trust.
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2.06 Cash Amount and Cash Component . In situations where a Cash Amount and/or a Cash Component will be applied to a Creation Order, the Participant hereby agrees it will transfer funds for each creation of Shares in an amount equal to the Cash Amount and/or Cash Component, as applicable. Computation of this amount shall exclude any stamp duty and other similar fees and expenses payable upon the transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities, which shall be the sole responsibility of the Participant and not of the Trust or the Distributor. The Participant hereby agrees to deliver the Cash Amount and/or Cash Component to the Trust on or before the “ Contractual Settlement Date” or such earlier time as may be designated by the Trust. The Participant hereby agrees to ensure that the Cash Amount and/or Cash Component will be received by the Trust in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus and/or the AP Handbook and this Agreement, and in the event payment of such Cash Amount and/or Cash Component has not been so made, the Participant agrees on behalf of itself or any party for which it acts, to pay the amount of the Cash Amount and/or Cash Component, plus other reasonable costs and interest as computed at such reasonable rate as may be specified by the Trust from time to time. The Participant shall be liable to the Custodian, any sub-custodian or the Trust for any amounts advanced by the Custodian or any sub-custodian in its sole discretion to the Participant for payment of the amounts due and owing for the Cash Amount and/or Cash Component. For avoidance of doubt, the Custodian will be under no obligation to advance funds under any circumstances.
2.07 Ownership of Deposit Securities . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, and subject to the provisions of Section 2.02 , the Participant agrees that this Agreement is a contract for the sale of the Deposit Securities in praesenti , and that ownership of, and all attendant rights to and benefits of, the Deposit Securities shall be vested in the Trust as of the Business Day on which the Trust receives and accepts the related Purchase Order in proper form and in accordance with the foregoing terms and procedures.
SECTION 3 | EXECUTION OF REDEMPTION REQUESTS |
3.01 Creation Units . To effect the redemption of a Creation Unit of a Series, the Participant agrees to deliver to the Trust, the requisite number of Shares comprising the number of Creation Units being redeemed plus any applicable Cash Amount and/or Cash Component. Proceeds of redemption of a Creation Unit shall consist of “ Fund Securities” and/or any applicable Cash Component, less any applicable Cash Amount. To the extent permitted by the Prospectus, the Participant shall be responsible for any and all expenses and costs incurred by the Trust, including all Cash Amounts, in connection with any Redemption Request.
3.02 Delivery of Shares . The Participant understands and agrees that in the event Shares are not transferred to the Trust (or the Custodian for the benefit of the Trust) by the time specified and in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus and the AP Handbook, a Redemption Request may be cancelled by the Trust and the Participant will be solely responsible for all expenses, losses and costs incurred by the Trust, Index Receipt Agent and/or the Distributor related to the cancelled Order. The Distributor will provide notice to the Participant, as soon as reasonably practicable, of any such cancellation of a Redemption Request.
3.03 Legal and Beneficial Ownership . The Participant represents and warrants that it will not attempt to place a Redemption Request for the purpose of redeeming any Creation Unit of Shares of any Series unless it or the Participant Client, as the case may be, owns outright or has full legal authority and legal and beneficial right to tender for redemption the requisite number of Shares of the relevant Series to be redeemed as a Creation Unit and to the entire proceeds of the redemption and that such Shares have not been borrowed from or loaned or pledged to another party and are not the subject of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or any other arrangement affecting legal or beneficial ownership or precluding the tender of such Shares for redemption. In the event that the Distributor and/or the Trust have reason to believe that the Participant does not have the requisite number of Shares of the relevant Series to be redeemed as a Creation Unit, the Distributor and/or the Trust may require the Participant to deliver or execute supporting documentation in order for the Redemption Request to be in proper form. Failure to deliver or execute the requested supporting documentation may result in a Participant’s Redemption Request being rejected as not in proper form.
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3.04 Same Business Day Creation and Redemption . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except as otherwise specifically advised by the Participant in writing to the Distributor and the Trust, the Participant represents and warrants on behalf of itself and any Participant Client that in the case of any Redemption Request that is placed on the same Business Day as any Creation Order is placed by the Participant for the same Series: (i) the Redeeming Shareholder is not the same Participant or Participant Client as the Creation Shareholder; (ii) the Redeeming Shareholder is not affiliated in any manner to or with the Creating Shareholder; (iii) the Redeeming Shareholder and the Creating Shareholder are acting for their own respective beneficial interests; (iv) the placing of such Redemption Request and such Creation Order is not for the beneficial interest of the same person; and (v) the placing of such Redemption Request and such Creation Order is not pursuant to any common plan, mutual agreement, or understanding.
3.05 Corporate Actions . With respect to any Redemption Request, the Participant on behalf of itself and any party for which it is acting, acknowledges and agrees to return to the Trust any dividend, distribution or other corporate action paid to it or a Participant Client in respect of any Fund Security that is transferred to the Participant or any Participant Client that, based on the valuation of such Fund Security at the time of transfer, should have been paid to the Trust. The Participant on behalf of itself and any party for which it is acting, further acknowledges and agrees that the Trust is entitled to reduce the amount of money or other proceeds due to the Participant or any Participant Client by an amount equal to any dividend, distribution or other corporate action to be paid to the Participant or to the Participant Client in respect of any Fund Security that is transferred to the Participant or any Participant Client that, based on the valuation of such Fund Security at the time of transfer, should be paid to the Trust. Likewise, the Trust, on behalf of the applicable Series, shall return to the Participant or any Participant Client any dividend, distribution or other corporate action paid to it in respect of any Fund Security that is transferred to the Trust, on behalf of the applicable Series, that, based on the valuation of such Fund Security at the time of transfer, should have been paid to the Participant or the Participant Client.
3.06 Cash Amount and Cash Component . In situations where a Cash Amount and/or a Cash Component will be applied to a Redemption Request, the Participant hereby agrees that it will make available or transfer funds in an amount equal to the Cash Amount and/or Cash Component, as applicable. Computation of this amount shall exclude any stamp duty and other similar fees and expenses payable upon the transfer of beneficial ownership of the Fund Securities, which shall be the sole responsibility of the Participant and not of the Trust or the Distributor. The Participant hereby agrees to ensure that the Cash Amount and/or Cash Component will be received by the Trust on or before the Contractual Settlement Date or such earlier time as may be designated by the Trust. The Participant hereby agrees to ensure that the Cash Amount and/or Cash Component will be received by the Trust in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus and/or the AP Handbook and this Agreement, and in the event payment of such Cash Amount and/or Cash Component has not been so made, the Participant agrees on behalf of itself or any party for which it acts to pay the amount of the Cash Amount and/or Cash Component, plus other reasonable costs and interest, as computed at such reasonable rate as may be specified by the Trust from time to time. The Participant shall be liable to the Custodian, any sub-custodian or the Trust for any amounts advanced by the Custodian or any sub-custodian in its sole discretion to the Participant for payment of the amounts due and owing for the Cash Amount and/or Cash Component. For avoidance of doubt, the Custodian will be under no obligation to advance funds under any circumstances.
3.07 Open for Business . The Participant understands and agrees that Redemption Requests may be submitted only on days that the Trust is open for business, including as required by Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act.
3.08 One Account. The Participant understands and agrees that Shares of each Series may be redeemed only when one or more Creation Units are held in the account of a single Participant or a single Participant Client. For avoidance of doubt, Participant understands and agrees that Participant may not aggregate Shares of different Participant Clients to meet the one account requirement set forth in this Section 3.08.
3.09 Foreign Clients of Participant . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or the Prospectus, the Participant understands and agrees that residents of certain countries are entitled to receive only cash upon redemption of a Creation Unit; and, therefore, Participant will confirm that any request it submits for an in-kind redemption has not been submitted on behalf of a Participant Client who is a resident of a country requiring that all redemptions be made in cash.
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SECTION 4 | BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP LIMITATION |
4.01 Beneficial Ownership . The Participant represents and warrants to the Distributor and the Trust that immediately after each acquisition of Shares by the Participant pursuant to this Agreement (based upon the number of outstanding Shares of such Series made publicly available by the Trust) it does not hold for its account or the account of any single Beneficial Owner of Shares of the relevant Series eighty percent (80%) or more of the outstanding Shares of such relevant Series. The Participant agrees that its Authorized Persons will be asked to represent and warrant that, immediately after giving effect to the creation of Shares to which the Order relates, the Participant will not own or hold eighty percent (80%) or more of the outstanding Shares of the relevant Series of the Trust. If the Participant acts as agent for another party or parties in acquiring Shares, then Participant agrees that no party or parties on behalf of whom Participant acquired Shares in the transaction to which the confirmation relates holds or owns through the Participant account, immediately after such acquisition, eighty percent (80%) or more of the outstanding Shares of the relevant Series. The Trust, the Index Receipt Agent and Distributor shall have the right to require information from the Participant regarding Share ownership of each Series, and to rely thereon to the extent necessary to make a determination regarding ownership of eighty percent (80%) or more of the currently outstanding Shares of any Series by a Beneficial Owner as a condition to the acceptance of a deposit of Deposit Securities.
4.02 Rule 144A Securities . The Participant represents and warrants to the Distributor and the Trust that immediately after each acquisition of a Rule 144A Security by the Participant pursuant to this Agreement, it or any Beneficial Owner of the Rule 144A Security will be a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A under the 1933 Act.
SECTION 5 | AUTHORIZED PERSONS |
5.01 Phone Orders and Website Orders . When placing Orders by phone, an Authorized Person, on behalf of the Participant, will be required to provide his or her name, the name of the Participant he or she represents and a valid PIN Number (with such PIN Number to be issued by the Distributor). When placing Orders through the Website, an Authorized Person on behalf of the Participant, will be required to enter a valid firm PIN Number, a valid personal ID and password (with such password provided by the Distributor) for Website access and trade order processing. The Participant will only have access to certain section(s) of the Website, as determined by the Trust or the Distributor, in their sole discretion. The Participant will adhere to the security procedures mandated by the Distributor from time to time in all material respects. The PIN Number, personal ID and password shall be kept confidential and shall not be shared with any third party unless otherwise required by applicable Law. It is acknowledged and agreed that these procedures may be revised and updated from time to time and made available in the AP Handbook.
5.02 PIN Numbers and Password . Upon the execution of this Agreement by the Participant and the acceptance thereof by the Distributor, the Participant shall be issued a PIN Number by the Distributor and each Authorized Person will be issued a personal ID and password for use on the Website. To place Orders through the Distributor, the Authorized Person must provide the Participant’s valid PIN Number and must also enter a valid personal ID and password to access the Website. The PIN Number is used to identify the Participant and validate instructions issued by the Participant pursuant to this Agreement. The Distributor shall be entitled to assume that all instructions issued to it using the Participant’s PIN Number have been properly placed by Authorized Persons, unless the Participant has revoked its PIN Number and such revocation has been acknowledged by the Distributor. The Distributor shall be under no obligation to verify that an Order is being placed by an Authorized Person. The Participant agrees that neither the Distributor nor the Index Receipt Agent or the Trust shall be responsible for any losses incurred by the Participant as a result of an Authorized Person identifying himself or herself as a different Authorized Person or an unauthorized person identifying himself or herself as an Authorized Person. The PIN Number and password shall be kept confidential and only provided to Authorized Persons unless otherwise required by applicable Law. The Participant may revoke the PIN Number and password at any time upon written notice to the Distributor and the Trust, and the Participant shall be responsible for doing so in the event that it becomes aware that an unauthorized person has received access to its PIN Number and/or password or has used the PIN Number and/or password in an unauthorized manner. Upon receipt of such written request, the Distributor shall promptly de-activate the PIN Number and/or password. If a Participant’s PIN Number and/or password is changed, the new PIN Number and/or password will become effective on a date mutually agreed upon by the Participant and the Distributor.
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5.03 Certification . Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and as requested from time to time by the Trust and/or Distributor but no less frequently than annually, the Participant shall deliver to the Distributor and the Trust, with copies to the Index Receipt Agent, a certificate (the form of which is set forth in Annex I ) signed by the Participant’s Secretary or other duly authorized official setting forth the names, electronic mail addresses and telephone and facsimile numbers of all Authorized Persons. Such certificate may be accepted and relied upon by the Distributor and the Trust as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until delivery to the Distributor and the Trust of a superseding certificate in a form approved by the Trust bearing a subsequent date. It shall be the responsibility of the Participant to ensure that the Distributor has a current list of all Authorized Persons. Upon the termination or revocation of authority of an Authorized Person by the Participant, the Participant shall give immediate written notice of such fact to the Distributor and the Trust with a copy to the Index Receipt Agent and such notice shall be effective upon receipt by the Distributor and the Trust.
SECTION 6 | STATUS OF PARTICIPANT AND DISTRIBUTOR |
6.01 Ability to Enter Into Agreement . Each of the Participant and Distributor hereby represents and warrants that it (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of organization, (ii) has the power and authority, and the legal right, to own its assets and to transact the business in which it is engaged, and (iii) has the power and authority, and the legal right, to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and has taken all necessary action required by its governing documents or other applicable requirements of law and regulation to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. Each of the Participant and Distributor hereby represents and warrants that this Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Participant or the Distributor, as applicable, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of it and be enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of the Agreement, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws or regulations affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).
6.02 Clearing Status . The Participant hereby represents and warrants that with respect to (i) all Orders of Creation Units of any Series, it is and will continue to be a DTC Participant, (ii) any Order of Creation Units of any Series initiated through the CNS Clearing Process, it is a Participating Party and (iii) any Order of Creation Units of any Series initiated through the applicable Non-CNS Clearing Process, it has the ability to transact through such processes designated by such Series. Any change in the status of the Participant with respect to subsection (i) of this Section 6.02 shall terminate this Agreement and the Participant shall give immediate written notice to the Distributor and the Trust of such change. If, at any time, the Participant’s representation and warranty made in subsections (ii) or (iii) of this Section 6.02 becomes inaccurate, Participant shall give immediate written notice to the Distributor and the Trust in writing, and the Distributor or the Trust may elect to terminate this Agreement in their sole discretion.
6.03 Broker Dealer Status . The Participant hereby represents and warrants that it is (i) registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act, (ii) qualified to act as a broker or dealer in the states or other jurisdictions where it is so required to be qualified, and/or transacts business and (iii) a member in good standing of FINRA. The Participant agrees that it will maintain such registrations, qualifications, and membership in good standing and in full force and effect throughout the term of this Agreement. The Participant further agrees to comply with all applicable Federal laws, the laws of the states or other jurisdictions concerned, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and with the Constitution, By-Laws and NASD/FINRA Conduct Rules, and that it will not offer or sell Shares of any Series of the Trust in any state or jurisdiction where they may not lawfully be offered and/or sold.
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6.04 Foreign Status . If the Participant is offering and selling Shares of any Series of the Trust in jurisdictions outside the several states, territories and possessions of the United States and is not otherwise required to be registered, qualified, or a member in good standing of FINRA as set forth in the preceding paragraph, the Participant nevertheless agrees to observe the applicable laws and regulations of the jurisdiction in which such offer and/or sale is made, to comply with the full disclosure requirements of the 1933 Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and to conduct its business in accordance with the NASD/FINRA Conduct Rules.
6.05 Distributor Status . The Participant understands and acknowledges that the method by which Shares will be created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws and regulations. For example, because new Creation Units may be issued and sold by the Trust on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution”, as such term is used in the 1933 Act, may occur. The Distributor and the Trust hereby caution Participant that some activities on its part, depending on the circumstances, may result in its being deemed a participant in a distribution in a manner which could render it a statutory underwriter and subject it to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the 1933 Act. The Participant also understands and acknowledges that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Shares, are generally required to deliver a Prospectus. Neither the Distributor nor the Index Receipt Agent or Trust will indemnify Participant for any violations of the federal securities laws committed by the Participant.
SECTION 7 | ROLE OF PARTICIPANT |
7.01 Independent Contractor . The Participant acknowledges and agrees that for all purposes of this Agreement, the Participant will be deemed to be an independent contractor, and will have no authority to act as agent for the Trust or the Distributor in any matter or in any respect. The Participant and Distributor each agree to make itself and its employees available, upon reasonable request, during normal business hours to consult with the other party, and if requested, the Trust or their designees concerning the performance of the Participant’s responsibilities under this Agreement.
7.02 Maintenance of Records . The Participant agrees to maintain books and records of all Orders relating to Shares made by or through it, including pursuant to its obligations under the federal securities laws, and, to the extent it can do so in a manner consistent with any contractual obligations of Participant to any clients and applicable Laws, to furnish copies of such records to the Trust or the Distributor upon the reasonable request of the Trust or the Distributor.
7.03 Affiliations . The Participant represents, covenants and warrants that, during the term of this Agreement, it will not be an affiliated person of a Series, a promoter or principal underwriter of a Series or an affiliated person of such persons, except under Sections 2(a)(3)(A) or 2(a)(3)(C) of the 1940 Act due to ownership of Shares.
7.04 Privacy . The Participant affirms that it has procedures in place reasonably designed to protect the privacy of non-public personal consumer/customer financial information to the extent required by applicable law, rule and regulation.
7.05 Anti-Money Laundering . The Participant represents that it maintains an anti-money laundering program in compliance with all applicable federal laws, rules and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, the USA PATRIOT Act and the anti-money laundering requirements of FINRA. Participant represents that (i) it is not acting on behalf of any person that is on the List of Specially Designated Nationals maintained by Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“ OFAC ”) or the subject of an OFAC maintained sanctions program (collectively, “ Prohibited Persons ”) and (ii) maintains policies and procedures to screen for Prohibited Persons. Distributor shall verify the identity of each Participant and maintain identification verification and transactional records related to this Agreement in accordance with the requirements of applicable laws and regulations aimed at the prevention and detection of money laundering and/or terrorism activities.
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SECTION 8 | MARKETING MATERIALS AND REPRESENTATIONS |
The Participant represents, warrants and agrees that it will not make any representations concerning Shares, the Trust or the Series, other than those contained in or consistent with the Trust’s then current Prospectus or in any promotional materials or sales literature furnished to the Participant by the Distributor. The Participant agrees not to furnish or cause to be furnished to any person or display or publish any information or materials relating to Shares (including, without limitation, promotional materials and sales literature, advertisements, press releases, announcements, statements, posters, signs or other similar materials), except such information and materials as may be furnished to the Participant by the Trust or the Distributor and such other information and materials as may be approved in writing by the Trust and the Distributor. The Participant understands that the Trust or any of its Series will not be advertised or marketed as open-end investment companies (i.e., as mutual funds) which offer redeemable securities, and that any advertising materials will prominently disclose that the individual Shares are not redeemable units of beneficial interest in the Trust. In addition, the Participant understands that any advertising material that addresses redemptions of Shares, including the Prospectus, will disclose that the owners of Shares may acquire Shares and tender Shares for redemption to the Trust in Creation Units only. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant may without the written approval of the Trust or the Distributor prepare and circulate in the regular course of its business or for internal use, research reports institutional sales literature (as such term in defined in NASD Rule 2211 or any successor rule), correspondence (as such term is defined in NASD Rule 2211 or any successor rule) and other similar materials that include information, opinions or recommendations relating to Shares, provided that such materials comply with applicable NASD rules (or comparable FINRA rules, if such NASD rules are subsequently repealed, rescinded, or are otherwise replaced by FINRA rules) and are not used for purposes of marketing Shares. The Participant agrees that any representation or statement in such reports, sales literature, correspondence, communications or other similar materials will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact related to a Series or omit to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and, to the extent such materials include statements of fact regarding the Shares, such statements of fact will be consistent with the Prospectus. As between the Trust and Distributor on one hand and the Participant on the other, Participant agrees that Participant shall be fully responsible and liable for such reports, sales literature, correspondence, communications or other similar materials.
Participant agrees that, so long as this Agreement remains in effect, it may be identified or named as an “Authorized Participant,” or any similar designation, in any materials relating to relevant Series, the Trust or as may be necessary to meet applicable legal requirements.
SECTION 9 | IRREVOCABLE PROXY |
9.01 Appointment of Irrevocable Proxy . The Participant, from time to time, may be a Beneficial Owner and/or an owner of record of Shares. To the extent that it is a Beneficial Owner of Shares, the Participant does hereby irrevocably appoint the Distributor as its attorney and proxy with full authorization and power to vote (or abstain from voting) the Participant’s beneficially owned Shares of a Series, which the Participant is or may be entitled to vote at any meeting of a Series held after the date this Agreement is executed, whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned meeting, or, if applicable, to give written consent with respect thereto.
9.02 Powers of Attorney and Proxy . The Distributor, as attorney and proxy for the Participant under this SECTION 9 : (i) is hereby given full power of substitution and revocation, (ii) may act through such agents, nominees or substitute attorneys as it may from time to time appoint, and (iii) may provide voting instructions to such agents, nominees or substitute attorneys in any lawful manner deemed appropriate by it, including in writing, by telephone, telex, facsimile, electronically (including through the Internet) or otherwise. The powers of the Distributor as attorney and proxy under this paragraph shall include (without limiting its general powers hereunder) the power to receive and waive any notice of any meeting on behalf of the Participant.
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9.03 Term of Power of Attorney and Proxy . The appointment of the Distributor as attorney and proxy shall be deemed renewed each time Participant acquires Shares as a Beneficial Owner. The Distributor shall serve as an irrevocable attorney and proxy for the Participant under this Section for so long (and only so long) as this Agreement remains in effect. In the event applicable law prevents the assignment of the irrevocable power of attorney and proxy, or deems such power of attorney and proxy to expire due to the passage of time, the Participant hereby agrees to execute and deliver such additional documentation as may be necessary to cause the Distributor to serve as its attorney and proxy for the purposes discussed in this Agreement. This irrevocable proxy automatically shall terminate with respect to any Series or the Trust as a whole, if the Distributor ceases to act as Distributor to any Series or the Trust, as applicable. The Distributor may terminate this irrevocable proxy with sixty (60) days written notice to the Participant.
SECTION 10 | INDEMNIFICATION; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY |
10.01 Indemnification of Distributor Indemnified Party . The Participant hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor, the Trust, the Index Receipt Agent, their respective subsidiaries, Affiliated Persons, directors, managers, officers, employees and agents, and each person, if any, who controls such persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (each a “ Distributor Indemnified Party ”) from and against any loss, liability, cost and expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the reasonable costs of investigation, including reasonable costs involved in defending itself in connection with an investigation, collectively “ Losses ”) incurred by such Distributor Indemnified Party as a result of (i) any breach by the Participant of any provision of this Agreement; (ii) any failure on the part of the Participant to perform any of its obligations set forth in this Agreement; (iii) any failure by the Participant to comply with applicable laws, including rules and regulations of self-regulatory organizations such as the NASD/FINRA Conduct Rules, the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iv) actions of such Distributor Indemnified Party in reliance upon any instructions issued in accordance with the Prospectus or the AP Handbook reasonably believed by the Trust, the Distributor and/or the Index Receipt Agent to be genuine and to have been given by the Participant or an Authorized Person; or (v) (A) any representation by the Participant, its employees or its agents or other representatives about the Shares, any Distributor Indemnified Party or the Trust that is not consistent with the Trust’s then-current Prospectus in any material respect and was made in connection with the offer or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell Shares or (B) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any research reports, marketing material and sales literature described in SECTION 8 hereof or any alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make statements therein not misleading to the extent that such statement or omission relates to the Shares, any Distributor Indemnified Party or the Trust or Series, unless, in either case, such representation, statement or omission was made or included by the Participant at the written direction of the Distributor. The foregoing shall not apply to any Losses incurred by such Distributor Indemnified Party arising out of the Distributor Indemnified Party’s own fraud, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder. The Participant understands and agrees that the Series as third party beneficiaries to this Agreement are entitled to proceed directly against the Participant in the event that the Participant fails to honor any of its obligations under this Agreement that benefit the Series.
10.02 Limitation of Liability . The Participant agrees that the Distributor, the Index Receipt Agent and the Trust shall not be liable, absent fraud or willful misconduct, for losses incurred by the Participant in connection with the placement of Orders or otherwise, including as a result of unauthorized use of the Participant’s PIN Number.
10.03 Survival . This SECTION 10 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
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SECTION 11 | THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES |
The Distributor and the Participant acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is entered into for, among other things, the benefit of the Trust and intend that the Trust shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement and be entitled to enforce all of the terms hereof, including, without limitation, the rights granted in its favor and in favor of the Distributor, the Index Receipt Agent or the Custodian under this Agreement.
SECTION 12 | NOTICES |
All notices, communications, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (and if sent by mail, sent via certified or registered mail, return receipt requested) or be by confirmed facsimile transmission or electronic mail with confirmed delivery status notification. All notices shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered by hand, or three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of electronic mail transmission, when sent, addressed as follows or at such other address as such party may designate in writing. Notwithstanding the above, delivery of any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or AP Handbook shall be made via email to the Participant.
DISTRIBUTOR: | PARTICIPANT: |
Attn: General Counsel SEI Investments Distribution Co. One Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456-1100 |
DTC/ NSCC Clearing Participant Code: Attn:
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Telephone: (610) 676-3482 Facsimile: (610) 676-3482 Email: |
Telephone: Facsimile: Email: |
INDEX RECEIPT AGENT: | TRUST: CAMBRIA ETF TRUST: |
Attn:
Telephone: Facsimile: Email: |
Attn: Eric Richardson Cambria ETF Trust 2321 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 3225 El Segundo, CA 90245
Telephone: (310) 683-5500 Facsimile: (310) 683-5505 Email: er@cambriainvestments.com |
SECTION 13 | COMMENCEMENT OF TRADING |
The Participant may not submit an Order pursuant to this Agreement until five Business Days after effectiveness of this Agreement or a date agreed upon by the Distributor and the Participant; provided, however, that if the execution of this Agreement supersedes any other authorized participant agreement among the Parties that is currently in effect, the Participant must submit any Order pursuant to this Agreement.
SECTION 14 | DEFINITIONS |
The capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined below. Any capitalized terms used herein that are not defined shall have the meaning set forth in the Prospectus or in the AP Handbook.
14.01 “ 1933 Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
14.02 “ 1934 Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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14.03 “ 1940 Act ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
14.04 “ Affiliated Person ” shall have the meaning given to it by Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission by any rule, regulation or order applicable to the Trust or its investment adviser.
14.05 “ Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
14.06 “ AP Handbook ” means the handbook and other supplemental materials that accompany, or are made available in connection with, this Agreement that clarify and provide revised or additional procedures with respect to a Participant’s transactions with the Distributor and the Trust, as they may be amended from time to time by the Distributor or the Trust and made available to the Participant. The AP Handbook is incorporated by reference into this Agreement and hereby made a part hereof. It is acknowledged and agreed that the AP Handbook may be made available solely in an electronic format accessible via the internet. Any changes to the AP Handbook made available to the Participant subsequent to the date of this Agreement shall also be deemed incorporated by reference herein.
14.07 “ Authorized Person ” means a person that is authorized to give instructions relating to any activity contemplated by this Agreement or any other notice, request or instruction on behalf of the Participant.
14.08 “ Beneficial Owner ” shall have the meaning given to it by Rule 13d-3 or Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of the 1934 Act.
14.09 “ Business Day ” shall mean each day the exchange on which a Series is listed is open for regular trading.
14.10 “ Cash Amount ” means an amount of cash sufficient to pay any applicable transaction fee, redemption fee and any additional fixed and/or variable charges applicable to purchase or redemption transactions effected fully or partially in cash (when, in the sole discretion of the Trust, cash transactions are available or specified), in each case, as disclosed in the applicable Prospectus. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Cash Amount” shall also include any fees, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees) incurred by the Trust in taking possession of, liquidation of or other use of any collateral posted in lieu of delivery of Deposit Securities or Shares.
14.11 “ Cash Component ” means, (1) in the case of a purchase of a Creation Unit, an amount of cash equal to the difference between the total aggregate value of the Deposit Securities and the net asset value of the Creation Unit; and (2) in the case of a redemption of a Creation Unit, an amount of cash equal to the difference between the net asset value of the Creation Unit being redeemed and the total aggregate value of the Fund Securities delivered by the Series in consideration for the Creation Unit, in such case including any cash in lieu amounts.
14.12 “ Cash in Lieu ” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.02 of this Agreement.
14.13 “ CNS Clearing Process ” means the Continuous Net Settlement clearing processes of NSCC, as such processes have been enhanced to effect purchases and redemptions of Creation Units.
14.14 “ CNS System ” means the Continuous Net Settlement clearing processes of NSCC.
14.15 “ Contractual Settlement Date ” means the date as specified in the Prospectus or in the AP Handbook upon which delivery of Deposit Securities, Shares and/or any Cash Component, as applicable, must be made by the Participant to the Trust.
14.16 “ Creation Unit ” means an aggregation of a specified number of Shares of a Series, as specified in the applicable Prospectus.
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14.17 “ Custodian ” means Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. or such other custodian as the Trust may specify from time to time.
14.18 “ Deposit Securities ” means an in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of equity or fixed-income securities or other financial instruments as determined from time to time in the sole discretion of the Trust in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus.
14.19 “ Distributor Indemnified Party ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.01 .
14.20 “ Distributor ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
14.21 “ DTC Participant ” means a person that is eligible and authorized to participate in the DTC direct registration system.
14.22 “ DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company.
14.23 “ Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
14.24 “ Exchange Traded Fund ” or “ ETF ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
14.25 “ Federal Reserve System ” means the central banking system of the United States.
14.26 “ FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
14.27 “ Fund Deposit ” means the requisite Deposit Securities and, if applicable, a Cash
Component.
14.28 “ Fund Securities ” means in-kind redemption proceeds of a designated portfolio of securities or other financial instruments as determined from time to time in the sole discretion of the Trust.
14.29 “ Index Receipt Agent ” means acting in the capacity as “index receipt agent,” as such term is defined in the rules of NSCC, for the Trust.
14.30 “ Law ” means any rule, regulation, statute, order, ordinance, guideline, pronouncement, code or other legally enforceable requirement, including common law, state and federal laws or securities laws and laws of foreign jurisdictions and, with respect to a Party, the rules and regulations of any self regulatory organization of which such Party or, to the extent relevant to the performance of a Party’s obligations under this Agreement, such Party’s Affiliate, is a member or securities market on which Shares are listed.
14.31 “ Losses ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.01 hereto.
14.32 “ Non-CNS Clearing Process ” means the applicable clearing process specified for any Series, including but not limited to those affected through the facilities of DTC, the Federal Reserve System, Euroclear, the custodian, local subcustodians and/or any subset or combination thereof.
14.33 “ NSCC ” means the National Securities Clearing Corporation.
14.33.1 “ Order Cut-Off Time ” means the time by which Orders must be received on the Business Day in order to purchase or redeem Creation Units at the NAV set forth in the Prospectus for that Business Day.
14.34 “ Orders ” means Purchase Orders and Redemption Requests.
14.35 “ Participant Client ” means any party on whose behalf the Participant acts in connection with an Order (whether a customer or otherwise).
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14.36 “ Participant ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
14.37 “ Participating Party ” means a Participant who is a member of the NSCC and a participant in the CNS System of NSCC
14.38 “ PIN Number ” means a unique personal identification number issued to the Participant pursuant to this Agreement.
14.39 “ Prospectus ” means the relevant Series’ current prospectus and statement of additional information included in the Trust’s effective registration statement, as supplemented and/or amended from time to time.
14.40 “ Purchase Order ” means an irrevocable order to purchase one or more Creation Units by a Participant.
14.41 “ Purchasing Shareholder ” means, in the case of a same Business Day Purchase Order and Redemption Request as described in Section 3.04 , the Participant (in the case of a Purchase Order that is placed for the Participant’s own beneficial interest) or Participant Client (in the case of a Purchase Order that is placed for the Participant Client’s beneficial interest).
14.42 “ Redeeming Shareholder ” means, in the case of a same Business Day Purchase Order and Redemption Request as described in Section 3.04 , the Participant (in the case of a Redemption Request that is placed for the Participant’s own beneficial interest) or Participant Client (in the case of a Redemption Request that is placed for the Participant Client’s beneficial interest).
14.43 “ Redemption Request ” means a request to redeem one or more Creation Units by a Participant.
14.44 “ Rule 144A Security ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04 hereof.
14.45 “ Series ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals and includes Series that are formed and offered after the date of this Agreement.
14.46 “ Shares ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
14.47 “ Trust ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
14.48 “ Website ” means the website: https://etfwebservices.seic.com/ETF (or such other web address as may be communicated by the Distributor or the Trust to the Participant from time to time) established and maintained by the Trust or their affiliates for purposes of allowing Participants to place Orders, as it may be updated from time to time.
SECTION 15 | INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE AND PROSPECTUS CONTROLLING |
The Participant acknowledges receipt of the AP Handbook, represents that it has reviewed such document and understands the terms thereof, and further acknowledges that the information and procedures contained therein are incorporated herein by reference. The Participant also acknowledges and agrees that the Prospectus for each Series may contain, among other things, procedures relating to the creation and redemption of Shares. The Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that it has the responsibility of reviewing and obtaining familiarity with the Prospectus for the Shares of each Series in which it transacts. In the event that any information contained in this Agreement, the AP Handbook or posted on the Website is in conflict with the information disclosed in the Prospectus for a Series, the information contained in the Prospectus shall be controlling. In the event that any information posted on the Website (for the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged and agreed that the Website is deemed not to include the Prospectus or the AP Handbook) is in conflict with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be controlling. The Trust will make reasonable efforts to keep the information contained in the AP Handbook or posted on the Website and contained in the Prospectus consistent.
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SECTION 16 | EFFECTIVENESS, TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND ASSIGNMENT |
16.01 This Agreement shall become effective in this form upon delivery to and execution by the Distributor. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by any Party upon sixty days prior written notice to the other Parties and may be terminated earlier by a Party at any time in the event of a breach by the other Party of any provision of this Agreement (including the AP Handbook), the Prospectus or the procedures described or incorporated herein. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement supersedes all prior or contemporaneous representations, discussions, negotiations, letters, proposals, agreements and understandings between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral.
16.02 This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented by the Trust or the Distributor from time to time without the consent of the Participant or any Beneficial Owner by the following procedure. Amendments to this Agreement can be made upon reasonable notice by the Trust and Distributor, respectively. The Trust or the Distributor will electronically transmit the amendment to the Participant. If neither the Participant nor the other party objects in writing to the amendment within ten (10) business days after its receipt, the amendment will become a part of this Agreement in accordance with its terms. For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged and agreed that changes in procedures stated in the Prospectus or AP Handbook shall not be considered an amendment to this Agreement and shall be effective immediately. This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties hereto, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Any assignee or successor shall be bound by the terms of this Agreement.
SECTION 17 | GOVERNING LAW |
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. To the extent that the applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or any of the provisions of this Agreement, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, the latter shall control. Each party to this Agreement, by its execution hereof, (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the state courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for the purpose of any action between the parties arising in whole or in part under or in connection with this Agreement, and (ii) hereby waives to the extent not prohibited by applicable Law, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such action brought in one of the above-named courts should be dismissed on grounds of forum non conveniens, should be transferred or removed to any court other than one of the above-named courts, or should be stayed by reason of the pendency of some other proceeding in any other court other than one of the above-named courts, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court.
SECTION 18 | HEADINGS |
Any headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and do not change the meaning of any provision of the Agreement.
SECTION 19 | COUNTERPARTS |
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. Each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. This Agreement shall be deemed executed by both parties when any one or more counterparts hereof or thereof, individually or taken together, bears the original facsimile or scanned signatures of each of the parties.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year written above.
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ANNEX I
CERTIFICATE DESIGNATING AUTHORIZED PERSONS
The following employees of [NAME OF PARTICIPANT] (each, an “Authorized Person”) are authorized, in accordance with the __________ Authorized Participant Agreement between [NAME OF PARTICIPANT] and SEI Investments Distribution Co., as such Agreement may be amended from time to time, to act as agent of [NAME OF PARTICIPANT] to submit purchase orders and redemption requests (“Orders”) on behalf of [NAME OF PARTICIPANT] and to give instructions or any other notice or request on behalf of [NAME OF PARTICIPANT] with respect to such Orders or any other activity contemplated by the Authorized Participant Agreement.
SECTION A - List of Current Authorized Persons
Name:
e-mail Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
Name:
e-mail Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
Name:
e-mail Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
Name:
e-mail Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
SECTION B - List of Changes to Authorized Persons
The following persons who were not designated as Authorized Persons on Participant’s previous Certificate have been verified and added as Authorized Persons: | The following persons who were included on the Participant’s previous Certificate are no longer Authorized Persons: |
The undersigned, [name of secretary or authorized officer], [title] of [NAME OF PARTICIPANT], does hereby certify that the persons listed in Section A above have been duly authorized to act as Authorized Persons pursuant to the Authorized Participant Agreement.
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Date:
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CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT , dated as of April 3, 2013, between Cambria ETF Trust (the Fund , including its separate series, the Portfolios ), an open-end management investment company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and registered with the Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act ), and BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. , a limited partnership formed under the laws of the State of New York ( BBH&Co. or, when referring to BBH&Co. in its capacity as custodian, the Custodian, and when referring to BBH&Co. in its capacity as transfer agent, TA ).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS , the Fund wishes to employ BBH&Co. to act as custodian and transfer agent for the Portfolios and to provide related services, all as provided herein, and BBH&Co. is willing to accept such employment, subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Fund and BBH&Co. hereby agree, as follows:
1. Appointment of Custodian and Transfer Agent.
1.1 The Fund hereby appoints BBH&Co. as each Portfolio’s custodian, and BBH&Co. hereby accepts such appointment. All Investments of a Portfolio delivered to the Custodian or its agents or Subcustodians shall be dealt with as provided in this Agreement. The duties of the Custodian with respect to the Portfolio’s Investments shall be only as set forth expressly in this Agreement, including any attachments or schedules thereto, which duties are generally comprised of safekeeping assets and various administrative duties that will be performed in accordance with Instructions (as defined below) and as reasonably required to effect Instructions. The terms of this Agreement shall apply separately and respectively to each Portfolio for which a separate account is maintained on the books of the Custodian. The Parties agree that Sections 2.2-9 and 11-17 and Schedules I, II and II of the Agreement contain the provisions related to BBH&Co.’s performance as Custodian.
1.2 The Fund hereby engages BBH&Co. as its transfer agent to perform the obligations set forth in this Agreement, and BBH&Co. accepts such engagement. The Parties agree that Sections 2.1, 3 and 10-17 and Schedule IV of the Agreement and the Transfer Agency Services Schedule attached hereto contain the provisions related to BBH&Co.’s performance as TA.
2. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Fund. The Fund hereby represents, warrants and covenants each of the following:
With respect to BBH&Co’s appointment as Custodian and TA:
2.1 This Agreement has been, and at the time of delivery of each Instruction, such Instruction will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund. Neither this Agreement, nor any Instruction issued hereunder violates any Applicable Law or conflicts with or constitutes a default under the applicable Portfolio’s prospectus, the Fund’s organizational documents or any agreement, judgment, order or decree to which the Fund is a party or Portfolio or its Investments is bound.
With respect to BBH&Co’s appointment as Custodian:
2.2 By providing an Instruction with respect to the first acquisition of an Investment (as defined below) in a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, the Fund shall be deemed to have confirmed to the Custodian that the Fund has (a) assessed and accepted all material Country or Sovereign Risks and accepted responsibility for their occurrence, (b) made all determinations required to be made by the Fund under the 1940 Act, except those appropriately delegated to the Custodian by Section 8.3 below via the Delegation Schedule, and (iii) if appropriate, adequately disclosed the material investment risks of such Investment, including Country Risks. Nothing in this Section 2.2 shall relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities under Section 8.2 of this Agreement.
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2.3 The Fund shall safeguard and shall solely be responsible for the safekeeping of any testkeys, identification codes, passwords, other security devices or statements of account with which the Custodian provides it. If the Fund uses any on-line or similar communications service made available by the Custodian, the Fund and the Custodian each shall be solely responsible for ensuring the security of its access to the service and for the authorized use of the service, and shall only attempt to access the service and the Custodian’s computer systems as directed by the Custodian. If the Custodian provides any computer software to the Fund relating to the services described in this Agreement, the Fund will only use the software for the purposes for which the Custodian provided the software to the Fund, and will abide by the license agreement accompanying the software and any other security policies which the Custodian provides to the Fund.
2.4 By providing an Instruction in respect of an Investment (which Instruction may relate to among other things, the execution and/or settlement of trades), the Fund hereby (i) authorizes BBH&Co. to complete such documentation as may be required or appropriate for the execution of the Instruction, and agrees to be contractually bound to the terms of such documentation “as is” without recourse against BBH&Co.; (ii) represents, warrants and covenants that it has accepted and agreed to comply with all Applicable Law, terms and conditions to which it and/or its Investment may be bound, including without limitation, requirements imposed by the Investment prospectus or offering circular, subscription agreement, any application or other documentation relating to an Investment (e.g., compliance with suitability requirements and eligibility restrictions); (iii) acknowledges and agrees that BBH&Co. will not be responsible for the accuracy of any information provided to BBH&Co. by or on behalf of the Fund, or for any underlying commitment or obligation inherent to an Investment; (iv) except as otherwise provided for in Section 2.4.1, represents, warrants and covenants that it will not effect any sale, transfer or disposition of Investment(s) held in BBH&Co.’s name by any means other than the issuance of an Instruction by the Fund to BBH&Co.; (v) acknowledges that collective investment pools (and/or their agent(s)) in which the Fund invests may pay to BBH&Co. certain fees (including without limitation, shareholder servicing and/or trailer fees) in respect of the Fund’s investments in such pools; (vi) agrees that BBH&Co. shall have no obligation or responsibility whatsoever to respond to, or provide capital in connection with any capital calls, letters of intent of other requirements as set out in the prospectus or offering circular of an Investment; (vii) represents, warrants and covenants that it will provide BBH&Co. with such information as is necessary or appropriate to enable BBH&Co.’s performance pursuant to an Instruction or under this Agreement; (viii) represents that , it is not a “Plan” (which term includes (1) employee benefit plans that are subject to the United States (“US”) Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), or plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (2) plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (3) entities the underlying assets of which are considered to include “plan assets” of such plans, accounts and arrangements), or an entity purchasing shares on behalf of, or with the “plan assets” of, a Plan; (ix) undertakes to inform BBH&Co. and to keep the same updated as to the status under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, each as amended, of the beneficial investor to the Investment, and as to any tax withholding or benefit to which an Investment may be subject; (x) acknowledges that BBH&Co. shall have no obligation to fund any order placed by the Fund for which the Fund does not have sufficient cash on deposit with BBH&Co.; and (xi) agrees that BBH&Co. shall be held harmless for the acts, omissions or any unlawful activity of any agent of the Fund, or any transfer agent or other agent of an Investment in which the Fund may invest.
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2.4.1 To the extent that the Fund holds Investments in an account opened in the name of BBH&Co. as custodian for and at the direction of the Fund, and the Fund requests that BBH&Co. provide the Fund with the capability to place orders and execute trades in fund shares directly with such fund companies and/or their transfer agents which shall be settled in an account established with each such fund company or its transfer agent, the Fund hereby acknowledges that BBH&Co. is under no obligation to agree to such arrangement but if BBH&Co. so agrees, the Fund (i) acknowledges that all relevant terms under Section 2.4 above apply thereto, (ii) authorizes BBH&Co. as custodian, to grant a limited power of attorney to the Fund or its designated agent to enable the Fund to so execute, (iii) agrees to ensure that any instructions issued by the Fund or its designated agent shall also be concurrently submitted to BBH&Co., and (iv) shall adhere to any BBH&Co. procedures established with each such fund or its transfer agent with respect thereto including, but not limited to, the terms of the limited power of attorney. The Fund acknowledges and agrees, that (1) BBH&Co. is acting solely in its capacity as custodian and is not acting as a broker or introducing broker on behalf of the Fund, (2) BBH&Co. is not receiving compensation in connection with the Fund’s execution hereunder of trades with each such fund other than its usual and customary custody fees and transaction charges, (3) it will provide such account opening information to each such fund and/or transfer agent as and when requested by such fund and/or transfer agent, and (4) BBH&Co. is not responsible for (a) providing information published by the relevant distributor of each such fund including, but not limited to, the prospectus for each such Investment in a fund or for resolving execution queries or complaints relative to any such Investment, and (b) assessing the suitability of any such Investment executed by the Fund.
3. Representation and Warranty of BBH&Co. as Custodian and TA. BBH&Co. hereby represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by BBH&Co. and does not and will not violate any Applicable Law or conflict with or constitute a default under BBH&Co.'s limited partnership agreement or any agreement, instrument, judgment, order or decree to which BBH&Co. is a party or by which it is bound. BBH&Co. further represents and warrants that it has established and maintains a commercially reasonable program designed to allow it to provide continued services to the Fund and Portfolios in the event of an emergency or disaster and that BBH&Co. tests those facilities and procedures annually to gauge their usability in an emergency or disaster.
4. Instructions. Unless otherwise explicitly indicated herein, the Custodian shall perform its duties pursuant to Instructions. As used herein, the term Instruction shall mean a directive initiated by the Fund, acting through its board of trustees, officers or other Authorized Person, which directive shall conform to the requirements of this Section 4.
4.1 Authorized Persons. For purposes hereof, an Authorized Person shall be a person or entity authorized by the Fund to give Instructions to the Custodian for or on behalf of the Fund or Portfolio, as applicable, in accordance with procedures delivered to and acknowledged by the Custodian. The Custodian may treat any Authorized Person as having the full authority of the Fund to issue Instructions hereunder unless the notice of authorization contains explicit limitations as to said authority. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon the authority of designated Authorized Persons to give Instructions with respect to the applicable Portfolio(s) until it receives appropriate written notice to the contrary.
4.2 Form of Instruction. Each Instruction shall be transmitted by such secured or authenticated electro-mechanical means as the Custodian shall make available to the Fund from time to time unless the Fund elects to transmit such Instruction in accordance with Subsections 4.2.1 through 4.2.3 of this Section.
4.2.1 Fund Designated Secured-Transmission Method. Instructions may be transmitted through a secured or tested electro-mechanical means identified by the Fund or by an Authorized Person entitled to give Instruction (i.e., a Fund Designated Security Procedure within the meaning of Schedule I hereto) and acknowledged and accepted by the Custodian, it being understood that such acknowledgment shall authorize the Custodian to accept such means of delivery but shall not represent a judgment by the Custodian as to the reasonableness or security of the means utilized by the Authorized Person.
4.2.2 Written Instructions. Instructions may be transmitted in a writing that bears the manual signature of Authorized Persons.
4.2.3 Other Forms of Instruction. Instructions may also be transmitted by another means determined by the Fund or Authorized Persons and acknowledged and accepted by the Custodian (subject to the same limits as to acknowledgements as are contained in Subsection 4.2.1, above) including Instructions given orally or by SWIFT or telefax (whether tested or untested).
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When an Instruction is given by means established under Subsections 4.2.1 through 4.2.3, it shall be the responsibility of the Custodian to use reasonable care to adhere to any security or other procedures established in writing between the Custodian and the Authorized Person with respect to such means of Instruction, but the Authorized Person shall be solely responsible for determining that the particular means chosen is reasonable under the circumstances. Oral Instructions shall be binding upon the Custodian only if and when the Custodian takes action with respect thereto. With respect to telefax instructions, the parties agree and acknowledge that receipt of legible instructions cannot be assured, that the Custodian cannot verify that authorized signatures on telefax instructions are original or properly affixed, and that the Custodian shall not be liable for losses or expenses incurred through actions taken in reasonable reliance on inaccurately stated, illegible or unauthorized telefax instructions, The provisions of Section 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code shall apply to Funds Transfers performed in accordance with Instructions. The Funds Transfer Services Schedule and the Electronic and Online Services Schedule to this Agreement shall each comprise a designation of a means of delivering Instructions for purposes of this Section 4.2.
4.3 Completeness and Contents of Instructions. The Authorized Person shall be responsible for assuring the adequacy and accuracy of Instructions. Particularly, upon any acquisition or disposition or other dealing in the Fund's Investments and upon any delivery and transfer of any Investment or moneys, the Authorized Person initiating the Instruction shall give the Custodian an Instruction with appropriate detail, including, without limitation:
4.3.1 The transaction date and the date and location of settlement;
4.3.2 The specification of the type of transaction;
4.3.3 A description of the Investments or moneys in question, including, as appropriate, quantity, price per unit, amount of money to be received or delivered and currency information. Where an Instruction is communicated by electronic means, or otherwise where an Instruction contains an identifying number such as a CUSIP, SEDOL or ISIN number, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely on such number as controlling notwithstanding any inconsistency contained in the Instruction, particularly with respect to Investment description; and
4.3.4 The name of the broker or similar entity concerned with execution of the transaction.
If the Custodian determines that an Instruction is either unclear or incomplete, the Custodian may give prompt notice of such determination to the Fund and the Fund shall thereupon amend or otherwise reform the Instruction. In such event, the Custodian shall have no obligation to take any action in response to the Instruction initially delivered until the redelivery of an amended or reformed Instruction, given in compliance with Sections 4.2 and 4.3 above.
4.4 Timeliness of Instructions. In giving an Instruction, the Fund shall take into consideration known delays which may occur due to the involvement of a Subcustodian or agent, differences in time zones, and other factors particular to a given market, exchange or issuer. When the Custodian has established specific timing requirements or deadlines with respect to particular classes of Instruction and provided those requirements or deadlines to the Fund in writing, or when an Instruction is received by the Custodian at such a time that it could not reasonably be expected to have acted on such instruction due to time zone differences or other factors beyond its reasonable control, the execution of any Instruction received by the Custodian after such deadline or at such time (including any modification or revocation of a previous Instruction) shall be at the risk of the Fund.
5. Safekeeping of Fund Assets. The Custodian shall hold Investments delivered to it or Subcustodians for the Fund in accordance with the provisions of this Section. The Custodian shall not be responsible for (a) the safekeeping of Investments not delivered or that are not caused to be issued to it or its Subcustodians; or, (b) pre-existing faults or defects in Investments that are delivered to the Custodian or its Subcustodians. The Custodian is hereby authorized to hold with itself or a Subcustodian, and to record in one or more accounts, all Investments delivered to and accepted by the Custodian, any Subcustodian or their respective agents pursuant to an Instruction or in consequence of any corporate action or income event. The Custodian shall hold Investments for the account each Portfolio and shall segregate each Portfolio’s Investments from assets belonging to the Custodian and shall cause its Subcustodians to segregate Investments from assets belonging to the Subcustodian in an account held for each Portfolio or in an account maintained by the Subcustodian generally for non-proprietary assets of the Custodian and/or Subcustodian. Subject to paragraph 5.1, the Custodian and its Subcustodians shall not commingle any assets held for the account of one Portfolio with those held for the account of another Portfolio.
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5.1 Use of Securities Depositories. The Custodian may deposit and maintain Investments in any Securities Depository, either directly or through one or more Subcustodians appointed by the Custodian pursuant to Section 8 hereof. Investments held in a Securities Depository shall be held (a) subject to the agreement, rules, statement of terms and conditions or other document or conditions effective between the Securities Depository and the Custodian or the Subcustodian, as the case may be, and (b) in an account for the Fund or in bulk segregation in an account maintained for the non-proprietary assets of the entity holding such Investments in the Depository with identification of the Fund’s and each Portfolio’s assets on the Custodian’s books. If market practice or the rules and regulations of the Securities Depository prevent the Custodian, the Subcustodian or (any agent of either) from holding its client assets in such a separate account, the Custodian, the Subcustodian or other agent shall as appropriate segregate such Investments for benefit of the Portfolio or the Fund or for benefit of clients of the Custodian generally on its own books with identification of the Fund’s and each Portfolio’s assets on the Custodian’s books.
5.2 Certificated Assets. Investments which are certificated may be held in registered or bearer form: (a) in the Custodian's vault; (b) in the vault of a Subcustodian or agent of the Custodian or a Subcustodian; or (c) in an account maintained by the Custodian, Subcustodian or agent at a Securities Depository; all in accordance with customary market practice in the jurisdiction in which any Investments are held.
5.3 Registered Assets . Investments which are registered may be registered in the name of the Custodian, a Subcustodian, or in the name of the Fund, a Portfolio or a nominee for any of the foregoing, and may be held in any manner set forth in Section 5.2 above.
5.4 Book Entry Assets. Investments which are represented by book-entry may be so held in an account maintained by the Book-entry Agent on behalf of the Custodian, a Subcustodian or another Agent of the Custodian, or a Securities Depository.
5.5 Replacement of Lost Investments. In the event of a loss of Investments for which loss the Custodian is responsible under the terms of this Agreement, the Custodian shall replace such Investment, or in the event that such replacement cannot be effected, the Custodian shall pay to the affected Portfolio the fair market value of such Investment based on the last available price as of the close of business in the relevant market on the date that a claim was first made to the Custodian with respect to such loss or such other amount as shall be agreed by the parties.
6. Administrative Duties of the Custodian. The Custodian shall perform the following administrative duties with respect to Investments of the Fund and its Portfolios.
6.1 Purchase of Investments. Pursuant to Instruction, Investments purchased for the account of the Fund (or a Portfolio) shall be paid for (a) against delivery thereof to the Custodian or a Subcustodian, as the case may be, either directly or through a Clearing Corporation or a Securities Depository (in accordance with the rules of such Securities Depository or such Clearing Corporation), or (b) otherwise in accordance with an Instruction, Applicable Law, generally accepted trade practices, or the terms of the instrument representing such Investment.
6.2 Sale of Investments. Pursuant to Instruction, Investments sold for the account of the Fund (or a Portfolio) shall be delivered against payment therefor (a) in cash, by check or by bank wire transfer, (b) by credit to the account of the Custodian or the applicable Subcustodian, as the case may be, with a Clearing Corporation or a Securities Depository (in accordance with the rules of such Securities Depository or such Clearing Corporation), or (c) otherwise in accordance with an Instruction, Applicable Law, generally accepted trade practices, or the terms of the instrument representing such Investment.
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6.3 Delivery and Receipt in Connection with Borrowings of the Fund or other Collateral and Margin Requirements. Pursuant to Instruction, the Custodian may deliver or receive Investments or cash of the Fund in connection with borrowings or loans by the Fund and other collateral and margin requirements.
6.4 Futures and Options. If, pursuant to an Instruction, the Custodian shall become a party to an agreement with the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, and a futures commission merchant regarding margin ( Tri-Party Agreement ), the Custodian shall (a) receive and retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, confirmations or other documents evidencing the purchase or sale by the Fund of exchange-traded futures contracts and commodity options, (b) when required by such Tri-Party Agreement, deposit and maintain in an account opened pursuant to such Agreement ( Margin Account ), segregated either physically or by book-entry in a Securities Depository for the benefit of any futures commission merchant, such Investments as the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, shall have designated as initial, maintenance or variation "margin" deposits or other collateral intended to secure the Fund's performance of its obligations, on behalf of a Portfolio, under the terms of any exchange-traded futures contracts and commodity options; and (c) thereafter pay, release or transfer Investments into or out of the margin account in accordance with the provisions of such Agreement. Alternatively, the Custodian may deliver Investments, in accordance with an Instruction, to a futures commission merchant for purposes of margin requirements in accordance with Rule 17f-6 under the 1940 Act. The Custodian shall in no event be responsible for the acts and omissions of any futures commission merchant to whom Investments are delivered pursuant to this Section; for the sufficiency of Investments held in any Margin Account; or, for the performance of any terms of any exchange-traded futures contracts and commodity options.
6.5 Contractual Obligations and Similar Investments. From time to time, the Fund's Investments may include Investments that are not ownership interests as may be represented by certificate (whether registered or bearer), by entry in a Securities Depository or by Book-Entry Agent, registrar or similar agent for recording ownership interests in the relevant Investment. If the Fund shall at any time acquire such Investments, including without limitation deposit obligations, loan participations, repurchase agreements and derivative arrangements, the Custodian shall (a) receive and retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, confirmations or other documents evidencing the arrangement; and (b) perform on the Fund's account in accordance with the terms of the applicable arrangement, but only to the extent directed to do so by Instruction. The Custodian shall have no responsibility for agreements running to the Fund as to which it is not a party other than to retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, documents or copies of documents evidencing the arrangement and, in accordance with Instruction, to include such arrangements in reports made to the Fund.
6.6 Exchange of Securities. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian shall: (a) exchange securities held for the account of the Fund (or a Portfolio) for other securities in connection with any reorganization, recapitalization, conversion, stock split, change of par value of shares or similar event, and (b) deposit any such securities in accordance with the terms of any reorganization or protective plan.
6.7 Surrender of Securities. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian may surrender securities: (a) in temporary form for definitive securities; (b) for transfer into the name of an entity allowable under Section 5.3; and (c) for a different number of certificates or instruments representing in the aggregate the same number of shares or the same principal amount of indebtedness.
6.8 Rights, Warrants, Etc. Pursuant to Instruction, the Custodian shall (a) deliver warrants, puts, calls, rights or similar securities to the issuer or trustee thereof, or to any agent of the issuer or trustee, for purposes of exercising such rights or selling such securities, and (b) deliver securities in response to any tender offer.
6.9 Mandatory Corporate Actions. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian shall: (a) comply with the terms of all mandatory or compulsory exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions or similar rights of securities ownership affecting securities held on the Fund’s/Portfolio’s account and promptly notify the Fund of such action; and (b) collect all stock dividends, rights and other items of like nature with respect to such securities and credit the same to the appropriate Fund/Portfolio account
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6.10 Income Collection. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian shall collect any amount due and payable to the Fund with respect to a Portfolio’s Investments and promptly credit the amount collected to a Principal or Agency Account (each as defined below); provided, however, that the Custodian shall not be responsible for: (a) the collection of amounts due and payable with respect to Investments that are in default or (b) the collection of cash or share entitlements with respect to Investments that are not registered in the name of the Custodian or its Subcustodians. The Custodian is hereby authorized to endorse and deliver any instrument required to be so endorsed and delivered to effect collection of any amount due and payable to the Fund with respect to Investments.
6.11 Corporate Action Information. In fulfilling the duties set forth in Sections 6.6 through 6.10 above, the Custodian shall provide to the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, such material information pertaining to a corporate action which the Custodian actually receives; provided that the Custodian shall not be responsible for the completeness or accuracy of such information. Information relative to any pending corporate action made available to the Fund via any of the services described in the Electronic and Online Services Schedule shall constitute the delivery of such information by the Custodian. Any advance credit of cash or shares expected to be received as a result of any corporate action shall be subject to actual collection and may be reversed by the Custodian.
6.12 Proxy Materials. The Custodian shall promptly deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Fund proxy forms, notices of meeting, and any other notices or announcements affecting or relating to Investments received by the Custodian. Information relative to any pending corporate action made available to the Fund, on behalf of any Portfolio, via any of the services described in the Electronic and Online Services Schedule shall constitute the delivery of such information by the Custodian.
6.13 Ownership Certificates and Disclosure of the Fund's Interest . The Custodian is hereby authorized to execute on behalf of the Fund or a Portfolio ownership certificates, affidavits or other disclosure required under Applicable Law or established market practice in connection with the receipt of income, capital gains or other payments by the Fund or Portfolio with respect to Investments, or in connection with the sale, purchase or ownership of Investments.
With respect to securities issued in the United States of America, the Custodian [ ] may [ ] may not release the identity of the Fund or Portfolio to an issuer which requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 for the specific purpose of direct communications between such issuer and the Fund. IF NO BOX IS CHECKED, THE CUSTODIAN SHALL RELEASE SUCH INFORMATION UNTIL IT RECEIVES CONTRARY INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE FUND. With respect to securities issued outside of the United States of America, information shall be released in accordance with law or custom of the particular country in which such security is located.
6.14. Taxes. The Custodian shall, where applicable, assist the Fund and its Portfolios in the reclamation of taxes withheld on dividends and interest payments received by the Fund, including on behalf of a Portfolio. In the performance of its duties with respect to tax withholding and reclamation, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely on the advice of others pursuant to Section 13.11 below and upon information and advice regarding the Fund’s tax status that is received from or on behalf of the Fund without duty of separate inquiry.
6.15 Other Dealings. The Custodian shall otherwise act as directed by Instruction, including without limitation effecting the free payments of moneys or the free delivery of securities, provided that such Instruction shall indicate the purpose of such payment or delivery and that the Custodian shall record the party to whom the payment or delivery is made.
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6.16 Nondiscretionary Details and Minor Expenses. The Custodian shall attend to all nondiscretionary details in connection with the sale or purchase or other administration of Investments, except as otherwise directed by Instruction, and may make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of administering Investments under this Agreement, provided that the Fund shall have the right to request an accounting with respect to such expenses.
6.17 Use of Agents. The Custodian may appoint (and remove) any affiliate, bank, trust fund or subcontractor as its agent (each an “ Agent ” and collectively, the “ Agents ”), in addition to Subcustodians, to carry out such provisions of this Agreement. The Custodian shall exercise reasonable care in the selection and monitoring of such Agents and Subcustodians. The appointment of an Agent or Subcustodian shall not relieve the Custodian of its obligations under this Agreement.
7. Cash Accounts, Deposits and Money Movements. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7, the Fund hereby authorizes the Custodian to open and maintain, with itself or with Subcustodians, cash accounts in United States Dollars, in such other currencies as are the currencies of the countries in which the Fund or Portfolios maintain Investments or in such other currencies as the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, shall from time to time request by Instruction. Notwithstanding any in this Agreement to the contrary, the Fund shall be liable as principal for any overdrafts occurring in its cash accounts.
7.1 Types of Cash Accounts . Cash accounts opened on the books of the Custodian ( Principal Accounts ) shall be opened in the name of the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolios. Such accounts collectively shall be a deposit obligation of the Custodian and shall be subject to the terms of this Section 7 and the general liability provisions contained in Section 9. Cash accounts opened on the books of a Subcustodian may be opened in the name of the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, or the Custodian or in the name of the Custodian for its customers generally, but reflected in the records of the Custodian as being held for the Fund or its Portfolios ( Agency Accounts ). Such deposits shall be obligations of the Subcustodian and shall be treated as an Investment of the Fund and the applicable Portfolios. Accordingly, the Custodian shall be responsible for exercising reasonable care in the administration of such accounts, but shall not be liable for their repayment in the event the Subcustodian, by reason of its bankruptcy, insolvency or otherwise, fails to make repayment. In connection with the services provided hereunder, the Custodian is hereby directed to open cash accounts on its books and records from time to time for the purposes of receiving subscriptions and/or processing redemptions on behalf of the Fund, and/or for the purposes of aggregating, netting and/or clearing transactions (including, without limitation foreign exchange, repurchase agreements, capital stock activity, expense payment) or other administrative purposes on behalf of the Fund or the Fund and affiliated funds (each an "Account"). Each such Account shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including, without limitation Section 7.6) and the Fund shall be liable for the satisfaction of its own obligations in connection with each Account; provided however, the Fund shall not be liable for the obligations of any other affiliated fund thereunder. No Portfolio shall be liable for the obligations of any other Portfolio hereunder. Nothing in this Section 7.1 shall relieve the Custodian of any responsibility it would otherwise have for selecting and monitoring Subcustodians.
7.1.1 Administrative Accounts. In connection with the services provided hereunder, the Custodian is hereby directed to open cash accounts on its books and records from time to time for the purposes of receiving subscriptions and/or processing redemptions on behalf of the Fund and/or for the purposes of aggregating, netting and/or clearing transactions (including, without limitation foreign exchange, repurchase agreements, capital stock activity, expense payment) or other administrative purposes, each on behalf of the Fund (each an “Account”). Each such Account shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Fund shall be liable for the satisfaction of its obligations in connection with each Account.
7.2 Payments and Credits with Respect to the Cash Accounts . The Custodian shall make payments from or deposits to any of the cash accounts in the course of carrying out its administrative duties, including but not limited to income collection with respect to a Portfolio’s Investments, and otherwise in accordance with Instructions. The Custodian and its Subcustodians shall be required to credit amounts to the cash accounts only when moneys are actually received in cleared funds in accordance with banking practice in the country and currency of deposit. Any credit made to any Principal or Agency Account before actual receipt of cleared funds shall be provisional and may be reversed by the Custodian in the event such payment is not actually collected. The Custodian shall provide the Fund prompt notice of such reversal. Unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Custodian or any Subcustodian, all deposits shall be payable only at the branch of the Custodian or Subcustodian where the deposit is made or carried.
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7.3 Currency and Related Risks. The Fund bears the risks of holding or transacting in any currency, including any mark to market exposure associated with a foreign exchange transaction undertaken with the Custodian. Except as provided in Section 9 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter in effect, or from the occurrence of any event, which may delay or affect the transferability, convertibility or availability of any currency in the country (a) in which such Principal or Agency Accounts are maintained or (b) in which such currency is issued, and in no event shall the Custodian be obligated to make payment of a deposit denominated in a currency during the period during which its transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected by any such law, regulation or event. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall be required to repay any deposit made at a foreign branch of either the Custodian or Subcustodian if such branch cannot repay the deposit due to a cause for which the Custodian would not be responsible in accordance with the terms of Section 9 of this Agreement unless the Custodian or such Subcustodian expressly agrees in writing to repay the deposit under such circumstances. The Custodian may, however, at the Fund’s request, extend reasonable cooperation to the Fund in connection with the Fund’s efforts to obtain repayment of the deposit. All currency transactions in any account opened pursuant to this Agreement are subject to exchange control regulations of the United States and of the country where such currency is the lawful currency or where the account is maintained. Any taxes, costs, charges or fees imposed on the convertibility of a currency held by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio shall be for the account of the Fund/Portfolio.
7.4 Foreign Exchange Transactions . The Custodian shall, subject to the terms of this Section, settle foreign exchange transactions (including contracts, futures, options and options on futures) on behalf and for the account of the Fund or a Portfolio with such currency brokers or banking institutions, including Subcustodians, as the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio may direct pursuant to Instructions. The Custodian may act as principal in any foreign exchange transaction with the Fund in accordance with Section 7.4.2 of this Agreement. The obligations of the Custodian in respect of all foreign exchange transactions (whether or not the Custodian shall act as principal in such transaction) shall be contingent on the free, unencumbered transferability of the currency transacted on the actual settlement date of the transaction.
7.4.1 Third Party Foreign Exchange Transactions . The Custodian shall process foreign exchange transactions (including without limitation contracts, futures, options, and options on futures), where any third party acts as principal counterparty to the Fund or a Portfolio on the same basis it performs duties as agent for the Fund with respect to any other of the Fund's or a Portfolio’s Investments. Accordingly the Custodian shall only be responsible for delivering or receiving currency on behalf of the Fund or a Portfolio in respect of such contracts pursuant to Instructions. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the failure of any counterparty (including any Subcustodian) in such agency transaction to perform its obligations thereunder. The Custodian (a) shall transmit cash and Instructions to and from the currency broker or banking institution with which a foreign exchange contract or option has been executed, (b) may make free outgoing payments of cash in the form of Dollars or foreign currency without receiving confirmation of a foreign exchange contract or option or confirmation that the countervalue currency completing the foreign exchange contract has been delivered or received or that the option has been delivered or received, (c) may, in connection with cash payments made to third party currency brokers/dealers for settlement of the Fund’s foreign exchange spot or forward transactions, foreign currency swap transactions and similar foreign exchange transactions, process settlements using the facilities of the CLS Bank according to CLS Bank’s standard terms and conditions , and (d) shall hold in safekeeping all confirmations, certificates and other documents and agreements received by the Custodian and evidencing or relating to such foreign exchange transactions. The Fund on behalf of the Portfolios accepts full responsibility for its use of third-party foreign exchange dealers and for execution of the foreign exchange contracts and options and understands that each applicable Portfolio shall be responsible for any and all costs and interest charges which may be incurred by it or the Custodian as a result of the failure or delay of third parties to deliver foreign exchange.
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7.4.2 Foreign Exchange with the Custodian as Principal . The Custodian, as principal, may enter into foreign exchange transactions with the Fund, as the Custodian and the Fund agree from time to time. In this event, the foreign exchange transaction will be performed in accordance with the particular agreement of the parties, or in the event a principal foreign exchange transaction is initiated by Instruction in the absence of a specific agreement, in accordance with the usual commercial terms of the Custodian and the Online Terms and Conditions described in Section 13.13 of this Agreement. .
7.5 Delays . If no event of Force Majeure shall have occurred and be continuing and in the event that a delay shall have been caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian in carrying out an Instruction to credit or transfer cash, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolios for damages, plus: (a) with respect to Principal Accounts, for interest to be calculated at the rate customarily paid on such deposit and currency by the Custodian on overnight deposits at the time the delay occurs for the period from the day when the transfer should have been effected until the day it is in fact effected; and, (b) with respect to Agency Accounts, for interest to be calculated at the rate customarily paid on such deposit and currency by the Subcustodian on overnight deposits at the time the delay occurs for the period from the day when the transfer should have been effected until the day it is in fact effected. The Custodian shall not be liable for delays in carrying out Instructions to transfer cash which are not due to the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct.
7.6 Advances. If, for any reason in connection with this Agreement the Custodian or any Subcustodian makes an Advance to facilitate settlement or otherwise for the benefit of the Fund or a Portfolio (whether or not any Principal or Agency Account shall be overdrawn either during, or at the end of, any Business Day), the Fund hereby does:
7.6.1 acknowledge that the Fund shall have no right, title or interest in or to any Investments purchased with such Advance or proceeds of such Investments, and that any credit to an account of Fund shall be provisional, until: (a) the debit of the Principal or Agency Account by Custodian for an amount equal to Advance Costs; and/or (b) if such debit produces an overdraft in such account, reimbursement to the Custodian or Subcustodian for the amount of such overdraft;
7.6.2 acknowledge that the Custodian has an automatically perfected statutory security interest in Investments purchased with any such Advance pursuant to Section 9-206 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York from time to time;
7.6.3 in addition, in order to secure the obligations of a Portfolio to pay or perform any and all obligations of the Portfolio pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation to repay any Advance made pursuant to this Agreement, grant to the Custodian a security interest in the Portfolio’s Investments and proceeds thereof (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as currently in effect in the State of New York), which are held by Custodian, its Agents or Subcustodians pursuant to this Agreement; and agree to take, and agree that the Custodian may take, in respect of the security interest referenced above, any further actions that the Custodian may reasonably require.
7.7 Custodian’s Rights Neither the Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall be obligated to make any Advance or to allow an Advance to occur to the Fund or a Portfolio, and in the event that the Custodian or any Subcustodian does make or allow an Advance, any such Advance and any transaction giving rise to such Advance shall be for the account and risk of the Fund and shall not be deemed to be a transaction undertaken by the Custodian for its own account and risk. If such Advance shall have been made or allowed by a Subcustodian or any other person, the Custodian may assign all or part of its security interest referenced above and any other rights granted to the Custodian hereunder to such Subcustodian or other person. If the Fund or Portfolio shall fail to repay the Advance Costs when due, the Custodian or its assignee, as the case may be, shall be entitled to a portion of the available cash balance in any Agency or Principal Account equal to such Advance Costs, and the Fund authorizes the Custodian, on behalf of the Fund or Portfolio, to pay an amount equal to such Advance Costs irrevocably to such Subcustodian or other person, and to dispose of any property in such Account to the extent necessary to make such payment. Any Investments credited to accounts subject to this Agreement created pursuant hereto shall be treated as financial assets credited to securities accounts under Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York from time to time. Accordingly, the Custodian and any Subcustodian shall have the rights and benefits of a secured creditor that is a securities intermediary under such Articles 8 and 9.
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7.8 Integrated Account . For purposes hereof, deposits maintained in all Principal Accounts (whether or not denominated in Dollars) shall collectively constitute a single and indivisible current account with respect to the Fund's obligations to the Custodian or its assignee, and balances in the Principal Accounts shall be available for satisfaction of the Fund's obligations under this Section 7. The Custodian shall further have a right of offset against the balances in any Agency Account maintained hereunder to the extent that the aggregate of all Principal Accounts is overdrawn.
8. Subcustodians and Securities Depositories . Subject to the provisions hereinafter set forth in this Section 8, the Fund hereby authorizes the Custodian to utilize Securities Depositories to act on behalf of a Portfolio and to appoint from time to time and to utilize Subcustodians selected in accordance with this Section 8. With respect to Investments held by a Subcustodian, either directly or indirectly (including by a Securities Depository or Clearing Corporation), notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, payment for securities purchased and delivery of securities sold may be made prior to receipt of securities or payment, respectively, and securities or payment may be received in a form in accordance with (a) governmental regulations, (b) rules of Securities Depositories and Clearing Agencies, (c) generally accepted trade practice in the applicable local market, (d) the terms and characteristics of the particular Investment, or (e) the terms of Instructions.
8.1 Domestic Subcustodians and Securities Depositories . The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain, either directly or through one or more Agents appointed by the Custodian, Investments of the Fund in any Securities Depository in the United States, including The Depository Trust Company, provided such Depository meets applicable requirements of the Federal Reserve Bank or of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the latter case as set forth in Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act. The Custodian may, from time to time, appoint any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder to act on behalf of the Fund as a Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund in the United States.
8.2 Foreign Subcustodians and Securities Depositories . Unless instructed otherwise by the Fund, the Custodian may deposit and/or maintain non-U.S. Investments of the Fund in any Foreign Securities Depository provided such Securities Depository meets the requirements of an "eligible securities depository" under Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act, or any successor rule or regulation ("Rule 17f-7") or which by order of the Securities and Exchange Commission is exempted therefrom. Prior to the time that Investments are placed with such depository, but subject to the provisions of Section 8.4 below, the Custodian shall have prepared and provided to the Fund an assessment of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Securities Depository and shall have established a system to monitor such risks on a continuing basis in accordance with subsection 8.5 of this Section. Additionally, the Custodian may, from time to time, appoint (a) any bank, trust company or other entity meeting the requirements of an “eligible foreign custodian ” under Rule 17f-5 or which by order of the Securities and Exchange Commission is exempted therefrom, or (b) any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, to act on behalf of the Fund as a Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund outside the United States, pursuant to the Delegation Schedule attached hereto.
8.3 Delegation of Board Review of Subcustodians. From time to time, the Custodian may agree to perform certain reviews of Subcustodians and of Subcustodian Contracts as the delegate of the Fund's Board. In such event, the Custodian's duties and obligations with respect to this delegated review will be performed in accordance with the terms of the attached Delegation Schedule.
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8.4 Board Approval of Foreign Subcustodians . Unless and except to the extent that the Board of Trustees has delegated to the Custodian and the Custodian has accepted delegation of review of certain matters concerning the appointment of Subcustodians pursuant to Subsection 8.3, the Custodian shall, prior to the appointment of any Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund or its Portfolios outside the United States, obtain written confirmation of the approval of the Board of Trustees with respect to (a) the identity of a Subcustodian, and (b) the Subcustodian agreement which shall govern such appointment, such approval to be signed by an Authorized Person. An Instruction to open an account in a given country shall comprise authorization of the Custodian to hold assets in such country in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Custodian shall not be required to make independent inquiry as to the authorization of the Fund to invest in such country.
8.5 Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Securities Depositories. Prior to the placement of any assets of the Fund or a Portfolio with a Foreign Securities Depository, the Custodian: (a) shall provide to the Fund or its authorized representative a written assessment of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets within such Securities Depository; and (b) shall have established a system to monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with such Securities Depository on a continuing basis and to promptly notify the Fund or its Investment Adviser of any material changes in such risk. In performing its duties under this subsection, the Custodian shall use reasonable care, prudence and diligence and may rely on such reasonable sources of information as may be available including but not limited to: (i) published ratings; (ii) information supplied by a Subcustodian that is a participant in such Securities Depository; (iii) industry surveys or publications; (iv) information supplied by the depository itself, by its auditors (internal or external) or by the relevant Foreign Financial Regulatory Authority. It is acknowledged that information procured through some or all of these sources may not be independently verifiable by the Custodian and that direct access to Securities Depositories is limited under most circumstances. Accordingly, the Custodian shall not be responsible for errors or omissions in its duties hereunder provided that it has performed its monitoring and assessment duties with reasonable care. The risk assessment shall be provided to the Fund or its Investment Adviser by such means as the Custodian shall reasonably establish. Advices of material change in such assessment may be provided by the Custodian in the manner established as customary between the Fund and the Custodian for transmission of material market information.
8.6 Responsibility for Subcustodians . Except as provided in the last sentence of this Section 8.6, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund and its applicable Portfolios for any loss or damage thereto caused by or resulting from the acts or omissions of any Subcustodian to the extent that such acts or omissions would be deemed to be negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct in accordance within the terms of the relevant subcustodian agreement under the laws, circumstances and practices prevailing in the place where the act or omission occurred. The liability of the Custodian in respect of the countries and Subcustodians designated by the Custodian, from time to time on the Global Custody Network Listing shall be subject to the additional condition that the Custodian actually recovers such loss or damage from the Subcustodian.
8.7 New Countries. The Fund shall be responsible for informing the Custodian sufficiently in advance of a proposed investment which is to be held in a country in which no Subcustodian is authorized to act in order that the Custodian shall, if it deems appropriate to do so, have sufficient time to establish a subcustodial arrangement in accordance herewith. In the event the Custodian is unable to establish such arrangements prior to the time the investment is to be acquired, the Custodian is authorized to designate at its discretion a local safekeeping agent, and the use of the local safekeeping agent shall be at the sole risk of the Fund, and accordingly the Custodian shall be responsible to the Fund for the actions of such agent if and only to the extent the Custodian shall have recovered from such agent for any damages caused the Fund by such agent. .
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9. Responsibility of the Custodian. In performing its duties and obligations hereunder, the Custodian shall use reasonable care under the facts and circumstances prevailing in the market where performance is effected. Subject to the specific provisions of this Section, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any damage incurred by the Fund or a Portfolio in consequence of the Custodian's (or its employees’, officers’ or other agents’) negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. In no event shall Custodian be liable hereunder for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential damages arising out of, pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement even if advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event shall the Fund be liable hereunder for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential damages arising out of, pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement even if advised of the possibility of such damages, except with respect to third party claims brought against the Custodian or its Agents with respect to any act or omission of the Custodian or its Agents in accordance with this Agreement. It is agreed that the Custodian shall have no duty to assess the risks inherent in the Fund’s Investments or to provide investment advice with respect to Investments and that the Fund and its Portfolios as principal shall bear any risks attendant to particular Investments such as failure of counterparty or issuer.
9.1 Limitations of Performance . The Custodian shall not be responsible under this Agreement for any failure to perform its duties, and shall not be liable hereunder for any loss or damage in association with such failure to perform for or in consequence of the following causes:
9.1.1 Force Majeure. Force Majeure shall mean any circumstance or event which is beyond the reasonable control of the Fund, Custodian, a Subcustodian or any agent of the Custodian or a Subcustodian and which adversely affects the performance by the Fund, Custodian of its obligations hereunder, by the Subcustodian of its obligations under its Subcustody Agreement or by any other Agent of the Custodian or the Subcustodian, including any event caused by, arising out of or involving (a) an act of God, (b) accident, fire, water or wind damage or explosion, (c) any computer, system or other equipment failure or malfunction caused by any computer virus or the malfunction or failure of any communications medium, (d) any interruption of the power supply or other utility service, (e) any strike or other work stoppage, whether partial or total, (f) any delay or disruption resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country or Sovereign Risk, (g) any disruption of, or suspension of trading in, the securities, commodities or foreign exchange markets, whether or not resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country or Sovereign Risk, (h) any encumbrance on the transferability of a currency or a currency position on the actual settlement date of a foreign exchange transaction, whether or not resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country or Sovereign Risk, or (i) any other cause similarly beyond the reasonable control of the party.
9.1.2 Country Risk. Country Risk shall mean, with respect to the acquisition, ownership, settlement or custody of Investments in a jurisdiction, all risks relating to, or arising in consequence of, systemic and markets factors affecting the acquisition, payment for or ownership of Investments including (a) the prevalence of crime and corruption, (b) the inaccuracy or unreliability of business and financial information, (c) the instability or volatility of banking and financial systems, or the absence or inadequacy of an infrastructure to support such systems, (d) custody and settlement infrastructure of the market in which such Investments are transacted and held, (e) the acts, omissions and operation of any Securities Depository, (f) the risk of the bankruptcy or insolvency of banking agents, counterparties to cash and securities transactions, registrars or transfer agents, and (g) the existence of market conditions which prevent the orderly execution or settlement of transactions or which affect the value of assets. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities under Section 8.3 or the Delegation Schedule. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Fund acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any of the foregoing occurrences, Custodian’s inability to perform shall not be deemed a breach of this Agreement.
9.1.3 Sovereign Risk. Sovereign Risk shall mean, in respect of any jurisdiction, including the United States of America, where Investments are acquired or held hereunder or under a Subcustody Agreement, (a) any act of war, terrorism, riot, insurrection or civil commotion, (b) the imposition of any investment, repatriation or exchange control restrictions by any Governmental Authority, (c) the confiscation, expropriation or nationalization of any Investments by any Governmental Authority, whether de facto or de jure, (d) any devaluation or revaluation of the currency, (e) the imposition of taxes, levies or other charges affecting Investments, (f) any change in the Applicable Law, or (g) any other economic or political risk incurred or experienced.
Nothing in this Section shall relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities under Section 8.3 or the Delegation Schedule. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Fund acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any of the foregoing occurrences, Custodian’s inability to perform shall not be deemed a breach of this Agreement.
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9.2. Limitations on Liability. The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, claim, damage or other liability arising from the following causes:
9.2.1 Failure of Third Parties. The failure of any third party (other than a Subcustodian, as provided in Section 8.6, or an Agent, as provided in Section 6.17) including: (a) any issuer of Investments or Book-Entry Agent or other agent of an issuer; (b) any counterparty with respect to any Investment, including any issuer of exchange-traded or other futures, option, derivative or commodities contract; (c) failure of an Investment Advisor, third party foreign custody manager or other agent of the Fund; or (d) failure of other third parties similarly beyond the control or choice of the Custodian.
9.2.2 Information Sources. The Custodian may rely upon information received from issuers of Investments or agents of such issuers, information received from Subcustodians and from other commercially reasonable sources such as commercial data bases and the like, but shall not be responsible for specific inaccuracies in such information (provided that the Custodian has relied upon such information in good faith), or the failure of any commercially reasonable information provider.
9.2.3 Reliance on Instruction . Action by the Custodian or the Subcustodian in accordance with an Instruction, even when such action conflicts with, or is contrary to any provision of, the Fund's trust instrument, certificate of trust or by-laws, Applicable Law, or actions by the trustees, directors or shareholders of the Fund.
9.2.4 Restricted Securities. The limitations inherent in the rights, transferability or similar investment characteristics of a given Investment of the Fund.
10. Transfer Agency Services. BBH&Co. will provide the transfer agency services described in Schedule IV hereto pursuant to the following terms and conditions:
10.1 Limitations on Liability
10.1.1 TA shall not be held accountable or liable to the Fund, or any third party if TA is unable to perform its responsibilities in accordance with this Agreement as a result of (i) any errors in the Services based upon or arising out of information received in a timely or untimely manner by TA either (a) from a source which TA was authorized to rely upon pursuant to a relevant Schedule hereto, or (b) from a source which in TA’s reasonable judgment was as an appropriate source for such information, (ii) relevant information known to the Fund which would impact the Services but which is not communicated by the Fund or its agent to TA, or (iii) the suspension, discontinuance or termination of the transmission of information by information providers for any reason, provided TA shall have made reasonable commercial efforts to procure such transmission. The Fund hereby acknowledges and agrees that TA shall neither guarantee nor make any warranties whatsoever, with respect to the sources referenced above and to the accuracy or completeness of their information.
10.1.2 The Fund acknowledges and agrees that nothing herein is intended to diminish the responsibility of third parties, including without limitation, its clients, custodian banks, brokers, and pricing and administrative agents, under their respective contractual and/or business arrangements with the Fund.
10.1.3 TA shall incur no liability with respect to any telecommunications, equipment or power failures, or any failures to perform or delays in performance by postal or courier services or third-party information providers.
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10.1.4 TA shall in no event be required to advance or expend its own funds in connection with the services provided hereunder, or take any action which is in contravention of any applicable law, rule or regulation or any order or judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction.
10.1.5 The Fund shall review the Services performed by TA under this Agreement promptly and periodically and shall notify TA of any improper performance, discrepancy or error therein. Unless the Fund provides written notice of any such discrepancy or error within a reasonable time after such Services are performed, the Services shall be deemed to have met the duties and standards set forth herein.
10.1.6 Without limiting the generality of any of the foregoing provisions, in no event shall TA be liable for any taxes, penalties, fines, costs, charges or fees imposed on the Fund in connection with the Services hereunder unless otherwise agreed between the Parties.
10.1.7 In no event shall TA be responsible for providing investment management services or advice or legal advice under this Agreement, nor shall TA be liable for the investment management services and advice received or given by the Fund or the legal advice received by the Fund from its counsel or other legal counsel.
10.1.8 Without limiting the generality of any of the foregoing provisions , the TA shall have no liability for any damages arising out of (i) the failure of any Authorized Participant to perform its obligations under a Participant Agreement (“Participant Agreement” defined for this purpose as any Participant Agreement between the Distributor and an Authorized Participant acknowledged by the TA); (ii) activities or statements of sales or wholesaler personnel who are employed by any distributor (or its affiliates); or (iii) the failure of any Authorized Participant to deposit with the Custodian sufficient collateral, or to provide additional collateral upon request by the TA, in connection with the monitoring services provided for herein on Schedule IV; or (b) any errors in the computation of collateral requirements based upon or arising out of quotations or information received by the TA from the Fund’s accounting agent or any other source on which the TA reasonably relies.
10.2 Instructions . TA shall not be liable for, and shall be indemnified by the Fund against any and all losses, costs, damages or expenses arising from or as a result of, any action taken or omitted in reliance upon Instructions (as hereinafter defined) or upon any other written notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or other instrument believed by it to be genuine and signed or authorized by the proper party or parties.
10.2.1 Instructions shall mean a written request, direction, instruction or certification signed or initialed on behalf of the Fund by one or more Authorized Persons. Authorized Persons may be identified by name, title or position. Telephonic and other oral instructions or instructions given by facsimile transmission may be given by any one of the Authorized Persons. Such instructions shall be considered Instructions if TA reasonably believes them to have been given by an Authorized Person. In no event shall Instructions be in the form of electronic mail.
10.2.2 Where Instructions are conveyed through facsimile transmissions, the Fund hereby acknowledges that (i) receipt of legible instructions cannot be assured, (ii) TA cannot verify that authorized signatures on facsimile Instructions are original, and (iii) TA shall not be responsible for losses or expenses incurred through actions taken in reliance on such Instructions. The Fund agrees that such facsimile Instructions shall be conclusive evidence of the Fund’s Instruction to TA to act or to omit to act.
10.2.3 Instructions given orally will be confirmed by written Instructions in the manner set forth above in Section 10.2.1, including by facsimile, but the lack of such confirmation shall in no way affect any action taken by TA in reliance upon such oral Instructions. The Fund authorizes TA to tape record any and all telephonic or other oral Instructions given to TA by or on behalf of the Fund (including any of its officers, directors, trustees, employees or agents or any investment manager or adviser or person or entity with similar responsibilities which is authorized to give Instructions on behalf of the Fund to TA). The Fund agrees to solicit valid written or other consent from any of its employees in respect to telephonic recordings to the extent such consent is required by applicable law.
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10.3 Representations of TA.
10.3.1 TA represents that it is a registered transfer agent under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
10.3.2 TA has established pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, and other U.S. laws and regulations applicable to it, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance programs, including but not limited to: (1) the development of internal policies, procedures, and controls; (2) the designation of a compliance officer; (3) the implementation of ongoing employee training programs; and (4) the creation of an independent audit function to test such programs.
10.3.3 TA has a customer identification program (CIP) consistent with the rules under section 326 of the USA Patriot Act. TA. For the avoidance of doubt, DTC is exempt from CIP requirements.
10.3.4 TA: (i) has in place policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with the transfer agent rules of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; (ii) will upon request provide its AML Assurance Letter to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, and (iii) will maintain appropriate records in accordance with said transfer agent rules.
10.3.5 The Trust adopts the TA’s AML compliance program.
11. Indemnification. The Fund hereby indemnifies Custodian and its Agents, including its Subcustodians and their agents, and their respective agents, nominees and the partners, employees, officers and directors, and agrees to hold each of them harmless from and against all claims and liabilities, including counsel fees and taxes, incurred or assessed against any of them in connection with the performance of this Agreement and any Instruction, except to the extent that Custodian has acted with negligence, fraud or willful misconduct with respect to such performance or Instruction. Not more than sixty (60) days following the date of such notice, unless Custodian shall be liable under Section 8 hereof in respect of such claim, the Fund will pay the amount of such claim or reimburse Custodian for any payment made by Custodian in respect thereof.
12. Reports and Records. BBH&Co. shall:
12.1 create and maintain records relating to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement (including such reports as may be required pursuant to Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder);
12.2 make available to and copy for the Fund (at the Fund’s expense), its auditors, agents and employees, upon reasonable request and during its normal business hours, all records maintained by BBH&Co. pursuant to Section 12.1 above, subject, however, to all reasonable security requirements of BBH&Co. then applicable to the records of its customers generally; and
12.3 make available to the Fund all Electronic Reports; it being understood that BBH&Co. shall not be liable hereunder for the inaccuracy or incompleteness thereof or for errors in any information included therein.
12.4 The Fund shall examine all records, however produced or transmitted, promptly upon receipt and notify BBH&Co. promptly of any discrepancy or error. Unless the Fund delivers written notice of any such discrepancy or error within a reasonable time after its receipt of the records, the records shall be deemed to be true and accurate.
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12.5 The Fund acknowledges that BBH&Co. obtains information on the value of assets from outside sources which may be utilized in certain reports made available to the Fund. BBH&Co. deems such sources to be reliable but the Fund acknowledges and agrees that BBH&Co. does not verify such information nor make any representations or warrantees as to its accuracy or completeness and, provided that it uses reasonable care in selecting such sources, shall be without liability in selecting and using such sources and furnishing such information.
13. Miscellaneous.
13.1 Powers of Attorney, etc. The Fund on behalf of its Portfolios will promptly execute and deliver, upon request, such proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as may reasonably be necessary or desirable for Custodian to provide, or to cause any Subcustodian to provide, the services contemplated by this Agreement.
13.2 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto and supersedes any other oral or written agreements heretofore in effect between the Fund and BBH&Co. with respect to the subject matter hereof. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or terminated except by a statement in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the amendment or termination is sought, provided, however, that an Instruction shall, whether or not such Instruction shall constitute a waiver, amendment or modification for purposes hereof, be deemed to have been accepted by BBH&Co. when it commences actions pursuant thereto or in accordance therewith. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of a service level agreement or other operating agreement in place between the parties from time to time, the terms of this Agreement shall control.
13.3 Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of BBH&Co. and the Fund and their successors and assignees, provided that neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of BBH&Co.. Each party agrees that only the parties to this Agreement and/or their successors in interest shall have a right to enforce the terms of this Agreement. Accordingly, no client of the Fund or other third party shall have any rights under this Agreement and such rights are explicitly disclaimed by the parties.
13.4 GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION AND VENUE. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE. THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN NEW YORK CITY . THE FUND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. Furthermore, each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives any right that it may have to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
13.5 Notices. Notices and other writings contemplated by this Agreement, other than Instructions, shall be delivered (a) by hand, (b) by first class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (c) by a nationally recognized overnight courier, or (d) by facsimile transmission, provided that any notice or other writing sent by facsimile transmission shall also be mailed, postage prepaid, to the party to whom such notice is addressed. All such notices shall be addressed, as follows:
If to the Fund: | Cambria ETF Trust |
c/o Cambria Investment Management | |
2321 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 3225 | |
El Segundo, CA 90245 | |
Attn: Eric W. Richardson | |
Telephone: (310) 683-5500 | |
Facsimile: (310) 606-5556 |
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If to BBH&Co.: | Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. |
40 Water Street | |
Boston, Massachusetts 02109 | |
Attn: Office of the General Counsel | |
Telephone: (617) 772-1818 | |
Facsimile: (617) 772-2235, |
or such other address as the Fund or BBH&Co. may have designated in writing to the other. Notices given by BBH&Co. pursuant to Section 13.13 may also be given by electronic mail to the email address of any Authorized Person. The Fund agrees that such notices given by electronic mail shall be conclusively presumed to have been delivered and received by the Fund as of the date such electronic mail was sent by BBH&Co., as recorded by BBH&Co.’s systems.
13.6 Headings. Paragraph headings included herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not modify, define, expand or limit any of the terms or provisions hereof.
13. 7 Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
13.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. This Agreement shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed and delivered by the Fund and BBH&Co.. A photocopy or telefax of the Agreement shall be acceptable evidence of the existence of the Agreement and BBH&Co. shall be protected in relying on the photocopy or telefax until BBH&Co. has received the original of the Agreement.
13.9 Confidentiality. The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering or obtaining services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement (including, without limitation, disclosure to Subcustodians or Agents appointed by BBH&Co.), shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by or to any regulator of BBH&Co. or any Agent or Subcustodian, any Regulatory Authority, any auditor or attorney of the parties hereto, or by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by Applicable Law.
13.10 Tape-recording. The Fund on behalf of itself and its Customers authorizes BBH&Co. to tape record any and all telephonic or other oral instructions given to BBH&Co. by or on behalf of the Fund, including from any Authorized Person. This authorization will remain in effect until and unless revoked by the Fund in writing.
13.11 Counsel/ Certified Public Accountant . In fulfilling its duties hereunder, BBH&Co. shall be entitled to receive and act upon the advice of (i) counsel and/or a certified public accountant regularly retained by BBH&Co. in respect of such matters, (ii) counsel and/or a certified public accountant for the Fund or (iii) such counsel or certified public accountant as the Fund and BBH&Co. may agree upon, with respect to all matters, and BBH&Co. shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
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13.12 Conflict. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent BBH&Co. and its associates from (i) dealing as a principal or an intermediary in the sale, purchase or loan of the Fund’s Investments to, or from BBH&Co. or its associates; (ii) acting as a custodian, a subcustodian, a trustee, an agent, securities dealer, an investment manager or in any other capacity for any other client whose interests may be adverse to the interest of the Fund; or (iii) buying, holding, lending, and dealing in any way in any assets for the benefit of its own account, or for the account of any other client whose interests may be adverse to the Fund notwithstanding that the same or similar assets may be held or dealt in by, or for the account of the Fund by BBH&Co., provided , in each case, that BBH&Co. has and maintains policies and procedures that, among other things, are reasonably designed to prevent BBH&Co., including by and through its agents and employees, from violating applicable law, and prohibit trading on the basis of proprietary or “inside” information of the Portfolios. Accordingly, BBH&Co. represents and warrants that it has and will maintain and enforce such policies and procedures, including pursuant to its obligations under Section 17 of this Agreement, and the Fund hereby voluntarily consents to, and waives any potential conflict of interest between BBH&Co. and/or its associates and the Fund, and agrees that:
(a) BBH&Co.’s and/or its associates’ engagement in any such transaction shall not disqualify BBH&Co. from continuing to perform as the custodian of the Fund or Portfolios under this Agreement;
(b) BBH&Co. and/or its associates shall not be under any duty to disclose any information in connection with any such transaction to the Fund;
(c) BBH&Co. and/or its associates shall not be liable to account to the Fund or a Portfolio for any profits or benefits made or derived by or in connection with any such transaction.
13.13 Online Terms and Conditions. Foreign exchange services provided under or otherwise referenced in this Agreement will be performed and subject to the terms and conditions posted on Custodian’s website at < http://www.bbh.com/fx/index.php/fx2/Terms_and_Conditions/> (the “FX Online Terms and Conditions”), which terms are available in hardcopy upon request, and which terms may be updated from time to time. Custodian shall provide notice of any change to the FX Online Terms and Conditions to the Fund at least ten business days prior to their taking effect, unless Custodian determines that the circumstances require that a shorter period apply. Foreign exchange transactions that occur or are placed on or after the effective date of such changes, as stated in the applicable notice, shall be governed by the modified FX Online Terms and Conditions.
14. Definitions. The following defined terms will have the respective meanings set forth below.
14.1 Advance(s) shall mean any extension of credit by or through Custodian or by or through any Subcustodian and shall include, without limitation, amounts due to Custodian as the principal counterparty to any foreign exchange transaction with the Fund as described in Section 7.4.2 hereof, or paid to third parties for account of the Fund or in discharge of any expense, tax or other item payable by the Fund.
14.2 Advance Costs shall mean any Advance, interest on the Advance and any related expenses, including without limitation any mark to market loss of Custodian or Subcustodian on any Investment to which Section 7.6.1 applies.
14.3 Agency Account(s) shall mean any deposit account opened on the books of a Subcustodian or other banking institution in accordance with Section 7.1 hereof.
14.4 Agent(s) shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.17 hereof.
14.5 Applicable Law shall mean with respect to each jurisdiction, all (a) laws, statutes, treaties, regulations, guidelines (or their equivalents); (b) orders, interpretations, licenses and permits; and (c) judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs, orders and similar actions by a court of competent jurisdiction; compliance with which is required or customarily observed in such jurisdiction.
14.6 Authorized Person(s) shall mean any person or entity authorized to give Instructions on behalf of the Fund in accordance with Section 4.1 or 10.2.1 hereof.
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14.7 Book-entry Agent(s) shall mean an entity acting as agent for the issuer of Investments for purposes of recording ownership or similar entitlement to Investments, including without limitation a transfer agent or registrar.
14.8 Clearing Corporation shall mean any entity or system established for purposes of providing securities settlement and movement and associated functions for a given market(s).
14.9 Delegation Schedule shall mean any separate schedule entered into between Custodian and the Fund or its authorized representative with respect to certain matters concerning the appointment and administration of Subcustodians delegated to Custodian pursuant to Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act.
14.10 Electronic and Online Services Schedule shall mean any separate schedule entered into between BBH&Co. and the Fund or its authorized representative with respect to certain matters concerning certain electronic and online services as described therein and as may be made available from time to time by BBH&Co. to the Fund and Portfolios.
14.11 Electronic Reports shall mean any reports prepared by BBH&Co. and remitted to the Fund or its authorized representative via the internet or electronic mail.
14.12 Foreign Custody Manager shall mean the Fund’s foreign custody manager appointed pursuant to Rule 17f-5 of the 1940 Act.
14.13 Foreign Financial Regulatory Authority shall have the meaning given by Section 2(a)(50) of the 1940 Act.
14.14 Funds Transfer Services Schedule shall mean any separate schedule entered into between BBH&Co. and the Fund or its authorized representative with respect to certain matters concerning the processing of payment orders from Principal Accounts of the Fund.
14.15 G lobal Custody Network Listing shall mean Countries and Subcustodians approved for Investments in non-U.S. Markets.
14.16 Instruction(s) shall have the meaning assigned in Section 4 hereof.
14.17 Investment Advisor shall mean any person or entity who is an Authorized Person to give Instructions with respect to the investment and reinvestment of the Fund's Investments.
14.18 Investment(s) shall mean any investment asset of the Fund or Portfolios, including without limitation securities, bonds, notes, and debentures as well as receivables, derivatives, contractual rights or entitlements and other intangible assets, but shall not include any Principal Account.
14.19 Margin Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4 hereof.
14.20 Principal Account(s) shall mean deposit accounts of the Fund or a Portfolio carried on the books of Custodian as principal in accordance with Section 7 hereof.
14.21 Safekeeping Account shall mean an account established on the books of Custodian or any Subcustodian for purposes of segregating the interests of the Fund (or clients of Custodian or Subcustodian) from the assets of Custodian or any Subcustodian.
14.22 Securities Depository shall mean a central or book entry system or agency established under Applicable Law for purposes of recording the ownership and/or entitlement to investment securities for a given market that, if a foreign Securities Depository, meets the definitional requirements of Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act.
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14.23 Subcustodian(s) shall mean each foreign bank appointed by Custodian pursuant to Section 8 hereof, but shall not include Securities Depositories.
14.24 Tri-Party Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4 hereof.
14.25 1940 Act shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940.
15. Compensation. The Fund agrees to pay to BBH&Co. a fee in an amount set forth in the fee letter between the Fund and BBH&Co. as Custodian and between BBH&Co. as TA, in effect on the date hereof or as amended from time to time, and (b) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by BBH&Co. for account or benefit of the Fund or its Portfolios, and payable from time to time. Amounts payable by the Fund under and pursuant to this section shall be payable by wire transfer to BBH&Co. at BBH&Co. in New York, New York.
16. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by either party in accordance with the provisions of this Section. The provisions of this Agreement and any other rights or obligations incurred or accrued by any party hereto prior to termination of this Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
16.1 Term, Notice and Effect . This Agreement shall have an initial term of two (2) years from the date hereof. Thereafter, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one (1) year periods unless either party terminates this Agreement by written notice effective ninety (90) days or more following delivery of that notice to the other party at its address set forth hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, either party may terminate this Agreement at any time (a) for cause, which is a material breach of the Agreement not cured within 60 days, in which case termination shall be effective upon written receipt of notice by the non-terminating party, or (b) upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other party in the event that either party is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or there shall be commenced against such party a case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar law now or hereafter in effect. In addition, this Agreement will terminate automatically with respect to any Portfolio in connection with the liquidation, or reorganization out of the Fund, of the Portfolio.
16.2 Notice and Succession. In the event a termination notice is given by a party hereto, all reasonable costs and expenses associated with any required systems, facilities, procedures, personnel, and other resourced modifications as well as the movement of records and materials and the conversion thereof shall be paid by the Fund for which Services shall cease to be performed hereunder. Furthermore, to the extent that it appears impracticable given the circumstances to effect an orderly delivery of the necessary and appropriate records of BBH&Co. to a successor within the time specified in the notice of termination as aforesaid, BBH&Co. and the Fund agree that this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for such reasonable period as may be required to complete necessary arrangements with a successor.
16.3 Successor Custodian . In the event of the appointment of a successor custodian, it is agreed that the Investments of the Fund, including each Portfolio held by Custodian or any Subcustodian shall be delivered to the successor custodian and it subcustodians in accordance with reasonable Instructions along with the records belonging to the Fund (at the Fund’s expense). Custodian agrees to cooperate with the Fund in the execution of documents and performance of other actions necessary or desirable in order to facilitate the succession of the new custodian. If no successor custodian shall be appointed, Custodian shall in like manner transfer the Fund's Investments in accordance with Instructions.
16.4 Delayed Succession of Custodian. If no Instruction has been given as of the effective date of termination, Custodian may at any time on or after such termination date and upon thirty (30) consecutive calendar days written notice to the Fund either (a) deliver the Investments of the Fund or any Portfolio held hereunder to the Fund at the address designated for receipt of notices hereunder; or (b) deliver any investments held hereunder to a bank or trust company having a capitalization of $2,000,000 USD equivalent and operating under the Applicable Law of the jurisdiction where such Investments are located, such delivery to be at the risk of the Fund. In the event that Investments or moneys of the Fund remain in the custody of Custodian or its Subcustodians after the date of termination owing to the failure of the Fund to issue Instructions with respect to their disposition or owing to the fact that such disposition could not be accomplished in accordance with such Instructions despite diligent efforts of Custodian, Custodian shall be entitled to compensation for its services with respect to such Investments and moneys during such period as Custodian or its Subcustodians retain possession of such items and the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until disposition in accordance with this Section is accomplished.
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17. Compliance Policies and Procedures. To assist the Fund in complying with Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act, BBH&Co. represents that it has adopted written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws in fulfilling its obligations under the Agreement and that it has in place a compliance program to monitor its compliance with those policies and procedures. BBH&Co will upon request provide the Fund with information about our compliance program as mutually agreed.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
The undersigned acknowledges that (I/we) have received a copy of this document.
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. | CAMBRIA ETF TRUST | |||
By: | By: | |||
Name: | Name: Eric W. Richardson | |||
Title: | Title: President | |||
Date: | Date: |
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH&Co.”) is a limited partnership organized under the laws of the United States of America (“US”) and is subject to the US Treasury Regulations set forth under 31 CFR 500, et seq. BBH&Co. may not establish any relationship with any Prohibited Person or Entity as such term is defined under the regulations. No customer of BBH&Co. may be owned or controlled by an entity or person: (i) that is listed in the Annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of Executive Order 13224, issued on September 24, 2001 (“EO13224”) < www.treasury.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/terror/terror.pdf >; (ii) whose name appears on the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) most current list of “Specifically Designated National and Blocked Persons” (which list may be published from time to time in various mediums including, but not limited to, the OFAC website; (iii) who commits, threatens to commit or supports “terrorism”, as such term is defined in EO13224; or (iv) who is otherwise affiliated with any entity or person listed above (any and all parties or persons described in clauses (i) through (iv) above are herein referred to as a “Prohibited Person”).
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SCHEDULE I: FUNDS TRANSFER SERVICES SCHEDULE
(“FTSS”)
In accordance with Section 4.2 of the Custodian Agreement, the Fund acknowledges the following terms and conditions in respect of all funds transfers effected by the Custodian. References to UCC 4A shall mean Article 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code as currently in effect in the State of New York. Terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings accorded to them in the Custodian Agreement.
1. Transmission of Payment Orders . Each FT Instruction shall be transmitted by such secured or authenticated means and subject to such security procedures as the Custodian shall make available to the Fund from time to time (such transmission method and security procedures, a Custodian Designated Security Procedure ), unless the Fund shall elect to transmit such FT Instruction in accordance with a Fund Designated Security Procedure (as defined in Section 4 below). The Fund acknowledges and agrees that the Custodian will use the security procedures referenced in Sections 3 and 4 below solely to authenticate a FT Instruction, as set forth herein, and not to detect any errors or omissions therein.
2. Custodian Designated Security Procedure . The Custodian will make the following Custodian Designated Security Procedures available to the Fund for use in communicating FT Instructions to the Custodian:
§ BBH Worldview® Payment Products . The Custodian offers to the Fund use of its BBH Worldview Payment Products (“BBH Worldview”), which are Custodian proprietary on-line payment order authorization facilities with built-in authentication procedures. The Custodian and the Fund shall each be responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of passwords or other codes used by them in connection with BBH Worldview. The Custodian will act on FT Instructions received through BBH Worldview without duty of further confirmation unless the Fund notifies the Custodian that its password is not secure. The Fund agrees that access to, and use of, BBH Worldview shall be governed by an Electronic and On-line Services Schedule, which the Fund will execute prior to access to BBH Worldview.
§ SWIFT Transmission . The Custodian and the Fund shall comply with SWIFT’s authentication procedures. The Custodian will act on FT Instructions received via SWIFT provided the instruction is authenticated by the SWIFT system.
§ Written Instructions . Instructions may be transmitted in an original writing that bears the manual signature of an Authorized Person(s) .
3. Fund Designated Security Procedure . FT Instructions may be transmitted through such other means, and subject to such additional security procedures, as may be elected by the Fund (or by an Authorized Person entitled to give Instructions) and acknowledged and accepted by the Custodian (the transmission methods and security procedures referenced below, as may be supplemented by such additional security procedures, each a Fund Designated Security Procedure ); it being understood that the Custodian’s acknowledgment shall authorize it to accept such means of delivery but shall not represent a judgment by the Custodian as to the reasonableness or security of the means utilized by the Fund.
§ C omputer Transmission . The Custodian is able to accept transmissions sent from the Fund’s computer facilities to the Custodian’s computer facilities. If the Fund determines to use its proprietary transmission or other electronic transmission method, it must provide Custodian sufficient notice and information to allow testing or other confirmation that FT Instructions received via the Fund Designated Security Procedure can be processed in good time and order. The Custodian may require the Fund to execute additional documentation prior to the use of such transmission method.
§ Facsimile Transmission .
A FT Instruction transmitted to the Custodian by facsimile transmission must be transmitted by the Fund to a telephone number specified from time to time by the Custodian for such purposes. The Custodian will then follow one of the procedures below:
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1. If the facsimile requests a non-repetitive order, the Custodian will call the Fund and request to speak to a person authorized to validate orders on behalf of the Fund, and confirm the authorization and details of the payment order (a Callback );
2. If the facsimile FT Instruction pertains to a repetitive payment order (see Section 7 below), the Custodian may (at its sole discretion) perform a Callback. The Fund acknowledges that prior to its issuance of any repetitive payment order, it must (a) request that the appropriate repetitive payment order process be approved and set up at the Custodian, and (b) complete such documentation as may be required by the Custodian, including a PPO (as defined in Section 7).
The Custodian shall rely on the purported identity of the originator but due to the lack of reliability of a facsimile signature, it will not perform signature verification on facsimiles.
§ Telephonic . The Fund may call a telephonic payment order into the Custodian at the telephone number designated from time-to-time by the Custodian for that purpose. The caller shall identify herself/himself as an Authorized Person. The Custodian shall obtain the FT Instruction details from the caller. The Custodian shall then follow one of the procedures below:
i. If the telephonic FT Instruction pertains to a non-repetitive payment order, the Custodian will perform a Callback; or
ii. If the telephonic FT Instruction pertains to a repetitive payment order (see Section 7 below) , the Custodian may (at its sole discretion) perform a Callback. The Fund acknowledges that prior to its issuance of any repetitive payment order, it must (a) request that the appropriate repetitive payment order process be approved and set up at the Custodian, and (b) complete such documentation as may be required by the Custodian, including a PPO.
In electing to transmit a FT Instruction via a Fund Designated Security Procedure, the Fund (i) agrees to be bound by the transaction(s) or payment order(s) specified on said FT Instruction, whether or not authorized, and accepted by the Custodian in compliance with such Fund Designated Security Procedure, and (ii) accepts the risk associated with such Fund Designated Security Procedure and confirms it is commercially reasonable for the transmission and authentication of the FT Instruction.
The parties agree that the Fund’s transmission of a FT Instruction by means of any of the above Fund Designated Security Procedures and the Custodian’s acceptance and execution of such FT Instruction shall constitute a FT Instruction sent via a Fund Designated Security Procedure and governed by the terms of this FTSA.
4. Rejection of Payment Orders; Rescission of Designated Security Procedure . The Custodian shall give the Fund prompt notice of the Custodian’s rejection of a FT Instruction. Such notice may be given in writing, via a Custodian Designated Security Procedure or any Fund Designated Security Procedure used by the Fund, or orally by telephone, each of which is hereby deemed commercially reasonable. In the event the Custodian fails to execute a properly executable FT Instruction and fails to give the Fund notice of the Custodian’s non-execution, the Custodian shall be liable only for the Fund’s actual damages and only to the extent that such damages are recoverable under UCC 4A. The Custodian, after providing prior written notice, may decide to no longer accept a particular Fund or Custodian Designated Security Procedure, or to do so only on revised terms, in the event that it determines that such agreed or established method of transmission represents a security risk or is attendant to any general change in the Custodian’s policy regarding FT Instructions. Notwithstanding anything in this FTSA and the Agreement to the contrary, neither party shall be liable for any consequential, indirect, special or punitive damages under this FTSA, whether or not such damages relate to services covered by UCC 4A, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
5. Cancellation of Payment Orders . The Fund may cancel a FT Instruction but the Custodian shall have no liability for the Custodian’s failure to act on a cancellation FT Instruction unless the Custodian has received such cancellation FT Instruction at a time and in a manner affording the Custodian reasonable opportunity to act prior to the Custodian’s execution of the original FT Instruction. Any cancellation FT Instruction shall be sent and confirmed by such means as is set forth in Section 3 or 4 above.
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6. Preauthorized Repetitive Payment Orders . The Fund may establish with the Custodian a process to preauthorize certain repetitive payments or transfers. The Fund will execute all documentation required by the Custodian, including a separate Preauthorized Repetitive Payment Order ( PPO ) form. The PPO shall be delivered to the Custodian in writing or by another Custodian Designated Security Procedure or Fund Designated Security Procedure, and will become effective after the Custodian shall have had a reasonable opportunity to act thereon (or if later, two (2) banking days after receipt by the Custodian). The PPO may take the form of either:
(i) | A standing instruction in which the Fund provides in the PPO all required information for a FT Instruction (except for the transfer date and amount) on a “standing instructions” basis. The Fund may from time-to-time instruct the Custodian to make a payment under the PPO, in writing or another Custodian Designated Security Procedure or Fund Designated Security Procedure, which instruction shall reference the repetitive line number (a number assigned to it by the Custodian after execution of the PPO), details of the payment, the transfer date and the amount of the transfer; or |
(ii) | A recurring instruction in which the Fund supplies all required information for a FT Instruction with an instruction to process such payments with a specific frequency. |
7. | Responsibility for the Detection of Errors in Payment Orders; Liability of the Parties . The purpose of any Fund Designated Security Procedure or Custodian Designated Security Procedure is to confirm the authenticity of any FT Instruction and is not designed to detect errors or omissions in such FT Instructions. Therefore, the Custodian is not responsible for detecting any Fund error or omission contained in any FT Instruction received by the Custodian. In the event that the FT Instruction either (i) identifies the beneficiary by both a name and an identifying or Fund account number and the name and number identify different persons or entities, or (ii) identifies any Fund by both a name and an identifying number and the number identifies a person or entity different from the Fund identified by name, execution of the relevant payment order, payment to the beneficiary, cancellation of the payment order or actions taken by the Custodian or any Fund in respect of such payment order may be made solely on the basis of the number. |
The Custodian shall not be liable for interest on the amount of any FT Instruction that was not authorized or was erroneously executed unless the Fund so notifies the Custodian within thirty (30) days following the Fund’s receipt of notice that such FT Instruction was processed. Any compensation payable in the form of interest shall be payable in accordance with UCC 4A. If a FT Instruction in the name of the Fund and accepted by the Custodian was not authorized by the Fund, the liability of the parties will be governed by the applicable provisions of UCC 4A.
8. Laws and Regulations; Taxes/Fees by Authorities . The rights and obligations of the Custodian and the Fund with respect to any FT Instruction executed or cancelled pursuant to this FTSS will be governed by any applicable laws, regulations, operating circulars and funds transfer system rules, and the laws and regulations of the United States of America and of other relevant countries, including exchange control regulations and limitations on dealings or other sanctions, and including without limitation those sanctions imposed under the law of the United States of America by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Any taxes, fines, costs, charges or fees imposed by relevant authorities in connection with any FT Instruction executed pursuant to this FTSS shall be for the account of the Fund.
9. U.S.A. PATRIOT Act; OFAC . The Custodian hereby notifies the Fund that, pursuant to applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, it may be required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Fund, which information includes the name, address, and other information that will allow the Custodian to identify the Fund.
The Fund acknowledges that the Custodian may not transmit funds, messages or instructions in violation of the laws of the United States, including sanctions enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department. At a minimum, illicit transactions will be blocked or rejected and originators could face government penalties.
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SCHEDULE II: ELECTRONIC AND ON-LINE SERVICES SCHEDULE
This Electronic and On-Line Services Schedule (this Schedule ) to a Custodian Agreement dated as of April 3, 2013 (as amended from time to time hereafter, the Agreement ) by and between Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. ( we, us our ) and Cambria ETF Trust ( you, your or the Fund ), provides general provisions governing your use of and access to the Services (as hereinafter defined) provided to you by us via the Internet (at www.bbhco.com or such other URL as we may instruct you to use to access our products ) and via a direct dial-up connection between your computer and our computers, as of April 3, 2013 (the Effective Date). Use of the Services constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Schedule, any Appendices hereto, the Terms and Conditions posted on our web site, and any terms and conditions specifically governing a particular Service or our other products, which may be set forth in the Agreement or in a separate related agreement (collectively, the Related Agreements ).
1. | General Terms. |
You will be granted access to our suite of online products, which may include, but shall not be limited to the following services via the Internet or dial-up connection (each separate service is a Service ; collectively referred to as the Services ):
1.1. | BBH WorldView® , a system for effectuating securities and fund trade instruction and execution, processing and handling instructions, and for the input and retrieval of other information; |
1.2. | F/X WorldView, a system for executing foreign exchange trades; |
1.3. | Fund WorldView, a system for receiving fund and prospectus information; |
1.4. | BBHCOnnect, a system for placing securities trade instructions and following the status and detail of trades; |
1.5. | ActionView SM , a system for receiving certain corporate action information; and, |
1.6. | Such other services as we shall from time to time offer. |
2. | Security / Passwords. |
2.1. | A digital certificate and/or an encryption key may be required to access certain Services. You may apply for a digital certificate and/or an encryption key by following the procedures set forth at http://www.bbh.com/certs/ . You also will need an identification code ( ID ) and password(s) ( Password ) to access the Services. |
2.2. | You agree to safeguard your digital certificate and/or encryption key, ID, and Password and not to give or make available, intentionally or otherwise, your digital certificate, ID, and/or Password to any unauthorized person. You must immediately notify us in writing if you believe that your digital certificate and/or encryption key, Password, or ID has been compromised or if you suspect unauthorized access to your account by means of the Services or otherwise, or when a person to whom a digital certificate and/or an encryption key, Password, or ID has been assigned leaves or is no longer permitted to access the Services. |
2.3. | We will not be responsible for any breach of security, or for any unauthorized trading or theft by any third party, caused by your failure (be it intentional, unintentional, or negligent) to maintain the confidentiality of your ID and/or Password and/or the security of your digital certificate and/or encryption key. |
3. | Instructions. |
3.1. | Proper instructions under this Schedule shall be provided as designated in the Related Agreements ( Instructions ). |
3.2. | The following additional provisions apply to Instructions provided via the Services: |
a. | Instructions sent by electronic mail will not be accepted or acted upon. |
b. | You authorize us to act upon Instructions received through the Services utilizing your digital certificate, ID, and/or Password as though they were duly authorized written instructions, without any duty of verification or inquiry on our part, and agree to hold us harmless for any losses you experience as a result. |
c. | From time to time, the temporary unavailability of third party telecommunications or computer systems required by the Services may result in a delay in processing Instructions. In such an event, we shall not be liable to you or any third party for any liabilities, losses, claims, costs, damages, penalties, fines, obligations, or expenses of any kind (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys', accountants', consultants', or experts' fees and disbursements) that you experience due to such a delay. |
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4. | Electronic Documents. |
We may make periodic statements, disclosures, notices, and other documents available to you electronically, and, subject to any delivery and receipt verification procedures required by law, you agree to receive such documents electronically and to check the statements for accuracy. If you believe any such statement contains incorrect information, you must follow the procedures set forth in the Related Agreement(s).
5. | Malicious Code. |
You understand and agree that you will be responsible for the introduction (by you, your employees, agents, or representatives) into the Services, whether intentional or unintentional, of (i) any virus or other code, program, or sub-program that damages or interferes with the operation of the computer system containing the code, program or sub-program, or halts, disables, or interferes with the operation of the Services themselves; or (ii) any device, method, or token whose knowing or intended purpose is to permit any person to circumvent the normal security of the Services or the system containing the software code for the Services ( Malicious Code ). You agree to take all actions and precautions reasonably necessary to prevent the introduction and proliferation of any Malicious Code into those systems that interact with the Services.
6. | Indemnification. |
For avoidance of doubt, you and we hereby agree that the provisions in any related agreement(s) entered into pursuant to Section 1 hereof, related to your indemnification of us and any limitations on our liability and responsibilities to you, shall be applicable to this Agreement, and are hereby expressly incorporated herein. You agree that the Services are comprised of telecommunications and computer systems, and that it is possible that Instructions, information, transactions, or account reports might be added to, changed, or omitted by electronic or programming malfunction, unauthorized access, or other failure of the systems which comprise the Services, despite the security features that have been designed into the Services. You agree that we will not be liable for any action taken or not taken in complying with the terms of this Schedule, except as provided by Section 9 of the Agreement. The provisions of this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Schedule and the related agreements.
7. | Payment. |
You may be charged for services hereunder as set forth in a fee schedule from time to time agreed by us.
8. | Term/Termination. |
8.1. | This Schedule is effective as of the date you sign it or first use the Services, whichever is first, and continues in effect until such time as either you or we terminate the Schedule in accordance with this Section 8 and/or until your off-line use of the Services is terminated. |
8.2. | We may terminate your access to the Services at any time, for any reason, with five (5) business days prior notice; provided that we may terminate your access to the Services with no prior notice (i) if your account with us is closed, (ii) if you fail to comply with any of the terms of this Agreement, (iii) if we believe that your continued access to the Services poses a security risk, or (iv) if we believe that you are violating or have violated applicable laws, and we will not be liable for any loss you may experience as a result of such termination. You may terminate your access to the Services at any time by giving us ten (10) business days notice. Upon termination, we will cancel all your Passwords and IDs and any in-process or pending Instructions effective after the termination date will be carried out or cancelled, at our sole discretion. |
9. | Miscellaneous. |
9.1. | Notices. All notices, requests, and demands (other than routine operational communications, such as Instructions) shall be in such form and effect as provided in the Related Agreement(s). |
9.2. | Inconsistent Provisions. Each Service may be governed by separate terms and conditions in addition to this Schedule and the Related Agreement(s). Except where specifically provided to the contrary in this Schedule, in the event that such separate terms and conditions conflict with this Schedule and the Related Agreement(s), the provisions of this Schedule shall prevail to the extent this Schedule applies to the transaction in question. |
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9.3. | Binding Effect; Assignment; Severability. This Schedule shall be binding on both parties, their employees, officers and agents. No party may assign or delegate its rights and duties under this Schedule at any time without the consent of the other party. In the event that any provision of this Schedule conflicts with the law under which this Schedule is to be construed or if any such provision is held invalid or unenforceable by a court with jurisdiction over you and us, such provision shall be deemed to be restated to effectuate as nearly as possible the purposes of the Schedule in accordance with applicable law. The remaining provisions of this Schedule and the application of the challenged provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected thereby, and each such provision shall be valid and enforceable to the full extent permitted by law. | |
9.4. | Choice of Law; Jury Trial. This Schedule shall be governed by and construed, and the legal relations between the parties shall be determined, in accordance with the laws of the State of New York , without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws. Each party agrees to waive its right to trial by jury in any action or proceeding based upon or related to this Agreement. The parties agree that all actions and proceedings based upon or relating to this Schedule shall be litigated exclusively in the federal and state courts located within New York City, New York. |
The undersigned acknowled ges that (I/we) have received a copy of this document.
CAMBRIA ETF TRUST
By: | |
Name: Eric W. Richardson | |
Title: President |
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SCHEDULE III: DELEGATION SCHEDULE
By its execution of this Delegation Schedule dated as of April 3, 2013, between Cambria ETF Trust, a management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission ) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act ), acting through its Board of Directors/Trustees or its duly appointed representative (the Fund ), hereby appoints BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. , a New York limited partnership with an office in Boston, Massachusetts (the Delegate ) as its delegate to perform certain functions with respect to the custody of Fund's Assets outside the United States.
1. Maintenance of Fund's Assets Abroad . The Fund, acting through its Board or its duly authorized representative, hereby instructs the Delegate pursuant to the terms of the Custodian Agreement dated as of the date hereof executed by and between the Fund and the Delegate (the Custodian Agreement ) to place and maintain the Fund's Assets in countries outside the United States in accordance with Instructions received from the Fund’s Investment Advisor. Such instruction shall constitute an Instruction under the terms of the Custodian Agreement. The Fund acknowledges that (a) the Delegate shall perform services hereunder only with respect to the countries where it accepts delegation as Foreign Custody Manager as indicated on the Delegate’s Global Custody Network Listing; (b) depending on conditions in the particular country, advance notice may be required before the Delegate shall be able to perform its duties hereunder in or with respect to such country (such advance notice to be reasonable in light of the specific facts and circumstances attendant to performance of duties in such country); and (c) nothing in this Delegation Schedule shall require the Delegate to provide delegated or custodial services in any country, and there may from time to time be countries as to which the Delegate determines it will not provide delegation services.
2. Delegation . Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act as amended, the Board hereby delegates to the Delegate, and the Delegate hereby accepts such delegation and agrees to perform only those duties set forth in this Delegation Schedule concerning the safekeeping of the Fund's Assets in each of the countries designated on the Global Custody Network Listing or as to which it otherwise acts as the Fund’s delegate. The Delegate is hereby authorized to take such actions on behalf of or in the name of the Fund as are reasonably required to discharge its duties under this Delegation Schedule, including, without limitation, to cause the Fund's Assets to be placed with a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian in accordance herewith. The Fund confirms to the Delegate that the Fund or its Investment Adviser has considered the Sovereign Risk and Country Risk as part of its continuing investment decision process, including such factors as may be reasonably related to the systemic risk of maintaining the Fund's Assets in a particular country, including, but not limited to, financial infrastructure, prevailing custody and settlement systems and practices (including the use of any Securities Depository in the context of information provided by the Custodian in the performance of its duties as required under Rule 17f-7 and the terms of the Custodian Agreement governing such duties), and the laws relating to the safekeeping and recovery of the Fund's Assets held in custody pursuant to the terms of the Custodian Agreement.
3. Selection of Eligible Foreign Custodian and Contract Administration . The Delegate shall perform the following duties with respect to the selection of Eligible Foreign Custodians and administration of certain contracts governing the Fund's foreign custodial arrangements:
(a) Selection of Eligible Foreign Custodian . The Delegate shall place and maintain the Fund's Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian, provided that the Delegate shall have determined that the Fund's Assets will be subject to reasonable care based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets including without limitation:
(i) The Eligible Foreign Custodian's practices, procedures, and internal controls, including, but not limited to, the physical protections available for certificated securities (if applicable), the controls and procedures for dealing with any Securities Depository, the method of keeping custodial records, and the security and data protection practices;
(ii) Whether the Eligible Foreign Custodian has the requisite financial strength to provide reasonable care for the Fund's Assets;
(iii) The Eligible Foreign Custodian's general reputation and standing; and
(iv) Whether the Fund will have jurisdiction over and be able to enforce judgments against the Eligible Foreign Custodian, such as by virtue of the existence of any offices of such Eligible Foreign Custodian in the United States or such Eligible Foreign Custodian's appointment of an agent for service of process in the United States or consent to jurisdiction in the United States.
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The Delegate shall be required to make the foregoing determination to the best of its knowledge and belief based only on information reasonably available to it.
(b) Contract Administration . The Delegate shall cause that the foreign custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall be governed by a written contract that the Delegate has determined will provide reasonable care for Fund assets based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market. Each such contract shall, except as set forth in the last paragraph of this subsection (b), include provisions that provide:
(i) For indemnification or insurance arrangements (or any combination of the foregoing) such that the Fund will be adequately protected against the risk of loss of assets held in accordance with such contract;
(ii) That the Fund's Assets will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the Eligible Foreign Custodian or its creditors except a claim of payment for their safe custody or administration or, in the case of cash deposits, liens or rights in favor of creditors of such Custodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws;
(iii) That beneficial ownership of the Fund's Assets will be freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration;
(iv) That adequate records will be maintained identifying the Fund's Assets as belonging to the Fund or as being held by a third party for the benefit of the Fund;
(v) That the Fund's independent public accountants will be given access to those records described in (iv) above or confirmation of the contents of such records; and
(vi) That the Delegate will receive sufficient and timely periodic reports with respect to the safekeeping of the Fund's Assets, including, but not limited to, notification of any transfer to or from the Fund's account or a third party account containing the Fund's Assets.
Such contract may contain, in lieu of any or all of the provisions specified in this Section 3(b), such other provisions that the Delegate determines will provide, in their entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection for the Fund's Assets as the specified provisions, in their entirety.
(c) Limitation to Delegated Selection . Notwithstanding anything in this Delegation Schedule to the contrary, the duties under this Section 3 shall apply only to Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the Delegate and shall not apply to Securities Depositories or to any Eligible Foreign Custodian that the Delegate is directed to use pursuant to Section 7 of this Delegation Schedule.
4. Monitoring . The Delegate shall establish and maintain a system to monitor at reasonable intervals (but at least annually) the appropriateness of maintaining the Fund's Assets with each Eligible Foreign Custodian that has been selected by the Delegate pursuant to Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule. The Delegate shall monitor the continuing appropriateness of placement of the Fund's Assets in accordance with the criteria established under Section 3(a) of this Delegation Schedule. The Delegate shall monitor the continuing appropriateness of the contract governing the Fund's arrangements in accordance with the criteria established under Section 3(b) of this Delegation Schedule.
5. Reporting . At least annually and more frequently as mutually agreed between the parties, the Delegate shall provide to the Board written reports specifying placement of the Fund's Assets with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Delegate pursuant to Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule and shall promptly report on any material changes to such foreign custody arrangements. Delegate will prepare such a report with respect to any Eligible Foreign Custodian that the Delegate has been instructed to use pursuant to Section 7 of this Delegation Schedule only to the extent specifically agreed with respect to the particular situation.
6. Withdrawal of Fund's Assets . If the Delegate determines that an arrangement with a specific Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Delegate under Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule no longer meets the requirements of said Section, Delegate shall withdraw the Fund's Assets from the non-complying arrangement as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, however, that if in the reasonable judgment of the Delegate, such withdrawal would require liquidation of any of the Fund's Assets or would materially impair the liquidity, value or other investment characteristics of the Fund's Assets, it shall be the duty of the Delegate to provide information regarding the particular circumstances and to act only in accordance with Instructions of the Fund or its Investment Advisor with respect to such liquidation or other withdrawal.
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7. Direction as to Eligible Foreign Custodian . Notwithstanding this Delegation Schedule, the Fund, acting through its Board, its Investment Advisor or its other Authorized Representative, may direct the Delegate to place and maintain the Fund's Assets with a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian, including without limitation with respect to investment in countries as to which the Custodian will not provide delegation services. In such event, the Delegate shall be entitled to rely on any such instruction as an Instruction under the terms of the Custodian Agreement and shall have no duties under this Delegation Schedule with respect to such arrangement save those that it may undertake specifically in writing with respect to each particular instance.
8. Standard of Care . In carrying out its duties under this Delegation Schedule, the Delegate agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for safekeeping the Fund's Assets would exercise.
9. Representations . The Delegate hereby represents and warrants that it is a U.S. Bank, as defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(7) under the 1940 Act and that this Delegation Schedule has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Delegate and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Delegate.
The Fund hereby represents and warrants that its Board of Trustees has determined that it is reasonable to rely on the Delegate to perform the delegated responsibilities provided for herein and that this Delegation Schedule has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Fund.
10. Effectiveness; termination . This Delegation Schedule shall be effective as of the date on which this Delegation Schedule shall have been accepted by the Delegate, as indicated by the date set forth below the Delegate's signature. This Delegation Schedule may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Such termination shall be effective on the 30th calendar day following the date on which the non-terminating party shall receive the foregoing notice. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, this Delegation Schedule shall be deemed to have been terminated concurrently with the termination of the Custodian Agreement.
11. Notices . Notices and other communications under this Delegation Schedule are to be made in accordance with the arrangements designated for such purpose under the Custodian Agreement unless otherwise indicated in a writing referencing this Delegation Schedule and executed by both parties.
12. Definitions . Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Delegation Schedule have the following meanings:
a. Country Risk – shall have the meaning set forth in the Custodian Agreement.
b. Eligible Foreign Custodian - shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 17f-5(a)(1) of the 1940 Act and shall also include a U.S. Bank.
c. Fund's Assets - shall mean any of the Fund's investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States, and such cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Fund's transactions in such investments.
d. Instructions - shall have the meaning set forth in the Custodian Agreement.
e. Securities Depository - shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act.
f. Sovereign Risk - shall have the meaning set forth in the Custodian Agreement.
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g. U.S. Bank - shall mean a bank which qualifies to serve as a custodian of assets of investment companies under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act.
13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction . This Delegation Schedule shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. The parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal courts sitting in the State of New York or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or of the state courts of either such State or such Commonwealth.
14. Fees . Delegate shall perform its functions under this Delegation Schedule for the compensation determined under the Custodian Agreement.
15. Integration . This Delegation Schedule sets forth all of the Delegate's duties with respect to the selection and monitoring of Eligible Foreign Custodians, the administration of contracts with Eligible Foreign Custodians, the withdrawal of assets from Eligible Foreign Custodians and the issuance of reports in connection with such duties. The terms of the Custodian Agreement, including as to liabilities and indemnifications, shall apply generally as to matters not expressly covered in this Delegation Schedule, including dealings with the Eligible Foreign Custodians in the course of discharge of the Delegate's obligations under the Custodian Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
The undersigned acknowledges that (I/we) have received a copy of this document.
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. | CAMBRIA ETF TRUST | |||
By: | By: | |||
Name: | Name: Eric W. Richardson | |||
Title: | Title: President |
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SCHEDULE IV: TRANSFER AGENT SERVICES SCHEDULE
BBH&Co. shall perform the following transfer agency services for the Fund and, where applicable, the Fund’s Portfolios. As used herein, the term Fund incorporates and includes the term Portfolio:
I. Issuance and Redemption of Unit Baskets. It is agreed and understood that the Fund, and TA on the Fund’s behalf, shall issue and redeem Share Baskets of the Fund in blocks of 50,000 shares (“Shares”) (“Creation Baskets” and “Redemption Baskets,” respectively, and generically, “Baskets”) to and from such persons as are identified by the Fund as “Authorized Participants.”
A. Pursuant to such purchase orders that BBH&Co. as the Index Receipt Agent shall receive from SEI Distribution Services, Inc. (“Distributor”) and pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement entered into by the Fund, TA shall transfer appropriate trade instructions to the Custodian and pursuant to such orders register the appropriate number of book entry only Shares in the name of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee as a unitholder (each an Authorized Participant) of the Fund and deliver the Basket.
B. Pursuant to such redemption orders that Index Receipt Agent shall receive from the Distributor, pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement entered into by the Fund, TA shall transfer appropriate trade instructions to the Custodian and, pursuant to such orders, redeem the appropriate number of Shares that are delivered to the designated DTC Participant Account of the Custodian for redemption and debit such Shares from the account of the Authorized Participant on the register of the Fund.
C. On behalf of the Fund, TA shall issue Creation Baskets for settlement with purchasers through DTC as the purchaser is authorized to receive. Beneficial ownership of Shares shall be shown on the records of DTC and DTC Participants and not on any records maintained by TA. In issuing Shares through DTC to an Authorized Participant, TA shall be entitled to rely upon the latest Instructions that are received from the Distributor by TA as Index Receipt Agent concerning the issuance and delivery of such Shares for settlement.
D. TA shall not issue on behalf of the Fund any Shares where it has received an Instruction from the Fund or the Distributor or written notification from any federal or state authority that the sale of the Shares has been suspended or discontinued, and TA shall be entitled to rely upon such Instructions or written notification.
E. Upon the issuance of Shares as provided herein, TA shall not be responsible for the payment of any original issue or other taxes, if any, required to be paid by the Fund or the Distributor in connection with such issuance.
F. Shares may be redeemed in accordance with the procedures set forth in the relevant Authorized Participant Agreement and TA shall duly process all redemption requests.
G. TA will act only upon Instruction from the Fund and/or the Distributor in addressing any failure in the delivery of cash, securities and/or Shares in connection with the issuance and redemption of Shares.
II. Recordkeeping.
A. In satisfying its obligations under the Agreement, TA shall record the issuance of Creation Baskets and maintain, pursuant to Rule 17Ad 14(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, a record of the total number of Creation Baskets that are authorized, issued and outstanding based upon data provided to TA by the Fund or the Distributor. TA shall also provide the Fund on a regular basis with the total number of Shares authorized, issued and outstanding; provided however that TA shall not be responsible for monitoring the issuance of such Shares or compliance with any laws relating to the validity of the issuance or the legality of the sale of such Shares.
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III. Services Related to the Monitoring of Cash Collateral.
(a) | Monitor the collateralization levels as set forth in Authorized Participant Agreements in connection with cash collateral posted by Authorized Participants in connection with Creation Basket activity. |
(b) | Mark to market daily the value of such cash collateral using a pricing source from the Fund’s accounting agent or any other source on which the TA reasonably relies. |
(c) | Monitor collateral levels daily and communicate calls for additional collateral to the Authorized Participants as necessary based upon daily collateral requirement calculations using ratios set forth in Participant Agreements. |
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ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
THIS ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of the 30 th day of August, 2012 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Cambria ETF Trust (the ‘ Trust ”), and SEI Investments Global Funds Services, a statutory trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “ Administrator” ).
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ 1940 Act ”), consisting of the series (each a “ Fund ” and collectively, the “ Funds ”) set forth in Schedule I (Funds) , as such Schedule I may be amended from time to time, attached hereto; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires the Administrator to provide, and the Administrator is willing to provide, administrative and accounting services to the Trust on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein, the Trust and the Administrator hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1 | DEFINITIONS |
1.01 | “ 1940 Act ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the preamble of this Agreement. |
1.02 | “ Adviser ” means Cambria Investment Management, L.P., or any other Person acting as an “adviser” to the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(20) of the 1940 Act. |
1.03 | “ Authorized Participant ” means an individual or institution that has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Trust and the Trust’s Distributor that is authorized to purchase and redeem Creation Units of the Funds. |
1.04 | “ Board ” means any board of directors, board of trustees, board of managers, managing members, general partners or other Persons having similar responsibilities to any of the foregoing. |
1.05 | “ Confidential Information ” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 11.01 of this Agreement. |
1.06 | “ Conversion ” means the processes and activities required to transfer the books and records of the Trust from the Trust or its prior administrator, import the Trust’s data and files into the Administrator’s system and such other processes and activities identified as the responsibility of the Administrator in accordance with the Conversion Plan. |
1.07 | “ Conversion Plan ” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.05 of this Agreement. |
1.08 | “ Creation Unit ” means an aggregation of a specified number of Fund shares that is purchased and/or redeemed by an Authorized Participant as described in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and in accordance with any terms and procedures set forth in the Distributor’s AP Handbook and/or related procedures. |
1.09 | “ Disclosing Party ” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 11.01 of this Agreement. |
1.10 | “ Fund ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the preamble of this Agreement. |
Cambria ETF Trust Administration Agreement | Page 1 of 20 |
SEI – 145438v7 |
1.11 | “ Initial Term ” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 9.01 of this Agreement. |
1.12 | “ Interested Party ” or “ Interested Parties ” means the Administrator, its subsidiaries and its affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, delegates and associates. |
1.13 | “ Investments ” shall mean such cash, securities and all other assets and property of whatsoever nature now owned or subsequently acquired by or for the account of a Fund or the Trust. |
1.14 | “ Live Date ” means the date on which the Trust is converted onto the Administrator’s system and the Administrator begins calculating the Trust’s official net asset values (“NAV”). |
1.15 | “ Organizational Documents ” means, as applicable, the articles of incorporation, declaration of trust, certificate of formation, memorandum of association, partnership agreement, bylaws or other similar documentation setting forth the respective rights and obligations of directors, managers and Authorized Participants in the Trust. |
1.16 | “ Person ” shall mean any natural person, partnership, estate, association, custodian, nominee, limited liability company, corporation, trust or other legal entity. |
1.17 | “ Receiving Party ” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 11.01 of this Agreement. |
1.18 | “ Renewal Term ” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 9.01 of this Agreement. |
1.19 | “ Services ” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.01 of this Agreement. |
1.20 | Unless the context otherwise requires and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, the term the “ Trust ” shall include, as applicable, a sponsor, general partner, trustee or other Person having similar status or performing similar functions, as the case may be, acting on behalf of the Trust. |
1.21 | “ Trust Data ” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.04 of this Agreement. |
1.22 | “ Trust Materials ” means any prospectus, registration statement, statement of additional information, proxy solicitation and tender offer materials, annual or other periodic report of the Trust or any advertising, marketing, shareholder communication, or promotional material generated by the Trust or its investment adviser from time to time, as appropriate, including all amendments or supplements thereto. |
SECTION 2 | APPOINTMENT AND CONTROL |
2.01 | Services . The Trust hereby appoints the Administrator to be, and the Administrator agrees to act as, the administrative agent of the Trust for the term and subject to the provisions hereof. The Administrator shall perform (and may delegate or sub-contract, as provided below) the services set forth in this Agreement, including the services set forth in Schedule II (Services) , which may be amended from time to time in writing by the parties (“ Services ”). In performing its duties under this Agreement, the Administrator will act in all material respects in accordance with the Organizational Documents and Trust Materials as they may be amended (to the extent that copies of such documents are delivered to the Administrator). |
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2.02 | Authority . Each of the activities engaged in under the provisions of this Agreement by the Administrator on behalf of the Trust shall be subject to the overall direction and control of the Trust or any Person authorized to act on the Trust’s behalf (including, without limitation, the Trust’s Board); provided, however, that the Administrator shall have the general authority to do all acts deemed in the Administrator’s good faith belief to be necessary and proper to perform its obligations under this Agreement. In performing its duties hereunder, the Administrator shall act in good faith and observe and generally comply with the Trust Materials, all applicable resolutions and/or directives of the Board of which it has notice, and applicable laws which may from time to time apply to the Services rendered by the Administrator. In the event that a Fund desires to amend its Organizational Documents in any manner that can reasonably be expected to have a material impact on the Administrator’s performance of the Services hereunder, such Fund shall notify the Administrator in advance of such amendment and the parties will work together in good faith to minimize the impact of such change on the Administrator’s operations and, as applicable, compensate the Administrator in connection therewith. The Administrator (i) shall not have or be required to have any authority to supervise the investment or reinvestment of the Creation Units, underlying securities or other properties which comprise the assets of the Trust and (ii) shall not provide any investment advisory services to the Trust, and shall have no liability related to the foregoing. |
2.03 | Third Parties; Affiliates . The Administrator may delegate to, or sub-contract with, third parties or affiliates administrative or other functions it deems necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, all fees and expenses incurred in any delegation or sub-contract shall be paid by the Administrator and the Administrator shall remain responsible and liable to the Trust for the acts and omissions of such other entities as if such acts or omissions were the acts or omissions of the Administrator. The Trust acknowledges that during the term of this Agreement, the services to be performed by the Administrator may be completed by one or more of the Administrator’s affiliates or third parties located in or outside of the United States of America. |
2.04 | Trust Data . The Trust shall be solely responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of all data and other information provided to the Administrator by or on behalf of the Trust pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, (i) prices, (ii) sufficient transaction supporting documentation, (iii) detailed accounting methodologies with respect to the Trust’s Investments as reviewed by the Trust’s auditors, (iv) the terms of any agreement between the Trust and an investor or Authorized Participant regarding any special fee or specific fee arrangement or access to portfolio information that may impact or affect the Services, and (v) trade and settlement information from prime brokers and custodians) (collectively, “ Trust Data ”). All Trust Data shall be provided to the Administrator on a timely basis and in a format and medium reasonably required by the Administrator from time to time. The Trust shall have an ongoing obligation to promptly update all Trust Data so that such information remains complete and accurate. All Trust Data shall be prepared and maintained, by or on behalf of the Trust, in accordance with applicable law, Trust Materials and generally acceptable accounting principles. The Administrator shall be entitled to rely on all the Trust Data and shall have no liability for any loss, damage or expense incurred by the Trust or any other Person to the extent that such loss, damage or expense arises out of or is related to the Trust Data that is not timely, current, complete and accurate. |
2.05 | Conversion Plan . Promptly following the Effective Date, the Administrator shall prepare a project plan (“ Conversion Plan ”) that sets forth the respective roles and responsibilities of each of the parties in connection with the Conversion or other implementation of the Trust onto the Administrator’s system. |
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SECTION 3 | REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE TRUST |
3.01 | The Trust represents and warrants that: |
3.01.01. | it issues and offers shares of an exchange traded fund that is registered under the 1940 Act as an open-end fund and that issues and redeems its shares at their net asset value; |
3.01.02. | shares of an Fund in the Trust are available for purchase and redeemable only by Authorized Participants and only in Creation Units; |
3.01.03. | it has full power, right and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly approved by all requisite actions on its part, and no other proceedings on its part are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it; this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms; |
3.01.04. | it is not a party to any, and there are no known, pending or threatened legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions or governmental or regulatory investigations or inquiries (collectively, “ Actions ”) of any nature against it or its properties or assets which could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect upon its business or financial condition. There is no injunction, order, judgment, decree, or regulatory restriction imposed specifically upon it or any of its properties or assets; |
3.01.05. | it is not in default under any contractual or statutory obligations whatsoever (including the payment of any tax) which, individually or in the aggregate, could materially and adversely affect, or is likely to materially and adversely affect, its business or financial condition; |
3.01.06. | as of the close of business on the Live Date, each Fund that is in existence as of the Live Date has authorized the issuance of an indefinite number of shares and has elected to register an indefinite number of shares in accordance with Rule 24f-2 under the 1940 Act; |
3.01.07. | it has obtained all consents and given all notices (regulatory or otherwise), made all required regulatory filings and is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations; |
3.01.08. | it has a valid engagement with an independent auditor, custodian and broker and will provide additional information regarding such service providers, including information regarding the terms of its agreement with such service providers, upon request; |
3.01.09. | it has notified the Administrator of any and all separate agreements between the Trust and any third party that could materially impact the Administrator’s performance of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement; and |
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3.02 | The Trust covenants and agrees that: |
3.02.01. | to the extent not otherwise provided or available to the Administrator, it will furnish the Administrator from time to time with complete copies, authenticated or certified where reasonably requested, of each of the following: |
(a) | Copies of the following documents: |
(1) | Copies of the Trust’s current Organizational Documents and of any amendments thereto, certified by the proper official of the state in which such document has been filed; and |
(2) | Copies of resolutions of the Board covering the approval of this Agreement, authorization of a specified officer of the Trust to execute and deliver this Agreement and authorization for specified officers of the Trust to instruct the Administrator. |
(b) | A list of all the officers of the Trust, together with specimen signatures of those officers who are authorized to instruct the Administrator in all matters (“ Authorized Persons ”). |
(c) | Copies of all Trust Materials, including the current prospectus and statement of additional information for the Trust. |
(d) | A list of all issuers the Trust is restricted from purchasing. |
(e) | A list of all issuers and or indices that any Fund in the Trust will invest in and/or track. |
(f) | A list of all affiliated persons (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust that are broker-dealers. |
(g) | The identity of the Trust’s auditors along with contact information. |
(h) | The expense budget for each Fund for the current fiscal year. |
(i) | A list of contact persons (primary, backup and secondary backup) of the Trust’s investment adviser and, if applicable, sub-adviser, who can be reached until 6:30 p.m. ET with respect to valuation matters. |
(j) | Copies of all the Trust Data reasonably requested by the Administrator or necessary for the Administrator to perform its obligations pursuant to this Agreement. |
To the extent not otherwise provided or available to the Administrator, the Trust shall promptly provide the Administrator with written notice of any updates of or changes to any of the foregoing documents or information, including an updated written copy of such document or information. Until the Administrator receives such updated information or document, the Administrator shall have no obligation to implement or rely upon such updated information or document.
3.02.02. | it shall timely perform or oversee the performance of all obligations identified in this Agreement as obligations of the Trust, including, without limitation, providing the Administrator with all the Trust Data and Organizational Documents reasonably requested by the Administrator and not previously provided or available to the Administrator in the normal course of business; |
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3.02.03. | it will notify the Administrator as soon as reasonably practical in advance of any matter which could materially affect the Administrator’s performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, including any amendment to the documents referenced in Section 3.02.01 above; |
3.02.04. | it will comply in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 1940 Act, and any laws, rules and regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction; |
3.02.05. | any reference to the Administrator or this Agreement in the Trust Materials shall be limited solely to the description required by Form N-1A, provided by the Administrator in writing from time to time or such other description as the parties shall mutually agree in advance and in writing; |
3.02.06. | As between the Administrator and the Trust, the Trust shall be solely responsible for its compliance with applicable investment policies, Trust Materials, and any laws and regulations governing the manner in which its assets may be invested, and shall be solely responsible for any losses attributable to non-compliance with Trust Materials, and applicable policies, laws and regulations governing such the Trust, its activities or the duties, actions or omissions of the investment manager; |
3.02.07. | it will promptly notify the Administrator of material updates to its representations and warranties hereunder; and |
3.02.08. | it has an agreement in place with the Adviser pursuant to which the Adviser shall review the PLF file and confirm that it is complete and accurate. |
SECTION 4 | REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR |
4.01 | The Administrator represents and warrants that: |
4.01.01. | it has full power, right and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly approved by all requisite action on its part, and no other proceedings on its part are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it; this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms. |
4.01.02. | it is not a party to any, and there are no, pending or threatened Actions of any nature against it or its properties or assets which could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect upon its business or financial condition. There is no injunction, order, judgment, decree, or regulatory restriction imposed specifically upon it or any of its properties or assets. |
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4.01.03. | it is not in default under any statutory obligations whatsoever (including the payment of any tax) which materially and adversely affects, or is likely to materially and adversely affect, its business or financial condition. |
4.01.04. | The Administrator will promptly notify the Trust of any actions, including regulatory examinations, to which it becomes a party to the extent Administrator reasonably believes either that such action may impact the services provided by the Administrator to the Trust or the Trust’s board of directors/trustees should be apprised of such action in connection with fulfilling its duties with respect to the Trust. |
4.01.05. | The Administrator has compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations of the federal securities laws, and it will cooperate with, make personnel available to, and provide such information as may reasonably be requested to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) in order for the CCO to perform his or her duties under Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, if requested, the Administrator will provide certificates to the CCO concerning its compliance with applicable laws and regulations. |
SECTION 5 | LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION |
5.01 | THE DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR SHALL BE CONFINED TO THOSE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, AND NO IMPLIED DUTIES ARE ASSUMED BY OR MAY BE ASSERTED AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATOR. TO THE EXTENT ARISING OUT OF THE ADMINISTRATOR’S NEGLIGENCE WHEN PROVIDING THE SERVICES, THE ADMINISTRATOR’S AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO THE FUND WILL BE LIMITED TO MONETARY DAMAGES NOT TO EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF FEES PAID HEREUNDER DURING THE THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE FIRST SUCH CLAIM TO OCCUR. TO THE EXTENT ARISING OUT OF THE ADMINISTRATOR’S FRAUD, BAD FAITH OR WILLFUL OR CRIMINAL MISCONDUCT WHEN PROVIDING THE SERVICES, THE ADMINISTRATOR’S AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO THE FUND WILL BE UNLIMITED. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrator shall not be responsible for any breach in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement due to (i) the failure or delay of the Trust or its agents to perform its obligations under this Agreement or (ii) the Administrator’s reliance on the Trust Data. Each party shall have the duty to mitigate its damages for which another party may become responsible. As used in this Section 5 , the term “ Administrator ” shall include the officers, directors, employees, affiliates and agents of the Administrator as well as that entity itself. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR OTHER NON-DIRECT DAMAGES OF ANY KIND WHETHER SUCH LIABILITY IS PREDICATED ON CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR ANY OTHER THEORY AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE FUND IS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF ANY SUCH DAMAGES. |
5.02 | The Administrator may, from time to time, provide to the Trust services and products (“ Special Third Party Services ”) from external third party sources that are Pricing Sources or other similar service providers (“ Special Third Party Vendors” ). The Trust acknowledges and agrees that the Special Third Party Services are confidential and proprietary trade secrets of the Special Third Party Vendors. Accordingly, the Trust shall honor requests by the Administrator and the Special Third Party Vendors to protect their proprietary rights in their data, information and property including written requests that the Trust place copyright notices or other proprietary legends on printed matter, print outs, tapes, disks, film or any other medium of dissemination. The Trust further acknowledges and agrees that all Special Third Party Services are provided on an “AS IS WITH ALL FAULTS” basis solely for such the Trust’s internal use, and as an aid in connection with the receipt of the Services. The Trust may use Special Third Party Services as normally required on view-only screens and hard copy statements, reports and other documents necessary to support the Trust’s investors, however the Trust shall not distribute any Special Third Party Services to other third parties. THE SPECIAL THIRD PARTY VENDORS AND THE ADMINISTRATOR MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE, OR ANY OTHER MATTER WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE SPECIAL THIRD PARTY SERVICES. NEITHER THE ADMINISTRATOR NOR THE SPECIAL THIRD PARTY VENDORS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES SUFFERED BY THE FUND IN THE USE OF ANY OF THE SPECIAL THIRD PARTY SERVICES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, LIABILITY FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SIMILAR DAMAGES. |
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5.03 | Without in any way limiting the liability of the Administrator to the Fund as set forth in Section 5.01, the Trust shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Administrator from and against and the Administrator shall have no liability in connection with any and all actions, suits and claims, whether groundless or otherwise, and from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, payments, expenses and liabilities (including reasonable investigation expenses) arising directly or indirectly out of: (i) any act or omission of the Administrator in carrying out its duties hereunder or as a result of the Administrator’s reliance upon any instructions, notice or instrument that the Administrator reasonably believes is genuine and that is signed or presented by an authorized Person of the Trust; provided that this indemnification shall not apply if any such loss, damage or expense is caused by or arises from the Administrator’s bad faith, fraud, willful misconduct or criminal misconduct in the performance of the Services; (ii) any violation by the Trust or any agent of the Trust of any applicable investment policy, law or regulation, (iii) any misstatement or omission in Trust Materials or any the Trust Data; (iv) any breach by the Trust of any material representation, warranty or agreement contained in this Agreement; (v) any act or omission of the Trust prior to the Effective Date, a Special Third Party Vendor, the Trust’s other service providers (such as custodians, prime brokers, transfer agents, investment advisers and sub-adviser(s) for which the Administrator is pursued in a legal action as responsible; (vi) any pricing error caused by the failure of the Trust’s investment adviser or sub-adviser to provide a trade ticket or for incorrect information included in any trade ticket; or (vii) any act or omission of the Administrator as a result of the Administrator’s compliance with the Trust’s instructions to return an Authorized Participant’s investment or restrict the payment of redemption proceeds, provided, however, that in the event of any liability arising out of the Administrator’s negligence in the performance of the Services, the Trust’s indemnification obligation under this Section 5.03 shall arise only after the Administrator has satisfied its payment obligations in respect of such liability pursuant to Section 5.01. |
The Administrator shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Trust from and against, and the Trust shall have no liability in connection with any and all actions, suits and claims, whether groundless or otherwise, and from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, payments, expenses and liabilities (including reasonable investigation expenses) that is directly caused by or arises from the Administrator’s bad faith, willful or criminal misconduct or fraud.
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5.04 | The Administrator may apply to the Trust, the Trust’s sponsor or any Person acting on the Trust’s behalf for instructions and may reasonably consult counsel for the Trust or the Trust’s sponsor or with accountants, counsel and other experts with respect to Trust matters, and the Administrator shall not be liable or accountable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with such instruction or with the advice of such counsel, accountants or other experts. The Administrator shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any Authorized Person until receipt of written notice (e.g. email, etc.) thereof. To the extent that the Administrator consults with the Trust counsel pursuant to this provision, any such expense shall be borne by the Trust. |
5.05 | The Administrator shall have no liability for its reliance on the Trust Data or the performance or omissions of unaffiliated third parties (except to the extent such third parties are delegates of the Administrator pursuant to Section 2.03 of this Agreement) such as, by way of example and not limitation, transfer agents, custodians, prime brokers, third party marketers, asset data service providers, investment advisers (including, without limitation, the sponsor) or sub-advisers, current or former third party service providers, Pricing Sources, software providers, printers, postal or delivery services, prior administrators, telecommunications providers and processing and settlement services. The Administrator may reasonably rely on and shall have no duty to investigate or confirm the accuracy or adequacy of any information provided by any of the foregoing third parties. |
5.06 | The Administrator shall have no obligations with respect to any laws relating to the distribution, purchase or sale of Creation Units or underlying securities. Further, the Trust assumes full responsibility for the preparation, contents and distribution of its Trust Materials and its compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. |
5.07 | The indemnification rights hereunder shall include the right to reasonable advances of defense expenses on an as-incurred basis in the event of any pending or threatened litigation or Action with respect to which indemnification hereunder may ultimately be merited. If in any case either party is asked to indemnify or hold the other harmless, the party shall promptly advise the other of the pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and the Administrator will use all reasonable care to identify and give notice promptly concerning any situation which presents or appears likely to present the probability of such a claim for indemnification, but failure to do so shall not affect the rights hereunder. |
5.08 | The Trust shall be entitled to participate at its own expense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any claims subject to this indemnity provision. If the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such claim, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Trust and satisfactory to the Administrator, whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event that the Trust elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel, the Administrator shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it. If the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of a suit, it will advance to the Administrator the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the Administrator. None of the parties hereto shall settle or compromise any action, suit, proceeding or claim if such settlement or compromise provides for an admission of liability on the part of the indemnified party without such indemnified party’s written consent. |
5.09 | The provisions of this Section 5 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. |
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SECTION 6 | VALUATION |
The Administrator is entitled to rely on the price and value information (hereinafter “Valuation Information ”) provided by brokers and custodians, investment advisers (including, without limitation, the sponsor) of an underlying fund in which the Trust invests, if applicable, or any third-party pricing services selected by the Administrator, the Trust’s investment adviser or the Trust (collectively hereinafter referred to as the “ Pricing Sources ”) in order to calculate the Trust’s aggregate NAV (and the value of Authorized Participants’ capital accounts based upon such valuation). The Administrator shall have no obligation to obtain Valuation Information from any sources other than the Pricing Sources but may rely on valuations provided pursuant to the Trust’s valuation/pricing policies. The Administrator shall have no liability or responsibility for the accuracy of the Valuation Information provided by a Pricing Source or the delegate of a Pricing Source. The Trust shall not use Valuation Information for any purpose other than in connection with the Services and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 7 | ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES |
7.01 | The Administrator . The Administrator shall furnish at its own expense the personnel necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement. |
7.02 | Fund Expenses . The Trust shall pay or cause to be paid all expenses of the Trust (including any Fund of the Trust) not otherwise allocated in this Agreement, including, without limitation, organizational costs; taxes; expenses for legal and auditing services; the expenses of preparing (including typesetting), printing and mailing reports, Trust Materials, proxy solicitation and tender offer materials and notices to existing shareholders; all expenses incurred in connection with issuing and redeeming Creation Units; the costs of Pricing Sources; the costs of loan credit activity data; the costs of escrow and custodial services; the cost of document retention and archival services, the costs of responding to document production requests; the cost of initial and ongoing registration of the shares under Federal and state securities laws; costs associated with attempting to locate lost shareholders; all expenses incurred in connection with any custom programming or systems modifications required to provide any reports or services requested by the Trust; any expense, if applicable, incurred to reprint the Trust documents identifying the Administrator (along with its address and telephone number) as the Trust’s new administrator; costs associated with DST FanMail or similar reporting service; bank service charges; NSCC trading charges; fees and out-of-pocket expenses of Board members; the costs of Board meetings; insurance; interest; brokerage costs; litigation and other extraordinary or nonrecurring expenses; and all fees and charges of service providers to the Trust. The Trust shall also reimburse the Administrator for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including without limitation all reasonable charges for independent third party audit charges, printing, financial reporting software/typesetting fees, copying, postage, telephone, and fax charges incurred by the Administrator in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. |
SECTION 8 | COMPENSATION |
8.01 | Fees . Trust shall pay to the Administrator compensation for the services performed and the facilities and personnel provided by the Administrator pursuant to this Agreement, its pro-rata portion of the fees set forth in the written fee schedule annexed hereto as Schedule III and incorporated herein. Trust shall have no right of set-off. The fees set forth herein are determined based on the characteristics of the each Fund as of the Effective Date. Any material change to the characteristics to a Fund may give rise to an adjustment (increase or decrease, as applicable) to the fees set forth in this Agreement. In the event of such a change, the parties shall negotiate any adjustment to the fees payable hereunder in good faith; provided, however, that if the parties cannot in good faith agree on such adjustment to the fees within a reasonable period of time, the Administrator may terminate this Agreement upon sixty days prior written notice to the Trust. Trust shall pay the Administrator’s fees monthly in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. The Administrator is hereby authorized to, and may upon prior written notice to the Trust in the event fees are at least thirty days past due, automatically debit its fees due from the Trust’s portfolio account(s). Trust shall pay the foregoing fees despite the existence of any dispute among the parties. If this Agreement becomes effective subsequent to the first day of any calendar month or terminates before the last day of any calendar month, the Administrator’s compensation for that part of the month in which this Agreement is in effect shall be prorated in a manner consistent with the calculation of the fees as set forth in Schedule III . |
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8.02 | Adjustment of Fees . Trust acknowledges that from time to time after the first anniversary of the Effective Date, Administrator may increase all non-asset based Fees upon sixty days written notice to the Trust, in an amount equal to the greater of: (a) five percent; or (b) the percentage increase in the CPI since the Effective Date of the first such increase and since the date of the immediately preceding increase with respect to all subsequent increases; provided, however, that Administrator may not increase the Fees more than one time during any twelve-month period. Notwithstanding the above, in the event of an increase to Administrator’s costs for Special Third Party Services, Administrator may at any time upon thirty days written notice increase the Fees applicable to such Special Third Party Services, provided, that such fee increase will not exceed the applicable percentage increase in costs incurred by Administrator with respect to such Special Third Party Services. |
SECTION 9 | DURATION AND TERMINATION |
9.01 | Term and Renewal . This Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date and shall remain in effect for a period of three years from and after the Live Date (the “ Initial Term ”), and thereafter shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms (each such period, a “ Renewal Term ”) unless terminated by any party giving written notice of non-renewal at least ninety days prior to the last day of the then current term to each other party hereto. |
9.02 | Termination for Cause . |
9.02.01. | This Agreement may be terminated by any party giving prior notice in writing to the other parties if at anytime the other party or parties have been first (i) notified in writing that such party shall have materially failed to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement (such notice shall be of the specific asserted material breach) (“ Breach Notice ”) and (ii) the party receiving the Breach Notice shall not have remedied the noticed failure within sixty days after receipt of the Breach Notice requiring it to be remedied. |
9.02.02. | This Agreement may be terminated by any party giving ninety days prior notice in writing to the other parties prior to the “liquidation” of the Trust. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “liquidation” shall mean a transaction in which all the assets of the Trust are sold or otherwise disposed of and proceeds there from are distributed in cash or in kind to the Authorized Participants in complete liquidation of the interests of such Authorized Participants in the Trust. A termination pursuant to this Section 9.02.02 shall be effective as of the date of such liquidation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right to terminate set forth in this Section 9.02.02 shall not relieve the Trust of its obligation to pay the fees set forth on Schedule III (Fees) for the remainder of the ninety days day period set forth in this Section 9.02.02 , which amount shall be payable prior to the effective date of such liquidation. |
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9.02.03. | Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event of a merger, acquisition, change in control, re-structuring, re-organization or any other decision involving the Trust or any affiliate (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust that causes it to cease to use the Administrator as a provider of the Services in favor of another service provider prior to the last to occur of (a) the date that is the fifth anniversary of the Live Date and (b) the expiration of the then current term of this Agreement, the Administrator shall use reasonable efforts to facilitate the deconversion of the Trust to such successor service provider; provided, however that the Administrator makes no guaranty that such deconversion shall happen as of any particular date. In connection with the foregoing and prior to the effective date of such deconversion, the deconverting Trust shall pay to the Administrator (1) all fees and other costs as set forth in Schedule III as if the Administrator had continued providing Services until the expiration of the then current term and calculated based upon the assets of the deconverting Trust on the date notice of termination in accordance with this Section was given and (2) all fees and expenses previously waived by the Administrator at any time during the term of the Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate effective as of the conclusion of the deconversion as set forth in this Section. |
9.03 | Effect of Termination . |
9.03.01. | The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to any rights that may have accrued hereunder to any party hereto prior to such termination. |
9.03.02. | After termination of this Agreement, the Administrator shall send to the Trust, or as it shall direct, all books of account, records, registers, correspondence, documents and assets relating to the affairs of or belonging to the Trust in the possession of or under the control of the Administrator or any of its agents or delegates. |
9.03.03. | In the event any and all accrued fees, reimbursable expenses and other moneys owed to the Administrator hereunder remain unpaid in whole or in part for more than thirty days past due, the Administrator, without further notice, may take any and all actions it deems necessary to collect such amounts due, and any and all of its collection expenses, costs and fees shall be paid by the Trust, including, without limitation, administrative costs, attorneys fees, court costs, collection agencies or agents and interest. |
9.03.04. | Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event this Agreement is terminated and for any reason the Administrator, with the written consent of the Trust, in fact continues to perform any one or more of the services contemplated by this Agreement, the pertinent provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation, the provisions dealing with payment of fees and indemnification shall continue in full force and effect. The Administrator shall be entitled to collect from the Trust, in addition to the compensation described in Schedule III (Fees) , the amount of all of the Administrator’s out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the Administrator’s activities following such termination, including without limitation, the delivery to the Trust and/or its designees of the Trust’s property, records, instruments and documents. |
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SECTION 10 | CONFLICTS OF INTEREST |
10.01 | Non-Exclusive . The services of the Administrator rendered to the Trust are not deemed to be exclusive. The Administrator is free to render such services to others. The Administrator shall not be deemed to be affected by notice of, or to be under any duty to disclose to the Trust or Person acting on the Trust’s behalf, information which has come into its possession or the possession of an Interested Party in the course of or in connection with providing administrative or other services to any other person or in any manner whatsoever other than in the course of carrying out its duties pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, to the extent that the Administrator learns of (industry practices or regulators’ views applicable to the Services provided hereunder, it will, as soon as reasonably practicable, inform the Trust of such practices and/or views and adhere to them in providing services to the Trust, unless otherwise agreed between the Trust and Administrator. |
10.02 | Rights of Interested Parties . Subject to applicable law, nothing herein contained shall prevent: |
10.02.01. | an Interested Party from buying, holding, disposing of or otherwise dealing in any shares or Creation Units for its own account or the account of any of its customers or from receiving remuneration in connection therewith, with the same rights which it would have had if the Administrator were not a party to this Agreement; provided, however, that the prices quoted by the Administrator are no more favorable to the Interested Party than to a similarly situated investor in or redeeming holder of shares or Creation Units; |
10.02.02. | an Interested Party from buying, holding, disposing of or otherwise dealing in any securities or other investments for its own account or for the account of any of its customers and receiving remuneration in connection therewith, notwithstanding that the same or similar securities or other investments may be held by or for the account of the Trust; |
10.02.03. | an Interested Party from receiving any commission or other remuneration which it may negotiate in connection with any sale or purchase of shares or Creation Units or Investments effected by it for the account of the Trust; provided, however, that the amount of such commission or other remuneration is negotiated at arm’s length; and |
10.02.04. | an Interested Party from contracting or entering into any financial, banking or other transaction with the Trust or from being interested in any such contract or transaction; provided, however, that the terms of such transaction are negotiated at arm’s length. |
SECTION 11 | CONFIDENTIALITY |
11.01 | Confidential Information . The Administrator and the Trust (in such capacity, the “ Receiving Party” ) acknowledge and agree to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) provided by the Administrator and the Trust (in such capacity, the “ Disclosing Party ”) in connection with this Agreement. The Receiving Party shall not disclose or disseminate the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information to any Person other than those employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees of the Receiving Party, or with respect to the Administrator as a Receiving Party, to those employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees of any agent or affiliate, who have a need to know it in order to assist the Receiving Party in performing its obligations, or to permit the Receiving Party to exercise its rights under this Agreement. In addition, the Receiving Party (a) shall take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access to the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information, and (b) shall not use the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information, or authorize other Persons to use the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information, for any purposes other than in connection with performing its obligations or exercising its rights hereunder. As used herein, “reasonable steps” means steps that a party takes to protect its own, similarly confidential or proprietary information of a similar nature, which steps shall in no event be less than a reasonable standard of care. |
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The term “ Confidential Information .” as used herein, means any of the Disclosing Party’s proprietary or confidential information including, without limitation, any non-public personal information (as defined in Regulation S-P) of the Disclosing Party, its affiliates, their respective clients or suppliers, or other Persons with whom they do business, that may be obtained by the Receiving Party from any source or that may be developed as a result of this Agreement, the terms of (or any exercise of rights granted by) this Agreement, technical data; portfolio holdings and/or trading information; trade secrets; know-how; business processes; product plans; product designs; service plans; services; customer lists and customers; markets; software; developments; inventions; processes; formulas; technology; designs; drawings; and marketing, distribution or sales methods and systems; sales and profit figures or other financial information that is disclosed, directly or indirectly, to the Receiving Party by or on behalf of the Disclosing Party, whether in writing, orally or by other means and whether or not such information is marked as confidential.
11.02 | Exclusions . The provisions of this Section 11 respecting Confidential Information shall not apply to the extent, but only to the extent, that such Confidential Information: (a) is already known to the Receiving Party free of any restriction at the time it is obtained from the Disclosing Party, (b) is subsequently learned from an independent third party free of any restriction and without breach of this Agreement; (c) is or becomes publicly available through no wrongful act of the Receiving Party or any third party; (d) is independently developed by or for the Receiving Party without reference to or use of any Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party; or (e) is required to be disclosed pursuant to an applicable law, rule, regulation, government requirement or court order, or the rules of any stock exchange (provided, however, that the Receiving Party shall advise the Disclosing Party of such required disclosure promptly upon learning thereof in order to afford the Disclosing Party a reasonable opportunity to contest, limit and/or assist the Receiving Party in crafting such disclosure). |
11.03 | Permitted Disclosure . The Receiving Party shall advise its employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees, and shall require its affiliates to advise their employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees, of the Receiving Party’s obligations of confidentiality and non-use under this Section 11 , and shall be responsible for ensuring compliance by its and its affiliates’ employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees with such obligations. In addition, the Receiving Party shall require all Persons that are provided access to the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information, other than the Receiving Party’s accountants and legal counsel, to execute confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements containing provisions substantially similar to those set forth in this Section 11 . The Receiving Party shall promptly notify the Disclosing Party in writing upon learning of any unauthorized disclosure or use of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information by such Persons. |
11.04 | Effect of Termination . Upon the Disclosing Party’s written request following the termination of this Agreement, the Receiving Party promptly shall return to the Disclosing Party, or destroy, all Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party provided under or in connection with this Agreement, including all copies, portions and summaries thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (a) the Receiving Party may retain one copy of each item of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information for purposes of identifying and establishing its rights and obligations under this Agreement, for archival or audit purposes and/or to the extent required by applicable law, and (b) the Administrator shall have no obligation to return or destroy Confidential Information of the Trust that resides in save tapes of Administrator; provided, however, that in either case all such Confidential Information retained by the Receiving Party shall remain subject to the provisions of Article 11 for so long as it is so retained. If requested by the Disclosing Party, the Receiving Party shall certify in writing its compliance with the provisions of this paragraph. |
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SECTION 12 | MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
12.01 | Internet Access . Data and information may be made electronically accessible to the Trust, its adviser and/or sub-adviser(s) and its investors or Authorized Participants through Internet access to one or more web sites provided by the Administrator (“ Web Access ”). As between the Trust and Administrator, the Administrator shall own all right, title and interest to such Web Access, including, without limitation, all content, software, interfaces, documentation, data, trade secrets, design concepts, “look and feel” attributes, enhancements, improvements, ideas and inventions and all intellectual property rights inherent in any of the foregoing or appurtenant thereto including all patent rights, copyrights, trademarks, know-how and trade secrets (collectively, the “Proprietary Information”). The Trust recognizes that the Proprietary Information is of substantial value to the Administrator and shall not use or disclose the Proprietary Information except as specifically authorized in writing by the Administrator. Use of the Web Access by the Trust or its agents or investors will be subject to any additional terms of use set forth on the web site. All Web Access and the information (including text, graphics and functionality) on the web sites related to such Web Access is presented “As Is” and “As Available” without express or implied warranties including, but not limited to, implied warranties of non-infringement, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The Administrator neither warrants that the Web Access will be uninterrupted or error free, nor guarantees the accessibility, reliability, performance, timeliness, sequence, or completeness of information provided on the Web Access, but will use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the Web Access is reliable, timely and complete. |
12.02 | Independent Contractor . In making, and performing under, this Agreement, the Administrator shall be deemed to be acting as an independent contractor of the Trust and neither the Administrator nor its employees shall be deemed an agent, affiliate, legal representative, joint venturer or partner of the Trust, No party is authorized to bind any other party to any obligation, affirmation or commitment with respect to any other Person. |
12.03 | Assignment; Binding Effect . The Trust may not assign, delegate or transfer, by operation of law or otherwise, this Agreement (in whole or in part), or any of the Trust’s obligations hereunder, without the prior written consent of the Administrator, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Administrator may assign or transfer, by operation of law or otherwise, all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to an affiliate of the Administrator or to any person or entity who purchases all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Administrator to which this Agreement relates, provided that such affiliate, person or entity agrees in advance and in writing to be bound by the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, all of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each party’s successors and permitted assigns. Any assignment, delegation, or transfer in violation of this provision shall be void and without legal effect. |
12.04 | Agreement for Sole Benefit of the Administrator and the Trust . This Agreement is for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Administrator and the Trust and will not be deemed to be for the direct or indirect benefit of either (i) the clients or customers of the Administrator or the Trust or (ii) the sponsor. The clients or customers of the Administrator or the Trust will not be deemed to be third party beneficiaries of this Agreement nor to have any other contractual relationship with the Administrator by reason of this Agreement and each party hereto agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other party from any claims of its clients or customers against the other party including any attendant expenses and attorneys’ fees, based on this Agreement or the services provided hereunder. |
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12.05 | Governing Law; Jurisdiction . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. To the extent that the applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or any of the provisions of this Agreement, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the latter shall control. Each party to this Agreement, by its execution hereof, (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the state courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for the purpose of any action between the parties arising in whole or in part under or in connection with this Agreement, and (ii) hereby waives to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such action brought in one of the above-named courts should be dismissed on grounds of forum non conveniens, should be transferred or removed to any court other than one of the above-named courts, or should be stayed by reason of the pendency of some other proceeding in any other court other than one of the above-named courts, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court. |
12.06 | Equitable Relief . Each party agrees that any other party’s violation of the provisions of Section 11 (Confidentiality) may cause immediate and irreparable harm to the other party for which money damages may not constitute an adequate remedy at law. Therefore, the parties agree that, in the event either party breaches or threatens to breach said provision or covenant, the other party shall have the right to seek, in any court of competent jurisdiction, an injunction to restrain said breach or threatened breach, without posting any bond or other security. |
12.07 | Dispute Resolution . Whenever either party desires to institute legal proceedings against the other concerning this Agreement, it shall provide written notice to that effect to such other party. The party providing such notice shall refrain from instituting said legal proceedings for a period of thirty days following the date of provision of such notice. During such period, the parties shall attempt in good faith to amicably resolve their dispute by negotiation among their executive officers. This Section 12.07 shall not prohibit either party from seeking, at any time, equitable relief as permitted under Section 12.06 . |
12.08 | Notice . All notices provided for or permitted under this Agreement (except for correspondence between the parties related to operations in the ordinary course) shall be deemed effective upon receipt, and shall be in writing and (a) delivered personally, (b) sent by commercial overnight courier with written verification of receipt, or (c) sent by certified or registered U.S. mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, to the party to be notified, at the address for such party set forth below, or at such other address of such party specified in the opening paragraph of this Agreement. Notices to the Administrator shall be sent to the attention of: General Counsel, SEI Investments Global Trusts Services, One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456, with a copy, given in the manner prescribed above, to the Trust’s current relationship manager. Notices to the Trust shall be sent to the persons specified in Schedule IV (Notice Instruction Form) . |
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12.09 | Entire Agreement; Amendments . This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement supersedes all prior or contemporaneous representations, discussions, negotiations, letters, proposals, agreements and understandings between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral. This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented only by a written instrument duly executed by an authorized representative of each of the parties. |
12.10 | Severability . Any provision of this Agreement that is determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability in such jurisdiction, without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any provision of this Agreement to be invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree that the court making such determination shall have the power to reduce the scope, duration, or area of the provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace the provision with a provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the original intention of the parties, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified. |
12.11 | Waiver . Any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the party entitled to the benefit thereof by written instrument executed by such party. No failure of either party hereto to exercise any power or right granted hereunder, or to insist upon strict compliance with any obligation hereunder, and no custom or practice of the parties with regard to the terms of performance hereof, will constitute a waiver of the rights of such party to demand full and exact compliance with the terms of this Agreement. |
12.12 | Anti-Money Laundering Laws . In connection with performing the Services set forth herein, the Administrator may provide information that the Trust may rely upon in connection with the Trust’s compliance with applicable laws, policies and regulations aimed at the prevention and detection of money laundering and/or terrorism activities (hereinafter, the “ Regulations” ). The Trust and the Administrator agree that the Trust shall be responsible for its compliance with all such Regulations. It shall be a condition precedent to providing Services to the Trust under this Agreement and the Administrator shall have no liability for non-performance of its obligations under this Agreement unless it is satisfied, in its absolute discretion, that it has sufficient and appropriate information and material to discharge its obligations under the Regulations, and that the performance of such obligations will not violate any Regulations applicable to it. Without in any way limiting the foregoing, the Trust acknowledges that the Administrator is authorized to return an Authorized Participant’s Investment in any Fund and take any action necessary to restrict repayment of redemption proceeds to the extent necessary to comply with its obligations pursuant to the Regulations. |
12.13 | Force Majeure . No breach of any obligation of a party to this Agreement (other than obligations to pay amounts owed) will constitute an event of default or breach to the extent it arises out of a cause, existing or future, that is beyond the control and without negligence of the party otherwise chargeable with breach or default, including without limitation: work action or strike; lockout or other labor dispute; flood; war; riot; theft; act of terrorism, earthquake or natural disaster. Either party desiring to rely upon any of the foregoing as an excuse for default or breach will, when the cause arises, give to the other party prompt notice of the facts which constitute such cause; and, when the cause ceases to exist, give prompt notice thereof to the other party. |
12.14 | Equipment Failures . In the event of equipment failures beyond the Administrator’s control, the Administrator shall take reasonable and prompt steps to minimize service interruptions, and under such circumstances in light of such steps shall have no liability with respect thereto. The Administrator shall develop and maintain, and periodically test a plan for recovery from equipment failures which may include contractual arrangements with appropriate parties making reasonable provision for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available. |
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12.15 | Non-Solicitation. During the term of this Agreement and for a period of one year thereafter, the Trust shall not solicit, make an offer of employment to, or enter into a consulting relationship with, any person who was an employee of the Administrator during the term of this Agreement. If the Trust breaches this provision, the Trust shall pay to the Administrator liquidated damages equal to 100% of the most recent twelve month salary of the Administrator’s former employee together with all legal fees reasonably incurred by the Administrator in enforcing this provision. The foregoing restriction on solicitation does not apply to unsolicited applications for jobs, responses to public advertisements or candidates submitted by recruiting firms, provided that such firms have not been contacted to circumvent the spirit and intention of this Section 12.15 . |
12.16 | Headings . All Article 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. |
12.17 | Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. Each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. This Agreement shall be deemed executed by both parties when any one or more counterparts hereof or thereof, individually or taken together, bears the original facsimile or scanned signatures of each of the parties. |
12.18 | Publicity . Except to the extent required by applicable Law, neither the Administrator nor the Trust shall issue or initiate any press release arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the Services rendered hereunder; provided, however, that if no special prominence is given or particular reference made to the Trust over other clients, nothing herein shall prevent the Administrator from (i) placing the Trust on the Administrator’s representative client list(s) (and sharing such list(s) with current or potential clients of the Administrator); (ii) using the Trust as reference; or (iii) otherwise orally disclosing that the Trust is a client of the Administrator at presentations, conferences or other similar meetings. If the Administrator desires to engage in any type of publicity other than as set forth in subsections (i) through (iii) above or if the Trust desires to engage in any type of publicity, the party desiring to engage in such publicity shall obtain the prior written consent of the other party hereto, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. |
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12.19 | Insurance . The Trust hereby represents that it maintains insurance coverage with respect to its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, including commercially reasonable fidelity bond(s), errors and omissions, directors and officers, professional liability insurance, the adequacy of which shall be determined in the sole, reasonable judgment of the Company’s board of directors/trustees. The Distributor shall be included as an additional insured on the Trust’s commercial liability policies and shall be named as a loss payee on the Trust’s fidelity bond(s). All of the foregoing policies shall be issued by insurance companies having an “A minus” rating or better by A.M. Best Company or an equivalent Standard & Poor’s rating. The Trust shall furnish Certificates of Insurance evidencing all of the foregoing insurance coverages upon execution of this Agreement, and annually upon the written request of the Distributor. Annually upon the written request of the Distributor, the Trust shall provide insurance policy documentation evidencing the Trust’s “additional insured” status with respect to the Trust’s Commercial General Liability and “loss payee” status with respect to the Trust’s Fidelity Bond. The Trust shall promptly inform the Distributor of any material changes to its policies, endorsements or coverages. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
SEI INVESTMENTS GLOBAL FUNDS SERVICES | CAMBRIA ETF TRUST | |||
By: | By: | |||
Name: Stephen G. Meyer | Name: Eric W. Richardson | |||
Title: Executive Vice President | Title: President |
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SCHEDULE I
Funds
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SCHEDULE II
Services
1) | Maintain the Trust’s accounting books and records; |
2) | Obtain underlying security valuations from appropriate sources consistent with the Trust’s pricing and valuation policies, and calculate net asset value of each Fund; |
3) | Receive PLF files from Adviser and, subject to final approval of such file by Adviser, send PLF files to custodian in appropriate format; |
4) | Compute yields, total return, expense ratios, portfolio turnover rate and average dollar-weighted portfolio maturity, as appropriate; |
5) | Track and validate income and expense accruals, analyze and modify expense accrual changes periodically, and process , expense disbursements to vendors and service providers; |
6) | Perform cash processing such as recording paid-in capital activity, perform necessary reconciliations with the transfer agent and the custodian, and provide cash availability data to the adviser, if requested; |
7) | Calculate required ordinary income and capital gains distributions, coordinate estimated cash payments, and perform necessary reconciliations with the transfer agent; |
8) | Provide standardized performance reporting data to the Trust and its Adviser; |
9) | Provide performance, financial and expense information for registration statements and proxies; |
10) | Communicate net asset value, yield, total return or other financial data to appropriate third party reporting agencies, and assist in resolution of errors reported by such third party agencies; |
11) | Update accounting system to reflect rate changes, as received from a Fund’s investment adviser, sub-adviser or respective designee, on variable interest rate instruments; |
12) | Accrue expenses of each Fund according to instructions received from the Trust’s treasurer or other authorized representative (including officers of the Trust’s investment adviser); |
13) | Determine the outstanding receivables and payables for all (1) security trades, (2) portfolio share transactions and (3) income and expense accounts in accordance with the budgets provided by the Trust or its investment adviser; |
14) | Prepare the Trust’s financial statements for review by fund management and independent auditors, manage annual and semi-annual report preparation process, prepare Forms N-SAR, N- Q, N-CSR and 24f-2, provide fund performance data for annual report, coordinate printing and delivery of annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, and file Forms N-SAR, N-Q, N-CSR and 24f-2 and annual/semi-annual reports via EDGAR; |
15) | Monitor each Fund’s compliance with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to status as a regulated investment company; |
16) | Prepare and file federal and state tax returns for the Trust other than those required to be prepared and filed by the Trust’s transfer agent or custodian. |
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17) | Provide data for year-end 1099’s and supplemental tax letters; |
18) | Provide such fund accounting and financial reports in connection with quarterly meetings of the Board as the Board may reasonably request; |
19) | Manage the Trust’s proxy solicitation process, including evaluating proxy distribution channels, coordinating with outside service provider to distribute proxies, track shareholder responses and tabulate voting results, and managing the proxy solicitation vendor if necessary; |
20) | Provide individuals to serve as ministerial officers of the Trust, as requested, including as non-voting members of the Trust’s valuation or pricing committee; |
21) | Provide principal accounting officer for purposes of Sarbanes-Oxley (if requested); |
22) | Coordinate with the Trust’s counsel on filing of the Trust’s registration statements and proxy statements, and coordinate printing and delivery of the Trust’s prospectuses and proxy statements; |
23) | Provide consultation to the Trust on regulatory matters relating to the operation of the Trust as requested and coordinate with the Trust’s legal counsel regarding such matters; |
24) | Assist legal counsel to the Trust and the CCO in the development of policies and procedures relating to the operation of the Trust; |
25) | Act as liaison to legal counsel to the Trust and the CCO and, where applicable, to legal counsel to the Trust’s independent trustees; |
26) | Coordinate with the Trust counsel in the preparation, review and execution of contracts between the Trust and third parties, such as the Trust’s investment adviser, transfer agent, and custodian, and record-keepers or shareholder service providers; |
27) | Assist the Trust in handling and responding to routine regulatory examinations with respect to records retained or services provided by the Administrator, and coordinate with the Trust’s legal counsel and the CCO in responding to any non-routine regulatory matters with respect to such matters; |
28) | Provide consulting with respect to the ongoing design, development and operation of the Trust, including new Funds and/or load structures and financing, as well as changes to investment objectives and polices for existing Funds; |
29) | Coordinate as necessary the registration or qualification of Creation Units with appropriate state securities authorities; |
30) | Manage the preparation for and conducting of Board meetings by (i) coordinating Board book production and distribution process, (ii) subject to review and approval by the Trust and its counsel, preparing meeting agendas, (iii) preparing the relevant sections of the Board materials reasonably requested to be prepared by the Administrator, (iv) assisting to gather and coordinate special materials related to annual contract renewals and approval of rule 12b-1 for and as directed by the trustees or the Trust counsel, (v) attending (but not taking minutes at) Board meetings, and (vi) performing such other Board meeting functions as shall be agreed by the parties in writing (in this regard, the Trust shall provide the Administrator with notice of regular meetings at least six (6) weeks before such meeting and as soon as practicable before any special meeting of the Board); |
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31) | Cooperate with, and take all reasonable actions in the performance of its duties under this Agreement to ensure that all necessary information is made available to the Trust’s independent public accountants in connection with the preparation of any audit or report requested by the Trust, including the provision of a conference room at the Administrator’s location if necessary (in this regard, the Trust’s independent auditors shall provide the Administrator with reasonable notice of any such audit so that (i) the audit will be completed in a timely fashion and (ii) the Administrator will be able to promptly respond to such information requests without undue disruption of its business); and |
32) | On a T+2 post-trade basis and based on the information available to the Administrator, periodically monitor the Funds for compliance with applicable limitations as set forth in the Trust’s or any Fund’s then current Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information (this provision shall not relieve the Trust’s investment adviser and sub-advisers, if any, of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance, including on a pre-trade basis). |
33) | Additional Reports and Services. |
• | Upon reasonable notice and as mutually agreed upon, the Administrator may provide additional reports upon the request of the Trust or its investment adviser, which may result in additional charges, the amount of which shall be agreed upon between the parties prior to the provision of such report. |
• | Upon reasonable notice and as mutually agreed upon, the Administrator may provide such additional services with respect to a Fund, which may result in an additional charge, the amount of which shall be agreed upon between the parties prior to the provision of such service. |
***
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SCHEDULE III
Fees
Administration and Accounting Fee :
The following fees are due and payable monthly to Administrator pursuant to Section 8 of the Agreement. The Trust will be charged the greater of the Asset Based Fee or the Annual Minimum Fee, in each case calculated in the manner set forth below.
Asset Based Fees : (calculated and payable monthly in arrears based on the aggregate net assets of the Trust):
the Trust Assets | Basis Points | |
First $X million in aggregate net assets | ||
Next $X million in aggregate net assets | ||
Next $X billion in aggregate net assets | ||
Aggregate net assets in excess of $X billion |
Annual Minimum Fee (calculated and paid on a monthly basis);
Annual Minimum Fee | |||
Per Fund Minimum | $ | * |
* Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator hereby agrees to waive , solely in respect to the first four Funds of the Trust, 50% of the Annual Minimum Fee for the period from the Live Date of a Fund through the date that is three months thereafter: and waive 33% of the Annual Minimum Fee from the three month anniversary of a Fund’s Live Date through the six month anniversary of a Fund’s Live Date. Thereafter, no additional Annual Minimum Fee waivers shall be applicable.
Conversion/Implementation Fees : (Waived for first 12 BTFs)
$X per Fund payable in advance upon execution of this Agreement.
Expense Reimbursement :
All reasonable expenses incurred by the Administrator on behalf of a Fund will be billed to the applicable Fund quarterly in arrears as set forth in Section 7.02 of this Agreement.
Change of Terms :
This schedule is based upon regulatory requirements and the Trust’s requirements as set forth in its Trust Materials as of the Effective Date. Any material change to any of the foregoing, including but not limited to, a material change in the Trust’s assets or the investment objective of a Fund may constitute a material change to this Agreement. If such a change occurs, the Administrator agrees to review the change with representatives of the Trust and provide information concerning the feasibility of implementing any additional or enhanced services and associated costs resulting from such change, The parties shall then in good faith agree to mutually agreeable terms applicable to such additional or enhanced service.
The Trust acknowledges and agrees that Administrator reserves the right to impose a five percent (5%) per annum surcharge per Fund in the event such Fund has not implemented by the first anniversary of this Agreement an automated trade ticket process with Administrator to facilitate the orderly and timely processing of transactions, valuations and reconciliations.
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SCHEDULE IV
Notice Instruction Form
TO WHOM NOTICES SHOULD BE SENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12.08 OF THE AGREEMENT:
Name of Party or Parties: | Cambria ETF Trust |
Name of Contact: | Eric W. Richardson |
Address: | 2321 Rosecrans Ave. Suite 3225, El Segundo, CA 90245 |
Telephone No.: | (310) 683-5500 |
Facsimile No.: | |
Email Address: | er@cambriainvestments.com |
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|
K&L Gates llp
1601 K Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20006-1600 T 202.778.9000 F 202.778.9100 klgates.com |
May 2, 2013
Cambria ETF Trust
2321 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 3225
El Segundo, C.A. 90245
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Cambria ETF Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “ Trust ”), in connection with the Trust’s registration statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-180879; 811-22704) (the “ Registration Statement ”), to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) on or about May 2, 2013, registering an indefinite number of shares of beneficial interest in Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF, Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF, Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF and Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF (the “ Funds ”), each a series of the Trust, (the “ Shares ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”).
This opinion letter is being delivered at your request in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 29 of Schedule A of the Securities Act and Item 28(i) of Form N-1A under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ Investment Company Act ”).
For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of:
(i) | the prospectus and statement of additional information (collectively, the “ Prospectus ”) filed as part of the Registration Statement; | |
(ii) | the Trust’s certificate of trust, governing instrument and bylaws in effect on the date of this opinion letter; | |
(iii) | the resolutions adopted by the trustees of the Trust relating to the Registration Statement, the establishment and designation of the Funds and the Shares, and the authorization for issuance and sale of the Shares; and | |
(iv) | the exemptive order applicable to the Trust issued by the Commission under the Investment Company Act permitting each of the Funds to operate as an exchange-traded fund (the “ Exemptive Order ”). |
We also have examined and relied upon certificates of public officials and, as to certain matters of fact that are material to our opinions, we have relied on a certificate of an officer of the Trust. We have not independently established any of the facts on which we have so relied.
Cambria ETF Trust
May 2, 2013
Page 2
For purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed the accuracy and completeness of each document submitted to us, the genuineness of all signatures on original documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified, conformed, or photostatic copies thereof, and the due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness thereof. We have further assumed the legal capacity of natural persons, that persons identified to us as officers of the Trust are actually serving in such capacity and that the representations of officers of the Trust are correct as to matters of fact. We have also assumed compliance by the applicants with each of the conditions contained in the application, as amended, for the Exemptive Order. We have not verified any of those assumptions.
The opinions expressed in this opinion letter are based on the facts in existence and the laws in effect on the date hereof and are limited to the Delaware Statutory Trust Act and the provisions of the Investment Company Act that are applicable to equity securities issued by registered open-end investment companies. We are not opining on, and we assume no responsibility for, the applicability to or effect on any of the matters covered herein of any other laws.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that (1) the Shares to be issued pursuant to the Registration Statement when issued and paid for by the purchasers upon the terms described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, will be validly issued, and (2) under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, purchasers of Shares will have no obligation to make further payments for their purchase of Shares or contributions to the Trust solely by reason of their ownership of Shares.
This opinion is rendered solely in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission in connection with the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the heading “Other Service Providers” in the Prospectus. In giving our consent we do not thereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part of the Registration Statement or Prospectus within the meaning of the term “expert” as used in Section 11 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Commission, nor do we admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ K&L Gates LLP
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated May 1, 2013 , relating to the financial statement of Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (a portfolio of Cambria ETF Trust), which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Other Service Providers" and "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in such Registration Statement.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 1, 2013
CAMBRIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, L.P.
2321 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 3225
El Segundo, CA 90245
May 1, 2013
Cambria ETF Trust
2321 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 3225
El Segundo, CA 90245
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In order to provide Cambria ETF Trust (the “Trust”) with initial capital, we hereby purchase from the Trust the amount of shares of each series of the Trust at the price per share as follows:
Fund |
Number of
Shares |
Price Per Share |
Total
Investment |
|||||||||
Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF | ||||||||||||
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF | 4000 | $ | 25.00 | $ | 100,000 | |||||||
Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF | ||||||||||||
Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF | ||||||||||||
All Funds | $ | 100,000 |
We represent and warrant to the Trust that the shares of the Trust are being acquired for investment and not with a view to distribution thereof, and that we have no present intention to redeem or dispose of any of the shares.
Very truly yours, | ||
CAMBRIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, L.P. | ||
By: | /s/ Eric W. Richardson | |
Name: | Eric W. Richardson | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
CAMBRIA ETF TRUST
12b-1 Distribution and Service Plan
WHEREAS, Cambria ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and organized as a series trust;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (“Trustees”) desires to adopt a plan of distribution pursuant to Rule l2b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”) of certain of the series of the Trust, which are identified in Schedule A hereof, as may be amended from time to time (“Funds”), and the Trustees have determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of this Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”) will benefit each Fund and holders of such Fund’s Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Trust has entered into a written Distribution Agreement with SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the “Distributor”), pursuant to which the Distributor will act as the exclusive distributor with respect to the creation and distribution of aggregations of Shares as described in the Trust’s registration statement (“Creation Units”);
NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of each Fund, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act on the following terms and conditions (capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned thereto in the Trust’s registration statement under the 1940 Act and under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as such registration statement is amended by any amendments thereto at the time in effect).
SECTION 1. The Trust has adopted this Plan to enable the Trust to directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the distribution of the Shares of the Trust.
SECTION 2. With respect to each Fund, the Trust may pay a monthly fee up to the amount set forth in Schedule A (“Limit”) to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units of each Fund or the provision of investor services, including but not limited to (a) compensation paid to registered representatives of the Distributor and other persons that have entered into agreements with the Distributor, (b) salaries and other expenses of the Distributor or other parties relating to selling or servicing efforts, including travel, communications and the provision of sales personnel, (c) expenses of organizing and conducting sales seminars, printing of prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports for other than existing shareholders, (d) preparation and distribution of advertising materials and sales literature and other marketing and sales promotion expenses, (e) distribution and/or shareholder service assistance through financial institutions and intermediaries such as banks, savings and loan associations, insurance companies and investment counselors, broker-dealers, and the affiliates and subsidiaries of the Trust’s service providers, (f) delivering any notices of shareholder meetings and proxy statements accompanying such notices in connection with general and special meetings of interest holders of the Trust, and/or (g) ongoing services to shareholders which facilitate the continued retention of investors as shareholders of a Fund.
The Distributor may use all or any portion of the amount received pursuant to this Plan to compensate securities dealers or other persons that are Authorized Participants (“third parties”) for providing distribution assistance, including broker-dealer and shareholder support and educational and promotional services, pursuant to agreements with the Distributor, or to pay any of the expenses associated with other activities authorized under this paragraph. All expenses covered by this Plan shall be deemed incurred whether paid directly by the Distributor or by a third party to the extent reimbursed therefor by the Distributor.
Fees shall be payable by the Trust on behalf of any Fund regardless of whether such fees are greater or less than the actual expenses incurred by the Distributor or third party with respect to such Fund during the relevant period. Although the Fund is not permitted to pay any expenses in excess of the relevant Limit, such excess expenses may be reimbursed during any of the Fund’s subsequent three fiscal years, provided and to the extent that the current expenses plus the excess expenses do not exceed the Limit for that subsequent year and are approved in the manner provided in Section 3 herein.
SECTION 3. Nothing in this Plan shall operate or be construed to prohibit or limit additional compensation derived from sales charges or other sources that may be paid to the Distributor pursuant to the aforementioned Distribution Agreement. In addition, nothing in this Plan shall operate or be construed to limit the extent to which the Trust’s investment adviser or any other person, other than the Trust, may incur costs and bear expenses associated with the distribution of Shares of a Fund. It is recognized that the Trust’s investment adviser and other persons may use its advisory revenues, past profits and other resources to make payments to the Distributor with respect to any expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Shares. Accordingly, the Trust’s investment adviser and other persons, directly or indirectly, may from time to time make payments to third parties who engage in the sale of Shares or render shareholder support or transfer agency services. If such payments are deemed to be indirect financing of an activity primarily intended to result in the sale of shares issued by a Fund within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, such payments shall be deemed to be authorized by this Plan.
SECTION 4. This Plan shall not take effect with respect to any Fund until it has been approved, together with any related agreements, by votes of the majority of both (a) the Trustees and (b) the Qualified Trustees (as defined in Section 10 herein), cast in person at a meeting of the Trustees called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such agreement.
SECTION 5. This Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year after it takes effect, only for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided in Section 4 herein for the approval of this Plan.
SECTION 6. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Trust pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trustees, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
SECTION 7. This Plan may be terminated with respect to any Fund at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Shares of the relevant Fund.
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SECTION 8. All agreements with any person relating to implementation of this Plan shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan shall provide (a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Shares of the relevant Fund, on not more than 60 days written notice to any other party to the agreement; and (b) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
SECTION 9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of distribution expenses permitted with respect to any Fund pursuant to Section 2 hereof without the approval of Shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Shares of the Fund, and all material amendments to this Plan shall be approved in the manner provided in Part (b) of Section 4 herein for the approval of this Plan.
SECTION 10. As used in this Plan, the term “Qualified Trustees” shall mean those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it. The terms “assignment,” “interested person,” and “majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SECTION 11. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees then in office who are not interested persons of the Trust.
SECTION 12. This Plan shall not obligate the Trust or any other party to enter into an agreement with any particular person.
SECTION 13. If any provision of the Plan shall be held or made invalid, the remainder of the Plan shall not be affected thereby.
SECTION 14. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan, each agreement related hereto and each report referred to in Section 6 hereof for a period of at least six years, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
Dated: April 25, 2013
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SCHEDULE A
cAMBRIA etf trust
The following series of Cambria ETF Trust are subject to this Plan, at the fee rates specified:
Fund |
Fee (as a Percentage of
Average Daily Net Assets of the Fund)* |
|||
Cambria Global Income and Currency Strategies ETF | 0.25 | % | ||
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF | 0.25 | % | ||
Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF | 0.25 | % | ||
Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF | 0.25 | % |
* The determination of daily net assets shall be made at the close of business each day throughout the month and computed in the manner specified in the then current Prospectus for the determination of the net asset value of Creation Units. Plan payments shall be made within ten (10) days of the end of each calendar month unless otherwise agreed by the parties and approved or ratified by the Trustees.
Adopted: April 25, 2013
CAMBRIA ETF TRUST
CODE OF ETHICS
Adopted Under Rule 17j-1
While affirming its confidence in the integrity and good faith of all of its officers and trustees, Cambria ETF Trust (the “Trust”), recognizes that the knowledge of present or future portfolio transactions and, in certain instances, the power to influence portfolio transactions which may be possessed by certain of its officers, employees and trustees could place such individuals, if they engage in personal transactions in securities which are eligible for investment by the Trust, in a position where their personal interest may conflict with that of the Trust.
In view of the foregoing and of the prohibitions of Rule 17j-1(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the Trust has determined to adopt this Code of Ethics (the “Code”) to specify and prohibit certain types of transactions deemed to create conflicts of interest (or at least the potential for or the appearance of such a conflict), and to establish reporting requirements and enforcement procedures.
I. Statement of General Principles.
In recognition of the Trust and confidence placed in the Trust by its shareholders, and to give effect to the Trust’s belief that its operations should be directed to the benefit of its shareholders, the Trust hereby adopts the following general principles to guide the actions of its trustees, officers and employees.
(1) The interests of the Trust’s shareholders are paramount, and all of the Trust’s personnel must conduct themselves and their operations to give maximum effect to this tenet by assiduously placing the interests of the shareholders before their own.
(2) All personal transactions in securities by the Trust’s personnel must be accomplished so as to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest on the part of such personnel with the interests of the Trust and its shareholders.
(3) All of the Trust’s personnel must avoid actions or activities that allow (or appear to allow) a person to profit or benefit from his or her position with respect to the Trust, or that otherwise bring into question the person’s independence or judgment. See the “Insider Trading” section of the Exchange Traded Concepts Compliance Manual for additional information.
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II. Definitions.
(1) “Access Person” shall mean (i) each trustee or officer of the Trust or its investment adviser, (ii) each employee of the Trust or its investment adviser (or of any company in a control relationship to the Trust) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of a security by the Trust or any series thereof (each a “Fund”), or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales, (iii) any natural person in a control relationship to the Trust or its investment adviser or sub-advisers who obtains information concerning recommendations made to or by the Trust with respect to the purchase or sale of a security by any Fund, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales; (iv) each director, officer or general partner of any principal underwriter for the Trust, but only where such person in the ordinary course either makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Fund(s), or whose functions relate to the making of recommendations regarding securities to the Fund(s); and (v) any natural person in a control relationship with a Fund or any of the Funds’ advisers or sub-advisers who obtain information concerning recommendations made to the Funds with regard to the purchase or sale of a security. Access Employees will be listed in Exhibit F attached hereto and held by the Chief Compliance Officer.
(2) “Beneficial ownership” of a security is to be determined in the same manner as it is for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This means that a person should generally consider himself the beneficial owner of any securities in which he has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest. In addition, a person should consider himself the beneficial owner of securities held by his spouse, his minor children, a relative who shares his home, or other persons by reason of any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship that provides him with sole or shared voting or investment power.
(3) “Control” shall have the same meaning as that set forth in Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. Section 2(a)(9) provides that “control” means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company. Ownership of 25% or more of a company’s outstanding voting securities is presumed to give the holder thereof control over the company. Such presumption may be countered by the facts and circumstances of a given situation.
(4) “Independent Trustee” 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.
(5) “Initial Public Offering” (“IPO”) means an offering of Securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the issuer of which, immediately before registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(6) “Portfolio Manager” means an individual who is involved in making the purchase or sale decisions of securities for a Fund.
(7) “Private Placement” means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) of the Securities Act of 1933 or pursuant to Rules 504, 505 or 506 under the Securities Act of 1933.
(8) “Special Purpose Investment Personnel” means each Access Person who, in connection with his or her regular functions (including, where appropriate, attendance at Board meetings and other meetings at which the official business of the Trust or any Fund thereof is discussed or carried on), obtains contemporaneous information regarding the purchase or sale of a security by a Fund. Special Purpose Investment Personnel shall occupy this status only with respect to those securities as to which he or she obtains such contemporaneous information.
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(9) “Purchase or sale of a security” includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a security.
(10) “Review Officer” means the officer of the Trust or the adviser designated from time to time to receive and review reports of purchases and sales by Access Persons. It is recognized that a different Review Officer may be designated with respect to the Trust and of the adviser and sub-advisers.
(11) “Security” shall have the same meaning as that set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act, except that it shall not include direct obligations of the government of the United States, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, shares issued by registered, open-end mutual funds (other than ETFs) and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements.
(12) A Security “held or to be acquired” by the Trust or any Fund means (A) any security which, within the most recent fifteen days, (i) is or has been held by the Trust or any Fund thereof, or (ii) is being or has been considered by a Fund’s investment adviser for purchase by a Fund; (B) and any option to purchase or sell and any Security convertible into or exchangeable for any Security described in (A) above.
(13) A Security is “being purchased or sold” by the Trust from the time when a purchase or sale program has been communicated to the person who places the buy and sell orders for the Trust until the time when such program has been fully completed or terminated.
III. Prohibited Purchases and Sales of Securities.
(1) No Access Person shall, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by such person of a Security held or to be acquired by any Fund of the Trust:
(A) employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud such Fund;
(B) make to such Fund any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to such Fund a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;
(C) engage in any act, practice or course of business which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon such Fund; or
(D) engage in any manipulative practice with respect to Fund.
(2) No Portfolio Manager may purchase or sell, directly or indirectly, any Security as to which such person is a Portfolio Manager in which he had (or by reason of such transaction acquires) any Beneficial Ownership at any time within 7 calendar days before or after the time that the same (or a related) Security is being purchased or sold by any Fund.
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(3) No Special Purpose Investment Personnel may profit in the purchase and sale, or sale and purchase of a Security as to which he or she is a Special Purpose Investment Personnel within 60 days of acquiring Beneficial Ownership of that Security.
IV. Additional Restrictions and Requirements
(1) Pre-approval of Private Placements – Investment Personnel must obtain approval from the Review Officer before acquiring beneficial ownership of any securities offered in connection with a Private Placement.
(2) Investment Personnel may not purchase Initial Public Offerings (IPO’s).
(3) No Access Person shall accept or receive any gift of more than de minimis value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of the Trust.
(4) Each Access Person (other than the Trust’s Independent Trustees and its Trustees and officers who are not currently affiliated with or employed by the Trust’s investment adviser or principal underwriter) who is not required to provide such information under the terms of a code of ethics described in Section VII hereof must provide to the Review Officer a complete listing of all securities owned by such person as of the end of a calendar quarter. The initial listing must be submitted no later than 10 days of the date upon which such person first becomes an Access Person of the Trust, and each update thereafter must be provided no later than 30 days after the start of the subsequent year. The information included in the annual holdings report must be as of each calendar year-end. The Initial Holdings Report and Annual Holdings Report are attached hereto as Exhibit B and Exhibit C , respectively.
V. Reporting Obligations.
(1) Each Access Person (other than the Trust’s Independent Trustees) shall report all transactions in Securities in which the person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership. Reports shall be filed with the Review Officer quarterly. The Review Officer shall submit confidential quarterly reports with respect to his or her own personal securities transactions to an officer designated to receive his or her reports (“Alternate Review Officer”), who shall act in all respects in the manner prescribed herein for the Review Officer.
(2) Every report shall be made not later than 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter in which the transaction to which the report relates was effected, and shall contain the following information:
(A) The date of the transaction, the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of each security involved;
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(B) The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);
(C) The price at which the transaction was effected;
(D) The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected; and
(E) The date the report was submitted by the Access Person.
(3) In the event no reportable transactions occurred during the quarter, the report should be so noted and returned signed and dated.
The Quarterly Transaction Report is attached hereto as Exhibit A .
(4) An Access Person who would otherwise be required to report his or her transactions under this Code shall not be required to file reports pursuant to this Section V where such person is required to file reports pursuant to a code of ethics described in Section VII hereof.
(5) An Independent Trustee shall report transactions in Securities only if the Trustee knew at the time of the transaction or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a trustee, should have known, that during the 15 day period immediately preceding or following the date of the transaction, such security was purchased or sold, or was being considered for purchase or sale, by the Trust. (The “should have known” standard implies no duty of inquiry, does not presume there should have been any deduction or extrapolation from discussions or memoranda dealing with tactics to be employed meeting a Fund’s investment objectives, or that any knowledge is to be imputed because of prior knowledge of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, market considerations, or the Fund’s investment policies, objectives and restrictions.)
(6) Any such report may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report that he has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which the report relates.
(7) Each Independent Trustee shall report the name of any publicly-owned company (or any company anticipating a public offering of its equity securities) and the total number of its shares beneficially owned by him or her if such total ownership is more than 1/2 of 1% of the company’s outstanding shares. Such report shall be made promptly after the date on which the Trustee’s ownership interest equaled or exceeded 1/2 of 1%.
(8) An Access Person need not submit a quarterly report if the report would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements received by the Review Officer, provided that all required information is contained in the broker trade confirmations or account statements and is received by the Review Officer no later than 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter.
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VI. Review and Enforcement.
(1) The Review Officer shall compare all reported personal securities transactions with completed portfolio transactions of the Trust and a list of securities being considered for purchase or sale by the Trust’s adviser(s) and sub-adviser(s) to determine whether a violation of this Code may have occurred. Before making any determination that a violation has been committed by any person, the Review Officer shall give such person an opportunity to supply additional explanatory material.
(2) If the Review Officer determines that a violation of this Code may have occurred, he shall submit his written determination, together with the confidential monthly report and any additional explanatory material provided by the individual, to the President of the Trust and outside counsel, who shall make an independent determination as to whether a violation has occurred.
(3) If the President and outside counsel find that a violation has occurred, the President shall impose upon the individual such sanctions as he or she deems appropriate and shall report the violation and the sanction imposed to the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
(4) No person shall participate in a determination of whether he has committed a violation of the Code or of the imposition of any sanction against himself. If a securities transaction of the President is under consideration, any Vice President shall act in all respects in the manner prescribed herein for the President.
(5) The Review Officer is responsible for identifying each person who is (a) an Access Person of the Trust; and (b) required to report his or her transactions under this Code and shall inform such Access Persons of their reporting obligation under the Code. Such Access Persons shall execute a Compliance Certification attached hereto as Exhibits D and E .
VII. Investment Adviser’s and Principal Underwriter’s Codes of Ethics.
Each investment adviser (including, where applicable, any sub-adviser), and principal underwriter of the Trust shall:
(1) Submit to the Board of Trustees of the Trust a copy of its code of ethics;
(2) Promptly report to the Trust in writing any material amendments to such code of ethics;
(3) Promptly furnish to the Trust upon request copies of any reports made pursuant to such code of ethics by any person who is an Access Person as to the Trust; and
(4) Shall immediately furnish to the Trust, without request, all material information regarding any violation of such code of ethics by any person who is an Access Person as to the Trust.
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VIII. Annual Written Report to the Board .
At least once a year, the Review Officer will provide the Board of Trustees a written report that includes:
(1) Issues Arising Under the Code - The Report will describe any issue(s) that arose during the previous year under the Code, including any material Code violations, and any resulting sanction(s).
(2) Certification - The Report will certify to the Board of Trustees that the Trust has adopted measures reasonably necessary to prevent its personnel from violating the Code currently and in the future.
IX. Records.
The Trust shall maintain records in the manner and to the extent set forth below, which records may be maintained under the conditions described in Rule 31a-2 under the Investment Company Act and shall be available for examination by representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(1) A copy of this Code and any other code which is, or at any time within the past five years has been, in effect shall be preserved in an easily accessible place;
(2) 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;
(3) A copy of each report made by an Access Person 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; and
(4) A list of all persons who are, or within the past five years have been, required to make reports pursuant to this Code shall be maintained in an easily accessible place.
(5) A copy of each annual report to the Board of Trustees will be maintained for at least five years from the end of the fiscal year in which it is made, the first two years in an easily accessible place; and
(6) A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the acquisition of Securities in an IPO or a Private Placement, shall be preserved for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted.
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X. Miscellaneous
(1) Confidentiality. All reports of securities transactions and any other information filed with the Trust pursuant to this Code shall be treated as confidential.
(2) Interpretation of Provisions. The Board of Trustees may from time to time adopt such interpretations of this Code as it deems appropriate.
(3) Periodic Review and Reporting. The President of the Trust shall report to the Board of Trustees at least annually as to the operation of this Code and shall address in any such report the need (if any) for further changes or modifications to this Code.
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INTRODUCTION
This Statement of Policies and Procedures (this “Statement”) addresses the responsibilities of the Employees of Cambria Investment Management, L.P. concerning applicable regulatory, compliance and operational issues. The Statement does not attempt to describe every requirement relating to these activities, but summarizes some of those issues and establishes general policies and procedures that apply to all Employees.
The Firm and its Employees have a fiduciary duty to the Firm’s clients and are required to maintain the highest ethical standards and to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws. Employees must report any violations of this Statement promptly to the CCO.
If you violate any provision contained in this Statement, you may be subject to discipline or sanctions by the Firm at the Firm’s sole discretion, including fines, dismissal, suspension without pay, loss of pay or bonus, loss of severance benefits, demotion or other sanctions, whether or not the violation also constitutes a violation of law. Furthermore, the Firm may initiate or cooperate in civil or criminal proceedings against any Employee relating to or arising from any such violation.
This Introduction and Parts I, II and III of this Statement (“Personal Securities Transactions,” “Code of Employee Conduct” and “Insider Trading”) constitute the Firm’s code of ethics pursuant to Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act.
A. General Procedures . The Firm will provide each Employee with a copy of this Statement and any amendments. When each Employee receives this Statement, he or she must sign a Certificate of Receipt, in the form attached as Exhibit A. The Certificate acknowledges that the Employee has received and understands this Statement (as amended) and includes the Employee’s agreement to comply with it. At the same time, each new Employee also must complete an Employee Questionnaire in the form attached as Exhibit E. Thereafter, each Employee immediately must notify the CCO if any of the information in his or her Employee Questionnaire becomes inaccurate in any respect.
No later than 10 days after becoming an Employee or receiving this Statement, and no later than 10 days after the end of each calendar year, each Employee must disclose on a Holdings Report in the form attached as Exhibit B, all of his or her, and his or her Family Members’, Proprietary Accounts and list or provide brokerage statement with all securities in which the Employee or any of his or her Family Members has any Beneficial Ownership. The Employee must also obtain, on a Personal Trading Request, in the form attached as Exhibit D, prior approval of all personal securities transactions from the CCO.
Quarterly, each Employee must sign a Certificate of Compliance, in the form attached as Exhibit C, certifying that he or she has complied in all respects with this Statement and updating any information that is not current or complete.
B. Chief Compliance Officer . Employees who have questions about this Statement should contact Eric W. Richardson (or his designated substitute or successor) (the “CCO”). The CCO has full responsibility and authority to enforce and further develop this Statement.
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C. Mandatory Reporting of Violations . Employees must report promptly any violation of this Statement to the CCO. Reports may be anonymous. Neither the Firm nor any Employee may retaliate against anyone who makes such a report. Any such retaliation is grounds for discipline or sanction, including immediate dismissal.
D. Annual Review; Updating Statement . The Firm’s board of directors, its executive officers and the CCO review this Statement annually to determine its adequacy and the effectiveness of its implementation. The review considers any compliance matters that arose during the previous year, any changes in the Firm’s or its affiliates’ activities and any changes in the Advisers Act or applicable regulations. The Firm may conduct interim reviews to respond to significant compliance events, changes in business arrangements and regulatory developments, and may update and supplement this Statement in accord with such changes from time to time.
E. Definitions . To make it easier to review and understand these policies and procedures, some terms are defined below:
“ Advisers Act ” means the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
“ Beneficial Ownership ” of a security by a person means the person:
1. Directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise has or shares with any other person (a) any pecuniary, financial or other interest in such security, (b) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security, or (c) investment power, which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition, of such security; or
2. Provides any investment advice regarding such security; or
3. Has the right to acquire such security within sixty days, through (a) the exercise of any option, warrant or right, (b) the conversion of a security, (c) the exercise of the power to revoke a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement, (d) the automatic termination of a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement, or (e) any other means; or
4. Directly or indirectly creates or uses a trust, proxy, power of attorney, pooling arrangement or any other contract, arrangement, or device with the purpose or effect of divesting such person of beneficial ownership of such security or preventing the vesting of such beneficial ownership as part of a plan or scheme to evade reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. For example, a federal court has held that a party to a cash-settled total return swap (a “swap” being an agreement to “exchange cash flows on two financial instruments over a specific period of time”) was deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of the underlying securities, even though the party had no pecuniary, financial or other interest in or right to acquire, vote or dispose of the underlying securities. Because a party to a swap or other derivative may have Beneficial Ownership of the underlying securities, the facts and circumstances should be fully disclosed to the CCO to determine whether the Firm may have Beneficial Ownership of the underlying securities.
“ Client Account ” means any client or Investment Fund as to which or for whom the Firm provides investment advisory services.
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“ CCO ” means Eric W. Richardson (or his designated substitute or successor).
“ Contribution ” means a gift, subscription, loan, advance, deposit of money, or anything of value made for the purpose of influencing an election for a federal, state or local office, including any payments for debts incurred in such an election. It also includes transition or inaugural expenses incurred by a successful candidate for state or local office.
“ Covered Associate ” means the Firm’s (a) general partner, managing member or executive officer, or other individual with a similar status or function; (b) any Employee who solicits a Government Entity for the Firm, (c) any person who supervises, directly or indirectly, any such Employee; or (d) any political action committee controlled by the Firm or by any of its Covered Associates.
“ Covered Investment Pool ” means (a) any investment company registered under the ICA that is an investment option of a plan or program of a Government Entity or (b) any investment company that would be an investment company under ICA section 3(a) but for the exclusion provided by ICA section 3(c)(1), 3(c)(7) or 3(c)(11).
“ Discretionary Account ” means any Client Account that has granted the Firm (a) discretionary proxy voting authority, or (b) discretionary investment authority without expressly retaining proxy voting authority. All Investment Funds are Discretionary Accounts.
“ Employee ” means each person who is an employee, officer or manager of the Firm, and any other person whom the CCO notifies will be subject to this Statement (including, for example, the Firm’s independent service providers (such as information technology personnel or other frequent service providers with access to the Firm’s trading and client information) or any Covered Associate).
“ ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“ Family Members ” of an Employee, means his or her spouse, minor children and any relative or other person living with him or her (regardless of family relationship or marital status) and any other person to whom he or she contributes support.
“ Firm ” means Cambria Investment Management, L.P. and each of its affiliates that is engaged in the business of providing investment advisory services or serving as the general partner or manager of an Investment Fund.
“ FCM ” means futures commission merchant.
“ Government Entity ” means any state or local government, any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or any public pension plan or other collective government fund, including any participant-directed plan such as a 403(b), 457 or 529 plan.
“ ICA ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
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“ Insider ” means (except for purposes of Part III (Insider Trading)), any person who directly or indirectly has Beneficial Ownership of more than 10% of any class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act, or who is an officer or director of an issuer with a class so registered. “Insider” for purposes of Part III is defined therein.
“ Investor ” means an investor in an Investment Fund.
“ Investment Fund ” means Cambria Global Tactical Fund 2X, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any other U.S. or non-U.S. investment fund or pool of which the Firm or one of its affiliates serves as investment adviser, general partner or both (including any such investment fund or pool in which the only investors are the Firm, any affiliate of the Firm or any Employee).
“ IPO ” means initial public offering.
“ Non-Discretionary Account ” means any Client Account that (a) has granted the Firm discretionary investment authority but has expressly retained proxy voting authority, or (b) has not granted the Firm either discretionary investment authority or discretionary proxy voting authority.
“ Official ” means an incumbent, candidate or successful candidate for elective office of a Government Entity if the office is directly or indirectly responsible for, or can influence the outcome of, the hiring of the Firm or has authority to appoint any person who is directly or indirectly responsible for, or can influence the outcome of, the hiring of the Firm.
“ Proprietary Account ” means (1) a securities investment or trading account held in the name of an Employee or any of his or her Family Members, or of which that Employee or any of his or her Family Members has Beneficial Ownership, or (2) a proprietary investment or trading account maintained for the Firm or its Employees (excluding an Investment Fund).
“ Regulated Persons ” means certain broker-dealers and registered investment advisers that are subject to prohibitions against participating in pay-to-play practices and are subject to the SEC’s oversight and, in the case of broker-dealers, the oversight of a registered national securities association, such as FINRA.
“ SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“ Security ” means any investment instrument commonly viewed as a security, including any common stock, option, warrant, right to acquire securities or convertible instrument, as well as any exchange-traded fund, commodity futures contract, commodity option, swap or other derivative instrument, whether issued in a public or private offering.
“ Statement ” means this Statement of Policies and Procedures.
“ U.S. ” means the United States of America.
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Part I.
PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
A. Personal Trading Accounts and Reports .
1. No later than 10 days after becoming an Employee or receiving this Statement, and no later than 10 days after the end of each calendar year, each Employee must identify to the CCO all of the Employee’s and the Employee’s Family Members’ Proprietary Accounts, and must provide to the Firm a Holdings Report disclosing the title, type, number of shares or principal amount (as applicable), and the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number (as applicable) of each security in which the Employee or any of the Employee’s Family Members has Beneficial Ownership, whether or not in a Proprietary Account. The form of Holdings Report is attached as Exhibit B. This obligation may also be satisfied for each Proprietary Account by attaching brokerage statements of that account current as of forty-five days prior to the date the Employee submits the Holdings Report. The Holdings Report need not disclose shares of open-end investment companies registered under the ICA (mutual funds) that are not affiliated with or sub-advised by the Firm (but disclosure of closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds is required), securities issued by the government of the U.S., money market instruments (e.g. bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and other high-quality short-term debt instruments) and shares of money market funds.
2. No later than thirty days after the end of each calendar quarter, each Employee must certify to the Firm that he or she has complied with this Statement during that quarter and disclose to the Firm all personal securities transactions by the Employee and the Employee’s Family Members during that quarter and complete information regarding each Proprietary Account where such securities are held. Alternatively, the Employee may certify that all such information is in the account statements provided to the Firm during that quarter and that as of the date of the certificate, all such information is accurate and complete. If such information is incomplete or inaccurate as of the date of the certification, the Employee must update or correct the information. The form to use for this purpose is attached as Exhibit C.
B. Personal Trading Approvals .
The CCO must pre-approve in writing all personal securities transactions by Employees and Family Members (whether or not through Proprietary Accounts), other than long purchases and subsequent sales of any of the following securities: (a) securities issued by the government of the U.S. or any state, (b) money market instruments (e.g. bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and other high-quality short-term debt instruments) and (c) shares of money market funds. The form of Personal Trading Request is attached as Exhibit D. The pre-approval requirement also applies to securities acquired in IPOs and private placements. The CCO must obtain the prior written approval of Mebane T. Faber (the “CCO’s Substitute”) before effecting any transactions in the CCO’s own Proprietary Accounts.
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The CCO or the CCO’s Substitute will notify the Employee promptly of approval or denial of clearance to trade. If approval is granted, he or she must complete that trade on that business day; provided, however, that the Employee may not buy or sell a security for any Proprietary Account until the business day after orders for the Client Accounts in that security have been filled and any buying or selling program by the Client Accounts in that security has ceased. Transactions in options, derivatives or convertible instruments for a Client Account that are related to a transaction in an underlying security for the Client Account (“inter-market front running”) are subject to the same restrictions. If the trade is not made on the required day, the Employee must request approval again.
C. Review of Personal Trading Information .
The CCO may at his discretion request any confirmations, statements or other information he believes necessary to verify compliance with this Statement. The Firm reserves the right to require an Employee to reverse, cancel or freeze, at the Employee’s expense, any transaction or position in a security if the Firm believes such transaction or position might violate this Statement or appears improper. Except as required to enforce this Statement or to participate in any investigation concerning violations of applicable law, the Firm will keep all such information confidential.
D. Client Priority .
As required by the second paragraph of section B above, Employees must give first priority to all purchases and sales of securities for Client Accounts before executing transactions for Proprietary Accounts, and must conduct their personal trading in a manner that does not conflict with the interests of any Client Account. Although it is not possible to list all potential conflicts of interest, each of the following acts always is prohibited:
1. Knowingly purchasing securities for Proprietary Accounts, directly or indirectly, without making a good faith determination whether those securities are appropriate for investment by a Client Account (as required by the second paragraph of section B above);
2. Knowingly purchasing or selling securities for Proprietary Accounts, directly or indirectly, in a way that adversely affects transactions in Client Accounts;
3. Using knowledge of securities transactions by a Client Account to profit personally, directly or indirectly, by the market effect of such transactions; and
4. Giving to any person information not generally available to the public about contemplated, proposed or current purchases or sales of securities by or for a Client Account, except to the extent necessary to effect such transactions or with the approval of the CCO.
E. Principal Transactions .
Neither the Firm nor an Employee may engage in principal transactions between a Proprietary Account and a Client Account without first obtaining the prior written approval of the CCO and the written consent of the Client Account.
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Part II.
CODE OF EMPLOYEE CONDUCT
A. Outside Activities .
All outside activities of an Employee that involve (1) any securities or investment activities outside the scope of the Employee’s activities on behalf of the Firm (whether for the Employee or for any other person), or (2) a material time commitment, provide for compensation to the Employee or involve employment, teaching assignments, lectures, publication of articles, or radio or television appearances, must, in either case, be approved in advance by the CCO. Each Employee should notify the CCO immediately if the Employee is such an officer or director when he or she receives this Statement. The CCO may require full details about the outside activity, including the number of hours involved and the compensation that the Employee will receive. Before accepting an appointment as an officer or director in any business, charitable organization or non-profit organization, an Employee must obtain approval from the CCO.
B. Conflicts of Interest .
It is a violation of an Employee’s duty of loyalty to the Firm for that Employee, without the CCO’s prior consent, to:
1. Rebate, directly or indirectly, to any person or entity any compensation received from the Firm;
2. Accept, directly or indirectly, from any person or entity, other than the Firm, compensation of any nature as a bonus, commission, fee, gratuity or other consideration in connection with any transaction on behalf of the Firm or a Client Account (for example, directing a particular transaction in exchange for any such compensation); but see Part II.H below regarding permissible gifts and entertainment where no such quid pro quo relationship exists); or
3. Beneficially own any security of, or have, directly or indirectly, any financial interest in, any other organization engaged in any securities, financial or related business, unless previously disclosed to the CCO pursuant to Part I (Personal Securities Transactions).
C. Communications .
Each Employee must ensure that communications (whether written or oral) regarding the Firm, the Investment Funds or any Client Account to Investors, clients, prospective Investors or clients and regulatory authorities are accurate. The CCO supervises the appropriate Employees and, if the CCO deems it appropriate, any third-party service provider (such as an administrator, accountant or law firm), in reviewing any account statement, offering materials, periodic letters to Investors or clients or potential Investors or clients, published prior performance and advertisements.
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D. The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 .
The Firm’s periodic email reports to clients, Investors and potential clients and Investors may be deemed “unsolicited commercial emails.” An unsolicited commercial email is any email message, the primary purpose of which is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service. The following should be included in any such email messages (unless the reports are distributed solely to the Firm’s current clients and Investors in Investment Funds managed by the Firm and to others who have requested to receive such reports):
This email may be considered an advertisement or solicitation. If you do not want to receive further emails from Cambria Investment Management, L.P., please reply to this email and ask to be removed from our mailing list.
Cambria Investment Management, L.P.
2321 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 3225
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 683-5500
E. Protection of Client Assets .
1. Receipt of Client or Investor Funds . No Employee shall use client assets for his or her own purpose or benefit or receive client assets for any reason . Any Employee who knows or has reason to believe that another Employee has engaged in such behavior must immediately report such information to the CCO. Any Employee who accidentally receives client (or Investor) assets (such as a check made out directly to the Firm or a U.S. Investment Fund) should immediately (and in any event within three business days) return such assets to the person from whom they came.
2. Disbursement Procedures Agreement . The Firm must comply with the terms of the Disbursement Procedures Agreement between an Investment Fund and its custodial prime broker requiring approval by an independent Certified Public Accountant for payments to and withdrawals by the Firm and its affiliates.
3. Delivery of Audited Financials of U.S. Investment Funds . The Firm must deliver to each Investor in a U.S. Investment Fund a copy of the annual audited financial statements no later than 120 days after the end of the audit period (typically December 31).
F. Confidentiality, Proprietary Data and Privacy of Customer Personal Information .
1. Proprietary Data; Confidentiality . Any information regarding advice that the Firm furnishes to Client Accounts, the Firm’s recommendations and analyses and other proprietary data or information about the Firm or Client Accounts (including client and Investor identity and personal information) is strictly confidential and a trade secret and may not be revealed to third parties, except as required for Firm business. Such information is the property of the Firm. Disclosing such information to any third party, without the permission of the CCO, will subject the Employee to discipline or sanctions by the Firm at the Firm’s sole discretion, including fines, dismissal, suspension without pay, loss of pay or bonus, loss of severance benefits, demotion or other sanctions. This confidentiality obligation continues even after the termination of employment, and such information is considered trade secrets and may not be used by the Employee after termination of employment.
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2. Privacy of Customer Personal Information — Information Security Program . It is the Firm’s policy to protect, through administrative, technical and physical safeguards, the security and confidentiality of financial records and other nonpublic personal information concerning Client Accounts, Investors and potential and former Client Accounts and Investors, including protecting against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security of such information and unauthorized access to or use of such information.
a. The CCO . The Firm has designated the CCO to coordinate its information security program. The CCO is responsible for (i) assessing existing risks to nonpublic personal information, (ii) developing ways to manage and control these risks, (iii) monitoring third-party service provider arrangements to ensure information security, and (iv) periodically reviewing, monitoring, testing and revising the program in light of relevant changes in technology and threats to Client Account and Investor information.
b. Identifying Internal and External Risks to Customer Information . The CCO reviews reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality and integrity of customer information, including risks relating to (i) Employee training, (ii) changes to the Firm’s information systems, including network and software design, information processing, storage, transmission and disposal, and (iii) procedures to detect, prevent and respond to attacks, intrusions or other system failures. The CCO assesses the likelihood and potential damage of these risks and the sufficiency of any safeguards in place to control these risks. The CCO meets periodically with Employees to review and implement the program and is available to answer questions regarding the program.
c. Information Safeguards .
Employees may not disclose the identity, affairs or investments, or other personal information, of any Client Account or Investor, potential Client Account or Investor or former Client Account or Investor to anyone outside of the Firm, except as may have been authorized by the holder of the Client Account or Investor or as may be required in servicing the Client Account or Investor (such as disclosure to a brokerage firm at which such Client Account is held) or for the business of the Firm (such as disclosure to the Firm’s auditors and lawyers or as required by law). Employees should direct to the CCO any questions about whether information is confidential or any disclosure is permitted. This confidentiality obligation continues even after the termination of employment.
To protect the confidentiality of the Firm’s confidential and proprietary information and the confidentiality of existing, former or potential Client Accounts and Investors, Employees should take the following additional security precautions:
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1. | Except as required for Firm business, Employees may not print, photocopy, email to a personal account or otherwise duplicate any information that contains confidential and proprietary information or take any such information from the Firm’s offices without the prior consent of the CCO. Any physical information removed from the Firm’s offices or any information printed and kept at home (such as research files) must be returned to the Firm. All copies and originals of such information must be disposed of in a way that keeps the information confidential, such as shredding. (No document may be destroyed if the Firm is required to keep it – as further described in Part VIII below.) Employees must keep all paper copies of confidential and proprietary information that are not in use off desk tops, conference tables or any other place where such copies would be visible to persons who are not authorized to have access to such information. |
2. | All computer drives containing confidential and proprietary information must be accessible only by the use of strong passwords. Backup records and archived data are stored in a secure manner. Employees must take precautionary measures during each day to ensure that confidential and proprietary information on those computers is not visible to persons who are not authorized to have access to such information. For example, the Firm may use password-activated screen savers to lock computers containing confidential or proprietary information after a period of inactivity. At the end of each day and at other times that an Employee leaves his or her terminal for an extended period, such Employee must log off his or her computer. |
3. | If any laptop or other computer drive or storage medium containing confidential or proprietary information is taken outside the Firm’s offices, such as to a service provider, an Employee’s residence, a client meeting or business travel, such data must be encrypted and the responsible Employee must take extra precautions to protect against theft or loss, such as keeping the item with the Employee, in a safe, or in a locked area. |
4. | Employees must use extreme care in electronic correspondence to assure that confidential and proprietary information is not inadvertently distributed to unauthorized persons. |
5. | Physical access to any non-electronic confidential and proprietary information must be limited by either locking or monitoring access to the offices and storage areas where such information is located. |
6. | All information protected by such safeguard is considered trade secrets and may not be used by the Employee at any time, including after termination of employment, except as required for Firm business. |
7. | The Firm shares office space with another financial services firm and has entered into an agreement with that other firm regarding confidentiality. |
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d. Third Party Service Providers . At times, the Firm may enter into one or more agreements with third parties under which the Firm may provide confidential information to those third parties. If this occurs, the Firm will (i) use reasonable efforts to include in the relevant agreements provisions protecting confidential information to the extent required by law, (ii) take reasonable steps to select and retain service providers that can maintain appropriate safeguards for confidential information and (iii) require those service providers to implement and maintain such safeguards. Employees should direct any questions about these agreements or the disclosure of information pursuant to them to the CCO.
G. Involvement in Litigation/Contacts with Regulatory Authorities or the Press .
An Employee should advise the CCO immediately if he or she is contacted by any regulatory authority (including the SEC, FINRA, any securities exchange or any state regulatory authority) or the press or becomes involved in or threatened with litigation or an administrative investigation or proceeding of any kind, is served with a subpoena, becomes subject to any judgment, order or arrest. Employees should refer all inquiries from all regulatory authorities or the press to the CCO.
H. Entertainment, Gifts and Favoritism .
1. Receipt by Employees . Employees must receive pre-approval from the CCO before accepting any gift in excess of $100 from a broker or other vendor or person involved in the securities industry. A “gift” for this purpose is anything of value that an Employee receives other than entertainment. “Entertainment” is an event that the Employee attends (such as a meal or a sporting event) at which a broker or other vendor socializes or otherwise interacts with the Employee.
The following items may be accepted from brokers or vendors without the CCO’s permission as long as the Employee adheres to the following guidelines:
• | Breakfast or lunch provided at the Firm is permissible as long as a representative of the vendor or broker providing the meal attends. |
• | Flowers or food and/or wine baskets for the Firm generally are permissible. |
• | Occasional gifts with a face value of $100 or less (for example, a bottle of wine) are permissible. |
• | Reasonable entertainment (for example, a meal, a round of golf or tickets to a sporting event) provided by vendors or brokers on occasion. However, travel expenses offered by the vendor or broker (such as airfare or hotel accommodation) generally are not permitted. If you are uncertain as to the reasonableness of the entertainment, you should discuss the matter in advance with the CCO. |
Except in the limited circumstances described above, an Employee should not seek or accept any entertainment, gifts, favors, preferential treatment or valuable consideration of any kind offered from brokers or other companies or persons involved in the securities industry. The CCO may pre-approve limited exceptions to this policy.
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2. From Employees . An Employee may not offer or give any gift, favor, preferential treatment or other valuable consideration of any kind in connection with the Firm’s business, except for occasional and reasonable gifts and entertainment (if the Employee is present). Employees must report any payment (including each gift and all entertainment) made in connection with the Firm’s business to a labor organization (including any union-affiliated pension plan (a “Taft-Hartley Plan”)) and its officers, agents, shop stewards, employees or other representatives (such as union-appointed trustees). The CCO must track all such payments by the Firm and its Employees to such persons (even if the Firm does not reimburse the Employee for such payments) and report to the Department of Labor aggregate payments to any such person over a calendar year that exceed $250.
I. Registration, Licensing and Testing Requirements .
Each Employee should check with the CCO to ensure that he or she has complied with any applicable registration, licensing and testing requirements required as a result of such Employee’s duties and position. These requirements may arise under the Advisers Act, the Commodity Exchange Act, the ICA, the Securities Act of 1933, the Exchange Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, state broker-dealer and investment adviser statutes, rules and regulations adopted by the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the National Futures Association, the Department of Labor and other regulatory authorities.
J. Qualification of Solicitors .
The Firm complies with Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-3 regarding solicitation activities conducted by finders or solicitors on behalf of the Firm. In addition, the Firm may review applicable state laws regarding soliciting clients or Investors that are government or public entities, funds or plans. No such arrangement may be made without approval of the CCO.
K. Email, Instant Messaging and Website Monitoring .
Employees should use the email accounts provided by the Firm for all Firm business conducted via email. and only for Firm business. Employees should conduct personal email communications only through personal accounts. Employees may use Firm email accounts for occasional personal emails (but each Employee should be aware that all such emails are subject to review and disclosure).
Employees should use authorized instant messaging software provided by the Firm for all Firm business conducted via instant messaging. Employees may occasionally send personal instant messages on authorized instant messaging software (but each Employee should be aware that all such instant messages are subject to review and disclosure). Employees may not install separate instant messaging software on Firm computers without CCO approval.
Employees should be aware that all emails, texts and instant messages (whether or not Firm-related) that are sent through Firm accounts are the Firm’s property and may be retained indefinitely. The Firm also may monitor and record Employees’ internet activity. All such information that the Firm keeps is subject to periodic review by the Firm or its agents (such as attorneys and compliance consultants), and may be subject to review by the SEC and other regulatory agencies.
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L. Social Networks, Blogs and Similar Services
Employees may not post any message or information about the Firm, its investments, its Employees or its Employees' investments on any social network, internet message board, chat room, blog or similar service (with the sole exception that Employees may identify “Cambria Investment Management, L.P.” as such person’s employer and describe the Firm as an “investment management” firm, without reference to the Firm’s strategy or the fact that it manages investment funds). Employees also may not conduct any Firm business on or through such media.
The exception to this general policy is the Firm’s Chief Investment Officer’s investment commentary on Twitter or similar services. The CIO may conduct those activities so long as he does not mention any Investment Fund, the performance of the Firm’s investment strategies or otherwise make any misleading statement regarding the Firm and its investment strategies or commit any other violation of securities laws. The CCO will monitor the CIO’s activities for compliance with these policies.
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Part III.
INSIDER TRADING
A. Policy Statement on Insider Trading . The Firm is in the business of obtaining and analyzing information about companies and their securities to give the Firm the basis for profitably trading and recommending investments in securities. Generally, such investigation and analysis help investors to make informed investment decisions, which is one of the goals of the federal securities laws. It is illegal, however, to trade or recommend trades in a security while using or even, in some cases, while merely possessing, material, nonpublic information about that security or its issuer. It is the Firm’s policy to conduct its business in full compliance with the law, and to ensure that its Employees do so.
This Statement applies to the Firm and all of its Employees. Each Employee should review this Statement carefully. Any questions should be directed to the CCO.
Although the law concerning insider trading is evolving, it generally prohibits:
• | Trading in securities by an insider while in possession of material, nonpublic information; |
• | Trading in securities by a non-insider while in possession of material, nonpublic information, where the information either was disclosed to the non-insider in violation of an insider’s duty to keep it confidential, or was misappropriated; and |
• | Communicating material, nonpublic information to others, or recommending a securities transaction to others while in possession of material, nonpublic information about the security or the company in question (commonly called “tipping”). |
The Firm forbids any of its Employees from (i) trading either personally or on behalf of others, including Client Accounts, on material, nonpublic information; (ii) communicating material, nonpublic information to others in violation of the law; or (iii) knowingly assisting someone engaged in these activities.
All information relating to the Firm’s activities, including investment analyses, investment recommendations, and proposed and actual trades for the Firm or Client Accounts, is proprietary to the Firm and must be kept confidential, except as necessary for an Employee to perform his or her duties for the Firm. Such information should be treated as material, nonpublic information; that is, Employees must not trade on it for Proprietary Accounts and, without the prior approval of the CCO, must not disclose it to anyone inside or outside the Firm who does not need the information in the course of the Firm’s business.
1. Background .
The SEC is responsible for enforcing the federal securities laws. State laws generally correspond to the federal laws and impose additional obligations and liabilities. The federal statutes that are most frequently the basis for SEC investigations and prosecutions are Exchange Act section 10(b) and SEC Rule 10b-5 thereunder. These are the general antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. Among other things, Rule 10b-5 prohibits insider trading, which has been given high priority in SEC enforcement efforts.
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2. Key Terms and Concepts .
“ Insiders ” of a company are generally its officers, directors, employees and controlling shareholders. In addition, persons outside a company who gain inside information in the course of dealings with that company may be considered “temporary insiders” of the company and thus be bound by the same legal restrictions as traditional insiders. For example, outside financial advisers, investment bankers, lawyers or accountants retained to represent or assist the company on an ongoing basis or in major corporate transactions are insiders for purposes of insider trading laws. Under this analysis, the Firm and its Employees can become temporary insiders of a company if the Firm advises or performs other services for the company. If you receive material, nonpublic information regarding a company that comes directly or indirectly from any insider (temporary or traditional), do not trade in that company’s securities in your Proprietary Accounts or for any Client Accounts and do not discuss the information with any other person without first consulting the CCO.
“ Tipping ” is disclosing material, nonpublic information about a company or its securities to a third party, when such disclosure is not made strictly for corporate purposes. The disclosure may be by an insider of the company, by one who has misappropriated the information from the company in question or from another person or company, or by anyone who received information traceable to an insider or one who has misappropriated the information. Those who disclose the information are called “tippers”; those who receive the information are called “tippees.” If you trade on the basis of tipped information, you may incur criminal and civil liability, even if you receive the information second- or third-hand, or more remotely, if the other requirements for finding liability are present. The same legal standards apply to remote tippees. In addition, if you tip information to others, you may be liable for any profits gained or losses avoided by a tippee, even if you did not trade . If someone tips information to you, do not disclose the information to anyone except as required by this Statement. You and the Firm may be liable if anyone trades on material, nonpublic information received from or through you.
Trading while in possession of certain nonpublic information is illegal if the information is “ material .” Material information is information about a company or its securities of such importance that it has substantial likelihood of altering the “total mix of information” regarding the company. It is information that, if generally known, would affect the market price of the security. Material information can relate to current events or possible future events. When information relates to a possible future event, materiality is determined by balancing the probability that the event will occur and the anticipated magnitude of the event in light of the totality of the company’s activities. The more likely it is that an event will occur, the less significant the event needs to be for the information to be deemed material; the more significant the event, the less likely the probability of its occurrence needs to be for the information to be deemed material. Whether a particular item of information is material may depend on how specific it is, the extent to which it differs from public information, and its reliability in light of its source, its nature, and the circumstances under which it was received.
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If a transaction in which you are involved becomes the subject of scrutiny by the SEC, the materiality of any inside information will be evaluated with 20/20 hindsight, and the mere fact that someone traded while in possession of the information will contribute to the conclusion that it was material. When in doubt, assume information is material.
Information that Employees should consider material includes, among other things, information about earnings estimates; changes in previously released earnings estimates; manufacturing problems; changes in control or management; mergers; acquisitions; tender offers; joint ventures; changes in assets; major litigation; liquidity problems; significant new products, discoveries, services or contracts; the cancellation or loss of significant orders, products, services or contracts; change in auditors or auditor notification that the issuer may no longer rely on an auditor’s audit report; events regarding the issuer’s securities; defaults on senior securities; calls of securities for redemption; repurchase plans; stock splits or changes in dividends; changes to rights of security holders; public or private sales of additional securities; and bankruptcies or receiverships.
Material information also can relate to events or circumstances affecting the market for a company’s securities. For example, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal was criminally liable for disclosing to others the dates that articles about various companies would be published in The Wall Street Journal and whether those reports would be favorable or not.
You should refer any questions about whether certain information is material to the CCO.
“ Nonpublic ” information is information that has not been disseminated in a manner that makes it available to public investors generally. If information is being disseminated to traders generally by brokers, FCMs and institutional analysts, such information would be considered public unless there is a reasonable basis to believe that such information is confidential and came from an insider. Information that has been selectively disclosed to a few analysts or investors is not public. Public information is information that has been disclosed in a manner sufficient to ensure that it is available to the investing public, such as by disclosure in a report filed with the SEC or publication in the Dow Jones broad tape, Reuters Economic Services , the Associated Press or United Press International wire services, newspapers of general circulation in New York City, or, if the subject company’s operations or stockholders are geographically localized, in local news media, or the electronic media. When information becomes public, persons who were aware of the information when it was nonpublic must wait to trade until the market absorbs the information. You should refer any questions about whether certain information has become public to the CCO.
“ Misappropriation ” is a basis for insider trading liability that is established when trading occurs based on material, nonpublic information that was misappropriated from another person. This theory can and has been used to reach a variety of individuals who are not traditional or temporary insiders. The Wall Street Journal reporter mentioned above was found by the U.S. Supreme Court to have defrauded the Wall Street Journal when he misappropriated information about upcoming articles from the Wall Street Journal and used the information for trading in the securities markets. Similarly, a partner in a law firm was held to use a “deceptive device” in violation of Exchange Act section 10(b) by misappropriating information from his law firm and the law firm’s client, in breach of his fiduciary duty owed to this law firm and the client, by trading in securities of a company regarding which the client was preparing a tender offer.
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3. Penalties for Insider Trading .
Penalties for trading on or tipping of material, nonpublic information are severe and may include:
a. civil injunction;
b. disgorgement of the profit gained or the loss avoided;
c. civil penalty of up to three times the profit gained or the loss avoided;
d. criminal fine of up to $5 million for an individual or $25 million for an entity (in addition to civil penalties based on the profit gained or the loss avoided); or
e. jail time of up to 20 years.
A company or any manager or supervisor who fails to take adequate steps to prevent illegal trading on, or tipping of, material, nonpublic information is subject to similar penalties. Persons guilty of insider trading violations, whether through actual trading, tipping, or failing to supervise, are also open to private suits for damages by contemporaneous traders in the market.
Any SEC investigation, even one that does not result in criminal or civil prosecution, can irreparably damage the Firm’s reputation and an individual’s career. It is essential to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.
B. Procedures to Implement the Firm’s Policies against Insider Trading .
The Firm has established the following procedures to help Employees avoid insider trading, and to help the Firm to prevent, detect and impose sanctions against insider trading. Every Employee must follow these procedures. If you have any questions about the procedures, you should consult the CCO.
1. Identify Material, Nonpublic Information .
Before trading for yourself or others (including Proprietary Accounts or Client Accounts) in the securities of a company about which you may have received potential inside information, consider the following questions:
a. Is the information material? Is this information that an investor would consider important in making his or her investment decisions? Would this information affect the market price of the securities if it were generally known? Could this information cause investors to change their trading?
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b. Is the information nonpublic? To whom has it been provided? Has it been filed with the SEC? Has it been effectively communicated to the marketplace by being published in Reuters Economic Services , The Wall Street Journal or other publications of general circulation or appearing on the wire services or electronic media?
2. Avoid Using or Disclosing Material, Nonpublic Information .
If you believe that you may possess material, nonpublic information, or if you believe the Firm’s activities may have created material, nonpublic information, you should take the following steps:
a. Immediately cease all trading in securities of the company that is the subject of the material, nonpublic information, including trading on behalf of the Firm, Client Accounts and Proprietary Accounts. In addition, after you receive the information, there should be no trades in securities of the company in question in the accounts of your Family Members or other relatives, business associates, or friends.
b. Immediately cease recommending any transaction in any of the securities of the company in question to anyone, including Client Accounts, other Employees, Family Members and other relatives, business associates and friends. This includes making any comment about the company that could in any way be interpreted as a recommendation. Do not solicit Client Accounts or potential Client Accounts to buy or sell the securities of the company in question.
c. Do not discuss the material, nonpublic information with anyone except as required by this Statement. Do not refer to the information in hallways, elevators, stairways, restaurants, taxis or any other place where you may be overheard.
d. Immediately inform the CCO of all details of the situation, so that appropriate security procedures can be implemented Firm-wide.
3. Restrict Access to Material, Nonpublic Information .
If appropriate, the Firm may adopt some or all of the following procedures while anyone in the Firm possesses material, nonpublic information. The Firm may use additional measures to address specific situations.
a. Procedures for handling documents containing material, nonpublic information, including prohibitions on removing them from the office, limiting copying and distribution within the office, keeping them off desk tops and conference tables when not in use, shredding them on disposal, and other measures to protect them from being read accidentally by anyone without a lawful need to know the information.
b. Restrictions on physical access to areas of the Firm where material, nonpublic information may be discussed or stored, including locking file cabinets and doors and a system of visitor passes or other restrictions for non-Employees.
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c. Computer access security measures, such as passwords on files or limited access to terminals through which material, nonpublic information can be obtained.
d. Trading restrictions, including temporary Firm-wide bans on trading in the securities to which the material, nonpublic information relates or management review of all Employee trades in certain securities.
4. Contacts with Third Parties .
Employees should direct requests for information from third parties such as the press and analysts to the CCO.
C. Employee or Family Member Serving as Director, Officer or Consultant .
From time to time, an Employee may serve as a director of a company in which the Firm has a securities position, to monitor, preserve, protect or enhance the value of the position for the benefit of Client Accounts or for other similar purposes. In addition, from time to time, Family Members of Employees may serve as directors, officers or consultants for companies in which the Firm has a securities position. During these periods, the Firm may take additional precautions to prevent inadvertent violations of this Statement and to avoid the appearance of impropriety.
1. Notice .
An Employee must inform the Firm immediately if the Employee or any of his or her Family Members serves or is about to serve as a director, officer or consultant of a company that issues securities.
2. Restrictions on Trading Without Advance Approval or During Black-Out Periods .
When an Employee or a Family Member of an Employee serves as a director, officer or consultant of a company, the following procedures apply:
a. No Employee or Family Member of that Employee may trade in the securities of the subject company for Client Accounts or for his or her Proprietary Account without the prior consent of the CCO.
b. No Employee may trade in the securities of the subject company for Client Accounts or for his or her Proprietary Account during any “black-out” period or similar period of trading restrictions established by the subject company and applicable to its directors, officers or consultants.
D. Client or Investor Serving as Director, Officer or Consultant .
From time to time, a client or Investor of the Firm may serve as a director, officer or a consultant for companies in which the Firm or an Employee has a securities position. During these periods, the Firm may take additional precautions to insure that inadvertent violations do not occur and to avoid the appearance of impropriety.
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1. Notice .
An Employee must inform the Firm immediately if (a) the Employee becomes aware that any client or Investor of the Firm serves or is about to serve as a director, officer or consultant to any company that issues securities that are publicly traded or (b) the Employee obtains any material, nonpublic information from such a client or Investor.
2. Restrictions on Trading Without Advance Approval or During Blackout Periods .
When a client or Investor of the Firm serves as a director, officer or consultant of a company, the Firm may require procedures such as those set forth above regarding advance approval in "blackout" periods for trading in securities of the company for which the client or Investor serves as a director, officer or consultant.
E. Supervisory Procedures .
The Firm’s supervisory procedures have two objectives: preventing and detecting insider trading.
1. Preventing Insider Trading .
To prevent insider trading, the Firm is taking steps, such as adopting and implementing this Statement, to familiarize Employees with the nature of insider trading and with the Firm’s policies and procedures relating to insider trading. The Firm also reviews this Statement on a regular basis and updates it as necessary. The Firm has designated the CCO as the person responsible for answering questions about material, nonpublic information and insider trading and tipping. The Firm will help Employees to determine whether information is material and nonpublic.
If the Firm determines that an Employee has material, nonpublic information, the Firm will take the measures described above to prevent dissemination of such information and restrict trading in the securities to which the information relates and access to the information. Finally, the Firm will advise Employees when and if it is permissible to trade in such securities. Generally, a reasonable period must pass for the marketplace to have an opportunity to evaluate and respond to the information before trading will be permitted.
2. Detecting Insider Trading .
To detect insider trading, the Firm has adopted the policies and procedures relating to personal securities transactions by the Firm’s Employees and Family Members set forth in Part I. Employees should direct any questions about these policies and procedures or how they apply in particular situations to the CCO.
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SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
RULE 17j-1 CODE OF ETHICS
|
A copy of this Code may be accessed
on the SEI intranet site under
the Corporate Governance section.
This is an important document.
You should take the time to read it
thoroughly before you submit the required annual certification.
Any questions regarding this
Code of Ethics should be referred
to a member of the SIDCO Compliance Department
December 18, 2012
Doc # 41236
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. | General Policy | 3 | |
II. | Code of Ethics | 4 | |
A. | Purpose of Code | 4 | |
B. | Employee Categories | 4 | |
C. | Prohibitions and Restrictions | 4 | |
D. | Pre-clearance of Personal Securities Transactions | 6 | |
E. | Reporting Requirements | 8 | |
F. | Detection and Reporting of Code Violations | 11 | |
G. | Violations of the Code of Ethics | 12 | |
H. | Confidential Treatment | 12 | |
I. | Recordkeeping | 12 | |
J. | Definitions Applicable to the Code of Ethics | 13 | |
III. | Exhibits – Code of Ethics Reporting Forms |
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I. GENERAL POLICY
SEI Investments Distribution Co. (“SIDCO”) serves as principal underwriter for investment companies that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Vehicles”). In addition, certain employees of SIDCO may serve as directors and/or officers of certain Investment Vehicles. This Code of Ethics (“Code”) sets forth the procedures and restrictions governing personal securities transactions for certain SIDCO personnel.
SIDCO has a highly ethical business culture and expects that its personnel will conduct any personal securities transactions consistent with this Code and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or abuse of a position of trust and responsibility. Thus, SIDCO personnel must conduct themselves and their personal securities transactions in a manner that does not create conflicts of interest with the firm’s clients.
Pursuant to this Code, SIDCO personnel, their family members, and other persons associated with SIMC may be subject to various pre-clearance and reporting standards for their personal securities transactions based on their status as defined by this Code. Therefore, it is important that every person pay special attention to the categories set forth to determine which provisions of this Code applies to him or her, as well as to the sections on restrictions, pre-clearance, and reporting of personal securities transactions.
Each person subject to this Code must read and retain a copy of this Code and agree to abide by its terms. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Code may result in the imposition of serious sanctions, including, but not limited to, disgorgement of profits, penalties, dismissal, substantial personal liability and/or referral to regulatory or law enforcement agencies.
Please note that employees and registered representatives of SIDCO are subject to the supervisory procedures and other policies and procedures of SIDCO, and are also subject to the Code of Conduct of SEI Investments Company, which is the parent company of SIDCO. The requirements and limitations of this Code of Ethics are in addition to any requirements or limitations contained in these other policies and procedures. All employees are required to comply with federal securities laws and any regulations set forth by self-regulatory organizations (NASD, MSRB, etc.) of which SIDCO is a member.
Any questions regarding this Code of Ethics should be directed to a member of the SIDCO Compliance Department.
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II. CODE OF ETHICS
A. Purpose of Code
This Code is intended to conform to the provisions of Section 17(j) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“the 1940 Act”), as amended, and Rule 17j-1 thereunder, as amended, to the extent applicable to SIDCO’s role as principal underwriter to Investment Vehicles. Those provisions of the U.S. securities laws are designed to prevent persons who are actively engaged in the management, portfolio selection or underwriting of registered investment companies from participating in fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative acts, practices or courses of conduct in connection with the purchase or sale of securities held or to be acquired by such companies. Certain SIDCO personnel will be subject to various requirements based on their responsibilities within SIDCO and accessibility to certain information. Those functions are set forth in the categories below.
B. Access Persons
(1) any director, officer or employee of SIDCO who serves as a director or officer of an Investment Vehicle for which SIDCO serves as principal underwriter;
(2) any director or officer of SIDCO who, in the ordinary course of business, makes, participates in or obtains information regarding, the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by an Investment Vehicle for which SIDCO serves as principal underwriter, or whose functions or duties in the ordinary course of business relate to the making of any recommendation to the Investment Vehicle regarding the purchase or sale of a Covered Security.
C. Prohibitions and Restrictions
1. | Prohibition Against Fraud, Deceit and Manipulation |
Access Persons may not, directly or indirectly, in connection with the purchase or sale of a security held or to be acquired by an Investment Vehicle for which SIDCO serves as principal underwriter:
(a) employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Investment Vehicle;
(b) make to the Investment Vehicle any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(c) engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the Investment Vehicle; or
(d) engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the Investment Vehicle.
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2. | Excessive Trading of Mutual Fund Shares |
Access Persons may not, directly or indirectly, engage in excessive short-term trading of shares of Investment Vehicles for which SIDCO serves as principal underwriter. Exhibit 6 hereto provides a list of the Investment Vehicles for which SIDCO provided such services. For purposes of this section, a person’s trades shall be considered “excessive” if made in violation of any stated policy in the mutual fund’s prospectus or if the trading involves multiple short-term round trip trades in a Fund for the purpose of taking advantage of short-term market movements.
Note that the SEI Funds are Covered Securities. 1 Trades in the SEI Funds do not have to be pre-cleared but do have to be reported in accordance with this Code. Trades in SEI Funds done through the SEI Capital Accumulation (401(k)) Plan and trades done through an employee account established at SEI Private Trust Company will be deemed to satisfy the reporting requirements of the Code. Any trades in SEI Funds done in a different channel must be reported to the SIDCO Compliance Officer or the designated representative of the SIDCO Compliance Department.
3. | Personal Securities Restrictions |
Access Persons:
· | may not purchase or sell, directly or indirectly, any Covered Security within 24 hours before or after the time that the same Covered Security (including any equity related security of the same issuer such as preferred stock, options, warrants and convertible bonds) is being purchased or sold by any Investment Vehicle for which SIDCO serves as principal underwriter. |
· | may not acquire securities as part of an Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) without obtaining the written approval of the SIDCO Compliance Officer or the designated representative of the SIDCO Compliance Department before directly or indirectly acquiring a beneficial ownership in such securities. |
· | may not acquire a Beneficial Ownership interest in securities issued in a private placement transaction without obtaining prior written approval from the SIDCO Compliance Officer or the designated representative of the SIDCO Compliance Department. |
· | may not profit from the purchase and sale or sale and purchase of a Covered Security within 60 days of acquiring or disposing of Beneficial Ownership of that Covered Security. This prohibition does not apply to transactions resulting in a loss, or to futures or options on futures on broad-based securities indexes or U.S. Government securities. This prohibition also does not apply to transactions in the SEI Funds, which are separately covered under the “Excessive Trading of Mutual Fund Shares” discussed in Section II.C.2 above. |
1 The SEI Family of Funds includes the following Trusts: SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Index Funds, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Liquid Asset Trust and SEI Tax Exempt Trust.
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· | may not serve on the board of directors of any publicly traded company. |
D. Pre-Clearance of Personal Securities Transactions
1. | Transactions Required to be Pre-Cleared: |
· | Access Persons must pre-clear with the SIDCO Compliance Officer or the designated representative of the SIDCO Compliance Department a proposed transaction in a Covered Security if he or she has actual knowledge at the time of the transaction that, during the 24 hour period immediately preceding or following the transaction, the Covered Security was purchased or sold or was being considered for purchase or sale by any Investment Vehicle . The pre-clearance obligation applies to all Accounts held in the person’s name or in the name of others in which they hold a Beneficial Ownership interest. Note that, among other things, this means that these persons must pre-clear such proposed securities transactions by their spouse or domestic partner, minor children, and relatives who reside in the person’s household. |
· | The SIDCO Compliance Officer or designated representative of the SIDCO Compliance Department may authorize a Pre-clearing Person to conduct the requested trade upon determining that the transaction for which pre-clearance is requested would not result in a conflict of interest or violate any other policy embodied in this Code. Factors to be considered may include: the discussion with the requesting person as to the background for the exemption request, the requesting person’s work role, the size and holding period of the requesting person’s position in the security, the market capitalization of the issuer, the liquidity of the security, the reason for the requesting person’s requested transaction, the amount and timing of client trading in the same or a related security, and other relevant factors. The person granting the authorization must document the basis for the authorization. |
2. | Transactions that do no have to be pre-cleared: |
· | purchases or sales over which the person pre-clearing the transactions (the “Pre-clearing Person”) has no direct or indirect influence or control; |
· | purchases, sales or other acquisitions of Covered Securities which are non-volitional on the part of the Pre-clearing Person or any Investment Vehicle, such as purchases or sales upon exercise or puts or calls written by Pre-clearing Person, sales from a margin account pursuant to a bona fide margin call, stock dividends, stock splits, mergers consolidations, spin-offs, or other similar corporate reorganizations or distributions; |
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· |
purchases or withdrawals made pursuant to an Automatic Investment Program; however, any transaction that overrides the preset schedule or allocations of the automatic investment plan must be reported in a quarterly transaction report; |
· | 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 for such issuer; and |
· | acquisitions of Covered Securities through gifts or bequests. |
3. | Pre-clearance Procedures: |
· | All requests for pre-clearance of securities transactions must be submitted to the SIDCO Compliance Officer or designated representative of the SIDCO Compliance Department by using the SEI Automated Pre-Clearance Trading system . |
· | The following information must be provided for each request: |
a. Name, date, phone extension and job title
b. Transaction detail, i.e. whether the transaction is a buy or sell; the security name and security type; number of shares; price; date acquired if a sale; and whether the security is traded in a portfolio or Investment Vehicle, part of an initial public offering, or part of a private placement transaction; and
c. Signature and date; if electronically submitted, initial and date.
· | The SIDCO Compliance Officer or designated representative of the SIDCO Compliance Department will notify the requesting person whether the trading request is approved or denied through the SEI Automated Pre-Clearance Trading system. |
· | A Pre-clearance Request should not be submitted for a transaction that the requesting person does not intend to execute. |
· | Pre-clearance trading authorization is valid from the time when approval is granted through the next business day. If the transaction is not executed within this period, an explanation of why the previous pre-cleared transaction was not completed must be submitted to the SIDCO Compliance department or entered into the SEI Automated Pre-clearance Trading system. Also, Open and Limit Orders must be resubmitted for pre-clearance approval if not executed within the permitted time period. |
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· | With respect to any transaction requiring pre-clearance, the person subject to pre-clearance must submit to the SIDCO Compliance Officer or designated representative of the SIDCO Compliance Department transaction reports showing the transactions for all the Investment Vehicles with respect to which such person has knowledge regarding purchases and sales that triggered the requirement to pre-clear under Section D.1. The transaction information must be provided for the 24 hour period before and after the date on which their securities transactions were effected. These reports may be submitted in hard copy or viewed through the SEI Pre-clearance Trading system. Transaction reports need only cover the Investment Vehicles that hold or are eligible to purchase and sell the types of securities proposed to be bought or sold by person subject to pre-clearance requirements. For example, if a person seeks approval for a proposed equity trade, only the transactions reports for the Investment Vehicles effecting or eligible to effect transactions in equity securities are required. |
· | The SIDCO Compliance Department will maintain pre-clearance records and records of exemptions granted for 5 years. |
E. Reporting Requirements
1. | Duplicate Brokerage Statements |
· | Access Persons are required to instruct their broker/dealer to file duplicate statements with the SIDCO Compliance Department at SEI Oaks. Statements must be filed for all Accounts (including those in which the person has a Beneficial Ownership interest), except those that trade exclusively in open-end funds other than Reportable Funds, government securities or Automatic Investment Plans. Failure of a broker/dealer to send duplicate statements will not excuse a violation of this Section. |
· | Sample letters instructing the broker/dealer firms to send the statements to SIDCO are attached in Exhibit 1 of this Code. If the broker/dealer requires a letter authorizing a SIDCO employee to open an account, the permission letter may also be found in Exhibit 1. Please complete the necessary brokerage information and forward a signature ready copy to the SIDCO Compliance Officer. |
· | If no such duplicate statement can be supplied, the employee should contact the SIDCO Compliance Department. |
2. | Initial Holdings Report |
· | Access Persons must submit an Initial Holdings Report to the SIDCO Compliance Officer or designated representative of the SIDCO Compliance Department disclosing every Covered Security, including mutual fund accounts, beneficially owned directly or indirectly by such person within 10 days of becoming an Access Person. Any person who returns the report late may be subject to the penalties in Section G regarding Code of Ethics violations. |
· | The following information must be provided on the report: |
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a. the title of the security;
b. the number of shares held;
c. the principal amount of the security;
d. the name of the broker, dealer, transfer agent; bank or other location where the security is held; and
e. the date the report is submitted.
The information disclosed in the report should be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the person becomes an Access Person. If the above information is contained on the Access Person’s brokerage statement, he or she may attach the statement and sign the Initial Holdings Report.
· | The Initial Holdings Report is attached as Exhibit 2 to this Code. |
3. | Quarterly Report of Securities Transactions |
· | Access Persons must submit quarterly transaction reports of the purchases and/or sales of Covered Securities in which such persons have a direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership interest. The report will be provided to all of the above defined persons before the end of each quarter by the SIDCO Compliance Officer or designated representative of the SIDCO Compliance Department and must be completed and returned no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. Quarterly Transaction Reports that are not returned by the date they are due will be considered late and will be noted as violations of the Code of Ethics. Any person who repeatedly returns the reports late may be subject to the penalties in Section G regarding Code of Ethics violations. |
· | The following information must be provided on the report: |
a. the date of the transaction, the description and number of shares, and the principal amount of each security involved;
b. whether the transaction is a purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition;
c. the transaction price;
d. the name of the broker, dealer or bank through whom the transaction was effected;
e. a list of securities accounts opened during the quarterly including the name of the broker, dealer or bank and account number; and
f. the date the report is submitted.
· | The Quarterly Report of Securities Transaction is attached as Exhibit 3 to this Code. |
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4. | Annual Report of Securities Holdings |
· | On an annual basis, Access Persons must submit to the SIDCO Compliance Officer or designated representative of the SIDCO Compliance Department an Annual Report of Securities Holdings that contains a list of all Covered Securities, including mutual fund accounts, in which they have any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership interest. |
· | The following information must be provided on the report: |
a. the title of the security;
b. the number of shares held;
c. the principal amount of the security;
d. the name of the broker, dealer, transfer agent, bank or other location where the security is held; and e. the date the report is submitted.
The information disclosed in the report should be current as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted. If the above information is contained on the Access Person’s brokerage statement, he or she may attach the statement and sign the annual holdings report.
· | Annual Reports must be completed and returned to the SIDCO Compliance Officer or designated representative of the SIDCO Compliance Department within 30 days after the end of the calendar year-end. Annual Reports that are not returned by the date they are due will be considered late and will be noted as violations of the Code of Ethics. Any person who repeatedly returns the reports late may be subject to the penalties in Section G regarding Code of Ethics violations. |
· | The Annual Report of Securities Holdings is attached as Exhibit 4 to this Code. |
5. | Annual Certification of Compliance |
· | Access Persons will be required to certify annually that they: |
-have read the Code of Ethics;
-understand the Code of Ethics; and
-have complied with the provisions of the Code of Ethics.
· | The SIDCO Compliance Officer or designated representative from the SIDCO Compliance Department will send out annual forms to all Access Persons that must be completed and returned no later than 30 days after the end of the calendar year. Any person who repeatedly returns the forms late may be subject to the penalties in Section G regarding Code of Ethics violations. |
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· | The Annual Certification of Compliance is attached as Exhibit 5 to this Code. |
6. | Exception to Reporting Requirements |
· | An Access Person who is subject to the Code of Ethics of an affiliate of SIDCO (“Affiliate Code”), and who pursuant to the Affiliate Code submits reports consistent with the reporting requirements of paragraphs 1 through 4 above, will not be required to submit such reports under this Code. |
F. Detection and Reporting of Code Violations
1. | The SIDCO Compliance Officer or designated representative of the SIDCO Compliance Department will: |
· | review the personal securities transaction reports or duplicate statements filed by Access Persons and compare the reports or statements of the Investment Vehicles’ completed portfolio transactions. The review will be performed on a quarterly basis. If the SIDCO Compliance Officer or the designated representative of the SIDCO Compliance Department determines that a compliance violation may have occurred, the Officer will give the person an opportunity to supply explanatory material; |
· | prepare an Annual Issues and Certification Report to the Board of Trustees or Directors of any Investment Vehicle that (1) describes the issues that arose during the year under this Code, including, but not limited to, material violations of and sanctions under the Code, and (2) certifies that SIDCO has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent its Access Persons from violating this Code; |
· | prepare a written report to SIDCO management outlining any violations of the Code together with recommendations for the appropriate penalties; and |
· | prepare a written report detailing any approval(s) granted for the purchase of securities offered in connection with an IPO or a private placement. The report must include the rationale supporting any decision to approve such a purchase. |
2. | An employee who in good faith reports illegal or unethical behavior will not be subject to reprisal or retaliation for making the report. Retaliation is a serious violation of this policy and any concern about retaliation should be reported immediately. Any person found to have retaliated against an employee for reporting violations will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. |
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G. Violations of the Code of Ethics
1. Penalties:
· | Persons who violate the Code of Ethics may be subject to serious penalties, which may include: |
· | written warning; |
· | reversal of securities transactions; |
· | restriction of trading privileges; |
· | disgorgement of trading profits; |
· | fines; |
· | suspension or termination of employment; and/or |
· | referral to regulatory or law enforcement agencies. |
2. Penalty Factors:
· | Factors which may be considered in determining an appropriate penalty include, but are not limited to: |
· | the harm to clients; |
· | the frequency of occurrence; |
· | the degree of personal benefit to the employee; |
· | the degree of conflict of interest; |
· | the extent of unjust enrichment; |
· | evidence of fraud, violation of law, or reckless disregard of a regulatory requirement; and/or |
· | the level of accurate, honest and timely cooperation from the employee. |
H. Confidential Treatment
· | The SIDCO Compliance Officer or designated representative from the SIDCO Compliance Department will use their best efforts to assure that all requests for pre-clearance, all personal securities reports and all reports for securities holding are treated as personal and confidential. However, such documents will be available for inspection by appropriate regulatory agencies and other parties, such as counsel, within and outside SIDCO as necessary to evaluate compliance with or sanctions under this Code. |
I. Recordkeeping
· | SIDCO will maintain records relating to this Code of Ethics in accordance with Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. They will be available for examination by representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory agencies. |
· | A copy of this Code that is, or at any time within the past five years has been, in effect will be preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of five years. |
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· | A record of any Code violation and of any sanctions taken will be preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of at least five years following the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurred. |
· | A copy of each Quarterly Transaction Report, Initial Holdings Report, and Annual Holdings Report submitted under this Code, including any information provided in lieu of any such reports made under the Code, will be preserved for a period of at least five years from the end of the fiscal year in which it is made, for the first two years in an easily accessible place. |
· | A record of all persons, currently or within the past five years, who are or were required to submit reports under this Code, or who are or were responsible for reviewing these reports, will be maintained in an easily accessible place for a period of at least five years from the end of the calendar year in which it is made. |
J. Definitions Applicable to the Code of Ethics
· | Account - a securities trading account held by a person and by any such person's spouse, minor children and adults residing in his or her household (each such person, an "immediate family member"); any trust for which the person is a trustee or from which the person benefits directly or indirectly; any partnership (general, limited or otherwise) of which the person is a general partner or a principal of the general partner; and any other account over which the person exercises investment discretion. |
· | Automatic Investment Plan – a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An Automatic Investment Plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan. |
· | Beneficial Ownership – Covered Security ownership in which a person has a direct or indirect financial interest. Generally, a person will be regarded as a beneficial owner of Covered Securities that are held in the name of: |
a. a spouse or domestic partner;
c. a relative who resides in the person’s household; or
d. | any other person IF : (a) the person obtains from the securities benefits substantially similar to those of ownership (for example, income from securities that are held by a spouse); or (b) the person can obtain title to the securities now or in the future. |
· | Covered Security – except as noted below, includes any interest or instrument commonly known as a "security", including notes, bonds, stocks (including closed-end funds), debentures, convertibles, preferred stock, security future, warrants, rights, and any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities. The term “Covered Securities” specifically includes the SEI Funds. See the definition of Reportable Funds below. |
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A “Covered Security” does not include (i) direct obligations of the U.S. Government, (ii) bankers' acceptances, (iii) bank certificates of deposit, (iv) commercial paper and other high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements, (v) shares issued by money market funds and (vi) shares issued by open-end investment companies other than a Reportable Fund.
· | Initial Public Offering – an offering of securities for which a registration statement has not been previously filed with the U.S. SEC and for which there is no active public market in the shares. |
· | Purchase or sale of a Covered Security – includes the writing of an option to purchase or sell a security. |
· | Reportable Fund – Any non-money market fund for which SIDCO serves as principal underwriter. |
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SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
CODE OF ETHICS EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1 | Account Opening Letters to Brokers/Dealers |
Exhibit 2 | Initial Holdings Report |
Exhibit 3 | Quarterly Transaction Report |
Exhibit 4 | Annual Securities Holdings Report |
Exhibit 5 | Annual Compliance Certification |
Exhibit 6 | SIDCO Client List |
EXHIBIT 1 |
Date:
Your Broker
street address
city, state zip code
Re: | Your Name |
your S.S. number or account number
Dear Sir or Madam:
Please be advised that I am an employee of SEI Investments Distribution Co. Please send duplicate statements only of this brokerage account to the attention of:
SEI Investments Distribution Co.
Attn: The Compliance Department
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks, PA 19456
This request is made pursuant to SEI’s Code of Ethics.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Your name
Date:
[Address]
Re: | Employee Name |
Account #
SS#
Dear Sir or Madam:
Please be advised that the above referenced person is an employee of SEI Investments Distribution Co. We grant permission for him/her to open a brokerage account with your firm, provided that you agree to send duplicate statements only of this employee’s brokerage account to:
SEI Investments Distribution Co.
Attn: The Compliance Department
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks, PA 19456
This request is made pursuant to SEI’s Code of Ethics.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
SEI Compliance Officer
EXHIBIT 2 |
SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORT
Name of Reporting Person: _____________________________________________
Date Person Became Subject to the Code’s Reporting Requirements: _____________
Information in Report Dated as of: ____________________________________________________________
Date Report Due:_________________________________________________________________________
Date Report Submitted: ____________________________________________________________________
Securities Holdings
Principal Amount, Maturity | ||||||
Name of Issuer and Title | No. of Shares (if | Date and Interest Rate (if | Name of Broker, Dealer or Bank | |||
of Security | applicable) | applicable) | Where Security Held | |||
If you have no securities holdings to report, please check here. ¨
Securities Accounts
Name of Broker, Dealer or | ||||||
Bank | Account Number | Names on Account | Type of Account | |||
If you have no securities accounts to report, please check here. ¨
I certify that I have included on this report all securities holdings and accounts in which I have a direct or indirect beneficial interest and required to be reported pursuant to the Code of Ethics and that I will comply with the Code of Ethics.
Signature: ____________________________ | Date: ______________ |
Received by: _________________________
EXHIBIT 3 |
SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
QUARTERLY TRANSACTION REPORT
Transaction Record of Securities Directly or Indirectly Beneficially Owned
For the Quarter Ended _______________
Name: ___________________________________________________
Submission Date: ___________________________
Securities Transactions
Name of | ||||||||||||
Principal Amount, | Broker, Dealer | |||||||||||
Name of Issuer | Maturity Date and | or Bank | ||||||||||
Date of | and Title of | No. of Shares (if | Interest Rate (if | Type of | Effecting | |||||||
Transaction | Security | applicable) | applicable) | Transaction | Price | Transaction | ||||||
If you had no reportable transactions during the quarter, please check here. ¨
NOTE: Trades in SEI Funds done through the SEI Capital Accumulation (401(k)) Plan and trades done through an employee account established at SEI Private Trust Company will be deemed to satisfy the reporting requirements of the Code and do not have to be reported here. Any trades in SEI Funds done in a different channel must be reported.
This report is required of all officers, directors and certain other persons under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and is subject to examination. Transactions in direct obligations of the U.S. Government need not be reported. In addition, persons need not report transactions in bankers' acceptances, certificates of deposit, commercial paper or open-end investment companies other than Reportable Funds. The report must be returned within 30 days of the applicable calendar quarter end. The reporting of transactions on this record shall not be construed as an admission that the reporting person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security listed.
Securities Accounts
If you established an account within the quarter, please provide the following information:
Name of Broker, Dealer | Date Account was | |||||||
or Bank | Account Number | Names on Account | Established | Type of Account | ||||
If you did not establish a securities account during the quarter, please check here. ¨
By signing this document, I represent that all reported transactions were pre-cleared through the Compliance Department or the designated Compliance Officer in compliance with the SIDCO Code of Ethics. In addition, I certify that I have included on this report all securities transactions and accounts required to be reported pursuant to the Policy.
Signature:__________________________
Received by: _______________________
EXHIBIT 4 |
SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
ANNUAL SECURITIES HOLDINGS REPORT
As of December 31, ________
Name of Reporting Person: ______________________________
Securities Holdings
Principal Amount, | ||||||
Maturity Date and | ||||||
No. of Shares (if | Interest Rate (if | Name of Broker, Dealer or Bank | ||||
Name of Issuer and Title of Security | applicable) | applicable) | Where Security Held | |||
If you have no securities accounts to report this year, please check here. ¨
Securities Accounts
If you established an account during the year, please provide the following information:
Date Account was | Account | |||||||
Name of Broker, Dealer or Bank | Established | Number | Names on Account | Type of Account | ||||
If you have no securities accounts to report this year, please check here. ¨
I certify that the above list is an accurate and complete listing of all securities in which I have a direct or indirect beneficial interest.
____________________________ | _______________________________ | |
Signature | Received by |
__________
Date
Note: Do not report holdings of U.S. Government securities, bankers’ acceptances, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and mutual funds other than Reportable Funds.
EXHIBIT 5 |
SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
RULE 17J-1 CODE OF ETHICS
ANNUAL COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION
Please return the signed form via email or
interoffice the form to SEI Compliance Department – Meadowlands Two
1. | I hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Code of Ethics. |
2. | I have read and understand the Code of Ethics and recognize that I am subject thereto. In addition, I have raised any questions I may have on the Code of Ethics with the SIDCO Compliance Officer and have received a satisfactory response[s]. |
3. | For all securities/accounts beneficially owned by me, I hereby declare that I have complied with the terms of the Code of Ethics during the prior year. |
Print Name: ______________________
Signature: _______________________
Date:_________
Received by SIDCO: ________________
EXHIBIT 6 |
As of December 18, 2012, SIDCO acts as distributor for the following:
SEI Daily Income Trust
SEI Liquid Asset Trust
SEI Tax Exempt Trust
SEI Institutional Managed Trust
SEI Institutional International Trust
The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund
The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund II
Bishop Street Funds
SEI Asset Allocation Trust
SEI Institutional Investments Trust
CNI Charter Funds
Causeway Capital Management Trust
ProShares Trust
ProShares Trust II
Community Reinvestment Act Qualified Investment Fund
SEI Alpha Strategy Portfolios, LP
TD Asset Management USA Funds
SEI Structured Credit Fund LP
Wilshire Mutual Funds, Inc.
Wilshire Variable Insurance Trust
Global X Funds
Exchange Traded Concepts Trust (f/k/a FaithShares Trust)
Schwab Strategic Trust
RiverPark Funds
Adviser Managed Trust Fund
Huntington Strategy Shares
New Covenant Funds
Cambria ETF Trust
Pyxis Funds I
KKR Series Trust
KKR Alternative Corporate Opportunities Fund
KKR Alternative Corporate Opportunities Fund P
KraneShares Trust
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, Eric Leake , the undersigned Trustee of Cambria ETF Trust (the “Trust”) hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed, if any, and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Trust and do hereby constitute and appoint Stacy L. Fuller , and Kurt J. Decko and each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-1A, Form N-8A or any successor thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statements on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and Registration Statements on Form N-14, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
EXECUTED at El Segundo, California , this 25th day of April, 2013.
/s/ Eric Leake | |
Trustee |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, Dennis G. Schmal , the undersigned Trustee of Cambria ETF Trust (the “Trust”) hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed, if any, and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Trust and do hereby constitute and appoint Stacy L. Fuller , and Kurt J. Decko and each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-1A, Form N-8A or any successor thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statements on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and Registration Statements on Form N-14, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
EXECUTED at El Segundo, California , this 25th day of April, 2013.
/s/ Dennis G. Schmal | |
Trustee |