Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 2, 2009

Securities Act File No. 33-20827

Investment Company Act File No. 811-5518

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933    x
Pre-Effective Amendment No.         ¨
Post-Effective Amendment No. 129    x
and   
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940    x
Amendment No. 131    x

 

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Bellevue Park Corporate Center

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number: (856)-478-4330

Copies to:

 

SALVATORE FAIA

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

  

MICHAEL P. MALLOY, ESQUIRE

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square

18th & Cherry Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

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

 

¨ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

 

¨ on December 31, 2008 pursuant to paragraph (b)

 

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

 

¨ on December 31, 2008 pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

 

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

 

¨ on ______ pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

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

Title of Securities Being Registered                      Shares of Common Stock

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

Of The RBB Fund, Inc.

Ticker Symbol:[        ]

Investor Class Shares Prospectus

________, 2009

LOGO

Investment Adviser:

Perimeter Capital Management LLC

THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or

passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal

offense.


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

SUMMARY SECTION

  

Investment Objective

   1

Expenses and Fees

   1

Principal Investment Strategies

   2

Principal Investment Risks

   2

Performance Information

   3

Management of the Fund

   3

Purchase and Sale Information

   4

Taxes

   4

Potential Conflicts of Interest

   4

FUND INFORMATION

  

More Information About Fund Investments

   5

More Information About Risk

   5

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

   6

More Information About Management of the Fund

   6

Other Service Providers

   8

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

  

Pricing of Fund Shares

   9

Purchase of Fund Shares

   9

Redemption of Fund Shares

   12

Market Timing

   13

Dividends and Distributions

   14

More Information About Taxes

   14

Distribution Arrangements

   16

Financial Highlights

   17

Performance of Comparable Account

   17


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S UMMARY S ECTION

F UND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The investment objective of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek long-term capital appreciation. This investment objective is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Fund without shareholder approval.

E XPENSES AND FEES

As a shareholder, you pay certain fees and expenses. The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Investor Class shares of the Fund.

 

       Investor Class  

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

  

Maximum sales charge imposed on purchases

   None   

Maximum deferred sales charge

   None   

Maximum sales charge imposed on reinvested dividends

   None   

Redemption Fee (1)

   2.00

Exchange Fee

   None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses* (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

  

Management fees

   0.90

Distribution (12b-1) fees

   0.25

Other Expenses (2)

   0.40

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (3)

   1.55
      

 

* Shareholders requesting redemptions by wire are charged a transaction fee of $7.50. A $15.00 custodial maintenance fee is charged per IRA account per year.

 

(1) To prevent the Fund from being adversely affected by the transaction costs associated with short-term shareholder transactions, the Fund will redeem shares at a price equal to the net asset value of the shares, less an additional transaction fee equal to 2.00% of the net asset value of all such shares redeemed within seven days of purchase. For more information, see the “Redemption Fee” section of this Prospectus.

 

(2) “Other expenses” include audit, administration, custody, legal, registration, transfer agency and miscellaneous other charges for the Investor Class and are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

(3) The Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) to 1.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time upon notice to the Company’s Board of Directors. If at any time during the first three years the Advisory Agreement is in effect, the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for that year are less than 1.35%, the Board may permit the Adviser to be reimbursed by the Fund for the advisory fees waived and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund.

E XAMPLE

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, based on these assumptions your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:

 

1 Year    3 Years    5 Years    10 Years
$ 158    $ 490    $ 845    $ 1,845

 

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P ORTFOLIO T URNOVER

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Predecessor Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was [ ]% of the average value of its portfolio.

P RINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in small-cap equity securities. This investment policy may be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders. The Fund currently defines small-cap equity securities as those of companies with market capitalizations between $50 million and $3 billion at the time of purchase. The Fund’s investments will generally consist of U.S. traded securities, which may include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), among other types of securities.

The Fund’s investment philosophy is based on the premise that a portfolio of small cap stocks with positive earnings trends, reasonable valuation, and strong fundamentals will provide superior returns over time. The Adviser selects companies with strong current earnings growth, improving profitability, strong balance sheets, and strong current and projected business fundamentals which are priced at reasonable valuations. The Adviser believes in executing a very disciplined and objective investment process and in controlling risk through a broadly diversified portfolio. Because companies tend to shift in relative attractiveness, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs, additional capital gains tax liabilities and may adversely impact performance. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Adviser may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. The Adviser will not necessarily sell a security that has appreciated or depreciated outside the stated market capitalization range defined above.

P RINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS

As with all mutual funds, a shareholder is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.

Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund.

The Fund is also subject to the risk that small-capitalization stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The small-capitalization companies that the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small-cap companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.

Because the Fund may invest in ADRs, it is subject to some of the same risks as direct investments in foreign companies. These include the risk that political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. More information about the Fund’s investment strategy and risks associated with investing in the Fund are located on page __ of this Prospectus.

 

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P ERFORMANCE INFORMATION

The bar chart and the performance table below illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. It is currently contemplated that before the Fund commences operations, substantially all of the assets of another fund advised by the Adviser, [            ] (the “Predecessor Fund”), a series of [            ], will be transferred to the Fund in a tax-free reorganization (the “Reorganization”). If approved by shareholders of the Predecessor Fund, the Reorganization will occur on or about October __, 2009. As a result of the Reorganization, the performance and accounting history of the Predecessor Fund prior to the date of the Reorganization will be assumed by the Fund.

The performance information set forth in the bar chart and table below is that of the Investor Class Shares of the Predecessor Fund, which commenced operations on September 29, 2006. The bar chart assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns would have been lower had certain fees and expenses not been waived or reimbursed. Past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

        
        
   [    ]%    [    ]%   
        
        
            
   2007    2008   
        

Best and Worst Quarterly Performance (for the periods reflected in the chart above)

Best Quarter: ______% (quarter ended _______, 20__)

Worst Quarter: ______% (quarter ended _______, 20__)

Year to Date Total Return as of June 30, 2009: _____ %

Average Annual Total Returns

This table compares the average annual total returns of the Fund’s Investor Class Shares for the calendar year ended December 31, 2008 and since inception to those of the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index.

 

     1 Year     Since Inception*  

Fund Returns Before Taxes

   [     ]%    [     ]% 

Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions**

   [     ]%    [     ]% 

Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares**

   [     ]%    [     ]% 

Russell 2000 ® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)***

   [     ]%    [     ]% 

 

* The Fund’s inception date was September 29, 2006. Index comparisons begin September 30, 2006.

 

** After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

 

***

The Russell 2000 ® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000 ® companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 2000 ® Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of the smallest 2,000 companies in the Russell 3000 ® Index. As of [                    ], 2009, the market capitalization range of the companies in the Russell 2000 Growth Index is between $__ million and $__ billion.

M ANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Investment Adviser

Perimeter Capital Management LLC,

Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2725, Atlanta, Georgia 30328

 

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Portfolio Management   
Mark D. Garfinkel, CFA    Jim N. Behre
Portfolio Manager &    Director of Investment Research &
Chief Investment Officer    Senior Research Analyst
Since September 2006    Since September 2006

P URCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION

For more information about purchasing and selling Fund Shares, including policies and restrictions, see “Shareholder Information” on page __ of this Prospectus.

Minimum Initial Investment: $100,000*

 

* Shares of the Fund may be available through certain brokerage firms, financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Organizations”). Certain features of the Shares, such as the initial and subsequent investment minimums and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations. Service Organizations may impose transaction or administrative charges or other direct fees, which charges and fees would not be imposed if Shares are purchased directly from the Company. The Fund may accept initial investments of smaller amounts in its sole discretion.

You can only purchase and redeem Shares of the Fund on days the New York Stock Exchange is open and through the means described below.

 

Purchase and Redemption By Mail:    Purchase and Redemption By Wire:
Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund    PNC Bank, N.A.
c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
P.O. Box [        ]    ABA# [                    ]
Providence, RI 02940    Account #[                    ]
   F/B/O Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund
   Ref. (Shareholder Name; Account Number)

Redemption By Telephone:

Call the Transfer Agent at [                        ]**

 

** A wire charge of $7.50 will apply

Redemption Fee: In an effort to discourage market timing, the Fund charges a 2% fee on redemptions of Fund Shares sold within 7 days of their purchase.

Involuntary Redemption: The Fund reserves the right to redeem a shareholder’s account in the Fund at any time the value of the account falls below $500 as a result of a redemption or an exchange request.

T AXES

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains. The Fund contemplates distributing as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income. Additionally, you will recognize gain or loss when you redeem Shares. Distributions on, and redemptions of, Shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable. More information about taxes is contained on page __ of this Prospectus or in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) (for information on how to obtain a copy of the SAI, see the back cover of this Prospectus).

P OTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

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

 

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F UND INFORMATION

M ORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS

The investments and strategies described in this Prospectus are those that the Fund uses under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in money market instruments and other cash equivalents that would not ordinarily be consistent with its investment objective. If the Fund invests in this manner, it may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund will only make temporary defensive investments if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for capital appreciation.

This Prospectus describes the Fund’s principal investment strategies, and the Fund will normally invest in the types of securities described in this Prospectus. In addition to the investments and strategies described in this Prospectus, the Fund also may invest, to a lesser extent, in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices that are not part of its principal investment strategy. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this Prospectus, are described in detail in the Fund’s SAI. Of course, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

M ORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK

The Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders’ money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities.

The Fund has an investment objective and strategies for reaching that objective. The Adviser invests the Fund’s assets in a way that it believes will help the Fund achieve its objective. Still, investing in the Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its objective. The Adviser’s judgments about the markets, the economy, or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with similar investments. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.

The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on the Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings.

Equity Risk — Equity securities include public and privately issued equity securities, common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights to subscribe to common stock and convertible securities, as well as instruments that attempt to track the price movement of equity indices. Investments in equity securities and equity derivatives in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of such securities convertible into equity securities, such as warrants or convertible debt, is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provision. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a mutual fund invests will cause the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) to fluctuate. An investment in a portfolio of equity securities may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of these share price fluctuations.

Foreign Security Risk — Investments in securities of foreign companies (including direct investments as well as ADRs) can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign companies. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the United States and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign

 

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securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio.

Derivatives Risks — Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. The Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include the following risks associated with hedging and leveraging activities:

 

   

The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates.

 

   

The Fund may experience losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives.

 

   

There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives.

 

   

There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives.

 

   

Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange.

 

   

Government regulations may restrict trading derivatives.

 

   

The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or expense swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counterparty risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Fund are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities.

Securities Lending Risks — The Fund may seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities to institutions, such as certain broker-dealers. Portfolio security loans are secured continuously by collateral maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. The value of the securities loaned by the Fund will not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund may experience a loss or delay in the recovery of its securities if the borrowing institution breaches its agreement with the Fund.

D ISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

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

M ORE INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Investment Adviser

Perimeter Capital Management LLC, a Delaware corporation formed in 2006, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser’s principal place of business is located at Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2725, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. As of [            , 2009], the Adviser had approximately $[        ] million in assets under management.

Management Fees

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Company, the Adviser is entitled to an advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed daily and payable monthly. A discussion regarding the Board of Directors’ basis for approving the investment advisory agreement with respect to the Fund will be available in the Fund’s semi-annual report for the fiscal period ending January 31, 2010.

The Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive its advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 1.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time upon notice to the Board of Directors. If at any time during the first three years the Advisory Agreement is in effect, the Fund’s total annual operating expenses for that year

 

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are less than 1.35%, the Adviser may be entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees waived and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, the Predecessor Fund paid [            ](expressed as a percentage of average net assets) to the Adviser for its services. Had fee waivers not been in place, the Predecessor Fund would have paid [                    ].

Portfolio Management

The Fund is managed by a team of investment professionals headed by Mark D. Garfinkel, Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”). Although Mr. Garfinkel is primarily responsible for making investment decisions for the Fund, Jim N. Behre also plays an integral part in generating investment ideas and making recommendations for the Fund.

Mark D. Garfinkel is a founding partner of the Adviser and a member of its management committee. As the Adviser’s small-cap growth Portfolio Manager and Chief Investment Officer, he has over [20] years of investment management experience. Prior to the formation of the Adviser in June 2006, Mr. Garfinkel spent 8 years managing Trusco Capital Management, Inc.’s small cap growth discipline, which he and lead analyst, Jim Behre, co-designed in 1998. Mr. Garfinkel is a member of the Atlanta Society of Financial Analysts, received his CFA designation in 1993, and earned his B.A. (1986) and M.B.A. (1987) from Vanderbilt University.

Jim N. Behre is a founding partner of the Adviser and a member of the management committee. As the Adviser’s small-cap growth Senior Research Analyst and Director of Investment Research, he brings over [22] years of investment experience, specializing in small- to mid-cap companies. Prior to the formation of the Adviser, Mr. Behre worked with Mr. Garfinkel at Trusco Capital Management, Inc. as the lead analyst of the firm’s small-cap growth investment process. In addition, he has had experience as a Securities Principal and Compliance Officer. Mr. Behre is a member of the Atlanta Society of Financial Analysts and earned his B.A. from Barry University (1984) and M.B.A. from Farleigh Dickinson University (1991).

The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

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O THER SERVICE PROVIDERS

LOGO

 

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S HAREHOLDER INFORMATION

P RICING OF FUND SHARES

Investor Class shares of the Fund (“Shares”) are priced at their NAV. The NAV per Share of the Fund is calculated as follows:

 

        Value of Assets Attributable to the Investor Class   
NAV    =    -   Value of Liabilities Attributable to the Investor Class   
        Number of Outstanding Shares of the Investor Class   

The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. The NYSE is generally open Monday through Friday, except national holidays. The Fund will effect purchases of Fund Shares at the NAV next determined after receipt of your order or request in proper form. The Fund will effect redemptions of Fund Shares at the NAV next calculated after receipt of your order in proper form.

The Fund’s equity securities listed on any national or foreign exchange market system will be valued at the last sale price, except for the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”). Equity securities listed on NASDAQ will be valued at the official closing price. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued using an independent pricing service. When prices are not available from such service or are deemed to be unreliable, securities may be valued by dealers who make markets in such securities.

If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be fair valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Fund to price its investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses).

P URCHASE OF FUND SHARES

Shares representing interests in the Fund are offered continuously for sale by PFPC Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”). Investor Class Shares are designed for individual and retail investors.

Purchases Through Intermediaries. Shares of the Funds may also be available through certain brokerage firms, financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Organizations”). Certain features of the Shares, such as the initial investment minimum and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations. Service Organizations may impose transaction or administrative charges or other direct fees, which charges and fees would not be imposed if Shares are purchased directly from the Company. Therefore, you should contact the Service Organization acting on your behalf concerning the fees (if any) charged in connection with a purchase or redemption of Shares and should read this Prospectus in light of the terms governing your accounts with the Service Organization. Service Organizations will be responsible for promptly transmitting client or customer purchase and redemption orders to the Company in accordance with their agreements with the Company or its agent and with clients or customers. Service Organizations or, if applicable, their designees that have entered into agreements with the Company or its agent may enter confirmed purchase orders on behalf of clients and customers, with payment to follow no later than the Company’s pricing on the following Business Day. If payment is not received by such time, the Service Organization could be held liable for resulting fees or losses. The Company will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when a Service Organization, or, if applicable, its authorized designee, accepts a purchase or redemption order in good order if the order is actually received by the

 

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Company in good order not later than the next business morning. If a purchase order is not received by the Fund in good order, PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”) will contact the financial intermediary to determine the status of the purchase order. Orders received by the Company in good order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next computed after such orders are deemed to have been received by the Service Organization or its authorized designee.

The Company relies upon the integrity of Service Organizations to ensure that orders are timely and properly submitted. The Fund cannot assure you that a Service Organization properly submitted to it all purchase and redemption orders received from the Service Organization’s customers before the time for determination of the Fund’s NAV in order to obtain that day’s price.

For administration, subaccounting, transfer agency and/or other services, the Adviser, the Distributor or their affiliates may pay Service Organizations and certain recordkeeping organizations a fee (the “Service Fee”) based on the average annual NAV of accounts with the Company maintained by such Service Organizations or recordkeepers. The Service Fee payable to any one Service Organization is determined based upon a number of factors, including the nature and quality of services provided, the operations processing requirements of the relationship and the standardized fee schedule of the Service Organization or recordkeeper.

General. You may also purchase Shares of each Fund at the NAV per Share next calculated after your order is received by the Transfer Agent in proper form as described below. After an initial purchase is made, the Transfer Agent will set up an account for you on the Company records. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $100,000. There is no minimum for subsequent investments. The Fund may accept initial investments of smaller amounts in its sole discretion. You can only purchase Shares of the Fund on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below.

Initial Investment By Mail. Subject to acceptance by the Fund, an account may be opened by completing and signing an Account Application and mailing it to the Fund at the address noted below, together with a check payable to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund. Third party endorsed checks or foreign checks will not be accepted.

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.

P.O. Box [            ]

Providence, RI 02940

or overnight to:

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.

101 Sabin Street

Pawtucket, RI 02860-1427

Subject to acceptance by the Fund, payment for the purchase of Shares received by mail will be credited to a shareholder’s account at the NAV per Share of the Fund next determined after receipt of payment in good order.

Initial Investment By Wire. Subject to acceptance by the Fund, Shares may be purchased by wiring federal funds to PNC Bank, N.A. (see instructions below). A completed Account Application must be forwarded to the PNC at the address noted above under “Initial Investment by Mail” in advance of the wire. Notification must be given to PNC at (888) 520-3277 prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the wire date. (Prior notification must also be received from investors with existing accounts.) Funds should be wired to:

PNC Bank, N.A.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

ABA# [             ]

Account #[             ]

F/B/O Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

Ref. (Shareholder or Account Name; Account Number)

 

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Federal funds wire purchases will be accepted only on days when the Fund and PNC Bank, N.A. are open for business.

Additional Investments. Additional investments may be made at any time by purchasing Shares at the NAV per share of the Fund by mailing a check to the Transfer Agent at the address noted above under “Initial Investment by Mail” (payable to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) or by wiring monies to PNC Bank, N.A. as outlined above under “Initial Investment by Wire.” Notification must be given to the Transfer Agent at [        ] prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the wire date. Initial and additional purchases made by check cannot be redeemed until payment of the purchase has been collected, which may take up to fifteen calendar days from the purchase date.

Retirement Plans/IRA Accounts. A $15.00 retirement custodial maintenance fee is charged per IRA account per year. For further information as to applications and annual fees, contact the Transfer Agent at [        ]. To determine whether the benefits of an IRA are available and/or appropriate, you should consult with a tax advisor.

Other Purchase Information. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the offering of Shares or to reject purchase orders when, in the judgment of management, such suspension or rejection is in the best interests of the Fund. The Adviser will monitor the Fund’s total assets and may, subject to Board approval, decide to close the Fund at any time to new investments or to new accounts due to concerns that a significant increase in the size of the Fund may adversely affect the implementation of the Fund’s strategy. The Adviser, subject to Board approval, may also choose to reopen the Fund to new investments at any time, and may subsequently close the Fund again should concerns regarding the Fund’s size recur. If the Fund closes to new investments, the Fund may be offered only to certain existing shareholders of the Fund and certain other persons who may be subject to cumulative, maximum purchase amounts, as follows:

a. persons who already hold Shares of the Fund directly or through accounts maintained by brokers by arrangement with the Adviser;

b. Existing and future clients of financial advisers and planners whose clients already hold Shares of the Fund;

c. employees of the Adviser and their families, and

d. directors of the Company.

Distributions to all shareholders of the Fund will continue to be reinvested unless a shareholder elects otherwise. The Adviser, subject to Board approval, reserves the right to implement specific purchase limitations at the time of closing, including limitations on current shareholders.

Purchases of the Fund’s Shares will be made in full and fractional Shares of the Fund calculated to three decimal places. Certificates for Shares will not be issued except at the written request of the shareholder. Certificates for fractional Shares, however, will not be issued.

Shares may be purchased and subsequent investments may be made by principals and employees of the Adviser and their family members, either directly or through their IRAs, and by any pension and profit-sharing plan of the Adviser, without being subject to the minimum investment limitation. The Company’s officers are authorized to waive the minimum initial investment requirement.

Good Order. You must include complete and accurate required information on your purchase request. Please see “Purchase of Fund Shares” for instructions. Purchase requests not in good order may be rejected.

Customer Identification Program. Federal law requires the Company to obtain, verify and record identifying information, which may include the name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for an individual), social security or taxpayer identification number or other identifying information for each investor who opens or reopens an account with the Company. Applications without the required information, or without any indication that a social security or taxpayer identification number has been applied for, may not be accepted. After acceptance, to the extent permitted by applicable law or its customer identification program,

 

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the Company reserves the right (a) to place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; or (b) to refuse an investment in a Company portfolio or to involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares and close an account in the event that an investor’s identity is not verified. The Company and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s Shares when an investor’s identity cannot be verified.

R EDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES

You may redeem Fund Shares at the next NAV calculated after a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent in proper form. You can only redeem Shares of the Fund on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below. You may redeem Fund Shares by mail, or, if you are authorized, by telephone. The value of Shares redeemed may be more or less than the purchase price, depending on the market value of the investment securities held by the Fund.

Redemption By Mail. Your redemption requests should be addressed to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., P.O. Box [            ], Providence, RI 02940, or for overnight delivery to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., 101 Sabin Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860-1427, and must include:

 

   

a letter of instruction, if required, or a stock assignment specifying the number of Shares or dollar amount to be redeemed, signed by all registered owners of the Shares in the exact names in which they are registered;

 

   

any required Medallion signature guarantees, which are required when (i) the redemption proceeds are to be sent to someone other than the registered shareholder(s), (ii) the redemption request is for $10,000 or more; or (iii) a Share transfer request is made. A Medallion signature guarantee is a special signature guarantee that may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency or savings association which is a participant in a Medallion signature guarantee program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. A Medallion imprint or Medallion stamp indicates that the financial institution is a member of a Medallion signature guarantee program and is an acceptable signature guarantor. The three recognized Medallion signature guarantee programs are Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP), Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (SEMP) and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Program (MSP). Signature guarantees which are not a part of these programs will not be accepted. Please note that a notary public stamp or seal is not acceptable; and

 

   

other supporting legal documents, if required, in the case of estates, trusts, guardianships, custodianships, corporations, pension and profit sharing plans and other organizations.

Redemption By Telephone. In order to utilize the telephone redemption option, you must indicate that option on your Account Application. Please note that the telephone redemption option is not available for retirement accounts. You may then initiate a redemption of Shares by calling the Transfer Agent at [                ] and requesting that the redemption proceeds be mailed to the primary registration address or wired per the authorized instructions. A wire charge of $7.50 is assessed and charged to the shareholder. If the telephone redemption option is authorized, the Transfer Agent may act on telephone instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be a shareholder and believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Transfer Agent’s records of such instructions are binding and shareholders, not the Fund or its Transfer Agent, bear the risk of loss in the event of unauthorized instructions reasonably believed by the Fund or its Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Fund and the Transfer Agent will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated are genuine and, if it does not, it may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. The procedures employed by the Fund and the Transfer Agent in connection with transactions initiated by telephone include tape recording of telephone instructions and requiring some form of personal identification prior to acting upon instructions received by telephone.

Redemption Fee. In an effort to discourage short-term trading and defray costs incurred by shareholders as a result of same, the Fund charges a 2% redemption fee on redemptions of Fund Shares sold within 7 days of their purchase. The fee is deducted from the sale proceeds and cannot be paid separately, and any proceeds

 

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of the fee are credited to the assets of the Fund. The fee does not apply to Shares purchased with reinvested dividends or distributions. The redemption fee is applicable to Shares of the Fund purchased either directly or through a financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer. Transactions through financial intermediaries typically are placed with the Fund on an omnibus basis and include both purchase and sale transactions placed on behalf of multiple investors. For this reason, the Fund has undertaken to notify financial intermediaries of their obligation to assess the redemption fee on customer accounts and to collect and remit the proceeds to the Fund. However, due to operational requirements, the intermediaries’ methods for tracking and calculating the fee may be inadequate or differ in some respects from those of the Fund.

The redemption fee may not apply to certain categories of redemptions, such as those that the Fund reasonably believes may not raise frequent trading or market timing concerns. These categories include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) participants in certain group retirement plans whose processing systems are incapable of properly applying the redemption fee to underlying shareholders; (ii) redemptions resulting from certain transfers upon the death of a shareholder; (iii) redemptions by certain pension plans as required by law or by regulatory authorities; (iv) systematic redemptions; and (v) retirement loans and withdrawals. The Fund reserves the right to modify or eliminate the redemption fees or waivers at any time.

Involuntary Redemption: The Fund reserves the right to redeem a shareholder’s account in the Fund at any time the value of the account falls below $500 as a result of a redemption or an exchange request. Shareholders will be notified in writing that the value of their account in the Fund is less than $500 and will be allowed 30 days to make additional investments before the redemption is processed. The Fund may assert the right to redeem your Shares at current NAV at any time and without prior notice if, and to the extent that, such redemption is necessary to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for Shares of the Fund you previously purchased or subscribed for.

Other Redemption Information: Redemption proceeds for Shares of the Fund recently purchased by check may not be distributed until payment for the purchase has been collected, which may take up to fifteen days from the purchase date. Shareholders can avoid this delay by utilizing the wire purchase option. Other than as described above, payment of the redemption proceeds will be made within seven days after receipt of an order for a redemption. The Company may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date at times when the NYSE is closed or under any emergency circumstances as determined by the SEC.

If the Board of Directors determines that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment wholly or partly in cash, redemption proceeds may be paid in whole or in part by an in-kind distribution of readily marketable securities held by the Fund instead of cash in conformity with applicable rules of the SEC. Investors generally will incur brokerage charges on the sale of portfolio securities so received in the payment of redemptions. Investors also will bear the risk of fluctuations in the market value of securities received in an in-kind redemption until the securities are sold. The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, so that the Fund is obligated to redeem its Shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Fund.

Proper Form: You must include complete and accurate required information on your redemption request. Redemption requests not in proper form may be delayed.

M ARKET TIMING

In accordance with the policy adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company discourages market timing and other excessive trading practices. Purchases should be made with a view to longer-term investment only. Excessive short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm Fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by long-term shareholders. The Company and the Adviser reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase requests from any investor. The Company and the Adviser will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase orders. To minimize harm to the Company and its shareholders (or the Adviser), the Company (or the Adviser) will exercise their right if, in the Company’s (or the Adviser’s) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Company or the Adviser, has been or may be disruptive to the Fund. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Fund and its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Fund and its shareholders to those of the Adviser or any affiliated person or associated person of the Adviser.

 

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Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Adviser has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. The Adviser reviews on a regular, periodic basis available information related to the trading activity in the Fund in order to assess the likelihood that the Fund may be the target of excessive trading. As part of its excessive trading surveillance process, the Adviser, on a periodic basis, examines transactions that exceed certain monetary thresholds or numerical limits within a period of time. If, in its judgment, the Adviser detects excessive, short-term trading, the Adviser may reject or restrict a purchase request and may further seek to close an investor’s account with the Fund. The Adviser may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. The Adviser will apply the criteria in a manner that, in the Adviser’s judgment, will be uniform.

There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to identify market timers, particularly if they are investing through intermediaries.

If necessary, the Company may prohibit additional purchases of Fund Shares by a financial intermediary or by certain customers of the financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries may also monitor their customers’ trading activities in the Company. The criteria used by intermediaries to monitor for excessive trading may differ from the criteria used by the Company. If a financial intermediary fails to enforce the Company’s excessive trading policies, the Company may take certain actions, including terminating the relationship.

D IVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. All distributions are reinvested in the form of additional full and fractional Shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects otherwise. The Fund will declare and pay dividends from net investment income annually. Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, will be distributed by the Fund at least annually.

M ORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES

The following is a summary of certain U.S. tax considerations relevant under current law, which may be subject to change in the future. Except where otherwise indicated, the discussion relates to investors who are individual U.S. citizens or residents. You should consult your tax adviser for further information regarding federal, state, local and/or foreign tax consequences relevant to your specific situation.

Distributions. The Fund contemplates distributing as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income, including its net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss). Except as otherwise discussed below, you will be subject to federal income tax on Fund distributions regardless of whether they are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income, except as discussed below.

Distributions attributable to the net capital gain of the Fund will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares. The maximum long-term capital gain rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is currently 15%. You will be notified annually of the tax status of distributions to you.

Distributions of “qualifying dividends” will also generally be taxable to you at long-term capital gain rates, as long as certain requirements are met. In general, if 95% or more of the gross income of the Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of dividends received from domestic corporations or “qualified” foreign corporations (“qualifying dividends”), then all distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be taxed at long-term capital gains rates. But if less than 95% of the gross income of the Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of qualifying dividends, then distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be qualifying dividends only to the extent they are derived from qualifying dividends earned by the Fund. For the lower rates to apply, you must have owned your Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date (and the Fund will need to have met a similar holding period requirement with respect to the shares of the corporation paying the qualifying

 

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dividend). The amount of the Fund’s distributions that qualify for this favorable treatment may be reduced as a result of the Fund’s securities lending activities (if any), a high portfolio turnover rate or investments in debt securities or “non-qualified” foreign corporations.

Distributions from the Fund will generally be taxable to you in the taxable year in which they are paid, with one exception. Distributions declared by the Fund in October, November or December and paid in January of the following year are taxed as though they were paid on December 31.

A portion of distributions paid by the Fund to shareholders that are corporations may also qualify for the dividends-received deduction for corporations, subject to certain holding period requirements and debt financing limitations.

If you purchase shares just before a distribution, the purchase price will reflect the amount of the upcoming distribution, but you will be taxed on the entire amount of the distribution received, even though, as an economic matter, the distribution simply constitutes a return of capital. This is known as “buying into a dividend.”

Sales and Exchanges. You will generally recognize taxable gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on a sale, exchange or redemption of your shares based on the difference between your tax basis in the shares and the amount you receive for them. Generally, you will recognize long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Fund shares for over twelve months at the time you dispose of them. (To aid in computing your tax basis, you should retain your account statements for the periods during which you held shares.)

Any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a disposition of shares of the Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of the Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an upward adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

IRAs and Other Tax-Qualified Plans. The one major exception to the preceding tax principles is that distributions on, and sales, exchanges and redemptions of, shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable.

Backup Withholding. The Fund may be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the Internal Revenue Service a percentage of taxable dividends or gross proceeds realized upon sale payable to shareholders who have failed to provide a correct tax identification number in the manner required, or who are subject to withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to properly include on their return payments of taxable interest or dividends, or who have failed to certify to the Fund that they are not subject to backup withholding when required to do so or that they are “exempt recipients.” The current withholding rate is 28%.

U.S. Tax Treatment of Foreign Shareholders. For nonresident aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign investors, Fund distributions attributable to net long-term capital gains of the Fund will generally be exempt from U.S. tax, but all other Fund distributions will generally be subject to a 30% withholding tax. The withholding tax may, however, be reduced (and, in some cases, eliminated) under an applicable tax treaty between the United States and a shareholder’s country of residence or incorporation, provided that the shareholder furnishes the Fund with a properly completed Form W-8BEN to establish entitlement for these treaty benefits.

Foreign shareholders will generally not be subject to U.S. tax on gains realized on sale, exchange or redemption of shares of the Fund.

Different U.S. tax rules may apply to a foreign shareholder, however, if the investment in the Fund is connected to a trade or business of the shareholder in the United States or the investor is present in the United States for 183 days or more in a year.

All foreign investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the tax consequences in their country of residence of an investment in the Fund.

 

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State and Local Taxes. You may also be subject to state and local taxes on income or gain from Fund shares. State income taxes may not apply, however, to the portions of the Fund’s distributions, if any, that are attributable to interest on U.S. government securities. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax status of distributions in your state and locality.

Sunset of Tax Provisions . Some of the tax provisions described above are subject to sunset provisions. Specifically, a sunset provision provides that the 15% long-term capital gain rate and the taxation of dividends at the long-term capital gain rate will change after 2010.

More information about taxes is contained in the Fund’s SAI.

D ISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS

The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Plan of Distribution for the Investor Shares (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Fund’s Distributor is entitled to receive from the Fund a distribution fee with respect to the Shares, which is accrued daily and paid monthly, of up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The actual amount of such compensation under the Plan is agreed upon by the Company’s Board of Directors and by the Distributor. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Plan may be used by the Distributor to cover expenses that are related to (i) the sale of the Shares, (ii) ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of shareholders, and (iii) sub-transfer agency services, subaccounting services or administrative services related to the sale of the Shares, all as set forth in the Fund’s 12b-1 Plan. Ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of shareholders may include updating and mailing prospectuses and shareholder reports, responding to inquiries regarding shareholder accounts and acting as agent or intermediary between shareholders and the Fund or its service providers. The Distributor may delegate some or all of these functions to Service Organizations. See “Purchases Through Intermediaries” above.

The Plan obligates the Fund, during the period it is in effect, to accrue and pay to the Distributor on behalf of the Shares the fee agreed to under the Distribution Agreement. Payments under the Plan are not tied exclusively to expenses actually incurred by the Distributor, and the payments may exceed distribution expenses actually incurred.

 

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F INANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance since the Fund’s inception on September 28, 2006 through the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, including per share information for a single Fund share. “Total Return” in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned or lost an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The financial information shown below is that of the Predecessor Fund. The information has been audited by [            ], the Predecessor Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Predecessor Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Predecessor Fund’s annual report dated July 31, 2009. The Predecessor Fund’s annual report is available upon request (see back cover for ordering instructions).

 

     Investor Class Shares  
     Year Ended
July 31,

2009
    Year Ended
July 31,
2008
    Year Ended
July 31,
2007*
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

   $ [       $ [       $ [    
                        

Income from Operations:

      

Net Investment Loss (1)

     ([         ([     ])      ([     ] (2)  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     [         [     ])      [     ] (2)  
                        

Total from Operations

     [         [     ])      [    
                        

Dividends and Distributions from:

      

Net Realized Gains

     —          —       —     
                        

Total Dividends and Distributions

     —          —       —     
                        

Redemption Fees

     —          —          —     
                        

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     [         [         [    
                        

Total Return

     [         [     ])%      [     ]% 
                        

Ratios and Supplemental Data

      

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

     [         [         [    

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (including waivers, excluding fees paid indirectly)

     [         [     ]%      [     ]%** 

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (including waivers, and fees paid indirectly)

     [         [     ]%      [     ]%** 

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (excluding waivers, and fees paid indirectly)

     [         [     ]%      [     ]%** 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets

     [         [     ])%      [     ])%** 

Portfolio Turnover Rate‡

     [         [     ]%      [     ]% 

 

Total return is for the period indicated and has not been annualized. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived by the Adviser during the period. The return shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period indicated and has not been annualized. Excludes effect of in-kind transfer, where applicable.

 

* Commenced Operations on September 29, 2006.

 

** Annualized

 

(1) Per share data calculated using average shares method.

 

(2) This amount is inconsistent with the Fund’s aggregate net income, gains and losses because of the timing of sales and redemption of Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market values for the investment portfolio.

Amounts designated as “—” are zero or rounded to zero.

P ERFORMANCE OF COMPARABLE ACCOUNT

The information set forth below represents the performance of another mutual fund managed by Mr. Garfinkel with an investment strategy substantially similar to that of the Fund. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance and should not be considered as a representation of the future results of the Fund. The table compares the average annual total returns of the other mutual fund managed by Mr. Garfinkel to the Russell 2000 Growth Index, an unmanaged index generally representative of the market for stocks of small U.S. companies.

 

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The performance information shown below from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2005 is the performance of the STI Classic Funds’ Small Cap Growth Stock Fund (the “STI Fund”), a registered mutual fund managed principally by Mr. Garfinkel while at Trusco Capital Management, Inc. The STI Fund had substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies as the Fund.

The bar chart and performance table that follow do not show the performance of the Predecessor Fund or the Fund. They show the performance of the STI Fund, a similar mutual fund managed by Mr. Garfinkel. Mr. Garfinkel’s past performance in managing this similar mutual fund is no guarantee of the future performance of the Fund.

This table compares the STI Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2005 to that of the Russell 2000 Growth Index.*

 

     1 Year     5 Years     Since Inception  

STI Fund Returns

   7.92   7.51   15.48

Russell 2000 Growth Index

   4.15   2.28   6.10

The performance information of the STI Fund reflects the operating expenses of the STI Fund’s I Shares since their inception on October 8, 1998. Russell 2000 Growth Index returns are since September 30, 1998 (Russell 2000 Growth Index returns available only on a month end basis).

This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the STI Fund’s I Shares from calendar year to calendar year during the periods that it was managed by Mr. Garfinkel.

LOGO

The STI Fund’s total return from January 1, 2006 to May 31, 2006 was 5.05%.

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE FUND’S SAI INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY THE COMPANY OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.

 

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Perimeter Capital Management LLC

Five Concourse Parkway

Suite 2725

Atlanta, Georgia 30328

This Prospectus contains important information you should know before you invest. Read it carefully and keep it for future reference. More information about the Fund is available free of charge, upon request, including:

ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS

These reports contain additional information about the Fund’s investments, describe the Fund’s performance, list portfolio holdings and discuss recent market conditions and economic trends. The annual report includes Fund strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders are available on the Adviser’s website at www.perimetercap.com .

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (“SAI”)

An SAI, dated September [            ], 2009, has been filed with the SEC. The SAI, which includes additional information about the Fund, and the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual reports, may be obtained free of charge by calling [            ]. The SAI, as supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and is legally considered a part of this Prospectus. The SAI is available on the Adviser’s website at www.perimetercap.com .

SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES

Representatives are available to discuss account balance information, mutual fund prospectuses, literature, programs and services available. Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern time) Monday-Friday. Call: (888) 968-4964.

PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS

Call your registered representative or [                    ].

WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE

 

P.O. Box Address:   

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., PO Box 9809, Providence, RI 02940

Street Address:   

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., 101 Sabin Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860-1427

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

You may view and copy information about the Company and the Fund, including the SAI, by visiting the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents by paying a duplicating fee and sending an electronic request to the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov , or by sending your request and a duplicating fee to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090.

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-05518

 

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Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

Of The RBB Fund, Inc.

Ticker Symbol:[    ]

I Shares Prospectus

________, 2009

LOGO

Investment Adviser:

Perimeter Capital Management LLC

THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or

passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal

offense.


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

SUMMARY SECTION   

Investment Objective

   1

Expenses and Fees

   1

Principal Investment Strategies

   2

Principal Investment Risks

   2

Performance Information

   2

Management of the Fund

   3

Purchase and Sale Information

   4

Taxes

   4

Potential Conflicts of Interest

   4
FUND INFORMATION   

More Information About Fund Investments

  

More Information About Risk

   5

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

   6

More Information About Management of the Fund

   6

Other Service Providers

   8
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION   

Pricing of Fund Shares

   9

Purchase of Fund Shares

   9

Redemption of Fund Shares

   12

Market Timing

   13

Dividends and Distributions

   14

More Information About Taxes

   14

Financial Highlights

   17

Performance of Comparable Account

   17


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S UMMARY SECTION

F UND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The investment objective of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek long-term capital appreciation. This investment objective is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Fund without shareholder approval.

E XPENSES AND FEES

As a shareholder, you pay certain fees and expenses. The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold I Shares of the Fund.

 

       I Shares  

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

  

Maximum sales charge imposed on purchases

   None   

Maximum deferred sales charge

   None   

Maximum sales charge imposed on reinvested dividends

   None   

Redemption Fee (1)

   2.00

Exchange Fee

   None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses* (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment.)

  

Management fees

   0.90

Distribution (12b-1) fees

   None   

Other Expenses (2)

   0.40

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (3)

   1.30
      

 

* Shareholders requesting redemptions by wire are charged a transaction fee of $7.50. A $15.00 custodial maintenance fee is charged per IRA account per year.

 

(1) To prevent the Fund from being adversely affected by the transaction costs associated with short-term shareholder transactions, the Fund will redeem shares at a price equal to the net asset value of the shares, less an additional transaction fee equal to 2.00% of the net asset value of all such shares redeemed within seven days of purchase. For more information, see the “Redemption Fee” section of this Prospectus.

 

(2) “Other expenses” include audit, administration, custody, legal, registration, transfer agency and miscellaneous other charges for I Shares and are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

(3) The Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) to 1.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time upon notice to the Company’s Board of Directors. If at any time during the first three years the Advisory Agreement is in effect, the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for that year are less than 1.10%, the Board may permit the Adviser to be reimbursed by the Fund for the advisory fees waived and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund.

E XAMPLE

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, based on these assumptions your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:

 

1 Year    3 Years    5 Years    10 Years
$ 132    $ 412    $ 713    $ 1,568

P ORTFOLIO T URNOVER

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Predecessor Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was [ ]% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

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P RINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in small-cap equity securities. This investment policy may be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders. The Fund currently defines small-cap equity securities as those of companies with market capitalizations between $50 million and $3 billion at the time of purchase. The Fund’s investments will generally consist of U.S. traded securities, which may include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), among other types of securities.

The Fund’s investment philosophy is based on the premise that a portfolio of small cap stocks with positive earnings trends, reasonable valuation, and strong fundamentals will provide superior returns over time. The Adviser selects companies with strong current earnings growth, improving profitability, strong balance sheets, and strong current and projected business fundamentals which are priced at reasonable valuations. The Adviser believes in executing a very disciplined and objective investment process and in controlling risk through a broadly diversified portfolio. Because companies tend to shift in relative attractiveness, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs, additional capital gains tax liabilities and may adversely impact performance. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Adviser may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. The Adviser will not necessarily sell a security that has appreciated or depreciated outside the stated market capitalization range defined above.

P RINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS

As with all mutual funds, a shareholder is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.

Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund.

The Fund is also subject to the risk that small-capitalization stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The small-capitalization companies that the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small-cap companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.

Because the Fund may invest in ADRs, it is subject to some of the same risks as direct investments in foreign companies. These include the risk that political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. More information about the Fund’s investment strategy and risks associated with investing in the Fund are located on page __ of this Prospectus.

P ERFORMANCE INFORMATION

The bar chart and the performance table below illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. It is currently contemplated that before the Fund commences operations, substantially all of the assets of another fund advised by the Adviser, [    ] (the “Predecessor Fund”), a series of [    ], will be transferred to the Fund in a tax-free reorganization (the “Reorganization”). If approved by shareholders of the Predecessor Fund, the Reorganization will occur on or about October __, 2009. As a result of the Reorganization, the performance and accounting history of the Predecessor Fund prior to the date of the Reorganization will be assumed by the Fund.

 

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The performance information set forth in the bar chart and table below is that of the I Shares of the Predecessor Fund, which commenced operations on December 31, 2007. The bar chart assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns would have been lower had certain fees and expenses not been waived or reimbursed. Past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

       
       
       
       
    [    ]%    
       
       
       
       
             
    2008    

Best and Worst Quarterly Performance (for the period reflected in the chart above)

Best Quarter: ______% (quarter ended _______, 20__)

Worst Quarter: ______% (quarter ended _______, 20__)

Year to Date Total Return as of June 30, 2009: _____ %

Average Annual Total Returns

This table compares the average annual total returns of the Fund’s I Shares for the calendar year ended December 31, 2008 and since inception to those of the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index.

 

       1 Year     Since Inception*  

Fund Returns Before Taxes

   [     ]%    [     ]% 

Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions**

   [     ]%    [     ]% 

Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares**

   [     ]%    [     ]% 

Russell 2000 ® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)***

   [     ]%    [     ]% 

 

* I Shares of the Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2007.

 

** After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

 

***

The Russell 2000 ® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000 ® companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 2000 ® Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of the smallest 2,000 companies in the Russell 3000 ® Index. As of [ ], 2009, the market capitalization range of the companies in the Russell 2000 Growth Index is between $__ million and $__ billion.

M ANAGEMENT OF THE FUN D

Investment Adviser

Perimeter Capital Management LLC,

Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2725, Atlanta, Georgia 30328

 

Portfolio Management   
Mark D. Garfinkel, CFA    Jim N. Behre
Portfolio Manager &    Director of Investment Research &
Chief Investment Officer    Senior Research Analyst
Since September 2006    Since September 2006

 

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P URCHASE AND SALE INFORMATIO N

For more information about purchasing and selling Fund Shares, including policies and restrictions, see “Shareholder Information” on page __ of this Prospectus.

Minimum Initial Investment: $1,000,000*

 

* Shares of the Fund may be available through certain brokerage firms, financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Organizations”). Certain features of the Shares, such as the initial and subsequent investment minimums and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations. Service Organizations may impose transaction or administrative charges or other direct fees, which charges and fees would not be imposed if Shares are purchased directly from the Company. The Fund may accept initial investments of smaller amounts in its sole discretion.

You can only purchase and redeem Shares of the Fund on days the New York Stock Exchange is open and through the means described below.

 

Purchase and Redemption By Mail:

   Purchase and Redemption By Wire:
Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund    PNC Bank, N.A.
c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
P.O. Box [        ]    ABA# [                ]
Providence, RI 02940    Account #[                ]
   F/B/O Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund
   Ref. (Shareholder Name; Account Number)

Redemption By Telephone:

Call the Transfer Agent at [                    ]**

 

** A wire charge of $7.50 will apply

Redemption Fee: In an effort to discourage market timing, the Fund charges a 2% fee on redemptions of Fund Shares sold within 7 days of their purchase.

Involuntary Redemption: The Fund reserves the right to redeem a shareholder’s account in the Fund at any time the value of the account falls below $500 as a result of a redemption or an exchange request.

T AXES

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains. The Fund contemplates distributing as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income. Additionally, you will recognize gain or loss when you redeem Shares. Distributions on, and redemptions of, shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable. More information about taxes is contained on page __ of this Prospectus or in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) (for information on how to obtain a copy of the SAI, see the back cover of this Prospectus).

P OTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

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

M ORE I NFORMATION A BOUT R ISK

The investments and strategies described in this Prospectus are those that the Fund uses under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in money market instruments and other cash equivalents that would not ordinarily be consistent with its investment objective. If the Fund invests in this manner, it may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund will only make temporary defensive investments if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for capital appreciation.

 

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This Prospectus describes the Fund’s principal investment strategies, and the Fund will normally invest in the types of securities described in this Prospectus. In addition to the investments and strategies described in this Prospectus, the Fund also may invest, to a lesser extent, in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices that are not part of its principal investment strategy. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this Prospectus, are described in detail in the Fund’s SAI. Of course, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

M ORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK

The Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders’ money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities.

The Fund has an investment objective and strategies for reaching that objective. The Adviser invests the Fund’s assets in a way that it believes will help the Fund achieve its objective. Still, investing in the Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its objective. The Adviser’s judgments about the markets, the economy, or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with similar investments. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.

The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on the Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings.

Equity Risk — Equity securities include public and privately issued equity securities, common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights to subscribe to common stock and convertible securities, as well as instruments that attempt to track the price movement of equity indices. Investments in equity securities and equity derivatives in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of such securities convertible into equity securities, such as warrants or convertible debt, is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provision. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a mutual fund invests will cause the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) to fluctuate. An investment in a portfolio of equity securities may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of these share price fluctuations.

Foreign Security Risk — Investments in securities of foreign companies (including direct investments as well as ADRs) can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign companies. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the United States and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio.

 

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Derivatives Risks — Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. The Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include the following risks associated with hedging and leveraging activities:

 

   

The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates.

 

   

The Fund may experience losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives.

 

   

There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives.

 

   

There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives.

 

 

   

Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange.

 

   

Government regulations may restrict trading derivatives.

 

   

The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or expense swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counterparty risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Fund are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities.

Securities Lending Risks — The Fund may seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities to institutions, such as certain broker-dealers. Portfolio security loans are secured continuously by collateral maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. The value of the securities loaned by the Fund will not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund may experience a loss or delay in the recovery of its securities if the borrowing institution breaches its agreement with the Fund.

D ISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

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

M ORE INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Investment Adviser

Perimeter Capital Management LLC, a Delaware corporation formed in 2006, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser’s principal place of business is located at Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2725, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. As of [            , 2009], the Adviser had approximately $[        ] million in assets under management.

Management Fees

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Company, the Adviser is entitled to an advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed daily and payable monthly. A discussion regarding the Board of Directors’ basis for approving the investment advisory agreement with respect to the Fund will be available in the Fund’s semi-annual report for the fiscal period ending January 31, 2010.

The Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive its advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 1.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time upon notice to the Board of Directors. If at any time during the first three years the Advisory Agreement is in effect, the Fund’s total annual operating expenses for that year are less than 1.10%, the Adviser may be entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees waived and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, the Predecessor Fund paid [    ](expressed as a percentage of average net assets) to the Adviser for its services. Had fee waivers not been in place, the Predecessor Fund would have paid [            ].

 

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Portfolio Management

The Fund is managed by a team of investment professionals headed by Mark D. Garfinkel, Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”). Although Mr. Garfinkel is primarily responsible for making investment decisions for the Fund, Jim N. Behre also plays an integral part in generating investment ideas and making recommendations for the Fund.

Mark D. Garfinkel is a founding partner of the Adviser and a member of its management committee. As the Adviser’s small-cap growth Portfolio Manager and Chief Investment Officer, he has over [20] years of investment management experience. Prior to the formation of the Adviser in June 2006, Mr. Garfinkel spent 8 years managing Trusco Capital Management, Inc.’s small cap growth discipline, which he and lead analyst, Jim Behre, co-designed in 1998. Mr. Garfinkel is a member of the Atlanta Society of Financial Analysts, received his CFA designation in 1993, and earned his B.A. (1986) and M.B.A. (1987) from Vanderbilt University.

Jim N. Behre is a founding partner of the Adviser and a member of the management committee. As the Adviser’s small-cap growth Senior Research Analyst and Director of Investment Research, he brings over [22] years of investment experience, specializing in small- to mid-cap companies. Prior to the formation of the Adviser, Mr. Behre worked with Mr. Garfinkel at Trusco Capital Management, Inc. as the lead analyst of the firm’s small-cap growth investment process. In addition, he has had experience as a Securities Principal and Compliance Officer. Mr. Behre is a member of the Atlanta Society of Financial Analysts and earned his B.A. from Barry University (1984) and M.B.A. from Farleigh Dickinson University (1991).

The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

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O THER SERVICE PROVIDERS

LOGO

 

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S HAREHOLDER INFORMATION

P RICING OF FUND SHARES

I Shares of the Fund (“Shares”) are priced at their NAV. The NAV per Share of the Fund is calculated as follows:

 

           Value of Assets Attributable to I Shares            
    NAV    =   -   Value of Liabilities Attributable to I Shares              
           Number of Outstanding Shares of I Shares            

The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. The NYSE is generally open Monday through Friday, except national holidays. The Fund will effect purchases of Fund Shares at the NAV next determined after receipt of your order or request in proper form. The Fund will effect redemptions of Fund Shares at the NAV next calculated after receipt of your order in proper form.

The Fund’s equity securities listed on any national or foreign exchange market system will be valued at the last sale price, except for the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”). Equity securities listed on NASDAQ will be valued at the official closing price. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued using an independent pricing service. When prices are not available from such service or are deemed to be unreliable, securities may be valued by dealers who make markets in such securities.

If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be fair valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Fund to price its investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses).

P URCHASE OF FUND SHARES

Shares representing interests in the Fund are offered continuously for sale by PFPC Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”). I Shares are designed for individual and institutional investors.

General. You may purchase Shares of each Fund at the NAV per Share next calculated after your order is received by the Transfer Agent in proper form as described below. After an initial purchase is made, the Transfer Agent will set up an account for you on the Company records. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $1,000,000. There is no minimum for subsequent investments. The Fund may accept initial investments of smaller amounts in its sole discretion. You can only purchase Shares of the Fund on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below.

Purchases Through Intermediaries. Shares of the Funds may also be available through certain brokerage firms, financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Organizations”). Certain features of the Shares, such as the initial investment minimum and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations. Service Organizations may impose transaction or administrative charges or other direct fees, which charges and fees would not be imposed if Shares are purchased directly from the Company. Therefore, you should contact the Service Organization acting on your behalf concerning the fees (if any) charged in connection with a purchase or redemption of Shares and should read this Prospectus in light of the terms governing your accounts with the Service Organization. Service Organizations will be responsible for promptly transmitting client or customer purchase and redemption orders to the

 

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Company in accordance with their agreements with the Company or its agent and with clients or customers. Service Organizations or, if applicable, their designees that have entered into agreements with the Company or its agent may enter confirmed purchase orders on behalf of clients and customers, with payment to follow no later than the Company’s pricing on the following Business Day. If payment is not received by such time, the Service Organization could be held liable for resulting fees or losses. The Company will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when a Service Organization, or, if applicable, its authorized designee, accepts a purchase or redemption order in good order if the order is actually received by the Company in good order not later than the next business morning. If a purchase order is not received by the Fund in good order, PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”) will contact the financial intermediary to determine the status of the purchase order. Orders received by the Company in good order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next computed after such orders are deemed to have been received by the Service Organization or its authorized designee.

The Company relies upon the integrity of Service Organizations to ensure that orders are timely and properly submitted. The Fund cannot assure you that a Service Organization properly submitted to it all purchase and redemption orders received from the Service Organization’s customers before the time for determination of the Fund’s NAV in order to obtain that day’s price.

For administration, subaccounting, transfer agency and/or other services, the Adviser, the Distributor or their affiliates may pay Service Organizations and certain recordkeeping organizations a fee (the “Service Fee”) based on the average annual NAV of accounts with the Company maintained by such Service Organizations or recordkeepers. The Service Fee payable to any one Service Organization is determined based upon a number of factors, including the nature and quality of services provided, the operations processing requirements of the relationship and the standardized fee schedule of the Service Organization or recordkeeper.

Initial Investment By Mail. Subject to acceptance by the Fund, an account may be opened by completing and signing an Account Application and mailing it to the Fund at the address noted below, together with a check payable to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund. Third party endorsed checks or foreign checks will not be accepted.

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.

P.O. Box [    ]

Providence, RI 02940

or overnight to:

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.

101 Sabin Street

Pawtucket, RI 02860-1427

Subject to acceptance by the Fund, payment for the purchase of Shares received by mail will be credited to a shareholder’s account at the NAV per Share of the Fund next determined after receipt of payment in good order.

Initial Investment By Wire. Subject to acceptance by the Fund, Shares may be purchased by wiring federal funds to PNC Bank, N.A. (see instructions below). A completed Account Application must be forwarded to the PNC at the address noted above under “Initial Investment by Mail” in advance of the wire. Notification must be given to PNC at (888) 520-3277 prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the wire date. (Prior notification must also be received from investors with existing accounts.) Funds should be wired to:

PNC Bank, N.A.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

ABA# [            ]

Account #[                    ]

F/B/O Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

Ref. (Shareholder or Account Name; Account Number)

 

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Federal funds wire purchases will be accepted only on days when the Fund and PNC Bank, N.A. are open for business.

Additional Investments. Additional investments may be made at any time by purchasing Shares at the NAV per share of the Fund by mailing a check to the Transfer Agent at the address noted above under “Initial Investment by Mail” (payable to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) or by wiring monies to PNC Bank, N.A. as outlined above under “Initial Investment by Wire.” Notification must be given to the Transfer Agent at [            ] prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the wire date. Initial and additional purchases made by check cannot be redeemed until payment of the purchase has been collected, which may take up to fifteen calendar days from the purchase date.

Retirement Plans/IRA Accounts. A $15.00 retirement custodial maintenance fee is charged per IRA account per year. For further information as to applications and annual fees, contact the Transfer Agent at [            ]. To determine whether the benefits of an IRA are available and/or appropriate, you should consult with a tax advisor.

Other Purchase Information. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the offering of Shares or to reject purchase orders when, in the judgment of management, such suspension or rejection is in the best interests of the Fund. The Adviser will monitor the Fund’s total assets and may, subject to Board approval, decide to close the Fund at any time to new investments or to new accounts due to concerns that a significant increase in the size of the Fund may adversely affect the implementation of the Fund’s strategy. The Adviser, subject to Board approval, may also choose to reopen the Fund to new investments at any time, and may subsequently close the Fund again should concerns regarding the Fund’s size recur. If the Fund closes to new investments, the Fund may be offered only to certain existing shareholders of the Fund and certain other persons who may be subject to cumulative, maximum purchase amounts, as follows:

a. persons who already hold Shares of the Fund directly or through accounts maintained by brokers by arrangement with the Adviser;

b. Existing and future clients of financial advisers and planners whose clients already hold Shares of the Fund;

c. employees of the Adviser and their families, and

d. directors of the Company.

Distributions to all shareholders of the Fund will continue to be reinvested unless a shareholder elects otherwise. The Adviser, subject to Board approval, reserves the right to implement specific purchase limitations at the time of closing, including limitations on current shareholders.

Purchases of the Fund’s Shares will be made in full and fractional Shares of the Fund calculated to three decimal places. Certificates for Shares will not be issued except at the written request of the shareholder. Certificates for fractional Shares, however, will not be issued.

Shares may be purchased and subsequent investments may be made by principals and employees of the Adviser and their family members, either directly or through their IRAs, and by any pension and profit-sharing plan of the Adviser, without being subject to the minimum investment limitation. The Company’s officers are authorized to waive the minimum initial investment requirement.

Good Order. You must include complete and accurate required information on your purchase request. Please see “Purchase of Fund Shares” for instructions. Purchase requests not in good order may be rejected.

Customer Identification Program. Federal law requires the Company to obtain, verify and record identifying information, which may include the name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for an individual), social security or taxpayer identification number or other identifying information for each investor who opens or reopens an account with the Company. Applications without the required information, or without any indication that a social security or taxpayer identification number has been applied for, may not be accepted. After acceptance, to the extent permitted by applicable law or its customer identification program,

 

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the Company reserves the right (a) to place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; or (b) to refuse an investment in a Company portfolio or to involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares and close an account in the event that an investor’s identity is not verified. The Company and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s Shares when an investor’s identity cannot be verified.

R EDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES

You may redeem Fund Shares at the next NAV calculated after a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent in proper form. You can only redeem Shares of the Fund on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below. You may redeem Fund Shares by mail, or, if you are authorized, by telephone. The value of Shares redeemed may be more or less than the purchase price, depending on the market value of the investment securities held by the Fund.

Redemption By Mail. Your redemption requests should be addressed to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., P.O. Box [    ], Providence, RI 02940, or for overnight delivery to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., 101 Sabin Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860-1427, and must include:

 

   

a letter of instruction, if required, or a stock assignment specifying the number of Shares or dollar amount to be redeemed, signed by all registered owners of the Shares in the exact names in which they are registered;

 

   

any required Medallion signature guarantees, which are required when (i) the redemption proceeds are to be sent to someone other than the registered shareholder(s), (ii) the redemption request is for $10,000 or more; or (iii) a Share transfer request is made. A Medallion signature guarantee is a special signature guarantee that may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency or savings association which is a participant in a Medallion signature guarantee program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. A Medallion imprint or Medallion stamp indicates that the financial institution is a member of a Medallion signature guarantee program and is an acceptable signature guarantor. The three recognized Medallion signature guarantee programs are Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP), Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (SEMP) and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Program (MSP). Signature guarantees which are not a part of these programs will not be accepted. Please note that a notary public stamp or seal is not acceptable; and

 

   

other supporting legal documents, if required, in the case of estates, trusts, guardianships, custodianships, corporations, pension and profit sharing plans and other organizations.

Redemption By Telephone. In order to utilize the telephone redemption option, you must indicate that option on your Account Application. Please note that the telephone redemption option is not available for retirement accounts. You may then initiate a redemption of Shares by calling the Transfer Agent at [                    ] and requesting that the redemption proceeds be mailed to the primary registration address or wired per the authorized instructions. A wire charge of $7.50 is assessed and charged to the shareholder. If the telephone redemption option is authorized, the Transfer Agent may act on telephone instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be a shareholder and believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Transfer Agent’s records of such instructions are binding and shareholders, not the Fund or its Transfer Agent, bear the risk of loss in the event of unauthorized instructions reasonably believed by the Fund or its Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Fund and the Transfer Agent will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated are genuine and, if it does not, it may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. The procedures employed by the Fund and the Transfer Agent in connection with transactions initiated by telephone include tape recording of telephone instructions and requiring some form of personal identification prior to acting upon instructions received by telephone.

Redemption Fee. In an effort to discourage short-term trading and defray costs incurred by shareholders as a result of same, the Fund charges a 2% redemption fee on redemptions of Fund Shares sold within 7 days of their purchase. The fee is deducted from the sale proceeds and cannot be paid separately, and any proceeds

 

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of the fee are credited to the assets of the Fund. The fee does not apply to Shares purchased with reinvested dividends or distributions. The redemption fee is applicable to Shares of the Fund purchased either directly or through a financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer. Transactions through financial intermediaries typically are placed with the Fund on an omnibus basis and include both purchase and sale transactions placed on behalf of multiple investors. For this reason, the Fund has undertaken to notify financial intermediaries of their obligation to assess the redemption fee on customer accounts and to collect and remit the proceeds to the Fund. However, due to operational requirements, the intermediaries’ methods for tracking and calculating the fee may be inadequate or differ in some respects from those of the Fund.

The redemption fee may not apply to certain categories of redemptions, such as those that the Fund reasonably believes may not raise frequent trading or market timing concerns. These categories include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) participants in certain group retirement plans whose processing systems are incapable of properly applying the redemption fee to underlying shareholders; (ii) redemptions resulting from certain transfers upon the death of a shareholder; (iii) redemptions by certain pension plans as required by law or by regulatory authorities; (iv) systematic redemptions; and (v) retirement loans and withdrawals. The Fund reserves the right to modify or eliminate the redemption fees or waivers at any time.

Involuntary Redemption: The Fund reserves the right to redeem a shareholder’s account in the Fund at any time the value of the account falls below $500 as a result of a redemption or an exchange request. Shareholders will be notified in writing that the value of their account in the Fund is less than $500 and will be allowed 30 days to make additional investments before the redemption is processed. The Fund may assert the right to redeem your Shares at current NAV at any time and without prior notice if, and to the extent that, such redemption is necessary to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for Shares of the Fund you previously purchased or subscribed for.

Other Redemption Information: Redemption proceeds for Shares of the Fund recently purchased by check may not be distributed until payment for the purchase has been collected, which may take up to fifteen days from the purchase date. Shareholders can avoid this delay by utilizing the wire purchase option. Other than as described above, payment of the redemption proceeds will be made within seven days after receipt of an order for a redemption. The Company may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date at times when the NYSE is closed or under any emergency circumstances as determined by the SEC.

If the Board of Directors determines that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment wholly or partly in cash, redemption proceeds may be paid in whole or in part by an in-kind distribution of readily marketable securities held by the Fund instead of cash in conformity with applicable rules of the SEC. Investors generally will incur brokerage charges on the sale of portfolio securities so received in the payment of redemptions. Investors also will bear the risk of fluctuations in the market value of securities received in an in-kind redemption until the securities are sold. The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, so that the Fund is obligated to redeem its Shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Fund.

Proper Form: You must include complete and accurate required information on your redemption request. Redemption requests not in proper form may be delayed.

M ARKET TIMING

In accordance with the policy adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company discourages market timing and other excessive trading practices. Purchases should be made with a view to longer-term investment only. Excessive short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm Fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by long-term shareholders. The Company and the Adviser reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase requests from any investor. The Company and the Adviser will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase orders. To minimize harm to the Company and its shareholders (or the Adviser), the Company (or the Adviser) will exercise their right if, in the Company’s (or the Adviser’s) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Company or the Adviser, has been or may be disruptive to the Fund. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Fund and its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Fund and its shareholders to those of the Adviser or any affiliated person or associated person of the Adviser.

 

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Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Adviser has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. The Adviser reviews on a regular, periodic basis available information related to the trading activity in the Fund in order to assess the likelihood that the Fund may be the target of excessive trading. As part of its excessive trading surveillance process, the Adviser, on a periodic basis, examines transactions that exceed certain monetary thresholds or numerical limits within a period of time. If, in its judgment, the Adviser detects excessive, short-term trading, the Adviser may reject or restrict a purchase request and may further seek to close an investor’s account with the Fund. The Adviser may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. The Adviser will apply the criteria in a manner that, in the Adviser’s judgment, will be uniform.

There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to identify market timers, particularly if they are investing through intermediaries.

If necessary, the Company may prohibit additional purchases of Fund Shares by a financial intermediary or by certain customers of the financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries may also monitor their customers’ trading activities in the Company. The criteria used by intermediaries to monitor for excessive trading may differ from the criteria used by the Company. If a financial intermediary fails to enforce the Company’s excessive trading policies, the Company may take certain actions, including terminating the relationship.

D IVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. All distributions are reinvested in the form of additional full and fractional Shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects otherwise. The Fund will declare and pay dividends from net investment income annually. Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, will be distributed by the Fund at least annually.

M ORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES

The following is a summary of certain U.S. tax considerations relevant under current law, which may be subject to change in the future. Except where otherwise indicated, the discussion relates to investors who are individual U.S. citizens or residents. You should consult your tax adviser for further information regarding federal, state, local and/or foreign tax consequences relevant to your specific situation.

Distributions. The Fund contemplates distributing as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income, including its net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss). Except as otherwise discussed below, you will be subject to federal income tax on Fund distributions regardless of whether they are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income, except as discussed below.

Distributions attributable to the net capital gain of the Fund will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares. The maximum long-term capital gain rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is currently 15%. You will be notified annually of the tax status of distributions to you.

Distributions of “qualifying dividends” will also generally be taxable to you at long-term capital gain rates, as long as certain requirements are met. In general, if 95% or more of the gross income of the Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of dividends received from domestic corporations or “qualified” foreign corporations (“qualifying dividends”), then all distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be taxed at long-term capital gains rates. But if less than 95% of the gross income of the Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of qualifying dividends, then distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be qualifying dividends only to the extent they are derived from qualifying dividends earned by the Fund. For the lower rates to apply, you must have owned your Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date (and the Fund will need to have met a similar holding period requirement with respect to the shares of the corporation paying the qualifying

 

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dividend). The amount of the Fund’s distributions that qualify for this favorable treatment may be reduced as a result of the Fund’s securities lending activities (if any), a high portfolio turnover rate or investments in debt securities or “non-qualified” foreign corporations.

Distributions from the Fund will generally be taxable to you in the taxable year in which they are paid, with one exception. Distributions declared by the Fund in October, November or December and paid in January of the following year are taxed as though they were paid on December 31.

A portion of distributions paid by the Fund to shareholders that are corporations may also qualify for the dividends-received deduction for corporations, subject to certain holding period requirements and debt financing limitations.

If you purchase shares just before a distribution, the purchase price will reflect the amount of the upcoming distribution, but you will be taxed on the entire amount of the distribution received, even though, as an economic matter, the distribution simply constitutes a return of capital. This is known as “buying into a dividend.”

Sales and Exchanges. You will generally recognize taxable gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on a sale, exchange or redemption of your shares based on the difference between your tax basis in the shares and the amount you receive for them. Generally, you will recognize long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Fund shares for over twelve months at the time you dispose of them. (To aid in computing your tax basis, you should retain your account statements for the periods during which you held shares.)

Any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a disposition of shares of the Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of the Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an upward adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

IRAs and Other Tax-Qualified Plans. The one major exception to the preceding tax principles is that distributions on, and sales, exchanges and redemptions of, shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable.

Backup Withholding. The Fund may be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the Internal Revenue Service a percentage of taxable dividends or gross proceeds realized upon sale payable to shareholders who have failed to provide a correct tax identification number in the manner required, or who are subject to withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to properly include on their return payments of taxable interest or dividends, or who have failed to certify to the Fund that they are not subject to backup withholding when required to do so or that they are “exempt recipients.” The current withholding rate is 28%.

U.S. Tax Treatment of Foreign Shareholders. For nonresident aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign investors, Fund distributions attributable to net long-term capital gains of the Fund will generally be exempt from U.S. tax, but all other Fund distributions will generally be subject to a 30% withholding tax. The withholding tax may, however, be reduced (and, in some cases, eliminated) under an applicable tax treaty between the United States and a shareholder’s country of residence or incorporation, provided that the shareholder furnishes the Fund with a properly completed Form W-8BEN to establish entitlement for these treaty benefits.

Foreign shareholders will generally not be subject to U.S. tax on gains realized on sale, exchange or redemption of shares of the Fund.

Different U.S. tax rules may apply to a foreign shareholder, however, if the investment in the Fund is connected to a trade or business of the shareholder in the United States or the investor is present in the United States for 183 days or more in a year.

All foreign investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the tax consequences in their country of residence of an investment in the Fund.

 

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State and Local Taxes. You may also be subject to state and local taxes on income or gain from Fund shares. State income taxes may not apply, however, to the portions of the Fund’s distributions, if any, that are attributable to interest on U.S. government securities. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax status of distributions in your state and locality.

Sunset of Tax Provisions . Some of the tax provisions described above are subject to sunset provisions. Specifically, a sunset provision provides that the 15% long-term capital gain rate and the taxation of dividends at the long-term capital gain rate will change after 2010.

More information about taxes is contained in the Fund’s SAI.

 

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F INANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance since I Shares’ inception on December 31, 2007 through the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, including per share information for a single Fund share. “Total Return” in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned or lost an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The financial information shown below is that of the Predecessor Fund. The information has been audited by [            ], the Predecessor Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Predecessor Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Predecessor Fund’s annual report dated July 31, 2009. The Predecessor Fund’s annual report is available upon request (see back cover for ordering instructions).

 

     I Shares  
     Year Ended
July 31,

2009
    Period Ended
July 31,
2008*
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

   $ [       $ [    
                

Income from Operations:

    

Net Investment Loss (1)

     [         [     ]) 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     [         [     ]) 
                

Total from Operations

     [         [     ]) 
                

Redemption Fees

     —          —     
                

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     [         [    
                

Total Return†

     [         [     ])% 
                

Ratios and Supplemental Data

    

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

     [         [    

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (including waivers, excluding fees paid indirectly)

     [         [     ]%** 

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (including waivers, and fees paid indirectly)

     [         [     ]%** 

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (excluding waivers, and fees paid indirectly)

     [         [     ]%** 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets

     [         [     ])%** 

Portfolio Turnover Rate‡

     [         [     ]% 

 

Total return is for the period indicated and has not been annualized. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived by the Adviser during the period. The return shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period indicated and has not been annualized. Excludes effect of in-kind transfer, where applicable.

 

* Commenced Operations on December 31, 2007.

 

** Annualized

 

(1) Per share data calculated using average shares method.

Amounts designated as “—” are zero or rounded to zero.

P ERFORMANCE OF COMPARABLE ACCOUNT

The information set forth below represents the performance of another mutual fund managed by Mr. Garfinkel with an investment strategy substantially similar to that of the Fund. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance and should not be considered as a representation of the future results of the Fund. The table compares the average annual total returns of the other mutual fund managed by Mr. Garfinkel to the Russell 2000 Growth Index, an unmanaged index generally representative of the market for stocks of small U.S. companies.

The performance information shown below from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2005 is the performance of the STI Classic Funds’ Small Cap Growth Stock Fund (the “STI Fund”), a registered mutual fund managed principally by Mr. Garfinkel while at Trusco Capital Management, Inc. The STI Fund had substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies as the Fund.

 

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The bar chart and performance table that follow do not show the performance of the Predecessor Fund or the Fund. They show the performance of the STI Fund, a similar mutual fund managed by Mr. Garfinkel. Mr. Garfinkel’s past performance in managing this similar mutual fund is no guarantee of the future performance of the Fund.

This table compares the STI Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2005 to that of the Russell 2000 Growth Index.*

 

     1 Year     5 Years     Since Inception  

STI Fund Returns

   7.92   7.51   15.48

Russell 2000 Growth Index

   4.15   2.28   6.10

The performance information of the STI Fund reflects the operating expenses of the STI Fund’s I Shares since their inception on October 8, 1998. Russell 2000 Growth Index returns are since September 30, 1998 (Russell 2000 Growth Index returns available only on a month end basis).

This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the STI Fund’s I Shares from calendar year to calendar year during the periods that it was managed by Mr. Garfinkel.

LOGO

The STI Fund’s total return from January 1, 2006 to May 31, 2006 was 5.05%.

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE FUND’S SAI INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY THE COMPANY OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.

 

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Perimeter Capital Management LLC

Five Concourse Parkway

Suite 2725

Atlanta, Georgia 30328

This Prospectus contains important information you should know before you invest. Read it carefully and keep it for future reference. More information about the Fund is available free of charge, upon request, including:

ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS

These reports contain additional information about the Fund’s investments, describe the Fund’s performance, list portfolio holdings and discuss recent market conditions and economic trends. The annual report includes Fund strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders are available on the Adviser’s website at www.perimetercap.com .

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (“SAI”)

An SAI, dated September [    ], 2009, has been filed with the SEC. The SAI, which includes additional information about the Fund, and the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual reports, may be obtained free of charge by calling [            ]. The SAI, as supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and is legally considered a part of this Prospectus. The SAI is available on the Adviser’s website at www.perimetercap.com .

SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES

Representatives are available to discuss account balance information, mutual fund prospectuses, literature, programs and services available. Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern time) Monday-Friday. Call: (888) 968-4964.

PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS

Call your registered representative or [                    ].

WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE

 

P.O. Box Address:   

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., PO Box 9809, Providence, RI 02940

Street Address:   

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., 101 Sabin Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860-1427

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

You may view and copy information about the Company and the Fund, including the SAI, by visiting the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents by paying a duplicating fee and sending an electronic request to the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov , or by sending your request and a duplicating fee to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090.

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-05518

 

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Subject to Completion

Preliminary Statement of Additional Information Dated              , 2009

Information contained herein pertaining to the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund of The RBB Fund, Inc. is subject to completion or amendment. A post-effective amendment to The RBB Fund, Inc.’s registration statement relating to shares of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Shares of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund may not be sold nor may offers to buy shares of such Funds be accepted prior to the time the post-effective amendment to the registration statement becomes effective. This Statement of Additional Information shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of shares of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PERIMETER SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

a series of THE RBB FUND, INC.

[    ], 2009

Investment Adviser:

P ERIMETER C APITAL M ANAGEMENT LLC

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. This SAI is intended to provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) and the Investor Class Shares and I Class Shares (collectively, the “Shares”) of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”). This SAI is incorporated by reference into and should be read in conjunction with the prospectuses dated [    ], 2009. Capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the prospectuses.

The financial statements with respect to the [     ] (the “Predecessor Fund”) for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, including the notes thereto and the report of [     ] thereon, included in the Predecessor Fund’s annual report dated July 31, 2009, [     ] this SAI. No other part of the annual report [     ]. This report can be obtained upon request and without charge by calling toll free (    ) - .


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

   1

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

   1

DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS

   1

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

   10

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

   13

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

   13

CODE OF ETHICS

   20

PROXY VOTING POLICIES

   20

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

   20

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

   20

INVESTMENT ADVISER

   20

THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

   22

ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT

   23

CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

   23

TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT

   24

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   24

FUND TRANSACTIONS

   25

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

   26

TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PROCEDURES

   26

VALUATION OF SHARES

   27

TAXES

   27

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING COMPANY SHARES

   28

MISCELLANEOUS

   29

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   29

APPENDIX A - DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

   A-1

APPENDIX B - PROXY VOTING

   B-1

 

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GENERAL INFORMATION

The Company is an open-end management investment company currently operating twenty separate portfolios. The Company is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and was organized as a Maryland corporation on February 29, 1988. This SAI pertains to the Investor Class Shares and I Shares of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund. Perimeter Capital Management LLC (“Perimeter” or the “Adviser”), serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

The Fund previously commenced operations on September 29, 2006 as the [     ]). It is currently contemplated that before the Fund commences operations, substantially all of the assets of the [     ], (the “Predecessor Fund”), a series of [     ], that is advised by the Adviser, will be transferred to the Fund in a tax-free reorganization (the “Reorganization”). If approved by shareholders of the Predecessor Fund, the Reorganization will occur on or about October __, 2009. As a result of the Reorganization, the performance and accounting history of the Predecessor Fund will be assumed by the Fund. Financial and performance information included herein is that of the Predecessor Fund.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the Prospectuses. For a description of certain permitted investments discussed below, see “Description of Permitted Investments” in this SAI.

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. This investment objective is a non-fundamental investment policy that may be changed by the Fund without shareholder approval. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to achieve its investment objective. The Fund is classified as a “diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act.

As its principal investment strategy, the Fund invests primarily in securities of small companies as described in the Prospectuses. Consistent with Rule 35d-1 of the 1940 Act regarding the use of certain mutual fund names, the Fund has adopted a policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, under normal circumstances, in securities of small companies. This investment policy may be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders.

Portfolio Turnover Rate. Portfolio turnover rate is defined under U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) rules as the greater of the value of the securities purchased or securities sold, excluding all securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one-year or less, divided by the average monthly value of such securities owned during the year. Based on this definition, instruments with remaining maturities of less than one-year are excluded from the calculation of the portfolio turnover rate. Instruments excluded from the calculation of portfolio turnover generally would include the futures contracts in which the Fund may invest since such contracts generally have remaining maturities of less than one-year. The Fund may at times hold investments in other short-term instruments, such as repurchase agreements, which are excluded for purposes of computing portfolio turnover.

DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS

The following are descriptions of the permitted investments and investment practices and the associated risk factors. The Fund will only invest in any of the following instruments or engage in any of the following investment practices if such investment or activity is consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and permitted by the Fund’s stated investment policies.

American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). ADRs as well as other “hybrid” forms of ADRs, including European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer. These certificates are issued by depository banks and generally trade on an established market in the United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer’s home country. The depository bank may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate actions. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.

 

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Investments in the securities of foreign issuers may subject the Fund to investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Such risks include future adverse political and economic developments, possible imposition of withholding taxes on income, possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of foreign deposits, possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source or greater fluctuation in value due to changes in exchange rates. Foreign issuers of securities often engage in business practices different from those of domestic issuers of similar securities, and there may be less information publicly available about foreign issuers. In addition, foreign issuers are, generally speaking, subject to less government supervision and regulation and different accounting treatment than are those in the United States.

Equity Securities. Equity securities represent ownership interests in a company and consist of common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock, and securities convertible into common stock. Investments in equity securities in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which the Fund invests will cause the net asset value of the Fund to fluctuate. The Fund purchases equity securities traded in the U.S. on registered exchanges or the over-the-counter market. Equity securities are described in more detail below:

 

   

Common Stock. Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.

 

   

Preferred Stock. Preferred stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock.

 

   

Warrants. Warrants are instruments that entitle the holder to buy an equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time. Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.

 

   

Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption or conversion, the Fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.

Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield, convertible securities generally sell at a price above their “conversion value,” which is the current market value of the stock to be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value, convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities. However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time, however, the difference between the market value of convertible securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that the

 

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value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk, and are often lower-quality securities.

 

   

Small and Medium Capitalization Issuers. Investing in equity securities of small and medium capitalization companies often involves greater risk than is customarily associated with investments in larger capitalization companies. This increased risk may be due to the greater business risks of smaller size, limited markets and financial resources, narrow product lines and frequent lack of depth of management. The securities of smaller companies are often traded in the over-the-counter market and even if listed on a national securities exchange may not be traded in volumes typical for that exchange. Consequently, the securities of smaller companies are less likely to be liquid, may have limited market stability, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger, more established growth companies or the market averages in general.

Money Market Securities. Money market securities include: short-term U.S. government securities; custodial receipts evidencing separately traded interest and principal components of securities issued by the U.S. Treasury; commercial paper rated in the highest short-term rating category by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”), such as Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s, or determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase; short-term bank obligations (certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances) of U.S. commercial banks with assets of at least $1 billion as of the end of their most recent fiscal year; and repurchase agreements involving such securities. Each of these money market securities are described below. For a description of ratings, see Appendix A to this SAI, “Description of Securities Ratings”.

U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may invest in U.S. government securities. Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities include U.S. Treasury securities, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury and which differ only in their interest rates, maturities, and times of issuance. U.S. Treasury bills have initial maturities of one-year or less; U.S. Treasury notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and U.S. Treasury bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years. Certain U.S. government securities are issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government including, but not limited to, obligations of U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Small Business Administration, the Federal Farm Credit Administration, the Federal Home Loan Banks, Banks for Cooperatives (including the Central Bank for Cooperatives), the Federal Land Banks, the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, the Student Loan Marketing Association, the National Credit Union Administration and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac).

Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities, including, for example, Ginnie Mae pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those securities issued by Fannie Mae, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the federal agency, while other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, while the U.S. government provides financial support to such U.S. government-sponsored federal agencies, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will always do so, since the U.S. government is not so obligated by law. U.S. Treasury notes and bonds typically pay coupon interest semi-annually and repay the principal at maturity.

On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced a federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, placing the two federal instrumentalities in conservatorship. Under the takeover, the U.S. Treasury agreed to acquire $1 billion of senior preferred stock of each instrumentality and obtained warrants for the purchase of common stock of each instrumentality. Under this agreement, the U.S. Treasury has pledged to provide up to $100 billion per instrumentality as needed, including the contribution of cash capital to the instrumentalities in the event their liabilities exceed their assets. This is intended to ensure that the instrumentalities maintain a positive net worth and meet their financial obligations, preventing mandatory triggering of receivership. Consequently, the investments of holders, including the Fund, of mortgage-backed securities and other obligations issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are protected. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury has implemented a temporary program to

 

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purchase new mortgage-backed securities issued by the instrumentalities. This is intended to create more affordable mortgage rates for homeowners, enhance the liquidity of the mortgage market and potentially maintain or increase the value of existing mortgage-backed securities. The program expires in December 2009. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Treasury initiatives will be successful.

 

   

U.S. Treasury Obligations. U.S. Treasury obligations consist of bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury and separately traded interest and principal component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the federal book-entry system known as Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (“STRIPS”) and Treasury Receipts (“TRs”).

 

   

Receipts. Interests in separately traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. government obligations that are issued by banks or brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. government obligations into a special account at a custodian bank. The custodian holds the interest and principal payments for the benefit of the registered owners of the certificates or receipts. The custodian arranges for the issuance of the certificates or receipts evidencing ownership and maintains the register. TRs and STRIPS are interests in accounts sponsored by the U.S. Treasury. Receipts are sold as zero coupon securities.

 

   

U.S. Government Zero Coupon Securities. STRIPS and receipts are sold as zero coupon securities, that is, fixed income securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons. Zero coupon securities are sold at a (usually substantial) discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal. The amount of this discount is accreted over the life of the security, and the accretion constitutes the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes. Because of these features, the market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the market prices of securities that have similar maturity but that pay interest periodically. Zero coupon securities are likely to respond to a greater degree to interest rate changes than are non-zero coupon securities with similar maturity and credit qualities.

 

   

U.S. Government Agencies. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. government are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury, while still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. Guarantees of principal by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government may be a guarantee of payment at the maturity of the obligation so that in the event of a default prior to maturity there might not be a market and thus no means of realizing on the obligation prior to maturity. Guarantees as to the timely payment of principal and interest do not extend to the value or yield of these securities nor to the value of the Fund’s shares.

Commercial Paper. Commercial paper is the term used to designate unsecured short-term promissory notes issued by corporations and other entities. Maturities on these issues vary from a few to 270 days.

Obligations of Domestic Banks, Foreign Banks and Foreign Branches of U.S. Banks. The Fund may invest in obligations issued by banks and other savings institutions. Investments in bank obligations include obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Such investments in domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks may involve risks that are different from investments in securities of domestic branches of U.S. banks. These risks may include future unfavorable political and economic developments, possible withholding taxes on interest income, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, or other governmental restrictions which might affect the payment of principal or interest on the securities held by the Fund. Additionally, these institutions may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing, reporting and recordkeeping requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. Bank obligations include the following:

 

   

Bankers’ Acceptances . Bankers’ acceptances are bills of exchange or time drafts drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank. Corporations use bankers’ acceptances to finance the shipment and storage of goods and to furnish dollar exchange. Maturities are generally six months or less.

 

   

Certificates of Deposit . Certificates of deposit are interest-bearing instruments with a specific maturity. They are issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds and normally can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Certificates of deposit with penalties for early withdrawal will be considered illiquid.

 

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Time Deposits. Time deposits are non-negotiable receipts issued by a bank in exchange for the deposit of funds. Like a certificate of deposit, it earns a specified rate of interest over a definite period of time; however, it cannot be traded in the secondary market. Time deposits with a withdrawal penalty or that mature in more than seven days are considered to be illiquid securities.

Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with financial institutions. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which a fund acquires a fixed income security (generally a security issued by the U.S. government or an agency thereof, a banker’s acceptance, or a certificate of deposit) from a commercial bank, broker, or dealer, and simultaneously agrees to resell such security to the seller at an agreed upon price and date (normally, the next business day). Because the security purchased constitutes collateral for the repurchase obligation, a repurchase agreement may be considered a loan that is collateralized by the security purchased. The acquisition of a repurchase agreement may be deemed to be an acquisition of the underlying securities as long as the obligation of the seller to repurchase the securities is collateralized fully. The Fund follows certain procedures designed to minimize the risks inherent in such agreements. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with creditworthy financial institutions whose condition will be continually monitored by the Adviser. The repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund will provide that the underlying collateral at all times shall have a value at least equal to 102% of the resale price stated in the agreement and consist only of securities permissible under Section 101(47)(A)(i) of the Bankruptcy Code (the Adviser monitors compliance with this requirement). Under all repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund, the custodian or its agent must take possession of the underlying collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, the Fund will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of the Fund’s right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. It is the current policy of the Fund, not to invest in repurchase agreements that do not mature within seven days if any such investment, together with any other illiquid assets held by that Fund, amounts to more than 15% of the Fund’s total assets. The investments of the Fund in repurchase agreements, at times, may be substantial when, in the view of the Adviser, liquidity or other considerations so warrant.

Investment Company Shares. The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to certain restrictions. These investment companies typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by the Fund. The Fund’s purchase of such investment company securities results in the layering of expenses, such that shareholders would indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of such investment companies, including advisory fees, in addition to paying the Fund’s expenses. Unless an exception is available, Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act prohibits a fund from (i) acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any one investment company, (ii) investing more than 5% of its total assets in any one investment company, and (iii) investing more than 10% of its total assets in all investment companies combined, including its ETF investments.

For hedging or other purposes, the Fund may invest in investment companies that seek to track the composition and/or performance of specific indexes or portions of specific indexes. Certain of these investment companies, known as exchange-traded funds, are traded on a securities exchange. The market prices of index-based investments will fluctuate in accordance with changes in the underlying portfolio securities of the investment company and also due to supply and demand of the investment company’s shares on the exchange upon which the shares are traded. Index-based investments may not replicate or otherwise match the composition or performance of their specified index due to transaction costs, among other things.

Pursuant to orders issued by the SEC to each of certain iShares, Vanguard, ProShares, PowerShares and SPDR exchange-traded funds (collectively, the “ETFs”) and procedures approved by the Board, the Fund may invest in the ETFs in excess of the 3% limit described above, provided that the Fund has described the ETF investments in its prospectus and otherwise complies with the conditions of the SEC, as it may be amended, and any other applicable investment limitations. Neither the ETFs nor their investment advisers make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in the ETFs.

Securities Lending. The Fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations that meet capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the Company’s Board of Directors. These loans, if and when made, may not exceed 33 1/3% of the total asset value of the Fund (including the loan collateral). The Fund will not lend portfolio securities to the Adviser or its affiliates unless permissible under the 1940 Act and the rules and promulgations

 

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thereunder. Loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized by cash, letters of credit or U.S. government securities, and the collateral will be maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities by marking to market daily. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the Fund.

The Fund may pay a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral, or other fee, to an unaffiliated or, to the extent consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder, affiliated third party for acting as the Fund’s securities lending agent.

By lending its securities, the Fund may increase its income by receiving payments from the borrower that reflect the amount of any interest or any dividends payable on the loaned securities as well as by either investing cash collateral received from the borrower in short-term instruments or obtaining a fee from the borrower when U.S. government securities or letters of credit are used as collateral. The Fund will adhere to the following conditions whenever its portfolio securities are loaned: (i) the Fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral or equivalent securities of the type discussed in the preceding paragraph from the borrower; (ii) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (iii) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan on demand; (iv) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities and any increase in market value; (v) the Fund may pay only reasonable fees in connection with the loan (which fees may include fees payable to the lending agent, the borrower, the Fund’s administrator and the custodian); and (vi) voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower, provided, however, that if a material event adversely affecting the investment occurs, the Fund must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities. The Board has adopted procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the foregoing criteria will be met. Loan agreements involve certain risks in the event of default or insolvency of the borrower, including possible delays or restrictions upon the Fund’s ability to recover the loaned securities or dispose of the collateral for the loan, which could give rise to loss because of adverse market action, expenses and/or delays in connection with the disposition of the underlying securities.

Futures And Options On Futures. Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific security at a specified future time and at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in exchange for a premium, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option. The Fund will reduce the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures contract by only entering into futures contracts that are traded on a national futures exchange regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). The Fund may use futures contracts and related options for: bona fide hedging; attempting to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of; attempting to minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies; attempting to gain exposure to a particular market, index or instrument; or other risk management purposes. To the extent futures and/or options on futures are employed by the Fund, such use will be in accordance with Rule 4.5 of the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). The Company, on behalf of the Fund, has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” in accordance with Rule 4.5 and therefore, the Fund is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA.

An index futures contract is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the index value at the close of trading of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities comprising the index is made; generally contracts are closed out prior to the expiration date of the contract.

When the Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, or sells an option thereon, the Fund is required to “cover” its position in order to limit leveraging and related risks. To cover its position, the Fund may segregate (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) cash or liquid securities that, when added to any amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the market value of the futures contract or otherwise “cover” its position in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder. The segregated account functions as a practical limit on the amount of leverage which the Fund may undertake and on the potential increase in the speculative character of the Fund’s outstanding portfolio securities. Additionally, such segregated accounts will generally assure the availability of adequate funds to meet the obligations of the Fund arising from such investment activities.

 

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The Fund may also cover its long position in a futures contract by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract with a strike price (i.e., an exercise price) as high or higher than the price of the futures contract. In the alternative, if the strike price of the put is less than the price of the futures contract, the Fund will segregate cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract. The Fund may also cover its long position in a futures contract by taking a short position in the instruments underlying the futures contract, or by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract. The Fund may cover its short position in a futures contract by taking a long position in the instruments underlying the futures contracts, or by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract.

The Fund may cover its sale of a call option on a futures contract by taking a long position in the underlying futures contract at a price less than or equal to the strike price of the call option. In the alternative, if the long position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price greater than the strike price of the written (sold) call, the Fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the call and the price of the futures contract. The Fund may also cover its sale of a call option by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the call option. The Fund may cover its sale of a put option on a futures contract by taking a short position in the underlying futures contract at a price greater than or equal to the strike price of the put option, or, if the short position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price less than the strike price of the written put, the fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract. The Fund may also cover its sale of a put option by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the put option.

There are significant risks associated with the Fund’s use of futures contracts and related options, including the following: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on the Adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures and options on futures; (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option; (4) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange; and (5) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts and options on futures. In addition, some strategies reduce the Fund’s exposure to price fluctuations, while others tend to increase its market exposure.

Options. The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on indices and enter into related closing transactions. A put option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying security at any time during the option period. A call option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying security at any time during the option period. The premium paid to the writer is the consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract.

The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies (traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter markets) to manage its exposure to exchange rates. Call options on foreign currency written by the Fund will be “covered,” which means that the Fund will own an equal amount of the underlying foreign currency.

Put and call options on indices are similar to options on securities except that options on an index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the underlying index is greater than (or less than, in the case of puts) the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option, expressed in dollars multiplied by a specified number. Thus, unlike options on individual securities, all settlements are in cash, and gain or loss depends on price movements in the particular market represented by the index generally, rather than the price movements in individual securities.

All options written on indices or securities must be covered. When the Fund writes an option on a security, an index or a foreign currency, it will establish a segregated account containing cash or liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the market value of the option and will maintain the account while the option is open or will otherwise cover the transaction.

The Fund may trade put and call options on securities, securities indices and currencies, as the Adviser determines is appropriate in seeking the Fund’s investment objective, and except as restricted by the Fund’s investment limitations. See “Investment Limitations.”

 

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The initial purchase (sale) of an option contract is an “opening transaction.” In order to close out an option position, the Fund may enter into a “closing transaction,” which is simply the sale (purchase) of an option contract on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option contract originally opened. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option it has written, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or the Fund delivers the security upon exercise.

The Fund may purchase put and call options on securities to protect against a decline in the market value of the securities in its portfolio or to anticipate an increase in the market value of securities that the Fund may seek to purchase in the future. The Fund purchasing put and call options pays a premium therefor. If price movements in the underlying securities are such that exercise of the options would not be profitable for the Fund, loss of the premium paid may be offset by an increase in the value of the Fund’s securities or by a decrease in the cost of acquisition of securities by the Fund.

The Fund may write covered call options on securities as a means of increasing the yield on its assets and as a means of providing limited protection against decreases in its market value. When the Fund writes an option, if the underlying securities do not increase or decrease to a price level that would make the exercise of the option profitable to the holder thereof, the option generally will expire without being exercised and the Fund will realize as profit the premium received for such option. When a call option of which the Fund is the writer is exercised, the Fund will be required to sell the underlying securities to the option holder at the strike price, and will not participate in any increase in the price of such securities above the strike price. When a put option of which the Fund is the writer is exercised, the Fund will be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the market value of such securities.

The Fund may purchase and write options on an exchange or over-the-counter. Over-the-counter options (“OTC options”) differ from exchange-traded options in several respects. They are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation, and therefore entail the risk of non-performance by the dealer. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities and for a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than are available for exchange-traded options. Because OTC options are not traded on an exchange, pricing is done normally by reference to information from a market maker. It is the SEC’s position that OTC options are generally illiquid.

The market value of an option generally reflects the market price of an underlying security. Other principal factors affecting market value include supply and demand, interest rates, the pricing volatility of the underlying security and the time remaining until the expiration date.

Risks associated with options transactions include: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be an imperfect correlation between the movement in prices of options and the securities underlying them; (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for options; and (4) while the Fund will receive a premium when it writes covered call options, it may not participate fully in a rise in the market value of the underlying security.

Illiquid Securities. Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business (within seven days) at approximately the prices at which they are valued. Because of their illiquid nature, illiquid securities must be priced at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. Despite such good faith efforts to determine fair value prices, the Fund’s illiquid securities are subject to the risk that the security’s fair value price may differ from the actual price which the Fund may ultimately realize upon its sale or disposition. Difficulty in selling illiquid securities may result in a loss or may be costly to the Fund. Under the supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Adviser determines the liquidity of the Fund’s investments. In determining the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Adviser may consider various factors, including: (1) the frequency and volume of trades and quotations; (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market; and (4) the nature of the security and the market in which it trades (including any demand, put or tender features, the mechanics and other requirements for transfer, any letters of credit or other credit enhancement features, any ratings, the number of holders, the method of soliciting offers, the time required to dispose of the security, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and obligations of the security). The Fund will not hold more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.

 

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Restricted Securities. Restricted securities are securities that may not be sold freely to the public absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “1933 Act”) or an exemption from registration. As consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, the Fund may invest in Section 4(2) commercial paper. Section 4(2) commercial paper is issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Act and is generally sold to institutional investors who purchase for investment. Any resale of such commercial paper must be in an exempt transaction, usually to an institutional investor through the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in such commercial paper. The Company believes that Section 4(2) commercial paper is liquid to the extent it meets the criteria established by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company intends to treat such commercial paper as liquid and not subject to the investment limitations applicable to illiquid securities or restricted securities.

Short Sales. As consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, the Fund may engage in short sales that are either “uncovered” or “against the box.” A short sale is “against the box” if at all times during which the short position is open, the Fund owns at least an equal amount of the securities or securities convertible into, or exchangeable without further consideration for, securities of the same issue as the securities that are sold short. A short sale against the box is a taxable transaction to the Fund with respect to the securities that are sold short.

Uncovered short sales are transactions under which the Fund sells a security it does not own. To complete such a transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund then is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of the replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay the lender amounts equal to any dividends or interest that accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, the Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker, to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements, until the short position is closed out.

Until the Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will: (a) maintain a segregated account containing cash or liquid securities at such a level that (i) the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current value of the security sold short; and (ii) the amount deposited in the segregated account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will not be less than the market value of the security at the time the security was sold short; or (b) otherwise cover the Fund’s short position.

Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into equity index or interest rate swap agreements for purposes of attempting to gain exposure to the stocks making up an index of securities in a market without actually purchasing those stocks, or to hedge a position. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one-year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e. , the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. Forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or “cap,” interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified level, or “floor,” and interest rate dollars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.

Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Consequently, the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). The Fund’s current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by segregating assets determined to be liquid. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities. Because they are two party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund’s illiquid investment limitation. The Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy. The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty.

 

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The Fund may enter into swap agreements to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable. The counterparty to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer. The counter-party will generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks, plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. The Fund will agree to pay to the counter-party a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks. Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount.

Swap agreements typically are settled on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term. Swap agreements do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swap agreements is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to a swap agreement defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each equity swap will be accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or liquid assets, having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to such accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated account by the Fund’s custodian. Inasmuch as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregated cash of liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, the Fund and the Adviser believe that these transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund’s borrowing restrictions.

The Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of Fund transactions in swap agreements. The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity, which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

Fundamental Policies

The following investment limitations are fundamental policies of the Fund that cannot be changed without the consent of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares. The phrase “majority of the outstanding shares” means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the Fund’s shares present at a meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding shares, whichever is less.

The Fund may not:

 

1. Purchase securities of an issuer that would cause the Fund to fail to satisfy the diversification requirement for a diversified management company under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

2. Concentrate investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as concentration is defined under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

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3. Borrow money or issue senior securities (as defined under the 1940 Act), except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

4. Make loans, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

5. Purchase or sell commodities or real estate, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

6. Underwrite securities issued by other persons, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

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

Diversification . Under the 1940 Act, a diversified investment management company, as to 75% of its total assets, may not purchase securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agents or instrumentalities or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer, or more than 10% of the issuer’s outstanding voting securities would be held by the fund.

Concentration . The SEC has defined concentration as investing 25% or more of an investment company’s total assets in an industry or group of industries, with certain exceptions.

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

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

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

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

Commodities and Real Estate . The 1940 Act does not directly restrict an investment company’s ability to invest in commodities or real estate, but does require that every investment company have a fundamental investment policy governing such investments. The Fund has adopted a fundamental policy that would permit direct investment in commodities or real estate. However, the Fund’s current investment policy is as follows: the Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, physical commodities, or commodities contracts, except that the Fund may purchase: (i) marketable securities issued by companies which own or invest in real estate (including REITs), commodities, or commodities contracts; and (ii) commodities contracts relating to financial instruments, such as financial futures contracts and options on such contracts.

 

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Non-Fundamental Policies

In addition to the Fund’s investment objective, the following investment limitations of the Fund are non-fundamental and may be changed by the Company’s Board of Directors without shareholder approval. These non-fundamental policies are based upon the regulations currently set forth in the 1940 Act.

 

1. The Fund may not purchase securities of any issuer (except securities of other investment companies, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements involving such securities) if as a result more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund would be invested in the securities of such issuer; or (ii) acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. This restriction applies to 75% of the Fund’s total net assets.

 

2. The Fund may not purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the total net assets of the Fund to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that this limitation does not apply to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements involving such securities. For purposes of this limitation, (i) utility companies will be classified according to their services, for example, gas distribution, gas transmission, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry; and (ii) financial service companies will be classified according to the end users of their services, for example, automobile finance, bank finance and diversified finance will each be considered a separate industry.

 

3. The Fund may not borrow money in an amount exceeding 33 1/3% of the value of its total net assets, provided that, for purposes of this limitation, investment strategies that either obligate the Fund to purchase securities or require the Fund to segregate assets are not considered to be borrowing. Asset coverage of at least 300% is required for all borrowing, except where the Fund has borrowed money for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of its total net assets.

 

4. The Fund may not make loans if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total net assets would be lent to other parties, except that the Fund may (i) purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objective and policies; (ii) enter into repurchase agreements; and (iii) lend its securities.

 

5. The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, real estate limited partnership interests, physical commodities or commodities contracts except that the Fund may purchase (i) marketable securities issued by companies which own or invest in real estate (including real estate investment trusts), commodities or commodities contracts; and (ii) commodities contracts relating to financial instruments, such as financial futures contracts and options on such contracts.

 

6. The Fund may not hold illiquid securities in an amount exceeding, in the aggregate, 15% of the Fund’s net assets.

In addition, the Fund shall:

 

7. The Fund shall invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, under normal circumstances, in securities of small companies. This non-fundamental investment policy may be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders.

Except with respect to Fund policies concerning borrowing and illiquid securities, if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of an investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from changes in values or assets will not constitute a violation of such restriction. With respect to the limitation on illiquid securities, in the event that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances cause the Fund to exceed its limitation, the Fund will take steps to bring the aggregate amount of illiquid instruments back within the limitations as soon as reasonably practicable. With respect to the limitation on borrowing, in the event that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances cause the Fund to exceed its limitation, the Fund will take steps to bring the aggregate amount of borrowing back within the limitations as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

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DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Company has adopted, on behalf of the Fund, a policy relating to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings to ensure that disclosure of information about portfolio holdings is in the best interests of Fund shareholders. The policies relating to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings are designed to allow disclosure of portfolio holdings information where necessary to the Fund’s operation without compromising the integrity or performance of the Fund. It is the policy of the Company that disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings to a select person or persons prior to the release of such holdings to the public (“selective disclosure”) is prohibited, unless there are legitimate business purposes for selective disclosure.

The Company discloses portfolio holdings information as required in regulatory filings and shareholder reports, discloses portfolio holdings information as required by federal and state securities laws and may disclose portfolio holdings information in response to requests by governmental authorities. As required by the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the Company will disclose the Fund’s portfolio holdings in applicable regulatory filings, including shareholder reports, reports on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q or such other filings, reports or disclosure documents as the applicable regulatory authorities may require.

The Company may distribute or authorize the distribution of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings that is not publicly available to its third-party service providers, which include PFPC Trust Company (which will be renamed PNC Trust Company effective June 7, 2010), the custodian; PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (“PNC”) (formerly known as PFPC Inc.), the administrator, accounting agent and transfer agent; [ ], the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, legal counsel; R.R. Donnelly, the financial printer; and Glass, Lewis & Company, the Fund’s proxy voting service. These service providers are required to keep such information confidential, and are prohibited from trading based on the information or otherwise using the information except as necessary in providing services to the Fund. Such holdings are released on conditions of confidentiality, which include appropriate trading prohibitions. “Conditions of confidentiality” include confidentiality terms included in written agreements, implied by the nature of the relationship (e.g. attorney-client relationship), or required by fiduciary or regulatory principles (e.g., custody services provided by financial institutions).

Portfolio holdings may also be disclosed, upon authorization by a designated officer of the Adviser, to (i) certain independent reporting agencies recognized by the SEC as acceptable agencies for the reporting of industry statistical information, and (ii) financial consultants to assist them in determining the suitability of the Fund as an investment for their clients, in each case in accordance with the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the Company’s and the Adviser’s fiduciary duties to Fund shareholders. Disclosures to financial consultants are also subject to a confidentiality agreement and/or trading restrictions as well as at least a 15 - day time lag. The foregoing disclosures are made pursuant to the Company’s policy on selective disclosure of portfolio holdings. The Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof may, in limited circumstances, permit other selective disclosure of portfolio holdings subject to a confidentiality agreement and/or trading restrictions. Portfolio holdings may also be provided earlier to shareholders and their agents who receive redemptions in kind that reflect a pro rata allocation of all securities held in the Fund’s portfolio.

The Adviser reserves the right to refuse to fulfill any request for portfolio holdings information from a shareholder or non-shareholder if it believes that providing such information will be contrary to the best interests of the Fund.

Any violations of the policy set forth above as well as any corrective action undertaken to address such violations must be reported by the Adviser, director, officer or third party service provider to the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer, who will determine whether the violation should be reported immediately to the Board of Directors of the Company or at its next quarterly Board meeting.

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their dates of birth, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below.

 

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Name, Address, and

Date of Birth

   Position(s)
Held with
Fund
   Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served 1
  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Number
of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by
Director*
  

Other Directorships

Held by Director

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

Nicholas A. Giordano

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 03/43

   Director    2006 to
present
   Consultant, financial services organizations from 1997 to present.    20    Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust; (registered investment company) WT Mutual Fund; (registered investment company) Independence Blue Cross; IntriCon Corporation (industrial furnaces and ovens)

Francis J. McKay

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/35

   Director    1988 to
present
   Retired; Vice President, Fox Chase Cancer Center (biomedical research and medical care) (2000-2004).    20    None

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

   Chairman    2005 to
present
   Director, Gabelli Group Capital Partners, L.P. (an investment partnership) from    20    None
DOB: 5/48    Director    1991 to

present

   2000 to 2006.      

Mark A. Sargent

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/51

   Director    2006 to
present
   Dean and Professor of Law, Villanova University School of Law since July 1997; Member, Board of Directors, New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (2006-present); Member Board of Governors, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (2007-present).    20    WT Mutual Funds (registered investment company) 25 Portfolios

Marvin E. Sternberg

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/34

   Director    1991 to
present
   Since 1974, Chairman, Director and President, MTI Holding Group, Inc. (formerly known as Moyco Technologies, Inc.) (manufacturer of precision coated and industrial abrasives). 1999 to 2008, Director, Pennsylvania Business Bank.    20    MTI Holding Group, Inc. (formerly known as Moyco Technologies, Inc.)

 

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Name, Address, and

Date of Birth

   Position(s)
Held with
Fund
   Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served 1
  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Number
of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by
Director*
  

Other Directorships

Held by Director

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

   Director    2006 to
present
   Member, New York State Assembly (1981-2004); Founding Partner, Straniere Law Firm (1980 to date); Partner, Gotham Strategies (consulting firm) (2005 to date); Partner, The Gotham Global Group (consulting firm) (2005 to date); President, The New York City Hot Dog Company (2005 to date); and Partner, Kanter-Davidoff (law firm) (2006 to present).    20    Reich and Tang Group (asset management); The SPARX Asia Funds Group (registered investment company)
INTERESTED DIRECTORS 2

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

   Director    1988 to
present
   Since 1969, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).    20   

Comcast

Corporation; AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies)

Robert Sablowsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/38

   Director    1991 to
present
   Since July 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., formerly Fahnestock & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer). Since November 2004, Director of Kensington Funds.    20    Kensington Funds (registered investment company) 6 Portfolios

 

15


Table of Contents

Name, Address, and

Date of Birth

   Position(s)
Held with
Fund
   Term of
Office and
Length of
Time

Served 1
  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Number
of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by
Director*
  

Other Directorships

Held by Director

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

   Director    2002 to
present
   Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.) since 1984; and Director of Cornerstone Bank since March 2004.    20    Cornerstone Bank
OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, Esquire, CPA

Vigilant Compliance Services

186 Dundee Drive, Suite 700

Williamstown, NJ 08094

DOB: 12/62

   President
and Chief
Compliance
Officer
   President
June 2009
to present
and Chief
Compliance
Officer
2004 to
present
   President, Vigilant Compliance Services since 2004; Senior Legal Counsel, PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.), Inc. from 2002 to 2004; and Director of Energy Income Partnership since 2005.    N/A    N/A

Joel Weiss

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 1/63

   Treasurer    June 2009
to present
   Vice President and Managing Director, PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. since 1993    N/A    N/A

Jennifer Rogers

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/74

   Secretary    2007 to
present
   Since 2005, Vice President and Counsel, PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.), Inc. (financial services company); Associate, Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLC (law firm) from 1999 to 2005.    N/A    N/A

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

   Assistant
Treasurer
   2005 to
present
   Since 1995, Vice President of PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (financial services company)    N/A    N/A

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square

18 th and Cherry Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19103

DOB: 07/59

   Assistant

Secretary

   1999 to

present

   Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm) since 1993    N/A    N/A

 

* Each Director oversees twenty portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

1. Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until the last day of year 2011, whichever is later, or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

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2. Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall and Sablowsky are considered “interested persons” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and are referred to as “Interested Directors.” Mr. Brodsky is an “Interested Director” of the Company because a family foundation and certain family trusts own shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. The investment adviser to the Company’s Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio, Bear Stearns Asset Management, Inc., is an indirect subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase. Mr. Carnall is an “Interested Director” of the Company because he owns shares of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. The investment adviser to the Company’s Money Market Portfolio, BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation, and the Company’s principal underwriter, PFPC Distributors, Inc., are indirect subsidiaries of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as an officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

The Board and Standing Committees

Board. The Board of Directors is comprised of nine individuals, three of whom are considered “Interested” Directors as defined by the 1940 Act. The remaining Directors are referred to as “Disinterested” or “Independent” Directors. The Board meets at least quarterly to review the investment performance of each portfolio in the mutual fund family and other operational matters, including policies and procedures with respect to compliance with regulatory and other requirements. Currently, the Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, an Executive Committee, a Nominating and Governance Committee and a Regulatory Oversight Committee. The responsibilities of each committee and its members are described below.

Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee comprised of one Interested Director and three Independent Directors. The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Brodsky, Giordano, McKay and Sternberg. The Audit Committee, among other things, reviews results of the annual audit and approves the firm(s) to serve as independent auditors. The Audit Committee convened five times during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009.

Executive Committee. The Board has an Executive Committee comprised of four Independent Directors. The current members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Giordano, Reichman, Sargent and Sternberg. The Executive Committee may generally carry on and manage the business of the Company when the Board of Directors is not in session. The Executive Committee convened twice during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009.

Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board has a Nominating and Governance Committee comprised only of Independent Directors. The current members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Messrs. Giordano, McKay and Sargent. The Nominating and Governance Committee recommends to the Board of Directors all persons to be nominated as Directors of the Company. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted to the Committee care of the Company’s Secretary. The Nominating and Governance Committee convened twice during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009.

Regulatory Oversight Committee. The Board has a Regulatory Oversight Committee compromised of two Interested Directors and three Independent Directors. The current members of the Regulatory Oversight Committee are Messrs. Carnall, Reichman, Sargent, Sablowsky and Straniere. The Regulatory Oversight Committee monitors regulatory developments in the mutual fund industry and focuses on various regulatory aspects of the operation of the Company. The Regulatory Oversight Committee convened four times during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009.

Director Ownership of Shares of the Company

The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Director in the Fund and in all of the portfolios (which for each Director comprise all registered investment companies within the Company’s family of investment companies overseen by him), as of December 31, 2008. [to be updated by amendment]

 

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Name of Director

  

Dollar Range of

Equity Securities in the Fund

  

Aggregate Dollar Range of

Equity Securities in All

Registered Investment Companies

Overseen by Director within the

Family of Investment Companies

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Nicholas A. Giordano

   None    [None]

Francis J. McKay

   None    [Over $100,000]

Arnold M. Reichman

   None    [Over $100,000]

Mark A. Sargent

   None    [None]

Marvin E. Sternberg

   None    [None]

Robert A. Straniere

   None    [$1-$10,000]
INTERESTED DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

   None    [Over $100,000]

J. Richard Carnall

   None    [None]

Robert Sablowsky

   None    [Over $100,000]

Directors’ and Officers’ Compensation

Effective July 1, 2009, the Company pays each Director a retainer at the rate of $17,500 annually, $3,000 for each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, $1,500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors attended in person, $1,000 for each Committee meeting attended in person, $1,000 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting attended telephonically lasting one hour or longer and $500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors or Committee meeting attended telephonically lasting for less than one hour. From October 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009, the Company paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $17,500 annually, $3,500 for each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, $1,500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting attended in person and $1,000 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting attended telephonically. From March 1, 2008 to October 1, 2008 the Company paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $17,500 annually, $3,500 for each regular meeting of the Board of Directors and $500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting lasting up to one hour or $1,500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting lasting over one hour attended by a Director or in which he participated, whether or not it was held in conjunction with a Board meeting. From May 23, 2007 to March 1, 2008 the Company paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $17,500 annually, $3,500 per meeting of the Board of Directors and $500 for each committee meeting lasting up to one hour or $1,500 for each committee meeting lasting over one hour attended by a Director or in which he participates, whether or not it is held in conjunction with a Board meeting. Prior to November 15, 2007, no Director was paid for a committee meeting if it was held in conjunction with a Board meeting. The Chairman of the Board receives an additional fee of $9,000 per year for his services in this capacity, and each Chairman of the Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Regulatory Oversight Committee receives an additional fee of $3,000 per year for his services. Prior to July 1, 2009, the Chairman of the Board received an additional fee of $12,000 per year for his services in this capacity, and each Chairman of the Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Regulatory Oversight Committee received an additional fee of $4,000 per year for his services.

 

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Directors are reimbursed for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof. The Company also compensates its President and Chief Compliance Officer for his services to the Company. Prior to June 1, 2009 Edward J. Roach served as President and Treasurer of the Company and was compensated for his services. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, each of the following members of the Board of Directors and the President, Treasurer and Chief Compliance Officer received compensation from the Company in the following amounts:

 

Name of Director/Officer

   Aggregate
Compensation
from Registrant
    Pension or
Retirement
Benefits Accrued
as Part of Fund
Expenses
   Estimated
Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement
   Total
Compensation
From Fund and
Fund Complex
Paid to Directors
or Officers
 

Independent Directors:

          

Nicholas A. Giordano, Director

   $ [         N/A    N/A    $ [    

Francis J. McKay, Director

   $ [         N/A    N/A    $ [    

Arnold M. Reichman, Director and Chairman

   $ [         N/A    N/A    $ [    

Mark A. Sargent, Director

   $ [         N/A    N/A    $ [    

Marvin E. Sternberg, Director

   $ [         N/A    N/A    $ [    

Robert A. Straniere, Director

   $ [         N/A    N/A    $ [    

Interested Directors:

          

Julian A. Brodsky, Director

   $ [         N/A    N/A    $ [    

J. Richard Carnall, Director

   $ [         N/A    N/A    $ [    

Robert Sablowsky, Director

   $ [         N/A    N/A    $ [    

Officers:

          

Salvatore Faia, Esquire, CPA
Chief Compliance Officer and, since June 1, 2009, President

   $ [         N/A    N/A    $ [    

Edward J. Roach
President and Treasurer until June 1, 2009

   $ [       $ 5,575    N/A    $ [    

As of December 31, 2008, the Independent Directors and their respective immediate family members (spouse or dependent children) did not own beneficially or of record any securities of the Company’s investment advisers or distributor, or of any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment advisers or distributor.

On October 24, 1990, the Company adopted, as a participating employer, the Fund Office Retirement Profit-Sharing Plan and Trust Agreement, a retirement plan for employees, pursuant to which the Company will contribute on a quarterly basis amounts equal to 10% of the quarterly compensation of each eligible employee. By virtue of the services performed by the Company’s investment advisers, custodians, administrators and distributor, the Company itself requires only up to one part-time employee. Edward J. Roach, who served as President and Treasurer until June 1, 2009, has been the only employee who has participated in the Fund Office Retirement Profit-Sharing Plan and Trust Agreement. No officer, Director or employee of the Adviser or the distributor currently receives any compensation from the Company.

 

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CODE OF ETHICS

The Company, the Adviser and PFPC Distributors, Inc. (“PFPC Distributors”) have each adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that permits personnel subject to the codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Company.

PROXY VOTING

The Board of Directors has delegated the responsibility of voting proxies with respect to the portfolio securities purchased and/or held by the Fund to the Fund’s Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. In exercising its voting obligations, the Adviser is guided by its general fiduciary duty to act prudently and in the interest of the Fund. The Adviser will consider factors affecting the value of the Fund’s investments and the rights of shareholders in its determination on voting portfolio securities.

The Adviser will vote proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which are included in Appendix B to this SAI.

The Company is required to disclose annually the Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX. The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent 12 month period ended June 30th will be available upon request by calling 1-800-241-4294 or by writing to the Fund at Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, [     ]. The Fund’s Form N-PX is also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

The Fund was not previously in operation and consequently, there are no shareholders as of the date of this SAI.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Perimeter Capital Management LLC (the “Adviser”) is a professional investment management firm registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The Adviser was established in 2006 and offers investment management services for institutions and retail clients.

Advisory Agreement with the Company. The Adviser renders advisory services to the Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) dated as of [             , 2009]. The Adviser is not a subsidiary of or under the control of any other company.

Subject to the supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Adviser will provide for the overall management of the Fund including (i) the provision of a continuous investment program for the Fund, including investment research and management with respect to all securities, investments, cash and cash equivalents, (ii) the determination from time to time of what securities and other investments will be purchased, retained, or sold by the Fund, and (iii) the placement from time to time of orders for all purchases and sales made for the Fund. The Adviser will provide the services rendered by it in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, restrictions and policies as stated in the Prospectus and in this SAI. The Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment, mistake of law, or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the performance of the Advisory Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Advisory Agreement.

 

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For its services to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses exceed 1.35% and 1.10% of the Fund’s Investor Class Shares and I Shares average daily net assets, respectively. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time upon notice to the Board of Directors. If at any time during the first three years the Advisory Agreement is in effect, the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for that year are less than 1.35% and 1.10% of the Fund’s Investor Class Shares and I Shares, respectively. The Board may permit the Adviser to be reimbursed by the Fund for the advisory fees waived and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund.

The Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under the Advisory Agreement. The Fund bears all of its own expenses not specifically assumed by the Adviser. General expenses of the Company not readily identifiable as belonging to a portfolio of the Company are allocated among all investment portfolios by or under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors in such manner as it deems to be fair and equitable. Expenses borne by the Fund include, but are not limited to the following (or the Fund’s share of the following): (a) the cost (including brokerage commissions) of securities purchased or sold by the Fund and any losses incurred in connection therewith; (b) fees payable to and expenses incurred on behalf of the Fund by the Adviser; (c) filing fees and expenses relating to the registration and qualification of the Company and the Fund’s shares under federal and/or state securities laws and maintaining such registrations and qualifications; (d) fees and salaries payable to the Company’s Directors and officers; (e) taxes (including any income or franchise taxes) and governmental fees; (f) costs of any liability and other insurance or fidelity bonds; (g) any costs, expenses or losses arising out of a liability of or claim for damages or other relief asserted against the Company or the Fund for violation of any law; (h) legal, accounting and auditing expenses, including legal fees of special counsel for the independent Directors; (i) charges of custodians and other agents; (j) expenses of setting in type and printing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto for existing shareholders, reports, statements, and confirmations to shareholders and proxy material that are not attributable to a class; (k) costs of mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto to existing shareholders, as well as reports to shareholders and proxy materials that are not attributable to a class; (1) any extraordinary expenses; (m) fees, voluntary assessments and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; (n) costs of mailing and tabulating proxies and costs of shareholders’ and Directors’ meetings; (o) costs of independent pricing services to value a portfolio’s securities; and (p) the costs of investment company literature and other publications provided by the Company to its Directors and officers. Distribution expenses, transfer agency expenses, expenses of preparation, printing and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy statements and reports to shareholders, and organizational expenses and registration fees, identified as belonging to a particular class of the Company, are allocated to such class.

Disclosure relating to the material factors and the conclusions with respect to those factors that formed the basis for the Board of Directors’ approval of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement will be available in the Fund’s semi-annual report for the fiscal period ending January 31, 2010, which may be obtained by calling [(    )     -     ] or visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov .

For the fiscal period from September 29, 2006 (commencement of operations) to July 31, 2007 and for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2008 and July 31, 2009, the Predecessor Fund paid the Adviser the following fees:

 

For the Period

   Contractual Fees Payable     Fees Waived     Total Fees Paid
(after waivers)
 

July 31, 2009

   $ [       $ [       $ [    

July 31, 2008

   $ [       $ [       $ [    

July 31, 2007

   $ [       $ [       $ [    

The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall at all times have all rights in and to the Fund’s name and all investment models used by or on behalf of the Fund. The Adviser may use the Fund’s name or any portion thereof in connection with any other mutual fund or business activity without the consent of any shareholder, and the Company has agreed to execute and deliver any and all documents required to indicate its consent to such use.

 

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THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

This section includes information about the Fund’s portfolio managers, including information about other accounts they manage, the dollar range of Fund shares they own and how they are compensated.

Compensation. The Adviser compensates the Fund’s portfolio managers for their management of the Fund. Each of the portfolio manager’s compensation consists of a cash base salary and a discretionary performance bonus paid in cash that is based on overall profitability of the Adviser and performance of the Fund, and therefore in part based on the value of the Fund’s net assets and other client accounts they are managing.

Fund Shares Owned by Portfolio Managers. The Fund is required to show the dollar amount range of the portfolio managers’ “beneficial ownership” of shares of the Fund as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC. “Beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the 1934 Act. The Fund was not in operation prior to the date of this SAI. Consequently, the Portfolio Managers owned no securities issued by the Fund. As of July 31, 2009, the portfolio managers held the following amounts of Predecessor Fund Shares:

 

Name

   Dollar Range of Predecessor Fund Shares

Mark D. Garfinkel

   $[1-$10,000]

Jim N. Behre

   $[10,001-$50,000]

Other Accounts. In addition to the Fund and the Predecessor Fund, the portfolio managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as listed below. The information below is provided as of July 31, 2009.

 

Name

   Registered
Investment Companies
  Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
  Other Accounts
   Number of
Accounts
  Total Assets   Number of
Accounts
  Total Assets   Number of
Accounts
  Total Assets

Mark D. Garfinkel

   [1]   [$149 million]   [0]   $[0]   [28]   $[657 million]

James N. Behre

   [1]   [$149 million]   [0]   [$0]   [26]   $[657 million]

Conflicts of Interests. The portfolio managers’ management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with their management of the Fund’s 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 Fund. Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby a portfolio manager 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 Fund. However, the Adviser has established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are fairly and equitably allocated.

 

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ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT

PNC serves as administrator to the Fund pursuant to administration and accounting services agreements dated [ , 2009] with respect to the Fund (the “Administration Agreements”). PNC has agreed to furnish to the Fund statistical and research data, clerical, accounting and bookkeeping services, and certain other services required by the Fund. In addition, PNC has agreed to prepare and file various reports with the appropriate regulatory agencies and prepare materials required by the SEC or any state securities commission having jurisdiction over the Fund. The Administration Agreement provides that PNC shall be obligated to exercise care and diligence in the performance of its duties, to act in good faith and to use its best efforts, within reasonable limits, in performing services thereunder. PNC shall be responsible for failure to perform its duties under the Administration Agreement arising out of its willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard. For its services to the Fund, PNC is entitled to receive a fee calculated at an annual rate of:

 

   

[    ]% of each Fund’s first $250 million of average daily net assets;

 

   

[    ]% of each Fund’s next $250 million of average daily net assets;

 

   

[    ]% of each Fund’s next $250 million of average daily net assets;

 

   

[    ]% of each Fund’s next $750 million of average daily net assets; and

 

   

[    ]% of each Fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $1.5 billion.]

The minimum monthly fee will be $[—] per month, exclusive of Rule 38a-1 base compliance support services fees, costs of obtaining independent security market quotes, data repository and analytics suite access fees and out-of-pocket expenses.

The Administration Agreement provides that PNC shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Company or the Fund in connection with the performance of the agreement, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard by it of its duties and obligations thereunder.

On June 1, 2003, the Company entered into a regulatory administration services agreement with PNC. Under this agreement, PNC has agreed to provide regulatory administration services to the Company. These services include the preparation and coordination of the Company’s annual post-effective amendment filing and supplements to the Fund’s registration statement, the preparation and assembly of board meeting materials, and certain other services necessary to the Company’s regulatory administration. PNC receives an annual fee based on the average daily net assets of the portfolios of the Company.

The administrator for the Predecessor Fund was [        ]. For the fiscal period from September 29, 2006 (commencement of operations) to July 31, 2007, and for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2008 and July 31, 2009, the Predecessor Fund paid the Administrator the following fees:

 

For the Fiscal Year
Ended

   Administration and
Accounting Fees and
Expenses (after waivers and
reimbursements)
  Waivers   Reimbursements

2009

   [    ]   [    ]   [    ]

2008

   [    ]   [    ]   [    ]

2007

   [    ]   [    ]   [    ]

CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

PFPC Trust Company, (“PFPC Trust”) 8800 Tinicum Boulevard, Suite 200, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19153, is custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a Custodian Agreement dated August 16, 1988, as amended. Under the Custodian Agreement, PFPC Trust: (a) maintains a separate account or accounts in the name of each Fund; (b) holds and transfers portfolio securities on account of each Fund; (c) accepts receipts and makes disbursements of money on behalf of each Fund; (d) collects and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of each Fund’s portfolio securities; and (e) makes periodic reports to the Company’s Board of Directors concerning the Fund’s operations. PFPC Trust is authorized to select one or more banks or trust companies to serve as sub-custodian on behalf of the Fund, provided that PFPC Trust remains responsible for the

 

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performance of all of its duties under the Custodian Agreement and holds the Fund harmless from the acts and omissions of any sub-custodian. For its services to the Fund under the Custodian Agreement, PFPC Trust receives a fee of [    ]% of average daily gross assets of each Fund calculated daily and payable monthly, or a minimum monthly fee of $[    ] for each Fund, exclusive of transaction charges and out-of-pocket expenses, which are also charged to the Fund.

The Custodian for the Predecessor Fund was [        ].

TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT

PNC, 301 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809, an affiliate of PFPC Distributors, serves as the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund pursuant to a transfer agency agreement dated November 5, 1991, as supplemented (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”), under which PNC: (a) issues and redeems shares of the Fund; (b) addresses and mails all communications by the Fund to record owners of the shares, including reports to shareholders, dividend and distribution notices and proxy materials for its meetings of shareholders; (c) maintains shareholder accounts and, if requested, sub-accounts; and (d) makes periodic reports to the Company’s Board of Directors concerning the operations of the Fund. PNC may, on 30 days’ notice to the Company, assign its duties as transfer and dividend disbursing agent to any other affiliate of PNC Bank Corp. For its services to the Fund under the Transfer Agency Agreement, PNC receives a fee at the annual rate of $[    ] per account in the Fund, with a minimum monthly fee of $[    ] per class payable monthly on a pro rata basis, exclusive of out-of-pocket expenses, and also receives reimbursement of its out-of-pocket expenses.

PNC also provides services relating to the implementation of the Company’s Anti-Money Laundering Program. The Company pays an annual fee, ranging from $3,000 - $50,000, based on the number of open accounts in each portfolio of the Company. In addition, PNC provides services relating to the implementation of the Fund’s Customer Identification Program, including verification of required customer information and the maintenance of records with respect to such verification. The Fund will pay PNC $2.25 per customer verification and $0.02 per month per record result maintained.

The Transfer Agent for the Predecessor Fund was [        ].

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

PFPC Distributors, whose principal business address is 760 Moore Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406, serves as the underwriter to the Fund pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, dated as of January 2, 2001, as supplemented (the “Distribution Agreement”). Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement and the related Plan of Distribution for the Investor Class (the “Plan”), which was adopted by the Company in the manner prescribed by Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, PFPC Distributors will use appropriate efforts to solicit orders for the sale of the Fund’s shares. Payments to PFPC Distributors under the Plan are to compensate it for distribution assistance and expenses assumed and activities intended to result in the sale of shares of the Investor Class including advertising, printing and mailing of prospectuses to others than current shareholders, compensation to underwriters, compensation to broker-dealers, compensation to sales personnel, and interest, carrying or other financing changes. As compensation for its distribution services, PFPC Distributors receives, pursuant to the terms of the Distribution Agreement, a distribution fee under the Plan, to be calculated daily and paid monthly by the Investor Class of the Fund, at the annual rate set forth in the Investor Class Prospectus.

The Distributor for the Predecessor Fund was [        ]. The Predecessor Fund adopted a shareholder servicing plan (the “Service Plan”) under which a shareholder servicing fee of up to 0.25% of average daily net assets attributable to the Investor Class Shares of the Predecessor Fund was paid to other service providers. The Predecessor Fund did not adopt a 12b-1 Plan.

PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

The Adviser and/or its affiliates, at their discretion, may make payments from their own resources and not from Fund assets to affiliated or unaffiliated brokers, dealers, banks (including bank trust departments), trust companies, registered investment advisers, financial planners, retirement plan administrators, insurance companies, and any other institution having a service, administration, or any similar arrangement with the Fund, its service providers or their respective affiliates, as incentives to help market and promote the Fund and/or in recognition of their distribution, marketing, administrative services, and/or processing support.

 

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These additional payments may be made to financial intermediaries that sell Fund shares or provide services to the Fund, the Distributor or shareholders of the Fund through the financial intermediary’s retail distribution channel and/or fund supermarkets. Payments may also be made through the financial intermediary’s retirement, qualified tuition, fee-based advisory, wrap fee bank trust, or insurance (e.g., individual or group annuity) programs. These payments may include, but are not limited to, placing the Fund in a financial intermediary’s retail distribution channel or on a preferred or recommended fund list; providing business or shareholder financial planning assistance; educating financial intermediary personnel about the Fund; providing access to sales and management representatives of the financial intermediary; promoting sales of Fund shares; providing marketing and educational support; maintaining share balances and/or for sub-accounting, administrative or shareholder transaction processing services. A financial intermediary may perform the services itself or may arrange with a third party to perform the services.

The Adviser and/or its affiliates may also make payments from their own resources to financial intermediaries for costs associated with the purchase of products or services used in connection with sales and marketing, participation in and/or presentation at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs, client and investor entertainment and other sponsored events. The costs and expenses associated with these efforts may include travel, lodging, sponsorship at educational seminars and conferences, entertainment and meals to the extent permitted by law.

Revenue sharing payments may be negotiated based on a variety of factors, including the level of sales, the amount of Fund assets attributable to investments in the Fund by financial intermediaries’ customers, a flat fee or other measures as determined from time to time by the Adviser and/or its affiliates. A significant purpose of these payments is to increase the sales of Fund shares, which in turn may benefit the Adviser through increased fees as Fund assets grow.

FUND TRANSACTIONS

Subject to policies established by the Board of Directors and applicable rules, the Adviser is responsible for the execution of portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage transactions for the Fund. In executing portfolio transactions, the Adviser seeks to obtain the best price and most favorable execution for the Fund, taking into account such factors as the price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of the order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of the firm involved. While the Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, payment of the lowest commission or spread is not necessarily consistent with obtaining the best price and execution in particular transactions.

The Fund does not have any obligation to deal with any broker or group of brokers in the execution of portfolio transactions. The Adviser may, consistent with the interests of the Fund and subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, select brokers on the basis of the research, statistical and pricing services they provide to the Fund and other clients of the Adviser. Information and research received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by the Adviser under its respective contracts. A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which another qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction, provided that the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms either of the transaction or the overall responsibility of the Adviser to the Fund and its other clients and that the total commissions paid by the Fund will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund over the long-term.

Investment decisions for the Fund and for other investment accounts managed by the Adviser are made independently of each other in the light of differing conditions. However, the same investment decision may be made for two or more of such accounts. In such cases, simultaneous transactions are inevitable. Purchases or sales are then averaged as to price and allocated as to amount according to a formula deemed equitable to each such account. While in some cases this practice could have a detrimental effect upon the price or value of the security as far as the Fund is concerned, in other cases it is believed to be beneficial to the Fund.

 

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PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

You may purchase shares through an account maintained by your brokerage firm and you may also purchase shares directly by mail or wire. The Company reserves the right, if conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable, to honor any request for redemption or repurchase of a Fund’s shares by making payment in whole or in part in securities chosen by the Company and valued in the same way as they would be valued for purposes of computing the Fund’s NAV. If payment is made in securities, a shareholder may incur transaction costs in converting these securities into cash. A shareholder will also bear any market risk or tax consequences as a result of a payment in securities. The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act so that the Fund is obligated to redeem its shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Fund. A shareholder will bear the risk of a decline in market value and any tax consequences associated with a redemption in securities.

Under the 1940 Act, the Company may suspend the right to redemption or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the “NYSE”) is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), or during which the SEC restricts trading on the NYSE or determines an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or valuation of portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods as the SEC may permit. (The Company may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of its shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions).

Shares of the Company are subject to redemption by the Company, at the redemption price of such shares as in effect from time to time, including, without limitation: (1) to reimburse a Fund for any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to make full payment for shares purchased by the shareholder or to collect any charge relating to a transaction effected for the benefit of a shareholder as provided in the Prospectuses from time to time; (2) if such redemption is, in the opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors, desirable in order to prevent the Company or any Fund from being deemed a “personal holding company” within the meaning of the Code; (3) or if the net income with respect to any particular class of common stock should be negative or it should otherwise be appropriate to carry out the Company’s responsibilities under the 1940 Act.

The Fund has the right to redeem your shares at current NAV at any time and without prior notice if, and to the extent that, such redemption is necessary to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for shares of the Fund you previously purchased or subscribed for.

Other Purchase Information

If shares of the Fund are held in a “street name” account with an Authorized Dealer, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to the beneficial owner’s account will be performed by the Authorized Dealer, and not by the Fund and its Transfer Agent. Since the Fund will have no record of the beneficial owner’s transactions, a beneficial owner should contact the Authorized Dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about the account. The transfer of shares in a “street name” account to an account with another dealer or to an account directly with the Fund involves special procedures and will require the beneficial owner to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the Authorized Dealer.

TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PROCEDURES

The Company’s telephone transaction procedures include the following measures: (1) requiring the appropriate telephone transaction privilege forms; (2) requiring the caller to provide the names of the account owners, the account social security number and name of the Fund, all of which must match the Company’s records; (3) requiring the Company’s service representative to complete a telephone transaction form, listing all of the above caller identification information; (4) permitting exchanges (if applicable) only if the two account registrations are identical; (5) requiring that redemption proceeds be sent only by check to the account owners of record at the address of record, or by wire only to the owners of record at the bank account of record; (6) sending a written confirmation for each telephone transaction to the owners of record at the address of record within five (5) business days of the call; and (7) maintaining tapes of telephone transactions for six months, if the Company elects to record shareholder telephone transactions. For accounts held of record by broker-dealers (other than PFPC Distributors), financial institutions, securities dealers, financial planners and other industry professionals, additional documentation or

 

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information regarding the scope of a caller’s authority is required. Finally, for telephone transactions in accounts held jointly, additional information regarding other account holders is required. Telephone transactions will not be permitted in connection with IRA or other retirement plan accounts or by an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney.

VALUATION OF SHARES

Subject to the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Fund may employ outside organizations, which may use a matrix or formula method that takes into consideration market indices, matrices, yield curves and other specific adjustments in determining the approximate market value of portfolio investments. This may result in the securities being valued at a price that differs from the price that would have been determined had the matrix or formula method not been used. All cash, receivables, and current payables are carried on the Fund’s books at their face value. Other assets, if any, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s Valuation Committee under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors.

TAXES

General

The following summarizes certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that are not described in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders, and the discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Potential investors should consult their tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax situations.

The discussions of the federal tax consequences in the Prospectus and this SAI are based on the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and the regulations issued under it, and court decisions and administrative interpretations, as in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly change the statements included herein, and such changes may be retroactive.

The Fund qualified during its last taxable year and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1, of the Code. As such, the Fund generally will be exempt from federal income tax on its net investment income and realized capital gains that it distributes to shareholders. To qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, it must meet three important tests each year.

First, the Fund must derive with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities or currencies, or net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships.

Second, generally, at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of the issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities of (1) any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), (2) two or more issuers that the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or (3) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

Third, the Fund must distribute an amount equal to at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) and 90% of its tax-exempt income, if any, for the year.

 

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The Fund intends to comply with these requirements. If the Fund were to fail to make sufficient distributions, it could be liable for corporate income tax and for excise tax in respect of the shortfall or, if the shortfall is large enough, the Fund could be disqualified as a regulated investment company. If for any taxable year the Fund were not to qualify as a regulated investment company, all its taxable income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders. In that event, shareholders would recognize dividend income on distributions to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, and corporate shareholders could be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.

The Code imposes a nondeductible 4% excise tax on regulated investment companies that fail to distribute each year an amount equal to specified percentages of their ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income (excess of capital gains over capital losses). The Fund intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions each year to avoid liability for this excise tax.

State and Local Taxes

Although the Fund expects to qualify as a “regulated investment company” and to be relieved of all or substantially all federal income taxes, depending upon the extent of its activities in states and localities in which its offices are maintained, in which its agents or independent contractors are located or in which it is otherwise deemed to be conducting business, the Fund may be subject to the tax laws of such states or localities.

Taxation of Certain Investments

The tax principles applicable to transactions in financial instruments, such as futures contracts and options, that may be engaged in by the Fund, and investments in passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”), are complex and, in some cases, uncertain. Such transactions and investments may cause the 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 the 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 shares.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING COMPANY SHARES

The Company has authorized capital of 100 billion shares of common stock at a par value of $0.001 per share. Currently, 78.973 billion shares have been classified into 120 classes, however, the Company only has 28 active share classes that have begun investment operations. Under the Company’s charter, the Board of Directors has the power to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common stock from time to time.

Each share that represents an interest in the Fund has an equal proportionate interest in the assets belonging to such Fund with each other share that represents an interest in such Fund, even where a share has a different class designation than another share representing an interest in that Fund. Shares of the Company do not have preemptive or conversion rights. When issued for payment as described in the Prospectus, shares of the Company will be fully paid and non-assessable.

The Company does not currently intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. The Company’s amended By-Laws provide that shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding shares of all classes of Common Stock of the Company have the right to call for a meeting of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more directors. To the extent required by law, the Company will assist in shareholder communication in such matters.

Holders of shares of each class of the Company will vote in the aggregate and not by class on all matters, except where otherwise required by law. Further, shareholders of the Company will vote in the aggregate and not by portfolio except as otherwise required by law or when the Board of Directors determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interests of the shareholders of a particular portfolio or class of shares. Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the provisions of such Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Company shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless

 

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approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each portfolio affected by the matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a portfolio shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each portfolio in the matter are identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the portfolio. Under Rule 18f-2 the approval of an investment advisory agreement or distribution agreement or any change in a fundamental investment objective or fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a portfolio only if approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such portfolio. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the selection of independent public accountants and the election of directors are not subject to the separate voting requirements and may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of an investment company voting without regard to a portfolio. Shareholders of the Company are entitled to one vote for each full share held (irrespective of class or portfolio) and fractional votes for fractional shares held. Voting rights are not cumulative and, accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate shares of common stock of the Company may elect all of the Directors.

Notwithstanding any provision of Maryland law requiring a greater vote of shares of the Company’s common stock (or of any class voting as a class) in connection with any corporate action, unless otherwise provided by law (for example by Rule 18f-2 discussed above), or by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, the Company may take or authorize such action upon the favorable vote of the holders of more than 50% of all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock voting without regard to class (or portfolio).

Shareholder Approvals. As used in this SAI and in the Prospectuses, “shareholder approval” and a “majority of the outstanding shares” of the Fund or a particular class of shares of the Fund means, with respect to the approval of the advisory agreement. Distribution Plan or a change in the Fund’s investment objective or a fundamental investment limitation, the lesser of (1) 67% of the shares of the Fund or share class represented at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or share class are present in person or by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or share class.

MISCELLANEOUS

Counsel

The law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, 18 th and Cherry Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-6996, serves as independent counsel to the Company and the Disinterested Directors.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

[                    ] served as the Predecessor Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and will continue to serve as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The audited financial statements and notes thereto in the Predecessor Fund’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009 (the “Annual Report”) [        ] this SAI. No other parts of the Annual Report are [        ]. The financial statements included in the Annual Report have been audited by [    ], the Predecessor Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose report thereon also appears in the Annual Report and is [    ]. Such financial statements have been [    ] in reliance upon such reports given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. Copies of the Annual Report may be obtained at no charge by telephoning PNC at the telephone number appearing on the front page of this SAI.

 

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APPENDIX A

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

Short-Term Credit Ratings

A Standard & Poor’s short-term issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard & Poor’s for short-term issues:

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

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

“A-3” – Obligor has 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” – An obligation is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. 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. Ratings of “B1”, “B-2” and “B-3” may be assigned to indicate finer distinction within the “B” category.

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

“D” – Obligations are in payment default. This 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.

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

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.

 

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

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

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

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

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

Fitch, Inc. / Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) short-term ratings scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings. A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 13 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance, in line with industry standards, to reflect unique risk characteristics of bond, tax, and revenue anticipation notes that are commonly issued with terms up to three years. Short-term ratings thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

“F1” – Securities possess the highest credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

“F2” – Securities possess good credit quality. This designation indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

“F3” – Securities possess fair credit quality. This designation indicates that the capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non investment grade.

“B” – Securities possess speculative credit quality. This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

“C” – Securities possess high default risk. Default is a real possibility. This designation indicates a capacity for meeting financial commitments which is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

“D” – Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.

“NR” – This designation indicates that Fitch does not publicly rate the associated issue or issuer.

“WD” – This designation indicates that the rating has been withdrawn and is no longer maintained by Fitch.

 

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The following summarizes the ratings used by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (“DBRS”) for commercial paper and short-term debt:

“R-1 (high)” Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality, and indicates an entity possessing unquestioned ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due. Entities rated in this category normally maintain strong liquidity positions, conservative debt levels, and profitability that is both stable and above average. Companies achieving an “R-1 (high)” rating are normally leaders in structurally sound industry segments with proven track records, sustainable positive future results, and no substantial qualifying negative factors. Given the extremely tough definition DBRS has established for an “R-1 (high)”, few entities are strong enough to achieve this rating.

“R-1 (middle)” – Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality and, in most cases, ratings in this category differ from “R-1 (high)” credits by only a small degree. Given the extremely tough definition DBRS has established for the “R-1 (high)” category, entities rated “R-1 (middle)” are also considered strong credits, and typically exemplify above average strength in key areas of consideration for the timely repayment of short-term liabilities.

“R-1 (low)” – Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of satisfactory credit quality. The overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt and profitability ratios is not normally as favorable as with higher rating categories, but these considerations are still respectable. Any qualifying negative factors that exist are considered manageable, and the entity is normally of sufficient size to have some influence in its industry.

“R-2 (high)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (high)” is considered to be at the upper end of adequate credit quality. The ability to repay obligations as they mature remains acceptable, although the overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt, and profitability ratios is not as strong as credits rated in the “R-1 (low)” category. Relative to the latter category, other shortcomings often include areas such as stability, financial flexibility, and the relative size and market position of the entity within its industry.

“R-2 (middle)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (middle)” is considered to be of adequate credit quality. Relative to the “R-2 (high)” category, entities rated “R-2 (middle)” typically have some combination of higher volatility, weaker debt or liquidity positions, lower future cash flow capabilities, or are negatively impacted by a weaker industry. Ratings in this category would be more vulnerable to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

“R-2 (low)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (low)” is considered to be at the lower end of adequate credit quality, typically having some combination of challenges that are not acceptable for an “R-2 (middle)” credit. However, “R-2 (low)” ratings still display a level of credit strength that allows for a higher rating than the “R-3” category, with this distinction often reflecting the issuer’s liquidity profile.

“R-3” – Short-term debt rated “R-3” is considered to be at the lowest end of adequate credit quality, one step up from being speculative. While not yet defined as speculative, the R-3 category signifies that although repayment is still expected, the certainty of repayment could be impacted by a variety of possible adverse developments, many of which would be outside the issuer’s control. Entities in this area often have limited access to capital markets and may also have limitations in securing alternative sources of liquidity, particularly during periods of weak economic conditions.

“R-4” – Short-term debt rated R-4 is speculative. R-4 credits tend to have weak liquidity and debt ratios, and the future trend of these ratios is also unclear. Due to its speculative nature, companies with R-4 ratings would normally have very limited access to alternative sources of liquidity. Earnings and cash flow would typically be very unstable, and the level of overall profitability of the entity is also likely to be low. The industry environment may be weak, and strong negative qualifying factors are also likely to be present.

 

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“R-5” – Short-term debt rated R-5 is highly speculative. There is a reasonably high level of uncertainty as to the ability of the entity to repay the obligations on a continuing basis in the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity. In some cases, short term debt rated R-5 may have challenges that if not corrected, could lead to default.

“D” – A security rated “D” implies the issuer has either not met a scheduled payment or the issuer has made it clear that it will be missing such a payment in the near future. In some cases, DBRS may not assign a “D” rating under a bankruptcy announcement scenario, as allowances for grace periods may exist in the underlying legal documentation. Once assigned, the “D” rating will continue as long as the missed payment continues to be in arrears, and until such time as the rating is discontinued or reinstated by DBRS.

Long-Term Credit Ratings

The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for long-term issues:

“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.

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.

 

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

“C” – A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated “C” is 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. The “C” rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments may have been suspended in accordance with the instrument’s terms.

“D” – An obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & 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.

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.

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

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

“Aaa” – Obligations rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the highest quality, 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.

 

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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.

The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:

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

“AA” – Securities considered to be of very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

“A” – Securities considered to be of high credit quality. “A” ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

“BBB” – Securities considered to be of good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that there 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.

“BB” – Securities considered to be speculative. “BB” ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

“B” – Securities considered to be highly speculative. “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,” “CC” and “C” – Securities have high default risk. Default is a real possibility, and capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. A “CC” rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. “C” ratings signal imminent default.

“RD” – Indicates an entity 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.

Plus (+) or minus (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” category or to categories below “CCC”.

“NR” indicates that Fitch does not publicly rate the associated issue or issuer.

 

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The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:

“AAA” – Long-term debt rated “AAA” is of the highest credit quality, with exceptionally strong protection for the timely repayment of principal and interest. Earnings are considered stable, the structure of the industry in which the entity operates is strong, and the outlook for future profitability is favorable. There are few qualifying factors present which would detract from the performance of the entity. The strength of liquidity and coverage ratios is unquestioned and the entity has established a creditable track record of superior performance. Given the extremely high standard which DBRS has set for this category, few entities are able to achieve a “AAA” rating.

“AA” – Long-term debt rated “AA” is of superior credit quality, and protection of interest and principal is considered high. In many cases they differ from long-term debt rated “AAA” only to a small degree. Given the extremely restrictive definition DBRS has for the “AAA” category, entities rated “AA” are also considered to be strong credits, typically exemplifying above-average strength in key areas of consideration and unlikely to be significantly affected by reasonably foreseeable events.

“A” – Long-term debt rated “A” is of satisfactory credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is still substantial, but the degree of strength is less than that of “AA” rated entities. While “A” is a respectable rating, entities in this category are considered to be more susceptible to adverse economic conditions and have greater cyclical tendencies than higher-rated securities.

“BBB” – Long-term debt rated “BBB” is of adequate credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is considered acceptable, but the entity is fairly susceptible to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions, or there may be other adverse conditions present which reduce the strength of the entity and its rated securities.

“BB” – Long-term debt rated “BB” is defined to be speculative and non-investment grade, where the degree of protection afforded interest and principal is uncertain, particularly during periods of economic recession. Entities in the “BB” range typically have limited access to capital markets and additional liquidity support. In many cases, deficiencies in critical mass, diversification, and competitive strength are additional negative considerations.

“B” – Long-term debt rated “B” is highly speculative and there is a reasonably high level of uncertainty as to the ability of the entity to pay interest and principal on a continuing basis in the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity.

“CCC”, CC” and “C” – Long-term debt rated in any of these categories is very highly speculative and is in danger of default of interest and principal. The degree of adverse elements present is more severe than long-term debt rated “B.” Long-term debt rated below “B” often have features which, if not remedied, may lead to default. In practice, there is little difference between these three categories, with “CC” and “C” normally used for lower ranking debt of companies for which the senior debt is rated in the “CCC” to “B” range.

“D” – A security rated “D” implies the issuer has either not met a scheduled payment of interest or principal or that the issuer has made it clear that it will miss such a payment in the near future. In some cases, DBRS may not assign a “D” rating under a bankruptcy announcement scenario, as allowances for grace periods may exist in the underlying legal documentation. Once assigned, the “D” rating will continue as long as the missed payment continues to be in arrears, and until such time as the rating is suspended, discontinued or reinstated by DBRS.

(“high”, “low”) – Each rating category is denoted by the subcategories “high” and “low”. The absence of either a “high” or “low” designation indicates the rating is in the “middle” of the category. The “AAA” and “D” categories do not utilize “high”, “middle”, and “low” as differential grades.

 

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Municipal Note Ratings

A Standard & Poor’s U.S. municipal note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment:

 

   

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

 

   

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

Note rating symbols are as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Credit Ratings

A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion evaluates the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default. The issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a financial obligation, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor.

Moody’s credit ratings must be construed solely as statements of opinion and not as statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities.

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

DBRS credit ratings are opinions based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of information sourced and received by DBRS, which information is not audited or verified by DBRS. Ratings are not buy, hold or sell recommendations and they do not address the market price of a security. Ratings may be upgraded, downgraded, placed under review, confirmed and discontinued.

 

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APPENDIX B

Proxy Voting

Issue

Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act requires every investment adviser who exercises voting authority with respect to client securities to adopt and implement written policies and procedures, reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interest of its Clients. The procedures must address material conflicts that may arise in connection with proxy voting. The rule further requires the adviser to provide a concise summary of the adviser’s proxy voting process and offer to provide copies of the complete proxy voting policy and procedures to Clients upon request. Lastly, the rule requires that the adviser disclose to Clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser voted their proxies.

Perimeter votes proxies for the majority of its Clients, and therefore has adopted and implemented this Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures.

Risks

In developing this policy and procedures, Perimeter considered numerous risks associated with its voting of client proxies. This analysis includes risks such as:

 

   

Proxies are not voted in Clients’ best interests.

 

   

Proxies are not identified and voted in a timely manner.

 

   

The third-party proxy voting services utilized by Perimeter is not independent.

 

   

Proxy voting records and client requests to review proxy votes are not maintained.

Perimeter has established the following guidelines as an attempt to mitigate these risks.

Policy

It is the policy of Perimeter to vote proxies in the interest of maximizing value for Perimeter’s Clients. Proxies are an asset of a Client, which should be treated by Perimeter with the same care, diligence, and loyalty as any asset belonging to a Client. To that end, Perimeter will vote in a way that it believes, consistent with its fiduciary duty, will cause the value of the issue to increase the most or decline the least. Consideration will be given to both the short- and long-term implications of the proposal to be voted on when considering the optimal vote.

Any general or specific proxy voting guidelines provided by a Client or its designated agent in writing will supersede this policy. A Client may have its proxies voted by an independent third party or other named fiduciary or agent, at the Client’s cost.

Procedures for Voting Proxies

Perimeter has retained Glass, Lewis & Co. (“Glass, Lewis”) to assist in the coordination and voting of Client proxies. The CCO is responsible for managing the relationship with Glass, Lewis. The CCO shall ensure that all proxies are being properly voted and that Glass, Lewis is retaining all of the appropriate proxy voting records.

Perimeter assumes voting responsibility for all Client accounts unless explicitly noted otherwise in the Client’s advisory agreement. Perimeter will generally cast votes for all shares for which the Company has voting authority, with the possible

 

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exception of share blocking markets. In some non-U.S. markets where share blocking occurs, shares must be “frozen” for trading purposes at the custodian or sub-custodian level in order to vote. During the time that shares are blocked, any pending trades will not settle. Depending on the market, this period can last from one day to three weeks. Any sales that must be executed will settle late and potentially be subject to interest charges or other punitive fees. For this reason, in blocking markets, Perimeter retains the right to vote or not, based on the determination of Perimeter’s investment personnel. Glass, Lewis sends a weekly report of upcoming meetings in blocking markets detailing each client account entitled to vote, the number of shares held, type of meeting and blocking period. The CCO will monitor these upcoming meetings, consult with Perimeter’s investment team members responsible for each industry or market and arrive at a decision on whether or not to vote. If the decision is made to vote, Perimeter will process votes through Glass, Lewis.

The following general guidelines are to be followed when possible:

 

   

Glass, Lewis will monitor and keep track of all voting proxies.

 

   

Glass, Lewis will analyze each vote and provide Perimeter with its recommendation, which recommendation shall be pursuant to the guidelines previously agreed to by Perimeter and Glass, Lewis.

 

   

The member of the investment team who covers the security shall be responsible for reviewing the proxy and Glass, Lewis’ recommendation and make a determination on how the Company should vote such proxy. If the vote of Perimeter investment team member is contrary to Glass, Lewis’ recommendation, then the investment team member shall provide a brief explanation of such vote.

 

   

The investment team shall have its recommendation voted through Glass, Lewis.

In certain limited circumstances, a proxy may be received from sources other than Glass, Lewis. In such circumstances, the CCO shall use the above guidelines and be responsible for maintaining the history and record customarily retained by Glass, Lewis.

Resolving Potential Conflicts of Interest

We recognize that conflicts of interest may arise due to a variety of reasons and the CCO will reasonably try to assess any material conflicts between Perimeter’s interests and those of its clients with respect to proxy voting. If the CCO detects a conflict of interest, Glass, Lewis will evaluate the ballot issue and, using our pre-determined guidelines and their research, make an objective voting decision based upon criteria such as the financial implication of the proposal and impact on shareholder rights. In exceptional circumstances, for instance in the case of a merger or acquisition which may have significant economic implications for our client’s portfolios, we may solicit input from the applicable Perimeter investment team and possibly override the voting recommendation of Glass, Lewis.

Conflicts of Interest

Perimeter realizes that due to the difficulty of predicting and identifying all material conflicts, it must rely on its Employees to notify the CCO of any material conflict that may impair Perimeter’s ability to vote proxies in an objective manner.

In addition, any attempts by others within Perimeter to influence the voting of client proxies in a manner that is inconsistent with the proxy voting policy shall be reported to the CCO. Further, any attempts by persons or entitles outside Perimeter to influence the voting of client proxies shall be reported to the CCO. The CCO may then elect to report the attempt to legal counsel.

Procedures for Perimeter’s Receipt of Class Actions

Perimeter recognizes that as a fiduciary it has a duty to act with the highest obligation of good faith, loyalty, fair dealing and due care. When a recovery is achieved in a class action, investors who owned shares in the company subject to the action have the option to either: (1) opt out of the class action and pursue their own remedy; or (2) participate in the recovery achieved via the class action. Collecting the recovery involves the completion of a Proof of Claim form which is submitted to the Claims Administrator. After the Claims Administrator receives all Proof of Claims, it dispenses the money from the settlement fund to those persons and entities with valid claims.

 

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If “Class Action” documents are received by Perimeter for a Client account, Perimeter will gather any requisite information it has and forward to the Client, to enable the Client to file the “Class Action” at the Client’s discretion. The decision of whether to participate in the recovery or opt-out may be a legal one that Perimeter is not qualified to make for its Client. Therefore Perimeter will not file “Class Actions” on behalf of any Client.

Recordkeeping

Perimeter will maintain the documentation described in the following section for a period of not less than five (5) years, the first two (2) years at its principal place of business. The Director of Third-Party Distribution & Client Relations will be responsible for the following procedures and for ensuring that the required documentation is retained.

Client request to review proxy votes

 

   

Any request, whether written (including e-mail) or oral, received by any Employee of Perimeter, must be promptly reported to the CCO. All written requests must be retained in the permanent file.

 

   

The CCO will record the identity of the client, the date of the request, and the action taken as a result of the request, in a suitable place.

 

   

In order to facilitate the management of proxy voting record keeping process, and to facilitate dissemination of such proxy voting records to Clients, the CCO may distribute to any client requesting proxy voting information the complete proxy voting record of Perimeter for the period requested.

 

   

Furnish the information requested, free of charge, to the client within a reasonable time period (within 10 business days). Maintain a copy of the written record provided in response to client’s written (including e-mail) or oral request. A copy of the written response should be attached and maintained with the client’s written request, if applicable and maintained in the permanent file.

 

   

Clients are permitted to request the proxy voting record for the five-year period prior to their request.

Proxy statements received regarding client securities

 

   

Upon receipt of a proxy, copy or print a sample of the proxy statement or card and maintain the copy in a central file along with a sample of the proxy solicitation instructions.

Note: Perimeter is permitted to rely on proxy statements filed on the SEC’s EDGAR system instead of keeping its own copies.

Proxy voting records

 

   

A record of how Perimeter voted Client proxies.

 

   

Documents prepared or created by Perimeter that were material to making a decision on how to vote, or that memorialized the basis for the decision.

 

   

Documentation or notes or any communications received from third parties, other industry analysts, third party service providers, company’s management discussions, etc. that were material in the basis for the decision.

 

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Disclosure

Perimeter will ensure that Part II of Form ADV is updated as necessary to reflect: (i) all material changes to the Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures; and (ii) information about how Clients may obtain information on how Perimeter voted their securities.

Proxy Solicitation

As a matter of practice, it is Perimeter’s policy to not reveal or disclose to any client how Perimeter may have voted (or intends to vote) on a particular proxy until after such proxies have been counted at a shareholder’s meeting. Perimeter will never disclose such information to unrelated third parties.

The CCO is to be promptly informed of the receipt of any solicitation from any person to vote proxies on behalf of Clients. At no time may any Employee accept any remuneration in the solicitation of proxies. The CCO shall handle all responses to such solicitations.

 

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THE RBB FUND, INC.

PEA 129

PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28. EXHIBITS

 

(a)        Articles of Incorporation.
  (1)      Articles of Incorporation of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 24, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (2)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 24, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (3)      Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 12, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (4)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 12, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (5)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 27, 1990, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (6)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 1, 1990, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (7)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 15, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (8)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 22, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (9)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1993, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (10)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1993, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.


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  (11)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (12)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (13)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (14)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (15)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 31, 1995.
  (16)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 16, 1996.
  (17)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 11, 1996.
  (18)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 9, 1997.
  (19)      Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.
  (20)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.
  (21)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
  (22)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
  (23)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.
  (24)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.
  (25)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.
  (26)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 29, 1999.
  (27)      Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.
  (28)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.


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  (29)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.
  (30)      Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.
  (31)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 15, 2001.
  (32)      Articles of Amendment of Registrant ( Boston Partners Bond Fund - Institutional Class and Boston Partners Bond Fund - Investor Class ) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 15, 2002.
  (33)      Articles Supplementary to Charter of the Registrant ( Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund - Institutional Class and Boston Partners Bond Fund - Institutional Class ) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 15, 2002.
  (34)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant ( Schneider Value Fund ) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 16, 2002.
  (35)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant ( Institutional Liquidity Fund for Credit Unions and Liquidity Fund for Credit Union Members ) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2003.
  (36)      Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 30, 2004.
  (37)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant ( Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Investor Class, Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Institutional Class, Robeco WPG Tudor Fund – Institutional Class, Robeco WPG Large Cap Growth Fund – Institutional Class ) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 4, 2005.
  (38)      Certificate of Correction of Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2005.
  (39)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant ( Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Investor Class, Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Institutional Class, Robeco WPG Tudor Fund – Institutional Class, Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Large Cap Growth Fund – Institutional Class ) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2005.
  (40)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant ( Senbanc Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 6, 2005.
  (41)      Articles of Amendment of Registrant ( Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Retirement Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 19, 2005.
  (42)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant ( Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Investor Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2005.
  (43)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrant's Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on July 18, 2006.


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  (44)      Articles of Amendment of Registrant ( Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio ) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrant's Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 14, 2006.
  (45)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 15, 2006.
  (46)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 15, 2006.
  (47)      Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2007.
  (48)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2007.
  (49)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed-Income Fund) incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.
  (50)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund – Investor Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.113 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on July 13, 2007.
  (51)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant ( SAM Sustainable Water Fund, SAM Sustainable Climate Fund ) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.114 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on July 17, 2007.
  (52)      Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.116 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on September 4, 2007.
  (53)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant ( Bear Stearns Multifactor 130/30 US Core Equity Fund ) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.123 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 17, 2007.
  (54)      Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.
  (55)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund, SAM Sustainable Themes Fund ) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on April 23, 2009.
  (56)      Articles Supplementary of Registrant ( Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) are filed herewith.
(b)        By-Laws.
  (1)      Amended By-Laws of the Registrant are filed herewith.
(c)        Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders.
  (1)      See Articles VI, VII, VIII, IX and XI of Registrant’s Articles of 1 Incorporation dated February 17, 1988 which are incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 24, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.


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  (2)      See Articles II, III, VI, XIII, and XIV of Registrant’s By-Laws as amended through August 25, 2004, which are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 30, 2004.
(d)        Investment Advisory Contracts.
  (1)      Investment Advisory Agreement (Money Market) between Registrant and Provident Institutional Management Corporation, dated as of August 16, 1988 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (2)      Sub-Advisory Agreement (Money Market) between Provident Institutional Management Corporation and Provident National Bank, dated as of August 16, 1988 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (3)      Assumption Agreement (Money Market Fund) between PNC Bank, N.A. and BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation (formerly PNC Institutional Management Corporation) dated April 29, 1998 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.
  (4)      Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 8, 2003.
  (5)      Investment Advisory Agreement (Schneider Small Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Schneider Capital Management Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
  (6)      Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value)) between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 8, 2003.
  (7)      Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (8)      Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral)) between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 8, 2003.
  (9)      Investment Advisory Agreement (Bogle Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Bogle Investment Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.
  (10)      Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 30, 2006.
  (11)      Investment Advisory Agreement (Schneider Value Fund) between Registrant and Schneider Capital Management Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.


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  (12)      Investment Advisory Agreement ( Senbanc Fund ) between Registrant and Hilliard Lyons Research Advisors is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (13)      Investment Advisory Agreement (Robeco WPG Small Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Tudor Fund) between Registrant and Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.
  (14)      Investment Advisory Agreement (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio ) between Registrant and Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (15)      Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement (Money Market Portfolio ) between Registrant and BlackRock Institutional Management Corp. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.
  (16)      Investment Advisory Agreement (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund ) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.
  (17)      Investment Advisory Agreement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed-Income Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.125 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on February 27, 2008.
  (18)      Investment Advisory Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Water Fund ) between Registrant and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (19)      Investment Advisory Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Climate Fund ) between Registrant and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (20)      Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (Schneider Small Cap Value Fund) dated December 10, 2008, between Registrant and Schneider Capital Management Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.127 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 29, 2008.
  (21)      Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (Schneider Value Fund) dated December 10, 2008, between Registrant and Schneider Capital Management Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.127 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 29, 2008.
  (22)      Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (Bogle Small Cap Growth Fund) dated October 13, 2008, between Registrant and Schneider Capital Management Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.127 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 29, 2008.
  (23)      Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Large Cap Value Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Robeco Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund, Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund, Robeco WPG Small Cap Value Fund and Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.127 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 29, 2008.
  (24)      Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Water Fund, SAM Sustainable Climate Fund ) between Registrant and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.


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  (25)      Form of Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement ( Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund ) between Registrant and Marvin & Palmer Associates, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.127 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 29, 2008.
  (26)      Assumption Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Large Cap Value Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund, Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Boston Partners Asset Management and Robeco Investment Management, Inc. dated January 1, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2007.
  (27)      Assumption Agreement (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund, Robeco WPG Large Cap Growth Fund, and Robeco WPG Small Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Tudor Fund) between Weiss, Peck, & Greer Investments and Robeco Investment Management, Inc. dated January 1, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2007.
  (28)      Investment Advisory Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund ) between Registrant and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. is filed herewith.
  (29)      Investment Advisory Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Themes Fund ) between Registrant and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. is filed herewith.
  (30)      Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund, SAM Sustainable Themes Fund ) between Registrant and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. is filed herewith.
  (31)      Form of Investment Advisory Agreement (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Perimeter Capital Management LLC to be filed by amendment.
(e)        Underwriting Contracts.
  (1)      Distribution Agreement between Registrant and PFPC Distributors, Inc. dated as of January 2, 2001 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 15, 2001.
  (2)      Distribution Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund - Investor Class) between Registrant and PFPC Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.
  (3)      Distribution Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund - Institutional Class ) between Registrant and PFPC Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.
  (4)      Distribution Agreement Supplement (Schneider Value Fund) between Registrant and PFPC Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.
  (5)      Distribution Agreement Supplement (Senbanc Fund) between Registrant and PFPC Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.
  (6)      Distribution Agreement Supplement (Robeco WPG Small Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Tudor Fund - Institutional Class) between Registrant and PFPC Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2005.
  (7)      Distribution Agreement Supplement (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) between Registrant and PFPC Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 14, 2006.


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  (8)      Distribution Agreement Supplement ( Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund ) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.
  (9)      Distribution Agreement Supplements (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund) between Registrant and PFPC Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (10)      Distribution Agreement Supplement ( Free Market International Equity Fund ) between Registrant and PFPC Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (11)      Distribution Agreement Supplement ( Free Market Fixed Income Fund ) between Registrant and PFPC Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (12)      Form of Distribution Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Water Fund ) between Registrant and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 28, 2007.
  (13)      Form of Distribution Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Climate Fund ) between Registrant and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 28, 2007.
  (14)      Form of Distribution Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund ) between Registrant and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. [is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on January 26, 2009.]
  (15)      Form of Distribution Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Themes Fund ) between Registrant and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. [is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on January 26, 2009.]
  (16)      Distribution Agreement Supplement (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Perimeter Capital Management LLC to be filed by amendment.
(f)        Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts.
  (1)      Fund Office Retirement Profit-Sharing and Trust Agreement, dated as of October 24, 1990, as amended is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 49 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 1, 1997.
  (2)      Form of Amendment No. 1 to Fund Office Retirement Profit Sharing Plan and Trust Reflecting EGTRRA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.
(g)        Custodian Agreements.
  (1)      Custodian Agreement between Registrant and Provident National Bank dated as of August 16, 1988 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (2)      Sub-Custodian Agreement among The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., the Registrant and Provident National Bank, dated as of July 13, 1992, relating to custody of Registrant’s foreign securities is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 22, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.


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  (3)      Amendment No. 1 to Custodian Agreement dated August 16, 1988 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 15, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (4)      Custodian Contract between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 28, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (5)      Custodian Agreement Supplement between Registrant and PNC Bank, National Association dated October 16, 1996 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 27, 1996.
  (6)      Custodian Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and PNC Bank, National Association is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.
  (7)      Custodian Agreement Supplement (Schneider Small Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and PNC Bank, N.A. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
  (8)      Custodian Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value)) between Registrant and PNC Bank, N.A. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
  (9)      Custodian Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral)) between Registrant and PNC Bank, N.A. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.
  (10)      Form of Custodian Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Fund - formerly Long Short Equity) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 19, 1999.
  (11)      Custodian Agreement Supplement (Bogle Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.
  (12)      Letter Agreement among Registrant, The Chase Manhattan Bank and PFPC Trust Company, dated as of July 2, 2001, relating to custody of Registrant’s foreign securities is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 15, 2002.
  (13)      Custodian Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.
  (14)      Custodian Agreement Supplement (Schneider Value Fund) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.
  (15)      Custodian Agreement (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund, Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Large Cap Growth Fund, and Robeco WPG Small Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Tudor Fund ) between Registrant and Mellon Trust of New England N.A. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 18, 2006.
  (16)      Custodian Agreement Supplement (Senbanc Fund) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.


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  (17)      Custodian Agreement among Registrant, PFPC Trust Company and Citibank, N.A., dated as of September 13, 2005, relating to custody of Registrant’s foreign securities is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2005.
  (18)      Custodian Agreement Supplement (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 14, 2006.
  (19)      Custodian Agreement Supplement (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.
  (20)      Custodian Agreement Supplement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (21)      Custodian Agreement Supplement (Free Market International Equity Fund) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (22)      Custodian Agreement Supplement (Free Market Fixed-Income Fund) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (23)      Custodian Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Water Fund ) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (24)      Custodian Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Climate Fund ) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (25)      Amendment No. 2 to Custodian Agreement dated August 16, 1988 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.125 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on February 27, 2008.
  (26)      Custodian Agreement Supplement ( Robeco WPG Small Cap Value Fund ) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.127 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 29, 2008.
  (27)      Custodian Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund ) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company is filed herewith.
  (28)      Custodian Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Themes Fund ) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company is filed herewith.
  (29)      Form of Custodian Agreement Supplement (Perimeter U.S. Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and PFPC Trust Company to be filed by amendment.
(h)        Other Material Contracts.
  (1)      Transfer Agency Agreement (Sansom Street) between Registrant and Provident Financial Processing Corporation, dated as of August 16, 1988 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.


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  (2)      Shareholder Servicing Agreement ( Sansom Street Money Market ) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (3)      Shareholder Servicing Agreement (Sansom Street Government Obligations Money Market) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (4)      Shareholder Services Plan (Sansom Street Money Market) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (5)      Transfer Agency Agreement (Bedford Money Market) between Registrant and Provident Financial Processing Corporation, dated as of August 16, 1988 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (6)      Transfer Agency Agreement and Supplements (Bradford, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Eta and Theta) between Registrant and Provident Financial Processing Corporation dated as of November 5, 1991 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 15, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (7)      Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) dated February 1, 1995 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 6, 1995.
  (8)      Supplement to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant, State Street Bank and Trust Company, Inc. and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) dated April 10, 1995 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 6, 1995.
  (9)      Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 15, 1994 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 25, 1995.
  (10)      Transfer Agreement and Service Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 30, 1996.
  (11)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund - Institutional Class) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.
  (12)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund - Investor Class) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.
  (13)      Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) dated, May 30, 1997 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.


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  (14)      Administration and Accounting Services Agreement ( Schneider Small Cap Value Fund ) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. ( f/k/a PFPC Inc .) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
  (15)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Schneider Small Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
  (16)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value) - Institutional Class) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
  (17)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value) - Investor Class) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
  (18)      Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund)) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
  (19)      Administrative and Accounting Services Agreement (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral) - Institutional and Investor Classes) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.
  (20)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral) - Institutional and Investor Classes) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.
  (21)      Form of Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Fund (formerly Long-Short Equity)) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 19, 1999.
  (22)      Form of Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Boston Partners Fund (formerly Long-Short Equity)) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 19, 1999.
  (23)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Bogle Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.
  (24)      Non 12b-1 Shareholder Services Plan and Agreement (Bogle Small Cap Growth - Investor Shares) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.
  (25)      Agreement between E*TRADE Group, Inc., Registrant and Registrant’s principal underwriter is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 1, 1999.


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  (26)      Administration and Accounting Services Agreement ( Bogle Small Cap Growth Fund ) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. ( f/k/a PFPC Inc .) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 1, 1999.
  (27)      Transfer Agency Supplement (Bear Stearns Money Market Family) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 4, 2001.
  (28)      Form of Transfer Agency Supplement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.
  (29)      Form of Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 15, 2002.
  (30)      Transfer Agency Supplement (Schneider Value Fund) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.
  (31)      Form of Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Schneider Value Fund) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 16, 2002.
  (32)      Shareholder Servicing Agreement (Bogle Small Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.
  (33)      Form of Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Customer Identification Program) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2003.
  (34)      Regulatory Administration Services Agreement between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2003.
  (35)      Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund, Robeco WPG Large Cap Growth Fund, and Robeco WPG Tudor Fund) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.
  (36)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Robeco WPG Tudor Fund) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.
  (37)      Non-12b-1 Shareholder Services Plan and Related Form of Shareholder Servicing Agreement (Robeco WPG Tudor Fund – Institutional Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.
  (38)      Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Senbanc Fund) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.


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  (39)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement ( Senbanc Fund ) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. ( f/k/a PFPC Inc .) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.
  (40)      Amended Schedule A to Regulatory Administration Services Agreement (Senbanc Fund) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.
  (41)      Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrant's Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 14, 2006.
  (42)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrant's Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 14, 2006.
  (43)      Amended Schedule A to Regulatory Administration Services Agreement ( Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrant's Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 14, 2006.
  (44)      Escrow Agreement (Money Market Portfolio) between Registrant, PFPC Trust Company, and BlackRock Institutional Management Corp. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 30, 2006.
  (45)      Interim Delegation Agreement (Money Market Portfolio) between Registrant, PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.), and BlackRock Institutional Management Corp. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 30, 2006.
  (46)      Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.
  (47)      Amended Schedule A to Regulatory Administration Services Agreement ( Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund ) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.
  (48)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement ( Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.


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  (49)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund ) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (50)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Free Market International Equity Fund ) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (51)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Free Market Fixed Income Fund ) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (52)      Amended Schedule A to Regulatory Administration Services Agreement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed-Income Fund ) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.
  (53)      Form of Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Water Fund ) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 28, 2007.
  (54)      Form of Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Climate Fund ) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 28, 2007.
  (55)      Form of Amended Schedule A to Regulatory Administration Services Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Water Fund, SAM Sustainable Climate Fund ) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 28, 2007.
  (56)      Services Agreement pursuant to Rule 22c-2 between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.
  (57)      Form of Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Red Flags Amendment) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.127 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 29, 2008.
  (58)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund ) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. is filed herewith.
  (59)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Themes Fund ) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. is filed herewith.
  (60)      Amended Schedule A to Regulatory Administration Services Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund, SAM Sustainable Themes Fund ) between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. is filed herewith.
  (61)      Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) between the Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. to be filed by amendment.
(i)   (1)      Opinion and Consent of Counsel to be filed by amendment.
  (2)      Consent of Counsel to be filed by amendment.


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(j)   (1)      None.
(k)        None.
(l)        Initial Capital Agreements.
  (1)      Subscription Agreement, relating to Classes A through N, is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 12, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (2)      Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Planco Financial Services, Inc., relating to Classes O and P is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1990.
  (3)      Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Planco Financial Services, Inc., relating to Class Q is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1990.
  (4)      Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Counsellors Securities Inc. relating to Classes R, S, and Alpha 1 through Theta 4 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 15, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (5)      Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. relating to Classes TT and UU (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.
  (6)      Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Schneider Capital Management Company relating to Class YY (Schneider Small Cap Value Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
  (7)      Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. relating to Classes DDD and EEE (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
  (8)      Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management relating to Classes III and JJJ (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.
  (9)      Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L. P. relating to Classes KKK and LLL (Boston Partners Fund (formerly Long-Short Equity)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 19, 1999.
  (10)      Purchase Agreement (Bogle Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Bogle Investment Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.
  (11)      Purchase Agreement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.
  (12)      Purchase Agreement (Schneider Value Fund) between Registrant and Schneider Capital Management Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.
  (13)      Purchase Agreement (Robeco WPG Small Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Tudor Fund) between Registrant and Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 6, 2005.


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  (14)      Purchase Agreement ( Senbanc Fund ) between Registrant and Hilliard Lyons Research Advisers is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.
  (15)      Purchase Agreement (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) between Registrant and Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2007.
  (16)      Purchase Agreement (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.
  (17)      Form of Purchase Agreement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund) between Registrant and Abundance Technologies, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.
  (18)      Form of Purchase Agreement (Free Market International Equity Fund) between Registrant and Abundance Technologies, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.
  (19)      Form of Purchase Agreement (Free Market Fixed Income Fund) between Registrant and Abundance Technologies, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.
  (20)      Form of Purchase Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Water Fund ) between Registrant and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 28, 2007.
  (21)      Form of Purchase Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Climate Fund ) between Registrant and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 28, 2007.
  (22)      Purchase Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund ) between Registrant and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. is filed herewith.
  (23)      Purchase Agreement (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Perimeter Capital Management LLC to be filed by amendment.
(m)        Rule 12b-1 Plan.
  (1)      Plan of Distribution (Bedford Money Market) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (2)      Amendment No. 1 to Plans of Distribution (Classes A through Q) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 1991, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (3)      Plan of Distribution (Zeta Money Market) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 15, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (4)      Plan of Distribution (Eta Money Market) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 15, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.


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  (5)      Plan of Distribution ( Theta Money Market ) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 15, 1992, and refilled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (6)      Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 9, 1997.
  (7)      Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value) - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 53 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 10, 1998.
  (8)      Amendment to Plans of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.
  (9)      Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral) - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 12, 1998.
  (10)      Plan of Distribution (Principal Money Market) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
  (11)      Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Fund (formerly Long Short Equity) - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 19, 1999.
  (12)      Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.
  (13)      Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Senbanc Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2005.
  (14)      Agreement between Registrant, Bear Stearns Securities Corp. and PFPC Distributors, Inc. dated as of November 17, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 29, 2005.
  (15)      Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SAM Sustainable Climate Fund – Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 28, 2007.
  (16)      Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SAM Sustainable Climate Fund – Class A) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 28, 2007.
  (17)      Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SAM Sustainable Climate Fund – Class C) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 28, 2007.
  (18)      Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SAM Sustainable Water Fund – Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 28, 2007.
  (19)      Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SAM Sustainable Water Fund – Class A) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 28, 2007.
  (20)      Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SAM Sustainable Water Fund – Class C) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 28, 2007.


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  (21)      Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund – Investor Class ) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on April 23, 2009.
  (22)      Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SAM Sustainable Themes Fund – Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No.33-20827) filed on April 23, 2009.
  (23)      Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund – Investor Class) between Registrant and Perimeter Capital Management LLC to be filed by amendment.
(n)        Rule 18f-3 Plan.
  (1)      Amended Rule 18f-3 Plan to be filed by amendment.
(p)        Code of Ethics.
  (1)      Code of Ethics of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 110 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2006.
  (2)      Code of Ethics of Robeco Investment Management is filed herewith.
  (3)      Code of Ethics of Schneider Capital Management Company is filed herewith.
  (4)      Code of Ethics of Bogle Investment Management, L.P. is filed herewith.
  (5)      Code of Ethics of PFPC Distributors, Inc is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 18, 2006.
  (6)      Code of Ethics of J.J.B. Hilliard W.L. Lyons, Inc. is filed herewith.
  (7)      Code of Ethics of Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc. is filed herewith.
  (8)      Code of Ethics of Marvin & Palmer Associates, Inc., is filed herewith.
  (9)      Code of Ethics of Abundance Technologies, Inc. is filed herewith.
  (10)      Code of Ethics of Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. is filed herewith.
  (11)      Code of Ethics of Perimeter Capital Management LLC is to be filed by amendment.

 

Item 29. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT

None.

 

Item 30. INDEMNIFICATION

Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Article VIII of Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated herein by reference as Exhibits (a)(1) and (a)(3), provide as follows:

Section 1. To the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of directors and officers are permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, no director or officer of the Corporation shall have any liability to the Corporation or its shareholders for damages. This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a director or officer of the Corporation whether or not such person is a director or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted.

Section 2. The Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to its currently acting and its former directors to the fullest extent that indemnification of directors is permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law. The Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to its officers to the same extent as its directors and to such further extent as is consistent with law. The Board of Directors may by law, resolution or agreement make further provision for indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the Maryland General Corporation law.


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Section 3. No provision of this Article shall be effective to protect or purport to protect any director or officer of the Corporation against any liability to the Corporation or its security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

Section 4. References to the Maryland General Corporation Law in this Article are to the law as from time to time amended. No further amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation shall decrease, but may expand, any right of any person under this Article based on any event, omission or proceeding prior to such amendment. Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Sections 2 and 3 of the Assumption Agreement between PNC Bank, N.A. (“PNC Bank”) and BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation (“BIMC”), dated April 29, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(3), provide for the indemnification of BIMC and PNC Bank against certain losses.

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (“Robeco”) (f/k/a Boston Partners Asset Management, LLC (“Boston Partners”) and Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments), incorporated herein by reference to exhibits (d)(4), (d)(6), (d)(8), (d)(10), and (d)(13), provides for the indemnification of Robeco against certain losses.

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Bogle Investment Management, L.P. (“Bogle”), dated September 15, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(9) provides for the indemnification of Bogle against certain losses.

Section 9 of the Distribution Agreement between Registrant and PFPC Distributors, Inc. (“PFPC”), dated January 2, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (e)(1) provides for the indemnification of PFPC Distributors against certain losses.

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Hilliard Lyons Research Advisors, a division of J. J. B. Hilliard, W. L. Lyons (“Hilliard”) and incorporated herein by reference as exhibit (d)(12) provides for the indemnification of Hilliard against certain losses, dated April 29, 2008.

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Registrant and Schneider Capital Management (“Schneider”) incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(5) and (d)(11) provides for the indemnification of Schneider against certain losses.

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc., (“Bear Stearns”), on behalf of the Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio , dated August 12, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference as exhibit (d)(14) provides for the indemnification of Bear Stearns against certain losses.

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Marvin & Palmer Associates, Inc., (“Marvin & Palmer Associates”) dated March 5, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference as exhibit (d)(16) provides for the indemnification of Marvin & Palmer Associates against certain losses.


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Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Abundance Technologies, Inc., (“Abundance”) dated December 31, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference as exhibit (d)(17) provides for the indemnification of Abundance against certain losses.

Section 13 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Registrant and Sustainable Asset Management USA., (“SAM”) dated October 1, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(18), (d)(19), (d)(28) and (d)(29) provides for the indemnification of SAM against certain losses.

 

Item 31. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISERS.

 

  1. BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation:

BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation’s (“BIMC”) principal business address is 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809. BIMC is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended and serves as an investment adviser for registered investment companies. Information as to the directors and officers of BIMC is as follows:

 

Name and Position with

BlackRock Institutional

Management Corporation

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

Ann Marie Petach,

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

  

BAA Holdings, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
  

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
  

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.,

Cayman Islands

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
   BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, Plainsboro, NJ    Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
  

BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l.,

Luxembourg, Luxembourg

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
   BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Luxembourg, Luxembourg    Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
   BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc., Wilmington, DE    Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director


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Name and Position with

BlackRock Institutional

Management Corporation

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
  

BlackRock UK 1 LP,

London, England

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
Robert P. Connolly, General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary   

BAA Holdings, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,

New York, NY

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.,

Cayman Islands

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investments, Inc.,

New York, NY

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock Investment Management,

LLC, Plainsboro, NJ

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l.,

Luxembourg, Luxembourg

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
   BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Luxembourg, Luxembourg    General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock UK 1 LP,

London, England

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary


Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock Institutional

Management Corporation

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

Laurence D. Fink,

Chief Executive Officer

  

BAA Holdings, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Executive Officer and Director
  

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Chief Executive Officer and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors Singapore Pte. Ltd.,

Singapore

   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock Capital Markets, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Director
  

BlackRock Equity - Bond Funds

Wilmington, DE

   Director
  

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Chief Executive Officer and Director
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.,

Cayman Islands

   Chief Executive Officer and Director
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Executive Officer and Director
  

BlackRock HPB Management, LLC

New York, NY

   Director
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Chief Executive Officer and Director
  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investments, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock Institutional

Management Corporation

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
  

State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Director
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Robert S. Kapito,

President and Director

  

BAA Holdings, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors Singapore Pte. Ltd.,

Singapore

   President
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Capital Markets, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Director
  

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,

New York, NY

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.,

Cayman Islands

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock (Institutional)

Canada Ltd., Toronto, Ontario

   President and Director
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   President and Director
  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investments, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Director
  

BlackRock Investment Management,

LLC, Plainsboro, NJ

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

Carbon Capital III, Inc.

New York, NY

   Director


Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock Institutional

Management Corporation

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   President and Director
  

State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Director
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   President and Director
Paul Audet, Vice Chairman and Director   

BAA Holdings, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Cayco Limited,

Cayman Islands

   Director
  

BlackRock Cayman Company,

Cayman Islands

   Director
  

BlackRock Cayman Newco Limited,

Cayman Islands

   Director
  

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Finco, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Director
  

BlackRock Finco UK, Ltd.,

London, England

   Director
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Holdco Limited,

Cayman Islands

   Director
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investment Management,

LLC, Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l.,

Luxembourg, Luxembourg

   Vice Chairman
   BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Luxembourg, Luxembourg    Vice Chairman


Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock Institutional

Management Corporation

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Realty Advisors, Inc.,

Florham Park, NJ

   Director
  

BlackRock UK 1 LP,

London, England

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

State Street Research & Management

Company, Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
Charles Hallac, Vice Chairman   

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock India Private Ltd.,

Mumbai, India

   Director
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investment Management,

LLC, Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman


Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock Institutional

Management Corporation

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
Barbara Novick, Vice Chairman   

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investments, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
Scott Amero, Vice Chairman   

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman


Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock Institutional

Management Corporation

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

Anthracite Capital Inc.

New York, NY

   Director
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
Susan Wagner, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer   

BAA Holdings, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer and Director
  

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
  

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
  

BlackRock Finco UK, Ltd., London,

England

   Director
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer


Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock Institutional

Management Corporation

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
Robert Doll, Vice Chairman   

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

Portfolio Administration & Management Ltd.,

Cayman Islands

   Director
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman


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Name and Position with

BlackRock Institutional

Management Corporation

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

Robert Fairbairn, Vice Chairman   

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Asset Management

U.K. Limited, London, England

   Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Group Limited,

London, England

   Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited,

Victoria, Australia

   Director
  

BlackRock Investment Management International Limited,

London, England

   Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited,

London, England

   Director
  

BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd

Tokyo, Japan

   Director
   BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l., Luxembourg, Luxembourg    Vice Chairman
   BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Luxembourg, Luxembourg    Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Securities Co, Ltd.

Tokyo, Japan

   Director
  

BlackRock UK 1 LP,

London, England

   Vice Chairman


Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock Institutional

Management Corporation

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

Grosvenor Alternate Partner Limited,

London, England

   Director
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
Laurence J. Carolan, Managing Director and Director   

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Managing Director
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Managing Director and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Managing Director and Director
John P. Moran, Managing Director and Director   

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Managing Director
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Managing Director and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Managing Director and Director
  

BlackRock Investments, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Managing Director and President
Mark G. Steinberg, Managing Director and Director   

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Managing Director
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Managing Director
  

BlackRock Investments, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Managing Director

 

  2. Bogle Investment Management, LP:

The sole business activity of Bogle Investment Management, LP (“Bogle”), 2310 Washington Street, Suite 310, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462, is to serve as an investment adviser. Bogle is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

The directors and officers have not held any positions with other companies during the last two fiscal years.


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  3. Schneider Capital Management Company:

The sole business activity of Schneider Capital Management Company (“Schneider”), 460 E. Swedesford Road, Suite 2000, Wayne, PA 19087, is to serve as an investment adviser. Schneider is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Information as to the directors and officers of Schneider is as follows:

 

Name and Position with Schneider

  

Other Company

  

Position With Other Company

Arnold C. Schneider, III

President and Chief Investment Officer

   Turnbridge Management Partners Corp.    President

Steven J. Fellin

Sr. Vice President, Chief Operating & Financial Officer Chief Compliance Officer

   Turnbridge Management Partners Corp.    Vice President

 

  4. Robeco Investment Management , Inc.

The sole business activity of Robeco Investment Management, Inc. LLC (“RIM”), 909 Third Avenue, New York 10022, is to serve as an investment adviser. RIM provides investment advisory services to the Robeco Boston Partners Funds and the Robeco Weiss, Peck, & Greer Funds.

RIM is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and serves as an investment adviser to domestic and foreign institutional investors, investment companies, commingled trust funds, private investment partnerships and collective investment vehicles. Information as to the directors and officers of Robeco Investment Management, Inc. is as follows:

 

Name and Position with RIM

  

Other Company

  

Position With Other Company

William J. Kelly

Senior Managing Director,

Chairman

   Charles River Arc    Board Member

Mark E. Donovan

Senior Managing Director,

Co-Chief Executive Officer

   St. Sebastian School    Trustee

Joseph F. Feeney, Jr.

Senior Managing Director,

Co-Chief Executive Officer

   None    None

William George Butterly, III

Senior Managing Director,

Chief Operating Officer,

General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer & Secretary

   None    None


Table of Contents

Matthew J. Davis

Senior Managing Director,

Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer

   None    None

Paul D. Heathwood

Senior Managing Director

   None    None

George Moeller

Director

   None    None

Franciscus L. Kusse

Director

   None    None

Cornelis Korthout

Director

   None    None

Leni M. Boeren

Director

   None    None

 

  5. Hilliard Lyons Research Advisors:

Hilliard Lyons Research Advisors is located at 500 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202. Hilliard Lyons Research Advisors is a division of J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC. (“Hilliard”). Hilliard is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and is also a registered broker-dealer. Hilliard is owned by HL Financial Services, LLC which is owned by Houchens Industries, Inc. and by employees of Hilliard and its affiliates as well as a limited number of outside investors.

Information as to the directors and executive officers of Hilliard is as follows:

 

Name and Position with Hilliard

  

Other Company

  

Position With Other Company

James M. Rogers

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Director

   None    None

James R. Allen

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

   None    None

Paul J. Moretti

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

   None    None

John R. Bugh

Executive Vice President

   None    None

Carmella Miller

Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Director

   None    None


Table of Contents
  6. Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc.

Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc. (“BSAM”) serves as the investment adviser to the Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio. BSAM is located at 237 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017. BSAM is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. BSAM’s Form ADV is available on the SEC’s website.

Information as to the directors and officers of BSAM is as follows:

 

Name and Position with BSAM

  

Other Company

  

Position With Other Company

Lawrence Unrein

Director, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President

     

Roger Baumann

Director

   Artisan Advisors LLC    CEO/Founder

Gregory Quental

Director

   Domus    Director

Brian Morrissey

Chief Financial Officer

     

Nicholas Tsoudis

Chief Compliance Officer

     


Table of Contents
  7. Abundance Technologies, Inc.:

The sole business activity of Abundance Technologies, Inc., 5955 Deerfield Blvd., Mason, OH 45040, is to serve as an investment adviser. Abundance Technologies is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Below is a list of each executive officer and director of Abundance Technologies indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each such person has been engaged within the last two years, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, partner or trustee.

 

Name and Position with

Abundance Technologies

  

Name of Other Company

  

Position With Other Company

Mark E Matson

President/CEO

   Abundance Horizons LLC    50% owner

Michelle Matson

Vice President/ Secretary

   None    None

A. Lawain McNeil

Vice President

   None    None

Kenneth R. Craycraft, Jr.

Chief Operating Officer/

General Counsel/

Chief Compliance Officer

   None    None

 

  8. Marvin & Palmer Associates, Inc.:

The sole business activity of Marvin & Palmer Associates, Inc., 1201 N. Market Street, Suite 2300, Wilmington, Delaware 19801-1165, is to serve as an investment adviser. Marvin & Palmer Associates is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Below is a list of each executive officer and director of Marvin & Palmer Associates indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each such person has been engaged within the last two years, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, partner or trustee.


Table of Contents

Name and Position with

Marvin & Palmer Associates

  

Name of Other Company

  

Position With Other Company

David F. Marvin

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Director

  

Cash Management Policy Board

Office of the State Treasurer

820 Silver Lake Boulevard

Suite 100

Dover, Delaware 19901

   Board Member
  

Wilmington University

Board of Trustees

320 DuPont Highway

New Castle, Delaware 19720

   Trustee

Stanley Palmer

Vice Chairman

Director

   None    None

Todd D. Marvin

President

Director

  

Serviam Girls Academy

P. O. Box 7907

Wilmington, Delaware 19803

   Board Member

David L. Schaen

President

Director

   None    None

Karen T. Buckley

Chief Operating Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Director

   None    None

The Rt. Hon. Lord Moore, P.C.

Director

   None    None

Madelyn B. Smith

Director

  

University of Puget Sound

Endowment Committee

1500 North Warner Street

Tacoma, Washington 98416

   Committee Member
  

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Retirement Board

2300 S. Washington

Tacoma, Washington 98405-1399

   Board Member


Table of Contents
  9. Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc.

The sole business activity of Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. (“SAM USA”), 909 Third Avenue, New York 10022, is to serve as an investment adviser.

SAM US is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and serves as an investment adviser to domestic and foreign institutional investors, investment companies, commingled trust funds, private investment partnerships and collective investment vehicles. Information as to the directors and officers of SAM US is as follows:

 

Name and Position with

SAM USA

  

Name of Other Company

  

Position With Other Company

Hugo Steensma

Managing Director & Director

   SAM Group Holding AG    Representative USA

Roman Martin Binder

Director & Treasurer

   SAM Group Holding AG    Chief Operation Officer

Christian Werner

Chief Investment Officer

   SAM Group Holding AG    Chief Investment Officer

William George Butterly, III

Chief Legal Officer

   Robeco Investment Management, Inc.    Senior Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer
   Robeco Investment Management (UK) Limited    Chief Legal Officer
   Robeco Institutional Asset Management US Inc.    Chief Legal Officer & Chief Compliance Officer


Table of Contents
  10. Perimeter Capital Management, LLC (“Perimeter”)

The principal business address of Perimeter is Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2725, Atlanta, Georgia 30328.

Perimeter serves as the investment adviser for the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund. Perimeter is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The information as to the directors and officers of Perimeter is as follows:

 

Name and Position with Perimeter

  

Name of Other Company

  

Position With Other Company

G. Bradley Ball

Managing Partner and CCO Perimeter Capital Management

   Trusco Capital Management, Inc.    Former Managing Partner and Executive Vice President, Institutional Sales
Mark D. Garfinkel, CFA Managing Partner and Director of Research Perimeter Capital Management    Trusco Capital Management Inc.    Former Managing Partner, Small Cap Partner,Manager

James N. Behre

Managing Partner and Director

   Trusco Capital Management Inc.    Former V.P, and Senior Research Analyst

Christopher J. Paolella

Managing Partner and Director of Marketing Perimeter Captial Management

   Trusco Capital Management Inc.    Former V.P. and Consultant Sales

Theresa N. Benson

Partner and Director of Client Relations, Perimeter Capital Management

   Trusco Capital Management Inc.    Former V.P. and Institutional Sales
Adam C. Steward, CFA, Partner and Director of Trading and Chief Compliance Officer    Trusco Capital Management Inc.    Former V.P. and Director of Trading,

Patrick W. Kirksey

Partner and Senior Research Analyst

   Trusco Capital Management Inc.    Former V.P. and Research Analyst

Carrie A. Tallman

Partner and Research Analyst

   Trusco Capital Management Inc.    Former Associate,and Research Analyst


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ITEM 32. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

 

  (a) PFPC Distributors, Inc. (“the Distributor”) is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). As of April 5, 2009, the Distributor acted as principal underwriter for the following investment companies:

AFBA 5 Star Funds

Aston Funds

Atlantic Whitehall Funds Trust

BHR Institutional Funds

CRM Mutual Fund Trust

E.I.I. Realty Securities Trust

Fairholme Funds, Inc.

FundVantage Trust

GuideStone Funds

Highland Floating Rate Fund

Highland Floating Rate Advantage Fund

Highland Funds I

IndexIQ Trust

Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust

Matthews International Funds, dba Matthews Asia Funds

The Metropolitan West Funds

New Alternatives Funds

Old Westbury Funds

The RBB Fund, Inc.

Stratton Multi-Cap Fund

Stratton Monthly Dividend REIT Shares, Inc.

The Stratton Funds, Inc.

The Torray Fund

 

  (b) The Distributor is a Massachusetts corporation located at 760 Moore Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406. The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., a publicly traded company.

The following is a list of the directors and executive officers of the Distributor:

Board of Directors

 

Name

  

Position

  

Effective Date

Nicholas M. Marsini, Jr.

   Director    April 26, 2007

Michael DeNofrio

   Director    April 26, 2007

Steven Turowski

   Director    August 30, 2007

T. Thomas Deck

   Director    January 3, 2008

Dennis J. Westley

   Director    March 4, 2008


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Officers

 

Name

  

Position

  

Effective Date

T. Thomas Deck

   President and Chief Executive Officer    January 3, 2008

Bruno DiStefano

   Vice President    April 11, 2007

Susan K. Moscaritolo

   Vice President, Secretary and Clerk   

VP - April 11, 2007

Secretary and Clerk – May 29, 2007

Matthew O. Tierney

   Treasurer and Financial Operations Principal, Chief Financial Officer    August 19, 2008

Rita G. Adler

   Chief Compliance Officer    April 11, 2007

Jodi L. Jamison

   Chief Legal Officer    April 11, 2007

Maria C. Schaffer

   Controller and Assistant Treasurer    April 11, 2007

John Munera

   Anti-Money Laundering Officer    April 11, 2007

Ronald Berge

   Assistant Vice President    April 11, 2007

Scott A. Thornton

   Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk    May 20, 2008

Dianna A. Stone

   Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk    November 27, 2007

Mark Pinocci

   Vice President    Dec 2, 2008

 

  (c) Not Applicable.

 

Item 33. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

 

(1) PFPC Trust Company (assignee under custodian agreement), 8800 Tinicum Boulevard, Suite 200, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19153 (records relating to its functions as sub-adviser and custodian).

 

(2) PFPC Distributors, Inc., 760 Moore Road, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 19406. (records relating to its functions as principal underwriter).

 

(3) BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation, Bellevue Corporate Center, 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809 (records relating to its functions as investment adviser, sub-adviser and administrator).

 

(4) PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) , Bellevue Corporate Center, 103 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809 (records relating to its functions as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent).

 

(5) PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.), 301 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809 (records relating to its function as administrator and accounting agent and Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and Minute books).

 

(6) Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (formerly Boston Partners Asset Management, L.L.C.), 28 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(7) Schneider Capital Management Co., 460 East Swedesford Road, Suite 1080, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(8) Bogle Investment Management, L.P., 57 River Street, Suite 206, Wellesley, Massachusetts 02481 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(9) Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (formerly Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments), 909 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).


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(10) Hilliard Lyons Research Advisors, a division of J. J. B. Hilliard, W. L. Lyons, Inc., 500 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(11) Bear Stearns & Co. Inc., 237 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(12) Marvin & Palmer Associates, Inc., 1201 N. Market Street, Suite 2300, Wilmington, Delaware 19801-1165 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(13) Abundance Technologies, Inc., 5955 Deerfield Blvd., Mason, OH 45040 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(14) Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc., 909 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(15) Perimeter Capital Management, LLC, Five Concourse Parkway Suite 2725 Atlanta, GA 30328 (records relating to Its function as investment adviser).

 

Item 34. MANAGEMENT SERVICES

None.

 

Item 35. UNDERTAKINGS

 

(a) Registrant hereby undertakes to hold a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of considering the removal of directors in the event the requisite number of shareholders so request.

 

(b) Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a prospectus is delivered a copy of Registrant’s latest annual report to shareholders upon request and without charge.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Wilmington, and State of Delaware on the 2 nd day of July, 2009.

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.
By:   /s/ Joel L. Weiss
 

Joel L. Weiss

 

Treasurer

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Post-Effective Amendment to Registrant’s Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

SIGNATURE

  

TITLE

 

DATE

*Salvatore Faia

Salvatore Faia

   President (Principal Executive Officer) and Chief Compliance Officer   July 2, 2009

/s/ Joel L. Weiss

Joel L. Weiss

   Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer)   July 2, 2009

*J. Richard Carnall

J. Richard Carnall

   Director   July 2, 2009

*Francis J. McKay

Francis J. McKay

   Director   July 2, 2009

*Marvin E. Sternberg

Marvin E. Sternberg

   Director   July 2, 2009

*Julian A. Brodsky

Julian A. Brodsky

   Director   July 2, 2009

*Arnold M. Reichman

Arnold M. Reichman

   Director   July 2, 2009

*Robert Sablowsky

Robert Sablowsky

   Director   July 2, 2009

*Robert Straniere

Robert Straniere

   Director   July 2, 2009

*Nicholas A. Giordano

Nicholas A. Giordano

   Director   July 2, 2009

*Mark A. Sargent

Mark A. Sargent

   Director   July 2,2009

*By:  /s/ Joel L. Weiss

Joel L. Weiss

Attorney-in-Fact

     July 2, 2009


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THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Julian A. Brodsky, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: May 7, 2009
/s/ Julian A. Brodsky
Julian A. Brodsky


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THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, J. Richard Carnall, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: May 7, 2009
/s/ J. Richard Carnall
J. Richard Carnall


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THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Nicholas A. Giordano, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: May 7, 2009
/s/ Nicholas A. Giordano
Nicholas A. Giordano


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THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Francis J. McKay, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: May 7, 2009
/s/ Francis J. McKay
Francis J. McKay


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THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Arnold M. Reichman, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: May 7, 2009
/s/ Arnold M. Reichman
Arnold M. Reichman


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THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Robert Sablowsky, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: May 7, 2009
/s/ Robert Sablowsky
Robert Sablowsky


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THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Mark A. Sargent, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: May 7, 2009
/s/ Mark A. Sargent
Mark A. Sargent


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THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Marvin E. Sternberg, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: May 7, 2009
/s/ Marvin E. Sternberg
Marvin E. Sternberg


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THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Robert Straniere, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: May 7, 2009
/s/ Robert Straniere
Robert Straniere


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THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Salvatore Faia, hereby constitutes and appoints Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Officer of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: May 11, 2009
/s/ Salvatore Faia
Salvatore Faia


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THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Joel L. Weiss, hereby constitutes and appoints Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Salvatore Faia, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Officer of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: July 1, 2009
/s/ Joel L. Weiss
Joel L. Weiss


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PEA 129

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT

  

DESCRIPTION

(a)(56)

   Articles Supplementary of Registrant ( Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund )

(b)(1)

   Amended By-Laws of Registrant

(d)(28)

   Investment Advisory Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund )

(d)(29)

   Investment Advisory Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Themes Fund )

(d)(30)

   Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund, SAM Sustainable Themes Fund )

(g)(27)

   Custodian Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund )

(g)(28)

   Custodian Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Themes Fund )

(h)(58)

   Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund )

(h)(59)

   Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement ( SAM Sustainable Themes Fund )

(h)(60)

   Amended Schedule A to Regulatory Administration Services Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund, SAM Sustainable Themes Fund )

(l)(22)

   Purchase Agreement ( SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund )

(p) (2)

   Code of Ethics of Robeco Investment Management.

(p) (3)

   Code of Ethics of Schneider Capital Management Company.

(p) (4)

   Code of Ethics of Bogle Investment Management, L.P.

(p) (6)

   Code of Ethics of J.J.B. Hilliard W.L. Lyons, Inc.

(p) (7)

   Code of Ethics of Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc.

(p) (8)

   Code of Ethics of Marvin & Palmer Associates, Inc.

(p) (9)

   Code of Ethics of Abundance Technologies, Inc.

(p) (10)

   Code of Ethics of Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc.

Exhibit (a)(56)

THE RBB FUND, INC.

ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY

THE RBB FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation having its principal office in Baltimore, Maryland (hereinafter called the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:

FIRST: In accordance with the requirements of Section 2-208 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Board of Directors of the Corporation has classified: 1) One Hundred Million (100,000,000) authorized but unclassified and unissued shares of Common Stock of the Corporation as Class WWWW shares of Common Stock representing interests in the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund – Investor Class; 2) One Hundred Million (100,000,000) authorized but unclassified and unissued shares of Common Stock of the Corporation as Class XXXX shares of Common Stock representing interests in the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund – Class I; pursuant to the following resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation on June 18, 2009:

RESOLVED , that pursuant to the authority expressly given to the Board of Directors in Article VI, Section (4) of the Corporation’s Charter, the Board hereby classifies authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, par value $.001 per share, and hereby fixes and determines the rights, preferences, restrictions and other matters relating to such classes of Common Stock as follows:

1. Class WWWW Shares . One Hundred Million (100,000,000) of the authorized, unissued and unclassified shares of the Corporation (par value $.001 per share) are hereby classified and designated as Class WWWW shares of Common Stock representing interests in the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund – Investor Class.

2. Class XXXX Shares . One Hundred Million (100,000,000) of the authorized, unissued and unclassified shares of the Corporation (par value $.001 per share) are hereby classified and designated as Class XXXX shares of Common Stock representing interests in the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund – Class I; and it is


FURTHER RESOLVED, that a description of the shares so classified with the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption as set or changed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation is as set forth in Article VI, Section (6) of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and as set forth elsewhere in the Charter of the Corporation with respect to stock of the Corporation generally, and as follows:

1. To the full extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation may, without the vote of the shares of any class of capital stock of the Corporation then outstanding and if so determined by the Board of Directors:

(A)(1) sell and convey the assets belonging to Class WWWW and Class XXXX (each a “Class”) to another trust or corporation that is a management investment company (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) and is organized under the laws of any state of the United States for consideration, which may include the assumption of all outstanding obligations, taxes and other liabilities, accrued or contingent, belonging to such Class and which may include securities issued by such trust or corporation. Following such sale and conveyance, and after making provision for the payment of any liabilities belonging to such Class that are not assumed by the purchaser of the assets belonging to such Class, the Corporation may, at its option, redeem all outstanding shares of such Class at the net asset value thereof as determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of applicable law, less such redemption fee or other charge, if any, as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter of the Corporation to the contrary, the redemption price may be paid in any combination of cash or other assets belonging to such Class, including but not limited to the distribution of the securities or other consideration received by the Corporation for the assets belonging to such Class upon such conditions as the Board of Directors deems, in its sole discretion, to be appropriate and consistent with applicable law and the Charter of the Corporation;

(2) sell and convert the assets belonging to a Class into money and, after making provision for the payment of all obligations, taxes and other liabilities, accrued or contingent, belonging to such Class, the Corporation may, at its option, redeem all outstanding shares of such Class at the net asset value thereof as determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of applicable law, less such redemption fee or other charge, if any, as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors upon such conditions as the Board of Directors deems, in its sole discretion, to be appropriate and consistent with applicable law and the Charter of the Corporation; or

(3) combine the assets belonging to a Class with the assets belonging to any one or more other classes of capital stock of the Corporation if the Board of Directors reasonably determines that such combination will not have a material adverse effect on the stockholders of any class of capital stock of the Corporation participating in such combination. In connection with any such combination of assets, the shares of the Class then outstanding may, if so determined by the Board of Directors, be converted into shares of any other class or classes of capital stock of the Corporation with respect to which conversion is permitted by applicable law, or may be redeemed, at the option of the Corporation, at the net asset value thereof as determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of applicable law, less such redemption fee or other charge, or conversion cost, if any, as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors upon such conditions as the Board of Directors deems, in its sole discretion, to be appropriate and consistent with applicable law and the Charter of the Corporation. Notwithstanding any other

 

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provision of these Articles Supplementary or the Articles of Incorporation to the contrary, any redemption price, or part thereof, paid pursuant to this section may be paid in shares of any other existing or future class or classes of capital stock of the Corporation; and

(B) without limiting the foregoing, at its option, redeem shares of the Classes for any other reason if the Board of Directors has determined that it is in the best interest of the Corporation to do so. Any such redemption shall be at the net asset value of such shares of such Class being redeemed less such redemption fee or other charge, if any, as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors and shall be made and effective upon such terms and in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Directors at such time.

2. The shares of Class WWWW and Class XXXX will be issued without stock certificates.

SECOND: The shares aforesaid have been duly classified by the Board of Directors of the Corporation pursuant to authority and power contained in the Charter of the Corporation.

THIRD: (1) Immediately before the classification of additional authorized, unissued and unclassified shares of Common Stock as Class WWWW Common Stock and Class XXXX Common Stock:

(a) the Corporation had the authority to issue one hundred billion (100,000,000,000) shares of its Common Stock and the aggregate par value of all the shares of all classes was one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000); and

(b) the number of authorized shares of each class was as follows:

 

Class A

   -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

Class B

   -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

Class C

   -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

Class D

   -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

Class E

   -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

Class F

   -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

Class G

   -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

Class H

   -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

Class I

   -    one billion five hundred million (1,500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

 

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Class J    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class K    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class L    -    one billion five hundred million (1,500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class M    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class N    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class O    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class P    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Q    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class R    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class S    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class T    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class U    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class V    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class W    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class X    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Y    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Z    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class AA    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class BB    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class CC    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class DD    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class EE    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class FF    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

 

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Class GG    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class HH    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class II    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class JJ    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class KK    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class LL    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class MM    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class NN    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class OO    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class PP    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class QQ    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class RR    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class SS    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class TT    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class UU    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class VV    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class WW    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class YY    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class ZZ    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class AAA    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class BBB    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class CCC    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class DDD    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class EEE    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

 

-5-


Class FFF    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class GGG    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class HHH    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class III    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class JJJ    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class KKK    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class LLL    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class MMM    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class NNN    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class OOO    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class PPP    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class QQQ    -    two billion five hundred million (2,500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class RRR    -    two billion five hundred million (2,500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class SSS    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class TTT    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class UUU    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class VVV    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class WWW    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class XXX    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class YYY    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class ZZZ    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class AAAA    -    fifty billion (50,000,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class BBBB    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

 

-6-


Class CCCC    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class DDDD    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class EEEE    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class FFFF    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class GGGG    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class HHHH    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class IIII    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class JJJJ    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class KKKK    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class LLLL    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class MMMM    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class NNNN    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class OOOO    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class PPPP    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class QQQQ    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class RRRR    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class SSSS    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class TTTT    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class UUUU    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class VVVV    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Select    -    seven hundred million (700,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Beta 2    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Beta 3    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Beta 4    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

 

-7-


Class Principal Money       seven hundred million (700,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Gamma 2    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Gamma 3    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Gamma 4    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Bear Stearns Money    -    two billion five hundred million (2,500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Bear Stearns Municipal Money    -    one billion five hundred million (1,500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Bear Stearns Government Money    -    one billion (1,000,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Delta 4    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Epsilon 1    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Epsilon 2    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Epsilon 3    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Epsilon 4    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Zeta 1    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Zeta 2    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Zeta 3    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Zeta 4    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Eta 1    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Eta 2    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Eta 3    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Eta 4    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Theta 1    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

 

-8-


Class Theta 2    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Theta 3    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Theta 4    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

for a total of seventy-eight billion, seven hundred seventy-three million (78,773,000,000) shares classified into separate classes of Common Stock

(2) After the classification of additional authorized, unissued and unclassified shares of Common Stock as Class WWWW and Class XXXX Common Stock:

(a) the Corporation has the authority to issue one hundred billion (100,000,000,000) shares of its Common Stock and the aggregate par value of all the shares of all classes is one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000); and

(b) the number of authorized shares of each class is now as follows:

 

Class A    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class B    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class C    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class D    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class E    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class F    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class G    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class H    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class I    -    one billion five hundred million (1,500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class J    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class K    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class L    -    one billion five hundred million (1,500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class M    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

 

-9-


Class N    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class O    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class P    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Q    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class R    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class S    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class T    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class U    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class V    -    five hundred million (500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class W    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class X    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Y    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Z    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class AA    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class BB    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class CC    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class DD    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class EE    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class FF    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class GG    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class HH    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class II    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class JJ    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class KK    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

 

-10-


Class LL    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class MM    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class NN    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class OO    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class PP    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class QQ    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class RR    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class SS    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class TT    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class UU    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class VV    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class WW    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class YY    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class ZZ    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class AAA    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class BBB    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class CCC    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class DDD    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class EEE    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class FFF    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class GGG    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class HHH    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class III    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class JJJ    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

 

-11-


Class KKK    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class LLL    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class MMM    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class NNN    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class OOO    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class PPP    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class QQQ    -    two billion five hundred million (2,500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class RRR    -    two billion five hundred million (2,500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class SSS    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class TTT    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class UUU    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class VVV    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class WWW    -    fifty million (50,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class XXX    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class YYY    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class ZZZ    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class AAAA    -    fifty billion (50,000,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class BBBB    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class CCCC    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class DDDD    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class EEEE    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class FFFF    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class GGGG    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

 

-12-


Class HHHH    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class IIII    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class JJJJ    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class KKKK    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class LLLL    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class MMMM    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class NNNN    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class OOOO    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class PPPP    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class QQQQ    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class RRRR    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class SSSS    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class TTTT    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class UUUU    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class VVVV    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class WWWW    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class XXXX    -    one hundred million (100,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Select    -    seven hundred million (700,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Beta 2    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Beta 3    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Beta 4    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Principal Money    -    seven hundred million (700,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Gamma 2    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

 

-13-


Class Gamma 3    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Gamma 4    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Bear Stearns Money    -    two billion five hundred million (2,500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Bear Stearns Municipal Money    -    one billion five hundred million (1,500,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Bear Stearns Government Money    -    one billion (1,000,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Delta 4    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Epsilon 1    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Epsilon 2    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Epsilon 3    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Epsilon 4    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Zeta 1    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Zeta 2    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Zeta 3    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Zeta 4    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Eta 1    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Eta 2    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Eta 3    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Eta 4    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Theta 1    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Theta 2    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Theta 3    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;
Class Theta 4    -    one million (1,000,000), par value $.001 per share;

 

-14-


for a total of seventy-eight billion, nine hundred seventy-three million (78,973,000,000) shares classified into separate classes of Common Stock.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The RBB Fund, Inc. has caused these presents to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its President and witnessed by its Secretary on the 25 day of June, 2009.

 

WITNESS:     THE RBB FUND, INC.
By:   /s/ Jennifer Rogers     By:   /s/ Salvatore Faia
  Jennifer Rogers       Salvatore Faia
  Secretary       President

 

-15-


CERTIFICATE

THE UNDERSIGNED, President of The RBB Fund, Inc., who executed on behalf of said Corporation the foregoing Articles Supplementary to the Charter, of which this certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges that the foregoing Articles Supplementary are the act of the said Corporation and further certifies that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, the matters and facts set forth therein with respect to the approval thereof are true in all material respects, under the penalties of perjury.

 

/s/ Salvatore Faia
Salvatore Faia
President

 

-16-

Exhibit (b)(1)

BY-LAWS

OF

THE RBB FUND, INC.

Adopted August 16, 1988

ARTICLE I

Offices

Section 1. Principal Office . The principal office of the Corporation shall be in the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland.

Section 2. Principal Executive Office . The principal executive office of the Corporation shall be in the City of Paoli, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Section 3. Other Offices . The Corporation may have such other offices in such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

ARTICLE II

Meetings of Shareholders

Section 1. No Annual Meeting Required . No Annual Meeting of shareholders of the Corporation shall be held unless required by applicable law or otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. Any Annual Meeting shall be held on such date and at such time and place as the Board of Directors may designate. [As Amended July 25, 1989]

Section 2. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation may be called for any purpose or purposes by a majority of the Board of Directors or the President, and shall be called by the President or Secretary on the written request of the shareholders (i) as provided by the Maryland General Corporation Law and (ii) to remove a director upon written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of all the outstanding shares of the Corporation. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it; provided, however, that with respect to clause (i) of this Section’s first sentence, unless requested by shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting, a special meeting need not be called to consider any matter which is substantially the same as a matter voted on at any special meeting of the shareholders held during the preceding 12 months. [As Amended October 24, 1989]


Section 3. Place of Meetings . The regular meeting, if any, and any special meeting of the shareholders shall be held at such place within the United States as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

Section 4. Notice of Meetings; Waiver of Notice; Shareholder List . (a) Notice of the place, date and time of the holding of each regular and special meeting of the shareholders and the purpose or purposes of the meeting shall be given personally or by mail, not less than ten nor more than ninety days before the date of such meeting, to each shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each other shareholder entitled to notice of the meeting. Notice by mail shall be deemed to be duly given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the shareholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. The notice of every meeting of shareholders may be accompanied by a form of proxy approved by the Board of Directors in favor of such actions or persons as the Board of Directors may select.

(b) Notice of any meeting of shareholders shall be deemed waived by any shareholder who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy, or who shall, either before or after the meeting, submit a signed waiver of notice which is filed with the records of the meeting. A meeting of shareholders convened on the date for which it was called may be adjourned from time to time without further notice to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date.

(c) At least five (5) days prior to each meeting of shareholders, the officer or agent having charge of the share transfer books of the Corporation shall make a complete list of shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting, in alphabetical order with the address of and the number of shares held by each shareholder.

Section 5. Organization . At each meeting of the shareholders, the Chairman of the Board (if one has been designated by the Board), or in his absence or inability to act, the President, or in the absence or inability to act of the Chairman of the Board and the President, a Vice President, or in the absence or the inability to act of the Chairman of the Board, the President and all the Vice Presidents, a chairman chosen by the shareholders shall act as chairman of the meeting. The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to appoint a person to act as chairman of any meeting of the Corporation’s shareholders. The Secretary, or in his absence or inability to act, any person appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep the minutes thereof. [Amended July 26, 2000]

Section 6. Voting . (a) Except as otherwise provided by statute or the Articles of incorporation, each holder of record of shares of the Corporation having voting power shall be entitled at each meeting of the shareholders to one vote for every share standing in his name on the record of shareholders of the Corporation as of the record date determined pursuant to Section 5 of Article VI hereof or if such record date shall not have been so fixed, then at the later of (i) the close of business on the day on which notice of the meeting is mailed or (ii) the thirtieth (30) day before the meeting. In all elections for Directors, each share of share may be voted for as many individuals as there are Directors to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted.


(b) Each shareholder entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders may authorize another person or persons to act for him or her by a proxy signed by such shareholder or his or her authorized agent, as provided by Maryland law. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven months from the date thereof, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the shareholder executing it, except in those cases where such proxy states that it is irrevocable and where an irrevocable proxy is permitted by law. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws, any corporate action to be taken by vote of the shareholders shall be authorized by a majority of the total votes cast at a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such action, except that a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is sufficient to elect a Director. [As Amended April 24, 1996]

(c) If a vote shall be taken on any question other than the election of Directors which shall be by written ballot, then unless required by statute or these By-Laws or determined by the chairman of the meeting to be advisable, any such vote need not be by ballot. On a vote by ballot, each ballot shall be signed by the shareholder voting, or by his proxy, if there be such proxy, and shall state the number of shares voted.

Section 7. Inspectors . The Board may, in advance of any meeting of shareholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at such meeting or any adjournment thereof. If the inspectors shall not be so appointed or if any of them shall fail to appear or act, the chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting shall, appoint inspectors. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability. The inspectors shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. On request of the chairman of the meeting or any shareholder entitled to vote at it, the inspectors shall make a report in writing of any challenge, request or matter determined by them and shall execute a certificate of any fact found by them. No Director or candidate for the office of Director shall act as inspector of an election of Directors. Inspectors need not be shareholders.

Section 8. Consent of Shareholders in Lieu of Meeting . Except as otherwise provided by statute, any action required to be taken at any regular or special meeting of shareholders or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if the following are filed with the records of shareholders’ meetings: (i) a unanimous written consent which sets forth the action and is signed by each shareholder entitled to vote on the matter and (ii) a written waiver of any right to dissent signed by each shareholder entitled to notice of the meeting but not entitled to vote at it.


ARTICLE III

Board of Directors

Section 1. General Powers . Except as otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. All powers of the Corporation may be exercised by or under authority of the Board of Directors except as conferred on or reserved to the shareholders by law or by the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws.

Section 2. Number of Directors . The number of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors adopted by a majority of the Directors then in office; provided, however, that the number of Directors shall in no event be less than three (except for any period during which shares of the Corporation are held by fewer than three shareholders) nor more than fifteen. Any vacancy created by an increase in Directors may be filled in accordance with Section 6 of this Article III. No reduction in the number of Directors shall have the effect of removing any Director from office prior to the expiration of his term unless such Director is specifically removed pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III at the time of such decrease. Directors need not be shareholders.

Section 3. Election and Term of Directors . Directors shall be elected by majority vote of a quorum cast by written ballot at the regular meeting of shareholders, if any, or at a special meeting held for that purpose. The term of office of each Director shall be from the time of his election and qualification and until his successor shall have been elected and shall have qualified, or until his death, or until he shall have resigned, or have been removed as hereinafter provided in these By-Laws, or as otherwise provided by statute or the Articles of Incorporation.

Section 4. Resignation . A Director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of his resignation to the Board or the Chairman of the Board or the President or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective shall not be specified therein, immediately upon its receipt; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 5. Removal of Directors . Any Director of the Corporation may be removed by the shareholders by a vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of Directors.

Section 6. Vacancies . The shareholders may elect a successor to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors which results from the removal of a Director. A majority of the remaining Directors, whether or not sufficient to constitute a quorum, may fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors which results from any cause except an increase in the number of Directors, and a majority of the entire Board of Directors may fill a vacancy which results from an increase in the number of Directors. A Director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy serves until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is elected and qualifies. A Director elected by the shareholders to fill a vacancy which results from the removal of a Director serves for the balance of the term of the removed Director.


Section 7. Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board may be held with notice at such times and places as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 8. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the President, or by a majority of the Directors either in writing or by vote at a meeting, and may be held at any place in or out of the State of Maryland as the Board may from time to time determine.

Section 9. Notice of Special Meetings . Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given by the Secretary as hereinafter provided, in which notice shall be stated the time and place of the meeting. Notice of each such meeting shall be delivered to each Director, either personally or by telephone, telegraph, cable or wireless, at least twenty-four hours before the time at which such meeting is to be held, or by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or by commercial delivery services addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business, at least three days before the day on which such meeting is to be held.

Section 10. Waiver of Notice of Special Meetings . Notice of any special meeting need not be given to any Director who shall, either before or after the meeting, sign a written waiver of notice which is filed with the records of the meeting or who shall attend such meeting. Except as otherwise specifically required by these By-Laws, a notice or waiver of notice of any meeting need not state the purposes of such meeting.

Section 11. Quorum and Voting . A majority of the members of the entire Board shall be present in person at any meeting of the Board in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, and except as otherwise expressly required by statute, the Articles of Incorporation, these By-Laws, the 1940 Act or other applicable statute, the act of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board; provided, however, that the approval of any contract with an investment adviser or principal underwriter, as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act, which the Corporation enters into or any renewal or amendment thereof, the approval of the fidelity bond required by the 1940 Act, and the selection of the Corporation’s independent public accountants shall each require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors who are not interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Corporation. In the absence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board, a majority of the Directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, but not for a period greater than thirty (30) days at any one time, to another time and place until a quorum shall attend. Notice of the time and place of any adjourned meeting shall be given to the Directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment and, unless such time and place were announced at the meeting at which the adjournment was taken, to the other Directors. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

Section 12. Chairman . The Board of Directors may at any time appoint one of its members as Chairman of the Board, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and who shall perform and execute such duties and powers as may be conferred upon or assigned to him by the Board or these By-Laws, but who shall not by reason of performing and executing these duties and powers be deemed an officer or employee of the Corporation.


Section 13. Organization . The Chairman of the Board, if one has been selected and is present, shall preside at every meeting of the Board of Directors. In the absence or inability of the Chairman of the Board to preside at a meeting, the President, or, in his absence or inability to act, another Director chosen by a majority of the Directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting and preside at it. The Secretary (or, in his absence or inability to act, any person appointed by the Chairman) shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep the minutes thereof.

Section 14. Written Consent of Directors in Lieu of a Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof, except actions with respect to which a vote in person is required by law, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee.

Section 15. Meeting by Conference Telephone . Members of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time, except that in such a meeting the Board cannot perform any action with respect to which a vote in person is required by law.

Section 16. Compensation . Any Director, whether or not he is a salaried officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, may be compensated for his services as Director or as a member of a committee, or as Chairman of the Board or chairman of a committee, and in addition may be reimbursed for transportation and other expenses, all in such manner and amounts as the Directors may from time to time determine.

Section 17. Investment Policies . It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to ensure that the purchase, sale, retention and disposal of portfolio securities and the other investment practices of the Corporation are at all times consistent with the investment policies and restrictions with respect to securities investments and otherwise of the Corporation, as recited in the current Prospectus of the Corporation filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as required by the 1940 Act. The Board, however, may delegate the duty of management of the assets and the administration of its day-to-day operations to an individual or corporate management company or investment adviser pursuant to a written contract or contracts which have obtained the requisite approvals, including the requisite approvals of renewals thereof, of the Board of Directors or the shareholders of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act.


ARTICLE IV

Committees

Section 1. Committees of the Board . The Board may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board, designate an Executive Committee, Compensation Committee, Audit Committee and Nomination Committee, each of which shall consist of two or more of the Directors of the Corporation, which committee shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board with respect to all matters other than as set forth in Section 3 of this Article.

Section 2. Other Committees of the Board . The Board of Directors may from time to time, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more other committees of the Board, each such committee to consist of two or more Directors and to have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may, by resolution, prescribe.

Section 3. Limitation of Committee Powers . No committee of the Board shall have power or authority to:

 

  (a) recommend to shareholders any action requiring authorization of shareholders pursuant to statute or the Articles of Incorporation;

 

  (b) approve or terminate any contract with an investment adviser or principal underwriter, as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act, or take any other action required to be taken by the Board of Directors by the 1940 Act;

 

  (c) amend or repeal these By-Laws or adopt new By-Laws;

 

  (d) declare dividends or other distributions or issue capital share of the Corporation; and

 

  (e) approve any merger or share exchange which does not require shareholder approval.

Section 4. General . One-third, but not less than two members, of the members of any committee shall be present in person at any meeting of such committee in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, and the act of a majority present shall be the act of such committee. The Board may designate a chairman of any committee and such chairman or any two members of any committee may fix the time and place of its meetings unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence of disqualification of any member or any committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. The Board shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill all vacancies, to designate alternate members, to replace any absent or disqualified member, or to dissolve any such committee.


All committees shall keep written minutes of their proceedings and shall report such minutes to the Board. All such proceedings shall be subject to revision or alteration by the Board; provided, however, that third parties shall not be prejudiced by such revision or alteration.

ARTICLE V

Officers, Agents and Employees

Section 1. Number and Qualifications . The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and a Chief Compliance Officer, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may elect or appoint one or more Vice Presidents and may also appoint such other officers, agents and employees as it may deem necessary or proper. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity. The Board may from time to time elect or appoint, or delegate to the President the power to appoint, such other officers (including one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Treasurers and one or more Assistant Secretaries) and such agents, as may be necessary or desirable for the business of the Corporation. Such other officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as may be prescribed by the Board or by the appointing authority. As amended February 11, 2009.

Section 2. Resignations . Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of his resignation to the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective shall not be specified therein, immediately upon its receipt; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 3. Removal of Officer, Agent or Employee . Any officer, agent or employee of the Corporation may be removed by the Board of Directors with or without cause at any time, and the Board may delegate such power of removal as to agents and employees not elected or appointed by the Board of Directors. Such removal shall be without prejudice to such person’s contract rights, if any, but the appointment of any person as an officer, agent or employee of the Corporation shall not of itself create contract rights.

Section 4. Vacancies . A vacancy in any office, whether arising from death, resignation, removal or any other cause, may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term of the office which shall be vacant, in the manner prescribed in these By-Laws for the regular election or appointment to such office.

Section 5. Compensation . The compensation of the officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, but this power may be delegated to any committee or to any officer in respect of other officers under his control. No officer shall be precluded from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that he is also a Director of the Corporation.


Section 6. Bonds or other Security . If required by the Board, any officer, agent or employee of the Corporation shall give a bond or other security for the faithful performance of his duties, in such amount and with such surety or sureties as the Board may require.

Section 7. President . The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board (or if there be none), the President shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors. He shall have, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, general charge of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He may employ and discharge employees and agents of the Corporation, except such as shall be appointed by the Board, and he may delegate these powers.

Section 8. The Vice Presidents . In the absence or disability of the President, or when so directed by the President, any Vice President designated by the Board of Directors may perform any or all of the duties of the President, and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the President; provided, however, that no Vice President shall act as a member of or as chairman of any committee of which the President is a member or chairman by designation of ex-officio, except when designated by the Board. Each Vice President shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned to him by the Board or the President.

Section 9. Treasurer . The Treasurer shall:

(a) have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all the funds and securities of the Corporation, except those which the Corporation has placed in the custody of a bank or trust company or member of a national securities exchange (as that term is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) pursuant to a written agreement designating such bank or trust company or member of a national securities exchange as custodian of the property of the Corporation;

(b) keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation;

(c) cause all moneys and other valuables to be deposited to the credit of the Corporation;

(d) receive, and give receipts for, moneys due and payable to the Corporation from any source whatsoever;

(e) disburse the funds of the Corporation and supervise the investment of its funds as ordered or authorized by the Board, taking proper vouchers therefor; and

(f) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board or the President.


Section 10. Assistant Treasurers . In the absence or disability of the Treasurer, or when so directed by the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer may perform any or all of the duties of the Treasurer, and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Treasurer. Each Assistant Treasurer shall perform all such other duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned to him by the Board of Directors, the President or the Treasurer.

Section 11. Secretary . The Secretary shall:

(a) keep or cause to be kept in one or more books provided for the purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board, the committees of the Board and the shareholders;

(b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws and as required by law;

(c) be custodian of the records and the seal of the Corporation and affix and attest the seal to all share certificates of the Corporation (unless the seal of the Corporation on such certificates shall be a facsimile, as hereinafter provided) and affix and attest the seal to all other documents to be executed on behalf of the Corporation under its seal;

(d) see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and

(e) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board or the President.

Section 12. Assistant Secretaries . In the absence or disability of the Secretary, or when so directed by the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary may perform any or all of the duties of the Secretary, and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all restrictions upon, the Secretary. Each Assistant Secretary shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned to him by the Board of Directors, the President or the Secretary.

Section 13. Delegation of Duties . In case of the absence of any officer of the Corporation, or for any other reason that the Board may deem sufficient, the Board may confer for the time being the powers or duties, or any of them, of such officer upon any other officer or upon any Director.


ARTICLE VI

Capital Stock

Section 1. Stock Certificates . The Board may authorize the issuance of some or all of the shares of any or all classes or series of the common stock of the Corporation with or without certificates. The rights of holders of each class or series of common stock of the Corporation to receive or not to receive certificates shall be set forth in articles supplementary. With respect to shares whose issuance the Board has authorized with certificates, the Board shall determine the conditions under which a holder of such shares shall be entitled to have a certificate or certificates. A shareholder’s certificate or certificates shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board, and shall represent the number of such shares of the Corporation owned by him, provided, however, that certificates for fractional shares will not be delivered in any case. The certificates representing shares of share shall be signed by the President, a Vice President, or the Chairman of the Board, and countersigned by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer and sealed with the seal of the Corporation. Any or all of the signatures or the seal on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate shall be issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such officer, transfer agent or registrar were still in office at the date of issue.

Section 2. Rights of Inspection . There shall be kept at the principal executive office, which shall be available for inspection during usual business hours in accordance with the General Laws of the State of Maryland, the following corporate documents: (a) By-Laws, (b) minutes of proceedings of the shareholders, (c) annual statements of affairs, and (d) voting trust agreements, if any. One or more persons who together are and for at least six months have been shareholders of record of at least five percent of the outstanding shares of any class may inspect and copy during usual business hours the Corporation’s books of account and share ledger in accordance with the General Laws of the State of Maryland.

Section 3. Transfer of Shares . Transfers of shares of the Corporation shall be made on the share records of the Corporation at the direction of the person named on the Corporation’s books or named in the certificate or certificates for such shares (if issued) only by the registered holder thereof, or by his attorney authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary or with a transfer agent or transfer clerk, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates, if issued, for such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed share transfer power and the payment of all taxes thereon. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person in whose name any share or shares stand on the record of shareholders as the owner of such share or shares for all purposes, including, without limitation, the rights to receive dividends or other distributions, and to vote as such owner, and the Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or legal claim to or interest in any such share or shares on the part of any other person.


Section 4. Transfer Agents and Registrars . The Corporation may have one or more Transfer Agents and one or more Registrars of its shares, whose respective duties the Board of Directors may, from time to time, define. No certificate of share shall be valid until countersigned by a Transfer Agent, if the Corporation shall have a Transfer Agent or until registered by a Registrar, if the Corporation shall have a Registrar. The duties of Transfer Agent and Registrar may be combined.

Section 5. Record Date and Closing of Transfer Books . The Board of Directors may set a record date for the purpose of making any proper determination with respect to shareholders, including which shareholders are entitled to notice of a meeting, vote at a meeting (or any adjournment thereof), receive a dividend, or be allotted or exercise other rights. The record date may not be more than ninety (90) days before the date on which the action requiring the determination will be taken; and, in the case of a meeting of shareholders, the record date shall be at least ten (10) days before the date of the meeting. The Board of Directors shall not close the books of the Corporation against transfers of shares during the whole or any part of such period.

Section 6. Regulations . The Board may make such additional rules and regulations, not inconsistent with these By-Laws, as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of share of the Corporation.

Section 7. Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates . The holder of any certificate representing shares of share of the Corporation shall immediately notify the Corporation of any loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of such certificate, and the Corporation may issue a new certificate of share in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it which the owner thereof shall allege to have been lost, stolen or destroyed or which shall have been mutilated, and the Board may, in its discretion, require such owner or his legal representatives to give to the Corporation a bond in such sum, limited or unlimited, and in such form and with such surety or sureties, as the Board in its absolute discretion shall determine, to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such certificate, or issuance of a new certificate. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Board, in its absolute discretion, may refuse to issue any such new certificate, except pursuant to legal proceedings under the laws of the State of Maryland.

Section 8. Stock Ledgers . The Corporation shall not be required to keep original or duplicate share ledgers at its principal office in the City of Baltimore, Maryland, but share ledgers shall be kept at the respective offices of the Transfer Agents of the Corporation’s capital shares.

ARTICLE VII

Seal

The Board of Directors shall provide a suitable seal, bearing the name of the Corporation, which shall be in the charge of the secretary. The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof. If the Corporation is required to place its


corporate seal on a document, it is sufficient to meet any requirement of any law, rule, or regulation relating to a corporate seal to place the word “Seal” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to sign the document on behalf of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VIII

Fiscal Year

Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the last day of December in each year.

ARTICLE IX

Depositories and Custodians

Section 1. Depositories . The funds of the Corporation shall be deposited with such banks or other depositories as the Board of Directors of the Corporation may from time to time determine.

Section 2. Custodians . All securities and other investments shall be deposited in the safekeeping of such banks or other companies as the Board of Directors of the Corporation may from time to time determine. Every arrangement entered into with any bank or other company for the safekeeping of the securities and investments of the Corporation shall contain provisions complying with the 1940 Act, and the general rules and regulations thereunder.

ARTICLE X

Execution of Instruments

Section 1. Checks, Notes, Drafts, etc. Checks, notes, drafts, acceptances, bills of exchange and other orders or obligations for the payment of money shall be signed by such officer or officers or person or persons as the Board of Directors by resolution shall from time to time designate.

Section 2. Sale or Transfer of Securities . Money market instruments, bonds or other securities at any time owned by the Corporation may be held on behalf of the Corporation or sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of subject to any limits imposed by these By-Laws, and pursuant to authorization by the Board and, when so authorized to be held on behalf of the Corporation or sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, may be transferred from the name of the Corporation by the signature of the President or a Vice President or the Treasurer or pursuant to any procedure approved by the Board of Directors, subject to applicable law.


ARTICLE XI

Independent Public Accountants

The firm of independent public accountants which shall sign or certify the financial statements of the Corporation which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission shall be selected annually by the Board of Directors and ratified by the Board of Directors or the shareholders in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act.

ARTICLE XII

Annual Statements

The books of account of the Corporation shall be examined by an independent firm of public accountants at the close of each annual period of the Corporation and at such other times as may be directed by the Board. A report to the shareholders based upon each such examination shall be mailed to each shareholder of the Corporation of record on such date with respect to each report as may be determined by the Board, at his address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation. Such annual statement shall also be placed on file at the Corporation’s principal office in the State of Maryland. Each such report shall show the assets and liabilities of the Corporation as of the close of the annual or semiannual period covered by the report and the securities in which the funds of the Corporation were then invested. Such report shall also show the Corporation’s income and expenses for the period from the end of the Corporation’s preceding fiscal year to the close of the annual or semiannual period covered by the report and any other information required by the 1940 Act, and shall set forth such other matters as the Board or such firm of independent public accountants shall determine.

ARTICLE XIII

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 1. Indemnification . The Corporation shall indemnify its directors to the fullest extent that indemnification of directors is permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law. The Corporation shall indemnify its officers to the same extent as its directors and to such further extent as is consistent with law. The Corporation shall indemnify its directors and officers who while serving as directors or officers also serve at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or employee benefit plan to the fullest extent consistent with law. This Section shall not protect any such person against any liability to the Corporation or any shareholder thereof to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.


Section 2. Advances . Any current or former director or officer of the Corporation claiming indemnification within the scope of this Article XIII shall be entitled to advances from the Corporation for payment of the reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with proceedings to which he is a party in the manner and to the full extent permissible under the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) and the 1940 Act, as such statutes are now or hereafter in force.

Section 3. Procedure . On the request of any current or former director or officer requesting indemnification or an advance under this Article XIII, the Board of Directors shall determine, or cause to be determined, in a manner consistent with the Maryland General Corporation Law, the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, as such statutes are now or hereafter in force, whether the standards required by this Article XIII have been met.

Section 4. Other Rights . The indemnification provided by this Article XIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other right, in respect of indemnification or otherwise, to which those seeking such indemnification may be entitled under any insurance or other agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action by a director or officer of the Corporation in his official capacity and as to action by such person in another capacity while holding such office or position, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

ARTICLE XIV

Amendments

These By-Laws or any of them may be amended, altered or repealed at any annual meeting of the shareholders or at any special meeting of the shareholders at which a quorum is present or represented, provided that notice of the proposed amendment, alteration or repeal be contained in the notice of such special meeting. These By-Laws may also be amended, altered or repealed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or by unanimous written consent.

Amended April 24, 1996

Amended February 12, 2009

Exhibit (d)(28)

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT made as of March 17, 2009 between THE RBB FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (herein called the “Fund”), and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. (herein called the “Investment Adviser”).

WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), and currently offers or proposes to offer shares representing interests in separate investment portfolios;

WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain the Investment Adviser to render certain investment advisory services to the Fund with respect to the Fund’s SAM Sustainable Global Fund (the “Portfolio”), and the Investment Adviser is willing to so render such services; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Fund and the sole shareholder of the Portfolio have approved this Agreement, and the Investment Adviser is willing to furnish such services upon the terms and conditions herein set forth;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:

SECTION 1. APPOINTMENT. The Fund hereby appoints the Investment Adviser to act as investment adviser for the Portfolio for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Investment Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth for the compensation herein provided. The assets of the Portfolio will be maintained in the custody of a custodian (who shall be identified by the Fund in writing prior to the execution of this Agreement). The Investment Adviser will not have custody of any securities, cash or other assets of the Portfolio and will not be liable for any loss resulting from any act or omission of the custodian other than acts or omissions arising in strict reliance on instructions of the Investment Adviser.

SECTION 2. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Fund has furnished the Investment Adviser with copies properly certified or authenticated of each of the following:

(a) Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Fund authorizing the appointment of the Investment Adviser and the execution and delivery of this Agreement;

(b) Each prospectus and statement of additional information relating to any class of shares representing interests in the Portfolio in effect under the Securities Act of 1933 (such prospectus and statement of additional information, as presently in effect and as they shall from time to time be amended and supplemented, are herein collectively called the “Prospectus” and “Statement of Additional Information,” respectively).

 

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The Fund will promptly furnish the Investment Adviser from time to time with copies, properly certified or authenticated, of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing, if any.

In addition to the foregoing, the Fund will also provide the Investment Adviser with copies of the Fund’s Charter and By-laws, the Fund’s Compliance Manual and other policies and procedures adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Fund and any registration statement or service contracts related to the Portfolio, and will promptly furnish the Investment Adviser with any amendments of or supplements to such documents.

SECTION 3. MANAGEMENT. Subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors of the Fund, the Investment Adviser will provide for the overall management of the Portfolio including (i) the provision of a continuous investment program for the Portfolio, including investment research and management with respect to all securities, investments, cash and cash equivalents in the Portfolio, (ii) the determination from time to time of what securities and other investments will be purchased, retained, or sold by the Fund for the Portfolio, and (iii) the placement from time to time of orders for all purchases and sales made for the Portfolio. The Investment Adviser will provide the services rendered by it hereunder in accordance with the Portfolio’s investment objectives, restrictions and policies as stated in the applicable Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, provided that the Investment Adviser has actual notice or knowledge of any changes by the Board of Directors to such investment objectives, restrictions or policies. The Investment Adviser further agrees that it will render to the Fund’s Board of Directors such periodic and special reports regarding the performance of its duties under this Agreement as the Board may reasonably request. The Investment Adviser agrees to provide to the Fund (or its agents and service providers) prompt and accurate data with respect to the Portfolio’s transactions, provide assistance in determining the fair value of all securities and other investments/assets in the Portfolio, as necessary, and use reasonable efforts to arrange for the provision of valuation information or a price(s) from a party(ies) independent of the Investment Adviser for each security or other investment/asset in the Portfolio for which market prices are not readily available. Except to the extent indicated above, the Investment Adviser will not be responsible for establishing the net asset value of the Fund.

SECTION 4. BROKERAGE. Subject to the Investment Adviser’s obligation to obtain best price and execution, the Investment Adviser shall have full discretion to select brokers or dealers to effect the purchase and sale of securities. When the Investment Adviser places orders for the purchase or sale of securities for the Portfolio, in selecting brokers or dealers to execute such orders, the Investment Adviser is expressly authorized to consider the fact that a broker or dealer has furnished statistical, research or other information or services for the benefit of the Portfolio directly or indirectly. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investment Adviser is authorized to cause the Portfolio to pay brokerage commissions which may be in excess of the lowest rates available to brokers who execute transactions for the Portfolio or who otherwise provide brokerage and research services utilized by the Investment Adviser, provided that the Investment Adviser determines in good faith that the amount of each such commission paid to a broker is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker viewed in terms of either the particular transaction to which the commission relates or the Investment Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to accounts as to which the Investment Adviser exercises investment discretion.

 

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The Investment Adviser may aggregate securities orders so long as the Investment Adviser adheres to a policy of allocating investment opportunities to the Portfolio over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis relative to other clients. In no instance will the Portfolio’s securities be purchased from or sold to the Fund’s principal underwriter, the Investment Adviser, or any affiliated person thereof, except to the extent permitted by SEC exemptive order or by applicable law.

The Investment Adviser shall report to the Board of Directors of the Fund at least quarterly with respect to brokerage transactions that were entered into by the Investment Adviser, pursuant to the foregoing paragraph, and shall certify to the Board that the commissions paid were reasonable in terms either of that transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Investment Adviser to the Fund and the Investment Adviser’s other clients, that the total commissions paid by the Fund were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund over the long term, and that such commissions were paid in compliance with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

SECTION 5. CONFORMITY WITH LAW; CONFIDENTIALITY. The Investment Adviser further agrees that it will comply with all applicable rules and regulations of all federal regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over the Investment Adviser in the performance of its duties hereunder. The Investment Adviser will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relating to the Fund and prior, present or potential shareholders (except with respect to clients of the Investment Adviser) and will not use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where the Investment Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Fund. Where the Investment Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply with a request for records or other information relating to the Fund, the Investment Adviser may comply with such request prior to obtaining the Fund’s written approval, provided that the Investment Adviser has taken reasonable steps to promptly notify the Fund, in writing, upon receipt of the request.

SECTION 6. SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE. The Investment Adviser and its officers may act and continue to act as investment managers for others, and nothing in this Agreement shall in any way be deemed to restrict the right of the Investment Adviser to perform investment management or other services for any other person or entity, and the performance of such services for others shall not be deemed to violate or give rise to any duty or obligation to the Portfolio or the Fund.

Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the Investment Adviser or any of its partners, officers, affiliates or employees from buying, selling or trading in any securities for its or their own account. The Fund acknowledges that the Investment Adviser and its partners, officers, affiliates, employees and other clients may, at any time, have, acquire, increase, decrease, or dispose of positions in investments which are at the same time being acquired or disposed of for the Portfolio. The Investment Adviser shall have no obligation to acquire for the Portfolio a position in any investment which the Investment Adviser, its partners, officers,

 

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affiliates or employees may acquire for its or their own accounts or for the account of another client, so long as it continues to be the policy and practice of the Investment Adviser not to favor or disfavor consistently or consciously any client or class of clients in the allocation of investment opportunities so that, to the extent practical, such opportunities will be allocated among clients over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis.

The Investment Adviser agrees that this Section 6 does not constitute a waiver by the Fund of the obligations imposed upon the Investment Adviser to comply with Sections 17(d) and 17(j) of the 1940 Act, and the rules thereunder, nor constitute a waiver by the Fund of the obligations imposed upon the Investment Adviser under Section 206 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and the rules thereunder. Further, the Investment Adviser agrees that this Section 6 does not constitute a waiver by the Fund of the fiduciary obligation of the Investment Adviser arising under federal or state law, including Section 36 of the 1940 Act. The Investment Adviser agrees that this Section 6 shall be interpreted consistent with the provisions of Section 17(i) of the 1940 Act.

SECTION 7. BOOKS AND RECORDS. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 3la-3 under the 1940 Act, the Investment Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for the Portfolio are the property of the Fund and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request. The Investment Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 3la-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 3la-1 under the 1940 Act.

SECTION 8. EXPENSES. During the term of this Agreement, the Investment Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement. The Portfolio shall bear all of its own expenses not specifically assumed by the Investment Adviser. General expenses of the Fund not readily identifiable as belonging to a portfolio of the Fund shall be allocated among all investment portfolios by or under the direction of the Fund’s Board of Directors in such manner as the Board determines to be fair and equitable. Expenses borne by the Portfolio shall include, but are not limited to, the following (or the Portfolio’s share of the following): (a) the cost (including brokerage commissions) of securities purchased or sold by the Portfolio and any losses incurred in connection therewith; (b) fees payable to and expenses incurred on behalf of the Portfolio by the Investment Adviser; (c) filing fees and expenses relating to the registration and qualification of the Fund and the Portfolio’s shares under federal and/or state securities laws and maintaining such registrations and qualifications; (d) fees and salaries payable to the Fund’s directors and officers; (e) taxes (including any income or franchise taxes) and governmental fees; (f) costs of any liability and other insurance or fidelity bonds; (g) any costs, expenses or losses arising out a liability of or claim for damages or other relief asserted against the Fund or the Portfolio for violation of any law; (h) legal, accounting and auditing expenses, including legal fees of special counsel for the independent directors; (i) charges of custodians and other agents; (j) expenses of setting in type and printing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto for existing shareholders, reports, statements, and confirmations to shareholders and proxy materials that are not attributable to a class; (k) costs of mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto to existing shareholders, as well as reports to shareholders and proxy materials that are not attributable to a class; (1) any extraordinary expenses; (m) fees,

 

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voluntary assessments and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; (n) costs of mailing and tabulating proxies and costs of shareholders’ and directors’ meetings; (o) costs of independent pricing services to value the Portfolio’s securities; and (p) the costs of investment company literature and other publications provided by the Fund to its directors and officers. Distribution expenses, transfer agency expenses, expenses of preparing, printing and mailing, prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy statements and reports to shareholders, and organizational expenses and registration fees, identified as belonging to a particular class of the Portfolio are allocated to such class.

SECTION 9. VOTING. The Investment Adviser shall have the authority to vote as agent for the Fund, either in person or by proxy, and to tender and take all actions incident to the ownership of all securities in which the Portfolio’s assets may be invested from time to time, subject to such policies and procedures as the Board of Directors of the Fund may adopt from time to time.

SECTION 10. RESERVATION OF NAME. The Investment Adviser shall at all times have all rights in and to the Portfolio’s name and all investment models used by or on behalf of the Portfolio. The Investment Adviser may use the Portfolio’s name or any portion thereof in connection with any other mutual fund or business activity without the consent of any shareholder and the Fund shall execute and deliver any and all documents required to indicate the consent of the Fund to such use. No public reference to, or description of, the Investment Adviser or its methodology or work shall be made by the Fund, whether in the Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Investment Adviser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. In each case, the Fund shall provide the Investment Adviser a reasonable opportunity to review any such reference or description before being asked for such consent. The Fund hereby agrees that in the event that neither the Investment Adviser nor any of its affiliates acts as investment adviser to the Portfolio, the name of the Portfolio will be changed to one that does not contain the name “SAM” or otherwise suggest an affiliation with the Investment Adviser.

SECTION 11. DISCONTINUATION OF PUBLIC OFFERING. Subject to the prior approval of the Fund’s Board of Directors, the Investment Adviser may instruct the Fund’s distributor to cease sales of shares of the Portfolio to new investors due to concerns that an increase in the size of the Portfolio may adversely affect the implementation of the Portfolio’s investment strategy. Subject to prior Board approval, the Investment Adviser may subsequently instruct the Fund’s distributor to recommence the sale of shares of the Portfolio.

SECTION 12. COMPENSATION. (a) For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Portfolio, the Fund will pay the Investment Adviser from the assets of the Portfolio and the Investment Adviser will accept as full compensation therefor a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate of 0.80% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. For any period less than a full month during which this Agreement is in effect, the fee shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to a full month.

(b) The fee attributable to the Portfolio shall be satisfied only against the assets of the Portfolio and not against the assets of any other investment portfolio of the Fund.

 

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SECTION 13. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Investment Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Investment Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement (“disabling conduct”). The Portfolio will indemnify the Investment Adviser against and hold it harmless from any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from any claim, demand, action or suit not resulting from disabling conduct by the Investment Adviser. Indemnification shall be made only following: (i) a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought that the Investment Adviser was not liable by reason of disabling conduct or (ii) in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that the Investment Adviser was not liable by reason of disabling conduct by (a) the vote of a majority of a quorum of directors of the Fund who are neither “interested persons” of the Fund nor parties to the proceeding (“disinterested non-party directors”) or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion. The Investment Adviser shall be entitled to advances from the Portfolio for payment of the reasonable expenses incurred by it in connection with the matter as to which it is seeking indemnification in the manner and to the fullest extent permissible under the Maryland General Corporation Law. The Investment Adviser shall provide to the Portfolio a written affirmation of its good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Portfolio has been met and a written undertaking to repay any such advance if it should ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met. In addition, at least one of the following additional conditions shall be met: (a) the Investment Adviser shall provide a security in form and amount acceptable to the Portfolio for its undertaking; (b) the Portfolio is insured against losses arising by reason of the advance; or (c) a majority of a quorum of disinterested non-party directors, or independent legal counsel, in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of facts readily available to the Portfolio at the time the advance is proposed to be made, that there is reason to believe that the Investment Adviser will ultimately be found to be entitled to indemnification. Any amounts payable by the Portfolio under this Section 13 shall be satisfied only against the assets of the Portfolio and not against the assets of any other investment portfolio of the Fund.

The limitations on liability and indemnification provisions of this Section 13 shall not be applicable to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arising from the Investment Adviser’s rights to the Portfolio’s name. The Investment Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and the Portfolio for any claims arising from the use of the term “SAM” in the name of the Portfolio.

SECTION 14. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Portfolio as of the date first above written and, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue with respect to the Portfolio until August 16, 2010. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue with respect to the Portfolio for successive annual periods ending on August 16 provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of those members of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b)

 

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by the Board of Directors of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio; provided , however , that this Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Portfolio by the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Directors of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio, on 60 days’ prior written notice to the Investment Adviser, or by the Investment Adviser at any time, without payment of any penalty, on 60 days’ prior written notice to the Fund. This Agreement will immediately terminate in the event of its assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person” and “assignment” shall have the same meaning as such terms have in the 1940 Act).

SECTION 15. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, discharged or terminated orally, except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, discharge or termination is sought, and no amendment of this Agreement affecting the Portfolio shall be effective until approved by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio.

SECTION 16. MISCELLANEOUS. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and shall be governed by Delaware law.

SECTION 17. NOTICE. All instructions, notices, reports and other communications contemplated by this Agreement must be in writing and be addressed as follows:

If to the Fund:

The RBB Fund, Inc.

Bellevue Corporate Center

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, Delaware 19809

Attention: Edward J. Roach

Fax: 302-791-4830

If to the Investment Adviser:

Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc.

909 Third Avenue, 32 nd Floor

New York, New York 10022

Attention: William G. Butterly

SECTION 18. DELIVERY OF INFORMATION. The Fund acknowledges receipt of the most recent copy of Part II of the Investment Adviser’s Form ADV at least 48 hours prior to entering into this Agreement. Upon written request by the Fund, the Investment Adviser agrees to deliver annually, without charge, the Investment Adviser’s brochure required by the Advisers Act. The Investment Adviser will also deliver its brochure to the Fund without charge in the event of a material change therein.

 

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SECTION 19. REFERENCES TO FUND. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that the Investment Adviser may include the name of the Fund and/or the Portfolio on the client list that it publishes, including on its website, and may publish advertisements or distribute sales literature or other written materials to the public that makes reference to the Fund and/or the Portfolio.

SECTION 20. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.

SECTION 21. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

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

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.
By:   /s/ Edward J. Roach
Name:   Edward J. Roach
Title:   President and Treasurer
SUSTAINABLE ASSET MANAGEMENT USA, INC.
By:   /s/ William G. Butterly III
Name:   William G. Butterly III
Title:   Chief Legal Officer

 

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Exhibit (d)(29)

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT made as of March 17, 2009 between THE RBB FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (herein called the “Fund”), and Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. (herein called the “Investment Adviser”).

WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), and currently offers or proposes to offer shares representing interests in separate investment portfolios;

WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain the Investment Adviser to render certain investment advisory services to the Fund with respect to the Fund’s SAM Sustainable Themes Fund (the “Portfolio”), and the Investment Adviser is willing to so render such services; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Fund and the sole shareholder of the Portfolio have approved this Agreement, and the Investment Adviser is willing to furnish such services upon the terms and conditions herein set forth;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:

SECTION 1. APPOINTMENT. The Fund hereby appoints the Investment Adviser to act as investment adviser for the Portfolio for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Investment Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth for the compensation herein provided. The assets of the Portfolio will be maintained in the custody of a custodian (who shall be identified by the Fund in writing prior to the execution of this Agreement). The Investment Adviser will not have custody of any securities, cash or other assets of the Portfolio and will not be liable for any loss resulting from any act or omission of the custodian other than acts or omissions arising in strict reliance on instructions of the Investment Adviser.

SECTION 2. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Fund has furnished the Investment Adviser with copies properly certified or authenticated of each of the following:

(a) Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Fund authorizing the appointment of the Investment Adviser and the execution and delivery of this Agreement;

(b) Each prospectus and statement of additional information relating to any class of shares representing interests in the Portfolio in effect under the Securities Act of 1933 (such prospectus and statement of additional information, as presently in effect and as they shall from time to time be amended and supplemented, are herein collectively called the “Prospectus” and “Statement of Additional Information,” respectively).

 

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The Fund will promptly furnish the Investment Adviser from time to time with copies, properly certified or authenticated, of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing, if any.

In addition to the foregoing, the Fund will also provide the Investment Adviser with copies of the Fund’s Charter and By-laws, the Fund’s Compliance Manual and other policies and procedures adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Fund and any registration statement or service contracts related to the Portfolio, and will promptly furnish the Investment Adviser with any amendments of or supplements to such documents.

SECTION 3. MANAGEMENT. Subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors of the Fund, the Investment Adviser will provide for the overall management of the Portfolio including (i) the provision of a continuous investment program for the Portfolio, including investment research and management with respect to all securities, investments, cash and cash equivalents in the Portfolio, (ii) the determination from time to time of what securities and other investments will be purchased, retained, or sold by the Fund for the Portfolio, and (iii) the placement from time to time of orders for all purchases and sales made for the Portfolio. The Investment Adviser will provide the services rendered by it hereunder in accordance with the Portfolio’s investment objectives, restrictions and policies as stated in the applicable Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, provided that the Investment Adviser has actual notice or knowledge of any changes by the Board of Directors to such investment objectives, restrictions or policies. The Investment Adviser further agrees that it will render to the Fund’s Board of Directors such periodic and special reports regarding the performance of its duties under this Agreement as the Board may reasonably request. The Investment Adviser agrees to provide to the Fund (or its agents and service providers) prompt and accurate data with respect to the Portfolio’s transactions, provide assistance in determining the fair value of all securities and other investments/assets in the Portfolio, as necessary, and use reasonable efforts to arrange for the provision of valuation information or a price(s) from a party(ies) independent of the Investment Adviser for each security or other investment/asset in the Portfolio for which market prices are not readily available. Except to the extent indicated above, the Investment Adviser will not be responsible for establishing the net asset value of the Fund.

SECTION 4. BROKERAGE. Subject to the Investment Adviser’s obligation to obtain best price and execution, the Investment Adviser shall have full discretion to select brokers or dealers to effect the purchase and sale of securities. When the Investment Adviser places orders for the purchase or sale of securities for the Portfolio, in selecting brokers or dealers to execute such orders, the Investment Adviser is expressly authorized to consider the fact that a broker or dealer has furnished statistical, research or other information or services for the benefit of the Portfolio directly or indirectly. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investment Adviser is authorized to cause the Portfolio to pay brokerage commissions which may be in excess of the lowest rates available to brokers who execute transactions for the Portfolio or who otherwise provide brokerage and research services utilized by the Investment Adviser, provided that the Investment Adviser determines in good faith that the amount of each such commission paid to a broker is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker viewed in terms of either the particular transaction to which the commission relates or the Investment Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to accounts as to which the Investment Adviser exercises investment discretion.

 

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The Investment Adviser may aggregate securities orders so long as the Investment Adviser adheres to a policy of allocating investment opportunities to the Portfolio over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis relative to other clients. In no instance will the Portfolio’s securities be purchased from or sold to the Fund’s principal underwriter, the Investment Adviser, or any affiliated person thereof, except to the extent permitted by SEC exemptive order or by applicable law.

The Investment Adviser shall report to the Board of Directors of the Fund at least quarterly with respect to brokerage transactions that were entered into by the Investment Adviser, pursuant to the foregoing paragraph, and shall certify to the Board that the commissions paid were reasonable in terms either of that transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Investment Adviser to the Fund and the Investment Adviser’s other clients, that the total commissions paid by the Fund were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund over the long term, and that such commissions were paid in compliance with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

SECTION 5. CONFORMITY WITH LAW; CONFIDENTIALITY. The Investment Adviser further agrees that it will comply with all applicable rules and regulations of all federal regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over the Investment Adviser in the performance of its duties hereunder. The Investment Adviser will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relating to the Fund and prior, present or potential shareholders (except with respect to clients of the Investment Adviser) and will not use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where the Investment Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Fund. Where the Investment Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply with a request for records or other information relating to the Fund, the Investment Adviser may comply with such request prior to obtaining the Fund’s written approval, provided that the Investment Adviser has taken reasonable steps to promptly notify the Fund, in writing, upon receipt of the request.

SECTION 6. SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE. The Investment Adviser and its officers may act and continue to act as investment managers for others, and nothing in this Agreement shall in any way be deemed to restrict the right of the Investment Adviser to perform investment management or other services for any other person or entity, and the performance of such services for others shall not be deemed to violate or give rise to any duty or obligation to the Portfolio or the Fund.

Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the Investment Adviser or any of its partners, officers, affiliates or employees from buying, selling or trading in any securities for its or their own account. The Fund acknowledges that the Investment Adviser and its partners, officers, affiliates, employees and other clients may, at any time, have, acquire, increase, decrease, or dispose of positions in investments which are at the same time being acquired or disposed of for the Portfolio. The Investment Adviser shall have no obligation to acquire for the Portfolio a position in any investment which the Investment Adviser, its partners, officers,

 

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affiliates or employees may acquire for its or their own accounts or for the account of another client, so long as it continues to be the policy and practice of the Investment Adviser not to favor or disfavor consistently or consciously any client or class of clients in the allocation of investment opportunities so that, to the extent practical, such opportunities will be allocated among clients over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis.

The Investment Adviser agrees that this Section 6 does not constitute a waiver by the Fund of the obligations imposed upon the Investment Adviser to comply with Sections 17(d) and 17(j) of the 1940 Act, and the rules thereunder, nor constitute a waiver by the Fund of the obligations imposed upon the Investment Adviser under Section 206 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and the rules thereunder. Further, the Investment Adviser agrees that this Section 6 does not constitute a waiver by the Fund of the fiduciary obligation of the Investment Adviser arising under federal or state law, including Section 36 of the 1940 Act. The Investment Adviser agrees that this Section 6 shall be interpreted consistent with the provisions of Section 17(i) of the 1940 Act.

SECTION 7. BOOKS AND RECORDS. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 3la-3 under the 1940 Act, the Investment Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for the Portfolio are the property of the Fund and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request. The Investment Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 3la-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 3la-1 under the 1940 Act.

SECTION 8. EXPENSES. During the term of this Agreement, the Investment Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement. The Portfolio shall bear all of its own expenses not specifically assumed by the Investment Adviser. General expenses of the Fund not readily identifiable as belonging to a portfolio of the Fund shall be allocated among all investment portfolios by or under the direction of the Fund’s Board of Directors in such manner as the Board determines to be fair and equitable. Expenses borne by the Portfolio shall include, but are not limited to, the following (or the Portfolio’s share of the following): (a) the cost (including brokerage commissions) of securities purchased or sold by the Portfolio and any losses incurred in connection therewith; (b) fees payable to and expenses incurred on behalf of the Portfolio by the Investment Adviser; (c) filing fees and expenses relating to the registration and qualification of the Fund and the Portfolio’s shares under federal and/or state securities laws and maintaining such registrations and qualifications; (d) fees and salaries payable to the Fund’s directors and officers; (e) taxes (including any income or franchise taxes) and governmental fees; (f) costs of any liability and other insurance or fidelity bonds; (g) any costs, expenses or losses arising out a liability of or claim for damages or other relief asserted against the Fund or the Portfolio for violation of any law; (h) legal, accounting and auditing expenses, including legal fees of special counsel for the independent directors; (i) charges of custodians and other agents; (j) expenses of setting in type and printing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto for existing shareholders, reports, statements, and confirmations to shareholders and proxy materials that are not attributable to a class; (k) costs of mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto to existing shareholders, as well as reports to shareholders and proxy materials that are not attributable to a class; (1) any extraordinary expenses; (m) fees,

 

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voluntary assessments and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; (n) costs of mailing and tabulating proxies and costs of shareholders’ and directors’ meetings; (o) costs of independent pricing services to value the Portfolio’s securities; and (p) the costs of investment company literature and other publications provided by the Fund to its directors and officers. Distribution expenses, transfer agency expenses, expenses of preparing, printing and mailing, prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy statements and reports to shareholders, and organizational expenses and registration fees, identified as belonging to a particular class of the Portfolio are allocated to such class.

SECTION 9. VOTING. The Investment Adviser shall have the authority to vote as agent for the Fund, either in person or by proxy, and to tender and take all actions incident to the ownership of all securities in which the Portfolio’s assets may be invested from time to time, subject to such policies and procedures as the Board of Directors of the Fund may adopt from time to time.

SECTION 10. RESERVATION OF NAME. The Investment Adviser shall at all times have all rights in and to the Portfolio’s name and all investment models used by or on behalf of the Portfolio. The Investment Adviser may use the Portfolio’s name or any portion thereof in connection with any other mutual fund or business activity without the consent of any shareholder and the Fund shall execute and deliver any and all documents required to indicate the consent of the Fund to such use. No public reference to, or description of, the Investment Adviser or its methodology or work shall be made by the Fund, whether in the Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Investment Adviser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. In each case, the Fund shall provide the Investment Adviser a reasonable opportunity to review any such reference or description before being asked for such consent. The Fund hereby agrees that in the event that neither the Investment Adviser nor any of its affiliates acts as investment adviser to the Portfolio, the name of the Portfolio will be changed to one that does not contain the name “SAM” or otherwise suggest an affiliation with the Investment Adviser.

SECTION 11. DISCONTINUATION OF PUBLIC OFFERING. Subject to the prior approval of the Fund’s Board of Directors, the Investment Adviser may instruct the Fund’s distributor to cease sales of shares of the Portfolio to new investors due to concerns that an increase in the size of the Portfolio may adversely affect the implementation of the Portfolio’s investment strategy. Subject to prior Board approval, the Investment Adviser may subsequently instruct the Fund’s distributor to recommence the sale of shares of the Portfolio.

SECTION 12. COMPENSATION. (a) For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Portfolio, the Fund will pay the Investment Adviser from the assets of the Portfolio and the Investment Adviser will accept as full compensation therefor a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate of 1.00% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. For any period less than a full month during which this Agreement is in effect, the fee shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to a full month.

(b) The fee attributable to the Portfolio shall be satisfied only against the assets of the Portfolio and not against the assets of any other investment portfolio of the Fund.

 

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SECTION 13. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Investment Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Investment Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement (“disabling conduct”). The Portfolio will indemnify the Investment Adviser against and hold it harmless from any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from any claim, demand, action or suit not resulting from disabling conduct by the Investment Adviser. Indemnification shall be made only following: (i) a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought that the Investment Adviser was not liable by reason of disabling conduct or (ii) in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that the Investment Adviser was not liable by reason of disabling conduct by (a) the vote of a majority of a quorum of directors of the Fund who are neither “interested persons” of the Fund nor parties to the proceeding (“disinterested non-party directors”) or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion. The Investment Adviser shall be entitled to advances from the Portfolio for payment of the reasonable expenses incurred by it in connection with the matter as to which it is seeking indemnification in the manner and to the fullest extent permissible under the Maryland General Corporation Law. The Investment Adviser shall provide to the Portfolio a written affirmation of its good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Portfolio has been met and a written undertaking to repay any such advance if it should ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met. In addition, at least one of the following additional conditions shall be met: (a) the Investment Adviser shall provide a security in form and amount acceptable to the Portfolio for its undertaking; (b) the Portfolio is insured against losses arising by reason of the advance; or (c) a majority of a quorum of disinterested non-party directors, or independent legal counsel, in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of facts readily available to the Portfolio at the time the advance is proposed to be made, that there is reason to believe that the Investment Adviser will ultimately be found to be entitled to indemnification. Any amounts payable by the Portfolio under this Section 13 shall be satisfied only against the assets of the Portfolio and not against the assets of any other investment portfolio of the Fund.

The limitations on liability and indemnification provisions of this Section 13 shall not be applicable to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arising from the Investment Adviser’s rights to the Portfolio’s name. The Investment Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and the Portfolio for any claims arising from the use of the term “SAM” in the name of the Portfolio.

SECTION 14. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Portfolio as of the date first above written and, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue with respect to the Portfolio until August 16, 2010. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue with respect to the Portfolio for successive annual periods ending on August 16 provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of those members of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b)

 

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by the Board of Directors of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio; provided , however , that this Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Portfolio by the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Directors of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio, on 60 days’ prior written notice to the Investment Adviser, or by the Investment Adviser at any time, without payment of any penalty, on 60 days’ prior written notice to the Fund. This Agreement will immediately terminate in the event of its assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person” and “assignment” shall have the same meaning as such terms have in the 1940 Act).

SECTION 15. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, discharged or terminated orally, except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, discharge or termination is sought, and no amendment of this Agreement affecting the Portfolio shall be effective until approved by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio.

SECTION 16. MISCELLANEOUS. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and shall be governed by Delaware law.

SECTION 17. NOTICE. All instructions, notices, reports and other communications contemplated by this Agreement must be in writing and be addressed as follows:

If to the Fund:

The RBB Fund, Inc.

Bellevue Corporate Center

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, Delaware 19809

Attention: Edward J. Roach

Fax: 302-791-4830

If to the Investment Adviser:

Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc.

909 Third Avenue, 32 nd Floor

New York, New York 10022

Attention: William G. Butterly

SECTION 18. DELIVERY OF INFORMATION. The Fund acknowledges receipt of the most recent copy of Part II of the Investment Adviser’s Form ADV at least 48 hours prior to entering into this Agreement. Upon written request by the Fund, the Investment Adviser agrees to deliver annually, without charge, the Investment Adviser’s brochure required by the Advisers Act. The Investment Adviser will also deliver its brochure to the Fund without charge in the event of a material change therein.

 

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SECTION 19. REFERENCES TO FUND. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that the Investment Adviser may include the name of the Fund and/or the Portfolio on the client list that it publishes, including on its website, and may publish advertisements or distribute sales literature or other written materials to the public that makes reference to the Fund and/or the Portfolio.

SECTION 20. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.

SECTION 21. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

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

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.
By:   /s/ Edward J. Roach
Name:   Edward J. Roach
Title:   President and Treasurer
SUSTAINABLE ASSET MANAGEMENT USA, INC.
By:   /s/ William G. Butterly III
Name:   William G. Butterly III
Title:   Chief Legal Officer

 

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Exhibit (d)(30)

Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement

Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc.

909 Third Avenue, 32 nd Floor

New York, New York 10022

March 17, 2009

Edward J. Roach

President

The RBB Fund, Inc.

Bellevue Park Corporate Center

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

Re: Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. Funds

Dear Mr. Roach:

By our execution of this letter agreement (the “Agreement”), intending to be legally bound hereby and effective as of the date noted above, Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. (“SAM”) agrees that in order to maintain the established expense ratios of the SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund and SAM Sustainable Themes Fund (the “Funds”), of The RBB Fund, Inc., SAM shall, until further notice, but in no event terminating before December 31, 2011, waive all or a portion of its investment advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses (other than brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest, taxes and any other items as agreed upon by both parties from time to time) in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the Funds’ total operating expenses for both the Institutional Class and Investor Class (other than brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest, taxes and any other items as agreed upon by both parties from time to time) exceeds a total operating expense ratio (other than brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest, taxes and any other items as agreed upon by both parties from time to time) of:

 

   

1.45% of the first $50 million of the SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund Investor Class’s average daily net assets, 1.35% if the Investor Class’s average daily net assets is between $50 million, and $100 million, and 1.25% if the Investor Class’s average daily net assets exceeds $100 million; and

 

   

1.75% of the first $50 million of SAM Sustainable Themes Fund Investor Class’s average daily net assets, 1.65% if the Investor Class’s average daily net assets is between $50 million and $100 million, and 1.50% if the Investor Class’s average daily net assets exceeds $100 million; and


   

1.20% of the first $50 million of the SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund Institutional Class’s average daily net assets, 1.10% if the Institutional Class’s average daily net assets is between $50 million and $100 million, and 1.00% if the Institutional Class’s average daily net assets exceeds $100 million; and

 

   

1.50% of the first $50 million of SAM Sustainable Themes Fund Institutional Class’s average daily net assets, 1.40% if the Institutional Class’s average daily net assets is between $50 million and $100 million, and 1.25% if the Institutional Class’s average daily net assets exceeds $100 million.

Except to the extent of questions arising over miscalculated fees or a good faith dispute over the excluded categories described above, SAM acknowledges that (1) it shall not be entitled to collect on or make a claim for waived fees at any time in the future, and (2) it shall not be entitled to collect on or make a claim for reimbursed Fund expenses at any time in the future.

 

SUSTAINABLE ASSET MANAGEMENT USA, INC.
By:   /s/ William G. Butterly III
Name:   William G. Butterly III
Title:   Senior Managing Director
Your signature below acknowledges acceptance of this Agreement:
By:   /s/ Edward J. Roach
  Edward J. Roach
  President and Treasurer
  The RBB Fund, Inc.

Exhibit (g)(27)

CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT

(SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund of The RBB Fund, Inc.)

This supplemental agreement is entered into this 1st day of April, 2009 by and between THE RBB FUND, INC. (the “Fund”) and PFPC Trust Company (“PFPC Trust”).

The Fund is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland and is an open-end management investment company. The Fund and PFPC Trust have entered into a Custodian Agreement, dated as of August 16, 1988 (as from time to time amended and supplemented, the “Custodian Agreement”), pursuant to which PFPC Trust has undertaken to act as custodian for the Fund with respect to the portfolios of the Fund, as more fully set forth therein. Certain capitalized terms used without definition in this Custodian Agreement Supplement have the meaning specified in the Custodian Agreement.

The Fund agrees with the Custodian as follows:

 

  1. Adoption of Custodian Agreement . The Custodian Agreement is hereby adopted for SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund (the “Portfolio”).

 

  2. Compensation . As compensation for the services rendered by the Custodian during the term of the Custodian Agreement, the Fund will pay to the Custodian, with respect to the Portfolio, monthly fees as shall be agreed to from time to time by the Fund and PFPC Trust.

 

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

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have entered into this Supplement, intending to be legally bound hereby, as of the date and year first above written.

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.     PFPC TRUST COMPANY
By:   /s/ Edward J. Roach     By:   /s/ Edward A. Smith, III
Name:   The RBB Fund, Inc.     Name:   Edward A. Smith, III
Title:   Edward J. Roach     Title:   Vice President and Senior Director
  President & Treasurer      

Exhibit (g)(28)

CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT

(SAM Sustainable Themes Fund of The RBB Fund, Inc.)

This supplemental agreement is entered into this 1st day of April, 2009 by and between THE RBB FUND, INC. (the “Fund”) and PFPC Trust Company (“PFPC Trust”).

The Fund is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland and is an open-end management investment company. The Fund and PFPC Trust have entered into a Custodian Agreement, dated as of August 16, 1988 (as from time to time amended and supplemented, the “Custodian Agreement”), pursuant to which PFPC Trust has undertaken to act as custodian for the Fund with respect to the portfolios of the Fund, as more fully set forth therein. Certain capitalized terms used without definition in this Custodian Agreement Supplement have the meaning specified in the Custodian Agreement.

The Fund agrees with the Custodian as follows:

 

  1. Adoption of Custodian Agreement . The Custodian Agreement is hereby adopted for SAM Sustainable Themes Fund (the “Portfolio”).

 

  2. Compensation . As compensation for the services rendered by the Custodian during the term of the Custodian Agreement, the Fund will pay to the Custodian, with respect to the Portfolio, monthly fees as shall be agreed to from time to time by the Fund and PFPC Trust.

 

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

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have entered into this Supplement, intending to be legally bound hereby, as of the date and year first above written.

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.     PFPC TRUST COMPANY
By:   /s/ Edward J. Roach     By:   /s/ Edward A. Smith, III
Name:   The RBB Fund, Inc.     Name:   Edward A. Smith, III
Title:   Edward J. Roach     Title:   Vice President and Senior Director
  President & Treasurer      

Exhibit (h)(58)

TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT

(SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund of The RBB Fund, Inc.)

This supplemental agreement, dated April 1, 2009, by and between THE RBB FUND, INC. (the “Fund”) and PNC GLOBAL INVESTMENT SERVICING (U.S.) INC. (formerly PFPC Inc.), a Massachusetts corporation (“PNC”).

The Fund is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland and is an open-end management investment company. The Fund and PNC have entered into a Transfer Agency Agreement, dated as of November 5, 1991 (as from time to time amended and supplemented, the “Transfer Agency Agreement”), pursuant to which PNC has undertaken to act as transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund with respect to the portfolios of the Fund, as more fully set forth therein. Certain capitalized terms used without definition in this supplemental agreement have the meaning specified in the Transfer Agency Agreement.

The Fund agrees with PNC as follows:

 

  1. Adoption of Transfer Agency Agreement . The Transfer Agency Agreement is hereby adopted for the SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund (the “Portfolio”).

 

  2. Compensation . As compensation for the services rendered by PNC during the term of the Transfer Agency Agreement, the Fund will pay to PNC, with respect to the Portfolio, such fees and expenses as shall be agreed to from time to time by the Fund and PNC.

 

  3. Counterparts . This supplemental agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[Signature page follows.]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have entered into this Supplement, intending to be legally bound hereby, as of the date and year first above written.

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.     PNC GLOBAL INVESTMENT SERVICING (U.S.) INC.
By:   /s/ Edward J. Roach     By:   /s/ Lynne M. Cannon
Name:   The RBB Fund, Inc.     Name:   Lynne M. Cannon
Title:   President & Treasurer     Title:   Vice President

Exhibit (h)(59)

TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT

(SAM Sustainable Themes Fund of The RBB Fund, Inc.)

This supplemental agreement, dated April 1, 2009, by and between THE RBB FUND, INC. (the “Fund”) and PNC GLOBAL INVESTMENT SERVICING (U.S.) INC. (formerly PFPC Inc.), a Massachusetts corporation (“PNC”).

The Fund is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland and is an open-end management investment company. The Fund and PNC have entered into a Transfer Agency Agreement, dated as of November 5, 1991 (as from time to time amended and supplemented, the “Transfer Agency Agreement”), pursuant to which PNC has undertaken to act as transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund with respect to the portfolios of the Fund, as more fully set forth therein. Certain capitalized terms used without definition in this supplemental agreement have the meaning specified in the Transfer Agency Agreement.

The Fund agrees with PNC as follows:

 

  1. Adoption of Transfer Agency Agreement . The Transfer Agency Agreement is hereby adopted for the SAM Sustainable Themes Fund (the “Portfolio”).

 

  2. Compensation . As compensation for the services rendered by PNC during the term of the Transfer Agency Agreement, the Fund will pay to PNC, with respect to the Portfolio, such fees and expenses as shall be agreed to from time to time by the Fund and PNC.

 

  3. Counterparts . This supplemental agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[Signature page follows.]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have entered into this supplemental agreement, intending to be legally bound hereby, as of the date and year first above written.

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.     PNC GLOBAL INVESTMENT SERVICING (U.S.) INC.
By:   /s/ Edward J. Roach     By:   /s/ Lynne M. Cannon
Name:   The RBB Fund, Inc.     Name:   Lynne M. Cannon
Title:   President & Treasurer     Title:   Vice President

Exhibit (h)(60)

AMENDED AND RESTATED SCHEDULE A

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SCHEDULE A dated as of April 1, 2009 for the addition of SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund and SAM Sustainable Themes Fund, is the Schedule A to that certain Regulatory Administration Services Agreement dated June 1, 2003 between PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (formerly PFPC Inc.) and The RBB Fund, Inc.

List of Portfolios

Money Market Portfolio

Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund

Robeco Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund

Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Fund

Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly the Mirco Cap Value Fund)

Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly the Market Neutral Fund)

Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Growth Fund (formerly Robeco WPG Large Cap Growth Fund)

Robeco WPG Small Cap Value Fund (formerly Robeco WPG Tudor Fund)

Schneider Small Cap Value Fund

Schneider Value Fund

Senbanc Fund

Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio

Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

Free Market International Equity Fund

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

SAM Sustainable Water Fund

SAM Sustainable Climate Fund

SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund

SAM Sustainable Themes Fund


PNC GLOBAL INVESTMENT SERVICING (U.S.) INC.
By:   /s/ Jay F. Nusblatt
Name:   Jay F. Nusblatt
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.
By:   /s/ Edward J. Roach
Name:   Edward J. Roach
Title:   President & Treasurer

Exhibit (i)(22)

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”), a Maryland corporation and Sustainable Asset Management Inc. (“SAM”), intending to be legally bound, hereby agree with each other as follows:

 

  1. The Company hereby offers SAM and SAM hereby purchases $0.00 worth of shares of Class SSSS Common Stock (par value $.001 per share) and $9,198,360.00 worth of shares of Class TTTT Common Stock (par value $.001 per share) (such shares hereinafter sometimes collectively known as “Shares”), representing interests in the SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund – Investor Class and SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund- Institutional Class, respectively, at a price per Share equivalent to the net asset value per share of the Shares as determined on June 10, 2009.

 

  2. The Company hereby acknowledges receipt from SAM of funds in the amount of $9,198,360.00 in full payment for the Shares.

 

  3. SAM represents and warrants to the Company that the Shares are being acquired for investment purposes and not with a view to the distribution thereof.

 

  4. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and all such counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the 10 th day of June, 2009.

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.
By:   /s/ Edward J. Roach
Name:   Edward J. Roach
Title:   President & Treasurer

 

SUSTAINABLE ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
By:   /s/ William G. Butterly, III
Name:   William G. Butterly, III
Title:   Chief Legal Officer

Exhibit (p)(2)

ROBECO WEISS PECK AND GREER INVESTMENTS

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS

AS DIVISIONS OF

ROBECO INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.

AND

ROBECO SECURITIES, LLC

Code of Ethics

Robeco Weiss Peck & Greer Investments (“Robeco WPG”), Robeco Boston Partners (“Robeco BP”), each a division of Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (and together “RIM”) and Robeco Securities, LLC, (together “RUSA”), have built a reputation for integrity and professionalism among its clients. We value the confidence and trust those clients have placed in us and strive to protect that trust. This Code of Ethics (the “Code”) is our commitment to protecting our clients’ trust by establishing formal standards for general personal and professional conduct. Furthermore, this Code does not attempt to identify all potential conflicts of interest or conduct abuses, and violations regarding the spirit of the Code may be subject to disciplinary action. Questions regarding the interpretation of the Code or its application to particular conduct should be addressed with Legal or Compliance.

 

A. APPLICABILITY AND DEFINITIONS

This Code and all sections, unless specifically noted otherwise, apply to all Supervised Persons.

“Supervised Persons” for purposes of this Code means:

 

1. Directors, and officers of RUSA (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions);

 

2. Employees of RIM and registered representatives of Robeco Securities LLC (collectively “Employees”);

 

3. Any other person who provides investment advisory advice on behalf of RUSA and is subject to RUSA’s supervision and control; and

 

4. Certain other persons designated by the Compliance Department, such as temporary/contract workers who support our businesses.

“Access Person” for purposes of this Code means any Supervised Person:

 

1. Who has access to non-public information regarding any client’s purchases or sales of securities, or

 

2. Who has non-public information regarding the portfolio holdings of any mutual fund, managed account, or private investment fund managed by RIM (“client accounts”); or

 

3. Who is involved in making securities recommendations to clients or who has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic; or

 

4. Who is a director or officer of RUSA, by virtue of the fact that RIM’s primary business is providing investment advice. Excepted from this requirement are Management Board Directors of RIM who are not involved in the day-to-day business activities of the firm or have access to confidential information regarding client securities holdings, transactions, or recommendations. Also exempted from this requirement are Robeco Investment Funds’ directors who are not employees of RIM nor have access to confidential information regarding client securities holdings, transactions or recommendations; or


5. Certain other persons designated by the Compliance Department, such as temporary/contract workers who support our businesses.

The Compliance Department will notify all individuals of their status as either a Supervised Person or an Access Person on an annual basis as well as at the time of any status change.

 

B. STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT

The following principles are intended to guide in the applicability of this Code of Ethics:

 

1. RIM is a fiduciary and its Supervised Persons have a duty to act for the benefit of RIM’s clients and shall at all times place the financial interests of the client ahead of itself;

 

2. RUSA holds all Supervised Persons responsible to high standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct; and

 

3. RUSA fosters a spirit of cohesiveness and teamwork while ensuring the fair treatment of all Supervised Persons.

 

C. COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS

All Supervised Persons must comply with applicable federal securities laws. The applicable laws are designed to prevent the following practices, which should not be viewed as all encompassing and are not intended to be exclusive of others.

Supervised Persons must never:

 

   

Defraud any client in any manner;

 

   

Mislead any client, including by making a statement that omits material facts;

 

   

Engage in any act, practice or course of conduct which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any client, including misappropriation of an investment opportunity;

 

   

Engage in any manipulative practice with respect to any client or security, including price manipulation.

 

D. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

As a fiduciary, RIM has an affirmative duty of care, loyalty, honesty to its clients and a duty of utmost good faith to act in the best interests of RIM’s clients. Compliance with this fiduciary responsibility can be accomplished by avoiding conflicts of interest and by fully, adequately, and fairly disclosing all material facts concerning any conflict which arises with respect to any client.

The following specific guidelines should not be viewed as all encompassing and are not intended to be exclusive of others:

 

   

No Supervised Person shall take inappropriate advantage of their position with respect to a client, advancing their position for self-gain.


   

No Supervised Person shall use knowledge about pending or currently considered client securities transactions to profit personally as a result of such transactions.

 

   

All securities transactions affected for the benefit of a client account shall avoid inappropriate favoritism of one client over another client.

 

   

All securities transactions affected for the benefit of a Supervised Person shall be conducted in such a manner as to avoid abuse of that individual’s position of trust and responsibility.

 

E. CONFIDENTIALITY

RUSA generates, maintains, and possesses information that it views as proprietary, and it must be held strictly confidential by all Supervised Persons. This information includes, but is not limited to:

 

   

the financial condition and business activity of RUSA or any enterprise with which RUSA is conducting business.

 

   

investment management agreements and partnership agreements;

 

   

client lists and client specific information;

 

   

holdings in client accounts;

 

   

research analyses and trading strategies;

 

   

investment performance;

 

   

internal communications;

 

   

legal advice; and

 

   

computer access codes.

Supervised Persons may not use proprietary information for their own benefit or for the benefit of any party other than the client. Failure to maintain the confidentiality of this information may have serious detrimental consequences for RUSA, its clients, and the Supervised Person who breached the confidence.

In order to safeguard RUSA’s proprietary information, Supervised Persons are expected to abide by the following:

 

   

Never share proprietary information with anyone at RUSA except on a needs-to-know basis.

 

   

Never disclose proprietary information to anyone outside of RUSA, except in connection with RUSA’s business and in a manner consistent with the client’s interests, or unless required in order to make a statement not misleading, or to otherwise comply with the law.

 

   

Disclosing proprietary information in connection with RUSA’s business is permissible in accordance with RIM’s Selective Disclosure Policy, RIM’s Investment Recommendations Policy, RIM’s Privacy and Disposal Policy, and RIM’s Media Policy.

 

   

Never remove any proprietary information from RUSA’s premises, unless absolutely necessary for business purposes (and, if so, the information must be kept in the possession of the Supervised Person or in a secure place at all times and returned promptly to RUSA’s premises);

 

   

Exercise caution in displaying documents or discussing information in public places such as in elevators, restaurants, or airplanes, or in the presence of outside vendors or others not employed by RIM;

 

   

Exercise caution when using e-mail, cellular telephones, facsimile machines or messenger services;

 

   

Never leave documents containing proprietary information in conference rooms, wastebaskets, or desks, or anywhere else where the information could be seen or retrieved;

 

   

Never disclose computer or voicemail passwords or website access codes to anyone else at RUSA or outside of RUSA; and


RUSA’s restrictions on the use of proprietary information continue in effect after termination of employment with RIM, unless specific written permission is obtained from the General Counsel. For purposes of clarification, the terms of any separate confidentiality agreement between an Employee and RIM or any of its affiliates shall supersede this general restriction, to the extent applicable.

Any questions regarding policies and procedures on the use of proprietary information should be brought to the attention of the General Counsel or the CCO.

 

F. EMPLOYEE PERSONAL SECURITIES MONITORING

DEFINITIONS

Covered Security shall include any type of equity or debt instrument, including any rights, warrants, derivatives, convertibles, options, puts, calls, straddles, exchange trades funds, shares of closed-end mutual funds, shares of open end mutual funds that are advised or sub advised by RIM, WPG, or Robeco-Sage, its affiliates or, in general, any interest or investment commonly known as a security.

“Non-Covered Security” shall include shares of open-ended mutual funds that are not advised or sub-advised by RIM or its affiliates,, direct obligations of the US government, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements, which have a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and that are rated in one of the two highest rating categories by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”).

Investment Personnel shall include portfolio managers, securities analysts, traders and any other person who provides information or advice to portfolio managers, or who helps execute or implement the portfolio manager’s decisions as designated by the Compliance Department.

“Beneficial Interest” shall include any Covered Security in which a Supervised Person has an opportunity directly or indirectly to provide or share in any profit derived from a transaction in a Covered Security, including:

 

   

accounts personally held by the Supervised Person;

 

   

accounts held by the Supervised Person’s immediate family members related by blood or marriage sharing the same household;

 

   

any person or organization (such as an investment club) with whom a Supervised Person has an opportunity to directly or indirectly share in any profit from a transaction in a Covered Security; or

 

   

any trusts of which a Supervised Person is trustee.

“Designated Broker/Dealer” is one who has contracted with RIM to make available Supervised Persons’ investment accounts, statements and confirmations via electronic download. A list of designated broker/dealers is available upon request from the Compliance Department.

“Outside Account” shall include any Supervised Person’s Covered Securities account not held at a Designated Broker/Dealer.


1. ACCESS TO SUPERVISED PERSONS’ ACCOUNTS, CONFIRMATIONS AND STATEMENTS

Supervised Persons are required to maintain all discretionary or non-discretionary securities or commodities accounts with a Designated Broker/Dealer, unless prior written permission to maintain account(s) outside of a Designated Broker/Dealer has been granted by the Compliance Department. This includes any account over which the Supervised Person has the power to exercise investment control, including but not limited to accounts in which the Supervised Person has a direct or indirect Beneficial Interest. If an Outside Account is approved, the Supervised Person must instruct their broker to send duplicate statements and confirmations to RIM’s Compliance Department.

All Supervised Persons whose accounts are custodied outside of RIM’s Designated Broker/Dealer(s) must instruct their broker to submit copies of confirmations and/or account statements to:

Robeco Investment Management

Compliance Department

P.O. Box 962188

Boston, MA 02196-2188

The CCO, or designee, will supervise the review of all confirmations and/or account statements to ensure the required pre-approvals were obtained and to verify the accuracy of the information submitted in the quarterly reports.

 

2. INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

 

   

Supervised Persons may not offer investment advice or manage any person’s portfolio in which he/she does not have a beneficial interest without prior written approval.

 

   

Supervised Persons may not participate in an investment club without prior written approval.

 

3. PRE-CLEARANCE

Unless otherwise noted, the following provisions apply to all Covered Securities beneficially owned by Supervised Persons:

 

  A. Covered Securities Transactions

Mandatory written/electronic pre-clearance prior to the execution of any transaction involving a Covered Security. The CCO, or designee, may approve transactions. See Section 6 for exemptions.

 

  B. Approvals

Pre-clearance is valid only for the day of approval. If the trade is not executed on the approved date, the pre-clearance process must be repeated prior to execution on the day the transaction is to be effected.


  C. Initial Public Offering (IPO) Transactions

Mandatory written/electronic pre-clearance prior to participation in an IPO, except for Government Bonds and Municipal Securities. Approval is determined on a case-by-case basis; documentation supporting the decision rationale will be maintained on all requests.

 

  D. Private Limited Opportunity Investments

Mandatory written/electronic pre-clearance prior to the execution of any private limited opportunity investment in a security. Private limited opportunity investments include, but are not limited to, private investments in hedge funds and Delaware Statutory Trusts, as well as any private business investment in a security, including a family business. Any questions regarding whether or not a particular investment requires written/electronic consent should be addressed with the CCO or designee prior to investment. Approval is determined on a case-by-case basis; documentation supporting the decision rationale will be maintained on all requests.

 

  E. Short Sales/Cover Shorts/Options

Mandatory written/electronic pre-clearance prior to execution of any personal transaction involving a short position or option position. Supervised Persons may not sell a security short if it is currently held long in a client account. This prohibition includes writing naked call options or buying naked put options. Approval is determined based on the underlying security and transactions are subject to all blackout policies including the short term profit prohibition.

 

  F. Gifts of Securities

Gifts of securities do not need pre-clearance but must be reported on quarterly transaction and annual holdings statements.

 

4. HOLDING PERIODS

Unless otherwise noted, the following provisions apply to all Covered Securities beneficially owned by Supervised Persons:

 

  A. Supervised Persons may not profit from the purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the same (or equivalent) securities within 30 calendar days. “Equivalent” security means any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege at a price related to the subject security or similar securities with a value derived from the value of the subject security.

 

  B. Multiple purchases/sales of the same or equivalent security will be considered on a First-In-First-Out (“FIFO”) basis.

 

  C. Closing transactions resulting in a loss may be made after a holding period of one day.

 

  D. Day trading is prohibited.

 

5. BLACK OUT PERIODS

 

  A. No purchase or sale of any Covered Security for which an open order currently exists.


  B. Investment Personnel are prohibited from purchasing or selling any Covered Security for which they have responsibility for a Client Transaction or should have knowledge that the security may be under active consideration within 3 days before a “Client Transaction.”

 

  C. Supervised Persons are prohibited from purchasing or selling any Covered Security that is also held in client accounts within 3 calendar days after a “Client Transaction.”

“Client Transaction” is generally defined as any trade across all or a significant number of portfolios in one strategy whereby the Covered Security: 1) has been newly established, or 2) the percent holding has been increased or decreased, 3) or a new account is being funded and a significant position, as determined by RIM, is being established.

 

6. EXEMPT TRANSACTIONS

Outlined below are certain exemptions to the Code; however, such exemptions may be withheld by RIM in its sole discretion. Additional exceptions may be permitted on a case-by-case basis to any provision in this Code when the circumstances of the situation strongly support an exemption. Exemptions are also attached as Exhibit A in grid format.

 

  A. Black Out Period Exemptions

The following transactions are exempt from the Black Out Period provisions as defined in Section 5.

Covered Security transactions for which a Supervised Person has requested and received preclearance from the Compliance Department and for which the Supervised Person is not the Portfolio Manager or other Investment Person directly responsible for recommending, approving/initiating, or executing the client transaction

 

  B. Pre-Clearance and Black Out Period Exemptions

The following transactions are exempt from the Pre-Clearance provisions as defined in Section 3 and from the Black Out Period provisions as defined in Section 5.

These transactions are NOT exempt from Holding Period provisions as defined in Section 4 or from the Reporting provisions as defined in Section 7.

 

  1. Purchases and Sales of shares of mutual funds advised or sub-advised by RIM or its affiliates.

 

  2. Purchases and sales involving a long* position in a common stock, exchange-traded fund, or a closed end fund when:

 

  i) the market cap is in excess of $3 billion; AND

 

  ii) the aggregate share amount across all beneficially owned accounts is 1,000 shares or fewer over a 30-day period.

 

* Note, this exemption does not apply to short positions or options.


  C. Pre-Clearance, Holding, and Black Out Period, Period Exemptions

The following transactions are exempt from all Pre-Clearance provisions defined in Section 3, Holding Period provisions as defined in Section 4, and Black Out Period provisions as defined in Section 5.

These transactions are NOT exempt from the Reporting provisions as defined in Section 7.

 

  1. Covered Security transactions executed on a fully discretionary basis by a Registered Investment Adviser (other than RIM) on behalf of a Supervised Person and a letter stating such is maintained in the file.

 

  2. Purchases and sales of Exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) or options on ETFs. (*Exemption applies to 30 day hold for profit, does not apply to prohibition of day trading. Day trading of ETFs or options on ETFs is prohibited.)

 

  3. Purchases or sales effected in any account over which there is no direct or indirect influence or control;

 

  4. Purchases or sales that are non-volitional such as margin calls, stock splits, stock dividends, bond maturities, automatic dividend reinvestment plans, mergers, consolidations, spin-offs, or other similar corporate reorganizations or distributions generally applicable to all holders of the same class of securities;

 

  5. Systematic investment plans provided the CCO, or designee, has been previously notified of the participation in the plan;

 

  6. Any acquisition of a Covered Security through the exercise of rights issued pro rata to all holders of the class, to the extent such rights were acquired in the issue (and not through the acquisition of transferable rights);

 

  7. Transactions by an Investment Person acting as a portfolio manager for, or who has a beneficial interest in an investment limited partnership or investment company where RIM is the contractual investment adviser or for or any account in which RIM has a proprietary interest.

 

7. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

 

  A. Quarterly Transaction Reports

All Supervised Persons must submit to the Compliance Department a report of every Covered Security transaction, IPO, Private Limited Opportunity Investment, and Gift of Covered Securities in which they received/participated or in which they beneficially owned/participated during the calendar quarter no later than 30 days after the end of that quarter.


The report shall include the following:

 

  1. The name of the security, the date of the transaction, the interest rate and maturity (if applicable), the number of shares, and the principal amount of each Covered Security involved;

 

  2. The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or other type of acquisition or disposition);

 

  3. The price at which the transaction was effected;

 

  4. The name of the broker, dealer, or bank through which the transaction was effected;

 

  5. Factors relevant to a potential conflict of interest, including the existence of any substantial economic relationship between the transaction and securities held or to be acquired by an investment company, private account, or limited investment partnership managed by RIM.

 

  6. With respect to any account established by an Access Person during the quarter, the name of the broker, dealer, or bank with whom the account was established;

 

  7. The date the account was established; and

 

  8. The date the report was submitted.

ACCOUNTS HELD AT DESIGNATED BROKER/DEALERS EXCEPTION

For securities transactions for which the Compliance Department has direct access through a Designated Broker/Dealer electronic confirmation, such electronic access is deemed to be sufficient reporting to comply with the above requirement. It is the responsibility of each Supervised Person to verify that the Compliance Department has this required access prior to taking advantage of this exception.

 

  B. Initial Holdings Report

All Access Persons shall disclose to the CCO, or designee, no later than 10 days after becoming an Access Person, a listing of Covered Securities beneficially owned as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted.

The report shall include the following:

 

  1. The name of the security, the number of shares, and the principal amount of each Covered Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership when the person became an Access Person;

 

  2. The name of any broker, dealer, or bank with whom the Access Person maintained an account in which any securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person as of the date the person became an Access Person; and

 

  3. The date the report is submitted.

The CCO, or designee, will review all Initial Holdings Reports in an effort to monitor potential conflicts of interest.


  C. Annual Holdings Reports

Annually, on a date determined by the CCO, Access Persons shall deliver to the CCO, or designee, a listing of Covered Securities beneficially owned that must be current as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted.

The report shall include the following:

 

  1. The name of the security, the number of shares, and the principal amount of each Covered Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership;

 

  2. The name of any broker, dealer, or bank with whom the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person; and

 

  3. The date the report is submitted.

The CCO, or designee, will review all Annual Holdings Reports in an effort to understand the full nature of the Access Person’s current holdings.

 

8. RESTRICTED SECURITIES LIST

The Compliance Department maintains a Restricted Security List (the “Restricted List”) which includes all securities where a Supervised Person has, or is in a position to receive, material non-public information about a company, such as information about a company’s earnings or dividends, as a result of a special relationship between RUSA or a Supervised Person and the company.

If a Supervised Person knows or believes they have material, non-public information, they must immediately notify the Legal or Compliance Department. The decision whether to place a security on the Restricted List and the amount of time a security will remain on the Restricted List is made by the Legal Department.

If it is determined that the Supervised Person is in possession of material, non-public information, the Compliance Department will establish a “Protective Wall” around the Supervised Person, to the extent reasonably possible. In order to avoid inadvertently imposing greater restrictions on trading than are necessary, a Supervised Person may not discuss this information with anyone without the approval of the Legal Department. In addition, Supervised Persons having access to the Restricted List are to be reminded that the securities on the list are confidential and proprietary and should not be disclosed to anyone without the prior approval of the Legal Department.

When an order is received from a Supervised Persons in a security on the Restricted List, the Preclearance System will automatically flag the transaction. The Compliance Department maintains procedures for adding securities to the Restricted List as well as, monitoring, and removal of those securities from the list.

 

9. ACTIVITY REVIEW

RUSA has adopted an approach requiring the Compliance Department to monitor employee trading activity with particular focus on trading which may be unusual for a particular Supervised Person either because of the size of the position bought or sold, the frequency of the activity, or the nature of the Covered Security being traded. Supervised Persons are expected to devote their full time and attention to their work responsibilities. RUSA may take steps to curtail an individual’s trading activity if, in the judgment of the appropriate department manager or the Compliance Department, the Supervised Person’s trading activity is having an adverse impact on their job performance.


G. INSIDER TRADING and MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION

RUSA aspires to the highest standard of business ethics. The purpose of RUSA’s policies on insider trading is to reduce the risk of violation of federal insider trading laws and reporting requirements. Accordingly, RUSA has developed the following policies to monitor, restrict if necessary, and educate Supervised Persons with respect to acquiring and investing when in possession of material, non-public information.

Insider trading is generally defined as purchasing or selling securities while in the possession of material, non-public information in violation of a duty not to trade. However, if no duty exists, it is permissible to trade when in possession of this information. The question of duty is complex and depends on facts and circumstances. Situations which could potentially require a fiduciary duty not to act include but are not limited to: information gained directly from corporate insiders or temporary insiders (i.e. officers, directors and employees of a company), information gained from participation on formal or informal creditors’ committees, and information prohibited from disclosure by confidentiality agreements. Additionally, a misappropriation theory exists whereby an individual who possesses inside information would be prohibited from trading on such information if they are found to owe a duty to a third party and not the corporation whose securities are being traded. Because of the nuances involved, it is imperative you refer any questions to the Legal Department for a correct interpretation if you believe you may be in possession of material non-public information.

 

1. What is Material Information?

There is no statutory definition of material information. Information an investor would find useful in deciding whether or when to buy or sell a security is generally material. In most instances, any non-public information that, if announced, could affect the price of the security should be considered to be material information. If you are not sure whether non-public information is material, you must consult the Legal Department.

 

2. What is Non-public Information?

Non-public information is information that is not generally available to the investing public. Information is public if it is generally available through the media or disclosed in public documents such as corporate filings with the SEC. If it is disclosed in a national business or financial wire service (such as Dow Jones or Bloomberg), in a national news service (such as AP or Reuters), in a newspaper, magazine, on the television, on the radio or in a publicly disseminated disclosure document (such as a proxy statement, quarterly or annual report, or prospectus), consider the information to be public. If the information is not available in the general media or in a public filing, consider the information to be non-public. If you are uncertain as to whether material information is non-public, you must consult the Legal Department.


While Supervised Persons must be especially alert to sensitive information, you may consider information directly from a company representative to be public information unless you know or have reason to believe that such information is not generally available to the investing public. In addition, information you receive from company representatives during a conference call that is open to the investment community is public. The disclosure of this type of information is covered by SEC Regulation FD. Please contact the Legal Department if you have any questions with regard to this Regulation.

RIM Supervised Persons working on a private securities transaction who receives information from a company representative regarding the transaction or who have knowledge of an affiliate’s private equity transactions should treat the information as non-public. The termination or conclusion of the negotiations in many instances will not change the status of that information.

 

3. Examples of Material, Non-Public Information

 

  A. Material information may be about the issuer itself such as:

 

   

Information about a company’s earnings or dividends, (such as whether they will be increasing or decreasing);

 

   

any merger, acquisition, tender offer, joint venture or similar transaction involving the company;

 

   

information about a company’s physical assets (e.g., an oil discovery, or an environmental problem);

 

   

information about a company’s personnel (such as a valuable employee leaving or becoming seriously ill); or

 

   

information about a company’s financial status (e.g., any plans or other developments concerning financial restructuring or the issuance or redemption of, or any payments on, any securities).

 

  B. Information may be material that is not directly about a company, if the information is relevant to that company or its products, business, or assets such as:

 

   

Information that a company’s primary supplier is going to increase dramatically the prices it charges; or

 

   

information that a competitor has just developed a product that may cause sales of a company’s products to decrease.

 

  C. Material information may include information about RIM’s portfolio management activities such as:

 

   

Any information that RIM is considering when assessing whether to purchase or sell a security;

 

   

any actual purchase or sale decisions; or

 

   

all client holdings.


4. RUSA’s Use of Material, Non-Pubic Information

Supervised Persons may receive or have access to material, non-public information in the course of their work at RUSA. Company policy, industry practice and federal and state law establish strict guidelines for the use of material, non-public information. To ensure that Supervised Persons adhere to the applicable laws, RUSA has adopted the following policies:

Supervised Persons:

 

   

may not use material, non-public information for investment purposes to benefit client or proprietary accounts, for personal gain, or share such information with others for their personal benefit; or

 

   

may not pass material, non-public information about an issuer on to others or recommend that others trade the issuer’s securities; or

 

   

must treat as confidential all information defined in Section E, Confidentiality, of this Code and preserve the confidentiality of such information and disclose it only as defined in that section; or

 

   

must consider all client holdings as material, nonpublic information. In addition, if a Supervised Person is aware that RIM is considering or actually trading any security for any account it manages, the Supervised Person must regard that as material, nonpublic information. While deemed material, nonpublic information, securities which RIM is considering or actually trading for client accounts are exempt from reporting to the Legal Department, but remain subject to all confidentiality provisions discussed above in Section E as well as RIM’s Privacy Policy, Selective Disclosure Policy, and Investment Recommendations Policy.

 

   

are prohibited from discussing the following when sourcing or analyzing investment ideas with buy-side investment professionals:

 

   

disclosing whether or not a particular security is held in client accounts;

 

   

disclosing RIM’s immediate buy/sell intent with respect to a specific security, or

 

   

making consensus buy/sell decisions.

 

   

must contact the Legal Department and disclose that they are in possession of material nonpublic information and may not communicate such information to anyone without the advance approval of the Legal Department.

 

5. Penalties for Insider Trading

Trading securities while in possession of material, nonpublic information or improperly communicating that information to others may expose you to stringent penalties. Criminal sanctions may include a fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or ten years imprisonment. The Securities and Exchange Commission can recover the profits gained or losses avoided through the violative trading, a penalty of up to three times the illicit windfall and an order permanently barring you from the securities industry. Finally, investors seeking to recover damages for insider trading violations may sue you.


Regardless of whether a government inquiry occurs, RIM views seriously any violation of this Policy Statement. Disciplinary sanctions may be imposed on any person committing a violation, including, but not necessarily limited to, censure, suspension, or termination of employment.

 

6. Monitoring

In addition to maintaining a Restricted List, RIM maintains Value Added Investor Procedures to identify and monitor potential conflicts of interest and potential insider trading due to the nature of these relationships. Furthermore, RIM’s Compliance Department maintains polices and procedures to monitor and detect instances of insider trading which include, but are not limited to, reviews of personal trading activity and email surveillance.

 

H. GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT POLICY

Supervised Persons should not offer gifts, favors, entertainment or other things of value that could be viewed as overly generous or aimed at influencing decision-making or making a client feel beholden to the firm or the Supervised Person. The following guidelines will further clarify this general principal.

DEFINITIONS:

“Gift” – anything of value, including, but not limited to gratuities, tokens, objects, clothing, or certificates for anything of value. The definition also includes any meal, tickets or admission to events where the person supplying the meal or event is not present.

“Entertainment” – business meals and events such as sporting events, shows, concerts where the person supplying the meal or event is present.

 

1. GIFTS POLICY

 

  A. No Supervised Person shall accept any gift of more than $100 value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of a client (or any of its portfolios), or any entity that provides a service to Adviser. Gifts of greater than $100 value are to be declined or returned in order not to compromise the reputation of Adviser or the individual. Gifts valued at less than $100 and considered customary in the industry, are considered appropriate.

 

  B. No Supervised Person shall provide gifts of more than $100 value, per person, per year, to existing clients, prospective clients, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of a client (or any of its portfolios), or any entity that provides a service to Adviser. Gifts valued at less than $100 and considered customary in the industry, are considered appropriate.

 

  C. Generally, a Supervised Person may not accept or provide a gift of cash or cash equivalent, (such as a gift card, gift certificate or gift check.). Exceptions are permissible with the approval of a member of RIM’s Management Committee.


  D. Supervised Persons are expressly prohibited from soliciting anything of value from a client, or other entity with which the firm does business.

 

  E. Similarly, Supervised Persons should not agree to provide anything of value that is requested by a client, or other entity with which the firm does business, (such as concert, sporting event or theater tickets,), except that assisting a client or other entity in acquiring tickets for which they intend to pay full value, is permitted under the policy.

 

2. ENTERTAINMENT POLICY

 

  A. Supervised Persons may engage in normal and customary business entertainment. Entertainment that is extraordinary or extravagant, or that does not pertain to business, is not permitted.

 

  B. Certain rules and regulations enacted by the client or a regulator of the client may exist which prevent any form of gift or entertainment. It is important to be cognizant of what each client allows, especially pertaining to public funds, where rules may be very stringent and specific.

 

  C. Prior to providing entertainment to a representative of a public entity, contact the Compliance Department in order to verify interpretation understanding of state or municipal regulations.

 

3. STANDARD OF REASONABLENESS

The terms “extraordinary” or “extravagant,” “customary in the industry,” and “normal and customary” may be subjective. Reasonableness is a standard that may vary depending on the facts and circumstances. If you have questions regarding a gift or entertainment, contact your supervisor, or the Legal/Compliance Department.

 

4. RECORDS

RUSA must retain records of all gifts and gratuities given or received for a period of three years. These records must be made available upon request for inspection by your Supervisor, the Legal/Compliance department or a regulator.

 

I. CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS POLICY

From time to time, RUSA or its Supervised Persons may be asked by a client to make a charitable contribution. To avoid any real or perceived conflict of interests, RUSA has adopted the following procedures.

If a contribution is requested by a client, RUSA may agree to charitable contributions subject to the following terms.

 

  a. The check must be made in RUSA’s name (not the client or the supervised person)

 

  b. Any tax benefit is taken by RUSA

 

  c. The contribution does not directly benefit the client

 

  d. The contribution is not made to satisfy a pledge made by the client

 

  e. The contribution must be made payable to the 501c3 Charitable organization (otherwise, the contribution may be subject to LM-10 filing with the DOL)

Charitable contributions must be pre-approved by your supervisor.


J. POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS POLICY

From time to time, RUSA or its employees may be asked by a client to make political contributions. In addition, Supervised Persons, by their own volition, may seek to make individual political contributions. As an investment manager, RUSA is often eligible to manage money on behalf of a state or municipality. To avoid any real or perceived conflict of interests, RUSA requires that all personal political contributions be subject to a preclearance policy.

For the purposes of this policy, political contribution includes a direct payment of money to a campaign organization, volunteer work, or fund raising work done on behalf of, or to benefit, a political campaign organization or candidate.

 

1. FIRM CONTRIBUTIONS

RUSA does not make political contributions.

 

2. INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS

For all Supervised Persons

 

   

RUSA will not reimburse any employee for individual political contributions. In addition, the RUSA corporate credit card cannot be used to make contributions.

 

   

Preclearance is required for any political contribution made by any employee to a state or local candidate outside of the contributor’s jurisdiction for whom the contributor is not eligible to vote.

 

   

Preclearance is not required prior to individual personal contributions to national election campaigns, national political parties, or political action committees or candidates for national office such as president of the US or members of the US Senate or House of Representatives.

 

   

Certain contributions, even within your voting jurisdiction, may restrict or prohibit RUSA from transacting business with a related public entity. If there is a chance that an individual contribution may cause a conflict of interest with RUSA’s business, please consult with the Head of Sales or the RIM’s Compliance Department prior to making an individual contribution.

For Supervised Persons in Sales, Marketing and Portfolio Management

 

   

In addition to the above restrictions, preclearance is required for all individual contributions to state, municipal and local candidates and campaigns, whether inside or outside your voting jurisdiction.

Supervised Persons should contact the Compliance Department for a copy of the political contribution preclearance form.


K. OUTSIDE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

A potential conflict of interest exists with respect to a Supervised Person’s duties to RUSA and its clients when individuals are permitted to engage in outside business activities.

Written requests must be submitted to the Supervised Person’s supervisor with a copy to the Compliance Department prior to a Supervised Person seeking to:

 

   

engage in any outside business activity, or

 

   

accept any position as an officer or director of any corporation, organization, association, or mutual fund.

The written request must contain all of the information necessary to review the activity. The request should contain the name of the organization, whether the organization is public or private, profit or non-profit or charitable, the nature of the business, the capacity in which the employee will serve, an identification of any possible conflicts, the term of the contemplated relationships and any compensation to be received.

The Compliance Department, in conjunction with the Supervised Person’s supervisor and the Director of Human Resources, will review and/or identify any potential conflicts.

If approved, the Compliance Department will provide the Supervised Person with written approval. In addition, if applicable, the Compliance Department will ensure that a registered representative’s Form U-4 is updated with the NASD. In the event that a resolution to the conflict cannot be reached, the Supervised Person may be asked to terminate either his outside employment or his position with RUSA.

Finally, upon employment and annually thereafter, Supervised Persons are required to fill out the New Employee/Annual Compliance Acknowledgement Form and accompanying Conflicts Questionnaire (“Questionnaire”). The Questionnaire requests information regarding a Supervised Person’s outside business activities. The Compliance Department will verify items reported on the Questionnaire against written requests received throughout the year.

 

L. REPORTING VIOLATIONS

All Supervised Persons must report violations of this Code promptly to the CCO and the General Counsel. RUSA is committed to treating all Supervised Persons in a fair and equitable manner. Individuals are encouraged to voice concerns regarding any personal or professional issue that may impact their ability or the firm’s ability to provide a quality product to its clients while operating under the highest standards of integrity. Retaliation against any individual making such a report is prohibited and constitutes a violation of the Code. Any such reports will be treated confidentially to the extent permitted by law and investigated promptly and appropriately. Based on facts and circumstances, the CCO may escalate the matter to RIM’s Management Committee for resolution. Supervised Persons may appeal the Management Committee’s decision to Robeco’s Whistle Blowing Committee. This Committee acts in line with Robeco’s Global Whistle Blowing Policy.

 

M. ANNUAL REVIEWS AND CERTIFICATIONS

The Compliance Department will review the Code annually and update any provisions and/or attachments which RUSA deems require revision.


Upon employment, all Supervised Persons are required to certify that they have:

 

  1. Received a copy of the Code;

 

  2. Read and understand all provisions of the Code; and

 

  3. Agreed to comply with all provisions of the Code.

At the time of any amendments to this Code, all Supervised Persons are required to:

 

  1. Certify they have received, read and understood the amendments to the Code; and

 

  2. Agree to comply with the amendment and all other provisions of the Code.

Annually, all Supervised Persons are required to:

 

  1. Certify they have read and understand all provisions of the Code; and

 

  2. Agree to comply with all provisions of the Code.

 

N. SANCTIONS

Regardless of whether a government inquiry occurs, RUSA views seriously any violation of its Code of Ethics. Disciplinary sanctions may be imposed on any Supervised Persons committing a violation, including, but not necessarily limited to, censure, suspension, monetary penalties, or termination of employment.

 

O. FURTHER INFORMATION

If any Supervised Persons has any questions with regard to the applicability of the provisions of this Code, generally or with regard to any attachment referenced herein, they should consult the Legal or Compliance Department.

Exhibit (p)(3)

Effective: 1-1-09 Version #6

CODE OF ETHICS - Version History

 

Version
#

   Version
Release Date
  

Change Summary

  

Reviewed By

1

   09/22/04    Initial Procedures   

CCO – SF

Legal - DBR

2

   1/21/05    Amended to include Standard of Conduct; requirement to report any violations of Code of Ethics to CCO; updated definition of Assess Person; updated for definition of “being considered for purchase or sale”; updated for change to Quarterly Report deadline (10 days to 30 days).   

CCO – SF

Legal - DBR

3

   07/01/05    Amended to include SCM advised funds under the definition of a Covered Security.   

CCO – SF

Legal - DBR

4

   5/25/06    Access Person includes any temporary employee; ETF is a Covered Security; clarified 7 day blackout period definition; and amended list of Exempted Transactions that do not present harm to Clients.   

CCO – SF

Legal - DBR

5

   12/12/07    Amended Pre-clearance Form to include request for information to identify any potential insider trading; Expanded Gift & Entertainment Policy and requirement to document all gifts and entertainment received in a log. Added a Political Contribution policy that prohibits making political contribution for the purpose of obtaining or retaining advisory contracts with government entities.   

CCO – SF

Legal - DBR

6

   1/01/09    Amended for Non-Material changes: added requirement to report account number of brokerage accounts maintained or opened; to identify brokerage account for which an Access person is seeking pre-clearance of a personal trade; and other minor changes to clarify policy.    CCO – SF


Effective 1-1-09 Version #6

 

CODE OF ETHICS

OF

SCHNEIDER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

 

I. PREAMBLE

This Code of Ethics (“Code”) is being adopted in compliance with the requirements of Sections 204A and 206 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and Rules 204-2 and 204A-1 under the Advisers Act and Section 17(j) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) and Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act, to effectuate the purposes and objectives of those provisions of the Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Section 204A of the Advisers Act requires the establishment and enforcement of policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of material, nonpublic information by investment advisers. Rule 204A-1 requires advisers to establish, maintain and enforce a written code of ethics. Rule 204-2 imposes record keeping requirements with respect to personal securities transactions of access persons (defined below). Section 206 of the Advisers Act makes it unlawful for certain persons including Schneider Capital Management (the “Firm”):

 

  1. To employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any client or prospective client;

 

  2. To engage in any transaction, practice or course of business which operates as a fraud or deceit upon any client or prospective client;

 

  3. Acting as principal for his own account, knowingly to sell any security to or purchase any security from a client; or acting as broker for a person other than such client, knowingly to effect any sale or purchase of any security for the account of such client, without disclosing to such client in writing before the completion of such transaction, the capacity in which he is acting and obtaining the consent of the client to such transaction. The prohibitions of this paragraph (3) shall not apply to any transaction with a customer of a broker or dealer if such broker or dealer is not acting as an investment adviser in relation to such transaction; or

 

  4. To engage in any act, practice, or course of business which is fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative.

Similarly, Rule 17j-1(b) of the Investment Company Act makes it unlawful for any affiliated person of the investment adviser of an investment company in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by such person of a Security Held or to be Acquired by the investment company:

(1) to employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the investment company;

 

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(2) to make any untrue statement of a material fact to the investment company or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to the investment company, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;

(3) to engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on the investment company; or

(4) to engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the investment company.

This Code contains provisions reasonably necessary to prevent persons from engaging in acts in violation of the above standards and contains procedures reasonably necessary to prevent violations of the Code.

 

  A. Standard of Conduct

The Firm is committed to ethical conduct and integrity in all aspects of the conduct of our business. The fulfillment of our fiduciary duties to our clients is paramount, and will not be compromised for financial or other goals. All employees are required to comply with the federal securities laws, other applicable laws and regulations, and the Firm's compliance policies and procedures. Employees who fail to meet these requirements are subject to disciplinary action by the Firm.

The Firm and its employees have a duty of loyalty to our clients. This duty requires that we: act for the benefit of clients; avoid conflicts of interest, or if unavoidable, disclose the conflict and obtain client consent; deal honestly, fairly and in good faith with clients; avoid intentional misconduct; and refrain from competing with or seizing opportunities of our clients. In furtherance of our duty to our clients, it is our goal to provide disinterested, impartial advice.

The Firm and its employees also have a duty of care to our clients. This duty requires that we use care to manage investments prudently, reflecting the high level of skills possessed by the employees of the Firm, and consider suitability in light of the respective client's investment purpose and restrictions, among other relevant considerations.

Each employee of the Firm has a duty to prevent the misuse of material nonpublic information, which includes a complete prohibition against the misuse of material nonpublic information about the Firm's securities recommendations and client securities holdings and transactions.

No set of rules can possibly anticipate all the potential trading conflicts of interest between clients and personnel. Any situation subject to interpretation should be decided in favor of the protection of the best interests of the clients. For instance, it would be unethical to execute a personal trade in a security if the person knew or had reason to know that a substantial order in the security in question was likely to be implemented for a client in the foreseeable future, even though to execute the personal trade would be within the letter of the law.

 

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This Code of Ethics is adopted by the Board of Directors of the Firm. In summary, this Code is based upon the principle that the directors and officers of the Firm, and certain affiliated persons of the Firm, owe a fiduciary duty to, among others, the clients of the Firm to conduct their affairs, including their personal securities transactions, in such manner to avoid (i) serving their own personal interests ahead of clients; (ii) taking inappropriate advantage of their position with the Firm; and (iii) engaging in any actual or potential conflicts of interest or any abuses of their position of trust and responsibility. This fiduciary duty includes the duty of the Personal Trading Compliance officer and Chief Compliance Officer of the Firm to report violations of this Code of Ethics to the Firm’s Board of Directors. All violations of this Code of Ethics are required to be reported promptly to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Firm.

 

  B. Gift and Entertainment Policy

Employees of the Firm that direct trades on behalf of clients, or who are in the position to request or influence the selection of specific broker-dealers for client trade execution for the purposes of generating commissions as compensation for fulfilling any soft dollar obligations, which includes third party and proprietary research, shall base all such decisions on objective business criteria and shall not accept gifts or entertainment that is intended or could reasonably be perceived to be intended as an improper quid pro quo or that could otherwise give rise to a potential conflict of interest with our clients.

To prevent any improprieties that may arise when an employee receives gifts or entertainment, the Firm has established the following guidelines:

(1) No employee shall accept any gift, gratuity, investment opportunity, or similar item (“Gift”) or accumulation of Gifts over any one year period of more than de minimis value ($100 or more) from any employee or employees of any one broker-dealer, vendor, news source, financial information provider or other existing or potential business contacts (a “Trading or Service Provider”) that is compensated either directly or indirectly by trade flow of the Firm. Gifts of cash or its equivalent (including gift certificates, if they are redeemable in full or in part for cash) are not permitted.

In recognition of commonly-encountered situations, the following gifts would be exempt from the $100 limitation:

 

   

Wedding gifts, baby gifts and similar personal gifts : If based on a pre-existing personal relationship and if not paid for by the gift-givers firm;

 

   

Promotional Items : Items such as pens, notepads, and other logo-stamped trinkets of de minimis value; However, promotional items valued near or above $100 shall be counted, such as expensive leather luggage or crystal – even if stamped with the firm’s logo; and

 

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Deal toys : Decorative items given to commemorate a transaction need not be counted even if above $100. However, lavish, excessive or overly generous items such as bikes or elaborate electronic equipment shall be subject to the $100 limit.

(2) Employees may accept business entertainment from a Trading or Service Provider provided it is appropriate, reasonable and customary and is hosted by the person providing the entertainment. Otherwise, it will be considered a gift subject to the $100 per year limit. Examples of acceptable business entertainment include an occasional dinner, ticket to a sporting event or the theater, or comparable entertainment which is neither so frequent nor so extensive as to raise any question of propriety and is not preconditioned on a business commitment.

(3) No employee shall solicit a gift, entertainment, or preferred treatment for personal benefit from any Trading or Service Provider;

(4) Employees shall record all gifts and entertainment accepted from a Trading or Service Provider in a Gift & Entertainment Log (See Exhibit F). The employee shall document the date of receipt or attendance, the name of the Trading or Service Provider and the person giving the gift or providing the entertainment, a brief description of the gift or entertainment, and a general determination of whether the gift or entertainment was over $100 in value. Any breakfast or lunch provided by a Trading or Service Provider that coincides with a meeting at the Firm during regular business hours are excluded from any Gift & Entertainment Log record keeping requirements.

(5) Employees may only give gifts or provide business entertainment that is appropriate, reasonable and customary. Extravagant or excessive gifts or entertainment are prohibited. Gifts and business entertainment offered by the firm shall be for the sole purpose of creating goodwill and not as a means of influencing an advisory contract decision. Any gift or business entertainment of more than $100 in value intended to be given or provided to any existing or prospective client or the client’s consultant shall be pre-approved by the Chief Compliance Officer. Employees shall fully, fairly and accurately account on the books and records of the Firm for any expenses associated with a gift or entertainment.

 

  C. Political Contributions

The Firm forbids any officer, director or employee from making political contribution either personally or in the name of the Firm for the purpose of obtaining or retaining an advisory contract with a government entity.

To avoid any appearance of “pay-to-play” activity, no political contributions shall be made in the name of the Firm. Additionally, if the Firm is currently providing, soliciting or contemplating pursuing an advisory contract with a specific government entity, no employee shall make a contribution to any state treasurer, state comptroller, or other government official, including an incumbent or candidate for elective office that is directly or indirectly responsible for, or can influence the outcome of such a selection or retention of the Firm. An exception is

 

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granted to allow employees to make a de mininis contribution (up to $250) to a candidate for whom they can vote. Employees cannot receive reimbursement from the Firm for any political contribution expense. Certain employees of the Firm may be asked to certify and report political contributions to any person who is directly or indirectly responsible for, or can influence the outcome of the selection (if currently pursing a contract) or retention of the Firm for purposes of monitoring adherence to this policy. Such reporting would generally include only the name of the candidate, the position, and if the contribution was in excess $250.

 

II. POLICY STATEMENT ON INSIDER TRADING

The Firm forbids any officer, director or employee from trading, either personally or on behalf of others, including accounts managed by the Firm, on material nonpublic information or communicating material nonpublic information to others in violation of the law. This conduct is frequently referred to as “insider trading.” The Firm’s policy applies to every officer, director and employee and extends to activities within and outside their duties at the Firm. Any questions regarding the Firm’s policy and procedures should be referred to the Chief Compliance Officer.

The Term “insider trading” is not defined in the federal securities laws, but generally is used to refer to the use of material nonpublic information to trade in securities (whether or not one is an “insider”) or to communications of material nonpublic information to others. The “manipulative and deceptive devices” prohibited by Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, include the purchase or sale of a security of any issuer, on the basis of material nonpublic information about that security or issuer, in breach of a duty of trust or confidence that is owed directly, indirectly, or derivatively, to the issuer of that security or the shareholders of that issuer, or to any other person who is the source of the material nonpublic information.

While the law concerning insider trading is not static, it is generally understood that the law prohibits:

 

  1. trading by an insider, while in possession of material nonpublic information, or

 

  2. trading 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, or

 

  3. communicating material nonpublic information to others.

The concept of “insider” is broad. It includes officers, directors and employees of a company. In addition, a person can be a “temporary insider” if he or she enters into a special confidential relationship in the conduct of a company’s affairs and as a result is given access to information solely for the company’s purposes. A temporary insider can include, among others, a company’s attorneys, accountants, consultants, bank lending officers, and the employees of such organizations. In addition, an employee of the Firm may become a temporary insider of a

 

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company he or she advises or for which he or she performs other services. For that to occur, the company must expect the Firm employee to keep the disclosed nonpublic information confidential and the relationship must at least imply such a duty before the Firm employee will be considered an insider.

Trading on inside information is not a basis for liability unless the information is material. “Material information” generally is defined as information for which there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions, or information that is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a company’s securities. Information that officers, directors and employees should consider material includes, but is not limited to, dividend changes, earnings estimates, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, liquidation problems, and extraordinary management developments.

Information is nonpublic until it has been effectively communicated to the market place. One must be able to point to some fact to show that the information is generally public. For example, information found in a report filed with the SEC, or appearing in Dow Jones, Reuters Economic Services , The Wall Street Journal or other publications of general circulation would be considered public.

Penalties for trading on or communicating material nonpublic information are severe, both for individuals involved in such unlawful conduct and their employers. A person can be subject to some or all of the penalties below even if he or she does not personally benefit from the violation. The penalties include:

 

   

civil damages

 

   

treble damages

 

   

jail sentences

 

   

fines for the person who committed the violation of up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided, whether or not the person actually benefited: and fines for the employers or other controlling persons of up to the greater of $1,000,000 or three times the amount of the profit gained or loss avoided.

Any violation of this Insider Trading Policy can be expected to result in serious sanctions by the Firm, including dismissal of the persons involved.

Before trading for yourself or others in the securities of a company about which you may have potential inside information, ask yourself the following questions:

 

  1. Is the information material? Is this information that an investor would consider important in making his or her investment decisions? Is this information that would substantially effect the market price of the securities if generally disclosed?

 

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  2. Is the information nonpublic? To whom has this information been provided? Has the information been effectively communicated to the marketplace?

If, after consideration of the above, you believe that the information is material and nonpublic, or if you have questions as to whether the information is material and nonpublic, you should take the following steps.

 

  1. Report the matter immediately to the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

  2. Do not purchase or sell the securities on behalf of yourself or others.

 

  3. Do not communicate the information inside or outside the Firm, other than to the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

  4. Upon a determination by the Chief Compliance Officer that the information is material and nonpublic, instructions will be issued promptly to:

(a) halt temporarily all trading by the Firm in the security or securities of the pertinent issuer and all recommendations of such security or securities;

(b) ascertain the validity and non-public nature of the information with the issuer of the securities;

(c) request the issuer or other appropriate parties to disseminate the information promptly to the public, if the information is valid and non-public; or

(d) in the event the information is not publicly disseminated, consult counsel and request advice as to what further steps should be taken, including possible publication by the Firm of the information, before transactions or recommendations in the securities are resumed.

 

  5. Upon a determination by the Firm’s Chief Compliance Officer that the information is public or not material, you will be allowed to trade and communicate the information.

Information in your possession that you identify as material and nonpublic may not be communicated to anyone, including persons within the Firm, except as provided above. In addition, care should be taken so that such information is secure. For example, files containing material nonpublic information should be sealed; access to computer files containing material nonpublic information should be restricted.

 

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Investment decisions made by the Firm may not be disclosed to anyone other than Firm clients, including a spouse or other relative or a social or business acquaintance.

The role of the Chief Compliance Officer and the Personal Trading Compliance Officer is critical to the implementation and maintenance of the Firm’s policy and procedures against insider trading. The Firms’ Supervisory Procedures can be divided into two classifications - prevention of insider trading and detection of insider trading.

To prevent insider trading, the Firm will:

 

  1. provide, on a regular basis, an education program to familiarize officers, directors and employees with the Firm’s policy and procedures, and

 

  2. when it has been determined that an officer, director or employee of the Firm has material nonpublic information,

 

  a) implement measures to prevent dissemination of such information, and

 

  b) if necessary, restrict officers, directors and employees from trading the securities.

To detect insider trading, the Personal Trading Compliance Officer and the Chief Compliance Officer will:

 

  1. review the trading activity reports filed by each officer, director and employee, and

 

  2. review the trading activity of accounts managed by the Firm.

 

III. DEFINITIONS

 

  A. “Access Person” means any of the Firm’s supervised persons, including any temporary employee, who has access to nonpublic information regarding any client’s purchase or sale of securities, or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any “reportable fund”, or who is involved in making securities recommendations to clients, or who has access to recommendations that are nonpublic. A “reportable fund” is any fund for which the Firm serves as investment adviser, or any fund whose investment adviser or principal underwriter controls the Firm, is controlled by the Firm, or is under common control with the Firm. All of the Firm’s directors and officers are access persons.

 

  B. “Advisory Person” means (a) any employee of the Firm (or any company in a control relationship to the Firm) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, normally makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities (as defined below) by the Firm on behalf of its Clients (as defined below), or whose function relates to making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales; and (b) any natural person in a control relationship to the Firm who obtains information concerning recommendations made to a Client with regard to the purchase or sale of a security by the Firm on behalf of its Clients.

 

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  C. “Automatic investment plan” means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An automatic investment plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan.

 

  D. A security is “being considered for purchase or sale” or is “being purchased or sold” when a recommendation to purchase or sell the security has been made and communicated, which includes when the Firm has a pending “buy” or “sell” order with respect to a security, and, with respect to the person making the recommendation, when such person is seriously considering making such a recommendation. “Purchase or sale of a Covered Security” includes the writing of an option to purchase or sell a Covered Security.

 

  E. “Beneficial ownership” shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) in determining whether a person is the beneficial owner of a security for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Generally speaking, beneficial ownership encompasses those situations where the beneficial owner has the right to enjoy some economic benefit from the ownership of the security. A person is normally regarded as the beneficial owner of securities held in the name of his or her spouse or minor children living in his or her household. Reports required by this Code may contain a statement that the report will not be construed as an admission that the person making the report has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which the report relates.

 

  F. “Client” includes both private accounts managed by the Firm and Investment Companies as defined below.

 

  G. “Control” shall have the same meaning as that set forth in Section 202(a) (12) of the Advisers Act and 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act. These sections generally provide 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.

 

  H.

“Covered Security” means a security as defined in Section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act and Section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act, except that it shall not include direct obligations of the Government of the United States, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments (any instrument that has a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and is rated in one of the two highest categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization) including repurchase agreements, shares issued by money market funds, and shares issued by open-end investment companies other than reportable funds, and shares issued by unit

 

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investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end funds, unless the adviser or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund . An Exchange Traded Fund (ETF’s) is considered a Covered Security.

 

  I. “Federal securities laws” means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under any of these statues, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to investment companies and investment advisers, and any rules adopted thereunder by the SEC or the Department of the Treasury.

 

  J. “Initial Public Offering” means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration was not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act.

 

  K. “Investment Company” means a company registered as such under the Investment Company Act or any series thereof for which the Firm is the adviser or sub-adviser.

 

  L. “Investment Personnel” means (a) any Portfolio Manager of the firm as defined below; or (b) any employee of the Firm (or any company in a control relationship to the Firm) who in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes or participates in making recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Firm on behalf of its Clients; or (c) any natural person who controls the Firm and who obtains information concerning recommendations made by the Firm on behalf of its Clients regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Firm on behalf of its Clients.

 

  M. “Limited Offering” means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) or pursuant to Rule 504, Rule 505 or Rule 506 under the Securities Act.

 

  N. “Portfolio Manager” means an employee of the Firm entrusted with the direct responsibility and authority to make investment decisions.

 

  O. A “Security Held or to be Acquired” by the Firm on behalf of a Client means: (i) any Covered Security which within the most recent 7 days: (a) is or has been held by a Client; or (b) is being or has been considered by the Firm for purchase by the Firm on behalf of a Client; and (ii) any option to purchase or sell and any security convertible into or exchangeable for a Covered Security described above.

 

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IV. PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS

The prohibitions set forth below shall apply to Access Persons, Investment Personnel and Portfolio Managers.

 

  1. No person shall engage in any act, practice or course of conduct, which would violate the provisions of Section 206 and Rule 17j-1 set forth above.

 

  2. No person shall:

 

  a) purchase or sell, directly or indirectly, any Covered Security in which he or she has or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership and which to his or her actual knowledge at the time of such purchase or sale:

 

  (1) is being considered for purchase or sale by the Firm on behalf of any Client, or

 

  (2) is being purchased or sold by the Firm on behalf of any Client.

 

  b) No person shall reveal to any other person (except in the normal course of his or her duties on behalf of a Client) any information regarding securities transactions by a Client or consideration by a Client or the Adviser of any such securities transaction.

 

  c) No person shall, in the absence of prior approval by the Compliance Officer, sell any Covered Security that was purchased, or purchase a Covered Security that was sold, within the prior 60 calendar days. A form for pre-approval is attached hereto as Exhibit D.

 

  d) No person shall acquire any securities in an Initial Public Offering;

 

  e) No person shall purchase any securities in a Limited Offering, without prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Firm or other officer designated by the Board of Directors. Any person authorized to purchase securities in a private placement shall disclose that investment when they play a part in any subsequent consideration by the Firm of an investment in the issuer. In such circumstances, the Firm’s decision to purchase securities of the issuer shall be subject to the independent review by Investment Personnel with no personal interest in the issuer. A record of any decision and the reason supporting the decision to approve the acquisition by Access Persons of a Limited Offering shall be maintained as described below.

 

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  f) No person shall serve on the board of directors of any publicly traded company or membership in an investment organization without prior authorization of the President or other duly authorized officer of the Firm. Any such authorization shall be based upon a determination that the board service would be consistent with the interests of the Firm’s Clients. Authorization of board service shall be subject to the implementation by the Firm of “Chinese Wall” or other procedures to isolate such Investment Personnel from the Investment Personnel making decision about trading in that company’s securities. Certain employees of the Firm shall disclose any board positions (including charitable organizations or other non-profit organizations) on an annual basis.

 

  g)

No person shall buy or sell a Covered Security within seven (7) calendar days before and after any Client of the Firm trades in that security if the Covered Security was being considered for purchase or sale at the time of the person’s transaction. For purposes of counting the days, the last trade date by the firm is counted as day one (1). (Example: last trade by Firm was executed on May 1; personal trade may be executed on May 8 th ). Any trades made within the proscribed period shall be unwound, if possible. Otherwise, any profits realized on trades within the proscribed period shall be disgorged.

The Personal Trading Compliance Officer of the Firm shall identify all persons who are considered to be Access Persons, Investment Personnel and Portfolio Managers and shall notify and inform such persons of their respective obligations under this Code, and shall deliver a copy of this Code of Ethics and any amendments to each such person. Each person shall acknowledge, in writing, his or her receipt of the Code and any amendments.

 

V. EXEMPTED TRANSACTIONS

 

  A. The prohibitions of Section IV shall not apply to:

 

  1. purchases or sales effected for, or held in, in any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control;

 

  2. purchases or sales which are non-volitional on the part of either the Access Person or the Firm;

 

  3. purchases which are part of an automatic investment plan, including an automatic dividend reinvestment plan;

 

  4. purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired;

 

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  5. purchases or sales of securities which are not related economically to securities purchased, sold or held by the Firm;

 

  6. transactions which appear upon reasonable inquiry and investigation to present no reasonable likelihood of harm to the Firm’s Clients and which are otherwise in accordance with this Code, Section 206 of the Advisers Act and Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act; for example, such transactions would normally include

 

   

purchases or sales by a Person of up to 1,000 shares of a security which is being considered for purchase or sale by the Firm (but not then being purchased or sold) and the issuer has a market capitalization of over $1 billion;

 

   

or if the security being considered for purchase or sale by the Firm (but not then being purchased or sold) is less than one percent of the average weekly reported volume of trading in such securities on all national securities exchanges and/or reported through the automated quotation system of a registered securities association, during the four calendar weeks prior to the individual’s personal securities transaction; and

 

   

or the purchase or sale by the Firm is less than 1000 shares or less than $25,000 and the issuer has a market capitalization of over $1 billion (generally following portfolio rebalancing from cash flows) and all client orders have been executed or withdrawn.

 

VI. COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES

 

  A. Pre-clearance

 

  1. All Access Persons shall receive prior written approval from the Personal Trading Compliance Officer of the Firm, or other officer designated by the Board of Directors before purchasing or selling Covered Securities (See Exhibit E). Any approval is valid only for one day after authorization is received. If an Access Person is unable to effect the securities transaction during such period, he or she must re-obtain approval prior to effecting the securities transaction. The Personal Trading Compliance Officer shall receive pre-approval from the Chief Compliance Officer or Senior Trader before purchasing or selling Covered Securities.

The Personal Trading Compliance Officer will decide whether to approve a personal securities transaction for an Access Person after considering the specific restrictions and limitations set forth in, and the spirit of, this Code of Ethics, including whether the security at issue is being considered for purchase or sale for a Client. The Personal Trading Compliance Officer is not required to give any explanation for refusing to approve a securities transaction.

 

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  2. Purchases or sales of Covered Securities which are not eligible for purchase or sale by the Firm or any Client of the Firm that serves as the basis of the individual’s “Access Person” status shall be entitled to clearance automatically from the Personal Trading Compliance Officer.

 

  B. Disclosure of Personal Holdings

 

  1. Within 10 days after initially becoming an Access Person and between January 1 and January 30 of each calendar year, all Access Persons shall disclose to the Personal Trading Compliance Officer of the Firm (a) the title and type of Security, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership (b) the name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person; and (c) the date the Access Person submits the report. Information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted. The initial holdings report shall be made on the form attached as Exhibit A and the annual holdings report shall be made on the form attached as Exhibit B. Such reports shall be delivered to the Personal Trading Compliance Officer of the Firm. An Access Person shall not be required to make a report with respect to transactions effected for, and Covered Securities held in, any account over which such person does not have any direct or indirect influence.

 

  C. Certification of Compliance with Code of Ethics

 

  1. Every Access Person shall certify annually that:

 

  a) they have read and understand the Code of Ethics; and

 

  b) they have complied with the requirements of the Code of Ethics; and

 

  c) they have reported all personal securities transactions and beneficial holdings in Covered Securities required to be reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code of Ethics.

 

  2. The annual report shall be made on the form attached as Exhibit B and delivered to the Personal Trading Compliance Officers of the Firm.

 

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  D. Quarterly Reporting Requirements

 

  1. Every Access Person shall report to the Personal Trading Compliance Officer of the Firm the information described in Sub-paragraph (D)(2) of this Section with respect to transactions in any security in which such person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires or disposes of, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in a Covered Security; provided, however, that an Access Person shall not be required to make a report with respect to transitions effected for, and Covered Securities held in, any account over which such person does not have any direct or indirect influence.

 

  2. Reports required to be made under this Paragraph (D) 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. Every Access Person shall be required to submit a report for all periods, including those periods in which no securities transactions were effected. A report shall be made on the form attached hereto as Exhibit C or on any other form containing the following information:

 

  a) the date of the transaction, the title, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), class and the number of shares, and the principal amount of each Covered Security involved;

 

  b) the nature of the transaction (i.e., purchases, sales or any other type of acquisition or disposition);

 

  c) the price of the Covered Security at which the transaction was effected;

 

  d) the name of the broker, dealer or bank and applicable account with or through whom the transaction was effected;

 

  e) the date that the report was submitted by the Access Person; and

 

  f) with respect to any account established by an Access Person in which any securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person:

(i) the name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person established the account; (ii) the date the account was established; (iii) the account number and (iv) the date that the report was submitted by the Access Person.

 

  3. 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 or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which the report relates.

 

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Effective 1-1-09 Version #6

 

  4. Every Access Person shall direct their brokers to supply to the Personal Trading Compliance Officer of the Firm, on a timely basis, duplicate copies of the confirmation of all personal securities transactions and copies of all periodic statements for all securities transactions that were effected. Every Access Person shall submit the report referred to in Section VI(D)(2). Notwithstanding Section VI(D)(2) of the Code an Access Person need not make a quarterly transaction report where the report would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements received by the Firm in the time period required herein if all of the information required by Section VI(D)(2) is contained in such confirmation or account statements.

 

  E. Miscellaneous

 

  1. Reports submitted to the Personal Compliance Officer of the Firm pursuant to this Code of Ethics shall be confidential and shall be provided only to the Chief Compliance Officer, the compliance administrator, and directors of the Firm, counsel or regulatory authorities upon appropriate request.

 

  2. These reporting requirements shall apply whether or not one of the exemptions listed in Section V applies except that an Access Person shall not be required to make a report with respect to securities transactions effected for, and any Covered Securities held in, any account over which such Access Person does not have any direct or indirect influence or control, or transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan.

 

  F. Conflict of Interest

 

  1. Every Access Person shall notify the Chief Compliance Officer of the Firm of any personal conflict of interest relationship which may involve the Firm’s Clients such as the existence of any economic relationship between their transactions and securities held or to be acquired by any Client of the Firm. Such notification shall occur in the pre-clearance process.

 

VII.   REPORTING OF VIOLATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

  A. The Personal Trading Compliance Officer and the Chief Compliance Officer shall be responsible for the review of the quarterly transaction reports, the initial holdings reports and annual holdings reports required under Section VI of this Code of Ethics. In connection with the review of these reports, the Personal Trading Compliance Officer and the Chief Compliance Officer shall take appropriate measures to determine whether each Access Person has complied with the provisions of this Code of Ethics. The Chief Compliance Officer of the Firm shall prepare an annual report relating to this Code of Ethics to the Board of Directors of the Firm and each Investment Company as requested. Such annual report shall:

 

  1. describe any issues arising under the Code since the last report including, but not limited to information about material violations of the Code and sanctions imposed in response to material violations;

 

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Effective 1-1-09 Version #6

 

  2. summarize existing procedures concerning personal investing and any changes in the procedures made during the past year;

 

  3. identify any recommended changes in the existing restrictions or procedures based upon the Firm’s experience under its Code of Ethics, evolving industry practices or developments in applicable laws or regulations; and

 

  4. certify to the Board of Trustees/Directors that the Firm has adopted procedures that are reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating this Code of Ethics.

 

VIII.   SANCTIONS

 

  A. Upon discovering a violation of this Code, the Board of Directors may impose such sanctions as they deem appropriate, including, among other things, a letter of censure or suspension or termination of the employment of the violator. In addition, as part of any sanction, the Firm may require the Access Person or other individual involved to reverse the trade(s) at issue and forfeit any profit or absorb any loss from the trade.

 

IX. RETENTION OF RECORDS

 

  A. This Code of Ethics, a record of all persons, currently or within the past five years, who are or were required to make reports, a record of all persons, currently or within the past five years, who are or were responsible for reviewing reports, a copy of each initial holdings, annual holdings and quarterly transaction report (including any brokerage confirmation or account statements provided in lieu of the reports) made by an Access Person hereunder, a copy of each board report made pursuant to Section VII, a record of any decision and the reason supporting the decision to approve the acquisition by Investment Personnel of Limited Offerings; each memorandum made by the Personal Trading Compliance Officer or Chief Compliance Officer of the Firm hereunder and a record of any violation hereof and any action taken as a result of such violation, shall be maintained by the Firm as required by the Advisers and the Investment Company Act, including as required by Rules 204-2(a)(12) and 204-2(a)(13) under the Advisers Act.

 

X. EXCEPTIONS TO THE CODE

Although exceptions to the Code will rarely, if ever, be granted, the Chief Compliance Officer may make exceptions on a case by case basis, from any of the provisions of this Code, upon a determination that the conduct at issue involves a negligible opportunity for abuse or otherwise merits an exception from the Code. No waiver of compliance with any Code

 

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Effective 1-1-09 Version #6

 

provision required by Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act will be granted . All such exceptions must be received in writing by the person requesting the exception before becoming effective. The Chief Compliance Officer shall report any exception to the board of directors/trustees of any Investment Company with respect to which the exception applies at its next regularly scheduled Board meetings.

 

XI. APPROVAL OF CODE OF ETHICS AND AMENDMENTS TO THE CODE OF ETHICS

The board of trustees/directors of each Investment Company shall approve this Code of Ethics. Any material amendments to this Code of Ethics must be approved by the board of trustees/directors of each Investment Company no later than six months after the adoption of the material change. Before their approval of this Code of Ethics and any material amendments hereto, the Firm shall provide a certification to the board of trustees/directors of each such Investment Company that the Firm has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating the Code of Ethics.

 

- 19 -


Exhibit A

1 of 2

SCHNEIDER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

CODE OF ETHICS

INITIAL REPORT

To the Personal Trading Compliance Officer of Schneider Capital Management:

 

  1. I hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Code of Ethics for Schneider Capital Management, Corporation, the (“Firm”).

 

  2. I have read and understand the Code and recognize that I am subject thereto in the capacity of an “Access Person.”

 

  3. Except as noted below, I hereby certify that I have no knowledge of the existence of any personal conflict of interest relationship which may involve Firm Clients, such as any economic relationship between my transactions and securities held or to be acquired by the Firm Clients or any related portfolios.

 

  4. As of the date below, I have a direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the following Covered Securities which are required to be reported under the Firm’s Code of Ethics (see attached form) :

 

Title and type

of Security

   Number
of Shares
   Principal
Amount
   Exchange ticker
Symbol or CUSIP
        
        
        

The name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom I maintain an account in which my Covered Securities are held for my direct or indirect benefit are as follows:

 

NAME OF

BROKER/BANK

   ACCOUNT
NUMBER
   BROKER
BANK/ADDRESS
   DATE
ESTABLISHED
        
        
        
        
        

This report (i) excludes transactions with respect to which I had no direct or indirect influence or control, (ii) excludes other transactions not required to be reported, and (iii) is not an admission that I have or had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the securities listed above.

 

Date:         Signature:    
      Print Name:    


Exhibit A

2 of 2

SCHNEIDER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

CODE OF ETHICS

INITIAL REPORT

 

Title and type

of Security

   Number
of Shares
           Principal        
Amount
   Exchange ticker
Symbol or CUSIP
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        


Exhibit B

1 of 2

SCHNEIDER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

CODE OF ETHICS

ANNUAL REPORT

To the Personal Trading Compliance Officer of Schneider Capital Management:

 

  1. I have read and understand the Code and recognize that I am subject thereto in the capacity of an “Access Person.”

 

  2. I hereby certify that, during the year ended                      , 200      , I have complied with the requirements of the Code and I have reported all securities transactions and beneficial holdings, required to be reported pursuant to the Code.

 

  3. Except as noted below, I hereby certify that I have no knowledge of the existence of any personal conflict of interest relationship which may involve Firm Clients, such as any economic relationship between my transactions and securities held or to be acquired by Firm Clients or any related portfolios.

 

  4. As of the date below, I have a direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the following Covered Securities which are required to be reported under the Firm’s Code of Ethics (see attached form) :

 

Title and type

of Security

   Number
of Shares
   Principal
Amount
   Exchange ticker
Symbol or CUSIP
        
        
        

The name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom I maintain an account in which my securities are held for my direct or indirect benefit are as follows:

 

NAME OF

BROKER/BANK

   ACCOUNT
NUMBER
   BROKER
BANK/ADDRESS
   DATE
ESTABLISHED
        
        
        
        
        

This report (i) excludes transactions with respect to which I had no direct or indirect influence or control, (ii) excludes other transactions not required to be reported, and (iii) is not an admission that I have or had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the securities listed above.

 

Date:         Signature:    
      Print Name:    


Exhibit B

2 of 2

SCHNEIDER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

CODE OF ETHICS

ANNUAL REPORT

 

Title and type

of Security

   Number
of Shares
           Principal        
Amount
   Exchange ticker
Symbol or CUSIP
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        


Exhibit C

1 of 2

SCHNEIDER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Securities Transactions Report for the Calendar Quarter Ended:                                                      

To the Personal Trading Compliance Officer of Schneider Capital Management, Inc. (the “Firm”):

During the quarter referred to above, the following transactions were effected in securities of which I had, or by reason of such transaction acquired, direct or indirect beneficial ownership, and which are required to be reported pursuant to the Code of Ethics adopted by the Firm (see attached form) .

 

Security

   Date of
Transaction
   Number of
Shares
   Principal
Amount
   Interest Rate
and Maturity
Date (if applicable)
   Nature of
Transaction
(Purchase,
Sale, Other)
   Price    Broker/Dealer
or Bank
Through Whom
Effected
   Exchange ticker
Symbol or CUSIP
                       
                       
                       

During the quarter referred to above, I established the following accounts in which securities were held during the quarter for my direct or indirect benefit:

 

NAME OF

BROKER/BANK

   ACCOUNT
NUMBER
   BROKER
BANK/ADDRESS
   DATE
ESTABLISHED
        
        
        

This report (i) excludes transaction with respect to which I had no direct or indirect influence or control, (ii) excludes other transactions not required to be reported, and (iii) is not admission that I have or had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the securities listed above.

Except as noted on the reverse side of this report, I hereby certify that I have no knowledge of the existence of any personal conflict of interest relationship between my transactions and securities held or to be acquired by Firm Clients or any related portfolios.

NOTE : Do not report transactions in direct obligations of the U.S. Government, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments and shares issued by open-end investment companies.

 

Date:         Signature    
      Print Name    
      Title:    


Exhibit C

2 of 2

 

Security

   Date of
Transaction
   Number of
Shares
   Principal
Amount
   Interest Rate
and Maturity

Date (if Applicable
   Nature of
Transaction
(Purchase,
Sale, Other)
   Price    Broker/Dealer
or Bank
Through Whom
Effected
   Exchange ticker
Symbol or CUSIP
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       


Exhibit D

1 of 3

SCHNEIDER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Securities Transactions Report Relating to Short Term Trading

For the Sixty Day Period from                      to                     

To the Personal Trading Compliance Officer of Schneider Capital Management, (the “Firm”):

During the 60 calendar day period referred to above, the following purchases and sales, or sales and purchases, of the same (or equivalent) securities are proposed to be effected in securities of which I have, or by reason of such transaction acquired, direct or indirect beneficial ownership (see attached form) .

 

Security

   Number of
Shares
   Principal
Amount
   Interest Rate
and Maturity
Date (if applicable)
   Nature of Transaction
(Purchase, Sale, Other)
   Exchange ticker
Symbol or CUSIP
              
              
              

This report (1) excludes transactions with respect to which I had no direct or indirect influence or control, (2) excludes other transactions not required to be reported, and (3) is not admission that I have or had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the securities listed above.

With respect to (1) portfolios of the Firm’s Clients that serve as the basis for my “investment personnel” status with the Firm; and (2) transactions in the securities set forth in the table above, I hereby certify that:

 

  a) I have no knowledge of the existence of any personal conflict of interest relationship which may involve Firm Clients, such as frontrunning transactions or the existence of any economic relationship between my transactions and securities held or to be acquired by Firm Clients;

 

  b) such securities, including securities that are economically related to such securities, involved in the transaction are not (i) being considered for purchase or sale by Firm Clients, or (ii) being purchased or sold by Firm Clients; and

 

  c) the transactions are in compliance with the Code of Ethics of the Firm.


Exhibit D

2 of 3

 

Date:         Signature    
      Print Name    
      Title:    

In accordance with the provisions of Section IV.A.2(c) of the Code of Ethics of the Firm, the transaction proposed to be effected as set for in this Report is:

Authorized:                 [    ]

Unauthorized:             [    ]

 

Date:         Signature:    
        Compliance Officer


Exhibit D

3 of 3

SCHNEIDER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

 

Security

   Number of
Shares
   Principal
Amount
   Interest Rate
and Maturity
Date (if applicable)
   Nature of
Transaction

(Purchase,
Sale, Other)
   Exchange ticker
Symbol or CUSIP
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              


Exhibit E

1 of 1

SCHNEIDER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

PRE-CLEARANCE NOTIFICATION

Date:                     

BUY / SELL

Are you closing out a position in this security that was opened within the last 60 days?

Yes: ___ No: ___ If Yes, you must complete the Short Term Trading Request Form

SECURITY: ____________________________________________________________

SHARES/AMOUNT: _____________________________________________________

APPROXIMATE PRICE: __________________________________________________

BROKERAGE ACCOUNT: ________________________________________________

 

   

Are you or any family member (defined as a person’s parents, mother-in-law or father-in-law, spouse, brother or sister, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, son-in-law or daughter-in-law, or child) an officer or board member of the company in which you intend to take a position?

Yes: ___ No: ___ Uncertain _____ (please see CCO)

 

   

Within the past three months, have you had any non-public communication (i.e. communication outside of a publicly attended conference), either oral or written, whether face to face, telephone, mail or email with any officer, director, employee or “temporary insider” of the company?

( A temporary insider of a company includes, among others, analyst, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, consultants, bank lending officers, and employees of such organizations)

Yes: ___ No: ___ Uncertain______ (please see CCO)

If Yes, do you believe all information provided by this person about this company is either public or non-public and non-material?

Yes: ___ No: ___ Uncertain______ (please see CCO)

 

   

Has any other person advised you of any material non-public information about this company?

Yes: ___ No: ___ Uncertain______ (please see CCO)

I certify the proposed transaction does not involve the use of material non-public information in the decision process as outlined within Rule 10b-5 under Section 10 of the SEC Act of 1934, and detailed within SCM’s Code of Ethics:

 

           
Signature     Approved – Personal Trading Compliance Officer or Compliance Officer or Designee.

Reminder: Approval good for today only!


Exhibit F

SCHNEIDER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

GIFT & ENTERTAINMENT LOG

Employee Name:                                             Year:             

 

Date
received

   Name of
Company
providing Gift /
Entertainment
   Name of Person
providing Gift /
Entertainment
   Description of Gift or
Entertainment:
   Estimate Value
of Gift /
Entertainment
over $100?
(Yes or No)
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           

Exhibit (p)(4)

B OGLE I NVESTMENT M ANAGEMENT , L.P.

C ODE OF E THICS

Effective December 12, 2008

PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to specify the responsibilities of all employees of Bogle Investment Management, L.P. (BIM or the “Firm”) to comply with applicable Federal and State securities laws and regulations, to adhere to standards of conduct that recognize their fiduciary obligations to the Firm’s clients, and to observe certain requirements when trading securities for client accounts or for their own accounts.

GENERAL CONCEPT

All employees of Bogle Investment Management L.P. shall conduct themselves in full compliance with all applicable Federal and State securities laws and regulations, in particular but not limited to, those laws and regulations governing “insider trading” and fiduciary responsibilities. Further, all employees shall conduct themselves in compliance with the requirements set forth in this document. It shall be the responsibility of every employee to know said requirements as well as the applicable Federal and State securities laws and regulations.

Bogle Investment Management wishes to achieve a reputation for the highest integrity. This requires that all employees adhere to a set of principles that 1) place the interests of our clients and mutual fund shareholders first; 2) require any personal securities transactions to be accomplished in a way that avoids any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility; and 3) reflect a fundamental standard that Bogle Investment Management employees must not take inappropriate advantage of their positions. Employees should be highly sensitive to the potential for real and perceived conflicts of interest and should understand that full disclosure of any possible conflict is critical in all mutual fund shareholder and client relationships. Violations of any of the laws or regulations referenced above or requirements of this Code, outlined below, will not be tolerated.

Personal trading exposes the Firm and its employees to serious risks. Failure to comply with all applicable laws and regulations and the requirements of this Code may, depending on the circumstance, result in immediate dismissal from Bogle Investment Management L.P. For this reason, Bogle Investment Management personnel are strongly encouraged to minimize the amount of trading of securities, including mutual funds, derivatives, or other investments, for their personal accounts, or of non-Bogle Investment Management accounts over which they exercise any degree of control or in which they have an economic interest, including accounts of family members. Family members include a person’s immediate family sharing the same household, in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

1


TOPICS IN THE CODE OF ETHICS

 

1. MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND INSIDER TRADING

 

2. RESTRICTIONS ON PERSONAL INVESTING ACTIVITIES

INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS

PRIVATE PLACEMENTS

BLACKOUT PERIODS AND TRADING PROCEDURES

MUTUAL FUND TRADING

BAN ON SHORT-TERM TRADING PROFITS

 

3. GIFTS

 

4. SERVICE AS A DIRECTOR

 

5. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

TIMELY REPORTING OF TRADES

EMPLOYEE’S RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THE RULES

EMPLOYEE’S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT VIOLATIONS

CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES

 

6. FUTURES AND OPTION TRADING

 

7. PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL RELATED TO FUTURES AND OPTIONS

 

8. CLIENT COMPLAINTS

 

9. PRIVACY POLICY

 

10. BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NEW EMPLOYEE COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST

 

11. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL HOLDINGS

 

12. OTHER FORMS AVAILABLE FROM THE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER

 

2


MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND INSIDER TRADING

Employees are reminded that they must safeguard all material non-public information concerning BIM’s securities recommendations and the securities holdings and transactions of client’s of the Firm. Employees are prohibited from misusing such material non-public information, whether in connection with trading or otherwise.

All employees are responsible for ensuring that trades they execute for their own accounts, or on behalf of others, including client accounts, are not made on the basis of “insider information.” Bogle Investment Management as a firm is liable for damages and may be prosecuted for the actions of its employees.

Congress has never precisely defined insider information and recent court cases are expanding the scope of actions that can be construed as “insider trading.” Accordingly, all employees are expected to err on the side of caution and take no action that could be so construed.

“Insider trading” occurs when someone in a fiduciary relationship with a firm breaches their fiduciary responsibilities and reveals material non-public information about the firm to someone who then takes investment action with this non-public information. Information is deemed material when it is of sufficient importance to have caused an informed investor to take investment action. Anyone taking action with such information can be found guilty of insider trading even if they have not received such information directly from the fiduciary.

It is the policy of BIM that all employees are prohibited from trading in securities of any issuer if they are in possession of material non-public information related to such issuer. Employees in such circumstances are also prohibited from engaging in any other action that might serve to take advantage of or to pass on to others that information.

In the event that an employee of BIM believes that he or she has received sensitive information, which may be material and non-public, he/she should report the matter immediately to the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). The CCO will consider the situation and determine an appropriate course of action.

RESTRICTIONS ON PERSONAL INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Although Bogle Investment Management strongly discourages active personal trading of Covered Securities (defined below) or derivatives, employees may come to own or wish to trade Covered Securities from time to time. Employees must seek approval from the Chief Compliance Officer to trade such Covered Securities. With the exception of investments in the firm’s hedge funds, employees must complete a Trade Authorization Request before acting on any personal investing activities covered in this section. With respect to investing in the firm’s hedge funds, employees must follow the procedures, including subscription documentation and qualified purchaser confirmation, specific to the hedge fund investing.

 

3


Covered Securities: any stock, bond, future, or investment contract or any other instrument that is considered a security under the Investment Advisers Act. The term “covered security” is very broad and includes items such as:

 

   

options and other derivatives on securities, on indexes, and on currencies;

 

   

all kinds of limited partnerships;

 

   

foreign unit trusts and foreign mutual funds (this does not include U.S. mutual funds that invest in foreign securities);

 

   

private investment funds, hedge funds, and investment clubs;

 

   

ETFs organized as unit investment trusts;

 

   

ETFs organized as open-end investment companies.

Exceptions to the term Covered Security include:

 

   

transactions and holdings in direct obligations of the Government of the United States;

 

   

money market instruments – bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments;

 

   

shares of money market mutual funds;

 

   

transactions and holdings in shares of other types of mutual funds, unless the adviser or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund;

Further under the new regulations, quarterly transaction reports need not be submitted with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan.

If approval is given, the employee may trade the security as long as it falls within the following guidelines:

Initial Public Offerings. In order to preclude any possibility of an employee profiting from their position on behalf of the Firm, all personnel are prohibited from acquiring, for their own accounts, the account of a family member, or any non-client account, beneficial ownership in any securities in an initial public offering. Exceptions to this policy may be granted by the Firm if a company’s shares are offered directly to the investing public without the use of an intermediary or underwriter, and the employee purchases the shares in the offering directly from the issuing company.

Private Placements. Any employee interested in acquiring any security in a private placement must obtain express prior approval from the Chief Compliance Officer. In determining whether to grant approval the Firm will take into account the potential purchase of the security by the portfolio management staff for client portfolios and whether the investment opportunity is being offered to an individual by virtue of his or her position with the Firm.

Blackout Periods and Trading Procedures. In concept, blackout periods and trading procedures ensure that any employee trading activity be entirely segregated from and have no impact on the investment services and process Bogle Investment Management performs for its clients. These rules are intended to avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest and front running, as well as to limit personal trading activity which might provide a distraction from managing client assets.

 

4


Bogle Investment Management L.P. has a fiduciary responsibility to its clients to take action on the clients’ behalf before taking action in the interest of its employees or BIM as a firm. Accordingly, this requires that any trade which a Bogle Investment Management employee undertakes for his or her own account, or for the account of any non-Bogle Investment Management client, must be done so as not to disadvantage any Bogle Investment Management client or to interfere with client portfolios in any way.

Any Bogle Investment Management employee considering the sale or purchase of any Covered Security or derivative is required to ask the Chief Investment Officer and Chief Compliance Officer if that Covered Security or derivative is currently being bought or sold for clients’ accounts, if it is currently held in clients’ accounts, or if it is being contemplated for purchase or sale for clients’ accounts. If so, the employee is prohibited from trading the Covered Security or derivative until explicit authorization is given by the Chief Compliance Officer or the Chief Investment Officer, who will generally require that five full trading days have elapsed after all client portfolios have eliminated all holdings of the Covered Security or derivative.

If Bogle Investment Management’s clients do not hold the Covered Security or derivative and if no trade is planned, the employee may be given a special authorization to trade. The trade must be completed on the day of the request, otherwise the request must be resubmitted.

If the Portfolio Management staff decides that it wishes to trade in the same direction (i.e., buy/buy or sell/sell) as the BIM employee in that Covered Security or derivative within the subsequent five trading days (not including the day the security was initially traded by the employee), it may, in its sole discretion, and if the employee trade was at a more favorable price, either require the employee to break the trade, or require the employee to donate an amount equal to the difference between the trade at its actual price and the price if it were traded at the clients’ price to a charitable organization of Bogle Investment Management’s choosing.

If the requested security is held in Bogle Investment Management’s clients’ portfolios, authorization will generally not be given to trade the security. These rules do not apply to trade requests relating to investments in mutual funds or limited partnerships managed by Bogle Investment Management.

Mutual Fund Trading. In addition, all employees are required to notify the Chief Compliance Officer, in writing, prior to making a purchase or sale or transfer of any mutual fund managed or sub-advised by Bogle. In order to avoid any actual or perceived conflicts of interest and front running, employees are prohibited from making Bogle mutual fund transactions on the basis of information available to the employee, but not the general public, based on his or her position at the Firm.

With respect to Bogle mutual funds, Bogle Investment Management prohibits all investment personnel from frequent trading, market timing and “late-trading.” No transactions in the same security may be done in the opposite direction within sixty days. All trade requests must be submitted to the transfer agent, broker, or wiring institution prior to 4:00 p.m. on trade date. Under no circumstances will trades be allowed to take place after the market has closed for the day. The Chief Compliance Officer may make an exception to the holding period requirement for severe and extenuating circumstances, when it is clear there is no intent to market time.

 

5


Ban on Short-Term Trading Profits. In addition to the blackout periods described above, Bogle Investment Management prohibits all investment personnel from profiting in the purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of securities or their equivalent, within 60 calendar days. This prohibition includes all securities, both covered and exempt, except hedge funds, where the required holding period should match the liquidity provisions of the hedge fund, and money market funds and instruments, where no minimum holding period is required. Any profits realized on such prohibited short-term trades will be required to be disgorged to a charitable organization of Bogle Investment Management’s choosing. The Chief Compliance Officer may make an exception for severe and extenuating circumstances.

GIFTS

All personnel are prohibited from receiving any gift, service or other thing of more than $100 in value from any person or entity that does business with Bogle Investment Management, or has in the past or may in the future do business with Bogle Investment Management. This policy does not apply to meals or other forms of entertainment at which the donor is present.

SERVICE AS A DIRECTOR

Investment personnel are prohibited from serving on boards of directors of any publicly traded companies, absent prior authorization from the Chief Compliance Officer, based on a determination that the board service would be consistent with the interests of the Firm and its clients. Any personnel serving on a board will be isolated from the investment decision-making process by a “Chinese Wall.”

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

TIMELY REPORTING OF TRADES

Bogle Investment Management employees trading any Covered Security for their own account must provide written confirmation, in the form of a broker’s confirmation or statement, of all trades to Bogle Investment Management’s Chief Compliance Officer within five business days of the trade.

A Covered Security means a security as defined in Section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act, as outlined above; generally, it includes all securities except for government obligations, cash and cash instruments, and non-BIM mutual funds (BIM mutual funds are not excluded and must be reported as part of all personal trading compliance). Employees are also required to report employee transactions in securities in which Bogle Investment Management has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership.

 

6


Employees must also provide the Chief Compliance Officer with quarterly summaries showing all trades of Covered Securities executed during the preceding quarter in the form provided by the Chief Compliance Officer, within ten days of the end of the preceding quarter.

In addition, employees must certify within ten calendar days of the end of each calendar quarter, that all trades made by the employee were disclosed to the Firm and conformed with all compliance procedures as specified in this Code of Ethics. In the quarterly trade report, employees must also identify any broker, dealer, or bank with which they maintain a trading account.

Further, employees must provide the Chief Compliance Officer with a statement of all Covered Securities holdings both at the commencement of employment at Bogle Investment Management, and annually thereafter, in the form provided by the Chief Compliance Officer. Employees must also sign an annual certification that they have read and complied with the Firm’s Code of Ethics for the year.

Finally, employees must keep a written log documenting the time and date of each trade, together with a brief description of the investment rationale for the trade.

EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THE RULES

Bogle Investment Management employees are responsible for their actions under the law and therefore required to be sufficiently familiar with the law to avoid infringing it. Employees who have any doubt about the reporting, timing, feasibility or any other question regarding a personal securities transaction must seek clarification from the Chief Compliance Officer before transacting in the security. Misinterpretation of the rules will not be tolerated as an excuse for mistakenly transacting in a security. Any uncertainty about the rules and regulations will require that the individual not transact in the security.

Within thirty days of receiving the book, Bogle Investment Management employees must have read and become familiar with this Code of Ethics and with the CFA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Handbook. Employees must certify, in writing, that they have read and understood these two publications and that they will conduct themselves professionally in complete accordance with the requirements and standards therein.

EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT KNOWLEDGE OF ANY VIOLATIONS TO CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Bogle Investment Management employees have an obligation to report to the Chief Compliance Officer any knowledge they have of violations of this Code of Ethics or violations of any other applicable law, rule, or regulation of any government, governmental agency, or regulatory organization governing Bogle Investment Management’s professional, financial, or business activities. Failure to report knowledge of any violation will be considered a violation and will subject the employee to immediate dismissal. It is each employee’s responsibility to know the

 

7


laws and rules governing personal trading activity and the Firm’s business activities. If for any reason an employee feels uncomfortable reporting an issue to the Chief Compliance Officer, the employee should report to the Firm’s President, John C. Bogle Jr.

CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES

It shall be the responsibility of the Chief Compliance Officer to enforce the provisions of this document and to educate employees to their responsibilities herein.

The Chief Compliance Officer will provide new employees with a copy of this Code of Ethics and of the CFA Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct as soon as possible after they join the Firm.

The Chief Compliance Officer is responsible for staying current with significant new legal developments in the areas of financial advisory services, fiduciary responsibilities, and insider trading, and to convey such developments to Bogle Investment Management’s employees.

The Chief Compliance Officer will review all employee-trading documents in a timely manner and take such action, as this Code of Ethics requires in regards to employee trading and conduct.

The Chief Compliance Officer will maintain a set of records certifying that he has conducted the tasks required in this Code of Ethics.

FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRADING

A partner, officer or director of Bogle Investment Management L.P. must review all futures and options trades on behalf of clients. This review must be documented.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL RELATED TO FUTURES AND OPTIONS

All promotional material that describes Bogle Investment Management L.P.’s use of futures and options must be reviewed and approved by an officer, general partner, or other supervisory employee other than the individual who prepared such material. This review must be documented and filed.

CLIENT COMPLAINTS

Customer complaints must be promptly reported to the Chief Compliance Officer or the Firm’s President, John C. Bogle, Jr. The Chief Compliance Officer is responsible for recording, investigating, and responding to all complaints. All complaints will be recorded in Bogle Investment Management L.P.’s complaint file.

 

8


PRIVACY POLICY

In conjunction with Regulation S-P, the Firm has adopted the following privacy policy in order to safeguard the personal/proprietary information of the Firm’s clients, customers and consumers (“Clients”) in accordance with Regulation S-P as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

1) The Firm is committed to protecting the confidentiality and security of the information it collects and will handle personal/proprietary Client information only in accordance with Regulation S-P and any other applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Fund will ensure: (a) the security and confidentiality of Client records and information; (b) that these records and information are protected from any anticipated threats and hazards; and (c) that these records and information are protected from unauthorized access or use.

2) The Firm conducts its business affairs through its employees and third parties that provide services pursuant to agreements with the Firm. Only employees who need to have access to Client information as part of the Firm’s effort to carry out its duties on behalf of the Client, will have access to Client records and information. This access should only be used in the employees’ performance of their responsibilities for the Firm on behalf of the Client.

3) In a case where a third party service provider needs to have access to Client information as part of the Firm’s effort to carry out it duties on behalf of the Client, the Firm will determine that the policies and procedures of its service providers are reasonably designed to safeguard Client information and only permit appropriate and authorized access to and use of Client information through the application of appropriate administrative, technical and physical protections.

4) The Firm may share Client information with affiliated and unaffiliated third parties only in accordance with the requirements of Regulation S-P. Pursuant to this policy, the Firm will not share Client information with unaffiliated third parties other than as permitted by law without (i) providing an opt out right to the Client or (ii) providing the required disclosure and contractual provision in the case of information sharing conducted pursuant to a marketing agreement. A determination that an entity is an affiliate for purposes of information sharing pursuant to Regulation S-P shall not be deemed to mean that such entity or its parent “controls” the Firm as defined pursuant to other laws, rules or regulations.

5) This privacy policy will be attached as an addendum to the Firm’s Code of Ethics. All current and future employees of the Firm have been and will be made aware of the Firm’s Privacy Policy.

6) The Firm will protect and handle internally any personal Client information it receives from third parties in the same manner as the personal Client information it collects and will only share such information with third parties as permitted by Regulation S-P.

7) Privacy notices will be sent out to all Clients on an annual basis along with the annual mailing of the Firm’s Form ADV.

 

9


Any violation of the above policies will subject the violating employee to disciplinary action, including but not limited to monetary penalties and/or termination of their employment at Bogle Investment Management.

BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEE COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST

EMPLOYEE NAME:

DATE OF HIRE:

I certify that I introduced this employee to the concept of compliance and provided him/her with a copy of the Bogle Investment Management Code of Ethics and the CFA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Handbook.

 

CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER:    DATE:

I certify that I have read and understood the Bogle Investment Management Code of Ethics and that I will conduct myself in accordance with the rules, laws, and standards therein. I further certify that I will always act as a responsible fiduciary for Bogle Investment Management’ clients and that I will not utilize material non-public information in any investment decision I make on my own behalf or on behalf of Bogle Investment Management’s clients. I further certify that I have read and understood the CFA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Handbook.

 

EMPLOYEE:    DATE:

 

10


DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL HOLDINGS

This form is to be submitted by all employees upon commencement of employment and annually thereafter.

I hereby certify that the following is a complete list of the Covered Securities in which I have a direct or indirect beneficial ownership:

Security List

 

Ticker

   Security    Number of
Shares
   Total
Value
        

If any holdings are in fixed income securities, please also report interest rate, maturity date, and principal amount.

Please also identify any broker, dealer, or bank with which you maintain a trading account:

 

EMPLOYEE:    DATE:

 

11


OTHER FORMS AVAILABLE FROM THE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Trade Authorization Request

Quarterly Report of Covered Securities Transactions

Annual Certification

Note that trade confirms and monthly brokerage reports and/or account statements should also be submitted to the Chief Compliance Officer per the guidelines set forth above.

 

12

Exhibit (p)(6)

 

LOGO   

HILLIARD LYONS CODE OF ETHICS AND

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

PREAMBLE

For more than 150 years, Hilliard Lyons has successfully provided high quality investment services to its clients, earning the respect, trust, and confidence of its clients, competitors, and other members of the community. The foundation of the success of this historic organization is built in large part upon our efforts in developing, maintaining, and enforcing the highest standards of ethical and business conduct in the industry. We apply these standards to our clients, prospective clients, employees, colleagues, and other participants in the business. We hold all of our employees to the standards set forth below. Any violations of these standards may subject employees to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

This Code of Ethics and Professional Standards applies to employees of J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC, Hilliard Lyons Capital Management, LLC, and Hilliard Lyons Trust Company, LLC (collectively “Hilliard Lyons” or “the Company”).

CODE OF ETHICS

You must adhere to the following principles:

 

   

Always place client interests, including trade orders, before your own interests and act with openness, integrity, honesty, and trust.

 

   

Disclose fully all known material facts and conflicts of interest to clients and prospective clients and avoid any appearance of impropriety.

 

   

Avoid conflicts of interest when engaging in personal investment transactions.

 

   

Avoid actions or activities that allow, or appear to allow, you to profit or benefit from your position with respect to clients, or that would otherwise bring into question your independence or judgment.

 

   

Allocate investment opportunities fairly and avoid favoring client accounts that may benefit you financially.

 

   

Where given the authority, vote proxies in the best interests of the client.

 

   

Ensure that investment advice is suitable in light of the client’s objectives, needs, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance.

 

   

Seek best execution of trades for client transactions.

 

   

Resolve all trade errors promptly and in a fair and impartial manner.

 

   

Engage only in those services for which you have the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience.

 

   

Act in a fiduciary capacity with respect to any advisory clients.

 

   Adopted August 2008    1


SECURITIES LAWS AND INTERNAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

You must cooperate with the Compliance Department in achieving compliance with internal policies and procedures, federal securities laws, and state laws including, but not limited to, the following applicable rules and regulations:

 

   

Securities Act of 1933

 

   

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

   

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)/New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

 

   

The Investment Advisers Act of 1940

 

   

The Investment Company Act of 1940

 

   

ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act)

 

   

Kentucky Trust law

 

   

Anti-Money Laundering rules and regulations

 

   

Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board rules and regulations

 

   

Department of Labor rules and regulations

 

   

Internal Revenue Service rules and regulations (IRS)

 

   

National Futures Association rules and regulations (NFA)

 

   

State securities laws, where applicable

It is your responsibility to understand and comply with all laws, rules, and regulations applicable to your position at Hilliard Lyons.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

Duties to Clients and Prospective Clients

Privacy/Safeguarding Confidential Information

You have an obligation to safeguard a client’s personal account information and to refrain from sharing this information with other employees and any persons outside of Hilliard Lyons, including third party vendors or regulators, unless these persons need this information in order to perform their job duties or as required by law. Non-essential documents should be appropriately discarded and destroyed. Any breaches of client confidentiality either inside or outside of Hilliard Lyons may result in immediate dismissal. Hilliard Lyons has taken several measures to ensure the protection of client information. Any breaches of client confidentiality should be immediately reported to the Compliance Department. For more details, please refer to Hilliard Lyons’ Privacy and Safeguarding and Disposal of Client Information Policies.

Protecting the Client’s Property

You are responsible for protecting client property that is entrusted with Hilliard Lyons. This obligation is fundamental to the success and reputation of Hilliard Lyons.

 

   Adopted August 2008    2


Disclosure of Material Facts and Conflicts of Interest

You have a duty to disclose all known material facts and conflicts of interest to clients and prospective clients. You are required to provide clients and prospective clients with the appropriate Form ADV disclosure brochure. The disclosure brochure contains key facts related to the particular advisory product and to Hilliard Lyons’ advisory business.

Dealing with Conflicts of Interest

Personal Investments

Investment transactions for clients take priority over personal investment transactions for Hilliard Lyons’ employees or their family members. You have an obligation to put the interests of clients first. You are required to complete an annual report, which lists all of the accounts you hold at Hilliard Lyons and any accounts that you hold at other investment firms. Certain employees are required to provide this report on a quarterly basis. You are required to include in this report all accounts you hold as well as any accounts held by the your spouse, minor child, any immediate family member living in your household and/or financially dependent upon the you, and any individual’s account over which you have influence or control (aside from client accounts). If you open or close an account during the year, you are required to immediately notify the Compliance Department with the account information.

Unless the prior approval of the Compliance Department is obtained, all investment accounts must be held at Hilliard Lyons. If permission is granted to hold accounts outside of Hilliard Lyons, you must direct your outside firm to provide duplicate statements to the Compliance Department.

You may not engage in any private investment transaction directly with a client or invest in private placements without obtaining prior approval from your supervisor and the Compliance Department.

Certain employees are required to pre-clear their investment transactions with the Compliance Department by completing the Personal Investment Account Transaction Prior Notification Form (See Appendix III). Employees in the Research Department are required to pre-clear their investment transactions through a different process. In addition, certain employees are subject to blackout periods (i.e. required delays between the trading that occurs in client accounts and employee accounts).

The Company is required to monitor all personal investment transactions to ensure that employees are meeting these obligations.

You are required to review Appendix I at the end of this Code of Ethics for specific details as to the Company’s pre-clearance and reporting requirements regarding personal investment transactions.

 

   Adopted August 2008    3


Insider Trading and Market Manipulation

You have an obligation to refrain from engaging in insider trading. In essence, insider trading is trading on the basis of material, non-public information. Non-public information is information that is generally not available to ordinary investors in the marketplace. You are prohibited from trading on the information for your own accounts, the Company’s benefit, or the benefit of a client. Insider trading may lead to regulatory action, civil liability, and/or criminal penalties.

The Compliance Manual provides a list of the types of information that may be deemed material and may give rise to insider trading. Employees in the following areas are more likely to receive confidential information about a public company in the normal course of their activities and, therefore, should exercise extra caution: Investment Banking, various trading desks, and Research.

You must not engage in practices that distort prices or artificially inflate trading volume with the intent to mislead market participants.

Self-Dealing

You must refrain from using corporate property, information, or position for improper personal gain. You may not ask for or accept from someone doing business with Hilliard Lyons, a discount or other favor made available to you because of your position with the Company. You may not take for yourself a business opportunity that belongs to Hilliard Lyons. You may not make loans to clients or other employees of the Company, except for members of your family. You must obtain prior approval from the Compliance Department before becoming involved in a material transaction with any entity in which you or an immediate family member has a significant personal or financial interest.

Gifts and Business Entertainment

In General

You are prohibited from giving or receiving gifts and gratuities from clients or outside vendors, including services of value, in excess of $100 per person per year to/from any one source outside the Company, unless prior written approval has been obtained from the your supervisor, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Compliance Department. Any gifts given or received in excess of $25.00 must be reported to your supervisor and are required to be entered into a Gift Log.

Absent prior approval, which would be granted only in very limited circumstances, employees are prohibited from receiving monetary gifts in any form (e.g. cash, check) from wholesalers, vendors, or clients. You may not give gifts of cash to other employees under any circumstances; gift cards may be given only if they are not the equivalent of cash and approval is obtained in advance from Human Resources.

 

   Adopted August 2008    4


Ordinary business entertainment is exempted from the gift policy if you are personally acting as the host and the gift/entertainment being given by you would be an appropriate business expense under the Hilliard Lyons Expense Policy. This policy must be followed and requires that any such expenses be submitted on the Hilliard Lyons Expense Reimbursement Form. Further, any gift/entertainment received/given by you should not violate any of the firm’s standards, policies, or the Code of Ethics.

Special Rules for Gifts to and Entertainment of Certain Government Employees

The federal government, various states, and certain local jurisdictions have separate laws and rules restricting the gifts and entertainment that may be provided to their officials and employees. As a result, you must get approval from the Director of the Municipal Department before giving any gifts or providing any entertainment to government employees. Gifts or entertainment given by you to your family members who are government employees are permitted and do not require approval as long as it is solely for a personal purpose and reimbursement from the Company is not being sought.

Special Rules for Gifts to and Entertainment of Certain Union Members

In accordance with the rules set forth by the Department of Labor, you are required to report gifts, entertainment, loans and other payments when certain union or union-affiliated individuals are involved. These reports must be disclosed to the Finance Department on the Hilliard Lyons Expense Reimbursement Form regardless of the dollar amount involved.

Inheritances and Fiduciary Appointments from Clients

You may not accept an inheritance from a client whose financial transactions you have handled, unless the relationship between you and the client was established outside of Hilliard Lyons or the client is your relative. You may not accept appointment as a client’s executor, trustee, or other fiduciary, unless approval has been obtained from the Compliance Department. You should immediately notify the Compliance Department of any outstanding fiduciary appointments to ensure that the Compliance Department has a record of all appointments.

Outside Activities

Other Employment

You are required to request approval from the Compliance Department before engaging in any outside employment. Employment outside of Hilliard Lyons is generally permitted as long as it does not pose a conflict of interest or interfere with your ability to perform your job duties. You must complete an Outside Activity Approval Form to request approval.

Outside Director and Officer Positions

You are required to request approval from the Compliance Department before serving on the Board of Directors of public and private companies and non-profit organizations and before taking an officer position with a company. This sort of activity is generally permitted as long as there are no conflicts of interest. You must complete the Outside Activity Approval Form to request approval.

 

   Adopted August 2008    5


Holding Political/Public Office Positions

You are required to obtain the approval of their supervisor, the Compliance Director, Director of Municipals, and the Chief Operating Officer prior to campaigning for yourself and others or accepting a political or public office position. You may not use Hilliard Lyons’ name or property in such a way that would lead the public to believe that Hilliard Lyons endorses you or others. Campaign activities may not interfere with your job responsibilities.

Political Contributions

Rule G-37 of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board places restrictions on the ability of certain financial services employees and firms from making political contributions. Hilliard Lyons prohibits all employees from making contributions or gifts to any candidate or political party or assisting in a political campaign without receiving prior approval from the Compliance Director or Director of Municipals or the Chief Operating Officer. You may not use your spouse, any immediate family member, or any other individual as a conduit for making political contributions or gifts. You are required to complete the Political Contributions Form when seeking approval.

Lobbying, Registration, and Reporting Requirements

You may not, on behalf of or for the benefit of Hilliard Lyons, engage in lobbying activity without the prior approval of the Compliance Department. When lobbying for themselves or another organization, employees should not do so in such a way that could lead the public to believe that Hilliard Lyons endorses you.

Outside Investment Accounts

You and your immediate family members (e.g. spouse, minor children, any family member living in your home and/or financially dependent upon you) are required to maintain personal investment accounts at Hilliard Lyons. You may request an exception from the Compliance Department by completing the Outside Account Disclosure Form; however, an unusual circumstance must present itself in order for an exception to be granted.

Duty to Supervise

Every manager or employee holding a supervisory position at Hilliard Lyons has a duty to supervise those employees that he or she manages to prevent, detect, and report to the Compliance Department any activities inconsistent with the Code of Ethics, the Company’s policies and procedures, and federal and state rules and regulations.

 

   Adopted August 2008    6


Duty to Hilliard Lyons

You have an obligation to comply with this Code of Ethics, internal policies and procedures, and applicable laws and regulations. Internal policies and procedures, laws, and regulations are constantly changing. The Compliance Department will publish changes when they occur; however, it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with any changes. Fulfilling this obligation is vital to protecting the reputation of Hilliard Lyons and you.

At certain times of the year, you will be asked to review and acknowledge your review of certain departmental manuals as well as this Code of Ethics. In addition, on an annual basis, you will be required to complete the Personal Investment Accounts Disclosure and Acknowledgment Form (see Appendix II).

On a periodic basis, you must complete certain continuing education (CE) requirements. These documents and continuing education modules contain valuable information that has been compiled and organized for the purpose of aiding you in carrying out your job responsibilities. You should set aside a sufficient amount of time for fulfilling these CE responsibilities.

You have an obligation to notify the AML officer of any suspicious activity that could be related to the funding of terrorist activities or potential money laundering. The Suspicious Activity Form is available on the On-line Toolbox under the Compliance Intranet Page; this form allows you to report concerns anonymously to the AML officer.

In accordance with Hilliard Lyons’ reporting obligations, you must notify the Compliance Department immediately if you, or any organization over which you exercise control, become subject to any of the following events:

 

   

An investigation or finding of a violation by a securities regulator, government agency, financial business, or professional organization

 

   

A court proceeding involving securities, commodities, insurance, or banking matters

 

   

An investment-related customer complaint, including a written or oral complaint, civil litigation, or arbitration

 

   

An arrest, indictment, arraignment, conviction, guilty plea or no contest plea to any felony or misdemeanor (other than a misdemeanor traffic offense)

 

   

Association with a financial institution (broker dealer, insurance company, etc.) that is suspended or expelled by a regulatory agency, that has resulted in a conviction or plea of no contest to any felony or misdemeanor, or that is subject to a statutory disqualification

 

   

Voluntary or involuntary termination of employment after allegations of violating investment-related rules and regulations, fraud, wrongful taking of property, or failure to supervise

 

   

A bankruptcy proceeding or compromise with creditors

 

   

Denial of a bond from a bonding company

 

   

Unsatisfied judgments or liens

 

   Adopted August 2008    7


Duty to Regulators

You have a duty to treat regulators with courtesy and respect. How we treat regulators could potentially impact the reputation of Hilliard Lyons as well as the outcome of any regulatory exam. You are required to immediately contact the Compliance Department and the Risk and Regulatory Control Department upon notice of any upcoming regulatory exam and/or upon receipt of any inquiry by a regulator. You are prohibited from responding to any regulatory inquiry without first notifying the Compliance Department and the Risk and Regulatory Control Department.

Regulatory exams are often coordinated by the Compliance Department and/or the Risk and Regulatory Control Department of Hilliard Lyons. It is imperative during an exam that you respond to the requests of regulators in an honest and timely manner. Fulfilling regulatory requests should be high on your list of priorities. You should never falsify records or documents. If regulators express concern about a transaction or product, you have an obligation to advise your supervisor and the Compliance Department so that the matter may be handled in the most appropriate manner possible. How these matters are handled greatly affects the outcome of regulatory exams.

Duty to Competitors and the Marketplace

You have a duty to engage in fair competition. The antitrust laws, which contain criminal and civil penalties, prohibit unfair methods of competition and agreements that restrain the way companies compete. Possible antitrust triggers of which you should be aware include conversations or understandings with competitors about prices, reciprocal business agreements, agreements that limit the other party’s ability to do business with other companies, conditioning the availability of one Hilliard Lyons’ product on the purchase of another Hilliard Lyons’ product, private meetings with competitors not related to legitimate joint business activities, and sharing confidential pricing or other strategic information with an actual or potential competitor as part of an acquisition or other due diligence.

REPORTING OF VIOLATIONS OF THIS HILLIARD LYONS CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

You are required to promptly report any violations of this Hilliard Lyons Code of Ethics and Professional Standards to the Compliance Department. As an alternative, you may report any violations of this Hilliard Lyons Code of Ethics and Professional Standards to the Director of Human Resources or the Chief Executive Officer. This includes any known or suspected violations committed by other employees of the Company. If preferred, you may report violations in any reasonable anonymous fashion. Failure to report a violation is considered a separate violation of this Hilliard Lyons Code of Ethics and Professional Standards and will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of your employment. Hilliard Lyons does not tolerate retaliation against employees for reports of alleged code violations that are made in good faith. Retaliation is considered a separate violation of this Hilliard Lyons Code of Ethics and Professional Standards and will result in disciplinary action up to and including the termination of employment of anyone who engages in retaliation.

 

   Adopted August 2008    8


SANCTIONS

The Compliance Department of Hilliard Lyons is responsible for the administration of this Hilliard Lyons Code of Ethics and Professional Standards. On an ongoing basis, the Compliance Department conducts necessary monitoring to ensure that employees are complying with the Hilliard Lyons Code of Ethics and Professional Standards.

If the Compliance Department finds that a violation of the Hilliard Lyons Code of Ethics and Professional Standards has occurred, action taken by the Compliance Department and/or the Human Resources Department will depend on the severity of the violation. Possible actions for violations of this Hilliard Lyons Code of Ethics and Professional Standards include training or enhanced education, written reminders or reprimands, the disgorgement of profits, limitations of certain types of business, suspension of employment, and termination of employment. Any investment transaction executed in violation of the Hilliard Lyons Code of Ethics and Professional Standards may be unwound. Violations and suspected violations of certain securities and criminal laws will be reported to the appropriate authorities as required by applicable law or regulation. This may include, but is not limited to, reporting on the CRD system. Where a violation has occurred, but no abuse is involved and the situation warrants an exception, the Compliance Department and/or the Human Resources Department may determine that no sanctions be imposed.

 

   Adopted August 2008    9


LOGO   

APPENDIX I TO HILLIARD LYONS CODE

OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

PERSONAL INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

You are subject to the following reporting requirements:

 

   

Within 10 days of the date of hire, you must disclose to the Compliance Department a list of your Personal Investment Accounts. This includes any accounts held at Hilliard Lyons and any accounts held outside of Hilliard Lyons. (See Appendix II Personal Investment Accounts Disclosure and Acknowledgment Form.)

 

   

In general, “Personal Investment Accounts” are those accounts held in your name, your spouse’s name, your minor child’s name, any immediate family member who resides in your household and/or is financially dependent upon you, and in the name of any other individual over which you have influence or control.

 

   

On a quarterly basis, you must provide a complete report of all Personal Investment Account activity within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter. For accounts held at Hilliard Lyons, the Compliance Department can access that information directly. For any accounts that have received approval to be held outside of Hilliard Lyons, you must have the outside firm send account statements to the Compliance Department within the timeframe specified above.

 

   

On an annual basis, you must provide a complete report of your Personal Investment Accounts and certify that you have read the Hilliard Lyons Code of Ethics and Professional Standards. The Compliance Department will publish notice when it is time to provide the annual report and certification. (See Appendix II Personal Investment Accounts Disclosure and Acknowledgment Form.)

 

   

During the year, you must immediately report to the Compliance Department the opening or closing of any Personal Investment Accounts.

 

   

In general, you may not maintain a Personal Investment Account outside of Hilliard Lyons. The Compliance Department may grant an exception to this rule upon the demonstration of a hardship involving special circumstances. To request an exception, employees must complete the Outside Account Disclosure Form.

 

   

You must report any mutual fund holdings or transactions in which Hilliard Lyons serves in the capacity of adviser, sub-adviser, or principal underwriter.

 

   Adopted August 2008    10


RULES FOR TRADING IN PERSONAL INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS

You must comply with the following rules related to trading in Personal Investment Accounts:

 

   

You and your immediate family members are prohibited from investing in shares of Initial Public Offerings. You may invest in offerings of municipal bonds in an initial public offering if you receive pre-approval from the Director of Municipals and 1) the price paid by any client account is equal to or lower than the price you paid, and 2) your execution of any such purchase is simultaneous with, or after, the execution of any purchases of the same issue for any client account.

 

   

You may not engage in any private security transactions (e.g. selling away) directly with a client without the written approval of your supervisor and the Compliance Department. You are prohibited from investing in Private Placements without the express prior approval of the Compliance Department and your supervisor. Approval shall only be granted where such actions are consistent with the interests of the accounts and their beneficiaries or owners. Where service as a director is authorized, safeguards, such as a “Chinese Wall”, may be required.

 

   

You may not act on an investment opportunity without first providing that opportunity to a client for whom such opportunity would be suitable and appropriate.

 

   

You are prohibited from front-running (i.e. placing your own trades before trades you know you will place in client accounts).

 

   

You must avoid transactions that involve a conflict of interest or an appearance of a conflict of interest with a client.

 

   

You may not promote, engage or facilitate a market timing transaction involving open-end mutual fund shares.

 

   

You may not engage in personal trading that would interfere with your job responsibilities.

 

   

You may not act upon, disclose or share material non-public information, unless necessary to perform your job duties. You have a duty to prevent access to material non-public information about securities recommendations and client securities holdings and transactions by individuals who do not need the information to perform their duties.

 

   Adopted August 2008    11


SPECIAL RULES FOR TRADING IN PERSONAL INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS FOR HLCM AND HLTC EMPLOYEES, AND SENBANC FUND ACCESS PERSONS

Employees of HLCM, HLTC, and access persons of the Senbanc Fund of the RBB Fund, Inc. (“Senbanc Fund”) must comply with the rules above and the rules below related to trading in Personal Investment Accounts. Employees in the Research Department are not subject to the rules below and instead have a different process.

Pre-Clearance

You must request and receive prior approval before executing any trades in a Reportable Security. (See Appendix III Personal Investment Account Transaction Prior Notification Form.)

A “Reportable Security” includes any security except :

 

   

Direct obligations of the Government of the United States

 

   

Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments

 

   

Money market funds

 

   

Mutual funds, unless Hilliard Lyons acts as the investment adviser, sub-adviser, or principal underwriter of the fund

 

   

Units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in unaffiliated mutual funds

Blackout Period for HLCM and HLTC

 

   

Portfolio Managers shall not trade a Reportable Security in a Personal Investment Account on the same day that a trade has been placed in the same security in a discretionary client account. Portfolio Managers must wait until the next business day. Portfolio Managers cannot trade a security if a trade of that same security is contemplated for a discretionary client account.

 

   

Once a Portfolio Manager has placed a trade in a Reportable Security in a Personal Investment Account, he or she generally should not trade the same security in a client account later that same day, the following business day, or the next business day (i.e. the Blackout Period). However , if circumstances warrant a trade for a client account following a trade in the same security for a Personal Investment Account, the Portfolio Manager is required to notify the Compliance Department immediately so that appropriate action may be taken.

 

   

Transactions in securities related in value to securities of an account, including warrants, convertible securities, and options shall be restricted in the same manner as the security itself.

 

   

Personal investment transactions in securities that are in the HLCM Model, on the HLTC Approved List (maintained by the Investment Policy Committee), or transactions in securities that employees know are about to be added to or deleted from the Model or

 

   Adopted August 2008    12


 

Approved List must be carefully considered to ensure that such transactions are not executed before accounts for which Hilliard Lyons has fiduciary or investment responsibility.

Blackout Period for Access Persons of the Senbanc Fund

Hilliard Lyons advises the Senbanc Fund. Access Persons of the Senbanc Fund are subject to special blackout period trading rules.

 

   

The Blackout Period for Portfolio Managers of the Senbanc Fund requires Portfolio Managers to avoid trading in a security within seven calendar days before and seven calendar days after a client trades in that security, unless the market capitalization of the issuer at the time of the purchase or sale exceeds $1,000,000,000 and the average daily trading volume of the security during the four-week period preceding the purchase or sale exceeds 1,000,000 shares.

 

   

Access persons of the Senbanc Fund who are not Portfolio Managers are required to avoid trading in a Personal Investment Account if the same security is contemplated for a client account, unless the market capitalization of the issuer at the time of the purchase or sale exceeds $1,000,000,000 and the average daily trading volume of the security during the four-week period preceding the purchase or sale exceeds 1,000,000 shares.

The requirements above shall not apply to the following:

 

   

Purchases or sales effected in any account over which you have no direct or indirect influence or control

 

   

Purchases or sales of securities that are not eligible for purchase or sale by a fund client

 

   

Purchases or sales which are non-volitional on the part of either you or the fund client

 

   

Purchases that are part of an automatic dividend reinvestment plan

EXCEPTIONS

The Compliance Department may grant an exception to any of the above restrictions upon demonstration of a hardship involving special circumstances, as long as no abuse is involved.

 

   Adopted August 2008    13


LOGO   

APPENDIX II TO HILLIARD LYONS CODE

OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

Within 10 days of your date of hire and on an annual basis , you must complete and return this form. You must list below any accounts, including family member accounts, held at Hilliard Lyons and any accounts held outside of Hilliard Lyons. For any accounts held outside of Hilliard Lyons, a copy of the most recent account statement should be promptly forwarded to the Compliance Department.

PERSONAL INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS DISCLOSURE

AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

Personal Investment Accounts Disclosure

I understand that I have an obligation to disclose any Personal Investment Accounts held here at Hilliard Lyons and any held outside of Hilliard Lyons. “Personal Investment Accounts” are defined as those accounts held in my name, my spouse’s name, my minor child’s name, the name of any immediate family member living in my household and/or financially dependent upon me, and any individual’s account over which I have influence or control (excluding client accounts).

The following is a list of my Personal Investment Accounts. ( Please exclude any bank accounts. If you do not have any Personal Investment Accounts, please state “None” below.)

 

Account Number

(e.g. 1234-5678)

   Account Name
(e.g. Individual’s Name, IRA)
   Relationship to Account Holder
(e.g. Spouse, Child)
   Firm Where Account is Held
(e.g. Hilliard, XY Firm)
        
        
        
        

 

   Adopted August 2008    14


Acknowledgment

I certify the following:

 

   

I have read the Hilliard Lyons Code of Ethics and Professional Standards (“the Code”).

 

   

I understand that I may direct any questions about the Code to the Compliance Department or Human Resources Department.

 

   

I understand my responsibilities as outlined in the Code (e.g. duties to clients, avoiding conflicts of interest, duties to Hilliard Lyons, duties to regulators, personal trading rules, reporting requirements, etc).

 

   

I understand that I am required to report above all accounts that I hold or a family member holds at Hilliard Lyons and outside of Hilliard Lyons. This applies to accounts in my name as well as those that fall within the definition of “Personal Investment Accounts”. I further understand that the trading in these accounts will be reviewed for compliance with the Code and federal securities laws.

 

   

I understand that I am required to report any violations or suspected violations of the Code to Compliance, the Director of Human Resources, the Chief Executive Officer, or in any reasonable anonymous fashion.

 

   

I agree to comply with the Code and securities rules and regulations.

 

   

I will cooperate with the Compliance Department whose job it is to help achieve compliance with the rules established by regulators and Hilliard Lyons.

PRINTED NAME: __________________________________________________________________________________

SIGNATURE: ______________________________________________________________________________________

DATE OF SIGNATURE: ______________________________________________________________________________

JOB TITLE: _______________________________________________________________________________________

LINE OF BUSINESS (Hilliard Lyons, HLCM, or HLTC): ______________________________________________________

HIRE DATE (Only applicable if new hire): _________________________________________________________________

 

   Adopted August 2008    15


LOGO   

APPENDIX III TO HILLIARD LYONS CODE

OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

PERSONAL INVESTMENT ACCOUNT TRANSACTION

PRIOR NOTIFICATION FORM

This form must be signed by 1) Compliance and 2) depending upon the business group you are in, either Hilliard Lyons Capital Management, LLC (Bill Stewart, Angela Purcell, or their designee) or Hilliard Lyons Trust Company, LLC (Don Asfahl, Leslie Coyle, or their designee) before executing any trade in a Personal Investment Account. The Research Department does not follow this procedure and instead has its own special procedures.

 

   

A Personal Investment Account transaction requiring prior notification must be executed by the end of trading on the day this Form is approved and the information below must remain current. Otherwise, new Approval is required.

 

Your Name:         Date:    

If the investment transaction will be in someone else’s name or in the name of a trust, list the name and the relationship of that person or trust:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

   

Account Number: _________________________________________________________

 

   

Account Type: ________________________________________________________

 

   

If other than Hilliard Lyons, list the name of the firm (i.e. securities broker-dealer, futures commission merchant) through which the investment transaction will be executed:

________________________________________________________________________

 

   

Security Information:

 

Issuer:         CUSIP:    

 

Type:         Symbol:    

 

   

List the maximum number of shares, units or contracts for which prior notification is being given, or the market value or face amount of the securities for which prior notification is being given: ______________________________________

 

   

Identify the type of investment transaction for which prior notification is being given: Purchase_____ Sale_____ Market Order_____ Limit Order (list the price) ____________

 

   Adopted August 2008    16


   

Are you selling a security that is currently being recommended to clients?

(See the HLCM Model or HLTC Approved List.)

Yes______________                 No______________

 

   

Do you possess material nonpublic information regarding the security identified above or regarding the issuer of that security (including research)?

Yes______________                 No______________

 

   

If you are a Portfolio Manager: Has an Advisory Client for which you are responsible purchased or sold this security on the day you plan to execute your personal investment transaction?

Yes______________                 No______________

Portfolio Managers should generally wail until the next business day before placing trades in their personal account.

Trading in your client accounts will be reviewed for the next two business days to monitor for potential front-running.

 

   

Is the security being acquired in an Initial Public Offering?

Yes______________                 No______________

If Yes, does the security meet the requirements below? Yes _________ No_________

(1) Municipal Bond where the price you paid is not better than the price paid by any client account, and (2) The execution of any such purchase by you is simultaneous with, or after, the execution of any purchases of the same issue for any client account.

 

   

Are you acquiring or did you acquire Beneficial Ownership of the security in a Private Placement?

Yes______________                 No______________

I have reviewed the Hilliard Lyons Code of Ethics and Professional Standards and believe that this transaction is in compliance.

 

Employee Signature:         Date Submitted:    
Supervisor Approval:         Date Approved:    
Compliance Approval:         Date Approved:    

 

   Adopted August 2008    17

Exhibit (p)(7)

Code of Ethics

of

 

   

J.P. Morgan Alternative Asset Management, Inc.

 

   

JPMorgan Asset Management (UK) Ltd.

 

   

JPMorgan Investment Advisors Inc.

 

   

J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.

 

   

Security Capital Research & Management Inc.

 

   

Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc.

(collectively, “JPMAM”)

Effective February 1, 2005

(Revised November 18, 2008)


Code of Ethics

JPMorgan Asset Management

 

Table of Contents

 

1.

   Introduction and Standards    1
   1.1.    Adoption of the Code of Ethics    1
   1.2.    Standards of Business Conduct    1
   1.3.    General Definitions    2

2.

   Reporting Requirements    4
   2.1.    Holdings Reports    4
      2.1.1.    Content of Holdings Reports    4
      2.1.2.    Timing of Holdings Reports    4
   2.2.    Transaction Reports    4
      2.2.1.    Content of Transaction Reports    4
      2.2.2.    Timing of Transaction Reports    5
   2.3.    Consolidated Report    5
   2.4.    Exceptions from Reporting Requirements    5

3.

   Pre-approval of Certain Investments    5

4.

   Additional Restrictions and Corrective Action under the Personal Trading Policy and other related Policies and Procedures    5
   4.1.    Designated Broker Requirement    5
   4.2.    Blackout Provisions    5
   4.3.    Minimum Investment Holding Period and Market Timing Prohibition    6
   4.4.    Trade Reversals and Disciplinary Action    6

5.

   Books and Records to be Maintained by Investment Advisers    6

6.

   Confidentiality    7

7.

   Conflicts of Interest    7
   7.1.    Trading in Securities of Clients    7
   7.2.    Trading in Securities of Suppliers    7
   7.3.    Gifts    7
   7.4.    Entertainment    8
   7.5.    Political and Charitable Contributions    8
   7.6.    Outside Business Activities    8

8.

   Training       9

 

i


Code of Ethics

JPMorgan Asset Management

 

9.

   Escalation Guidelines    9
   9.1.    Violation Prior to Material Violation    9
   9.2.    Material Violations    9

 

ii


Code of Ethics

JPMorgan Asset Management

 

1. Introduction and Standards

 

1.1. Adoption of the Code of Ethics

This Code of Ethics for JPMAM (the “Code”) has been adopted by the registered investment advisers named on the cover hereof in accordance with Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”). Rule 204A-1 requires, at a minimum, that an adviser’s code of ethics set forth standards of conduct, require compliance with federal securities laws and address personal trading by advisory personnel.

While all J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (“JPMC”) staff, including JPMAM Supervised Persons as defined below, are subject to the personal trading policies under the JPMC Code of Conduct, the JPMAM Code establishes more stringent standards reflecting the fiduciary obligations of JPMAM and its Supervised Persons. Where matters are addressed by both the JPMC Code of Conduct and this Code, Supervised Persons of JPMAM must observe and comply with the stricter standards set forth in this Code.

JPMAM hereby designates the staff of its Compliance Department to act as designees for the respective chief compliance officers of the JPMAM registered investment advisers (“CCO”) in administering this Code. Anyone with questions regarding the Code or its application should contact the Compliance Department.

 

1.2. Standards of Business Conduct

It is the duty of all Supervised Persons to place the interests of JPMAM clients before their own personal interests at all times and avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest. Given the access that Supervised Persons may have to proprietary and client information, JPMAM and its Supervised Persons must avoid even the appearance of impropriety with respect to personal trading, which must be oriented toward investment rather than short-term or speculative trading. Supervised Persons must also comply with applicable federal securities laws and report any violations of the Code promptly to the Compliance Department, which shall report any such violation promptly to the CCO.

Access Persons, as defined below, must report, and JPMAM must review, their personal securities transactions and holdings periodically. See section 2. Reporting Requirements and the Personal Trading Policy for Investment Management Americas Staff (for internal use only), as defined below, for details regarding reporting procedures.

Compliance with the Code, and other applicable policies and procedures, is a condition of employment. The rules, procedures, reporting and recordkeeping requirements contained in the Code are designed to prevent employees from violating the provisions of the Code. Failure by a Supervised Person to comply with the Code may adversely impact JPMAM and may constitute a violation of federal securities laws.

The Compliance Department shall distribute to each Supervised Person a copy of the Code and any amendments, receipt of which shall be acknowledged in writing by the Supervised Person. Written acknowledgements shall be maintained by the Compliance Department in accordance with section 5. Books and Records to be Maintained by Investment Advisers. The form of acknowledgment shall be determined by the Compliance Department.

At least annually, each CCO must review the adequacy of the Code and the policies and the procedures herein referenced.

 

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Code of Ethics

JPMorgan Asset Management

 

1.3. General Definitions

 

  (a) Supervised Persons include:

 

  (1) Any partner, officer, director (or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions) and employees of JPMAM;

 

  (2) All employees of entities affiliated with JPMAM that have been authorized by the Office of the Corporate Secretary to act in an official capacity on behalf of a legal entity within JPMAM, sometimes referred to as “dual hatted” employees;

 

  (3) Certain consultants as well as any other persons who provide advice on behalf of JPMAM and are subject to JPMAM’s supervision and control; and

 

  (4) All Access Persons, as defined in paragraph (b).

 

  (b) Access Persons include any partner, officer, director (or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions) of JPMAM, as well as any other Supervised Person who:

 

  (1) Has access to nonpublic information regarding any clients’ purchase or sale of securities, or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any registered fund advised or sub-advised by JPMAM; or

 

  (2) Is involved in making securities recommendations to clients, including Funds, or who has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic.

 

  (c) Associated Account refers to an account in the name or for the direct or indirect benefit of a Supervised Person or a Supervised Person’s spouse, domestic partner, minor children and any other person for whom the Supervised Person provides significant financial support, as well as to any other account over which the Supervised Person or any of these other persons exercise investment discretion, regardless of beneficial interest. Excluded from Associated Accounts are any 401(k) and deferred compensation plan accounts for which the Supervised Person has no investment discretion.

 

  (d) Automatic investment plan means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An automatic investment plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan.

 

  (e) Beneficial ownership is interpreted to mean any interest held directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, or any pecuniary interest in equity securities held or shared directly or indirectly, subject to the terms and conditions set forth under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. A Supervised Person who has questions regarding the definition of this term should consult the Compliance Department. Please note : Any report required under section 2. Reporting Requirements may contain a statement that the report will not be construed as an admission that the person making the report has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which the report relates.

 

  (f) Client refers to any entity ( e.g. , person, corporation or Fund) for which JPMAM provides a service or has a fiduciary responsibility.

 

  (g)

Federal securities laws means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Advisers Act, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (1999), any rules adopted

 

2


Code of Ethics

JPMorgan Asset Management

 

 

by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted there under by the SEC or the Department of the Treasury.

 

  (h) Fund means an investment company registered under the 1940 Act.

 

  (i) Initial public offering means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

  (j) JPMAM is an abbreviation for JPMorgan Asset Management, the asset management business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Within the context of this document, JPMAM refers to the U.S. registered investment advisers of JPMorgan Asset Management identified on the cover of this Code.

 

  (k) Limited offering means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to section 4(2) or section 4(6) or pursuant to Rules 504, 505 or 506 there under.

 

  (l) Personal Trading Policy refers to the Personal Trading Policy for Investment Management Americas Staff and/or the Personal Investment Policy for JPMAM Employees in EMEA, Asia and Japan, as applicable, and the procedures there under.

 

  (m) Reportable Security means a security as defined under section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act held for the direct or indirect benefit of an Access Person, including any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security”, or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guaranty of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any of the foregoing. Also included in this definition are open-end mutual funds (except as noted below) and exchange traded funds. Excluded from this definition are:

 

  (1) Direct obligations of the Government of the United States;

 

  (2) Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements;

 

  (3) Shares issued by money market funds; and

 

  (4) Shares of other types of mutual funds, unless JPMAM acts as the investment adviser, sub-adviser or principal underwriter for the Fund.

 

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Code of Ethics

JPMorgan Asset Management

 

2. Reporting Requirements

 

2.1. Holdings Reports

Access Persons must submit to the Compliance Department a report, in the form designated by the Compliance Department, of the Access Person’s current securities holdings that meets the following requirements:

2.1.1. Content of Holdings Reports

Each holdings report must contain, at a minimum:

 

  (a) The name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the Access Person maintains an Associated Account in which any Reportable Securities are held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect benefit, as well as all pertinent Associated Account details (e.g., account title, account number, etc.);

 

  (b) The title and type of security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each Reportable Security in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership; and

 

  (c) The date the Access Person submits the report.

2.1.2. Timing of Holdings Reports

Access Persons must each submit a holdings report:

 

  (a) No later than 10 days after the person becomes an Access Person, and the information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the person becomes an Access Person.

 

  (b) At least once each 12-month period thereafter on January 30, and the information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the report was submitted.

 

2.2. Transaction Reports

Access Persons must submit to the Compliance Department quarterly securities transactions reports, in the form designated by the Compliance Department, that meet the following requirements:

2.2.1. Content of Transaction Reports

Each transaction report must contain, at a minimum, the following information about each transaction involving a Reportable Security in which the Access Person had, or as a result of the transaction acquired, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:

 

  (a) The date of the transaction, the title, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date, number of shares, and principal amount of each Reportable Security involved;

 

  (b) The nature of the transaction ( i. e. , purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);

 

  (c) The price of the security at which the transaction was effected;

 

  (d) The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and

 

  (e) The date the Access Person submits the report.

 

4


Code of Ethics

JPMorgan Asset Management

 

2.2.2. Timing of Transaction Reports

Each Access Person must submit a transaction report no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, which report must cover, at a minimum, all transactions during the quarter.

 

2.3. Consolidated Report

At the discretion of the Compliance Department, the form of annual holdings report may be combined with the form of the concurrent quarterly transaction report, provided that such consolidated holdings and transaction report meets, at a minimum, the timing requirements of both such reports if submitted separately.

 

2.4. Exceptions from Reporting Requirements

An Access Person need not submit:

 

  (a) Any report with respect to securities held in accounts over which the Access Person had no direct or indirect influence or control;

 

  (b) A transaction report with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan;

 

  (c) A transaction report if the report would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements that the Compliance Department holds in its records so long as the Compliance Department receives the confirmations or statements no later than 30 days after the end of the applicable calendar quarter.

 

3. Pre-approval of Certain Investments

Supervised Persons must obtain approval from the Compliance Department before they directly or indirectly acquire beneficial ownership in any reportable security, including initial public offerings and limited offerings. The Personal Trading Policy shall set forth the Compliance pre-clearance procedures as well as any exceptions to the pre-clearance requirement.

 

4. Additional Restrictions and Corrective Action under the Personal Trading Policy and other related Policies and Procedures

In furtherance of the standards for personal trading set forth herein, JPMAM shall maintain a Personal Trading Policy with respect to the trading restrictions and corrective actions discussed under this section 4, and such other restrictions as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by JPMAM.

 

4.1. Designated Broker Requirement

Any Associated Account, except as otherwise indicated in the Personal Trading Policy, must be maintained with a Designated Broker, as provided under the JPMC Code of Conduct and the Personal Trading Policy.

 

4.2. Blackout Provisions

The personal trading and investment activities of Supervised Persons are subject to particular scrutiny because of the fiduciary nature of the business. Specifically, JPMAM must avoid even the appearance that its Supervised Persons conduct personal transactions in a manner that conflicts with the firm’s investment activities on behalf of clients. Towards this end, Supervised Persons may be restricted from conducting personal investment transactions during certain periods (“Blackout Periods”), and may be instructed to reverse previously completed personal investment transactions (see section 4.4) . Additionally, the Compliance Department may restrict the personal trading activity of any Supervised Person if such activity has the appearance of violating the intent of the blackout provision or is deemed to present a possible conflict of interest.

 

5


Code of Ethics

JPMorgan Asset Management

 

The Blackout Periods set forth in the Personal Trading Policy may reflect varying levels of restriction appropriate for different categories of Supervised Persons based upon their level of access to nonpublic client or proprietary information.

4.3. Minimum Investment Holding Period and Market Timing Prohibition

Supervised Persons are subject to a minimum holding period, as set forth under the Personal Trading Policy, for all transactions in Reportable Securities, as defined under section 1.3.

Supervised Persons are not permitted to conduct transactions for the purpose of market timing in any Reportable Security. Market timing is defined as an investment strategy using frequent purchases, redemptions, and/or exchanges in an attempt to profit from short-term market movements.

Please see the Personal Trading Policy for further details on transactions covered or exempted from the minimum investment holding period.

4.4. Trade Reversals and Disciplinary Action

Transactions by Supervised Persons are subject to reversal due to a conflict (or appearance of a conflict) with the firm’s fiduciary responsibility or a violation of the Code or the Personal Trading Policy. Such a reversal may be required even for a pre-cleared transaction that results in an inadvertent conflict or a breach of black out period requirements under the Personal Trading Policy.

Disciplinary actions resulting from a violation of the Code will be administered in accordance with related JPMAM policies governing disciplinary action and escalation. All violations and disciplinary actions will be reported promptly by the Compliance Department to the JPMAM CCO. Violations will be reported at least quarterly to the firm’s executive committee and, where applicable, to the directors or trustees of an affected Fund.

Violations by Supervised Persons of any laws that relate to JPMAM’s operation of its business or any failure to cooperate with an internal investigation may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate dismissal and, if applicable, termination of registration.

 

5. Books and Records to be Maintained by Investment Advisers

 

  (a) A copy of this Code and any other code of ethics adopted by JPMAM pursuant to Rule 204A-1 that has been in effect during the past five years;

 

  (b) A record of any violation of the Code, and any action taken as a result of that violation;

 

  (c) A record of all written acknowledgments for each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, a Supervised Person of JPMAM;

 

  (d) A record of each report made by an Access Personas required under section 2. Reporting Requirements;

 

  (e) A record of the names of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were, Access Persons;

 

  (f) A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the acquisition of securities by Supervised Persons under section 3. Pre-approval of Certain Investments, for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted; and

 

6


Code of Ethics

JPMorgan Asset Management

 

  (g) Any other such record as may be required under the Code or the Personal Trading Policy.

 

6. Confidentiality

Supervised Persons have a special responsibility to protect the confidentiality of information related to customers. This responsibility may be imposed by law, may arise out of agreements with customers, or may be based on policies or practices adopted by the firm. Certain jurisdictions have regulations relating specifically to the privacy of individuals and/or business and institutional customers. Various business units and geographic areas within JPMC have internal policies regarding customer privacy.

The foregoing notwithstanding, JPMAM and its Supervised Persons must comply with all provisions under the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA Patriot Act and all other applicable federal securities laws, as well as applicable anti-money laundering and know your client policies, procedures and training requirements of JPMAM and JPMC.

 

7. Conflicts of Interest

With regards to each of the following restrictions, more detailed guidelines may be found under the applicable JPMAM policy and/or the JPMC Code of Conduct.

 

7.1. Trading in Securities of Clients

Supervised Persons should not invest in any securities of a client with which the Supervised Person has or recently had significant dealings or responsibility on behalf of JPMAM if such investment could be perceived as based on confidential information.

 

7.2. Trading in Securities of Suppliers

Supervised Persons in possession of information regarding, or directly involved in negotiating, a contract material to a supplier of JPMAM may not invest in the securities of such supplier. If you own the securities of a company with which we are dealing and you are asked to represent JPMorgan Chase in such dealings you must:

 

  (a) Disclose this fact to your department head and the Compliance Department; and

 

  (b) Obtain prior approval from the Compliance Department before selling such securities.

 

7.3. Gifts

A conflict of interest occurs when the personal interests of Supervised Persons interfere or could potentially interfere with their responsibilities to the firm and its clients. Supervised Persons should not accept inappropriate gifts, favors, entertainment, special accommodations, or other things of material value that could influence their decision-making or make them feel beholden to a person or firm. Similarly, Supervised Persons should not offer gifts, favors, entertainment or other things of value that could be viewed as overly generous or aimed at influencing decision-making or making a client feel beholden to the firm or the Supervised Person. More specific guidelines are set forth under the JPMC Code of Conduct and operating procedures for the JPMAM Gift, Entertainment and Political Contributions Database. Supervised Persons are required to log all gifts subject to reporting into the JPMAM Gift, Entertainment and Political Contributions Database and any violations of JPMAM Gift & Entertainment Polices are subject to the Escalation Guidelines.

 

7


Code of Ethics

JPMorgan Asset Management

 

7.4. Entertainment

No Supervised Person may provide or accept extravagant or excessive entertainment to or from a client, prospective client, or any person or entity that does or seeks to do business with or on behalf of JPMAM. Supervised Persons may provide or accept a business entertainment event, such as dinner or a sporting event, of reasonable value, if the person or entity providing the entertainment is present, and only to the extent that such entertainment is permissible under the JPMC Code of Conduct and operating procedures for the JPMAM Gift, Entertainment and Political Contributions Database. Supervised Persons are required to log all entertainment subject to reporting into the JPMAM Gift, Entertainment and Political Contributions Database and any violations of JPMAM Gift & Entertainment Polices are subject to the Escalation Guidelines.

 

7.5. Political and Charitable Contributions

JPMorgan Chase has a strict policy that no political contributions made on behalf of JPMorgan Chase are allowed unless pre-approved. Supervised Persons are prohibited from making political contributions for the purpose of obtaining or retaining advisory contracts with government entities. In addition, Supervised Persons are prohibited from considering JPMAM’s current or anticipated business relationships as a factor in making political or charitable donations. Additional restrictions, disclosures and other requirements regarding political activities are described under the JPMC Code of Conduct. Access Persons are required to pre-clear all personal political contributions to the election campaigns of non-federal level candidates. All federal level contributions have to be reported in the database, but do not require pre-clearance. Contributions to the JPMorgan PACs are excluded from pre-clearance and reporting requirements. The Code of Ethics now specifically requires that, in addition to the reporting of political contributions, employees log all gift, entertainment, and charitable contributions into the Gift, Entertainment and Political Contributions Database and makes failure to do so a violation of the JPMAM Gift & Entertainment Polices subject to the Escalation Guidelines.

 

7.6. Outside Business Activities

A Supervised Person’s outside activities must not reflect adversely on the firm or give rise to a real or apparent conflict of interest with the Supervised Person’s duties to the firm or its clients. Supervised Persons must be alert to potential conflicts of interest and be aware that they may be asked to discontinue any outside activity if a potential conflict arises. Supervised Persons may not, directly or indirectly:

 

  (a) Accept a business opportunity from someone doing business or seeking to do business with JPMAM that is made available to the Supervised Person because of the individual’s position with the firm.

 

  (b) Take for oneself a business opportunity belonging to the firm.

 

  (c) Engage in a business opportunity that competes with any of the firm’s businesses.

More specific guidelines are set forth under the conflicts of interest policy of JPMAM and under the JPMC Code of Conduct. Procedures and forms for pre-clearance of these activities by the Office of the Secretary of JPMC are available in the JPMC Procedures for Pre-Clearance of Outside Activities Referenced in the JPMC Code of Conduct. Supervised Persons must seek a new clearance for a previously approved activity whenever there is any material change in relevant circumstances, whether arising from a change in your job or association with JPMAM or in your role with respect to that activity or organization. You are required to be continually alert to any real or apparent conflicts of interest with respect to investment management activities and promptly disclose any such conflicts to Compliance and the Office of the Corporate Secretary.

 

8


Code of Ethics

JPMorgan Asset Management

 

You must also notify the Office of the Secretary of JPMC when any approved outside activity terminates.

Regardless of whether an activity is specifically addressed under JPMAM policies or the JPMC Code of Conduct, Supervised Persons should disclose any personal interest that might present a conflict of interest or harm the reputation of the firm.

 

8. Training

There are several mandatory training courses given each year by Compliance (e.g., AML, Privacy, and Code of Conduct). Failure to attend and/or complete required Compliance training courses will now be subject to the Escalation Guidelines.

 

9. Escalation Guidelines

Compliance maintains the Escalation Guidelines, which is applicable to employees of J.P. Morgan Alternative Asset Management, JPMorgan Investment Advisors, J.P. Morgan Investment Management and Security Capital Research & Management. Please note, the Escalation Guidelines is an internal Compliance document and is used to notify Group Heads and/or Managers of appropriate action that needs to be taken.

 

9.1. Violation Prior to Material Violation

While the Group Head is notified of all violations, he/she is now required to have a face-to-face meeting with the employee when the employees’ next violation would be considered material, in order to stress the importance of the requirement and inform the employee about the ramifications for not following the policy. The employee is also required to acknowledge, in writing, (form to be provided by Compliance) that he/she is aware of the ramifications for noncompliance and he/she will be compliant going forward. The written acknowledgement is signed by both the employee and Group Head, and returned to Compliance for record keeping.

 

9.2. Material Violations

All material violations now require the Group Head and HR to have a face-to-face meeting with the employee and to document the meeting specifics in the employee’s personnel file. Once again, the employee will be required to acknowledge in writing the material nature of the violation and that he/she will be compliant going forward. The written acknowledgement, signed by both the employee and Group Head, will be returned to Compliance and HR for record keeping.

There will now be a mandated suspension of trading privileges for six months for all material violations regardless of type. Transactions may be allowed for hardship reasons, but require pre-clearance by Compliance and the Group Head.

A list of all individuals who have received material violations will be circulated to the appropriate Group Head and Eve Guernsey on a periodic basis and will be a factor in the employee’s annual compensation.

 

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Exhibit (p)(8)

MARVIN & PALMER ASSOCIATES, INC.

Code of Ethics

 

1. Introduction

This Code of Ethics (“Code”) has been adopted by Marvin & Palmer Associates, Inc. (“Marvin & Palmer Associates”). Its purpose is to alert the officers, directors, employees and certain affiliated persons of Marvin & Palmer Associates to their ethical and legal responsibilities with respect to certain securities transactions involving (a) possible conflicts of interest with advisory clients (“clients”) or (b) the possession of certain material non-public information.

The provisions of this Code are based upon the following general fiduciary principles:

 

A. THE DUTY AT ALL TIMES TO PLACE THE INTERESTS OF MARVIN & PALMER ASSOCIATES’ CLIENTS FIRST;

 

B. THE REQUIREMENT THAT ALL PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS BE CONDUCTED CONSISTENT WITH THIS CODE AND IN SUCH A MANNER TO AVOID ANY ACTUAL, POTENTIAL, OR PERCEIVED CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR ANY ABUSE OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S POSITION OF TRUST AND RESPONSIBILITY;

 

C. THE FUNDAMENTAL STANDARD THAT INVESTMENT PERSONNEL SHOULD NOT TAKE INAPPROPRIATE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR POSITIONS;

 

D. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE IDENTITY OF SECURITY HOLDINGS AND FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF CLIENTS IS CONFIDENTIAL; AND

 

E. SHORT-TERM TRADING BY EMPLOYEES IS CONTRARY TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF MARVIN & PALMER ASSOCIATES AND ITS CLIENTS.

Furthermore, because even the appearance of impropriety could damage the reputation of Marvin & Palmer Associates or its clients, this Code expressly prohibits Access Persons and Investment Personnel (each as defined below) and their affiliates from engaging in certain business conduct and specified activities. This Code also requires Access Persons and Investment Personnel to comply with applicable federal securities laws, to make certain reports concerning their personal securities transactions and the receipt of certain gifts or other benefits and to report violations of the Code.

This Code is adopted pursuant to the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), that registered


investment companies and their advisors adopt a written code of ethics, and Section 204A and Rule 204-A1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that registered investment advisors adopt written codes of ethics and to maintain certain records thereunder.

Every Access Person must read, acknowledge receipt of, and retain this Code. Any questions concerning this Code should be addressed to the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee.

 

2. Definitions

For purposes of this Code:

“Access Person” means any officer, director or employee of Marvin & Palmer Associates. It shall also mean any other person 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 a client or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendation with respect to such purchases or sales.

“Automatic Investment Plan” means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An Automatic Investment Program includes a dividend reinvestment plan.

“Chief Compliance Officer” means the person designated as such from time to time by Marvin & Palmer Associates.

“Chief Financial Officer” means the person designated as such from time to time by Marvin & Palmer Associates.

“Clearing Person” means the Head Trader of Marvin & Palmer Associates and any other person designated by the Chief Compliance Officer to perform some or all of the functions of the Clearing Person under this Code.

“Covered Security” means all instruments commonly known as a security, including, without limitation, (1) all common and preferred equity securities regardless of the identity of the issuer, (2) partnership interests, limited partnership interests, units in a unit trust, depository receipt and other kinds of certificates of participation, (3) all debt securities regardless of original length of maturity and time remaining to maturity, regardless of the identity of the issuer and regardless of whether the debt is convertible and exchangeable for another instrument or security, (4) rights, warrants, options, futures and all derivative instruments, (5) foreign currencies and (6) any instrument in any way related to any of the foregoing. “Covered Security” does not include securities issued by the federal government, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements, and shares of registered open-end investment companies ( i.e., “mutual funds”) so long as

 

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Marvin & Palmer Associates is not the adviser or sub-adviser to such mutual funds. In other words, securities issued by open-end funds that are advised or sub-advised by Marvin & Palmer Associates or by closed-end funds are included within the definition of “Covered Security.”

“Entertainment” means entertainment, including, among other things, (1) tickets to theatrical events, sporting events and other events, (2) participating in sporting events (such as golf outings) and (3) food and dining provided in furtherance of a legitimate business purpose.

“Gifts” means cash or other tangible items of value other than Entertainment.

“Insider Trading” means the trading of any security while in the possession of material non-public information as to which the Access Person (1) has a duty to keep confidential or (2) knows or should have known was improperly obtained. “Material information” means information that is substantially likely to be considered important in making an investment decision by a reasonable investor, or information that is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of an issuer’s securities. Information is non-public until it has been effectively communicated or made available to the marketplace.

“Independent Director” means a director of Marvin & Palmer Associates (1) who is not an interested person of Marvin & Palmer Associates within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19)(B) of the Investment Company Act for any reason other than the fact that the director (a) is a director of Marvin & Palmer Associates and (b) knowingly has any direct or indirect beneficial interest in securities issued by Marvin & Palmer Associates and (2) who does not have any active involvement in the day-to-day operations of Marvin & Palmer Associates. A Marvin & Palmer Associates interested person includes: (i) any affiliated person of Marvin & Palmer Associates; (ii) any member of the immediate family of any natural person who is an affiliated person (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of Marvin & Palmer Associates; (iii) any person who knowingly has any direct or indirect beneficial interest in any security issued by Marvin & Palmer Associates or by a controlling person of Marvin & Palmer Associates; (iv) any person or partner or employee of any person who at any time since the beginning of the last two completed fiscal years of the investment company has acted as legal counsel for Marvin & Palmer Associates; (v) any broker or dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any affiliated person of such a broker or dealer; and (vi) any natural person whom the Securities and Exchange Commission by order shall have determined to be an interested person by reason of having had at any time since the beginning of the last two completed fiscal years of an investment company advised by Marvin & Palmer Associates a material business or professional relationship with Marvin & Palmer Associates or with the principal executive officer or any controlling person of Marvin & Palmer Associates.

“Investment Personnel” means Access Persons who are portfolio managers who make decisions about client investments and the analysts, traders and other personnel who assist in that process.

 

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3. Prohibited Conduct and Required Conduct

A. It shall be a violation of this Code for any Access Person to direct the purchase or sale of (including options to purchase or sell) a Covered Security in contravention of the Internal Policy Restrictions, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A, for the account of any person other than a client.

 

  B. It shall be a violation of this Code for any Access Person :

 

  i. To make recommendations concerning the purchase or sale of securities by a client without disclosing Access Person’s interest, if any, in such securities or the issuer thereof, including without limitation:

 

  a. Any direct or indirect beneficial ownership of any securities of such issuer;

 

  b. Any contemplated transaction by such person in such securities; and

 

  c. Any present or proposed relationship with such issuer or its affiliates.

 

  ii. To participate in any securities transaction on a joint basis with any registered investment company in violation of applicable law;

 

  iii. To engage in Insider Trading, whether for his or her own benefit or the benefit of others;

 

  iv. To divulge the current portfolio positions, and current and anticipated portfolio transactions, programs, and studies of a client to anyone unless it is properly within his or her duties to do so;

 

  v. To communicate material non-public information concerning any security to others unless it is properly within his or her duties to do so; and

 

  vi. To inappropriately favor one client over another in such a manner that would constitute a breach of fiduciary duty. Any such conflict of interest shall be resolved in accordance with policies and procedures designed, from time to time, by Marvin & Palmer Associates.

 

  C. It shall be a violation of this Code for any Investment Personnel :

 

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  i. To serve as a director of a publicly held company prior to a determination by the Chief Financial Officer that such service would be consistent with the interests of Marvin & Palmer Associates’ clients; and

 

  ii. To receive any Gift or other thing of more than $150 value from any person or entity that does, or prospectively can reasonably be expected to do business with or on behalf of any client.

D. The General Policy on Insider Information and Trading, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit B, is a part of this Code and is applicable to all Access Persons.

E. Access Persons are required to comply with all federal securities laws, including the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act of 1940, Title V of the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act, and any rules adopted by the SEC under the foregoing, and the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to funds and investment advisors, and any rules adopted thereunder by the SEC or the Department of the Treasury.

F. Access Persons are required to report any violations of this Code of Ethics promptly to the Chief Compliance Officer or to the person designated by the Chief Compliance Officer, provided that all such violations are reported to the Chief Compliance Officer promptly. The Chief Compliance Officer has designated the Legal Assistant as the person to receive the initial report of all such violations.

 

4. Reports

A. The reporting requirements described below shall apply to any account in which the Access Person has any beneficial economic interest AND over which the Access Person has direct or indirect influence or control. Examples of beneficial economic interest include accounts in the name of:

 

  i. a spouse or spousal equivalent;

 

  ii. a minor child;

 

  iii. a relative sharing the same house; or

 

  iv. anyone else, if the Access Person obtains benefits substantially equivalent to ownership of the securities or can obtain ownership of the securities immediately or in the future.

B. All Access Persons, other than Independent Directors, shall provide for the transmission to Marvin & Palmer Associates of duplicate copies of all confirms by each account described in paragraph A above in which any Covered Securities are held or can be held.

 

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C. All Access Persons, other than Independent Directors, shall report to Marvin & Palmer Associates the following information with respect to any transaction in any Covered Security (within ten days of said transaction) in which such Access Person has, or by reason of such transaction acquired, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Covered Security, to the extent that such transaction is not otherwise reflected in confirms submitted to Marvin & Palmer Associates pursuant to paragraph B above:

 

  i. The date of the transaction, the title and type of security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the number of shares, and the principal amount of each Covered Security involved;

 

  ii. The nature of the transaction ( i.e. , purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);

 

  iii. The price at which the transaction was effected; and

 

  iv. The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected.

D. Within 10 days of either the commencement of employment or the date a person becomes an Access Person, all Access Persons, other than Independent Directors, shall report to the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee all personal securities holdings, including (i) the title, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security in which the Access Person had a direct or indirect beneficial interest upon becoming an Access Person, (ii) the name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintained an account in which any securities were held for the direct or indirect interest of the Access Person as of such date and (iii) the date on which the report is submitted. Such information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the person becomes an Access Person. The Personal Brokerage Information form, which is attached as Exhibit D, may be used for such purpose.

E. Not later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, all Access Persons, other than Independent Directors, shall report to the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee (i) information with respect to any securities transactions occurring during the quarter, including (a) the date of the transaction, the title, and as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount of each Covered Security, (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 which the transaction was effected and (e) the date that the report is submitted and (ii) information with respect to any account established by the Access Person for which any securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person, including (a) the name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person established the account, (b) the date the account was established and (c) the date that the report is submitted. Such quarterly report normally will be

 

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submitted on-line. If the on-line report is not available, the Quarterly Information form, which is attached as Exhibit E, may be used for such purpose.

F. Independent Directors must file with the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee a Quarterly Information form under paragraph E if the Independent Director trades in a Covered Security that the Independent Director knew or should have known that during the 15 day period immediately before or after the Independent Director’s transaction in the Covered Security, a registered investment company that Marvin & Palmer Associates advises or subadvises (a “Fund”) purchased or sold the Covered Security, or the Fund or Marvin & Palmer Associates considered purchasing or selling the Covered Security.

G. Annually all Access Persons shall report to the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee the following information (which information must be current as of a date no more than 30 days before the report is submitted: (i) the title, and as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security in which the Access Person had a direct or indirect interest, (ii) the name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person and (iii) the date that the report is submitted. Such information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted. Such annual report normally will be submitted on-line. If the on-line report is not available, the Annual Information form, which is attached as Exhibit F, may be used for such purpose.

H. All reports, confirmations and account statements received by Marvin & Palmer Associates in accordance with this Code shall be kept confidential except to the extent that disclosure may be required by regulatory authorities and that disclosure, on a confidential basis, may be made for an audit of compliance procedures.

I. Marvin & Palmer Associates shall identify all Access Persons who are under a duty to complete and provide the reports described above and shall inform such persons of such duty.

J. Marvin & Palmer Associates shall establish and maintain procedures by which appropriate management or compliance personnel will periodically review the reports required to be made pursuant to paragraphs D, E and F.

K. Marvin & Palmer Associates shall provide a copy of this Code of Ethics to each Access Person at least annually and shall provide a copy of any amendment promptly upon adoption, and it shall require each Access Person to provide a written acknowledgement of the Code of Ethics and each such amendment.

L. The Chief Compliance Officer has designated the Legal Assistant as the person to receive the reports required to be provided under paragraphs D, E, F and G of this Section 4.

 

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5. Pre-Clearance and Gifts

A. Except as specifically provided, all Access Persons, other than Independent Directors, shall obtain advance clearance from the Clearing Person, prior to purchasing or selling (including options to purchase or sell a security) a Covered Security for any person other than a client. No transaction shall be effected unless advance written clearance of a transaction in a Covered Security is obtained from the Clearing Person. No transaction shall be effected for a Clearing Person unless advance written clearance of a transaction in a Covered Security is obtained from another Clearing Person. A transaction in a Covered Security may be executed only on the same day on which written clearance was obtained, and orders and instruments that may lead to execution occurring on another day – such as stop orders and limit orders – may not be used. Normally such clearance will be obtained on-line and by speaking to the Clearing Person. If the on-line clearance is not available, a Request for Permission, which is attached as Exhibit C, may be used for such purpose.

B. (1) The purchase or sale of an option shall not be effected unless advance written clearance of the purchase or sale is obtained from the Clearing Person. A purchase or sale of an option may be executed only on the same day on which written clearance was obtained. Clearance will not be granted to open an option position during the week preceding the expiration date of the option to be purchased or sold. An option position may be closed (including a partial close) at any time if same-day clearance is obtained.

(2) The exercise of a long option position shall not be effected unless advance written clearance of the exercise is obtained from the Clearing Person. An exercise of a long option position may be executed only on the same day on which written clearance was obtained. The exercise of a long option position may be made at any time if same-day clearance is obtained.

(3) The automatic exercise or expiration of an option on its expiration date, and the involuntary exercise of a short option position, do not require written clearance.

C. All Access Persons shall report to the Chief Compliance Officer the following information concerning each Gift or other benefit received from, or paid for, by any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of any client in which the value of such exceeds $150.

 

  i. A description of each Gift, including the date of receipt;

 

  ii. The cost (or estimated cost) of such Gift; and

 

  iii. The name and company affiliation of the person providing each Gift.

 

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  Such report shall be made reasonably contemporaneously with the receipt of the Gift.

D. Access Persons should not engage in any activity that could be perceived as an attempt to influence, or be influenced by, a client or potential client. Gift giving, and Entertainment may fall into this category. Federal, state and local laws place limits upon, and in some cases strictly prohibit, the Gifts and Entertainment that may be given to public employees and persons in positions of responsibility with public and private pension funds. Various organizations also have similar rules and policies. These laws and policies view gift giving, or excessive gift giving, as a form of bribery. Marvin & Palmer Associates recognizes the practice of giving certain items to clients and potential clients as a token of appreciation to clients, potential clients and other persons with a present or potential business relationship with Marvin & Palmer Associates. Such Gifts should never exceed $150 per person over any 12 consecutive months. Entertainment should never be lavish and should not be continually repeated with the same person. Marvin & Palmer Associates will periodically review expense items to determine if Entertainment costs are excessive. In addition, Access Persons must obtain approval to give Gifts to clients, potential clients or any other person with a present or potential business relationship with Marvin & Palmer Associates from such Access Person’s Department Head, who will determine the appropriateness of the Gift in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer.

 

6. Interpretations and Exceptions

Any questions regarding the applicability, meaning or administration of this Code shall be referred by the person concerned in advance of any contemplated transaction to the Chief Financial Officer. Exemptions may be granted by the Chief Financial Officer, if, in her judgment, the fundamental obligation of the person involved is not compromised.

 

7. Review and Enforcement; Sanctions .

A. The Committee of Senior Executives (the “Committee”) shall be responsible for determining whether violations of this Code have occurred and for imposing appropriate sanctions. The Committee shall consist of the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller and the General Counsel of Marvin & Palmer Associates or their designees, and, if not one of the foregoing, the Chief Compliance Officer. In determining whether a violation of the Code has occurred, the Committee may consider the records of Marvin & Palmer Associates and any other information the Committee considers appropriate. The Committee will give a person the opportunity to be heard and to submit explanatory information before determining that such person has violated the Code. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may refer the matter to outside counsel.

 

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B. If the Committee determines that a violation has occurred, the Committee may impose various sanctions as described in (1), (2), (3) and (4) below and take such other actions as it deems appropriate.

(1)(a) The Code imposes the following sanctions for trading-related violations:

 

  (i) Upon a first violation:

 

   

A fine of half a percent of annual base salary; and

 

   

Re-sign the Code;

 

  (ii) Upon a second violation (within 12 months of the first violation):

 

   

A fine of one percent of annual base salary;

 

   

Re-sign the Code; and

 

   

Written warning to personnel file;

 

  (iii) Upon a third violation (within 12 months of the second violation):

 

   

A fine of two percent of annual base salary;

 

   

Re-sign the Code;

 

   

Written warning to personnel file;

 

   

Prohibition from trading personally for six months except to close out current positions; and

(b) In addition, in connection with any violation of the Code involving the purchase or sale of a security on the same day as, or the day before or the day after, a transaction by Marvin & Palmer Associates on behalf of a client’s account in the same security or a related security (such as an option, a warrant and a convertible security etc.) (“during the blackout period”), the Access Person who violated the Code during the blackout period must dispose of any new investment acquired in violation of the Code, and such Access Person must disgorge, by paying over to Marvin & Palmer Associates, the entire amount of the profit resulting from a completed investment transaction or the required disposition of a new investment. The Access Person who violated the Code during the blackout period must dispose a security that was purchased in violation of the Code within eight trading-day hours of being notified by the Committee of the requirement to make the disposition, provided that if Marvin & Palmer Associates is trading or has been trading in the same security or a related security for client portfolios when the Committee gives such notice, the disposition must be accomplished within eight trading-day hours after the end of the blackout period. In all such dispositions, the Access Person who violated the Code is responsible for obtaining a pre-clearance.

The amount of the disgorgement required by the preceding paragraph will be subject to review for reasonableness and reduction by the Committee in light of such factors as the Committee may consider to be germane including, without limitation, (1) the circumstances surrounding the violation of the Code, (2) the seniority and responsibility of the Access Person, (3) the size of the investment and (4) the length of time that the investment had been held.

 

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(c) Additional sanctions may be imposed in the discretion of the Committee.

All fines and disgorgements will be paid by check to Marvin & Palmer Associates, which will pay over all such amounts to charitable or non-profit organizations selected by the Committee. Checks shall be submitted to the Committee and forwarded to the selected recipient.

In addition to any other sanctions that may be imposed, the Committee may require a person who has committed a trading-related violation to reverse the trade in question and forfeit any profit or absorb any loss from the trade.

(2) The Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose the following sanctions for repeated failures of an Access Person to submit the quarterly information or the annual information form on time pursuant to paragraphs E and G of Section 4 of this Code: a daily fine ranging from $10 per day to $500 per day for each day such Access Person has failed to submit such quarterly information or annual information, the amount of such daily fine to be established in the sole discretion of the Committee, upon its consideration of the relevant factors, including, without limitation, the following:

 

  i. The timeliness or tardiness of Access Person’s past submissions;

 

  ii. The seniority of the Access Person;

 

  iii. The base salary and total income level of the Access Person; and

 

  iv. Any extenuating facts and circumstances.

(3) Depending on the severity of the trading-related violation or in the event of a non-trading violation of this Code, sanctions imposed by the Committee may also include, but shall not be limited to any or a combination of any of the following:

 

  i. A letter of caution or warning;

 

  ii. Suspension of personal trading rights;

 

  iii. Reduction in salary;

 

  iv. Suspension of employment (with or without compensation);

 

  v. Termination of employment for cause;

 

  vi. Civil referral to the Securities and Exchange Commission; and

 

  vii. Criminal referral to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(4) Failure to abide by the requirement of the Committee to reverse a trade or to observe any of the other sanctions imposed in accordance therewith may result in the imposition of additional sanctions.

C. No person shall participate in a determination of (i) whether such person has committed a violation of the Code or (2) the imposition of any sanctions against such person. If the conduct of any of the members of the Committee is under review, the remaining members of the Committee shall designate a substitute member of the Committee to consider the conduct of the person whose conduct is being investigated.

 

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8. Recordkeeping

Marvin & Palmer Associates will keep all records pursuant to this Code as required by the Investment Advisers Act and Rule 204-2 promulgated thereunder.

 

9. Confidentiality

Consistent with its duties as a fiduciary, Marvin & Palmer Associates shall keep all information about clients (including former clients) in strict confidence, including the client’s identity (unless the client consents), the client’s financial circumstances, the client’s security holdings, and advice furnished to the client by the firm.

 

10. Temporary Employees

Upon commencing their employment with Marvin & Palmer Associates, temporary employees will be given a copy of this Code and will be required to acknowledge receipt of it. During their employment by Marvin & Palmer Associates, temporary employees will be required to acknowledge that they will do the following:

 

   

abide by the general fiduciary principles set forth in Section 1 of this Code;

 

   

observe the prohibited conduct and required conduct rules applicable to Access Persons set forth in Section 3 of this Code;

 

   

observe the requirements concerning pre-clearance and gifts applicable to Access Persons set forth in Section 5 of this Code (temporary employees are required to obtain pre-clearance of personal securities transactions); and

 

   

observe the Internal Policy Restrictions and the General Policy on Insider Information and Trading applicable to Access Persons set forth in Exhibits A and B to this Code.

 

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EXHIBIT A

INTERNAL POLICY RESTRICTIONS

 

1. Access Persons are prohibited from purchasing or selling:

A. Securities and related securities (such as options, warrants and convertible securities etc.) determined from time to time by the Clearing Person to be restricted for purchase or sale by Access Persons. The Clearing Person shall regularly inform Access Persons of such securities or related securities.

B. Securities and related securities for which a client has an outstanding order.

C. Securities and related securities that were traded on the same day or the prior day, or that the Access Person knows, or reasonably should know, are intended to be traded on the same day or the next day, by a client or for a client’s account.

D. Securities being offered as part of an initial public offering unless specific permission is received in advance from the Clearing Person.

E. Securities being offered in a privately placed transaction (also known as a “limited offering”) unless specific permission is received in advance from the Clearing Person. The Investment Personnel seeking permission shall provide in writing full details concerning the proposed transaction, including a certification that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of such person’s activities on behalf of Marvin & Palmer Associates. The Clearing Person may grant permission only if he or she concludes, after consultation with relevant Investment Personnel, that Marvin & Palmer Associates would not have any foreseeable interest in investing in such security or any related security for the account of any client. If the proposed investment is in a private investment pool (“PIP”), such permission also shall take into account (i) the size of the Marvin & Palmer Associates employee’s investment in the PIP, (ii) whether there exists any potential competition between any client and the PIP for future investments and (iii) whether there exists any past, present or future relationships between the manager of the PIP and the Marvin & Palmer Associates employee, Marvin & Palmer Associates or any client.

F. All holdings and transactions in foreign currency by Access Persons are subject to the reporting and pre-clearance requirements of the Code. Foreign currency that were traded on the same day or the prior day, or that the Access Person knows, or reasonably should know, are intended to be traded on the same day or the next day, in the form of a forward foreign exchange contract for currency hedging by a client or for a client’s account, provided that the transaction of a foreign exchange transaction for a

 

13


client or a client’s account to settle a transaction other than a currency hedging transaction shall not preclude trading in the same foreign currency by the Access Person.

 

2. In addition to the foregoing, Investment Personnel are prohibited from purchasing or selling:

A. Securities and related securities if the purchase or sale would result in a profit from the purchase and sale, or (with respect to short sales) the sale and purchase, of the same or equivalent securities within 60 calendar days (the “60 day rule”).

 

3. Notwithstanding the prohibitions described above:

A. Access Persons may participate (i) in Automatic Investment Plans, (ii) in any transaction over which such person did not have any direct or indirect influence or control and (iii) in involuntary transactions (such as mergers, inheritances, gifts etc.), and in each case pre-clearance pursuant to the Code shall not be required.

B. Investment Personnel may sell, subject to the 60 day rule, securities and related securities, as to which clients have sold their entire holdings.

C. Investment Personnel may sell securities without regard to the 60 day rule if the Clearing Person makes a determination in writing that such transaction will not be inconsistent with any of the five general fiduciary principles articulated in the Code.

 

4. Proprietary Trading Activities

This provision pertains equally to accounts that are managed by MPA for the benefit of MPA (“firm accounts”) and accounts that are managed by MPA for the benefit principally of an employee of MPA (“employee accounts” and, together with firm accounts, “proprietary accounts”). Limited partnership accounts in which MPA and its employees do not hold a majority in dollar amount of the limited partnership interests are not deemed to be proprietary accounts.

Proprietary accounts are not subject to the pre-clearance requirements of the Code except that employee accounts are subject to the pre-clearance requirements to the extent that the employee who is the owner of the account proposes to cause the employee account to engage in any transaction that is not undertaken for other accounts following the same investment mandate.

Proprietary accounts are permitted to participate in aggregated trades as described in the Trade Management Policy — Aggregation of Transactions and Allocation of Securities and Proceeds. If proprietary accounts do not participate in an aggregated trade, the separate trade of such accounts shall be executed after all the client trades have been executed.

 

14


Proprietary accounts are not eligible to participate in IPOs.

 

15


EXHIBIT B

GENERAL POLICY ON INSIDER INFORMATION AND TRADING

Any Access Person in possession of material nonpublic information about a company or its operations, or about any security, may not trade in such company’s securities, or such security, regardless of whether the trade is based on such material nonpublic information. In addition, any Access Person possessing such material nonpublic information may not (i) communicate to anyone such material nonpublic information for other than legitimate corporate purposes, (ii) recommend the purchase or sale of that company’s securities, or (iii) assist someone who is engaging in any of the above activities. All restrictions contained in this policy also apply to family members and close friends of Access Persons, and to other persons who have a relationship (legal, personal or otherwise) with an Access Person that might reasonably result in such other person’s transactions being attributable to such Access Person.

The matters set forth above require an analysis of two concepts on a case-by-case basis: whether information in possession of an Access Person who trades in securities is “material” and whether such information is “nonpublic.”

Information is considered “material” when there is substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider the information important in deciding to buy, sell or hold securities. In short, information that could affect the market price of securities should be considered to be material. By way of example, it is probable that the following information would be deemed material: annual, quarterly or monthly financial results, significant changes in earnings or earnings projections, changes in dividend policies, the possibility of a recapitalization, the offering or repurchase of a company’s stock, unusual gains or losses, negotiations regarding major acquisitions or divestitures, important management changes, impending bankruptcy or liquidation, and significant threatened or pending litigation developments.

Information is considered “nonpublic” unless it has been effectively disclosed in a manner sufficient to insure that the public has had the opportunity to evaluate such information.

 

16


EXHIBIT C

REQUEST FOR PERMISSION TO

ENGAGE IN PERSONAL TRANSACTION

I hereby request permission to effect a transaction today in securities indicated below for my own account or other account in which I have a beneficial interest or legal title:

(Use approximate amounts and prices of proposed transactions.)

PURCHASES AND ACQUISITIONS

 

No. of Shares

or Principal

Amount

  

Name of Security and

Ticker/CUSIP

  

Unit

Price

  

Total

Price

  

Broker

                     
                     
                     

SALES AND OTHER DISPOSITIONS

 

No. of Shares

or Principal

Amount

 

Name of Security and

Ticker/CUSIP

 

Unit

Price

 

Total

Price

 

Broker

                 
                 
                 
                 
                 

 

       

Permission Granted:

Trade Authorized by (please check):

Chris Luft

 

Will Walker

 

Brian Gilday

 

Yes   ¨

 

 

¨

 

¨

 

¨

  

No   ¨   

     

Name:                                                                                                                 

 

 

 

Signature:                                                                                                          

 

 

Date:                                                                                                                   

 

 

 

Prior Transaction

Within 60 Days?:          Yes   ¨         No   ¨

 

If “Yes”, date of Prior Transaction:                                                                                                                                  

 

 

17


EXHIBIT D

Personal Brokerage Information

 

 

  ¨  

I have no personal brokerage information to report.

 

  ¨  

My personal brokerage information is indicated below. I have attached copies of the most recent statements of the accounts listed below that hold Covered Securities.

 

       
Account Name  

Name, Address and

Phone Number of

Broker, Dealer or
Bank

  Account
Number
 

Can the

Account

Hold

Covered

Securities?

1.          

 

Yes   ¨

 

No   ¨

 

2.          

 

Yes   ¨

 

No   ¨

 

3.          

 

Yes   ¨

 

No   ¨

 

4.          

 

Yes   ¨

 

No   ¨

 

5.          

 

Yes   ¨

 

No   ¨

 

 

18


In addition to the Covered Securities listed on the statements that are attached to this form, I have a direct or an indirect interest in the following Covered Securities:

 

¨  

None.

 

Title and Ticker/CUSIP  

Number of Shares or

Principal Amount

 

Broker, Dealer or Bank

Where Held (If Any) and

Account Number

1.

 

       

2.

 

       

3.

 

       

4.

 

       

5.

 

       

 

 

 

 

Signature     Date

 

19


EXHIBIT E

Quarterly Information

In addition to the transactions listed on the confirms issued in respect of the accounts that are listed on the attached sheet as holding Covered Securities, copies of the confirms are being provided to Chief Compliance Officer or his designee, the following transactions have occurred during the calendar quarter just completed with respect to Covered Securities in which I have a direct or indirect interest:

 

¨  

None.

 

Date of

Transaction

 

Title,

Ticker/CUSIP,

Interest Rate,

Maturity Date,

Number of

Shares and

Principal

Amount

 

Nature of the

Transaction

(Purchase,

Sale or Other

– Describe)

  Price  

Name of

Broker, Dealer

or Bank and

Account

Number

1.

 

               

2.

 

               

3.

 

               

During the calendar quarter just completed, I established accounts in which securities were held other than the accounts listed on the attached sheet.

 

¨  

None.

 

Name, Address and Telephone Number
of Broker, Dealer or Bank and Account
Number
  Date the Account
was Established
  Can the Account
Hold Covered
Securities?
1.      

Yes     ¨

No      ¨

2.      

Yes     ¨

No      ¨

3.      

Yes     ¨

No      ¨

 

Signature     Date

 

20


EXHIBIT F

Annual Information

I have attached year-end statements for all my accounts that hold Covered Securities. In addition to the Covered Securities listed on the attached year-end statements, and the Covered Securities listed on the attached sheet, I have a direct or indirect interest in the following securities:

 

¨  

None.

 

Title, Ticker/CUSIP, Number of Shares
and Principal Amount
  Name of the Broker, Dealer or Bank
Where Held and Account Number

1.

 

   

2.

 

   

3.

 

   

4.

 

   

In addition to the accounts that are listed on the attached sheet, securities are held for my direct or indirect benefit in the following accounts:

 

¨  

None.

 

Name, Address and Telephone Number
of Broker, Dealer or Bank and Account
Number
  Date the Account
was Established
  Can the Account
Hold Covered
Securities?
1.      

Yes     ¨

No      ¨

2.      

Yes     ¨

No      ¨

3.      

Yes     ¨

No      ¨

 

Signature     Date

 

21

Exhibit (p)(9)

ABUNDANCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CODE OF ETHICS

Effective Date: February 1, 2005

Revised Date: November 11, 2008

 

1.0 Introduction

This Code of Ethics (the “Code”) establishes rules of conduct for persons who are officers, directors, and employees of Abundance Technologies, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Matrix” because its investment advisory services are provided through the Matrix Asset Allocation division). The Code governs their personal investments and conduct.

This Code of Ethics is being adopted to effectuate the purposes and objectives of Sections 204A and 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 as amended (the “Advisers Act”) and Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act. Section 204A of the Advisers Act requires the establishment and enforcement of policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of material, non-public information by investment advisers, including Matrix. Rule 204A-1 requires an adviser to have a code of ethics that sets forth standards of conduct and requires compliance with federal securities laws by all of the adviser’s officers, directors and employees, requires pre-clearance of access persons’ personal securities transactions including transactions in any affiliated mutual funds, and requires reporting of access persons’ personal securities transactions. Rule 204-2 imposes record keeping requirements with respect to personal securities transactions of certain persons employed by investment advisers.

The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to (i) remind officers, directors and employees that Matrix’s responsibility to its clients is to provide effective and proper professional investment management advice based upon unbiased independent judgment; (ii) set standards for employee conduct in those situations where conflicts of interest are most likely to arise; (iii) assure that officers, directors and employees understand their responsibilities under the federal securities laws; (iv) protect Matrix from reputational damage; and (iv) develop procedures that allow Matrix to monitor officers, directors and employees’ activity for compliance with Matrix’s Code of Ethics.

It is the desire of Matrix that the Code of Ethics be conscientiously followed and effectively enforced. The prime responsibility for following it rests with each officer, director and employee. While Matrix will oversee compliance with the Code of Ethics, a conscientious and professional attitude on the part of each officer, director and employee will ensure that Matrix fulfills the highest ethical standards.

Violations of the Code may cause Matrix loss of business, legal liability, fines and other punishments. Violations of the Code may result in demotion, suspension, firing, fines and other punishments for individuals.

 

1


2.0 Applicability of Code

The Code applies all of the firm’s officers, directors and employees (hereinafter referred to as “Supervised Persons” or “Access Persons”) unless the Compliance Officer specifies otherwise in writing.

 

3.0 Personal Trading Policy

 

3.1 Definitions

3.1.1 Covered Security

Any financial instrument treated as a security for investment purposes and any related instrument such as options, futures, warrants, convertible securities, forward or swap contracts entered into with respect to one or more securities, a basket of or an index of securities or components of securities. However, the term Covered Security does not include direct obligations issued by the Government of the United States, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, or shares of registered open-end investment companies.

3.1.2 Access Person Accounts

The account of any employee, his/her spouse, minor children, immediate family members sharing the same household as the employee, trusts or estates of which the employee is a beneficiary.

 

3.2 Initial Public Offerings and Private Placements

Access Person Accounts are prohibited from participating in initial public offerings and private placements.

 

3.3 Reports

Every Access Person must submit a quarterly report containing the information set forth in Exhibit A with respect to transactions in any Covered Security in which such Access Person or any of his/her Access Person Accounts has acquired or by reason of such transactions will acquire any direct or indirect beneficial ownership; provided , however, that:

 

  3.3.1  An Access Person need not make a report with respect to any transaction effected for any account over which such person does not have any direct or indirect influence or control.

 

  3.3.2  An Access Person must submit this report to the CCO no later than 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar quarter in which the transaction to which the report relates was effected.

 

2


  3.3.3  Any report submitted to comply with the requirements of this Section 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 benefit ownership in the security to which the report relates.

 

  3.3.4  Within 10 days of initial association or employment with Matrix, each Access Person shall disclose all current personal securities holdings in any of his Access Person Accounts, a list of brokers holding such Access Person Accounts and the additional information required by Exhibit B. Such Access Person must also authorize any brokers that hold any of such Access Person’s Accounts to submit duplicate statements and confirmations to Matrix’s CCO.

 

  3.3.5  Within 45 days of the end of each calendar year, each Access Person must disclose all current personal securities holdings in any account in which such Access Person has an interest, a list of brokers holding such Access Person Accounts and the additional information required by Exhibit B.

 

  3.3.6  Within 10 days of association or employment with Matrix and within ten days of adoption of this Code of Ethics, each Access Person must certify that he has received, read and understands the Code and recognizes that he is subject to such Code. (Exhibit C)

 

  3.3.7  Annually each Access Person must certify that he has read and understands the Code and recognizes that he is subject to such Code. In addition, annually each Access Person must certify that he has disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported under the Code. (Exhibit D)

 

3.4 Review of reports

The CCO or his designee shall be responsible for reviewing all confirmations of transactions for all Access Person Accounts, Initial Holdings Reports, Annual Holdings Reports, Certification of Compliance forms, Personal Securities Transaction Quarterly Reports and any other documents deemed necessary to assure compliance with this Code of Ethics. Given that Matrix purchases and sells open-end mutual funds for clients and the only individual securities Matrix purchases or sells for clients’ accounts are sales of securities held in a client’s existing account, the review by the CCO or his designee shall be limited as described below.

3.4.1 Quarterly Reviews

The CCO or his designee is responsible for review and monitoring personal securities transactions of Access Persons of the firm in accordance with the following procedures:

 

  1. The CCO is responsible for reviewing the list of Access Persons against the quarterly securities reports each quarter to assure reporting compliance by all Access Persons.

 

3


  2. The CCO shall prepare a written report each quarter to Matrix’s President in the event that any issues arose during the previous quarter under this policy.

3.4.2 Annual Reviews

 

  1. The CCO is responsible for reviewing a list of all Access Persons against Initial and Annual Securities Holdings Reports to assure compliance with the reporting requirements.

 

  2. In addition, the securities holdings reports should be compared to a sample of quarterly securities transaction reports and/or statements from financial institutions holding the accounts to assure the Access Person is reporting personal securities transactions as required.

3.4.3 Ongoing Reviews

The CCO is responsible for the following additional procedures relating to personal securities transactions of Access Persons:

 

  1. Create and maintain a listing of all Access Persons; and

 

  2. Promptly report any apparent violations of the Code to the CEO or President in writing.

 

4.0 Standard of Business Conduct

Matrix’s Supervised Persons are in a position of trust with respect to Matrix’s clients. This position requires Matrix’s Supervised Persons to act at all times with the utmost integrity. Matrix’s Supervised Persons should perform their duties with complete propriety and should not take advantage of their position. These persons should use reasonable care and exercise independent professional judgment. In any act in which a Supervised Person engages, the Supervised Person should consider the reputation of the firm, whether his conduct is not only legal, but also ethical, whether he is acting in the best interests of Matrix’s clients, and whether his act or omission to act is consistent with Matrix’s ideals of integrity, openness, honesty and trust. The Supervised Person shall not engage in any professional conduct involving fraud, dishonesty, deceit or misrepresentation of a material fact.

Supervised Persons should keep in mind the following fundamental fiduciary principles that govern their activities:

 

  1. The interests of clients must come first;

 

4


  2. Supervised Persons must not take inappropriate advantage of their positions;

 

  3. Information concerning clients’ investments must be kept confidential; and

 

  4. Supervised Persons shall deal fairly and objectively with all clients and prospects when disseminating investment recommendations, disseminating material changes in prior investment recommendations, and taking investment action.

 

4.1 Conflicts of Interest

The Code is intended to (a) minimize conflicts of interest and even the appearance of conflicts of interest, between Matrix’s Supervised Persons and Matrix’s clients in the securities markets and (b) assure that personal securities transactions of Matrix’s Supervised Persons are made in compliance with applicable securities laws.

Matrix’s general policy is to avoid conflicts of interest wherever possible and, where they unavoidably occur, to resolve them in favor of clients.

 

4.2 Compliance with applicable federal securities laws.

Matrix Supervised Persons are not permitted in connection with the purchase or sale by such person of a security held or to be acquired by Matrix for a client:

 

  1. To employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any client or prospective clients;

 

  2. To make any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to a client or prospective client a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading;

 

  3. To engage in any transaction, practice or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any client or prospective client; or

 

  4. To engage in any act, practice, or course of business which is fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative.

In addition, Matrix Supervised Persons shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 and the rules thereunder. In summary, these laws and rules:

 

   

require registration of publicly traded securities,

 

   

place restrictions on the manner privately offered securities are offered and sold,

 

   

require registration of an investment company unless an exemption is available

 

   

mandate full disclosure of all material facts when offering or selling a security, advising a client or managing an investment company,

 

5


   

prohibit fraud in connection with the offer and sale of securities,

 

   

prohibit fraud on the securities markets,

 

   

require registration of investment companies and investment advisers unless an exemption is available,

 

   

set forth requirements to protect the privacy of client personal information.

 

4.3 Delivery of Code of Ethics to Each Supervised Person

Matrix shall deliver a copy of this Code of Ethics and each amendment or amended version to each Supervised Person.

 

4.4 Ethical Restraint

All Access Persons are required to comply with ethical restraints relating to clients and their accounts, including restrictions on giving gifts to, and receiving gifts from, clients in violation of the firm’s gift policy. Access Persons shall not accept from an advisor or client, or give to an advisor or client, any thing(s) or service(s) having an aggregate value in excess of $100 in any calendar year. Any violation of this provision shall be promptly reported to the CCO or the President of Matrix, and may be cause of disciplinary action against the Access Person, including demotion, suspension, or termination.

 

5.0 Safeguarding Data

Supervised Persons must safeguard material, non-public information about Matrix client transactions and adhere to Matrix’s Privacy Policy. This includes, but is not limited to adherence to physical and technical security of data.

 

5.1 Supervised Persons may not share access codes or passwords with other Supervised Persons, contractors, or agency employees.

 

5.2 Supervised Persons are prohibited from electronically or otherwise transmitting client transactions to unauthorized entities. Authorized entities include, but are not limited to:

 

  1. Brokers or Dealers with a business need.

 

  2. Vendors with a contractual need and who have executed a non-disclosure agreement with Matrix.

 

6.0 Disclosure of Code of Ethics on Part II of Form ADV

Matrix will summarize the key provisions of its Code of Ethics in response to Item 9E on Part II of its Form ADV in accordance with the SEC’s required ADV renewal schedule. The disclosure will state that Matrix will provide a copy of its Code of Ethics to any client or prospective client upon request.

 

6


The CCO or his designee will make a record of all requests and the date and to whom the Code was delivered.

 

7.0. Reports of Violations of Code of Ethics

Any Supervised Person who becomes aware of any apparent violation of the Code of Ethics shall promptly report such apparent violation to the CCO or the President of Matrix who will notify the CCO.

 

8.0 Sanctions

The sanctions for violation of the Code of Ethics may include any or all of the following: (1) a letter of censure, (2) a fine, (3) temporary or permanent suspension of trading for any Access Person Accounts, (4) temporary suspension of employment, (5) termination of employment, (6) disgorgement of any ill-gotten profits or avoidance of losses, (7) and/or any other sanction deemed appropriate by the Chief Compliance Officer and the President of Matrix.

 

9.0 Compliance Oversight of Code of Ethics

 

9.1 The CCO’s responsibilities which he may delegate to another person include the following:

 

  1. Create and maintain a list of all Supervised Persons and Access Persons.

 

  2. Monitor personal securities transactions and reporting in accordance with the procedures in Section 3;

 

  3. Monitor compliance with the Standards of Business Conduct in accordance with the procedures in Section 4;

 

  4. Require Supervised Persons to read this Code of Ethics and obtain required acknowledgments in accordance with the procedures in Section 3;

 

  5. Monitor requests for a copy of the firm’s Code of Ethics and subsequent delivery in accordance with Section 6;

 

  6. Monitor ADV disclosure regarding the firm’s Code of Ethics for accuracy;

 

  7. Report all Code violations or apparent violations to Matrix’s President in writing promptly upon discovery;

 

  8. Review the Code for adequacy and effectiveness at least annually and report the results to Matrix’s President; and

 

  9. Maintain required books and records in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.0.

 

9.2. The President is responsible for the review and evaluation of the full details of any suspected violations of the Code of Ethics and imposition of sanctions when necessary.

 

7


10.0 Required Records

The CCO or his designee will ensure that the following books and records are maintained in, as appropriate, electronic or hard copy form for at least five years, two years in an easily accessible place:

 

  1. A copy of each Code that has been in effect at any time during the past five years;

 

  2. A record of any violation of the Code and any action taken as a result of such violation for five years from the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurred;

 

  3. A record of all written acknowledgements of receipt of the Code and amendments for each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, a Supervised Person; (These records must be kept for five years after the individual ceases to be a Supervised Person of Matrix.)

 

  4. Holdings and transactions reports made pursuant to the Code, including any brokerage confirmation and account statements made in lieu of these reports; and

 

  5. A list of the names of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were Access Persons of Matrix.

 

8


EXHIBIT A1

PERSONAL SECURITIES TRADING REPORTING FORM

ABUNDANCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NO TRANSACTION CERTIFICATION

Quarter for which transactions are reported: ________ to ______ (the ___ “Quarter”).

Capitalized terms have the meanings given to them in the Code of Ethics.

I hereby certify that my Access Person Accounts have not made any transactions during the ___ Quarter. Securities issued by the United States Treasury or shares of an open-end mutual fund are excluded from this report.

 

Date:          Signature:    
      Print Name:     

 

9


EXHIBIT A2

PERSONAL SECURITIES TRADING REPORTING FORM

ABUNDANCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Quarter for which transactions are reported: _______ to _______ (the ___ “Quarter”).

Capitalized terms have the meanings given to them in the Code of Ethics.

My Access Person Accounts have made transactions in the following securities, except securities issued by the United States Treasury or shares of an open-end mutual fund, during the ___ Quarter:

 

Security
And class
(the “Security”)

  

Date of
Transaction

  

No. of
Shares

  

Dollar
Amount of
Transaction

  

Nature of
Transaction
(Purchase, sale)

  

Price
Per
Share

  

Broker or
Bank
Through
Whom Effected

                               
                               
                               
                               
                               
                               
                               
                               

Except as noted on the reverse side of this report, I hereby certify that I have no knowledge of the existence of any personal conflict of interest relationship which may involve Abundance Technologies, Inc.’s (“Matrix”) clients, such as the existence of any economic relationship between my transactions and securities held or to be acquired by Matrix’s clients.

 

Date:          Signature:    
      Print Name:     

 

10


EXHIBIT B

INITIAL AND ANNUAL HOLDINGS REPORT

To the Board of Directors of Abundance Technologies, Inc. (“Matrix”):

 

1. I have read and understand the Code of Ethics revised as of November 11, 2008 for Matrix (the “Code”) and recognize that I am subject thereto as an officer, director or employee of Matrix. I understand that capitalized terms used herein have the same meaning as in the Code.

 

2. I hereby certify that the following is a list of all securities, except securities issued by the United States Treasury or shares of an open-end mutual fund, any Access Person Account of mine own as of ____________________ (Date):

 

Name of Security

  

Number of Shares or Size of Interest

      
      
      
      
      
      

 

3. I hereby certify that the following is a list of all the brokerage accounts of my Access Person Accounts:

 

Name of Brokerage Firm

  

Account Number

  

Branch Name

           
           
           
           
           
           

 

4. Except as noted below, I hereby certify that I have no knowledge of the existence of any personal conflict of interest relationship which may involve Matrix’s clients, such as any economic relationship between transactions in my Access Person Account(s) and securities held or to be acquired by Matrix’s clients.

 

Date:     
Signature:     
Print Name:     

 

11


EXHIBIT C

INITIAL CERTIFICATION

To the Board of Directors of Abundance Technologies, Inc. (“Matrix”):

 

1. I have read and understand the Code of Ethics revised as of November 11, 2008 for Matrix and recognize that I am subject thereto as an employee of Matrix.

 

2. I hereby certify that the following is a list of all securities, except securities issued by the United States Treasury or shares of an open-end mutual fund, my Access Person Accounts own as of _____________________, 20__:

 

Name of Security

  

Number of Shares or Size of Interest

      
      
      
      
      
      

 

3. I hereby certify that the following is a list of all the brokerage accounts that are in the name of any of my Access Person Accounts:

 

Name of Brokerage Firm

  

Account Number

  

Branch Name

           
           
           
           
           
           

 

4. Except as noted below, I hereby certify that I have no knowledge of the existence of any personal conflict of interest relationship which may involve Matrix’s clients, such as any economic relationship between my securities’ holdings and securities held or to be acquired by Matrix’s clients.

 

Date:     
Signature:     
Print Name:     

 

12


EXHIBIT D

ANNUAL CERTIFICATION

To the Board of Directors of Abundance Technologies, Inc. (“Matrix”):

 

1. I have read and understand the Code of Ethics revised as of November 11, 2008 for Matrix and recognize that I am subject thereto as an employee of Matrix.

 

2. I hereby certify that, during the year ended December 31, 20__. I have complied with the requirements of the Code and I have reported all securities transactions each calendar quarter.

 

3. I hereby certify that the following is a list of all securities, except securities issued by the United States Treasury or shares of an open-end mutual fund, my Access Person Accounts own as of _____________________, 20__:

 

Name of Security

  

Number of Shares or Size of Interest

      
      
      
      
      
      

 

4. I hereby certify that the following is a list of all the brokerage accounts that are in the name of any of my Access Person Accounts:

 

Name of Brokerage Firm

  

Account Number

  

Branch Name

           
           
           
           
           
           

 

5. Except as noted below, I hereby certify that I have no knowledge of the existence of any personal conflict of interest relationship which may involve Matrix’s clients, such as any economic relationship between my transactions and securities held or to be acquired by Matrix’s clients.

 

Date:     
Signature:     
Print Name:     

 

13

Exhibit (p)(10)

SUSTAINABLE ASSET MANAGEMENT, USA

Subsection E. Code of Ethics

Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc. (“SAM-US”) has built a reputation for integrity and professionalism among its clients. We value the confidence and trust those clients have placed in us and strive to protect that trust. This Code of Ethics (the “Code”) is our commitment to protecting our clients’ trust by establishing formal standards for general personal and professional conduct of our employees while performing their duties for SAM-US.

 

A. APPLICABILITY

“Supervised Persons” for purposes of this Code means:

 

  1) A Director or officer of SAM-US (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions);

 

  2) Individuals designated as “Shared Personnel” of SAM-US as identified on a list maintained by SAM-US’s CCO; and

 

  3) Certain other persons designated by the CCO or designee, incl. temporary/contract workers who support SAM-US’s business.

“Access Person” for purposes of this Code means any Supervised Person who:

 

  1) Is a Director or officer of SAM-US (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions;

 

  2) Has access to non-public information regarding any client’s purchases or sales of securities; or

 

  3) Is involved in making securities recommendations to clients or who has access to such recommendations that are non-public; or

 

  4) Has non-public information regarding the portfolio holdings of any mutual fund managed by SAM-US; and

 

  5) Certain other persons designated by the CCO or designee, incl. temporary/contract workers who support SAM-US’s business

Directors and officers who do not have access to confidential information regarding client securities transactions or recommendation may be exempt from the definition of Access Persons. The CCO will make a case-by-case determination and document any exemption.

The CCO will notify all individuals of their status as either a Supervised Person or an Access Person on an annual basis as well as at the time of any job status change.


B. STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT

The following principles are intended to guide in the applicability of this Code of Ethics:

 

  1. SAM-US is a fiduciary and its Supervised Persons have a duty to act for the benefit of its clients and shall at all times place the financial interests of the client ahead of itself;

 

  2. SAM-US holds all Supervised Persons responsible to high standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct; and

 

  3. SAM-US fosters a spirit of cohesiveness and teamwork while ensuring the fair treatment of all Supervised Persons.

 

C. COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS

All Supervised Persons must comply with applicable federal securities laws. The applicable laws are designed to prevent the following practices, which should not be viewed as all encompassing and are not intended to be exclusive of others.

Supervised Persons must never:

 

   

Defraud any client in any manner;

 

   

Mislead any client, including by making a statement that omits material facts;

 

   

Engage in any act, practice or course of conduct which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any client, including misappropriation of an investment opportunity;

 

   

Engage in any manipulative practice with respect to any client or security, including price manipulation.

 

D. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

As a fiduciary, SAM-US has an affirmative duty of care, loyalty, honesty to its clients and a duty of utmost good faith to act in the best interests of the client. Compliance with this fiduciary responsibility can be accomplished by avoiding conflicts of interest and by fully, adequately, and fairly disclosing all material facts concerning any conflict which arises with respect to any client. Supervised Persons are to actively avoid any existing or potential conflicts or situations that have the appearance of conflict or impropriety.

The following specific guidelines should not be viewed as all encompassing and are not intended to be exclusive of others:

 

  1. No Supervised Person shall take inappropriate advantage of their position with respect to a client, advancing their position for self-gain.

 

  2. No Supervised Person shall use knowledge about pending or currently considered securities transactions for clients to profit personally, directly or indirectly, as a result of such transactions.

 

  3. All securities transactions affected for the benefit of a client account shall avoid inappropriate favoritism of one client over another client.


  4. All securities transactions affected for the benefit of a Supervised Person shall be conducted in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or abuse of that individual’s position of trust and responsibility.

 

E. CONFIDENTIALITY

All information obtained by any Supervised Person regarding any aspect of a client relationship shall be kept in strict confidence. The Supervised Person commits an unethical business practice by disclosing the identity, affairs, or investments of any client unless required by any regulatory or self-regulating agency, or to the extent required by law or regulation, or unless disclosure is consented to by the client, or unless such information is already public.

 

F. EMPLOYEE PERSONAL SECURITIES MONITORING

 

I. Definitions

“Covered Security” shall include any type of equity or debt instrument, including any rights, warrants, derivatives, convertibles, options, puts, calls, straddles, exchange traded funds, shares of closed-end mutual funds, shares of open end mutual funds that are advised or subadvised by SAM-US, holdings in foreign funds, or, in general, any interest or investment commonly known as a security.

“Non-Covered Security” shall include shares of open-ended mutual funds that are not advised or subadvised by SAM-US, direct obligations of the US government, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements which have a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and that are rated in one of the two highest rating categories by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”).

“Beneficial Interest” for purposes of this Code means any Covered Security (as that term is defined above) in which an Access Person has an opportunity directly or indirectly to provide or share in any profit derived from a transaction in a Covered Security, including:

 

   

accounts personally held by the Access Person;

 

   

accounts held by the Access Person’ immediate family members related by blood or marriage sharing the same household (“immediate family members”);

 

   

any person or organization (such as an investment club) with whom an Access Person has an opportunity directly or indirectly to provide or share in any profit derived from a transaction in a Covered Security;

 

   

any trusts of which an Access Person is trustee.


II. Investment Activities

 

  a. No offering of investment advice or managing any person’s portfolio in which the Access Person does not have a beneficial interest without prior written approval.

 

  b. No participation in an investment club without prior written approval.

 

III. Transaction Pre-Clearance

All Access Person’s securities transactions in Covered Securities are subject to pre-clearance, by the way of submission of a pre-clearance form. A copy of the pre-clearance form can be obtained from the CCO or designee.

Pre-clearance is valid only for the day of approval. If the trade is not executed on the approved date, the pre-clearance process must be repeated prior to execution on the day the transaction is to be effected.

See Section X below for exemptions.

 

IV. Initial Public Offerings (“IPO”)

Securities purchases by Access Persons in IPOs may only be made with the prior written consent of the CCO or designee.

 

V. Private Investments (Hedge Funds, Private Placements, etc.)

Private investments by Access Persons may only be made with the prior written consent of the CCO or designee.

 

VI. Short Sales/Cover Shorts

Short sales/cover shorts by Access Persons may only be made with prior written consent of the CCO or designee. Approval is determined based on the underlying security and transactions are subject to all holding period and black-out policies.

 

VII. Options

The purchase of options on Covered Security by Access Persons may only be made with prior written consent of the CCO or designee. Approval is determined based on the underlying security. Transactions are subject to all blackout policies including the holding period restrictions.


VIII. Holding Periods

No profiting in the purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the same (or equivalent) securities within 30 calendar days. “Equivalent” security means any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege at a price related to the subject security or similar securities with a value derived from the value of the subject security.

Multiple purchases/sales of the same or equivalent security will be viewed as a “bundled” transaction and the 30-day rule will be applied as of the last transaction date.

See Section X below for exemptions. In addition, other exceptions may be permitted on a case-by-case basis when the circumstances of the situation strongly support an exemption; however, such exemptions may be withheld by SAM-US’s CCO in his sole discretion.

It is the Access Person’s responsibility to determine the holding period applicable to a security purchased. Access Person’s violating the holding period requirement will have their profits disgorged.

 

IX. Black-out Periods

 

  1. Client Priority

A. Access Persons are prohibited from purchasing or selling any Covered Security that is being actively considered for purchase or sale for client accounts.

B. Access Persons are prohibited from trading any Covered Security for which an open order exists on the trading desk. Access Persons are required to resubmit any order that was originally denied if they wish to continue with the transaction.

 

  2. 7 day Before and After

Access Persons are precluded from purchasing or selling in their personal accounts any Covered Security purchased or sold by SAM-US for a period of 7-calendar days before or after the SAM-US transaction. In calculating the 7-calendar day period, the trade date of the SAM-US transaction is not counted.

 

X. EXEMPTIONS

While the following pre-clearance, blackout period, and holding period exemptions are applicable, reporting obligations have not been waived .


Exceptions other than listed below may be made as authorized by the CCO or designee based on reasonable review and supervision of the process. Such exceptions will be documented.

Pre-Clearance

Transactions in covered securities executed by an immediate family member are not subject to pre-clearance. However, exempted transactions are subject to all blackout, holding, and reporting requirements.

Transactions in IPOs, private placements, short sales and option transactions executed by an immediate family member are not exempted from any provisions, including but not limited to preclearance.

Pre-Clearance, Blackout Period, and Holding Period Exemptions

 

  a. Covered Security transactions executed on a fully discretionary basis by an investment adviser (other than SAM-US) on behalf of an Access Person and a letter stating such is maintained in the file.

 

  b. Transactions by an Access Person acting as a portfolio manager for, or who has a beneficial interest in, a limited partnership, commingled vehicle, or investment company where SAM-US is the contractual investment adviser or for or any account in which SAM-US has a proprietary interest and is the contractual investment adviser.

Pre-Clearance and Blackout Period Exemptions

 

  a. Purchases and sales involving a long* position in a common stock, or a closed end fund when:

 

  i) the market cap is in excess of $3 billion;

AND

 

  ii) the amount traded is equal to or less than 50,000 Swiss Francs over a 30-day period.

 

* (Note) - this exemption does not apply to short positions or options.

 

  b. Purchases and sales of shares of mutual funds advised or sub-advised by SAM-US.

 

  c. Exchange traded funds that are based on a broad based securities index.

 

  d. Purchases or sales effected in any account over which there is no direct or indirect influence or control;


  e. Purchases or sales that are non-volitional such as margin calls, stock splits, stock dividends, bond maturities, automatic dividend reinvestment plans, mergers, consolidations, spin-offs, or other similar corporate reorganizations or distributions generally applicable to all holders of the same class of securities;

 

  f. Systematic investment plans provided the CCO or designee has been previously notified of the participation in the plan;

 

  g. Any acquisition of a Covered Security through the exercise of rights issued pro rata to all holders of the class, to the extent such rights were acquired in the issue (and not through the acquisition of transferable rights); and

 

  h. Gifts of securities.

Blackout Period Exemptions

Covered Security transactions for which an Access Person has requested and received preclearance from the CCO or designee and for which the Access Person is not the Portfolio Manager directly responsible for initiating the client transaction.

 

XI. Restricted Security List

The CCO or designee maintains a Restricted Security List (the “Restricted List”) which includes all securities where a Supervised Person has material non-public information about a company, such as information about a company’s earnings or dividends, as a result of a special relationship between SAM-US or a Supervised Person and the company.

If a Supervised Person knows or believes they have material, non-public information, they must immediately notify the CCO or designee. The decision whether to place a security on the Restricted List and the amount of time a security will remain on the Restricted List is made by the CCO or designee.

If it is determined that the Supervised Person is in possession of material, non-public information, the CCO or designee will establish a “Protective Wall” around the Supervised Person. In order to avoid inadvertently imposing greater restrictions on trading than are necessary, a Supervised Person may not discuss this information with anyone without the approval of the CCO or designee. In addition, Supervised Persons having access to the Restricted List are to be reminded that the securities on the list are confidential and proprietary and should not be disclosed to anyone without the prior approval of the CCO or designee.

When an order is received from a Supervised Persons in a security on the Restricted List, the transaction may not be executed until the CCO or designee has approved the trade. The CCO or designee will check with the department or staff member with the relationship to the company to determine whether trading in the security should be permitted. The Restricted List is regularly updated by the CCO or designee.


XII. Activity Review

The CCO or designee will monitor employee trading activity with particular focus on trading which may be unusual for a particular Access Person either because of the size of the position bought or sold, the frequency of the activity, or the nature of the Covered Security being traded. Employees are expected to devote their full time and attention to their work responsibilities. SAM-US may take steps to curtail an individual’s trading activity if, in the judgment of the appropriate department manager or the CCO or designee, the Access Person’s trading activity is having an adverse impact on the employee’s job performance.

XIII. Reporting Requirements

 

  1. Transaction Reporting

All Access Persons and immediate family members must submit brokerage statements to the CCO or designee, which must include every gift, IPO, private placement, and Covered Security transaction in which they participated during the calendar quarter no later than 30 days after the end of that quarter.

Access Person’s and immediate family member’s reporting obligations may be satisfied by having their brokers deliver to the CCO or designee copies of brokerage statements which contain:

 

  i. The name of the security, the date of the transaction, the interest rate and maturity (if applicable), the number of shares, and the principal amount of each Covered Security involved;

 

  ii. The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or other type of acquisition or disposition);

 

  iii. The price at which the transaction was effected;

Private Placements transactions effected during the quarter must be reported manually.

The CCO or designee will conduct periodic reviews of Access Persons’ and immediate family member personal securities transactions for compliance with this Code.

 

  2. Initial Holdings Report

All Access Persons and immediate family members shall disclose to the CCO or designee a listing of all Covered Securities beneficially owned no later than 10 days after the employee becomes an Access Person. The information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the employee becomes an Access Person.


The report shall include the following:

 

  a. The title and type of security, the ticker or CUSIP, the number of shares, and the principal amount of all securities in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership;

 

  b. The name of any broker, dealer, or bank with whom the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person; and

 

  c. The date the report is submitted.

The CCO or designee will review all Initial Holdings Reports in an effort to monitor potential conflicts of interest.

 

  3. Annual Holdings Report

No later than January 31st, annually, Access Persons shall deliver to the CCO or designee a listing of all Covered Securities beneficially owned by themselves or immediate family members that are current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the report is submitted.

The report shall include the following:

 

  a. The title and type of security, the ticker or CUSIP, the number of shares, and the principal amount of all securities in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership;

 

  b. The name of any broker, dealer, or bank with whom the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Supervised Person; and

 

  c. The date the report is submitted.

The CCO or designee will review all Annual Holdings Reports in an effort to monitor potential conflicts of interest and to assess the Access Person’s fulfillment of their quarterly reporting obligations.

 

G. INSIDER TRADING/MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION

SAM-US aspires to the highest standard of business ethics. The purpose of SAM-US’s policies on insider trading is to reduce the risk of violation of federal insider trading laws and reporting requirements. Accordingly, SAM-US has developed the following policies to monitor, restrict if necessary, and educate Supervised Persons with respect to acquiring and investing when in possession of proprietary and/or confidential information.


I. Use of Confidential or Proprietary Information

Supervised Persons may receive or have access to material, non-public information in the course of their work at SAM-US Company policy, industry practice and federal and state law establish strict guidelines for the use of material, non-public information. To ensure that Supervised Persons adhere to the applicable laws, SAM-US has adopted the following policies:

Supervised Persons:

 

   

may not use confidential or proprietary information for investment purposes, for personal gain, or share such information with others for their personal benefit; or

 

   

may not pass material, non-public information about an issuer on to others or recommend that they trade the issuer’s securities; or

 

   

must treat as confidential all information not generally made public concerning SAM-US’s investment activities or plans, or the financial condition and business activity of any enterprise with which SAM-US is conducting business; or

 

   

must preserve the confidentiality of proprietary information and disclose it only to other Supervised Persons who have a legitimate business need for the information. Prior to disclosing this information to others, Supervised Persons must consult with the CCO or designee.

Under federal securities law, it is illegal to buy or sell a security while in possession of material, non-public information relating to the security. In some circumstances, additional elements may be required for there to be a violation of law, including breach of a duty or the misappropriation of information. It is also illegal to “tip” others about inside information. Tipping involves passing material, non-public information about an issuer on to others or recommending that they trade the issuer’s securities.

Insider trading is an extremely complex area of the law principally regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Questions concerning the law or a particular situation should be addressed with the CCO or designee prior to taking any action. If the Supervised Person believes that they may have material, non-public information gained within or outside the scope of their employment, regardless of the source, they must notify the CCO or designee so that securities can be monitored and/or placed on the SAM-US Restricted List as appropriate.

 

II. SAM-US’s Insider Trading Rules

Set forth below are three rules concerning insider trading. Failure to comply with these rules could result in violations of the federal securities laws and subject the Supervised Person to severe penalties under these laws. Violations of these rules also may result in discipline by SAM-US, up to and including termination of employment.

 

   

Supervised Persons who possess, or have reason to believe they possess, material, non-public information relating to any security, may not buy or sell that publicly traded security for themselves, members of their family, SAM-US or any other persons. In addition, Supervised Persons may not recommend to others that they buy or sell that security.

 

   

Supervised Persons must contact the CCO or designee and disclose that they are in possession of this information and may not communicate material, non-public information to anyone without the advance approval of the CCO or designee.

 

   

If a Supervised Person is aware that SAM-US is considering or actually trading any publicly traded security for any account it manages, the Supervised Person must regard that as material, non-public information.


III. What is Non-public Information?

Non-public information is information that is not generally available to the investing public. Information is public if it is generally available through the media or disclosed in public documents such as corporate filings with the SEC. If it is disclosed in a national business or financial wire service (such as Dow Jones or Bloomberg), in a national news service (such as AP or Reuters), in a newspaper, magazine, on the television, on the radio or in a publicly disseminated disclosure document (such as a proxy statement, quarterly or annual report, or prospectus), consider the information to be public. If the information is not available in the general media or in a public filing, consider the information to be non-public. If you are uncertain as to whether material information is non-public, you must consult the CCO or designee.

While Supervised Persons must be especially alert to sensitive information, you may consider information directly from a company representative to be public information unless you know or have reason to believe that such information is not generally available to the investing public. In addition, information you receive from company representatives during a conference call that is open to the investment community is public. The disclosure of this type of information is covered by SEC Regulation FD. Please contact the CCO or designee if you have any questions with regard to this Regulation.

SAM-US Supervised Persons working on a venture capital, private equity or private securities transaction who receives information from a company representative regarding the transaction should treat the information as non-public. The termination or conclusion of the negotiations in many instances will not change the status of that information.

 

IV. What is Material Information?

There is no statutory definition of material information. Information an investor would find useful in deciding whether or when to buy or sell a security is generally material. In most instances, any non-public information that, if announced, could affect the price of the security should be considered to be material information. If you are not sure whether non-public information is material, you must consult the CCO or designee.

 

V. Material information Examples

 

  1. Material information may be about the issuer itself. For example:

 

   

information about a company’s earnings or dividends, (such as whether they will be increasing or decreasing);

 

   

any merger, acquisition, tender offer, joint venture or similar transaction involving the company;

 

   

information about a company’s physical assets (e.g., an oil discovery, or an environmental problem);

 

   

information about a company’s Personnel (such as a valuable employee leaving or becoming seriously ill); or

 

   

information about a company’s financial status (e.g., any plans or other developments concerning financial restructuring or the issuance or redemption of, or any payments on, any securities).


  2. Information may be material that is not directly about a company, if the information is relevant to that company or its products, business, or assets. For example:

 

   

Information that a company’s primary supplier is going to increase dramatically the prices it charges; or

 

   

information that a competitor has just developed a product that may cause sales of a company’s products to decrease.

 

  3. Material information may include information about SAM-US’s portfolio management activities.

You should treat as material any information that SAM-US is considering whether to buy or sell a publicly traded security of a company or is going to make a trade or has just made a trade of that security.

 

VI. “Front-running” and “Scalping”

Trading while in possession of information concerning SAM-US’s trades is called front-running or scalping, and is prohibited by SAM-US’s insider trading rules, and may also violate federal law. The terms “front-running” and “scalping” are sometimes used interchangeably in industry literature and by the SEC.

Front-running is making a trade in the same direction as SAM-US just before SAM-US makes its trade, for example, buying a security just before SAM-US buys that security, or selling just before SAM-US sells that security.

Scalping is making a trade in the opposite direction just after SAM-US’s trade, for example, selling just after SAM-US stops buying such security or buying a security just after SAM-US stops selling such security. Scalping allows Supervised Persons the opportunity to profit from temporary artificially inflated/deflated prices caused by SAM-US’s transactions.

 

VII. Penalties for Insider Trading

SAM-US and/or SAM-US Supervised Persons could be subject to severe civil penalties as well as criminal prosecution for illegally trading while in possession of material, non-public information.

VIII. Specific Procedures

In application of the policy, the following procedures shall be followed:

 

   

Supervised Persons who have business relationships with senior management of companies which can result in the receipt of material, non-public information about the company, including, without limitation, (i) the election or appointment of the Supervised Persons as a director, officer, executive employee or confidential consultant, or (ii) the acquisition of securities or the right to receive securities having sufficient voting power to influence the management policies of the Company, should be aware that, in such circumstances, they must contact a lawyer in the Legal Department prior to acting in the marketplace.


   

All Supervised Persons shall promptly report to the CCO their awareness of any information which they believe may constitute material non-public information concerning a company.

 

   

The CCO or designee will maintain the Restricted Security List.

 

   

Any Supervised Persons who has reason to believe that any violation of this Statement of Policy has occurred shall immediately report all material facts concerning such matter to the CCO or designee.

 

H. GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT POLICY

Supervised Persons should not offer gifts, favors, entertainment or other things of value that could be viewed as overly generous or aimed at influencing decision-making or making a client feel beholden to the firm or the Supervised Person. The following guidelines will further clarify this general principal.

Definitions:

Gift – anything of value, including, but not limited to gratuities, tokens, objects, clothing, or certificates for anything of value. The definition also includes any meal, tickets or admission to events where the person supplying the meal or event is not present.

Entertainment – business meals and events such as sporting events, shows, concerts where the person supplying the meal or event is present.

Gifts Policy

 

  A. No Supervised Person shall accept any gift of more than $100 value per year from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of a client (or any of its portfolios), or any entity that provides a service to Adviser. Gifts of greater than $100 value are to be declined or returned in order not to compromise the reputation of Adviser or the individual. Gifts valued at less than $100 and considered customary in the industry are considered appropriate.

 

  B. No Supervised Person shall provide gifts of more than $100 value, per person, per year, to existing clients, prospective clients, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of a client (or any of its portfolios), or any entity that provides a service to Adviser. Gifts valued at less than $200 and considered customary in the industry are considered appropriate.

 

  C. Under no circumstances may an employee accept or provide a gift of cash or cash equivalent, (such as a gift card, gift certificate or gift check.).

 

  D. Supervised Persons are expressly prohibited from soliciting anything of value from a client, or other entity with which the firm does business.

 

  E. Similarly, Supervised Persons should not agree to provide anything of value that is requested by a client, or other entity with which the firm does business, (such as concert, sporting event or theater tickets,), except that assisting a client or other entity in acquiring tickets for which they intend to pay full value, is permitted under the policy.


Entertainment Policy

 

  A. Supervised Persons may engage in normal and customary business entertainment. Entertainment that is extraordinary or extravagant, or that does not pertain to business, is not permitted.

 

  B. Certain rules and regulations enacted by the client or a regulator of the client may exist which prevent any form of gift or entertainment. It is important to be cognizant of what each client allows, especially pertaining to public funds, where rules may be very stringent and specific.

 

  C. Prior to providing entertainment to a representative of a public entity, contact the CCO or designee in order to verify interpretation understanding of state or municipal regulations.

Standard of Reasonableness

The terms “extraordinary” or “extravagant,” “customary in the industry,” and “normal and customary” may be subjective. Reasonableness is a standard that may vary depending on the facts and circumstances. If you have questions regarding a gift or entertainment, contact your supervisor, or the CCO or designee.

Records

Supervised Persons must retain records of all gifts and gratuities given or received for a period of three years. These records must be made available upon request for inspection by your Supervisor, the CCO or designee or a regulator.

 

I. CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS POLICY

From time to time, SAM-US or its employees may be asked by a client to make a charitable contribution. To avoid any real or perceived conflict of interests, SAM-US has adopted the following procedures.

If a contribution is requested by a client, SAM-US may agree to charitable contributions subject to the following terms.

 

  a. The check must be made in SAM-US’ name (not the client or the supervised person)

 

  b. Any tax benefit is taken by SAM-US

 

  c. The contribution does not directly benefit the client

 

  d. The contribution is not made to satisfy a pledge made by the client

 

  e. The contribution must be made payable to the 501c3 Charitable organization (otherwise, the contribution may be subject to LM-10 filing with the DOL)

Charitable contributions must be pre-approved by your supervisor.

 

J. POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS POLICY

From time to time, SAM-US or its employees may be asked by a client to make political contributions. In addition, employees, by their own volition, may seek to make individual political contributions. As an investment manager, SAM-US may be eligible to manage money on behalf of a state or municipality. To avoid any real or perceived conflict of interests, SAM-US requires that all personal political contributions made in the USA be subject to a pre-clearance policy.


For the purposes of this policy, political contribution include a direct payment of money to a campaign organization, volunteer work, or fund raising work done on behalf of, or to benefit, a political campaign organization or candidate.

Firm Contributions

SAM-US does not to make political contributions.

Individual Contributions

For all Employees

 

   

SAM-US will not reimburse any employee for individual political contributions. In addition, the SAM-US corporate credit card cannot be used to make contributions.

 

   

Preclearance is required for any political contribution made by any employee to a state or local candidate outside of the contributor’s jurisdiction for whom the contributor is not eligible to vote.

 

   

Preclearance is not required prior to individual personal contributions to national election campaigns, national political parties, or political action committees or candidates for national office such as president of the US or members of the US Senate or House of Representatives.

 

   

Certain contributions, even within your voting jurisdiction, may restrict or prohibit SAM-US from transacting business with a related public entity. If there is a chance that an individual contribution may cause a conflict of interest with SAM-US’s business, please consult with the Head of Sales or the CCO or designee prior to making an individual contribution.

For Employees in Sales, Marketing and Portfolio Management

 

   

In addition to the above restrictions, preclearance is required for all individual contributions to state, municipal and local candidates and campaigns, whether inside or outside your voting jurisdiction.

Employees should contact the CCO or designee for a copy of the political contribution preclearance form.

 

K. OUTSIDE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

A potential conflict of interest exists with respect to a Supervised Person’s duties to SAM-US and its clients when individuals are permitted to engage in outside business activities.

Written requests must be submitted to the Supervised Person’s supervisor with a copy to the CCO or designee prior to a Supervised Person seeking to:

 

   

engage in any outside business activity, or

 

   

accept any position as an officer or director of any corporation, organization, association, or mutual fund.

The written request must contain all of the information necessary to review the activity. The request should contain the name of the organization, whether the organization is public or private, profit or non-profit or charitable, the nature of the business, the capacity in which the employee will serve, an identification of any possible conflicts, the term of the contemplated relationships and any compensation to be received.


The CCO or designee, in conjunction with the Supervised Person’s supervisor and the Director of Human Resources, will review and/or identify any potential conflicts.

If approved, the CCO or designee will provide the Supervised Person with written approval. In addition, if applicable, the CCO or designee will ensure that a registered representative’s Form U-4 is updated with the NASD. In the event that a resolution to the conflict cannot be reached, the Supervised Person may be asked to terminate either his outside employment or his position with SAM-US.

Finally, upon employment and annually thereafter, Supervised Persons are required to fill out the New Employee/Annual Compliance Acknowledgement Form and accompanying Conflicts Questionnaire (“Questionnaire”). The Questionnaire requests information regarding a Supervised Person’s outside business activities. The CCO or designee will verify items reported on the Questionnaire against written requests received throughout the year.

 

L. REPORTING VIOLATIONS

All Supervised Persons must report violations of this Code promptly to the CCO. SAM-US is committed to treating all Supervised Persons in a fair and equitable manner. Individuals are encouraged to voice concerns regarding any personal or professional issue that may impact their ability or the firm’s ability to provide a quality product to its clients while operating under the highest standards of integrity.

 

  1. Any such reports will be treated confidentially to the extent permitted by law and investigated promptly and appropriately.

 

  2. Retaliation against any individual making such a report is prohibited and constitutes a violation of the Code.

 

M. ANNUAL REVIEWS AND CERTIFICATIONS

The CCO or designee will review the Code annually and update any provisions and/or attachments which SAM-US deems require revision.

Upon employment, all Supervised Persons are required to certify that they have:

 

  1. Received a copy of the Code;

 

  2. Read and understand all provisions of the Code; and

 

  3. Agreed to comply with all provisions of the Code.

At the time of any amendments to this Code, all Supervised Persons are required to:

 

  1. Certify they have received, read and understood the amendments to the Code; and

 

  2. Agree to comply with the amendment and all other provisions of the Code.

Annually, all Supervised Persons are required to:

 

  1. Certify they have read and understand all provisions of the Code; and


  2. Agree to comply with all provisions of the Code.

 

N. SANCTIONS

Regardless of whether a government inquiry occurs, SAM-US views seriously any violation of its Code of Ethics. Disciplinary sanctions may be imposed on any Supervised Persons committing a violation, including, but not necessarily limited to, censure, suspension, monetary penalties, or termination of employment.

 

O. FURTHER INFORMATION

If any Supervised Persons has any questions with regard to the applicability of the provisions of this Code, generally or with regard to any attachment referenced herein, they should consult the CCO or designee.