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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 24, 2010.

Registration Nos. 2-99356

811-04367

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  UNDER THE  
  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933   x
  Pre-Effective Amendment No.   ¨
  Post-Effective Amendment No. 113   x
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  UNDER  
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
  Amendment No. 114   x

 

 

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST I

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111

(Address of Principal Executive Officers) (Zip Code)

617-426-3750

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Scott R. Plummer, Esq.

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

100 Federal Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

 

 

with a copy to:

 

John M. Loder, Esq.   Bruce A. Rosenblum, Esq.
Ropes & Gray LLP   K&L Gates LLP
One International Place   1601 K St, N.W., Suite 1200
Boston, Massachusetts 02110   Washington, DC, 20006-1600

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

  ¨ Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
  x on November 30, 2010 pursuant to paragraph (b)
  ¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
  ¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
  ¨ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
  ¨ on (date) 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.

This Post-Effective Amendment relates solely to the Registrant’s CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund. Information contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statement relating to any other series of the Registrant is neither amended nor superseded hereby.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

LOGO

CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

Prospectus December 1, 2010

 

Ticker Symbol

CMGUX

As with all mutual funds, 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.

LOGO


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

     3   

Investment Objective

     3   

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

     3   

Principal Investment Strategies

     5   

Principal Risks

     5   

Performance Information

     8   

Investment Adviser and Portfolio Manager(s)

     9   

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

     9   

Tax Information

     9   

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

     9   

Additional Investment Strategies and Policies

     10   

Management of the Fund

     12   

Primary Service Providers

     12   

Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates—Certain Conflicts of Interest

     14   

Certain Legal Matters

     14   

About Fund Shares

     15   

Fund Shares

     15   

Selling and/or Servicing Agent Compensation

     17   

Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares

     19   

Share Price Determination

     19   

Transaction Rules and Policies

     20   

Opening an Account and Placing Orders

     23   

Distributions and Taxes

     26   

Financial Highlights

     28   

Hypothetical Fees and Expenses

     29   

Icons Guide

 

LOGO   Investment Objective
LOGO   Fees and Expenses of the Fund
LOGO   Principal Investment Strategies
LOGO   Principal Risks
LOGO   Performance Information
LOGO   Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates - Certain Conflicts of Interest

 

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CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

LOGO Investment Objective

The Fund seeks a high level of current income consistent with the maintenance of liquidity and the preservation of capital.

LOGO Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

 

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases, as a % of offering price

     N/A   

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) imposed on redemptions, as a % of the lower of the original purchase price or net asset value

     N/A   

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

 

Management fees (a)

     0.25

Distribution and/or service (Rule 12b-1) fees

     0.00

Other expenses (b)

     0.01

Total annual Fund operating expenses (c)

     0.26

Fee waivers and/or reimbursements

     -0.01

Total annual Fund operating expenses after the fee waivers and/or reimbursements

     0.25

 

(a)

The management fee is a unified fee which includes all the operating costs and expenses of the Fund (other than disinterested trustee fees and expenses, including their legal counsel, auditing expenses, interest incurred on borrowing by the Fund, if any, portfolio transaction expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses of the Fund).

(b)

Other expenses consist of the fees and expenses of the Fund’s independent trustees and their legal counsel and audit fees.

(c)

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Adviser) has contractually agreed to bear a portion of the Fund’s expenses so that the Fund’s ordinary operating expenses (excluding any brokerage commissions, interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses, but including custodian charges relating to overdrafts, if any), after giving effect to any balance credits from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets through November 30, 2011. These fee and expense arrangements may only be modified or amended with approval from all parties to such arrangements, including the Fund and the Adviser.

 

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Example

The following 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 illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:

 

   

you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the periods indicated,

 

   

your investment has a 5% return each year, and

 

   

the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the table above.

Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire on November 30, 2011, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the 3, 5 and 10 year examples.

Based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:

 

     1 year      3 years      5 years      10 years  

CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

   $ 26       $ 83       $ 145       $ 330   

Remember this is an example only. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Portfolio Turnover

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 annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 90% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

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LOGO Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a diversified portfolio of domestic debt securities of investment grade quality. Debt securities may be issued by governments, companies or special purpose entities and may include notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper. Debt securities may also include bank loans, as well as assignments, participations and other interests in bank loans. Investment grade securities include securities that are rated in one of the four highest rating categories as determined by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, such as Standard & Poor’s, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (Standard & Poor’s), Fitch, Inc. (Fitch) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s), or are unrated securities determined by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser (the Adviser), to be of comparable quality. Investment grade securities are rated (from highest to lowest quality) as AAA, AA, A or BBB by Standard & Poor’s and Fitch or as Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody’s. The Fund may invest up to 20% of total assets in dollar-denominated foreign debt securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s dollar weighted average maturity will be two years or less and its duration will be one year or less.

The Fund may invest in derivatives, including futures, forwards, options, swap contracts and other derivative instruments. The Fund may invest in derivatives for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, including, for example, to seek to enhance returns or as a substitute for a position in an underlying asset.

The Fund may invest in mortgage- and other asset-backed securities. The Fund also may participate in mortgage dollar rolls up to the Fund’s then current position in mortgage-backed securities.

The Adviser evaluates a number of factors in identifying investment opportunities and constructing the Fund’s portfolio. The Adviser considers local, national and global economic conditions, market conditions, interest rate movements and other relevant factors to determine the allocation of the Fund’s assets among different issuers, industry sectors and maturities.

The Adviser, in connection with selecting individual investments for the Fund, evaluates a security based on its potential to generate income and/or to preserve capital. The Adviser considers, among other factors, the creditworthiness of the issuer of the security and the various features of the security, such as its interest rate, yield, maturity, any call features and value relative to other securities.

The Adviser may sell a security if the Adviser believes that there is deterioration in the issuer’s financial circumstances, or that other investments are more attractive; if there is deterioration in a security’s credit rating; or for other reasons.

LOGO Principal Risks

 

   

Investment Strategy Risk – The Adviser uses the principal investment strategies and other investment strategies to seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Investment decisions made by the Adviser in using these strategies may not produce the returns expected by the Adviser, may cause the Fund’s shares to lose value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.

 

   

Market Risk – Market risk refers to the possibility that the market values of securities that the Fund holds will rise or fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Security values may fall because of factors affecting individual companies, industries or sectors, or the markets as a whole, reducing the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or even long periods. The market values of the securities the Fund holds also can be affected by changes or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies and financial markets, and the liquidity of these securities, among other factors. In general, equity securities tend to have greater price volatility than debt securities.

 

   

Interest Rate Risk – Debt securities are subject to interest rate risk. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt securities will tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt securities will tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt security usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but may affect the value of the Fund’s shares. Interest rate risk is generally greater for debt securities with longer maturities/durations.

 

   

Credit Risk – Credit risk applies to most debt securities, but is generally not a factor for obligations backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government. The Fund could lose money if the issuer of a debt security is unable or perceived to be unable to pay interest or repay principal when it becomes due. Various factors could affect the

 

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issuer’s actual or perceived willingness or ability to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the issuer’s financial condition or in general economic conditions. Debt securities backed by an issuer’s taxing authority may be subject to legal limits on the issuer’s power to increase taxes or otherwise to raise revenue, or may be dependent on legislative appropriation or government aid. Certain debt securities are backed only by revenues derived from a particular project or source, rather than by an issuer’s taxing authority, and thus may have a greater risk of default.

 

   

Changing Distribution Levels Risk The amount of the distributions paid by the Fund generally depends on the amount of interest and/or dividends received by the Fund on the securities it holds. The Fund may not be able to pay distributions or may have to reduce its distribution level if the interest and/or dividends the Fund receives from its investments decline.

 

   

Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk – The value of the Fund’s mortgage-backed securities may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates, factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages, the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements, or the market’s assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment risk, which is the possibility that the underlying mortgage may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields. In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.

 

   

Asset-Backed Securities Risk – The value of the Fund’s asset-backed securities may be affected by, among other things, changes in: interest rates, factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the receivables, the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements, or the market’s assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Asset-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit card, auto, student and home equity loans. They may also be backed, in turn, by securities backed by these types of loans and others, such as mortgage loans. Asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Most asset-backed securities are subject to prepayment risk, which is the possibility that the underlying debt may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields. In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.

 

   

Dollar Rolls Risk – Dollar rolls are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the

 

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repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk).

 

   

Foreign Securities Risk – Foreign securities are subject to special risks as compared to securities of U.S. issuers. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may impact the value of foreign securities denominated in foreign currencies, or in U.S. dollars, without a change in the intrinsic value of those securities. Foreign securities may be less liquid than domestic securities so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial fees and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose potentially confiscatory withholding or other taxes, which could reduce the amount of income and capital gains available to distribute to shareholders. Other risks include possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about companies; the impact of political, social or diplomatic events; possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets; possible imposition of currency exchange controls; and accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies.

 

   

Reinvestment Risk – Income from the Fund’s debt securities portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called securities in securities with market interest rates that are below the current earnings rate of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

   

Derivatives Risk – Derivatives are financial contracts whose values are, for example, based on (or “derived” from) traditional securities (such as a stock or bond), assets (such as a commodity like gold or a foreign currency), reference rates (such as LIBOR) or market indices (such as the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 ® Index). Derivatives involve special risks and may result in losses or may limit the Fund’s potential gain from favorable market movements. Derivative strategies often involve leverage, which may exaggerate a loss, potentially causing the Fund to lose more money than it would have lost had it invested in the underlying security or other asset. The values of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in unusual market conditions, and may result in increased volatility, among other consequences. The use of derivatives may also increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders holding shares in a taxable account. Other risks arise from the Fund’s potential inability to terminate or to sell derivative positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund’s derivative positions at times when the Fund might wish to terminate or to sell such positions. Over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) may be illiquid, and transactions in derivatives traded in the over-the-counter market are subject to the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations. The use of derivatives also involves the risks of mispricing or improper valuation and that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying security, asset, reference rate or index. The Fund also may not be able to find a suitable derivative transaction counterparty, and thus may be unable to engage in derivative transactions when it is deemed favorable to do so, or at all. For more information on the risks of derivative investments and strategies, see the Statement of Additional Information.

 

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LOGO Performance Information

The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The Fund commenced operations on November 23, 2009. The returns shown for all periods prior to November 23, 2009 are the returns of shares of CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund, the predecessor to the Fund and a series of Columbia Funds Institutional Trust. The Fund’s past performance (before or after taxes) is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future.

Year by Year Total Return (%) as of December 31 Each Year*

The bar chart below shows you how the performance of the Fund has varied from year to year.

LOGO

 

* Year-to-date return as of September 30, 2010: 1.49%

Best and Worst Quarterly Returns During this Period

 

Best:

   3rd quarter 2006:    1.59%

Worst:

   3rd quarter 2008:    -1.06%

Average Annual Total Return as of December 31, 2009

The table compares the Fund’s returns for each period with those of the Citigroup One-Year U.S. Treasury Bill Index, which is a single 1-year U.S. Treasury Bill whose return is tracked until its maturity.

 

     1 year     5 years     Life of Fund
(March 8, 2004)
 

Returns before taxes

     4.18     2.81     2.55

Returns after taxes on distributions

     3.09     1.35     1.13

Returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares

     2.70     1.55     1.35

Citigroup One-Year U.S. Treasury Bill Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)

     0.89     3.58     3.13

The after-tax returns shown in the table above are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state, local or foreign taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your personal tax situation and may differ from those shown in the table. In addition, the after-tax returns shown in the table do not apply to shares held in tax-deferred accounts such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (IRAs).

 

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Investment Adviser and Portfolio Manager(s)

 

Investment Adviser

  

Portfolio Managers

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC   

Guy C. Holbrook, IV, CFA

Lead Manager. Service with the Fund since 2004.

  

Mary K. Werler, CFA

Co-manager. Service with the Fund since 2010.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

The Fund is available only to institutional entities, including corporations, partnerships, trusts, foundations, endowments, government entities or other similar organizations, and to certain qualifying advisory clients of U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management and the Adviser. Minimum initial investment requirements in the Fund range from $25,000 to $3 million. The minimum additional investment is $2,500. Individual investors are not eligible to invest directly in the Fund. Shares of the Fund may not be exchanged for shares of the Columbia Funds.

Tax Information

The Fund normally distributes net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders. These distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies – including Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Adviser), Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor) and Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent) – may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your financial advisor to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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Additional Investment Strategies and Policies

This section describes certain strategies and policies that the Fund may utilize in pursuit of its investment objective, and describes some additional factors and risks involved with investing in the Fund.

Changing the Fund’s Investment Objective and Policies

The Fund’s investment objective cannot be changed without shareholder approval. Certain of its investment policies can be changed without shareholder approval unless otherwise stated in this prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information (SAI). Shareholders also vote on changes to other investment policies that are designated as fundamental in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act).

The Fund’s policy of investing at least 80% of its “net assets” (which includes net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes) discussed in the Principal Investment Strategies section of this prospectus may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days advance notice of the change.

Investment Guidelines

As a general matter, unless otherwise noted, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a percentage of the Fund’s assets that may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy regarding an investment standard, compliance with that percentage limitation or standard will be determined solely at the time of the Fund’s acquisition of the security or asset.

Holding Other Kinds of Investments

The Fund may hold investments that aren’t part of its principal investment strategies. These investments are described in the SAI. The Fund may choose not to invest in certain securities described in this prospectus and in the SAI, although it has the ability to do so.

Investing in Money Market Funds

The Fund may invest uninvested cash, including cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending program, in shares of registered or unregistered money market funds, including funds advised by the Adviser. The Fund and its shareholders indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any money market fund or other fund in which the Fund may invest. The Adviser and its affiliates receive fees from affiliated funds for providing advisory and other services in addition to the fees which they are entitled to receive from the Fund for services provided directly.

Lending Securities

The Fund may lend portfolio securities to approved broker/dealers or other financial intermediaries on a fully collateralized basis in order to earn additional income. The Fund may lose money from securities lending if, for example, it is delayed in or prevented from selling the collateral after the loan is made or recovering the securities loaned or if it incurs losses on the reinvestment of cash collateral. The Fund may invest some or all of the cash collateral it receives in connection with its securities lending program in one or more pooled investment vehicles, including, among other vehicles, money market funds managed by the Fund’s securities lending agent (or its affiliates). The securities lending agent shares in any income resulting from the investment of such cash collateral, and an affiliate of the securities lending agent receives asset-based fees for the management of such pooled investment vehicles, which may create a conflict of interest between the securities lending agent (or its affiliates) and the Fund with respect to the management of such cash collateral. Engaging in securities lending is subject to certain risks, including counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty to a transaction could default.

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

A description of Columbia Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of Fund portfolio securities is available in the SAI. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings on the Columbia Funds’ website, www.columbiamanagement.com, as described below. Once posted, the portfolio holdings information will remain available on the website until at least the date on which the Fund files a Form N-CSR or Form N-Q (forms filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that include portfolio holdings information) for the period that includes the date as of which the information is current.

The Fund’s complete portfolio holdings as of a calendar quarter-end are disclosed approximately but no earlier than 30 calendar days after each such quarter-end.

In addition, more current information concerning the Fund’s portfolio holdings as of specified dates also may be disclosed on the Columbia Funds’ website.

 

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Investing Defensively

The Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive investment positions that are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions including, for example, investments in money market instruments or holdings of cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may not achieve its investment objective while it is investing defensively.

Mailings to Households

In order to reduce shareholder expenses we may, if prior consent has been provided, mail only one copy of the Fund’s prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, call 800.345.6611 or, if your shares are held through a financial intermediary, contact your intermediary directly.

Additional Information on Portfolio Turnover

A mutual fund that replaces, or turns over, more than 100% of its investments in a year is considered to have a high portfolio turnover rate. A high portfolio turnover rate can generate larger distributions of short-term capital gains to shareholders, which for individuals are generally taxable at higher rates than long-term capital gains for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A high portfolio turnover rate can also mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce a fund’s returns. In general, the greater the volume of buying and selling by a fund, the greater the impact that brokerage commissions will have on its returns. The Fund generally buys securities for capital appreciation, investment income or both. However, the Fund may sell securities regardless of how long they’ve been held. You’ll find the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for its most recent fiscal year in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund — Portfolio Turnover section of this prospectus and portfolio turnover rates for prior fiscal years in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus.

 

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Management of the Fund

Primary Service Providers

The Adviser, which is also the Fund’s administrator, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent, all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial), currently provide key services to the Fund and various other funds, including the Columbia-branded funds (Columbia Funds) and the RiverSource-, Seligman- and Threadneedle-branded funds, including investment advisory, administration, distribution, shareholder servicing and transfer agency services, and are paid for providing these services. These service relationships with respect to the Fund are described below.

The Adviser

The Adviser is located at 100 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110 and serves as investment adviser to the Columbia Funds as well as to RiverSource-, Seligman- and Threadneedle-branded funds. The Adviser is a registered investment adviser and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. Prior to May 1, 2010, the Adviser’s name was RiverSource Investments, LLC. Ameriprise Financial is a financial planning and financial services company that has been offering solutions for clients’ asset accumulation, income management and protection needs for more than 110 years. The Adviser’s management experience covers all major asset classes, including equity securities, fixed-income securities and money market instruments. In addition to serving as an investment adviser to mutual funds, the Adviser acts as an investment manager for itself, its affiliates, individuals, corporations, retirement plans, private investment companies and financial intermediaries.

Subject to oversight by the Board, the Adviser manages the day-to-day operations of the Fund, determines what securities and other investments the Fund should buy or sell and executes the portfolio transactions. Although the Adviser is responsible for the investment management of the Fund, the Adviser may delegate certain of its duties to one or more investment subadvisers. The Adviser may use the research and other capabilities of its affiliates and third parties in managing investments.

The Fund pays the Adviser a unified fee for its investment advisory and other services. Out of the management fee, the Adviser pays all operating costs and expenses of the Fund (other than those described in the following sentence), including custodian fees, transfer agent fees, legal fees for the Fund and accounting expenses (other than auditing fees). The Fund pays the following expenses: disinterested trustee fees and expenses, including their legal counsel, auditing expense, interest incurred on borrowing by the Fund, if any, portfolio transaction expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses of the Fund. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund and is paid monthly. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, aggregate advisory fees paid to its investment adviser by the Fund amounted to 0.25% of average daily net assets of the Fund.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is available in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010.

Subadviser(s)

The Adviser may engage an investment subadviser or subadvisers to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Adviser retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Adviser may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser.

The SEC has issued an order that permits the Adviser, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint an unaffiliated subadviser or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement for the Fund without first obtaining shareholder approval. The order permits the Fund to add or to change unaffiliated subadvisers or to change the fees paid to subadvisers from time to time without the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the change. The Adviser and its affiliates may have other relationships, including significant financial relationships, with current or potential subadvisers or their affiliates, which may create certain conflicts of interest. When making recommendations to the Board to appoint or to change a subadviser, or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, the Adviser discloses to the Board the nature of any material relationships it has with a subadviser or its affiliates.

At present, the Adviser has not engaged any investment subadviser for the Fund.

 

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Portfolio Managers

Information about the Adviser’s portfolio managers who are primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown in the table below. The SAI provides more information about each portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by each portfolio manager and each portfolio manager’s ownership of securities in the Fund.

Guy C. Holbrook, IV, CFA

Lead manager. Service with the Fund since 2004.

Portfolio Manager of the Adviser. From 1998 until joining the Adviser in May 2010, Mr. Holbrook was associated with the Fund’s previous investment adviser or its predecessors as an investment professional. Mr. Holbrook began his investment career in 1987 and earned a B.A. from Colby College.

Mary K. Werler, CFA

Co-manager. Service with the Fund since 2010.

Portfolio Manager of the Adviser. From 1993 until joining the Adviser in May 2010, Ms. Werler was associated with the Fund’s previous investment adviser or its predecessors as an investment professional. Ms. Werler began her investment career in 1983 and earned a B.A. from Connecticut College.

The Administrator

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Administrator) is responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of the Fund, including the general supervision of the Fund’s operations, the coordination of the Fund’s service providers and the provision of office facilities and related clerical and administrative services.

The Fund pays a unified fee to the Adviser, and the Adviser pays for the administrative services provided to the Fund.

The Distributor

Shares of the Fund are distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor is a registered broker/dealer and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Distributor and its affiliates may pay commissions, distribution and service fees and/or other compensation to entities, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for selling shares and providing services to investors.

The Transfer Agent

The Transfer Agent is a registered transfer agent and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Transfer Agent’s responsibilities include processing purchases, sales and exchanges, calculating and paying distributions, keeping shareholder records, preparing account statements and providing customer service. The Fund pays a unified fee to the Adviser, and the Adviser pays for the transfer agency services provided to the Fund.

Expense Reimbursement Arrangements

The Adviser has contractually agreed to bear a portion of the Fund’s expenses so that the Fund’s ordinary operating expenses (excluding any brokerage commissions, interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses, but including custodian charges relating to overdrafts, if any), after giving effect to any balance credits from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets through November 30, 2011. These fee and expense arrangements may only be modified or amended with approval from all parties to such arrangements, including the Fund and the Adviser.

 

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LOGO Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates—Certain Conflicts of Interest

The Adviser, Administrator, Distributor and Transfer Agent, all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, provide various services to the Fund and other Columbia Funds, as well as RiverSource-, Seligman- and Threadneedle-branded funds, for which they are compensated. Ameriprise Financial and its other affiliates may also provide other services to these funds and be compensated for them.

The Adviser and its affiliates may provide investment advisory and other services to other clients and customers substantially similar to those provided to the Columbia Funds. These activities, and other financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, may present actual and potential conflicts of interest and introduce certain investment constraints.

Ameriprise Financial is a major financial services company, engaged in a broad range of financial activities beyond the mutual fund-related activities of the Adviser, including, among others, insurance, broker/dealer (sales and trading), asset management, banking and other financial activities. These additional activities may involve multiple advisory, financial, insurance and other interests in securities and other instruments, and in companies that issue securities and other instruments, that may be bought, sold or held by the Columbia Funds.

Conflicts of interest and limitations that could affect a Columbia Fund may arise from, for example, the following:

 

   

compensation and other benefits received by the Adviser and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates related to the management/administration of a Columbia Fund and the sale of its shares;

 

   

the allocation of, and competition for, investment opportunities among the Fund, other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Adviser and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, or Ameriprise Financial itself and its affiliates;

 

   

separate and potentially divergent management of a Columbia Fund and other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Adviser and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates;

 

   

regulatory and other investment restrictions on investment activities of the Adviser and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates and accounts advised/managed by them;

 

   

insurance and other relationships of Ameriprise Financial affiliates with companies and other entities in which a Columbia Fund invests; and

 

   

regulatory and other restrictions relating to the sharing of information between Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Adviser, and a Columbia Fund.

The Adviser and Ameriprise Financial have adopted various policies and procedures that are intended to identify, monitor and address conflicts of interest. However, there is no assurance that these policies, procedures and disclosures will be effective.

Additional information about Ameriprise Financial and the types of conflicts of interest and other matters referenced above is set forth in the “Investment Advisory and Other Services – Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest ” section of the SAI, which is identified by the LOGO icon. Investors in the Columbia Funds should carefully review these disclosures and consult with their financial advisor if they have any questions.

Certain Legal Matters

Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates is the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Information regarding certain pending and settled legal proceedings may be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports and in the SAI. Additionally, Ameriprise Financial is required to make 10-Q, 10-K and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the SEC on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

 

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About Fund Shares

Fund Shares

The Fund’s primary service providers are referred to as follows: Columbia Management, the Adviser or the investment manager refers to Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, the Transfer Agent refers to Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. and the Distributor refers to Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. Additional information about the Fund can be obtained by contacting the following:

 

Website *    Toll-Free Number    Mailing Addresses
www.columbiamanagement.com    800.345.6611    Regular Mail :    Express Mail :
     

The Funds

c/o Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.

P.O. Box 8081

Boston, MA 02266-8081

  

The Funds

c/o Columbia Management

Investment Services Corp.

30 Dan Road

Canton, MA 02021-2809

 

* The website references in this prospectus are intended to be inactive textual references and information contained in or otherwise accessible through the referenced websites does not form a part of this prospectus.

The Adviser also manages the Columbia Funds family of mutual funds (Columbia Funds), which are available for purchase by retail investors. Shares of the Fund may not be exchanged for shares of the Columbia Funds.

 

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Share Class Features

 

Eligible Investors

and Minimum

Initial Investments (a)

  

Investment

Limits

  

Conversion
Features

  

Front-End Sales
Charges

  

Contingent
Deferred Sales
Charges
(CDSCs)

  

Maximum
Distribution and
Service (12b-1)
Fees

  

Non 12b-1
Service Fees

Available only to institutional entities, including corporations, partnerships, trusts, foundations, endowments, government entities or other similar organizations, and to certain qualifying advisory clients of U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management and the Adviser. Investors are subject to different minimum initial investment requirements ranging from $25,000 to $3 million. Individual investors are not eligible to invest directly in the Fund.    none    none    none    none    none    none

 

(a)

See Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares – Opening an Account and Placing Orders for more details on the eligible investors and investment minimums of this share class.

 

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FUNDamentals TM

Selling and/or Servicing Agents

The terms “selling agent” and “servicing agent” refer to the financial intermediary that employs your financial advisor. Selling and/or servicing agents include, for example, brokerage firms, banks, investment advisors, third party administrators and other financial intermediaries.

Selling and/or Servicing Agent Compensation

The Distributor and the investment manager make payments, from their own resources, to selling and/or servicing agents, including other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for marketing/sales support services relating to the Funds. Such payments are generally based upon one or more of the following factors: average net assets of the Funds sold by the Distributor attributable to that intermediary, gross sales of the Funds distributed by the Distributor attributable to that intermediary, reimbursement of ticket charges (fees that a selling and/or servicing agent charges its representatives for effecting transactions in Fund shares) or a negotiated lump sum payment. While the financial arrangements may vary for each intermediary, the support payments to any one intermediary are generally between 0.05% and 0.50% on an annual basis for payments based on average net assets of the Fund attributable to the intermediary, and between 0.05% and 0.25% on an annual basis for firms receiving a payment based on gross sales of the Funds attributable to the intermediary.

As of the date of this Prospectus, the Distributor and the Adviser have entered into agreements involving the Fund according to which the Distributor and the Adviser may make marketing/sales support payments on behalf of the Fund to a single Bank of America Corporation (Bank of America) affiliate. However, the Distributor and the Adviser may enter into similar agreements with other Bank of America affiliates and with unaffiliated financial intermediaries in the future. The Distributor and the investment manager may make payments in larger amounts or on a basis other than those described above when dealing with certain selling and/or servicing agents, including certain affiliates of Bank of America. Such increased payments may enable such selling and/or servicing agents to offset credits that they may provide to customers. The Distributor, the Transfer Agent and the investment manager may also make payments to selling and/or servicing agents, including other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, that provide shareholder services to retirement plans and other investment programs to compensate those intermediaries for services they provide to such programs, including, but not limited to, sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, similar shareholder or participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, or shareholder or participant transaction processing.

These payments for shareholder servicing support vary by selling and/or servicing agent but generally are not expected, with certain limited exceptions, to exceed 0.40% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares in any intermediary’s program on an annual basis for those classes of shares that pay a service fee pursuant to a plan under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and 0.45% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares in any intermediary’s program on an annual basis for those classes of shares that do not pay a service fee pursuant to a plan under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.

For all classes other than Class Y shares, the Funds may reimburse the Transfer Agent for amounts paid to selling and/or servicing agents that maintain assets in omnibus accounts, subject to an annual cap that varies among Funds. Generally, the annual cap for each Legacy Columbia fund (other than the Columbia Acorn funds) and each Legacy RiverSource fund is 0.20% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares maintained in each such account for selling and/or servicing agents that seek payment by the Transfer Agent based on a percentage of net assets. Please see the SAI for additional information. The amounts in excess of that reimbursed by the Fund are borne by the Distributor or the investment manager. The Distributor and the investment manager may make other payments or allow promotional incentives to broker/dealers to the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and by other applicable laws and regulations.

Amounts paid by the Distributor and the investment manager and their affiliates are paid out of the Distributor’s and the investment manager’s own resources and do not increase the amount paid by you or the Fund. You can find further details in the

 

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SAI about the payments made by the Distributor and the investment manager and their affiliates, as well as a list of the intermediaries, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, to which the Distributor and the investment manager have agreed to make marketing support payments. Your selling and/or servicing agent may charge you fees and commissions in addition to those described in the prospectus. You should consult with your selling and/or servicing agent and review carefully any disclosure your selling and/or servicing agent provides regarding its services and compensation. Depending on the financial arrangement in place at any particular time, a selling and/or servicing agent and its financial advisors may have a financial incentive for recommending the Fund or a particular share class over others.

 

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Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares

Share Price Determination

The price you pay or receive when you buy or sell shares is the Fund’s next determined net asset value (or NAV) per share. The Fund calculates the net asset value per share of the Fund at the end of each business day.

FUNDamentals TM

NAV Calculation

The Fund calculates its NAV as follows:

 

NAV

 

=

  

(Value of assets of the share class)

— (Liabilities of the share class)

  
         
     Number of outstanding shares of the class   

FUNDamentals TM

Business Days

A business day is any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. A business day ends at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. If the NYSE closes early, the business day ends as of the time the NYSE closes. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, the Fund’s net asset value is not calculated and the Fund does not accept buy or sell orders. However, the value of the Fund’s assets may still be affected on such days to the extent that the Fund holds foreign securities that trade on days that foreign securities markets are open.

The value of the Fund’s shares is based on the total market value of all of the securities and other assets that it holds as of a specified time. The prices reported on stock exchanges and other securities markets around the world are usually used to value securities in the Fund. The Fund uses the amortized cost method, which approximates market value, to value short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less.

If a market price isn’t readily available, the Fund will determine the price of the security held by the Fund based on the investment manager’s determination of the security’s fair value. A market price is considered not readily available if, among other circumstances, the most recent reported price is deemed unreliable. In addition, the Fund may use fair valuation to price securities that trade on a foreign exchange when a significant event has occurred after the foreign exchange closes but before the time at which the Fund’s share price is calculated. Foreign exchanges typically close before the time at which Fund share prices are calculated, and may be closed altogether on some days when the Fund is open. Such significant events affecting a foreign security may include, but are not limited to: (1) those impacting a single issuer; (2) governmental action that affects securities in one sector or country; (3) natural disasters or armed conflicts affecting a country or region; or (4) significant domestic or foreign market fluctuations. The Fund uses various criteria, including an evaluation of U.S. market moves after the close of foreign markets, in determining whether a security’s market price is readily available and, if not, the fair value of the security.

Fair valuation may have the effect of reducing stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, when the Fund uses fair valuation to price securities, it may value those securities higher or lower than another fund would have priced the security. Also, the use of fair valuation may cause the Fund’s performance to diverge to a greater degree from the performance of various benchmarks used to compare the Fund’s performance because benchmarks generally do not use fair valuation techniques. Because of the judgment involved in fair valuation decisions, there can be no assurance that the value ascribed to a particular security is accurate. The Fund has retained one or more independent fair valuation pricing services to assist in the fair valuation process for foreign securities. International markets are sometimes open on days when U.S. markets are closed, which means that the value of foreign securities owned by the Fund could change on days when Fund shares cannot be

 

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bought or sold.

Transaction Rules and Policies

Transaction Rules and Policies details policies of the Transfer Agent, as well as certain programs offered by the Transfer Agent, acting on behalf of the Fund and the Columbia Funds. An investor’s eligibility to participate in a program offered by the Transfer Agent will depend upon that investor’s particular circumstances. Selling/servicing agents may require information (or have policies) in addition to that required by the Transfer Agent as described below. In turn, selling/servicing agents may provide this information directly to the Transfer Agent when conducting transactions on behalf of an investor. Investors investing through a selling/servicing agent will be provided with details concerning their eligibility to participate in the programs described herein, and will be apprised of any additional requirements relating to the conduct of transactions upon establishing their account. You should also ask your selling/servicing agent about its rules, fees and policies for buying and selling shares, which may be different from those described here, and about its related programs or services.

Also remember that the Fund may refuse any order to buy shares. If this happens, we’ll return any money we’ve received, but no interest will be paid on that money.

Order Processing

Orders to buy or sell shares are processed on business days. Orders can be delivered by mail, by telephone or other methods as determined by the Transfer Agent. Orders received in “good form” by the Transfer Agent or your selling/ servicing agent before the end of a business day will receive that day’s net asset value per share. Orders received after the end of a business day will receive the next business day’s net asset value per share. The market value of the Fund’s investments may change between the time you submit your order and the time the Fund next calculates its net asset value per share. The business day that applies to your order is also called a trade date.

“Good Form”

An order is in “good form” if the Transfer Agent or your selling and/or servicing agent has all of the information and documentation it deems necessary to effect your order. For example, when you sell shares by letter of instruction, “good form” means that your letter has (i) complete instructions and the signatures of all account owners, (ii) a Medallion Signature Guarantee (as described below) for amounts greater than $100,000 and (iii) any other required documents completed and attached. For the documents required for sales by corporations, agents, fiduciaries, surviving joint owners and other legal entities, call 800.345.6611.

Medallion Signature Guarantees

A Medallion Signature Guarantee helps assure that a signature is genuine and not a forgery. The selling and/or servicing agent providing the Medallion Signature Guarantee is financially liable for the transaction if the signature is a forgery.

Qualified customers can obtain a Medallion Signature Guarantee from any financial institution – including commercial banks, credit unions and broker/dealers – that participates in one of the three Medallion Signature Guarantee programs recognized by the Securities and Exchange Commission. These Medallion Signature Guarantee programs are the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP), the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (SEMP) and the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program (MSP). Please note that a guarantee from a notary public is not acceptable.

A Medallion Signature Guarantee is required if:

 

   

The amount is greater than $100,000.

 

   

You want your check made payable to someone other than the registered account owner(s).

 

   

Your address of record has changed within the last 30 days.

 

   

You want the check mailed to an address other than the address of record.

 

   

You want the proceeds sent to a bank account not on file.

 

   

You are the beneficiary of the account and the account owner is deceased (additional documents may be required).

 

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Written Transactions

If you are eligible to conduct purchase and sale orders directly with the Fund, you can communicate written purchase and sale orders to the Transfer Agent at the following address (regular mail): The Funds, c/o Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., P.O. Box 8081, Boston, MA 02266-8081 and (express mail) The Funds, c/o Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., 30 Dan Road, Canton, MA 02021-2809.

Telephone Transactions

Institutional investors directing transaction orders through their selling/servicing agents may be required to provide account numbers and taxpayer identification numbers at the time of placing a transaction order.

Telephone orders may not be as secure as written orders. The Fund will take reasonable steps to confirm that telephone instructions received from selling/servicing agents are genuine. For example, we require proof of identification before we will act on instructions received by telephone and may record telephone conversations. However, the Fund and its agents will not be responsible for any losses, costs or expenses resulting from an unauthorized telephone instruction when reasonable steps have been taken to confirm that telephone instructions are genuine. Telephone orders may be difficult to complete during periods of significant economic or market change or business interruption.

Customer Identification Program

Federal law requires the Fund to obtain and record specific personal information to verify your identity when you open an account. This information may include your name, address, date of birth (for individuals) and taxpayer or other government issued identification (e.g., SSN or other TIN). If you fail to provide the requested information, the Fund may need to delay the date of your purchase or may be unable to open your account, which may result in a return of your investment monies. In addition, if the Fund is unable to verify your identity after your account is open, the Fund reserves the right to close your account or take other steps as deemed reasonable. The Fund will not be liable for any loss resulting from any purchase delay, application rejection or account closure due to a failure to provide proper identifying information.

Cash Flows

The timing and magnitude of cash inflows from investors buying Fund shares could prevent the Fund from always being fully invested. Conversely, the timing and magnitude of cash outflows to investors redeeming Fund shares could require large ready reserves of uninvested cash to meet shareholder redemptions. Either situation could adversely impact the Fund’s performance.

Information Sharing Agreements

As required by Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, the Funds or certain of their service providers will enter into information sharing agreements with selling and/or servicing agents, including participating life insurance companies and selling and/or servicing agents that sponsor or offer retirement plans through which shares of the Funds are made available for purchase. Pursuant to Rule 22c-2, selling and/or servicing agents are required, upon request, to: (i) provide shareholder account and transaction information and (ii) execute instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases of Fund shares by shareholders who have been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions that violate the Fund’s excessive trading policies and procedures. See Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares – Excessive Trading Practices for more information.

Excessive Trading Practices

Right to Reject or Restrict Share Transaction Orders – The Fund is intended for investors with long-term investment purposes and is not intended as a vehicle for frequent trading activity (market timing) that is excessive. Investors should transact in Fund shares primarily for investment purposes. The Board has adopted excessive trading policies and procedures that are designed to deter excessive trading by investors (the Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures). The Fund discourages and does not accommodate excessive trading.

 

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The Fund reserves the right to reject, without any prior notice, any buy order for any reason, and will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected orders. For example, the Fund may in its discretion restrict or reject a buy order even if the transaction is not subject to the specific limitations described below if the Fund or its agents determine that accepting the order could interfere with efficient management of the Fund’s portfolio or is otherwise contrary to the Fund’s best interests. The Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures apply equally to buy transactions communicated directly to the Transfer Agent and to those received by selling and/or servicing agents.

Specific Buying Limitations – If the Fund detects that an investor has made two “material round trips” in any 28-day period, it will generally reject the investor’s future buy orders involving any Fund.

For these purposes, a “round trip” is a purchase or exchange into the Fund followed by a sale or exchange out of the Fund, or a sale or exchange out of the Fund followed by a purchase or exchange into the Fund. A “material” round trip is one that is deemed by the Fund to be material in terms of its amount or its potential detrimental impact on the Fund. Independent of this limit, the Fund may, in its discretion, reject future buy orders by any person, group or account that appears to have engaged in any type of excessive trading activity.

These limits generally do not apply to automated transactions or transactions by registered investment companies that invest in the Fund using a “fund-of-funds” structure. These limits do not apply to payroll deduction contributions by retirement plan participants, transactions initiated by a retirement plan sponsor or certain other retirement plan transactions consisting of rollover transactions, loan repayments and disbursements, and required minimum distribution redemptions. They may be modified or rescinded for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan limits, for considerations relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or regulations of the Department of Labor, and for certain asset allocation or wrap programs. Accounts known to be under common ownership or control generally will be counted together, but accounts maintained or managed by a common intermediary generally will not be considered to be under common ownership or control. The Fund retains the right to modify these restrictions at any time without prior notice to shareholders.

Limitations on the Ability to Detect and Prevent Excessive Trading Practices – The Fund takes various steps designed to detect and prevent excessive trading, including daily review of available shareholder transaction information. However, the Fund receives buy and sell orders through selling and/or servicing agents, and cannot always know of or reasonably detect excessive trading that may be facilitated by selling and/or servicing agents or by the use of the omnibus account arrangements they offer. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of mutual funds, particularly among certain selling and/or servicing agents such as broker/dealers, retirement plans and variable insurance products. These arrangements often permit selling and/or servicing agents to aggregate their clients’ transactions and accounts, and in these circumstances, the identity of the shareholders is often not known to the Fund.

Some selling and/or servicing agents apply their own restrictions or policies to underlying investor accounts, which may be more or less restrictive than those described here. This may impact the Fund’s ability to curtail excessive trading, even where it is identified. For these and other reasons, it is possible that excessive trading may occur despite the Fund’s efforts to detect and prevent it.

Although these restrictions and policies involve judgments that are inherently subjective and may involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to act in a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interests of shareholders in making any such judgments.

Risks of Excessive Trading – Excessive trading creates certain risks to the Fund’s long-term shareholders and may create the following adverse effects:

 

   

negative impact on the Fund’s performance;

 

   

potential dilution of the value of the Fund’s shares;

 

   

interference with the efficient management of the Fund’s portfolio, such as the need to maintain undesirably large cash positions, the need to use its line of credit or the need to buy or sell securities it otherwise would not have bought or sold;

 

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losses on the sale of investments resulting from the need to sell securities at less favorable prices;

 

   

increased taxable gains to the Fund’s remaining shareholders resulting from the need to sell securities to meet sell orders; and

 

   

increased brokerage and administrative costs.

To the extent that the Fund invests significantly in foreign securities traded on markets that close before the Fund’s valuation time, it may be particularly susceptible to dilution as a result of excessive trading. Because events may occur after the close of foreign markets and before the Fund’s valuation time that influence the value of foreign securities, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of foreign securities as of the Fund’s valuation time. This is often referred to as price arbitrage. The Fund has adopted procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign securities under certain circumstances to reflect what the Fund believes to be the fair value of those securities as of its valuation time. To the extent the adjustments don’t work fully, investors engaging in price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the Fund’s shares held by other shareholders.

Similarly, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in thinly traded high-yield bonds (junk bonds) or equity securities of small-capitalization companies, because these securities are often traded infrequently, investors may seek to trade their shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these securities. This is also a type of price arbitrage. Any such frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of the Fund’s portfolio to a greater degree than would be the case for mutual funds that invest in highly liquid securities, in part because the Fund may have difficulty selling those portfolio securities at advantageous times or prices to satisfy large and/or frequent sell orders. Any successful price arbitrage may also cause dilution in the value of Fund shares held by other shareholders.

Opening an Account and Placing Orders

Purchases of Fund shares may be made by three different methods, each of which is subject to initial minimum investment requirements described below.

The Fund is available to institutional investors investing directly in the Fund, to institutional investors investing in the Fund as an advisory client of the Adviser, to institutional investors investing in the Fund as an advisory client of Bank of America, N.A. and to certain other qualifying advisory clients of U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management:

 

   

Purchasing shares directly from the Fund. The Fund’s minimum initial investment requirement for investors purchasing shares directly from the Fund is $3 million. The Fund may waive the investment minimum in its sole discretion. Subsequent investments in the Fund must be at least $2,500; however, purchase orders may be refused at the discretion of the Fund. Institutional investors seeking to invest in the Fund directly may do so by calling 800.345.6611, where a representative will be available to provide instructions about purchasing and selling shares.

 

   

Investment in the Fund as an advisory client of the Adviser. You may purchase Fund shares as an advisory client of the Adviser, investing through a separate account. In order to invest in this manner you must have at least $1 million in assets managed by the Adviser, exclusive of your assets in the Fund. The minimum initial investment is $25,000. An advisory client with less than $10 million in assets managed by the Adviser who invests less than $3 million in the Fund may be charged an administrative account fee by the Adviser of $5,000 to cover costs of servicing the account. The decision to charge this fee and the terms of such a fee are determined by the Adviser. Clients should contact their Adviser representative for more information.

 

   

Investment in the Fund as an advisory client of Bank of America, N.A. Eligible investors may purchase Fund shares as a client of Bank of America, N.A. Such investors must direct their transaction orders through their designated selling/servicing agents at Bank of America, N.A. In order to invest in this manner you must have at least $1 million in assets managed by Bank of America, N.A., exclusive of your assets in the Fund. The minimum initial investment is $25,000. A client of Bank of America, N.A. with less than $10 million in assets managed by Bank of America, N.A. who invests less than $3 million in the Fund may be charged an administrative account fee of $5,000 by Bank of America, N.A. to cover the extra costs of servicing the account.

Institutional investors investing directly in the Fund or as an advisory client of the Adviser are strongly encouraged to consult with their Adviser representative to discuss their objectives prior to investing. A selling/servicing agent will also provide detailed instructions about requirements relating to transactions in Fund shares. Additional information about the Fund may be found at

 

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www.columbiamanagement.com. The price for the Fund’s shares is the Fund’s net asset value per share (NAV), which is generally calculated as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) every day the exchange is open. Your order will be priced at the next NAV calculated after your order is accepted by the Fund.

Wire Purchases

If you are eligible to conduct purchase and sale orders directly with the Fund, you may buy shares of the Fund by wiring money from your bank account to your Fund account by calling the Transfer Agent at 800.345.6611.

Electronic Funds Transfer

If you are eligible to conduct purchase and sale orders directly with the Fund, you may buy shares of the Fund by electronically transferring money from your bank account to your Fund account by calling the Transfer Agent at 800.422.3737. An electronic funds transfer may take up to three business days to settle and be considered in “good form.” You must set up this feature by contacting the Transfer Agent prior to your request to obtain any necessary forms. The minimum investment amount for additional purchases via electronic funds transfer is $100.

Important: Payments sent by electronic fund transfers, a bank authorization, or check that are not guaranteed may take up to 10 or more days to clear. If you request a redemption before the purchase funds clear, your redemption request to fail to process if the requested amount includes unguaranteed funds. If you purchased your shares by check or from your bank account as an Automated Clearing House (ACH) transaction, the Fund will hold the redemption proceeds when you sell those shares for a period of time after the trade date of the purchase.

Other Purchase Rules You Should Know

 

   

Once the Transfer Agent or your selling/servicing agent receives your buy order in “good form,” your purchase will be made at the next calculated net asset value per share.

 

   

You generally buy shares at net asset value per share because no front-end sales charge applies to purchases of this Fund.

 

   

The Fund reserves the right to cancel your order if it doesn’t receive payment within three business days of receiving your buy order. The Fund will return any payment received for orders that have been cancelled, but no interest will be paid on that money.

 

   

Selling/servicing agents are responsible for sending your buy orders to the Transfer Agent and ensuring that we receive your money on time.

 

   

Shares bought are recorded on the books of the Fund. The Fund doesn’t issue certificates.

In-Kind Distributions

The Fund reserves the right to honor sell orders with in-kind distributions of portfolio securities instead of cash. In the event the Fund makes such an in-kind distribution, you may incur the brokerage and transaction costs associated with converting the portfolio securities you receive into cash. Also, the portfolio securities you receive may increase or decrease in value before you convert them into cash.

Wire Redemptions

If you are eligible to conduct purchase and sale orders directly with the Fund, you may request that your sale proceeds be wired to your bank account by calling the Transfer Agent at 800.422.3737. You must set up this feature prior to your request. The Transfer Agent charges a fee for shares sold by Fedwire. The Transfer Agent may waive the fee for certain accounts. The receiving bank may charge an additional fee. The minimum amount that can be redeemed by wire is $500, and the maximum amount is $3 million.

Electronic Funds Transfer

If you are eligible to conduct purchase and sale orders directly with the Fund, you may sell shares of the Fund and request that the proceeds be electronically transferred to your bank account by calling the Transfer Agent at 800.422.3737. It may take up to three business days for the sale proceeds to be received by your bank. You must set up this feature by contacting the Transfer Agent

 

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prior to your request to obtain any necessary forms.

Other Redemption Rules You Should Know

 

   

Once the Transfer Agent or your selling/servicing agent receives your sell order in “good form,” your shares will be sold at the next calculated net asset value per share.

 

   

If you sell your shares directly through the Fund, we will normally send the sale proceeds within three business days after the Transfer Agent or your selling/servicing agent receives your order in “good form.”

 

   

If you sell your shares through a selling agent, the Fund will normally send the sale proceeds by Fedwire within three business days after the Transfer Agent or your selling/servicing agent receives your order in “good form.”

 

   

If you paid for your shares by check or from your bank account as an Automated Clearing House (ACH) transaction, the Fund will hold the sale proceeds when you sell those shares for up to 10 days after the trade date of the purchase.

 

   

No interest will be paid on uncashed redemption checks.

 

   

The Fund can delay payment of the sale proceeds for up to seven days and may suspend redemptions and/or postpone payment of redemption proceeds when the NYSE is closed or during emergency circumstances as determined by the SEC.

 

   

Other restrictions may apply to retirement accounts. For information about these restrictions, contact your retirement plan administrator.

Exchanging Shares

Shares of the Fund cannot be exchanged for shares of any Columbia Fund.

 

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Distributions and Taxes

Distributions to Shareholders

The Fund intends to pay out, in the form of distributions to shareholders, a sufficient amount of its income and gains so that the Fund will qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company and generally will not have to pay any federal excise tax. The Fund generally intends to distribute any net realized capital gain (whether long-term or short-term gain) at least once a year. Normally, the Fund will declare and pay distributions of net investment income according to the following schedule:

Declaration and Distribution Schedule

 

Declarations

  daily

Distributions

  monthly

The Fund may, however, pay distributions of net investment income more frequently.

The Fund generally pays cash distributions within five business days after the end of the month in which the distribution was declared. If you sell all of your shares after the record date, but before the payment date, for a distribution, you’ll normally receive that distribution in cash within five business days after the sale was made.

The Fund will automatically reinvest distributions in additional shares of the Fund unless you inform us you want to receive your distributions in cash. You can do this by calling us at 800.345.6611. No sales charges apply to the purchase or sale of such shares. Distributions of $10 or less will automatically be reinvested in additional Fund shares only. If you elect to receive distributions by check and the check is returned as undeliverable, all subsequent distributions will be reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.

Unless you are exempt from U.S. federal income tax, you should consider avoiding buying Fund shares shortly before the Fund makes a distribution, other than distributions of net investment income that are declared daily, because doing so can cost you money in taxes to the extent the distribution consists of taxable income or gains. This is because you will, in effect, receive part of your purchase price back in the distribution. This is known as “buying a dividend.”

If you buy shares of the Fund when it holds securities with unrealized capital gain, you may, in effect, receive part of your purchase price back if and when the Fund sells those securities and distributes any net realized gain. Any such distribution is generally subject to tax. The Fund may have, or may build up over time, high levels of unrealized capital gain. If you buy shares of the Fund when it has capital loss carryforwards, the Fund may have the ability to offset capital gains realized by the Fund that otherwise would have been distributed to shareholders with such carryforwards, although capital loss carryforwards generally expire after eight taxable years and may be subject to substantial limitations.

Taxes and Your Investment

The Fund will send you a statement each year showing how much you’ve received in distributions in the prior year and the distributions’ character for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, you should be aware of the following considerations:

 

   

The Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company. A regulated investment company generally is not subject to tax at the fund level on income and gains from investments that are distributed to shareholders. However, the Fund’s failure to qualify as a regulated investment company would result in Fund level taxation, and consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to you.

 

   

Distributions generally are taxable to you when paid, whether they are paid in cash or automatically reinvested in additional Fund shares.

 

   

Distributions of the Fund’s ordinary income and net short-term capital gain, if any, generally are taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions of the Fund’s net long-term capital gain, if any, generally are taxable to you as long-term capital gain. Whether capital gains are long-term or short-term is determined by how long the Fund has owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long you have owned your shares.

 

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The Fund expects that distributions will consist primarily of ordinary income.

 

   

Certain derivative instruments when held in a Fund’s portfolio subject the Fund to special tax rules, the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer fund losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of Fund portfolio securities, convert capital gains into ordinary income and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to shareholders. For tax-exempt Funds: Derivative instruments held by a Fund also generate taxable income to the Fund.

 

   

Certain Funds may purchase or sell (write) options, as described further in the SAI. In general, option premiums which may be received by the Fund are not immediately included in the income of the Funds. Instead, such premiums are taken into account when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the Fund transfers or otherwise terminates the option. If an option written by a Fund is exercised and such Fund sells or delivers the underlying security, the Fund generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) the sum of the exercise price and the option premium received by the Fund minus (b) the Fund’s basis in the security. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying security. Gain or loss with respect to any termination of a Fund’s obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option and the related sale or delivery of the underlying security generally will be short-term gain or loss. Thus, for example, if an option written by a Fund expires unexercised, such Fund generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.

 

   

A sale or redemption of Fund shares is a taxable event. This includes redemptions where you are paid in securities. Your sales and redemptions of Fund shares (including those paid in securities) usually will result in a taxable capital gain or loss to you, equal to the difference between the amount you receive for your shares and the amount you paid for them. Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Fund shares for more than one year at the time of sale. In certain circumstances, capital losses may be converted from short-term to long-term or disallowed.

 

   

The Fund is required by federal law to withhold tax on any taxable and possibly tax-exempt distributions and redemption proceeds paid to you (including amounts paid to you in securities) if: you haven’t provided a correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) or haven’t certified to the Fund that withholding doesn’t apply; the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has notified us that the TIN listed on your account is incorrect according to its records; or the IRS informs the Fund that you are otherwise subject to backup withholding.

FUNDamentals TM

Taxes

The information provided above is only a summary of how U.S. federal income taxes may affect your investment in the Fund. It is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Your investment in the Fund may have other tax implications.

It does not apply to certain types of investors who may be subject to special rules, including foreign or tax-exempt investors or those holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA.

You should consult with your own tax advisor about the particular tax consequences to you of an investment in the Fund, including the effect of any foreign, state and local taxes, and the effect of possible changes in applicable tax laws.

 

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Financial Highlights

The financial highlights table is designed to help you understand how the Fund has performed for the past five full fiscal years, or if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total return line indicates how much an investment in the Fund would have earned each period assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested.

The Fund commenced operations on November 23, 2009. The financial highlights below for periods prior to November 23, 2009 reflect the performance of CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund, a series of Columbia Funds Institutional Trust.

This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report. The independent registered public accounting firm’s report and the Fund’s financial statements are also incorporated by reference into the SAI.

CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

 

     Year Ended
July 31,
2010 (a)
    Year Ended
July 31,
2009
    Year Ended
July 31,
2008
    Year Ended
July 31,
2007
    Year Ended
July 31,
2006
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

   $ 9.16      $ 9.29      $ 9.59      $ 9.62      $ 9.67   

Income from Investment Operations:

          

Net investment income (b)

     0.13        0.26        0.43        0.47        0.38   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     0.06        (0.07     (0.30     (0.03     (0.02

Total from Investment Operations

     0.19        0.19        0.13        0.44        0.36   

Less Distributions to Shareholders:

          

From net investment income

     (0.25     (0.32     (0.43     (0.47     (0.41

Return of capital

     —          —          —          —          —   (c)  

Total distributions to shareholders

     (0.25     (0.32     (0.43     (0.47     (0.41

Net Asset Value, End of Period

   $ 9.10      $ 9.16      $ 9.29      $ 9.59      $ 9.62   

Total return (d)(e)

     2.10 % (f)       2.16     1.42     4.62 % (g)       3.84

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

          

Net expenses before interest expense

     0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25 % (h)  

Interest expense

     —   % ( i )       —   % ( i )       —          —          —     

Net expenses

     0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25 % (h)  

Waiver/Reimbursement

     0.01     0.04     0.07     0.06     0.07

Net investment income

     1.38     2.82     4.58     4.88     3.93 % (h)  

Portfolio turnover rate

     90     103     69     108     48

Net assets, end of period (000s)

   $ 1,205,473      $ 338,239      $ 96,595      $ 152,793      $ 89,863   

 

(a)

On November 23, 2009, CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund, a portfolio of Columbia Funds Institutional Trust, was reorganized into a newly formed series of Columbia Funds Series Trust I, which was also named CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund.

(b)

Per share data was calculated using the average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)

Rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

(d)

Total return at net asset value assuming all distributions reinvested.

(e)

Had the investment advisor and/or any of its affiliates not waived fees or reimbursed a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.

(f)

Total return includes a reimbursement of a loss experienced by the Fund due to a compliance violation. This reimbursement increased total return and net asset value per share by less than 0.01% and less than $0.01, respectively.

(g)

Total return includes a voluntary reimbursement by the investment advisor for a realized investment loss due to a trading error. The reimbursement had an impact of less than 0.01% on the Fund’s total return.

(h)

The benefits derived from custody credits had an impact of less than 0.01%.

(i)

Rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

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Hypothetical Fees and Expenses

The following supplemental hypothetical investment information provides additional information about the effect of the fees and expenses of the Fund, including investment advisory fees and other Fund costs, on the Fund’s returns over a 10-year period. The chart shows the estimated fees and expenses that would be charged on a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund, assuming a 5% return each year, the cumulative return after fees and expenses and the hypothetical year-end balance after fees and expenses. The chart also assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested. The annual expense ratio used for the Fund, which is the same as that stated in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table, is presented in the chart and is net of any contractual fee waivers or expense reimbursements for the period of contractual commitment. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

 

Maximum Initial Sales Charge 0.00%

    Initial Hypothetical Investment Amount
$10,000.00
    Assumed Rate of Return 5%  

Year

   Cumulative Return
Before Fees and
Expenses
    Annual Expense
Ratio
    Cumulative Return
After Fees and
Expenses
    Hypothetical Year-
End Balance After
Fees and Expenses
     Annual Fees and
Expenses (a)
 

1

     5.00     0.25     4.75   $ 10,475.00       $ 25.59   

2

     10.25     0.26     9.72   $ 10,971.52       $ 27.88   

3

     15.76     0.26     14.92   $ 11,491.56       $ 29.20   

4

     21.55     0.26     20.36   $ 12,036.26       $ 30.59   

5

     27.63     0.26     26.07   $ 12,606.78       $ 32.04   

6

     34.01     0.26     32.04   $ 13,204.35       $ 33.55   

7

     40.71     0.26     38.30   $ 13,830.23       $ 35.14   

8

     47.75     0.26     44.86   $ 14,485.78       $ 36.81   

9

     55.13     0.26     51.72   $ 15,172.41       $ 38.56   

10

     62.89     0.26     58.92   $ 15,891.58       $ 40.38   

Total Gain After Fees and Expenses

  

    $ 5,891.58      

Total Annual Fees and Expenses Paid

  

     $ 329.74   

 

(a)

Annual Fees and Expenses are calculated based on the average between the beginning and ending balance for each year. All information is calculated on an annual compounding basis.

 

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LOGO

CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

Prospectus December 1, 2010

Additional Information About the Fund

Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI also provides additional information about the Fund and its policies. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is legally part of this prospectus (incorporated by reference). To obtain these documents free of charge, to request other information about the Fund and to make shareholder inquiries contact the Fund as follows:

 

By Mail:   

Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.

P.O. Box 8081

Boston, MA 02266-8081

By Telephone:    800.345.6611
Online:    www.columbiamanagement.com

Shareholder Communications with the Board

The Fund’s Board of Trustees has adopted procedures by which shareholders may communicate with the Board. Shareholders who wish to communicate with the Board should send their written communications to the Board by mail, c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, One Financial Center, Mail Stop MA5-515-11-05, Boston, MA 02111, Attention: Secretary. Shareholder communications must (i) be in writing, (ii) identify the Columbia Fund to which the communication relates and (iii) state the particular class and number of shares held by the communicating shareholder.

Information Provided by the SEC

You can review and copy information about the Fund (including this prospectus, the SAI and shareholder reports) at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. To find out more about the operation of the Public Reference Room, call the SEC at 202.551.8090. Reports and other information about the Fund are also available in the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You can receive copies of this information, for a fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the Public Reference Section, Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, DC 20549-1520.

For purposes of any electronic version of this prospectus, all references to websites, or universal resource locators (URLs), are intended to be inactive and are not meant to incorporate the contents of any website into this prospectus.

FUNDamentals™ is a trademark of Ameriprise Financial.

The investment company registration number of Columbia Funds Series Trust I, of which the Fund is a series, is 811-04367.

© 2010 Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.

One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111-2621

800.345.6611 www.columbiamanagement.com

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Columbia Management ®

 

  

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST I

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

December 1, 2010

 

Fund

              

CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund (CMGUX)

  

Columbia Balanced Fund

     

Class A: CBLAX

  

Class B: CBLBX

  

Class C: CBLCX

  

Class R: CBLRX

Class R4*: —

  

Class R5*: —

  

Class Z: CBALX

  

Columbia Bond Fund

        

Class A: CNDAX

  

Class B*: —  

  

Class C: CNDCX

  

Class I: —  

Class T*: —  

  

Class W: CBDWX

  

Class Y: CBFYX

  

Class Z: UMMGX

Columbia Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

     

Class A: COCTX

  

Class B: CCTBX

  

Class C: CCTCX

  

Class Z: CCTZX

        

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

     

Class A: LCCAX

  

Class B: LCCBX

  

Class C: LCCCX

  

Class I: —  

Class R: CCCRX

  

Class R4*: —  

  

Class T: SGIEX

  

Class W: CTRWX

Class Z: SMGIX

        

Columbia Corporate Income Fund

     

Class A: LIIAX

  

Class B: CIOBX

  

Class C: CIOCX

  

Class I: —  

Class W: CPIWX

  

Class Z: SRINX

     

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

  

Class A: LBSAX

  

Class B: LBSBX

  

Class C: LBSCX

  

Class I: —  

Class R: CDIRX

  

Class T: GEQAX

  

Class W: CDVWX

  

Class Z: GSFTX

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

     

Class A: EEMAX

  

Class C: EEMCX

  

Class I: —  

  

Class R: CEMRX

Class W: CEMWX

  

Class Z: UMEMX

     

Columbia Energy and Natural Resources Fund

     

Class A: EENAX

  

Class B*: —  

  

Class C: EENCX

  

Class I: —  

Class R: CETRX

  

Class R4*: —  

  

Class Z: UMESX

  

Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund

     

Class A: LHIAX

  

Class B: CHMBX

  

Class C: CHMCX

  

Class Z: SRHMX

Columbia High Yield Opportunity Fund

     

Class A: COLHX

  

Class B: COHBX

  

Class C: CHYCX

  

Class Z: LHYZX

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

        

Class A: LIBAX

  

Class B: LIBBX

  

Class C: LIBCX

  

Class I: —  

Class R: CIBRX

  

Class W: CIBWX

  

Class Z: SRBFX

  

Columbia International Bond Fund

     

Class A: CNBAX

  

Class C: CNBCX

  

Class I: —  

  

Class Z: CNBZX

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

     

Class A: LEGAX

  

Class B: LEGBX

  

Class C: LEGCX

  

Class E: CLGEX

Class F: CLGFX

  

Class I: —  

  

Class R: CGWRX

  

Class R4*: —  

Class R5*: —  

  

Class T: GAEGX

  

Class W: CLGWX

  

Class Y: CGFYX

Class Z: GEGTX

        

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

     

Class A: CBSAX

  

Class B: CBSBX

  

Class C: CMCCX

  

Class I: —  

Class R: CMGRX

  

Class R5*: —  

  

Class T: CBSTX

  

Class W: CMRWX

Class Y: CMGYX

  

Class Z: CLSPX

     

 

S-6518-2 A (11/10)


Table of Contents

Fund

              

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

     

Class A: CASAX

  

Class C: CASCX

  

Class I: —  

  

Class Z: USPAX

Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund

  

Class A: CREAX

  

Class B: CREBX

  

Class C: CRECX

  

Class I: —  

Class R: CRSRX

  

Class R4*: —  

  

Class R5*: —  

  

Class W: CREWX

Class Z: CREEX

        

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

  

Class A: ELGAX

  

Class C: ELGCX

  

Class I: —  

  

Class R: URLGX

Class W: CSLWX

  

Class Z: UMLGX

     

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

  

Class A: LSMAX

  

Class B: LSMBX

  

Class C: LSMCX

  

Class I: —  

Class W: CSCWX

  

Class T: SSCEX

  

Class Z: SMCEX

  

Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I

  

Class A: CGOAX

  

Class B: CGOBX

  

Class C: CGOCX

  

Class I: —  

Class R: CCRIX

  

Class Y CSGYX

  

Class Z: CMSCX

  

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

  

Class A: CSMIX

  

Class B: CSSBX

  

Class C: CSSCX

  

Class I: —  

Class R: CSVRX

  

Class Y CSVYX

  

Class Z CSCZX

  

Columbia Strategic Income Fund

  

Class A: COSIX

  

Class B: CLSBX

  

Class C: CLSCX

  

Class R: CSNRX

Class R4*: —  

  

Class R5*: —  

  

Class W: CTTWX

  

Class Z: LSIZX

Columbia Strategic Investor Fund

  

Class A: CSVAX

  

Class B: CSVBX

  

Class C: CSRCX

  

Class I: —  

Class R: CSGRX

  

Class W: CTVWX

  

Class Y CLSYX

  

Class Z: CSVFX

Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund

  

Class A: LUTAX

  

Class B: LUTBX

  

Class C: LUTCX

  

Class I: —  

Class Z: IUTIX

        

Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

  

Class A: EVRAX

  

Class C: EVRCX

  

Class I: —  

  

Class R: URBIX

Class W: CVRWX

  

Class Z: UMBIX

     

This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus, is not a substitute for reading any prospectus and is intended to be read in conjunction with a Fund’s current prospectus. Share classes marked with an “*” have not yet commenced operations as of the date of this SAI. The most recent annual report for each Fund, which includes the Fund’s audited financial statements for its most recent fiscal period, are incorporated by reference into this SAI.

Copies of the Funds’ current prospectuses and annual and semi-annual reports may be obtained without charge by writing Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., P.O. Box 8081, Boston, MA 02266-8081, by calling Columbia Funds at 800.345.6611 or by visiting the Columbia Funds website at www.columbiamanagement.com.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SAI PRIMER

     1   

ABOUT THE TRUST

     5   

ABOUT THE FUNDS’ INVESTMENTS

     10   

Certain Investment Activity Limits

     10   

Fundamental and Non-Fundamental Investment Policies

     10   

Permissible Investments and Related Risks

     13   

Borrowings

     51   

Short Sales

     51   

Lending Securities

     52   

Portfolio Turnover

     53   

Disclosure of Portfolio Information

     53   

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

     59   

The Adviser and Investment Advisory Services

     59   

The Administrator

     76   

Pricing and Bookkeeping Services

     80   

The Principal Underwriter/Distributor

     83   

Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest

     89   

Other Services Provided

     93   

Distribution and Servicing Plans

     95   

Codes of Ethics

     102   

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

     103   

FUND GOVERNANCE

     104   

The Board

     104   

The Officers

     119   

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

     123   

General Brokerage Policy, Brokerage Transactions and Broker Selection

     123   

Brokerage Commissions

     125   

Directed Brokerage

     126   

Securities of Regular Broker/Dealers

     127   

Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments

     129   

Additional Financial Intermediary Payments

     131   

CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES

     134   

Description of the Trust’s Shares

     134   

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

     137   

Purchase and Redemption

     137   

Offering Price

     140   

TAXATION

     142   

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

     158   

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     194   

APPENDIX A—DESCRIPTIONS OF SECURITIES RATINGS

     A-1   

APPENDIX B—PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

     B-1   

APPENDIX C—SALES CHARGE WAIVERS

     C-1   

APPENDIX D—DESCRIPTION OF STATE RISK FACTORS

     D-1   

APPENDIX E—LEGACY COLUMBIA FUNDS

     E-1   

APPENDIX F—LEGACY RIVERSOURCE FUNDS

     F-1   


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SAI PRIMER

The SAI is a part of the Funds’ registration statement that is filed with the SEC. The registration statement includes the Funds’ prospectuses, the SAI and certain exhibits. The SAI, and any supplements to it, can be found online at www.columbiamanagement.com, or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

The SAI generally provides additional information about the Funds that is not required to be in the Funds’ prospectuses. The SAI expands discussions of certain matters described in the Funds’ prospectuses and provides certain additional information about the Funds that may be of interest to some investors. Among other things, the SAI provides information about:

 

   

the organization of the Trust;

 

   

the Funds’ investments;

 

   

the Funds’ investment adviser, investment subadviser(s) (if any) and other service providers, including roles and relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, and conflicts of interest;

 

   

the governance of the Funds;

 

   

the Funds’ brokerage practices;

 

   

the share classes offered by the Funds;

 

   

the purchase, redemption and pricing of Fund shares; and

 

   

the application of U.S. federal income tax laws.

Investors may find this information important and helpful. If you have any questions about the Funds, please call Columbia Funds at 800.345.6611 or contact your financial advisor.

Before reading the SAI, you should consult the Glossary below, which defines certain of the terms used in the SAI.

Glossary

 

1933 Act    Securities Act of 1933, as amended
1934 Act    Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
1940 Act    Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
Administrative Services Agreement    The administrative services agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and the Administrator
Administrator    Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Adviser    Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Ameriprise Financial    Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
Balanced Fund    Columbia Balanced Fund
BANA    Bank of America, National Association
Bank of America    Bank of America Corporation
BFDS/DST    Boston Financial Data Services, Inc./DST Systems, Inc.
Board    The Trust’s Board of Trustees

 

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Bond Fund    Columbia Bond Fund
Brandes    Brandes Investment Partners, L.P.
CMOs    Collateralized mortgage obligations
Code    Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
Codes of Ethics    The codes of ethics adopted by the Board pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act
Columbia Funds Complex    The mutual fund complex that is comprised of the open-end investment management companies advised by the Adviser or its affiliates and principally underwritten by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., including funds using the Columbia, RiverSource, Threadneedle and Seligman brands
Columbia Funds or Columbia Funds Family    The funds within the Columbia Funds Complex that used the Columbia brand prior to September 27, 2010, as listed on Appendix E hereto
Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund    Columbia Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund
Contrarian Core Fund    Columbia Contrarian Core Fund
Corporate Income Fund    Columbia Corporate Income Fund
Custodian or State Street    State Street Bank and Trust Company
Distribution Agreement    The distribution agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and the Distributor
Distribution Plan(s)    One or more of the plans adopted by the Board pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for the distribution of the Funds’ shares
Distributor    Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
Dividend Income Fund    Columbia Dividend Income Fund
Emerging Markets Fund    Columbia Emerging Markets Fund
Energy and Natural Resources Fund    Columbia Energy and Natural Resources Fund
FDIC    Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FHLMC    The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
Fitch    Fitch, Inc.
FNMA    Federal National Mortgage Association
The Fund(s) or a Fund    One or more of the open-end management investment companies listed on the front cover of this SAI that are series of the Trust.
GNMA    Government National Mortgage Association
High Yield Municipal Fund    Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund
High Yield Opportunity Fund    Columbia High Yield Opportunity Fund
Independent Trustees    The Trustees of the Board who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds
Interested Trustee    A Trustee of the Board who is currently treated as an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds

 

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Intermediate Bond Fund    Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund
International Bond Fund    Columbia International Bond Fund
Investment Management Services Agreement    The investment management services agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and the Adviser
IRS    United States Internal Revenue Service
Large Cap Growth Fund    Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund
LIBOR    London Interbank Offered Rate
Marsico    Marsico Capital Management, LLC
Mid Cap Growth Fund    Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund
Moody’s    Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
NASDAQ    National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations system
NRSRO    Nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (such as Moody’s, Fitch or S&P)
NSCC    National Securities Clearing Corporation
NYSE    New York Stock Exchange
Pacific/Asia Fund    Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund
Previous Administrator    Columbia Management Advisors, LLC
Previous Adviser    Columbia Management Advisors, LLC
Previous Distributor    Columbia Management Distributors, Inc.
Previous Transfer Agent    Columbia Management Services, Inc.
Real Estate Equity Fund    Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund
REIT    Real estate investment trust
REMIC    Real estate mortgage investment conduit
RIC    A “regulated investment company,” as such term is used in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
S&P    Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard & Poor’s” and “S&P” are trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by the Adviser. The Columbia Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s and Standard & Poor’s makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Columbia Funds).
SAI    This Statement of Additional Information
SEC    United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Select Large Cap Growth Fund    Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund
Selling Agent(s)    One or more of the banks, broker/dealers or other financial institutions that have entered into a sales support agreement with the Distributor
Servicing Agent(s)    One or more of the banks, broker/dealers or other financial institutions that have entered into a shareholder servicing agreement with the Distributor

 

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Small Cap Core Fund    Columbia Small Cap Core Fund
Small Cap Growth Fund I    Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I
Small Cap Value Fund I    Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I
Strategic Income Fund    Columbia Strategic Income Fund
Strategic Investor Fund    Columbia Strategic Investor Fund
Transfer Agency Agreement    The transfer agency agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
Transfer Agent    Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
The Trust    Columbia Funds Series Trust I, the registered investment company in the Columbia Funds Family to which this SAI relates
Trustee(s)    One or more of the Board’s Trustees
Ultra Short Term Bond Fund    CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund
U.S. Treasury Index Fund    Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund
Value and Restructuring Fund    Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

 

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ABOUT THE TRUST

The Trust is a registered investment company under the 1940 Act within the Columbia Funds Family. Columbia Funds currently include more than 100 mutual funds in major asset classes.

The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust in 1987. On September 23, 2005, the Trust changed its name from Columbia Funds Trust IX to its current name. On October 13, 2003, the Trust changed its name from Liberty-Stein Roe Funds Municipal Trust to Columbia Funds Trust IX.

Funds and portfolios that bore the “Columbia” and “Columbia Acorn” brands prior to September 27, 2010 are collectively referred to herein as the Legacy Columbia funds. For a list of Legacy Columbia funds, see Appendix E. Funds and portfolios that historically bore the RiverSource, Seligman and Threadneedle brands, including those renamed to bear the “Columbia” brand effective September 27, 2010, as well as certain other funds are collectively referred to as the Legacy RiverSource funds. For a list of Legacy RiverSource funds, see Appendix F.

Funds with fiscal years ending March 31

Bond Fund, Emerging Markets Fund, Energy and Natural Resources Fund, Pacific/Asia Fund, Select Large Cap Growth Fund, and Value and Restructuring Fund

Each of Bond Fund, Emerging Markets Fund, Energy and Natural Resources Fund, Pacific/Asia Fund, Select Large Cap Growth Fund, and Value and Restructuring Fund represents a separate series of the Trust and is an open-end management investment company. Each of the Funds is a diversified fund, except Energy and Natural Resources Fund, which is a non-diversified Fund. Each of the Funds has a fiscal year end of March 31 st .

On March 31, 2008, each of Bond Fund, Emerging Markets Fund, Energy and Natural Resources Fund, Pacific/Asia Fund, Select Large Cap Growth Fund, and Value and Restructuring Fund, together with the Columbia Blended Equity Fund, Columbia International Growth Fund, Columbia Mid Cap Core Fund, Columbia Select Opportunities Fund, Columbia Select Small Cap Fund, and Columbia Short-Intermediate Bond Fund, acquired all assets and assumed all liabilities of, respectively, the following funds, each of which is a series of Excelsior Funds Trust or Excelsior Funds, Inc., as applicable: Blended Equity Fund, Core Bond Fund, Emerging Markets Fund, Energy and Natural Resources Fund, International Fund, Mid Cap Core Fund, Pacific/Asia Fund, Large Cap Growth Fund, Equity Opportunities Fund, Small Cap Fund, Intermediate-Term Bond Fund and Value and Restructuring Fund (the Predecessor Funds), each a series of Excelsior Funds Trust or Excelsior Funds, Inc., as applicable. For periods prior to March 31, 2008, the performance and financial information shown for each Fund is the performance and financial information of the corresponding Predecessor Fund. The Funds commenced operations on March 31, 2008.

Bond Fund offers eight classes of shares; Emerging Markets Fund, Select Large Cap Growth Fund and Value and Restructuring Fund offer six classes of shares; Energy and Natural Resources Fund offers seven classes of shares; and Pacific/Asia Fund offers four classes of shares, each as described in Capital Stock and Other Securities .

Corporate Income Fund and Intermediate Bond Fund

Each of Corporate Income Fund and Intermediate Bond Fund represents a separate series of the Trust and is an open-end diversified management investment company. Each of the Funds has a fiscal year end of March 31 st . Prior to March 27, 2006, each Fund was organized as a series of Columbia Funds Trust VIII, a Massachusetts business trust. The information provided for each Fund in this SAI for periods prior to March 27, 2006 relates to such predecessor fund. Corporate Income Fund commenced investment operations on March 5, 1986. Intermediate Bond Fund commenced investment operations on December 5, 1978.

 

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Intermediate Bond Fund offers seven classes of shares, as described in Capital Stock and Other Securities . Prior to July 31, 2000, the Fund had a single class of shares. On July 14, 2000, the outstanding shares of the Fund were converted into Class S shares, and on July 31, 2000, the Fund commenced offering Class A shares. On February 1, 2002, the Fund commenced offering Class B and C shares. On July 29, 2002, the Fund’s Class S shares were redesignated as Class Z shares. On January 23, 2006, the Fund commenced offering Class R shares. Prior to September 12, 2002, the Fund invested all of its assets in the SR&F Intermediate Bond Portfolio as part of a master fund/feeder fund structure. Effective October 13, 2003, the Fund changed its name from Liberty Intermediate Bond Fund to its current name. Effective February 1, 2002, the Fund changed its name from Stein Roe Intermediate Bond Fund to Liberty Intermediate Bond Fund.

Corporate Income Fund offers six classes of shares, as described in Capital Stock and Other Securities . Prior to August 1, 2000, the Fund had a single class of shares. On that date, the outstanding shares of the Fund were converted into Class S shares, and the Fund commenced offering Class A shares. On July 15, 2002, the Fund added Class B and C shares, redesignated its Class S shares as Class Z shares, and changed its name from Stein Roe Income Fund to Liberty Income Fund. Prior to July 15, 2002, the Fund invested all of its assets in the SR&F Income Portfolio as part of a master fund/feeder fund structure. On October 13, 2003, the Fund changed its name from Liberty Income Fund to Income Fund. Effective September 27, 2010, the Fund changed its name from Income Fund to its current name.

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

U.S. Treasury Index Fund represents a series of the Trust and is an open-end diversified management investment company. U.S. Treasury Index Fund has a fiscal year end of March 31 st . Prior to March 27, 2006, the Fund was organized as a series of Columbia Funds Trust V, a Massachusetts business trust. The information provided for U.S. Treasury Index Fund in this SAI for periods prior to March 27, 2006 relates to such predecessor fund. The predecessor fund commenced investment operations on June 4, 1991. The predecessor fund was the successor by reorganization to the Galaxy II U.S. Treasury Fund, a series of The Galaxy Fund II, a Massachusetts business trust organized on February 22, 1990. Class Z shares of the predecessor fund were issued in exchange for existing shares of the Galaxy II U.S. Treasury Fund. The reorganization occurred on November 25, 2002. All references to U.S. Treasury Index Fund prior to November 25, 2002 shall be deemed to refer to the Galaxy II U.S. Treasury Fund.

U.S. Treasury Index Fund offers five classes of shares, as described in “ Capital Stock and Other Securities .” Effective October 13, 2003, U.S. Treasury Index Fund changed its name from Liberty U.S. Treasury Index Fund to its current name.

Funds with fiscal years ending May 31

High Yield Opportunity Fund, International Bond Fund and Strategic Income Fund

Each of High Yield Opportunity Fund, International Bond Fund and Strategic Income Fund represents a separate series of the Trust and is an open-end diversified management investment company, except for International Bond Fund, which is an open-end non-diversified management investment company. Each of the Funds has a fiscal year end of May 31 st .

Prior to March 27, 2006 and September 26, 2005, respectively, High Yield Opportunity Fund and Strategic Income Fund were organized as a series of Columbia Funds Trust I, a Massachusetts business trust. The information provided for High Yield Opportunity Fund and Strategic Income Fund in this SAI for periods prior to March 27, 2006 and September 26, 2005, respectively, relates to the corresponding series of such predecessor trust.

High Yield Opportunity Fund offers four classes of shares, as described in Capital Stock and Other Securities . On October 21, 1971, High Yield Opportunity Fund commenced offering Class A shares. On June 8, 1992, High Yield Opportunity Fund commenced offering Class B shares. On January 15, 1996, High Yield

 

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Opportunity Fund commenced offering Class C shares. On January 8, 1999, High Yield Opportunity Fund commenced offering Class Z shares. Effective October 13, 2003, High Yield Opportunity Fund changed its name from Liberty High Yield Securities Fund to its current name. Effective July 14, 2000, High Yield Opportunity Fund changed its name from Colonial High Yield Securities Fund to Liberty High Yield Securities Fund.

International Bond Fund offers four classes of shares, as described in Capital Stock and Other Securities . On December 1, 2008, International Bond Fund commenced offering Class A, C and Z shares.

Strategic Income Fund offers eight classes of shares, as described in Capital Stock and Other Securities . On April 22, 1977, Strategic Income Fund commenced offering Class A shares. On May 15, 1992, Strategic Income Fund commenced offering Class B shares. On July 1, 1997, Strategic Income Fund commenced offering Class C shares. On November 2, 1998, Strategic Income Fund commenced offering Class J shares. On June 12, 2009, Strategic Income Fund stopped accepting Class J share purchases. On July 27, 2009, Strategic Income Fund liquidated and terminated Class J shares. On January 29, 1999, Strategic Income Fund commenced offering Class Z shares.

Funds with fiscal years ending June 30

High Yield Municipal Fund and Small Cap Value Fund I

Each of High Yield Municipal Fund and Small Cap Value Fund I represents a separate series of the Trust and is an open-end diversified management investment company. Each of such Funds has a fiscal year end of June 30 th .

High Yield Municipal Fund commenced investment operations on March 5, 1984. The Fund offers four classes of shares, as described in Capital Stock and Other Securities . Prior to August 1, 2000, the Fund had a single class of shares. On that date, the outstanding shares of the Fund were converted into Class S shares, and the Fund commenced offering Class A shares. On July 15, 2002, the Fund added Class B and Class C shares and redesignated Class S shares as Class Z shares. Also on July 15, 2002, the Fund changed its name from “Stein Roe High-Yield Municipals Fund” to “Liberty High Yield Municipal Fund” and the Fund’s Class A shares changed their name from “Liberty High Income Municipals Fund, Class A,” to Class A shares. The Fund invested all of its assets in SR&F High Yield Municipals Portfolio as part of a master fund/feeder fund structure through July 15, 2002. The Fund changed its name from “Liberty High Yield Municipal Fund” to its current name effective October 13, 2003.

Small Cap Value Fund I commenced operations on July 25, 1986. Small Cap Value Fund I was organized as a series of Columbia Funds Trust VI, a Massachusetts business trust, prior to its reorganization as a series of the Trust on March 27, 2006. The information provided for Small Cap Value Fund I in this SAI for periods prior to March 27, 2006 relates to Columbia Funds Trust VI.

Small Cap Value Fund I offers seven classes of shares, as described in Capital Stock and Other Securities . The Fund changed its name from “Colonial Small Stock Fund” to “Colonial Small-Cap Value Fund” on February 28, 1997, and from “Colonial Small-Cap Value Fund” to “Liberty Small-Cap Value Fund” on July 14, 2000. The Fund changed its name from “Liberty Small-Cap Value Fund” to “Columbia Small Cap Value Fund” on October 13, 2003. The Fund changed its name from “Columbia Small Cap Value Fund” to its current name effective October 10, 2005.

Fund with fiscal year ending July 31

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund represents a separate series of the Trust and is an open-end diversified management investment company. The Fund has a fiscal year end of July 31 st .

 

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Ultra Short Term Bond Fund does not offer multiple share classes. Prior to November 23, 2009, CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund (the Predecessor Ultra Short Term Bond Fund) was organized as a separate portfolio of Columbia Funds Institutional Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the Predecessor Institutional Trust). The information provided for Ultra Short Term Bond Fund in this SAI for periods prior to November 23, 2009 relates to the Predecessor Ultra Short Term Bond Fund; the information provided for the Trust in this SAI for periods prior to November 23, 2009 includes information for the Predecessor Institutional Trust to the extent it relates to Ultra Short Term Bond Fund. Prior to March 27, 2006, the Predecessor Ultra Short Term Bond Fund was organized as a separate portfolio of CMG Fund Trust (the Prior Predecessor Ultra Short Term Bond Fund), an Oregon business trust organized in 1989 (the Prior Predecessor Institutional Trust). The information provided for Ultra Short Term Bond Fund in this SAI for periods prior to March 27, 2006 relates to the Prior Predecessor Ultra Short Term Bond Fund; the information provided for the Trust in this SAI for periods prior to March 27, 2006 includes information for the Prior Predecessor Institutional Trust to the extent it relates to Ultra Short Term Bond Fund.

Funds with fiscal years ending August 31

Balanced Fund, Mid Cap Growth Fund, Small Cap Growth Fund I, and Strategic Investor Fund

Each of Balanced Fund, Mid Cap Growth Fund, Small Cap Growth Fund I and Strategic Investor Fund is a diversified series of the Trust and has a fiscal year end of August 31 st .

Prior to March 27, 2006, each Fund was organized as an Oregon corporation. The information provided for these Funds in this SAI for periods prior to March 27, 2006 relates to the predecessor Oregon corporation funds.

Balanced Fund and Small Cap Growth Fund I offer seven classes of shares, Mid Cap Growth Fund offers ten classes of shares and Strategic Investor Fund offers eight classes of shares, as described in Capital Stock and Other Securities .

Funds with fiscal years ending September 30

Contrarian Core Fund, Dividend Income Fund, Large Cap Growth Fund, and Small Cap Core Fund

Each of Contrarian Core Fund, Dividend Income Fund, Large Cap Growth Fund, and Small Cap Core Fund represents a separate series of the Trust and is an open-end diversified management investment company. Each of such Funds has a fiscal year end of September 30 th .

Large Cap Growth Fund commenced operations on December 14, 1990; commenced operations on September 1, 1988; and Dividend Income Fund commenced operations on March 4, 1998. Contrarian Core Fund and Small Cap Core Fund commenced operations on December 14, 1992, as separate portfolios (collectively, the Predecessor Shawmut Funds) of The Shawmut Funds. On December 4, 1995, the Predecessor Shawmut Funds were reorganized as new portfolios of the Galaxy Fund. Prior to the reorganization, the Predecessor Shawmut Funds offered and sold shares of beneficial interest that were similar to the Galaxy Fund’s Trust Shares and Retail A Shares. Contrarian Core Fund changed its name from Columbia Common Stock Fund to its current name on November 14, 2008.

Each Fund is the successor to a separate series of the Galaxy Fund, a Massachusetts business trust organized on March 31, 1986. On November 18, 2002, November 25, 2002 and December 9, 2002, the series of the Galaxy Fund to which the Funds succeeded were reorganized as separate series of the Liberty-Stein Roe Investment Trust. Class A shares of the Funds were issued in exchange for Prime A Shares of the predecessor series of the Galaxy Fund, Class B shares of the Funds were issued in exchange for Prime B Shares of the predecessor series of the Galaxy Fund, Class T shares of the Funds were issued in exchange for Retail A Shares of the predecessor series of the Galaxy Fund, Class G shares of the Funds were issued in exchange for Retail B Shares of the predecessor series of the Galaxy Fund and Class Z shares of the Funds were issued in exchange for Trust Shares of the predecessor series of the Galaxy Fund. (Prime A and Prime B Shares, Retail A and Retail B Shares and

 

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Trust Shares together are referred to herein as the Predecessor Classes). On August 8, 2007, Class G shares of the Funds were converted to Class T shares. Information provided with respect to each Fund for periods prior to such Fund’s inception relates to the predecessor series of the Galaxy Fund. Further, information provided with respect to each class of each Fund prior to such Fund’s inception relates to the Predecessor Classes of such class.

Contrarian Core Fund offers nine classes of shares; Dividend Income Fund offers eight classes of shares; Large Cap Growth Fund offers thirteen classes of shares; and Small Cap Core Fund offers seven classes of shares, each as described in Capital Stock and Other Securities .

Fund with fiscal year ending October 31

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund represents a separate series of the Trust and is an open-end management investment company. Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund is a “diversified” fund and has a fiscal year end of October 31 st .

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund was originally organized as a series of another Massachusetts business trust prior to its reorganization as a series of the Trust. Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund was reorganized as a series of the Trust on March 27, 2006 (the Tax-Exempt Fund Reorganization Date). Prior to March 27, 2006, Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund was organized as a series of Columbia Funds Trust V. Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund commenced investment operations on November 1, 1991. The information provided for Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund in this SAI for periods prior to the Tax-Exempt Fund Reorganization Date relates to the predecessor funds of the same names. The trust of which Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund was previously a series changed its name from Liberty Funds Trust V to Columbia Funds Trust V on October 13, 2003.

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund offers four classes of shares, as described in Capital Stock and Other Securities .

Fund with fiscal year ending December 31

Real Estate Equity Fund

Real Estate Equity Fund represents a series of the Trust and is an open-end non-diversified management investment company. In 2009, Real Estate Equity Fund changed its fiscal year end from August 31 to December 31.

Prior to March 27, 2006, Real Estate Equity Fund was organized as an Oregon corporation. The information provided for the Fund in this SAI for periods prior to March 27, 2006 relates to the predecessor Oregon corporation.

Real Estate Equity Fund offers nine classes of shares, as described in Capital Stock and Other Securities .

 

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ABOUT THE FUNDS’ INVESTMENTS

The investment objectives, principal investment strategies ( i.e. , as used in this SAI and the corresponding prospectuses, a strategy which generally involves the ability to invest 10% or more of a Fund’s total assets) and related principal risks for each Fund are discussed in each Fund’s prospectuses.

Certain Investment Activity Limits

The overall investment and other activities of the Adviser and its affiliates may limit the investment opportunities for each Fund in certain markets where limitations are imposed by regulators upon the amount of investment by affiliated investors, in the aggregate or in individual issuers. From time to time, each Fund’s activities also may be restricted because of regulatory restrictions applicable to the Adviser and its affiliates and/or because of their internal policies. See Investment Advisory and Other Services – Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest .

Fundamental and Non-Fundamental Investment Policies

The following discussion of “fundamental” and “non-fundamental” investment policies and limitations for each Fund supplements the discussion of investment policies in the Funds’ prospectuses. A fundamental policy may be changed only with Board and shareholder approval. A non-fundamental policy may be changed by the Board and does not require shareholder approval, but may require notice to shareholders in certain instances.

Unless otherwise noted, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a maximum percentage of a Fund’s assets that may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy regarding an investment standard, compliance with such percentage limitation or standard will be determined solely at the time of the Fund’s acquisition of such security or asset. Borrowings and other instruments that may give rise to leverage and the restriction on investing in illiquid securities are monitored on an ongoing basis.

Fundamental Investment Policies

The 1940 Act provides that a “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a Fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy. The following fundamental investment policies cannot be changed without such a vote.

Each Fund may not, as a matter of fundamental policy:

 

  1. Underwrite any issue of securities issued by other persons within the meaning of the 1933 Act except when it might be deemed to be an underwriter either: (i) in connection with the disposition of a portfolio security; or (ii) in connection with the purchase of securities directly from the issuer thereof in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective. This restriction shall not limit the Fund’s ability to invest in securities issued by other registered investment companies;

 

  2. Purchase or sell real estate, except each Fund may: (i) purchase securities of issuers which deal or invest in real estate, (ii) purchase securities which are secured by real estate or interests in real estate and (iii) hold and dispose of real estate or interests in real estate acquired through the exercise of its rights as a holder of securities which are secured by real estate or interests therein;

 

  3. Purchase or sell commodities, except that each Fund may to the extent consistent with its investment objective: (i) invest in securities of companies that purchase or sell commodities or which invest in such programs, (ii) purchase and sell options, forward contracts, futures contracts, and options on futures contracts and (iii) enter into swap contracts and other financial transactions relating to commodities. This limitation does not apply to foreign currency transactions including without limitation forward currency contracts;

 

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  4.

With the exception of Real Estate Equity Fund, which will invest at least 65% of the value of its total assets in securities of companies principally engaged in the real estate industry a , purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the value of its total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that: (i) there is no limitation with respect to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, any state or territory of the United States or any of their agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions b ; (ii) notwithstanding this limitation or any other fundamental investment limitation, assets may be invested in the securities of one or more management investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief; and (iii) under normal market conditions, Energy and Natural Resources Fund will invest at least 25% of the value of its total assets at the time of purchase in the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the energy and other natural resources groups of industries c ;

 

  5. Make loans, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief;

 

  6. Borrow money or issue senior securities except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief; and

 

  7. With the exception of Energy and Natural Resources Fund, International Bond Fund and Real Estate Equity Fund, purchase securities (except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities) of any one issuer if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets will be invested in the securities of such issuer or it would own more than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer, except that: (i) up to 25% of its total assets may be invested without regard to these limitations and (ii) a Fund’s assets may be invested in the securities of one or more management investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, or any applicable exemptive relief.

As a matter of fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund invests at least 80% of total assets in state bonds, subject to applicable state requirements.

 

a

In determining whether a purchase by Real Estate Equity Fund would cause the Fund to have invested less than 65% of the value of its total assets in securities of companies principally engaged in the real estate industry, the Adviser currently uses the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) produced by S&P and MSCI Inc.

b

For purposes of determining whether International Bond Fund has invested 25% or more of the value of its total assets at the time of purchase in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry pursuant to fundamental investment policy (4) above, the Fund will consider each foreign government to be conducting its business activities in a separate industry, and will consider a security to have been issued by a foreign government if (i) the security is issued directly by such government, (ii) the security is issued by an agency, instrumentality or authority that is backed by the full faith and credit of such foreign government or (iii) the security is issued by an entity the assets and revenues of which the Adviser determines are not separate from such foreign government. The Fund generally will treat supranational entities as issuers separate and distinct from any foreign government, so long as such entities do not fall within the characteristics described in item (iii) above. If any other security is guaranteed as to payment of principal and/or interest by a foreign government, then the Fund will generally treat the guarantee as a separate security issued by such foreign government.

c

In determining whether Energy and Natural Resources Fund has invested at least 25% of the value of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the energy and other natural resources groups of industries, the Adviser currently uses the GICS produced by S&P and MSCI Inc. The Adviser currently considers companies in each of the indicated GICS industry groups to be within the energy and other natural resources groups of industries: (i) Energy, (ii) Utilities, and (iii) Materials, but limited to companies in the following GICS industries and sub-industries: the Chemicals

 

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industry (companies that primarily produce or distribute industrial and basic chemicals, including the Commodity Chemicals, Diversified Chemicals, Fertilizers & Agriculture Chemicals, Industrial Gases, and Specialty Chemicals sub-industries), the Metals & Mining industry (companies that primarily produce, process, extract, or distribute precious or basic metals or minerals, including the Aluminum, Diversified Metals & Mining, Gold, Precious Metals & Minerals, and Steel sub-industries), and the Paper & Forest Products industry (companies that primarily cultivate or manufacture timber or wood-related products or paper products, including the Forest Products and Paper Products sub-industries).

Non-Fundamental Investment Policies

 

Fund

   May Not Invest
more than 15%
of its net assets
in illiquid
securities a
     May not sell
securities
short b
     May not
purchase
securities of
other investment
companies c
     May not purchase
securities of
companies for
purpose of
exercising control d
     Provides 60
day notice in
connection with
Rule 35d-1
changes e
 

Balanced Fund

   ü            ü           

Bond Fund

   ü            ü            ü     

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

   ü         ü         ü           

Contrarian Core Fund

   ü         ü         ü            ü     

Corporate Income Fund

   ü         ü         ü            ü     

Dividend Income Fund

   ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Emerging Markets Fund

   ü            ü            ü     

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

   ü            ü            ü     

High Yield Municipal Fund

   ü         ü         ü            ü     

High Yield Opportunity Fund

   ü         ü         ü            ü     

Intermediate Bond Fund

   ü         ü         ü            ü     

International Bond Fund

   ü         ü         ü            ü     

Large Cap Growth Fund

   ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Mid Cap Growth Fund

   ü            ü            ü     

Pacific/Asia Fund

   ü            ü            ü     

Real Estate Equity Fund

   ü            ü           

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

   ü            ü            ü     

Small Cap Core Fund

   ü         ü         ü            ü     

Small Cap Growth Fund I

   ü            ü            ü     

Small Cap Value Fund I

   ü         ü         ü            ü     

Strategic Income Fund

   ü         ü         ü           

Strategic Investor Fund

   ü            ü           

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

   ü         ü         ü           

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

   ü         ü         ü            ü     

Value and Restructuring Fund

   ü            ü           

 

a

Funds with a check mark in this column may not, as a matter of non-fundamental policy, invest more than 15% of their net assets in illiquid securities. “Illiquid Securities” is defined in accordance with the SEC staff’s current guidance and interpretations which provide that an illiquid security is a security which may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value at which the fund has valued the security.

b

Funds with a check mark in this column may not, as a matter of non-fundamental policy, sell securities short, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

 

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c

Funds with a check mark in this column may not, as a matter of non-fundamental policy, purchase securities of other investment companies except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief. If shares of one of these Funds are purchased by another fund in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, for so long as shares of the Fund are held by such fund, the Fund will not purchase securities of a registered open-end investment company or registered unit investment trust in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act.

d

Funds with a check mark in this column may not, as a matter of non-fundamental policy, purchase securities of companies for the purpose of exercising control.

e

To the extent a Fund with a check mark in this column is subject to Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act (the Names Rule), and does not otherwise have a fundamental investment policy in place to comply with the Names Rule, such Fund has adopted the following non-fundamental policy: Shareholders will receive at least 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective or principal investment strategies made in order to comply with the Names Rule. The notice will be provided in plain English in a separate written document, and will contain the following prominent statement or similar statement in bold-face type: “Important Notice Regarding Change in Investment Policy.” This statement will appear on both the notice and the envelope in which it is delivered, unless it is delivered separately from other communications to investors, in which case the statement will appear either on the notice or the envelope in which the notice is delivered.

Permissible Investments and Related Risks

Each Fund’s prospectuses identify and summarize the individual types of securities in which the Fund invests as part of its principal investment strategies and the principal risks associated with such investments.

The table below identifies certain types of securities in which each Fund is permitted to invest, including certain types of securities that are described in each Fund’s prospectuses. A Fund generally has the ability to invest 10% or more of its total assets in each type of security described in its prospectuses (and in each sub-category of such security type described in this SAI). To the extent that a type of security identified below for a Fund is not described in the Fund’s prospectuses (or as a sub-category of such security type in this SAI), the Fund generally invests less than 10% of the Fund’s total assets in such security type.

Information about individual types of securities (including certain of their associated risks) in which some or all of the Funds may invest is set forth below. Each Fund’s investment in these types of securities is subject to its investment objective and fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies.

Temporary Defensive Positions . Each Fund may temporarily invest in money market instruments or hold cash. It may do so without limit, when the Adviser or the Fund’s subadviser, if applicable: (i) believes that the market conditions are not favorable for profitable investing; (ii) is unable to locate favorable investment opportunities; or (iii) determines that a temporary defensive position is advisable or necessary in order to meet anticipated redemption requests, or for other reasons. While a Fund engages in such strategies, it may not achieve its investment objective. See also About the Funds’ Investments – Permissible Investments and Related Risks – Money Market Instruments .

 

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Permissible Fund Investments

 

Investment Type

  Balanced
Fund
     Bond
Fund
     Connecticut
Tax-Exempt
Fund
    Contrarian  Core
Fund
    Corporate
Income

Fund
    Dividend
Income
Fund
 

Asset-Backed Securities

  ü         ü         ü          ü       

Bank Obligations

             

Domestic

  ü         ü         ü           

Foreign

  ü         ü         ü           

Common Stock

  ü         ü         ü        ü          ü     

Convertible Securities

  ü         ü           ü          ü     

Corporate Debt Securities

  ü         ü         ü          ü        ü     

Custody Receipts and Trust Certificates

     ü              

Derivatives

             

Index or Linked Securities
(Structured Products)

  ü         ü         ü        ü        ü        ü     

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

  ü         ü         ü        ü        ü        ü     

Stock Options and Stock Index Options

  ü         ü         ü        ü        ü        ü     

Swap Agreements

  ü         ü         ü        ü        ü        ü     

Dollar Rolls

  ü         ü         ü          ü       

Foreign Currency Transactions

  ü         ü           ü          ü     

Foreign Securities

  ü         ü           ü        ü        ü     

Guaranteed Investment Contracts
(Funding Arrangements)

     ü              

Illiquid Securities

  ü         ü         ü        ü        ü        ü     

Initial Public Offerings

  ü              ü          ü     

Investments in Other Investment Companies

  ü         ü         ü        ü        ü        ü     

Low and Below Investment Grade Securities

  ü         ü         ü          ü        ü     

Money Market Instruments

  ü         ü         ü        ü        ü        ü     

Mortgage-Backed Securities

  ü         ü         ü          ü       

Municipal Securities

  ü         ü         ü          ü       

Participation Interests

  ü         ü              

Preferred Stock

  ü         ü           ü          ü     

Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities

  ü         ü         ü        ü        ü        ü     

Real Estate Investment Trusts and Master Limited Partnerships

  ü         ü           ü          ü     

Repurchase Agreements

  ü         ü         ü        ü        ü        ü     

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

  ü         ü           ü        ü        ü     

Standby Commitments

     ü         ü          ü       

Stripped Securities

  ü         ü              

U.S. Government and Related Obligations

  ü         ü         ü        ü        ü        ü     

Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations

  ü         ü         ü        ü        ü        ü     

Warrants and Rights

  ü         ü         ü        ü          ü     

When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Transactions

  ü         ü         ü        ü        ü        ü     

Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities

  ü         ü         ü        ü        ü        ü     

 

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Investment Type

  Emerging
Markets

Fund
    Energy and
Natural
Resources
Fund
    High Yield
Municipal
Fund
    High Yield
Opportunity
Fund
    Intermediate
Bond Fund
    International
Bond Fund
 

Asset-Backed Securities

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Bank Obligations

           

Domestic

  ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

Foreign

  ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

Common Stock

  ü        ü          ü          ü     

Convertible Securities

  ü        ü          ü          ü     

Corporate Debt Securities

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Custody Receipts and Trust Certificates

  ü        ü          ü          ü     

Derivatives

           

Index or Linked Securities (Structured Products)

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Stock Options and Stock Index Options

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Swap Agreements

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Dollar Rolls

  ü        ü          ü        ü        ü     

Foreign Currency Transactions

  ü        ü          ü          ü     

Foreign Securities

  ü        ü          ü        ü        ü     

Guaranteed Investment Contracts (Funding Arrangements)

  ü        ü          ü          ü     

Illiquid Securities

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Initial Public Offerings

  ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

Investments in Other Investment Companies

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Low and Below Investment Grade Securities

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Money Market Instruments

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Mortgage-Backed Securities

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Municipal Securities

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Participation Interests

  ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

Preferred Stock

  ü        ü          ü          ü     

Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Real Estate Investment Trusts and Master Limited Partnerships

  ü        ü          ü          ü     

Repurchase Agreements

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Standby Commitments

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Stripped Securities

  ü        ü          ü          ü     

U.S. Government and Related Obligations

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Warrants and Rights

  ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Transactions

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

 

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Investment Type

  Large Cap
Growth
Fund
     Mid Cap
Growth
Fund
     Pacific/Asia
Fund
     Real  Estate
Equity

Fund
     Select Large
Cap Growth
Fund
     Small Cap
Core Fund
 

Asset-Backed Securities

        ü            ü        

Bank Obligations

                

Domestic

     ü         ü         ü         ü        

Foreign

     ü         ü         ü         ü        

Common Stock

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Convertible Securities

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Corporate Debt Securities

        ü            ü        

Custody Receipts and Trust Certificates

        ü            ü        

Derivatives

                

Index or Linked Securities
(Structured Products)

  ü            ü            ü         ü     

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Stock Options and Stock Index Options

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Swap Agreements

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Dollar Rolls

        ü            ü        

Foreign Currency Transactions

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Foreign Securities

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Guaranteed Investment Contracts (Funding Arrangements)

        ü            ü        

Illiquid Securities

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Initial Public Offerings

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Investments in Other Investment Companies

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Low and Below Investment Grade Securities

        ü            ü        

Money Market Instruments

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Mortgage-Backed Securities

        ü            ü        

Municipal Securities

        ü            ü        

Participation Interests

        ü            ü        

Preferred Stock

  ü         ü         ü            ü         ü     

Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Real Estate Investment Trusts and Master Limited Partnerships

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Repurchase Agreements

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

  ü            ü            ü         ü     

Standby Commitments

        ü            ü        

Stripped Securities

        ü            ü        

U.S. Government and Related Obligations

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

Warrants and Rights

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Transactions

  ü            ü            ü         ü     

Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities

  ü         ü         ü         ü         ü         ü     

 

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Investment Type

  Small Cap
Growth

Fund I
    Small Cap
Value

Fund  I
    Strategic
Income

Fund
    Strategic
Investor

Fund
    Ultra Short
Term Bond
Fund
    U.S.
Treasury
Fund
    Value and
Restructuring
Fund
 

Asset-Backed Securities

    ü        ü          ü          ü     

Bank Obligations

             

Domestic

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

Foreign

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

Common Stock

  ü        ü        ü        ü          ü        ü     

Convertible Securities

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

Corporate Debt Securities

    ü        ü          ü          ü     

Custody Receipts and Trust Certificates

      ü              ü     

Derivatives

             

Index or Linked Securities (Structured Products)

    ü        ü              ü     

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

Stock Options and Stock Index Options

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

Swap Agreements

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

Dollar Rolls

      ü          ü          ü     

Foreign Currency Transactions

  ü        ü        ü        ü            ü     

Foreign Securities

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

Guaranteed Investment Contracts (Funding Arrangements)

      ü              ü     

Illiquid Securities

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

Initial Public Offerings

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

Investments in Other Investment Companies

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Low and Below Investment Grade Securities

      ü              ü     

Money Market Instruments

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Mortgage-Backed Securities

      ü          ü          ü     

Municipal Securities

      ü              ü     

Participation Interests

      ü          ü          ü     

Preferred Stock

  ü        ü        ü        ü          ü        ü     

Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Real Estate Investment Trusts and Master Limited Partnerships

  ü        ü        ü        ü            ü     

Repurchase Agreements

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

    ü        ü              ü     

Standby Commitments

    ü        ü              ü     

Stripped Securities

      ü              ü     

U.S. Government and Related Obligations

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü     

Warrants and Rights

  ü        ü        ü        ü          ü        ü     

When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Transactions

    ü        ü          ü          ü     

Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü          ü     

 

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Asset-Backed Securities

Asset-backed securities represent interests in, or debt instruments that are backed by, pools of various types of assets that generate cash payments generally over fixed periods of time. Such securities entitle the security holders to receive distributions that are tied to the payments made on the underlying assets (less fees paid to the originator, servicer, or other parties, and fees paid for credit enhancement), so that the payments made on the underlying assets effectively pass through to such security holders. Asset-backed securities typically are created by an originator of loans or owner of accounts receivable that sells such underlying assets to a special purpose entity in a process called a securitization. The special purpose entity issues securities that are backed by the payments on the underlying assets, and have a minimum denomination and specific term. Asset-backed securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Permissible Fund Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, Permissible Fund Investments – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and Permissible Fund Investments – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.

Investing in asset-backed securities is subject to certain risks. For example, the value of asset-backed securities may be affected by, among other factors, changes in: interest rates, the market’s assessment of the quality of underlying assets, the creditworthiness of the servicer for the underlying assets, information concerning the originator of the underlying assets, or the creditworthiness or rating of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds, derivative instruments, or other credit enhancement. The value of asset-backed securities also will be affected by the exhaustion, termination or expiration of any credit enhancement.

Declining or low interest rates may lead to a more rapid rate of repayment on the underlying assets, resulting in accelerated payments on asset-backed securities that then would be reinvested at a lesser rate of interest. Rising or high interest rates tend to lead to a slower rate of repayment on the underlying assets, resulting in slower than expected payments on asset-backed securities that can, in turn, lead to a decline in value. The impact of changing interest rates on the value of asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and result in greater volatility. Holders of asset-backed securities generally have no recourse against the originator of the underlying assets in the event of a default on the underlying assets. Credit risk reflects the risk that a holder of asset-backed securities, backed by pools of receivables such as mortgage loans, may not receive all or part of its principal because the issuer, any credit enhancer and/or an underlying obligor has defaulted on its obligations. Credit risk is increased for asset-backed securities that are subordinated to another security (i.e., if the holder of an asset-backed security is entitled to receive payments only after payment obligations to holders of the other security are satisfied). The more deeply subordinated the security, the greater the credit risk associated with the security will be.

Bank Obligations (Domestic and Foreign)

Bank obligations include certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, time deposits and promissory notes that earn a specified rate of return and may be issued by (i) a domestic branch of a domestic bank, (ii) a foreign branch of a domestic bank, (iii) a domestic branch of a foreign bank or (iv) a foreign branch of a foreign bank. Bank obligations may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations. See Permissible Fund Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations for more information.

Certificates of deposit, or so-called CDs, typically are interest-bearing debt instruments issued by banks and have maturities ranging from a few weeks to several years. Bankers’ acceptances are time drafts drawn on and accepted by banks, are a customary means of effecting payment for merchandise sold in import-export transactions and are a general source of financing. Yankee dollar certificates of deposit are negotiable CDs issued in the United States by branches and agencies of foreign banks. Eurodollar certificates of deposit are CDs issued by foreign (mainly European) banks with interest and principal paid in U.S. dollars. Such CDs typically have maturities of less than two years and have interest rates that typically are pegged to the London Interbank Offered

 

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Rate or LIBOR. A time deposit can be either a savings account or CD that is an obligation of a financial institution for a fixed term. Typically, there are penalties for early withdrawals of time deposits. Promissory notes are written commitments of the maker to pay the payee a specified sum of money either on demand or at a fixed or determinable future date, with or without interest.

Bank investment contracts are issued by banks. Pursuant to such contracts, a Fund may make cash contributions to a deposit fund of a bank. The bank then credits to the Fund payments at floating or fixed interest rates. A Fund also may hold funds on deposit with its custodian for temporary purposes.

Investing in bank obligations is subject to certain risks. Certain bank obligations, such as some CDs, are insured by the FDIC up to certain specified limits. Many other bank obligations, however, are neither guaranteed nor insured by the FDIC or the U.S. Government. These bank obligations are “backed” only by the creditworthiness of the issuing bank or parent financial institution. Domestic and foreign banks are subject to different governmental regulation. Accordingly, certain obligations of foreign banks, including Eurodollar and Yankee dollar obligations, involve different investment risks than those affecting obligations of domestic banks, including, among others, the possibilities that: (i) their liquidity could be impaired because of political or economic developments; (ii) the obligations may be less marketable than comparable obligations of domestic banks; (iii) a foreign jurisdiction might impose withholding and other taxes at high levels on interest income; (iv) foreign deposits may be seized or nationalized; (v) foreign governmental restrictions such as exchange controls may be imposed, which could adversely affect the payment of principal or interest on those obligations; (vi) there may be less publicly available information concerning foreign banks issuing the obligations; and (vii) the reserve requirements and accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements applicable to foreign banks may differ from those applicable to domestic banks. Foreign banks generally are not subject to examination by any U.S. Government agency or instrumentality.

Common Stock

Common stock represents a unit of equity ownership of a corporation. Owners typically are entitled to vote on the selection of directors and other important corporate governance matters, and to receive dividend payments, if any, on their holdings. However, ownership of common stock does not entitle owners to participate in the day-to-day operations of the corporation. Common stocks of domestic and foreign public corporations can be listed, and their shares traded, on domestic stock exchanges, such as the NYSE or the NASDAQ Stock Market. Domestic and foreign corporations also may have their shares traded on foreign exchanges, such as the London Stock Exchange or Tokyo Stock Exchange. Common stock may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Permissible Fund Investments – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.

Investing in common stocks is subject to certain risks. Stock market risk, for example, is the risk that the value of such stocks, like the broader stock markets, may decline over short or even extended periods of time, perhaps substantially or unexpectedly. Domestic and foreign stock markets tend to be cyclical, with periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when stock prices generally decline. The value of individual stocks will rise and fall based on factors specific to each company, such as changes in earnings or management, as well as general economic and market factors.

If a corporation is liquidated, the claims of secured and unsecured creditors and owners of debt securities and “preferred” stock take priority over the claims of those who own common stock.

Investing in common stocks also poses risks applicable to the particular type of company issuing the common stock. For example, stocks of smaller companies tend to have greater price swings than stocks of larger companies because, among other things, they trade less frequently and in lower volumes, are more susceptible to changes in economic conditions, may be more reliant on singular products or services and are more vulnerable to larger competitors. Common stocks of these types of companies may have a higher potential for gains, but also may be subject to greater risk of loss.

 

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Investing in common stocks also poses risks applicable to a particular industry, such as technology, financial services, consumer goods or natural resources (e.g., oil and gas). To some extent, the prices of common stocks tend to move by industry sector. When market conditions favorably affect, or are expected to favorably affect, an industry, the share prices of the common stocks of companies in that industry tend to rise. Conversely, negative news or a poor outlook for a particular industry can cause the share prices of the common stocks of companies in that industry to decline quickly.

Convertible Securities

Convertible securities include 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 or predetermined price (the conversion price). As such, convertible securities combine the investment characteristics of debt securities and equity securities. A holder of convertible securities is entitled to receive the income of a bond, debenture or note or the dividend of a preferred stock until the conversion privilege is exercised. The market value of convertible securities generally is a function of, among other factors, interest rates, the rates of return of similar nonconvertible securities and the financial strength of the issuer. The market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, conversely, to rise as interest rates decline. However, a convertible security’s market value tends to reflect the market price of the common stock of the issuing company when that stock price approaches or is greater than its conversion price. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the price of the convertible security tends to be influenced more by the rate of return of the convertible security. Because both interest rate and market movements can influence their value, convertible securities generally are not as sensitive to changes in interest rates as similar debt securities nor generally are they as sensitive to changes in share price as their underlying common stock. Convertible securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Permissible Fund Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, Permissible Fund Investments – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and Permissible Fund Investments – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.

Investing in convertible securities is subject to certain risks. Certain convertible securities, particularly securities that are convertible into securities of an issuer other than the issuer of the convertible security, may be illiquid and, therefore, may be more difficult to resell in a timely fashion or for a fair price, which could result in investment losses. Certain convertible securities may have a mandatory conversion feature, pursuant to which the securities convert automatically into common stock or other equity securities (of the same or a different issuer) at a specified date and a specified exchange ratio. Certain convertible securities may be convertible at the option of the issuer, which may require a holder to convert the security into the underlying common stock, even at times when the value of the underlying common stock or other equity security has declined substantially. In addition, some convertible securities may be rated below investment grade or may not be rated and, therefore, may be considered speculative investments. Companies that issue convertible securities frequently are small- and mid-capitalization companies and, accordingly, carry the risks associated with such companies. In addition, the credit rating of a company’s convertible securities generally is lower than that of its conventional debt securities. Convertible securities are senior to equity securities and have a claim to the assets of an issuer prior to the holders of the issuer’s common stock in the event of liquidation but generally are subordinate to similar non-convertible debt securities of the same issuer. Some convertible securities are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates when their predetermined conversion price is much higher than the price for the issuing company’s common stock.

Corporate Debt Securities

Corporate debt securities are fixed income securities typically issued by businesses to finance their operations. Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most common types of corporate debt securities, with the primary difference being their interest rates, maturity dates and secured or unsecured status. Commercial paper has the shortest term and usually is unsecured. The broad category of corporate debt securities

 

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includes debt issued by domestic or foreign companies of all kinds, including those with small-, mid- and large-capitalizations. The category also includes bank loans, as well as assignments, participations and other interests in bank loans. Corporate debt securities may be rated investment grade or below investment grade and may be structured as fixed-, variable or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Permissible Fund Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, Permissible Fund Investments – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and Permissible Fund Investments – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.

Extendible commercial notes (ECNs) are very similar to commercial paper except that with ECNs, the issuer has the option to extend the notes’ maturity. ECNs are issued at a discount rate, with an initial redemption of not more than 90 days from the date of issue. If ECNs are not redeemed by the issuer on the initial redemption date, the issuer will pay a premium (step-up) rate based on the ECN’s credit rating at the time.

Because of the wide range of types and maturities of corporate debt securities, as well as the range of creditworthiness of issuers, corporate debt securities can have widely varying risk/return profiles. For example, commercial paper issued by a large established domestic corporation that is rated by an NRSRO as investment grade may have a relatively modest return on principal but present relatively limited risk. On the other hand, a long-term corporate note issued, for example, by a small foreign corporation from an emerging market country that has not been rated by an NRSRO may have the potential for relatively large returns on principal but carries a relatively high degree of risk.

Investing in corporate debt securities is subject to certain risks including, among others, credit and interest rate risk. Credit risk is the risk that a Fund could lose money if the issuer of a corporate debt security is unable to pay interest or repay principal when it becomes due. Some corporate debt securities that are rated below investment grade by an NRSRO generally are considered speculative because they present a greater risk of loss, including default, than higher quality debt securities. The credit risk of a particular issuer’s debt security may vary based on its priority for repayment. For example, higher ranking (senior) debt securities have a higher priority than and, therefore, may be paid in full before, lower ranking (subordinated) securities. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of higher-ranking senior securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of more junior securities. Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of certain corporate debt securities will tend to fall when interest rates rise. In general, corporate debt securities with longer terms tend to fall more in value when interest rates rise than do corporate debt securities with shorter terms.

Custody Receipts and Trust Certificates

Custody receipts and trust certificates are derivative products that evidence direct ownership in a pool of securities. Typically, a sponsor will deposit a pool of securities with a custodian in exchange for custody receipts evidencing interests in those securities. The sponsor generally then will sell the custody receipts or trust certificates in negotiated transactions at varying prices. Each custody receipt or trust certificate evidences the individual securities in the pool and the holder of a custody receipt or trust certificate generally will have all the rights and privileges of owners of those securities.

Investing in custody receipts and trust certificates is subject to certain risks. Custody receipts and trust certificates generally are subject to the same risks as the securities evidenced by the receipts or certificates. Custody receipts and trust certificates also may be less liquid than the underlying securities.

Derivatives

General

Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are based on (or “derived” from) traditional securities (such as a stock or a bond), assets (such as a commodity, like gold), reference rates (such as LIBOR) or market indices (such as the S&P 500 ® Index). Some forms of derivatives, such as exchange-traded futures and options

 

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on securities, commodities, or indices, are traded on regulated exchanges. These types of derivatives are standardized contracts that can easily be bought and sold, and whose market values are determined and published daily. Non-standardized derivatives, on the other hand, tend to be more specialized or complex, and may be harder to value. Derivatives afford leverage and, when used properly, can enhance returns and be useful in hedging portfolios. Some common types of derivatives include futures; options; options on futures; forward foreign currency exchange contracts; forward contracts on securities and securities indices; linked securities and structured products; CMOs; stripped securities; warrants; swap agreements and swaptions.

A Fund may use derivatives for a variety of reasons, including, for example: (i) to enhance its return; (ii) to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased for its portfolio resulting from securities markets or currency exchange rate fluctuations (i.e., to hedge); (iii) to protect its unrealized gains reflected in the value of its portfolio securities; (iv) to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment purposes; (v) to reduce transaction costs; and/or (vi) to manage the effective maturity or duration of its portfolio.

A Fund’s use of derivatives presents risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in traditional securities. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the underlying security, asset, index or reference rate, which may be magnified by certain features of the derivatives. These risks are heightened when a Fund uses derivatives to enhance its return or as a substitute for a position or security, rather than solely to hedge or offset the risk of a position or security held by a Fund. There is also a risk that the derivative will not correlate well with the security for which it is substituting. A Fund’s use of derivatives to leverage risk also may exaggerate a loss, potentially causing a Fund to lose more money than if it had invested in the underlying security, or limit a potential gain. The success of management’s derivative strategies will depend on its ability to assess and predict the impact of market or economic developments on the underlying security, asset, index or reference rate and the derivative itself, without necessarily the benefit of observing the performance of the derivative under all possible market conditions. Other risks arise from a Fund’s potential inability to terminate or sell its derivative positions as a liquid secondary market for such positions may not exist at times when a Fund may wish to terminate or sell them. Over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) may be illiquid. Derivatives traded in the over-the-counter market are subject to the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations. Also, with some derivative strategies there is the risk that a Fund may not be able to find a suitable derivative transaction counterparty, and thus may be unable to invest in derivatives altogether. The use of derivatives may also increase the amount and accelerate the timing of taxes payable by shareholders.

A Fund may use any or all of the above investment techniques and may purchase different types of derivative instruments at any time and in any combination. There is no particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique over another, as the use of derivatives is a function of numerous variables, including market conditions.

Index or Linked Securities (Structured Products)

General. Indexed or linked securities, also often referred to as “structured products,” are instruments that may have varying combinations of equity and debt characteristics. These instruments are structured to recast the investment characteristics of the underlying security or reference asset. If the issuer is a unit investment trust or other special purpose vehicle, the structuring will typically involve the deposit with or purchase by such issuer of specified instruments (such as commercial bank loans or securities) and/or the execution of various derivative transactions, and the issuance by that entity of one or more classes of securities (structured securities) backed by, or representing interests in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow on the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued structured securities to create securities with different investment characteristics, such as varying maturities, payment priorities and interest rate provisions, and the extent of such payments made with respect to structured securities is dependent on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments.

 

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Indexed and Inverse Floating Rate Securities . A Fund may invest in securities that provide a potential return based on a particular index of value or interest rates. For example, a Fund may invest in securities that pay interest based on an index of interest rates. The principal amount payable upon maturity of certain securities also may be based on the value of the index. To the extent a Fund invests in these types of securities, a Fund’s return on such securities will rise and fall with the value of the particular index: that is, if the value of the index falls, the value of the indexed securities owned by a Fund will fall. Interest and principal payable on certain securities may also be based on relative changes among particular indices.

A Fund may also invest in so-called “inverse floaters” or “residual interest bonds” on which the interest rates vary inversely with a floating rate (which may be reset periodically by a dutch auction, a remarketing agent, or by reference to a short-term tax-exempt interest rate index). A Fund may purchase synthetically-created inverse floating rate bonds evidenced by custodial or trust receipts. Generally, income on inverse floating rate bonds will decrease when interest rates increase, and will increase when interest rates decrease. Such securities have the effect of providing a degree of investment leverage, since they may increase or decrease in value in response to changes, as an illustration, in market interest rates at a rate that is a multiple of the rate at which fixed-rate securities increase or decrease in response to such changes. As a result, the market values of such securities will generally be more volatile than the market values of fixed-rate securities. To seek to limit the volatility of these securities, a Fund may purchase inverse floating obligations that have shorter-term maturities or that contain limitations on the extent to which the interest rate may vary. Certain investments in such obligations may be illiquid. A Fund may invest in indexed and inverse securities for hedging purposes or to seek to increase returns. When used for hedging purposes, indexed and inverse securities involve correlation risk. Furthermore, where such a security includes a contingent liability, in the event of an adverse movement in the underlying index or interest rate, a Fund may be required to pay substantial additional margin to maintain the position.

Credit Linked Securities . Among the income producing securities in which a Fund may invest are credit linked securities. The issuers of these securities frequently are limited purpose trusts or other special purpose vehicles that, in turn, invest in a derivative instrument or basket of derivative instruments, such as credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and other securities, in order to provide exposure to certain fixed income markets. For instance, a Fund may invest in credit linked securities as a cash management tool in order to gain exposure to a certain market and/or to remain fully invested when more traditional income producing securities are not available.

Like an investment in a bond, investments in these credit linked securities represent the right to receive periodic income payments (in the form of distributions) and payment of principal at the end of the term of the security. However, these payments are conditioned on or linked to the issuer’s receipt of payments from, and the issuer’s potential obligations to, the counterparties to the derivative instruments and other securities in which the issuer invests. For instance, the issuer may sell one or more credit default swaps, under which the issuer would receive a stream of payments over the term of the swap agreements provided that no event of default has occurred with respect to the referenced debt obligation upon which the swap is based. If a default occurs, the stream of payments may stop and the issuer would be obligated to pay the counterparty the par (or other agreed upon value) of the referenced debt obligation. This, in turn, would reduce the amount of income and/or principal that a Fund would receive. A Fund’s investments in these instruments are indirectly subject to the risks associated with derivative instruments, including, among others, credit risk, default or similar event risk, counterparty risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk and management risk. These securities generally are exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. Accordingly, there may be no established trading market for the securities and they may constitute illiquid investments.

Index-, Commodity-, Currency- and Equity-Linked Securities . “Index-linked” or “commodity-linked” notes are debt securities of companies that call for interest payments and/or payment at maturity in different terms than the typical note where the borrower agrees to make fixed interest payments and to pay a fixed sum at maturity. Principal and/or interest payments on an index-linked or commodity-linked note depend on the performance of

 

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one or more market indices, such as the S&P 500 ® Index, a weighted index of commodity futures such as crude oil, gasoline and natural gas or the market prices of a particular commodity or basket of commodities. Equity-linked securities are short-term or intermediate term instruments having a value at maturity and/or interest rate determined by reference to the market prices of one or more equity securities. At maturity, the principal amount of an equity-linked debt security is often exchanged for common stock of the issuer or is payable in an amount based on the issuer’s common stock price at the time of maturity. Currency-linked debt securities are short-term or intermediate-term instruments having a value at maturity, and/or an interest rate, determined by reference to one or more foreign currencies. Payment of principal or periodic interest may be calculated as a multiple of the movement of one currency against another currency, or against an index.

Index, commodity, currency and equity-linked securities may entail substantial risks. Such instruments may be subject to significant price volatility. The company issuing the instrument may fail to pay the amount due on maturity. The underlying investment or security may not perform as expected by the Adviser. Markets, underlying securities and indexes may move in a direction that was not anticipated by the Adviser. Performance of the derivatives may be influenced by interest rate and other market changes in the United States and abroad, and certain derivative instruments may be illiquid.

Linked securities are often issued by unit investment trusts. Examples of this include such index-linked securities as S&P Depositary Receipts (SPDRs), which is an interest in a unit investment trust holding a portfolio of securities linked to the S&P 500 ® Index, and a type of exchange-traded fund (ETF). Because a unit investment trust is an investment company under the 1940 Act, a Fund’s investments in SPDRs are subject to the limitations set forth in Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act. SPDRs closely track the underlying portfolio of securities, trade like a share of common stock and pay periodic dividends proportionate to those paid by the portfolio of stocks that comprise the S&P 500 ® Index. As a holder of interests in a unit investment trust, a Fund would indirectly bear its ratable share of that unit investment trust’s expenses. At the same time, a Fund would continue to pay its own management and advisory fees and other expenses, as a result of which a Fund and its shareholders in effect would be absorbing levels of fees with respect to investments in such unit investment trusts.

Equity-linked securities include issues such as Structured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock (STRYPES), Trust Automatic Common Exchange Securities (TRACES), Trust Issued Mandatory Exchange Securities (TIMES), and Trust Enhanced Dividend Securities (TRENDS). The issuers of these equity-linked securities generally purchase and hold a portfolio of stripped U.S. Treasury securities maturing on a quarterly basis through the conversion date, and a forward purchase contract with an existing shareholder of the company relating to the common stock. Quarterly distributions on such equity-linked securities generally consist of the cash received from the U.S. Treasury securities and such equity-linked securities generally are not entitled to any dividends that may be declared on the common stock.

Investing in structured products and linked securities is subject to certain risks. Because structured products typically involve no credit enhancement, their credit risk generally will be equivalent to that of the underlying instruments. Investments in structured products may be structured as a class that is either subordinated or unsubordinated to the right of payment of another class. Subordinated structured products typically have higher rates of return and present greater risks than unsubordinated structured products. Structured products sometimes are sold in private placement transactions and often have a limited trading market.

Investments in “linked” securities have the potential to lead to significant losses because of unexpected movements in the underlying financial asset, index, currency or other investment. The ability of a Fund to utilize linked-securities successfully will depend on its ability correctly to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. Because currency-linked securities usually relate to foreign currencies, some of which may be currencies from emerging market countries, there are certain additional risks associated with such investments.

SPDRs are subject to the risks of an investment in a broadly based portfolio of common stocks, including the risk that the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of such

 

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investment. In addition, because individual investments in SPDRs are not redeemable, except upon termination of the unit investment trust, the liquidity of small holdings of SPDRs will depend upon the existence of a secondary market. Large holdings of SPDRs are called “creation unit size” and are redeemable in-kind only and are not redeemable for cash from the unit investment trust. The price of a SPDR is derived from and based upon the securities held by the unit investment trust. Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of a SPDR is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for SPDRs is based on a basket of stocks. Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying SPDRs purchased or sold by a Fund could result in losses on SPDRs.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

Futures Contracts. A futures contract sale creates an obligation by the seller to deliver the type of security or other asset called for in the contract at a specified delivery time for a stated price. A futures contract purchase creates an obligation by the purchaser to take delivery of the type of security or other asset called for in the contract at a specified delivery time for a stated price. The specific security or other asset delivered or taken at the settlement date is not determined until on or near that date. The determination is made in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which the futures contract was made. A Fund may enter into futures contracts which are traded on national or foreign futures exchanges and are standardized as to maturity date and underlying security or other asset. Futures exchanges and trading in the United States are regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), a U.S. Government agency.

Traders in futures contracts may be broadly classified as either “hedgers” or “speculators.” Hedgers use the futures markets primarily to offset unfavorable changes (anticipated or potential) in the value of securities or other assets currently owned or expected to be acquired by them. Speculators less often own the securities or other assets underlying the futures contracts which they trade, and generally use futures contracts with the expectation of realizing profits from fluctuations in the value of the underlying securities or other assets. Pursuant to a notice of eligibility claiming exclusion from the definition of commodity pool operator filed with the CFTC and the National Futures Association on behalf of the Funds, neither the Trust nor any of the individual Funds is deemed to be a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA, and, accordingly, they are not subject to registration or regulation as such under the CEA.

Upon entering into futures contracts, in compliance with the SEC’s requirements, cash or liquid securities, equal in value to the amount of a Fund’s obligation under the contract (less any applicable margin deposits and any assets that constitute “cover” for such obligation), will be segregated with a Fund’s custodian.

Unlike when a Fund purchases or sells a security, no price is paid or received by a Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract, although a Fund is required to deposit with its custodian in a segregated account in the name of the futures broker an amount of cash and/or U.S. Government securities in order to initiate and maintain open positions in futures contracts. This amount is known as “initial margin.” The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is different from that of margin in security transactions, in that futures contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by a Fund to finance the transactions. Rather, initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit intended to assure completion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of the underlying security or other asset) that is returned to a Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Minimum initial margin requirements are established by the relevant futures exchange and may be changed. Brokers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the exchange minimums. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin which may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded. Subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the broker (or the custodian) are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying security or other asset fluctuates, a process known as “marking to market.” If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional variation margin will be required. Conversely, a change in the contract value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of excess margin to the contract holder. Variation margin payments are made for as long as the contract remains open. A Fund expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.

 

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Although futures contracts by their terms call for actual delivery or acceptance of securities or other assets (stock index futures contracts or futures contracts that reference other intangible assets do not permit delivery of the referenced assets), the contracts usually are closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking of delivery. A Fund may elect to close some or all of its futures positions at any time prior to their expiration. The purpose of taking such action would be to reduce or eliminate the position then currently held by a Fund. Closing out an open futures position is done by taking an opposite position (“buying” a contract which has previously been “sold,” “selling” a contract previously “purchased”) in an identical contract (i.e., the same aggregate amount of the specific type of security or other asset with the same delivery date) to terminate the position. Final determinations are made as to whether the price of the initial sale of the futures contract exceeds or is below the price of the offsetting purchase, or whether the purchase price exceeds or is below the offsetting sale price. Final determinations of variation margin are then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to a Fund, and a Fund realizes a loss or a gain. Brokerage commissions are incurred when a futures contract is bought or sold.

Successful use of futures contracts by a Fund is subject to the Adviser’s ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of interest rates and other factors affecting securities and commodities markets. This requires different skills and techniques than those required to predict changes in the prices of individual securities. A Fund, therefore, bears the risk that future market trends will be incorrectly predicted.

The risk of loss in trading futures contracts in some strategies can be substantial, due both to the relatively low margin deposits required and the potential for an extremely high degree of leverage involved in futures contracts. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in an immediate and substantial loss to the investor. For example, if at the time of purchase, 10% of the value of the futures contract is deposited as margin, a subsequent 10% decrease in the value of the futures contract would result in a total loss of the margin deposit, before any deduction for the transaction costs, if the account were then closed out. A 15% decrease would result in a loss equal to 150% of the original margin deposit if the contract were closed out. Thus, a purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in losses in excess of the amount posted as initial margin for the contract.

In the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments in order to maintain its required margin. In such a situation, if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities in order to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close the futures position also could have an adverse impact on the ability to hedge effectively.

To reduce or eliminate a hedge position held by a Fund, a Fund may seek to close out a position. The ability to establish and close out positions will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary market. It is not certain that this market will develop or continue to exist for a particular futures contract, which may limit a Fund’s ability to realize its profits or limit its losses. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain contracts; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions, closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of contracts, or underlying securities; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances, such as volume in excess of trading or clearing capability, may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of contracts (or a particular class or series of contracts), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in the class or series of contracts) would cease to exist, although outstanding contracts on the exchange that had been issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

 

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Interest Rate Futures Contracts . Bond prices are established in both the cash market and the futures market. In the cash market, bonds are purchased and sold with payment for the full purchase price of the bond being made in cash, generally within five business days after the trade. In the futures market, a contract is made to purchase or sell a bond in the future for a set price on a certain date. Historically, the prices for bonds established in the futures markets have tended to move generally in the aggregate in concert with the cash market prices and have maintained fairly predictable relationships. Accordingly, a Fund may use interest rate futures contracts as a defense, or hedge, against anticipated interest rate changes. A Fund presently could accomplish a similar result to that which it hopes to achieve through the use of interest rate futures contracts by selling bonds with long maturities and investing in bonds with short maturities when interest rates are expected to increase, or conversely, selling bonds with short maturities and investing in bonds with long maturities when interest rates are expected to decline. However, because of the liquidity that is often available in the futures market, the protection is more likely to be achieved, perhaps at a lower cost and without changing the rate of interest being earned by a Fund, through using futures contracts.

Interest rate futures contracts are traded in an auction environment on the floors of several exchanges principally, the Chicago Board of Trade, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the New York Futures Exchange. Each exchange guarantees performance under contract provisions through a clearing corporation, a nonprofit organization managed by the exchange membership. A public market exists in futures contracts covering various financial instruments including long-term U.S. Treasury Bonds and Notes; GNMA modified pass-through mortgage backed securities; three-month U.S. Treasury Bills; and ninety-day commercial paper. A Fund may also invest in exchange-traded Eurodollar contracts, which are interest rate futures on the forward level of LIBOR. These contracts are generally considered liquid securities and trade on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Such Eurodollar contracts are generally used to “lock-in” or hedge the future level of short-term rates. A Fund may trade in any interest rate futures contracts for which there exists a public market, including, without limitation, the foregoing instruments.

Index Futures Contracts . An index futures contract is a contract to buy or sell units of an index at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. Entering into a contract to buy units of an index is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position in the index. Entering into a contract to sell units of an index is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position in the index. A unit is the current value of the index. A Fund may enter into stock index futures contracts, debt index futures contracts, or other index futures contracts appropriate to its objective(s).

There are several risks in connection with the use by a Fund of index futures as a hedging device. One risk arises because of the imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the index futures and movements in the prices of securities which are the subject of the hedges. The Adviser will attempt to reduce this risk by selling, to the extent possible, futures on indices the movements of which will, in its judgment, have a significant correlation with movements in the prices of a Fund’s portfolio securities sought to be hedged.

Municipal Bond Index Futures Contracts . Municipal bond index futures contracts may act as a hedge against changes in market conditions. A municipal bond index assigns values daily to the municipal bonds included in the index based on the independent assessment of dealer-to-dealer municipal bond brokers. A municipal bond index futures contract represents a firm commitment by which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount equal to a specified dollar amount multiplied by the difference between the municipal bond index value on the last trading date of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the underlying securities in the index is made.

Options on Futures Contracts. A Fund may purchase and write call and put options on those futures contracts that it is permitted to buy or sell. A Fund may use such options on futures contracts in lieu of writing options directly on the underlying securities or other assets or purchasing and selling the underlying futures contracts. Such options generally operate in the same manner as options purchased or written directly on the underlying investments. A futures option gives the holder, in return for the premium paid, the right to buy from

 

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(call) or sell to (put) the writer of the option a futures contract at a specified price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise, the writer of the option is obligated to pay the difference between the cash value of the futures contract and the exercise price. Like the buyer or seller of a futures contract, the holder or writer of an option has the right to terminate its position prior to the scheduled expiration of the option by selling or purchasing an option of the same series, at which time the person entering into the closing purchase transaction will realize a gain or loss. There is no guarantee that such closing purchase transactions can be effected.

A Fund will enter into written options on futures contracts only when, in compliance with the SEC’s requirements, cash or liquid securities equal in value to the underlying security’s or other asset’s value (less any applicable margin deposits) have been deposited in a segregated account. A Fund will be required to deposit initial margin and maintenance margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it pursuant to brokers’ requirements similar to those described above.

Investments in futures options involve some of the same risks that are involved in connection with investments in futures contracts (for example, the existence of a liquid secondary market). In addition, the purchase of an option also entails the risk that changes in the value of the underlying futures contract will not be fully reflected in the value of the option purchased. There may be circumstances when the purchase of a call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss to a Fund when the purchase or sale of a futures contract would not, such as when there is no movement in the prices of the hedged investments. In general, the market prices of options can be expected to be more volatile than the market prices on the underlying futures contracts. Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, however, the purchase of call or put options on futures contracts may frequently involve less potential risk to a Fund because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options (plus transaction costs).

Successful use of index futures by a Fund is also subject to the Adviser’s ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the market. It is possible that, for example, where a Fund has sold futures to hedge its portfolio against a decline in the market, the index on which the futures are written may advance and the value of securities held in a Fund’s portfolio may decline. If this occurred, a Fund would lose money on the futures and also experience a decline in the value of its portfolio securities, as a Fund’s ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or during a market decline, through transactions in futures or put options on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by a Fund. Inasmuch as a Fund’s securities will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, a Fund bears the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move to the same extent as do the prices of its put options on the stock indices. It is also possible that, if a Fund has hedged against the possibility of a decline in the market adversely affecting securities held in its portfolio and securities prices increase instead, a Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased values of those securities that it has hedged, because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to meet daily variation margin requirements.

In addition to the possibility that there may be an imperfect correlation, or no correlation at all, between movements in the index futures and the securities of the portfolio being hedged, the prices of index futures may not correlate perfectly with movements in the underlying index due to certain market distortions. First, all participants in the futures markets are subject to margin deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions, which would distort the normal relationship between the index and futures markets. Second, margin requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market, and as a result, the futures market may attract more speculators than the securities market. Increased participation by speculators in the futures market may also cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortions in the futures market, and also because of the imperfect correlation between movements in an index and movements in the prices of index futures, even a correct forecast of general market trends by the Adviser may still not result in a successful hedging transaction.

 

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There is also the risk of loss by a Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom a Fund has an open position in a futures contract or related option. Most futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in some contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day’s settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during a particular trading day and, therefore, does not limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and subjecting some futures traders to substantial losses.

Options on Index Futures Contracts . A Fund may also purchase and sell options on index futures contracts. Options on index futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in an index futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account, which represents the amount by which the market price of the index futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the index future. If an option is exercised on the last trading day prior to the expiration date of the option, the settlement will be made entirely in cash equal to the difference between the exercise price of the option and the closing level of the index on which the future is based on the expiration date. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.

There are various risks in connection with the use by a Fund of index futures as a hedging device. For example, a risk arises because of the imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the index futures and movements in the prices of securities which are the subject of the hedges. The Adviser will attempt to reduce this risk by selling, to the extent possible, futures on indices the movements of which will, in its judgment, have a significant correlation with movements in the prices of a Fund’s portfolio securities sought to be hedged; there can be no assurance that the Adviser will be successful in doing so.

Use by Tax-Exempt Funds of Interest Rate and U.S. Treasury Security Futures Contracts and Options . If a Fund invests in tax-exempt securities, it may purchase and sell futures contracts and related options on interest rate and U.S. Treasury securities when, in the opinion of the Adviser, price movements in these security futures and related options will correlate closely with price movements in the tax-exempt securities which are the subject of the hedge. Interest rate and U.S. Treasury securities futures contracts require the seller to deliver, or the purchaser to take delivery of, the type of security called for in the contract at a specified date and price. Options on interest rate and U.S. Treasury security futures contracts give the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a position in a futures contract at the specified option exercise price at any time during the period of the option.

In addition to the risks generally involved in using futures contracts, there is also a risk that price movements in interest rate and U.S. Treasury security futures contracts and related options will not correlate closely with price movements in markets for tax-exempt securities.

Stock Options and Stock Index Options

A Fund may purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options. Such options may relate to particular stocks or stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC). Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks.

 

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There is a key difference between stock options and stock index options in connection with their exercise. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than (in the case of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the securities included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the S&P 500 ® Index or a narrower market index, such as the S&P 100 ® Index. Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment.

The successful use of a Fund’s options strategies depends on the ability of the Adviser to forecast interest rate and market movements correctly. When it purchases an option, a Fund runs the risk that it will lose its entire investment in the option in a relatively short period of time, unless a Fund exercises the option or enters into a closing sale transaction for such option during the life of the option. If the price of the underlying security does not rise (in the case of a call) or fall (in the case of a put) to an extent sufficient to cover the option premium and transaction costs, a Fund will lose part or all of its investment in the option. This contrasts with an investment by a Fund in the underlying securities, since a Fund may continue to hold its investment in those securities notwithstanding the lack of a change in price of those securities.

The effective use of options also depends on a Fund’s ability to terminate option positions at times when the Adviser deems it desirable to do so. Although a Fund will take an option position only if the Adviser believes there is a liquid secondary market for the option, there is no assurance that a Fund will be able to effect closing transactions at any particular time or at an acceptable price.

If a secondary trading market in options were to become unavailable, a Fund could no longer engage in closing transactions. The writer in such circumstances would be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period. If an option purchased by a Fund expires unexercised, a Fund will realize a loss equal to the premium paid. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options, or underlying securities; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances, such as volume in excess of trading or clearing capability, may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in the class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on the exchange that had been issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying options purchased or sold by a Fund could result in losses on the options. If trading is interrupted in an underlying security, the trading of options on that security is normally halted as well. As a result, a Fund as purchaser or writer of an option will be unable to close out its positions until options trading resumes, and it may be faced with losses if trading in the security reopens at a substantially different price. In addition, the OCC or other options markets may impose exercise restrictions. If a prohibition on exercise is imposed at a time when trading in the option has also been halted, a Fund as purchaser or writer of an option will be locked into its position until one of the two restrictions has been lifted. If a prohibition on exercise remains in effect until an option owned by a Fund has expired, a Fund could lose the entire value of its option.

 

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Special risks are presented by internationally traded options. Because of time differences between the United States and various foreign countries, and because different holidays are observed in different countries, foreign options markets may be open for trading during hours or on days when U.S. markets are closed. As a result, option premiums may not reflect the current prices of the underlying interest in the United States.

Dealer (Over-the-Counter) Options . Dealer options are options negotiated individually through dealers rather than traded on an exchange. Certain risks are specific to dealer options. While a Fund might look to a clearing corporation to exercise exchange-traded options, if a Fund purchases a dealer option it must rely on the selling dealer to perform if a Fund exercises the option. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by a Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the transaction. Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while dealer options more often may not. Consequently, a Fund can realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling the option to the issuing dealer. Similarly, when a Fund writes a dealer option, a Fund can close out the option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer. While each Fund seeks to enter into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and can enter into closing transactions with a Fund, no assurance exists that a Fund will at any time be able to liquidate a dealer option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless a Fund, as a covered dealer call option writer, can effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used as cover until the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency of the other party, a Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option. With respect to options written by a Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to a Fund. For example, because a Fund must maintain a secured position with respect to any call option on a security it writes, a Fund may not sell the assets, that it has segregated to secure the position while it is obligated under the option. This requirement may impair a Fund’s ability to sell portfolio securities at a time when such sale might be advantageous.

A Fund generally will treat purchased dealer options as illiquid securities. A Fund may treat the cover used for written dealer options as liquid if the dealer agrees that a Fund may repurchase the dealer option it has written for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In such cases, the dealer option would be considered illiquid only to the extent the maximum purchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option.

Writing Covered Options . A Fund may write covered call options and covered put options on securities held in its portfolio when, in the opinion of the Adviser, such transactions are consistent with a Fund’s investment goal and policies. Call options written by a Fund give the purchaser the right to buy the underlying securities from a Fund at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the security’s market price; put options give the purchaser the right to sell the underlying securities to a Fund at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the security’s market price.

A Fund may write only covered options, which means that, so long as a Fund is obligated as the writer of a call option, it will own the underlying securities subject to the option (or comparable securities satisfying the cover requirements of securities exchanges). In the case of put options, a Fund will hold cash and/or high-grade short-term debt obligations equal to the price to be paid if the option is exercised. In addition, a Fund will be considered to have covered a put or call option if and to the extent that it holds an option that offsets some or all of the risk of the option it has written. A Fund may write combinations of covered puts and calls (straddles) on the same underlying security.

A Fund will receive a premium from writing a put or call option, which increases a Fund’s return on the underlying security if the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a profit. The amount of the premium reflects, among other things, the relationship between the exercise price and the current market value of the underlying security, the volatility of the underlying security, the amount of time remaining until expiration, current interest rates, and the effect of supply and demand in the options market and in the market for the

 

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underlying security. By writing a call option, a Fund limits its opportunity to profit from any increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise price of the option but continues to bear the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying security. By writing a put option, a Fund assumes the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying security for an exercise price higher than the security’s then-current market value, resulting in a potential capital loss unless the security subsequently appreciates in value.

A Fund’s obligation to sell an instrument subject to a call option written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by a Fund’s execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange an offsetting option of the same series (i.e., same underlying instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected in order to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. A Fund realizes a profit or loss from a closing purchase transaction if the cost of the transaction (option premium plus transaction costs) is less or more than the premium received from writing the option. Because increases in the market price of a call option generally reflect increases in the market price of the security underlying the option, any loss resulting from a closing purchase transaction may be offset in whole or in part by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security.

If a Fund writes a call option but does not own the underlying security, and when it writes a put option, a Fund may be required to deposit cash or securities with its broker as “margin” or collateral for its obligation to buy or sell the underlying security. As the value of the underlying security varies, a Fund may also have to deposit additional margin with the broker. Margin requirements are complex and are fixed by individual brokers, subject to minimum requirements currently imposed by the Federal Reserve Board and by stock exchanges and other self-regulatory organizations.

Purchasing Put Options . A Fund may purchase put options to protect its portfolio holdings in an underlying security against a decline in market value. Such hedge protection is provided during the life of the put option since a Fund, as holder of the put option, is able to sell the underlying security at the put exercise price regardless of any decline in the underlying security’s market price. For a put option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs. By using put options in this manner, a Fund will reduce any profit it might otherwise have realized from appreciation of the underlying security by the premium paid for the put option and by transaction costs.

Purchasing Call Options . A Fund may purchase call options to hedge against an increase in the price of securities that a Fund wants ultimately to buy. Such hedge protection is provided during the life of the call option since a Fund, as holder of the call option, is able to buy the underlying security at the exercise price regardless of any increase in the underlying security’s market price. In order for a call option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must rise sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs. These costs will reduce any profit a Fund might have realized had it bought the underlying security at the time it purchased the call option.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Options . A Fund will enter into OTC options transactions only with primary dealers in U.S. Government securities and, in the case of OTC options written by a Fund, only pursuant to agreements that will assure that a Fund will at all times have the right to repurchase the option written by it from the dealer at a specified formula price. A Fund will treat the amount by which such formula price exceeds the amount, if any, by which the option may be “in-the-money” as an illiquid investment. It is the present policy of a Fund not to enter into any OTC option transaction if, as a result, more than 15% (10% in some cases, refer to your Fund’s prospectuses) of a Fund’s net assets would be invested in (i) illiquid investments (determined under the foregoing formula) relating to OTC options written by a Fund, (ii) OTC options purchased by a Fund, (iii) securities which are not readily marketable, and (iv) repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.

 

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Index Options . As an alternative to purchasing call and put options on index futures, a Fund may purchase call and put options on the underlying indices themselves. Such options could be used in a manner identical to the use of options on index futures. Options involving securities indices provide the holder with the right to make or receive a cash settlement upon exercise of the option based on movements in the relevant index. Such options must be listed on a national securities exchange and issued by the OCC. Such options may relate to particular securities or to various stock indices, except that a Fund may not write covered options on an index.

Foreign Stock Index Options . A Fund may, for the purpose of hedging its portfolio, subject to applicable securities regulations, purchase and write put and call options on foreign stock indices listed on foreign and domestic stock exchanges.

Swap Agreements

Swap agreements are derivative instruments that can be individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may increase or decrease a Fund’s exposure to long- or short-term interest rates, foreign currency values, mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors such as security prices or inflation rates. A Fund may enter into a variety of swap agreements, including interest rate, index, commodity, equity, credit default and currency exchange rate swap agreements, and other types of swap agreements such as caps, collars and floors. A Fund also may enter into swaptions, which are options to enter into a swap agreement.

In a typical interest rate swap, one party agrees to make regular payments equal to a floating interest rate times a “notional principal amount,” in return for payments equal to a fixed rate times the same amount, for a specified period of time. If a swap agreement provides for payments in different currencies, the parties might agree to exchange notional principal amount as well. In a total return swap agreement, the non-floating rate side of the swap is based on the total return of an individual security, a basket of securities, an index or another reference asset. Swaps may also depend on other prices or rates, such as the value of an index or mortgage prepayment rates.

In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or writing options. A collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.

Swap agreements will tend to shift a Fund’s investment exposure from one type of investment to another. For example, if a Fund agreed to pay fixed rates in exchange for floating rates while holding fixed-rate bonds, the swap would tend to decrease a Fund’s exposure to long-term interest rates. Another example is if a Fund agreed to exchange payments in dollars for payments in foreign currency, the swap agreement would tend to decrease a Fund’s exposure to U.S. interest rates and increase its exposure to foreign currency and interest rates.

Swap agreements are sophisticated hedging instruments that typically involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of risks assumed. As a result, swaps can be highly volatile and may have a considerable impact on a Fund’s performance. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of a Fund’s investments and its share price and yield. Additionally, whether a Fund’s use of swap agreements will be successful in furthering its investment objective will depend on the Adviser’s ability correctly to predict whether certain types of investments likely are to produce greater returns than other investments. 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. Moreover, a 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. The most significant factor in the performance of swap agreements is the change in the specific

 

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interest rate, currency, or other factor that determines the amounts of payments due to and from a Fund. If a swap agreement calls for payments by a Fund, a Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of a swap agreement likely would decline, potentially resulting in losses for a Fund. A Fund will closely monitor the credit of a swap agreement counterparty in order to attempt to minimize this risk. A Fund may also suffer losses if it is unable to terminate outstanding swap agreements (either by assignment or other disposition) or reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions (i.e., by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly creditworthy party).

Credit Default Swap Agreements . A Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements, which may have as reference obligations one or more securities or a basket of securities that are or are not currently held by a Fund. The protection “buyer” in a credit default contract is generally obligated to pay the protection “seller” an upfront or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no credit event, such as a default, on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. A Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If a Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, a Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, a Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the seller, a Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

Credit default swap agreements may involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to risks relating to the reference obligation, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. A Fund will enter into credit default swap agreements generally with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. A buyer generally will lose its investment and recover nothing if no credit event occurs and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller.

Equity Swaps . A Fund may engage in equity swaps. Equity swaps allow the parties to the swap agreement to exchange components of return on one equity investment (e.g., a basket of equity securities or an index) for a component of return on another non-equity or equity investment, including an exchange of differential rates of return. Equity swaps may be used to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances where direct investment may be restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impractical. Equity swaps also may be used for other purposes, such as hedging or seeking to increase total return.

The values of equity swaps can be very volatile. To the extent that the Adviser does not accurately analyze and predict the potential relative fluctuation on the components swapped with the other party, a Fund may suffer a loss. The value of some components of an equity swap (such as the dividend on a common stock) may also be sensitive to changes in interest rates. Furthermore, during the period a swap is outstanding, a Fund may suffer a loss if the counterparty defaults.

Total Return Swap Agreements . Total return swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in market value of the assets underlying the contract, which may include a specified security, basket of securities or securities indices during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or investing directly in such market. Total return swap

 

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agreements may effectively add leverage to a Fund’s portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

Total return swap agreements are subject to the risk that a counterparty will default on its payment obligations to a Fund thereunder, and conversely, that a Fund will not be able to meet its obligation to the counterparty. Generally, a Fund will enter into total return swaps on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted against one another with a Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each total return swap will be accrued on a daily basis, and an amount of liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess will be segregated by a Fund. If the total return swap transaction is entered into on other than a net basis, the full amount of a Fund’s obligations will be accrued on a daily basis, and the full amount of a Fund’s obligations will be segregated by a Fund in an amount equal to or greater than the market value of the liabilities under the total return swap agreement or the amount it would have cost a Fund initially to make an equivalent direct investment, plus or minus any amount a Fund is obligated to pay or is to receive under the total return swap agreement.

Variance, Volatility and Correlation Swap Agreements. Variance and volatility swaps are contracts that provide exposure to increases or decreases in the volatility of certain referenced assets. Correlation swaps are contracts that provide exposure to increases or decreases in the correlation between the prices of different assets or different market rates.

Dollar Rolls

Dollar rolls involve selling securities (e.g., mortgage-backed securities or U.S. Treasury securities) and simultaneously entering into a commitment to purchase those or similar (same collateral type, coupon and maturity) securities on a specified future date and price. Mortgage dollar rolls and U.S. Treasury rolls are types of dollar rolls. A Fund foregoes principal and interest paid on the securities during the “roll” period. A Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase of the securities as well as the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale.

Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities a Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price or that the transaction costs may exceed the return earned by a Fund from the transaction. Dollar rolls also involve risk to a Fund if the other party should default on its obligation and a Fund is delayed or prevented from completing the transaction. In the event that the buyer of securities under a dollar roll files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, a Fund’s use of proceeds of the dollar roll may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce a Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities. In addition, the security to be delivered in the future may turn out to be inferior to the security sold upon entering into the transaction.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Foreign currency transactions may be used to protect, to some extent, against uncertainty in the level of future currency exchange rates by establishing a fixed exchange rate. Foreign currency transactions may involve the purchase or sale of foreign currencies on a “spot” (cash) basis at the prevailing exchange rate or may involve “forward contracts” that allow a Fund to purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date. Forward contracts may be used for “transaction hedging,” “position hedging” and “cross-hedging.” A Fund may use forward sale contracts to sell an amount of a foreign currency approximating the value of a Fund’s securities denominated in the foreign security when that foreign currency suffers a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar. A Fund may use forward purchase contracts to purchase a foreign currency when it is believed that the U.S. dollar may suffer a substantial decline against the foreign currency. Although these transactions tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also tend to limit any potential gain that might be realized if the value of the hedged currency increases.

 

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Transaction hedging may allow a Fund to “lock in” the U.S. dollar price of a security it has agreed to purchase or sell, or the U.S. dollar equivalent of a dividend or interest rate payment in a foreign currency. A Fund may use transaction hedging to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the applicable foreign currency during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold, or on which the dividend or interest payment is declared, and the date on which such payments are made or received.

Position hedging may allow a Fund to protect against an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the applicable foreign currencies in which its portfolio securities are denominated. A Fund may use position hedging when it is believed that the U.S. dollar may suffer a decline against the foreign currency by entering into a forward purchase contract to purchase that foreign currency for a fixed dollar amount.

Cross-hedging may allow a Fund to enter into a forward contract to sell a different foreign currency for a fixed U.S. dollar amount when it is believed that the U.S. dollar value of the currency to be sold pursuant to the forward contract will fall if there is a decline in the U.S. dollar value of the currency in which a Fund’s securities are denominated.

A Fund also may purchase exchange-listed and over-the-counter call and put options on foreign currencies and foreign currency contracts. Options on foreign currencies and foreign currency contracts give the holder a right to buy or sell the underlying foreign currencies or foreign currency contracts for a specified period of time and for a specified amount. The value of an option on foreign currencies or foreign currency contracts reflects the value of an exchange rate, which depends on the relative values of the U.S. dollar and the relevant foreign currency.

Engaging in foreign currency transactions is subject to certain risks. For example, if the value of a foreign currency were to decline against the U.S. dollar, such decline would reduce the dollar value of any securities held by a Fund denominated in that currency. It is impossible to forecast with precision the market value of portfolio securities at the expiration or maturity of a forward or futures contract, which may make it necessary for a Fund to purchase additional foreign currency on the spot market if the market value of the security being hedged is less than the amount of foreign currency a Fund is obligated to deliver at the time a Fund sells the security being hedged. The value of any currency, including the U.S. dollar, may be affected by political and economic factors applicable to the issuer’s country. The exchange rates of currencies also may be affected adversely by governmental actions. Transaction, position and cross-hedging do not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of securities that a Fund owns or intends to purchase or sell and may limit the amount of potential gain that might result from the increase in value of the currency being hedged. Settlement procedures relating to a Fund’s foreign currency transactions may be more complex than those relating to investments in securities of U.S. issuers.

Foreign Securities

Foreign securities include debt, equity and derivative securities that the Adviser determines are “foreign” based on the consideration of an issuer’s domicile, its principal place of business, its primary stock exchange listing, the source of its revenue or other factors. Foreign securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Permissible Fund Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, Permissible Fund Investments – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and Permissible Fund Investments – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.

Foreign securities may include depositary receipts, such as American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs). ADRs are U.S. dollar denominated receipts issued in registered form by a domestic bank or trust company that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. EDRs are foreign currency-denominated receipts issued in

 

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Europe, typically by foreign banks or trust companies and foreign branches of domestic banks, that evidence ownership of foreign or domestic securities. GDRs are receipts structured similarly to ADRs and EDRs and are marketed globally. Depositary receipts will not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as their underlying securities. In general, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, and EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets. GDRs are tradable both in the United States and in Europe and are designed for use throughout the world. A Fund may invest in depositary receipts through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the underlying security and a depositary, whereas a depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the deposited security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of such facilities and the depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute interest holder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through voting rights to the holders of such receipts in respect of the deposited securities. The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and, therefore, there may be limited information available regarding such issuers and/or limited correlation between available information and the market value of the depositary receipts.

Due to the potential for foreign withholding taxes, Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) publishes two versions of its indices reflecting the reinvestment of dividends using two different methodologies: gross dividends and net dividends. While both versions reflect reinvested dividends, they differ with respect to the manner in which taxes associated with dividend payments are treated. In calculating the net dividends version, MSCI incorporates reinvested dividends applying the withholding tax rate applicable to foreign non-resident institutional investors that do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Adviser believes that the net dividends version of MSCI indices better reflects the returns U.S. investors might expect were they to invest directly in the component securities of an MSCI index.

Investing in foreign securities is subject to certain risks. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates also may impact the value of foreign securities denominated in foreign currencies or U.S. dollars, without a change in the intrinsic value of those securities. Additionally, the U.S. dollar value of a foreign security tends to decrease when the value of the U.S. dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated and tends to increase when the value of the U.S. dollar falls against such currency. A Fund may attempt to minimize the risk from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies by purchasing and selling forward foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign currency futures contracts and related options. Foreign securities may be less liquid than domestic securities so that a Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial fees and other fees also are generally higher for foreign securities. A Fund may have limited legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain debt securities issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose potentially confiscatory withholding or other taxes, which would reduce a Fund’s return on these securities.

Other risks of investing in foreign securities include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the notification of income; generally less publicly available information about companies; adverse impact of political, social or diplomatic events; possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets; possible imposition of currency exchange controls; and that foreign companies generally are not subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those mandated for domestic companies.

Risks associated with investments in foreign securities are increased with respect to investments in emerging market countries. Political and economic structures in many emerging market countries, especially those in Eastern Europe, the Pacific Basin and the Far East, are undergoing significant evolutionary changes and rapid development, and may lack the social, political and economic stability of more developed countries. Investing in emerging market securities also involves risks beyond the risks applicable to foreign investments. For example, some emerging market countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Further, certain currencies may not be traded internationally, and some countries with

 

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emerging securities markets have sustained long periods of very high inflation or rapid fluctuation in inflation rates which can have negative effects on a country’s economy and securities markets.

Guaranteed Investment Contracts (Funding Agreements)

Guaranteed investment contracts, or funding agreements, are debt instruments issued by insurance companies. Pursuant to such contracts, a Fund may make cash contributions to a deposit fund of the insurance company’s general account. The insurance company then credits to a Fund payments at negotiated, floating or fixed interest rates. A Fund will purchase guaranteed investment contracts only from issuers that, at the time of purchase, meet certain credit and quality standards.

Investing in guaranteed investment contracts is subject to certain risks. In general, guaranteed investment contracts are not assignable or transferable without the permission of the issuing insurance companies, and an active secondary market does not exist for these investments. In addition, the issuer may not be able to pay the principal amount to a Fund on seven days notice or less, at which time the investment may be considered illiquid under applicable SEC regulatory guidance and subject to certain restrictions.

Illiquid Securities

Illiquid securities are defined by a Fund consistent with SEC staff’s current guidance and interpretations which provide that an illiquid security is an asset which may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value at which a Fund has valued the investment on its books. Some securities, such as those not registered under U.S. securities laws, cannot be sold in public transactions. Subject to its investment policies, a Fund may invest in illiquid investments and may invest in certain restricted securities that are deemed to be illiquid securities.

Initial Public Offerings

A Fund may invest in initial public offerings (IPOs) of common stock or other primary or secondary syndicated offerings of equity or debt securities issued by a corporate issuer. Fixed income funds frequently invest in these types of offerings of debt securities. A purchase of IPO securities often involves higher transaction costs than those associated with the purchase of securities already traded on exchanges or markets. IPO securities are subject to market risk and liquidity risk. The market value of recently issued IPO securities may fluctuate considerably due to factors such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading and speculation, a potentially small number of securities available for trading, limited information about the issuer, and other factors. A Fund may hold IPO securities for a period of time, or may sell them soon after the purchase. Investments in IPOs could have a magnified impact – either positive or negative – on a Fund’s performance while the Fund’s assets are relatively small. The impact of an IPO on a Fund’s performance may tend to diminish as the Fund’s assets grow. In circumstances when investments in IPOs make a significant contribution to a Fund’s performance, there can be no assurance that similar contributions from IPOs will continue in the future.

Investments in Other Investment Companies

Investing in other investment companies may be a means by which a Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective. A Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment companies within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any exemptive orders currently or in the future obtained by a Fund from the SEC.

Except with respect to funds structured as funds-of-funds or so-called master/feeder funds, the 1940 Act generally requires that a fund limit its investments in another investment company or series thereof so that, as determined at the time a securities purchase is made: (i) no more than 5% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the securities of any one investment company; (ii) no more than 10% of the value of its total assets

 

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will be invested in the aggregate in securities of other investment companies; and (iii) no more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company or series thereof will be owned by a fund or by companies controlled by a fund. Such other investment companies may include ETFs, which are shares of publicly traded unit investment trusts, open-end funds or depositary receipts that seek to track the performance of specific indexes or companies in related industries.

Investing in other investment companies is subject to certain risks. Although a Fund may derive certain advantages from being able to invest in shares of other investment companies, such as to be fully invested, there may be potential disadvantages. Investing in other investment companies may result in higher fees and expenses for a Fund and its shareholders. A shareholder may be charged fees not only on Fund shares held directly but also on the investment company shares that a Fund purchases.

In addition, investing in ETFs is subject to certain other risks. ETFs generally are subject to the same risks as the underlying securities the ETFs are designed to track as well as to the risks of the specific sector or industry to which the ETF relates. ETFs also are subject to the risk that their prices may not totally correlate to the prices of the underlying securities the ETFs are designed to track and the risk of possible trading halts due to market conditions or for other reasons.

Under the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder, a Fund may purchase shares of affiliated funds, subject to certain conditions. Investing in affiliated funds may present certain actual or potential conflicts of interest. For more information about such actual and potential conflicts of interest, see Investment Advisory and Other Services – Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest.

Low and Below Investment Grade Securities

Low and below investment grade securities (below investment grade securities are also known as “junk bonds”) are debt securities with the lowest investment grade rating (e.g., BBB by S&P and Fitch or Baa by Moody’s), that are below investment grade (e.g., lower than BBB by S&P and Fitch or Baa by Moody’s) or that are unrated but determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. These types of securities may be issued to fund corporate transactions or restructurings, such as leveraged buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, debt reclassifications or similar events, are more speculative in nature than securities with higher ratings and tend to be more sensitive to credit risk, particularly during a downturn in the economy. These types of securities generally are issued by unseasoned companies without long track records of sales and earnings, or by companies or municipalities that have questionable credit strength. Low and below investment grade securities and comparable unrated securities: (i) likely will have some quality and protective characteristics that, in the judgment of one or more NRSROs, are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions; (ii) are speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation; and (iii) may have a less liquid secondary market, potentially making it difficult to value or sell such securities. Low and below investment grade securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Permissible Fund Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, Permissible Fund Investments – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and Permissible Fund Investments – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.

Investing in low and below investment grade securities and comparable unrated securities is subject to certain risks. The rates of return on these types of securities generally are higher than the rates of return available on more highly rated securities, but generally involve greater volatility of price and risk of loss of principal and income, including the possibility of default by or insolvency of the issuers of such securities. Accordingly, a Fund may be more dependent on the Adviser’s credit analysis with respect to these types of securities than is the case for more highly rated securities.

 

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The market values of certain low and below investment grade securities and comparable unrated securities tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than are the market value of more highly rated securities. In addition, issuers of low and below investment grade and comparable unrated securities often are highly leveraged and may not have more traditional methods of financing available to them, so that their ability to service their debt obligations during an economic downturn or during sustained periods of rising interest rates may be impaired.

The risk of loss due to default is greater for low and below investment grade and comparable unrated securities than it is for higher rated securities because low and below investment grade securities and comparable unrated securities generally are unsecured and frequently are subordinated to more senior indebtedness. A Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent that it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal or interest on its holdings of such securities. The existence of limited markets for lower-rated debt securities may diminish a Fund’s ability to: (i) obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing such securities and calculating portfolio net asset value; and (ii) sell the securities at fair market value either to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in the economy or in financial markets.

Many lower-rated securities are not registered for offer and sale to the public under the 1933Act. Investments in these restricted securities may be determined to be liquid (able to be sold within seven days at approximately the price at which they are valued by a Fund) pursuant to policies approved by the Fund’s Trustees. Investments in illiquid securities, including restricted securities that have not been determined to be liquid, may not exceed 15% of a Fund’s net assets. A Fund is not otherwise subject to any limitation on its ability to invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities may be less liquid than other lower-rated securities, potentially making it difficult to value or sell such securities.

Money Market Instruments

Money market instruments are high-quality, short-term debt obligations, which include: (i) bank obligations, including certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances; (ii) funding agreements; (iii) repurchase agreements; (iv) obligations of the United States, foreign countries and supranational entities, and each of their subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities; (v) certain corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper, short-term corporate obligations and extendible commercial notes; (vi) participation interests; and (vii) municipal securities. Money market instruments may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Permissible Fund Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations and Permissible Fund Investments – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.

Investing in money market instruments is subject to certain risks. Money market instruments (other than certain U.S. Government obligations) are not backed or insured by the U.S. Government, its agencies or its instrumentalities. Accordingly, only the creditworthiness of an issuer, or guarantees of that issuer, support such instruments.

Mortgage-Backed Securities

Mortgage-backed securities are a type of asset-backed security and represent interests in, or debt instruments backed by, pools of underlying mortgages. In some cases, these underlying mortgages may be insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies. Mortgage-backed securities entitle the security holders to receive distributions that are tied to the payments made on the underlying mortgage collateral (less fees paid to the originator, servicer, or other parties, and fees paid for credit enhancement), so that the payments made on the underlying mortgage collateral effectively pass through to such security holders. Mortgage-backed securities are created when mortgage originators (or mortgage loan sellers who have purchased mortgage loans from mortgage loan originators) sell the underlying mortgages to a special purpose entity in a process called a securitization. The special purpose entity issues securities that are backed by the payments on the underlying

 

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mortgage loans, and have a minimum denomination and specific term. Mortgage-backed securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Permissible Fund Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, Permissible Fund Investments – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and Permissible Fund Investments – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.

Mortgage-backed securities may be issued or guaranteed by GNMA (also known as Ginnie Mae), FNMA (also known as Fannie Mae), or FHLMC (also known as Freddie Mac), but also may be issued or guaranteed by other issuers, including private companies. GNMA is a government-owned corporation that is an agency of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It guarantees, with the full faith and credit of the United States, full and timely payment of all monthly principal and interest on its mortgage-backed securities. Until recently, FNMA and FHLMC were government-sponsored corporations owned entirely by private stockholders. Both issue mortgage-related securities that contain guarantees as to timely payment of interest and principal but that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. The value of the companies’ securities fell sharply in 2008 due to concerns that the firms did not have sufficient capital to offset losses. In mid-2008, the U.S. Treasury was authorized to increase the size of home loans that FNMA and FHLMC could purchase in certain residential areas and, until 2009, to lend FNMA and FHLMC emergency funds and to purchase the companies’ stock. In September 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced that FNMA and FHLMC had been placed in conservatorship by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), a newly created independent regulator. In addition to placing the companies in conservatorship, the U.S. Treasury announced three additional steps that it intended to take with respect to FNMA and FHLMC. First, the U.S. Treasury has entered into “Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements” (PSPAs) under which, if the FHFA determines that FNMA’s or FHLMC’s liabilities have exceeded its assets under generally accepted accounting principles, the U.S. Treasury will contribute cash capital to the company in an amount equal to the difference between liabilities and assets. The PSPAs are designed to provide protection to the senior and subordinated debt and the mortgage-backed securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC. Second, the U.S. Treasury established a new secured lending credit facility that was available to FNMA and FHLMC until December 2009. Third, the U.S. Treasury initiated a temporary program to purchase FNMA and FHLMC mortgage-backed securities that concluded in December 2009. Although the U.S. Government has provided support to FNMA and FHLMC, there can be no assurances that it will support these and other government sponsored enterprises in the future.

CMOs are debt obligations issued by special-purpose trusts, collateralized by underlying mortgage assets. Principal prepayments on underlying mortgage assets may cause the CMOs to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution dates, resulting in a loss of all or part of the premium if any has been paid. Interest is paid or accrues on all classes of the CMOs on a periodic basis. The principal and interest payments on the underlying mortgage assets may be allocated among the various classes of CMOs in several ways. Typically, payments of principal, including any prepayments, on the underlying mortgage assets are applied to the classes in the order of their respective stated maturities or final distribution dates, so that no payment of principal is made on CMOs of a class until all CMOs of other classes having earlier stated maturities or final distribution dates have been paid in full.

REMICs are entities that own mortgages and elect REMIC status under the Code and, like CMOs, issue debt obligations collateralized by underlying mortgage assets that have characteristics similar to those issued by CMOs.

Investing in mortgage-backed securities is subject to certain risks, including, among others, prepayment, market and credit risks. Prepayment risk reflects the risk that borrowers may prepay their mortgages more quickly than expected, which may affect the security’s average maturity and rate of return. Whether or not a mortgage loan is prepaid is almost entirely controlled by the borrower. Borrowers are most likely to exercise prepayment options at the time when it is least advantageous to investors, generally prepaying mortgages as interest rates fall, and slowing payments as interest rates rise. Besides the effect of prevailing interest rates, the

 

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rate of prepayment and refinancing of mortgages also may be affected by home value appreciation, ease of the refinancing process and local economic conditions, among other factors. Market risk reflects the risk that the price of a security may fluctuate over time. The price of mortgage-backed securities can be particularly sensitive to prevailing interest rates, the length of time the security is expected to be outstanding and the liquidity of the issue. In a period of unstable interest rates, there may be decreased demand for certain types of mortgage-backed securities, which in turn may decrease their value. Credit risk reflects the risk that a holder of mortgage-backed securities may not receive all or part of its principal because the issuer, any credit enhancer and/or the underlying mortgage borrower has defaulted on its obligations. Credit risk is increased for mortgage-backed securities that are backed by mortgages to so-called subprime borrowers (who may pose a greater risk of defaulting on their loans) or that are subordinated to another security (i.e., if the holder of a mortgage-backed security is entitled to receive payments only after payment obligations to holders of the other security are satisfied). The more deeply subordinated the security, the greater the credit risk associated with the security will be. Mortgage-backed securities issued by private issuers, whether or not such obligations are subject to guarantees by the private issuer, may entail greater risk than mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the U.S. Government. The performance of mortgage-backed securities issued by private issuers generally depends on the financial health of those institutions.

Municipal Securities

Municipal securities include debt obligations issued by governmental entities to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities, the refunding of outstanding obligations, the payment of general operating expenses, and the extension of loans to public institutions and facilities. Municipal securities can be classified into two principal categories, including “general obligation” bonds and other securities and “revenue” bonds and other securities. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue securities are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source, such as the user of the facility being financed. Municipal securities also may include “moral obligation” securities, which normally are issued by special purpose public authorities. If the issuer of moral obligation securities is unable to meet its debt service obligations from current revenues, it may draw on a reserve fund, the restoration of which is a moral commitment but not a legal obligation of the governmental entity that created the special purpose public authority. Municipal securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Permissible Fund Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, Permissible Fund Investments – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and Permissible Fund Investments – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.

Municipal securities may include municipal bonds, municipal notes and municipal leases. Municipal bonds are debt obligations of a governmental entity that obligate the municipality to pay the holder a specified sum of money at specified intervals and to repay the principal amount of the loan at maturity.

Municipal notes may be issued by governmental entities and other tax-exempt issuers in order to finance short-term cash needs or, occasionally, to finance construction. Most municipal notes are general obligations of the issuing entity payable from taxes or designated revenues expected to be received within the relevant fiscal period. Municipal notes generally have maturities of one year or less. Municipal notes can be subdivided into two sub-categories: (i) municipal commercial paper and (ii) municipal demand obligations.

Municipal commercial paper typically consists of very short-term unsecured negotiable promissory notes that are sold, for example, to meet seasonal working capital or interim construction financing needs of a governmental entity or agency. While these obligations are intended to be paid from general revenues or refinanced with long-term debt, they frequently are backed by letters of credit, lending agreements, note repurchase agreements or other credit facility agreements offered by banks or institutions.

 

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Municipal demand obligations can be subdivided into two general types: variable rate demand notes and master demand obligations. Variable rate demand notes are tax-exempt municipal obligations or participation interests that provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the notes. They permit the holder to demand payment of the notes, or to demand purchase of the notes at a purchase price equal to the unpaid principal balance, plus accrued interest either directly by the issuer or by drawing on a bank letter of credit or guaranty issued with respect to such note. The issuer of the municipal obligation may have a corresponding right to prepay at its discretion the outstanding principal of the note plus accrued interest upon notice comparable to that required for the holder to demand payment. The variable rate demand notes in which a Fund may invest are payable, or are subject to purchase, on demand usually on notice of seven calendar days or less. The terms of the notes generally provide that interest rates are adjustable at intervals ranging from daily to six months.

Master demand obligations are tax-exempt municipal obligations that provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid and permit daily changes in the amount borrowed. The interest on such obligations is, in the opinion of counsel for the borrower, excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes (but not necessarily for alternative minimum tax purposes). Although there is no secondary market for master demand obligations, such obligations are considered by a Fund to be liquid because they are payable upon demand.

Municipal lease obligations are participations in privately arranged loans to state or local government borrowers. In general, such loans are unrated, in which case they will be determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase to rated instruments that may be acquired by a Fund. Frequently, privately arranged loans have variable interest rates and may be backed by a bank letter of credit. In other cases, they may be unsecured or may be secured by assets not easily liquidated. Moreover, such loans in most cases are not backed by the taxing authority of the issuers and may have limited marketability or may be marketable only by virtue of a provision requiring repayment following demand by the lender.

Although lease obligations do not constitute general obligations of the municipal issuer to which the government’s taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation ordinarily is backed by the government’s covenant to budget for, appropriate, and make the payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease obligations contain “non-appropriation” clauses that provide that the government has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a periodic basis. In the case of a “non-appropriation” lease, a Fund’s ability to recover under the lease in the event of non-appropriation or default likely will be limited to the repossession of the leased property in the event that foreclosure proves difficult.

Tender option bonds are municipal securities having relatively long maturities and bearing interest at a fixed interest rate substantially higher than prevailing short-term tax-exempt rates that is coupled with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank, broker/dealer or other financial institution, to grant the security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. The financial institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference between the municipal security’s coupon rate and the rate that would cause the security to trade at face value on the date of determination.

Investing in municipal securities is subject to certain risks. There are variations in the quality of municipal securities, both within a particular classification and between classifications, and the rates of return on municipal securities can depend on a variety of factors, including general money market conditions, the financial condition of the issuer, general conditions of the municipal bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation, and the rating of the issue. The ratings of NRSROs represent their opinions as to the quality of municipal securities. It should be emphasized, however, that these ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality, and municipal securities with the same maturity, interest rate, and rating may have different rates of return while municipal securities of the same maturity and interest rate with different ratings may have the same rate of return.

 

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The payment of principal and interest on most municipal securities purchased by a Fund will depend upon the ability of the issuers to meet their obligations. An issuer’s obligations under its municipal securities are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the United States Bankruptcy Code. The power or ability of an issuer to meet its obligations for the payment of interest on and principal of its municipal securities may be materially adversely affected by litigation or other conditions.

There are particular considerations and risks relevant to investing in a portfolio of a single state’s municipal securities, such as the greater risk of the concentration of portfolio holdings.

The Funds ordinarily purchase municipal securities whose interest, in the opinion of bond counsel, is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. The opinion of bond counsel may assert that such interest is not an item of tax preference for the purposes of the alternative minimum tax or is exempt from certain state or local taxes. There is no assurance that the applicable taxing authority will agree with this opinion. In the event, for example, the IRS determines that an issuer does not comply with relevant tax requirements, interest payments from a security could become federally taxable, possibly retroactively to the date the security was issued. As a shareholder of the Fund, you may be required to file an amended tax return as a result, reporting such income as taxable.

For more information about the key risks associated with investments in states, see Appendix D.

Participation Interests

Participation interests (also called pass-through certificates or securities) represent an interest in a pool of debt obligations, such as municipal bonds or notes, that have been “packaged” by an intermediary, such as a bank or broker/dealer. Participation interests typically are issued by partnerships or trusts through which a Fund receives principal and interest payments that are passed through to the holder of the participation interest from the payments made on the underlying debt obligations. The purchaser of a participation interest receives an undivided interest in the underlying debt obligations. The issuers of the underlying debt obligations make interest and principal payments to the intermediary, as an initial purchaser, which are passed through to purchasers in the secondary market, such as a Fund. Mortgage-backed securities are a common type of participation interest. Participation interests may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in- kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Permissible Fund Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, Permissible Fund Investments – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and Permissible Fund Investments – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.

Loan participations also are a type of participation interest. Loan participations are interests in loans that are administered by a lending bank or agent for a syndicate of lending banks and sold by the bank or syndicate members.

Investing in participation interests is subject to certain risks. Participation interests generally are subject to the credit risk associated with the underlying borrowers. If the underlying borrower defaults, a Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if a Fund had purchased a direct obligation of the borrower. A Fund also may be deemed a creditor of the lending bank or syndicate members and be subject to the risk that the lending bank or syndicate members may become insolvent.

Preferred Stock

Preferred stock represents units of ownership of a corporation that frequently have dividends that are set at a specified rate. Preferred stock has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock shares some of the characteristics of both debt and equity. Preferred stock ordinarily

 

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does not carry voting rights. Most preferred stock is cumulative; if dividends are passed (i.e., not paid for any reason), they accumulate and must be paid before common stock dividends. Participating preferred stock entitles its holders to share in profits above and beyond the declared dividend, along with common shareholders, as distinguished from nonparticipating preferred stock, which is limited to the stipulated dividend. Convertible preferred stock is exchangeable for a given number of shares of common stock and thus tends to be more volatile than nonconvertible preferred stock, which generally behaves more like a fixed income bond. Preferred stock may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Permissible Fund Investments – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.

Auction preferred stock (APS) is a type of adjustable-rate preferred stock with a dividend determined periodically in a Dutch auction process by corporate bidders. Shares typically are bought and sold at face values generally ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 per share.

In addition to reinvestment risk if interest rates fall, some specific risks with regard to APS include:

 

   

Failed auction: A breakdown of the auction process can occur. In the event that the process fails, the rate is reset at the maximum applicable rate, which is usually described in the prospectuses and typically is influenced by the issuer’s credit rating. In a failed auction, current shareholders generally are unable to sell some, or all, of the shares when the auction is completed. Typically, the liquidity for APS that have experienced a failed auction becomes very limited. If a failed auction were to occur, the shareholder generally would hold his or her shares until the next auction. Should there not be subsequent auctions that “cure” the failed process, the shareholder may: (1) hold the APS in anticipation of a refinancing by the issuer that would cause the APS to be called, or (2) hold securities either indefinitely or in anticipation of the development of a secondary market.

 

   

Early call risk: APS generally is redeemable at any time, usually upon notice, at the issuer’s option, at par plus accrued dividends.

Investing in preferred stock is subject to certain risks. For example, stock market risk is the risk that the value of such stocks, like the broader stock markets, may decline over short or even extended periods. Domestic and foreign stock markets tend to be cyclical, with periods when prices generally rise and periods when prices generally decline. The value of individual stocks will rise and decline based on factors specific to each corporation, such as changes in earnings or management.

Investing in preferred stock also may involve the risks applicable to investing in a particular company. For example, stocks of smaller companies tend to have greater price fluctuations than stocks of larger companies because, among other things, they trade less frequently and in lower volumes, are more susceptible to changes in economic conditions, are more reliant on singular products or services and are more vulnerable to larger competitors. Stocks of these companies may have a higher potential for gains but also are subject to greater risk of loss.

Investing in preferred stock also may involve the risks applicable to investing in a particular industry, such as technology, financial services, consumer goods or natural resources (e.g., oil and gas). To some extent, the prices of stocks tend to move by industry sector. When market conditions favorably affect, or are expected to favorably affect, an industry, the prices of the stocks of companies in that industry tend to rise. Conversely, negative news or a poor outlook for a particular industry can cause the value of those companies’ stock to decline.

Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities

Private placement securities are securities that have been privately placed and are not registered under the 1933 Act. They are eligible for sale only to certain eligible investors. Private placements often may offer attractive opportunities for investment not otherwise available on the open market. Private placement and other

 

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“restricted” securities often cannot be sold to the public without registration under the 1933 Act or the availability of an exemption from registration (such as Rules 144 or 144A), or they are “not readily marketable” because they are subject to other legal or contractual delays in or restrictions on resale. Asset-backed securities, common stock, convertible securities, corporate debt securities, foreign securities, low and below investment grade securities, money market instruments, mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities, participation interests, preferred stock and other types of equity and debt instruments may be privately placed or restricted securities.

Private placements typically may be sold only to qualified institutional buyers (or, in the case of the initial sale of certain securities, such as those issued in collateralized debt obligations or collateralized loan obligations, to accredited investors (as defined in Rule 501(a) under the 1933 Act), or in a privately negotiated transaction or to a limited number of purchasers, or in limited quantities after they have been held for a specified period of time and other conditions are met pursuant to an exemption from registration.

Investing in private placement and other restricted securities is subject to certain risks. Private placements may be considered illiquid securities. Private placements typically are subject to restrictions on resale as a matter of contract or under federal securities laws. Because there may be relatively few potential purchasers for such securities, especially under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer, a Fund could find it more difficult to sell such securities when it may be advisable to do so or it may be able to sell such securities only at prices lower than if such securities were more widely held. At times, it also may be more difficult to determine the fair value of such securities for purposes of computing a Fund’s net asset value due to the absence of a trading market.

Real Estate Investment Trusts and Master Limited Partnerships

REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans and also may include operating or finance companies. An equity REIT generally holds equity positions in real estate and seeks to provide its shareholders with income from the leasing of its properties and with capital gains from any sales of properties. A mortgage REIT generally specializes in lending money to owners of properties and passes through any interest income it may earn to its shareholders.

Partnership units of real estate and other types of companies sometimes are organized as master limited partnerships in which ownership interests are publicly traded. Master limited partnerships often own several properties or businesses (or directly own interests) that are related to real estate development and the oil and gas industries, but they also may finance motion pictures, research and development and other projects.

REITs are subject to certain risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, including, for example, declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, and variations in rental income. REITs also may be subject to interest rate risk. In general, increases in interest rates will decrease the value of high-yield securities and increase the costs of obtaining financing, which could decrease the value of a REIT’s investments. In addition, equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of credit extended. Both equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills. REITs also may be subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, and the possibility of failing to qualify for preferential tax treatment under the Code, which could adversely affect dividend payments. REITs also may not be diversified.

Investing in master limited partnerships generally is subject to the risks applicable to investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation, which may include fewer protections afforded to investors. Additional risks include those associated with the specific industries in which a master limited partnership invests, such as the risks associated with investing in the real estate or oil and gas industries.

 

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Repurchase Agreements

Repurchase agreements are agreements under which a Fund acquires a security for a relatively short period of time subject to the obligation of a seller to repurchase and a Fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price (representing a Fund’s cost plus interest). Repurchase agreements also may be viewed as loans made by a Fund that are collateralized by the securities subject to repurchase. A Fund typically will enter into repurchase agreements only with commercial banks, registered broker/dealers and the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation. Such transactions are monitored to ensure that the value of the underlying securities will be at least equal at all times to the total amount of the repurchase obligation, including any accrued interest. Repurchase agreements generally are subject to counterparty risk.

If a counterparty defaults, a Fund could realize a loss on the sale of the underlying security to the extent that the proceeds of the sale are less than the resale price provided in the repurchase agreement including interest. In the event that a counterparty fails to perform because it is insolvent or otherwise subject to insolvency proceedings against it, a Fund’s right to take possession of the underlying securities would be subject to applicable insolvency law and procedure, including an automatic stay (which would preclude immediate enforcement of a Fund’s rights) and exemptions thereto (which would permit a Fund to take possession of the underlying securities or to void a repurchase agreement altogether). Since it is possible that an exemption from the automatic stay would not be available, a Fund might be prevented from immediately enforcing its rights against the counterparty. Accordingly, if a counterparty becomes insolvent or otherwise subject to insolvency proceedings against it, a Fund may incur delays in or be prevented from liquidating the underlying securities and could experience losses, including the possible decline in value of the underlying securities during the period in which a Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, possible subnormal levels of income or lack of access to income during such time, as well as the costs incurred in enforcing a Fund’s rights. For example, if a Fund enters into a repurchase agreement with a broker that becomes insolvent, it is possible for the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) to institute a liquidation proceeding in federal court against the broker counterparty which could lead to a foreclosure by SIPC of the underlying securities or SIPC may stay, or preclude, a Fund’s ability under contract to terminate the repurchase agreement.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements under which a Fund sells a security subject to the obligation of a buyer to resell and a Fund to repurchase such security at a fixed time and price. Reverse repurchase agreements also may be viewed as borrowings made by a Fund.

Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities a Fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, a Fund’s use of proceeds of the agreement may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce a Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements are techniques involving leverage, and are subject to asset coverage requirements. Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, a Fund is required to maintain an asset coverage (including the proceeds of the borrowings) of at least 300% of all borrowings.

Standby Commitments

Standby commitments are securities under which a purchaser, usually a bank or broker/dealer, agrees to purchase, for a fee, an amount of a Fund’s municipal obligations. The amount payable by a bank or broker/dealer to purchase securities subject to a standby commitment typically will be substantially the same as the value of the underlying municipal securities. A Fund may pay for standby commitments either separately in cash or by paying a higher price for portfolio securities that are acquired subject to such a commitment.

Using standby commitments is subject to certain risks. Standby commitments are subject to the risk that a counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to purchase securities subject to a standby commitment.

 

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Stripped Securities

Stripped securities are securities that evidence ownership in either the future interest or principal payments on an instrument. There are many different types and variations of stripped securities. For example, Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal Securities (STRIPS), can be component parts of a U.S. Treasury security where the principal and interest components are traded independently through DTC, a clearing agency registered pursuant to Section 17A of the 1934 Act and created to hold securities for its participants, and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between participants through electronic computerized book-entries, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Treasury Investor Growth Receipts (TIGERs) are U.S. Treasury securities stripped by brokers. Stripped mortgage-backed securities, or SMBS, also can be issued by the U.S. Government or its agencies. Stripped securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations. See Permissible Fund Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations for more information.

SMBS usually are structured with two or more classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from a pool of mortgage-backed assets. Common types of SMBS will be structured so that one class receives some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage-backed assets, while another class receives most of the interest and the remainder of the principal.

Investing in stripped securities is subject to certain risks. If the underlying obligations experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a Fund may fail fully to recoup its initial investment in such securities. The market value of the class consisting primarily or entirely of principal payments can be especially volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The rates of return on a class of SMBS that receives all or most of the interest are generally higher than prevailing market rates of return on other mortgage-backed obligations because their cash flow patterns also are volatile and there is a greater risk that the initial investment will not be recouped fully.

U.S. Government and Related Obligations

U.S. Government obligations include U.S. Treasury obligations and securities issued or guaranteed by various agencies of the U.S. Government or by various instrumentalities which have been established or sponsored by the U.S. Government. U.S. Treasury obligations and securities issued or guaranteed by various agencies of the U.S. Government differ in their interest rates, maturities and time of issuance, as well as with respect to whether they are guaranteed by the U.S. Government. U.S. Government and related obligations may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations. See Permissible Fund Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations for more information.

U.S. Government obligations also include senior unsecured debt securities issued between October 14, 2008 and June 30, 2009 by eligible issuers (including U.S. depository institutions insured by the FDIC (and certain affiliates), U.S. bank holding companies and certain U.S. savings and loan holding companies) that are guaranteed by the FDIC under its Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (the “TLGP”). The FDIC’s guarantee under the TLGP will expire upon the earlier of (i) maturity of such security or (ii) June 30, 2012. It is the view of the FDIC and the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission that any debt security that is guaranteed by the FDIC under the TLGP and that has a maturity that ends on or before June 30, 2012 would be a security exempt from registration under Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 because such security would be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the FDIC.

Investing in securities guaranteed under the TLGP is subject to certain risks. Given that there is a limited track record for securities guaranteed under the TLGP, it is uncertain whether such securities will continue to trade in line with recent experience in relation to treasury and government agency securities in terms of yield spread and the volatility of such spread and it is uncertain how such securities will trade in the secondary market and whether that market will be liquid or illiquid. The TLGP is a new program that is subject to change. In order

 

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to collect from the FDIC under the TLGP, a claims process must be followed. Failure to follow the claims process could result in a loss to the right to payment under the guarantee. In addition, guarantee payments by the FDIC under the TLGP may be delayed.

Investing in U.S. Government and related obligations is subject to certain risks. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality and, as a result, may be subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises historically have involved limited risk of loss of principal if held to maturity. However, no assurance can be given that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to any of these entities if it is not obligated to do so by law.

Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations

Variable- and floating-rate obligations provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate and, under certain circumstances, varying principal amounts. Unlike a fixed interest rate, a variable, or floating, rate is one that rises and declines based on the movement of an underlying index of interest rates and may pay interest at rates that are adjusted periodically according to a specified formula. Asset-backed securities, bank obligations, convertible securities, corporate debt securities, foreign securities, low and below investment grade securities, money market instruments, mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities, participation interests, stripped securities, U.S. Government and related obligations and other types of debt instruments may be structured as variable- and floating-rate obligations.

Investing in variable- and floating-rate obligations is subject to certain risks. Variable- and floating-rate obligations may involve direct lending arrangements between the purchaser and the issuer and there may be no active secondary market, making it difficult to resell such obligations to a third party. Variable- and floating-rate obligations also may be subject to interest rate and credit risks. Changes in interest rates can affect the rate of return on such obligations. If an issuer of a variable- or floating-rate obligation defaults, a Fund could sustain a loss to the extent of such default.

Warrants and Rights

Warrants and rights are types of securities that give a holder a right to purchase shares of common stock. Warrants usually are issued together with a bond or preferred stock and entitle a holder to purchase a specified amount of common stock at a specified price typically for a period of years. Rights usually have a specified purchase price that is lower than the current market price and entitle a holder to purchase a specified amount of common stock typically for a period of only weeks. Warrants may be used to enhance the marketability of a bond or preferred stock.

Warrants and rights may be subject to the risk that the securities could lose value. There also is the risk that the potential exercise price may exceed the market price of the warrants or rights, such as when there is no movement in the market price or the market price of such securities declines.

When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Transactions

When-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions involve the purchase or sale of securities by a Fund, with payment and delivery taking place in the future. When engaging in when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions, a Fund typically will hold cash or liquid securities in a segregated account in an amount equal to or greater than the purchase price. The payment obligation and, if applicable, the interest rate that will be received on the securities, are fixed at the time that a Fund agrees to purchase the securities. A Fund generally will enter into when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment

 

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transactions only with the intention of completing such transactions. However, the Adviser may determine not to complete a transaction if it deems it appropriate. In such cases, a Fund may realize short-term gains or losses.

When-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions involve the risks that the securities purchased may fall in value by the time they actually are issued or that the other party may fail to honor the contract terms. A Fund that invests in delayed delivery securities may rely on a third party to complete the transaction. Failure by a third party to deliver a security purchased on a delayed delivery basis may result in a financial loss to a Fund or the loss of an opportunity to make an alternative investment.

Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities

Zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities are types of debt instruments that do not necessarily make payments of interest in fixed amounts or at fixed intervals. Asset-backed securities, convertible securities, corporate debt securities, foreign securities, low and below investment grade securities, mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities, participation interests, stripped securities, U.S. Government and related obligations and other types of debt instruments may be structured as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities.

Zero-coupon securities do not pay interest on a current basis but instead accrue interest over the life of the security. These securities include, among others, zero-coupon bonds, which either may be issued at a discount by a corporation or government entity or may be created by a brokerage firm when it strips the coupons from a bond or note and then sells the bond or note and the coupon separately. This technique is used frequently with U.S. Treasury bonds, and zero-coupon securities are marketed under such names as CATS (Certificate of Accrual on Treasury Securities), TIGERs or STRIPS. Zero-coupon bonds also are issued by municipalities. Buying a municipal zero-coupon bond frees its purchaser of the obligation to pay regular federal income tax on imputed interest, since the interest is exempt for regular federal income tax purposes. Zero-coupon certificates of deposit and zero-coupon mortgages are generally structured in the same fashion as zero-coupon bonds; the certificate of deposit holder or mortgage holder receives face value at maturity and no payments until then.

Pay-in-kind securities normally give the issuer an option to pay cash at a coupon payment date or to give the holder of the security a similar security with the same coupon rate and a face value equal to the amount of the coupon payment that would have been made.

Step-coupon securities trade at a discount from their face value and pay coupon interest. The coupon rate is paid according to a schedule for a series of periods, typically lower for an initial period and then increasing to a higher coupon rate thereafter. The discount from the face amount or par value depends on the time remaining until cash payments begin, prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security and the perceived credit quality of the issue.

Zero-coupon, step-coupon and pay-in-kind securities holders generally have substantially all the rights and privileges of holders of the underlying coupon obligations or principal obligations. Holders of these securities have the right upon default on the underlying coupon obligations or principal obligations to proceed directly and individually against the issuer and are not required to act in concert with other holders of such securities.

Investing in zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities is subject to certain risks, including that market prices of zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities generally are more volatile than the prices of securities that pay interest periodically and in cash, and are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than other types of debt securities.

Because zero-coupon securities bear no interest, they are volatile. Since zero-coupon bondholders do not receive interest payments, zero-coupon securities fall more dramatically than bonds paying interest on a current basis when interest rates rise. However, when interest rates fall, zero-coupon securities rise more rapidly in value than interest paying bonds.

 

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Borrowings

Each Fund has a fundamental policy with respect to borrowing that can be found under the heading About the Funds’ Investments – Fundamental and Non-Fundamental Investment Policies . Specifically, each Fund may not borrow money or issue senior securities except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any exemptive relief obtained by the Funds. In general, pursuant to the 1940 Act, a Fund may borrow money only from banks in an amount not exceeding 33  1 / 3 % of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings). Any borrowings that come to exceed this amount must be reduced within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the 33  1 / 3 % limitation.

The Funds participate in a committed line of credit (Line of Credit). Any advance under the Line of Credit is contemplated primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely sale of portfolio securities.

Pursuant to an exemptive order from the SEC, a Fund may, subject to certain conditions, borrow money from or lend money to other funds in the Columbia Funds Family or any other registered investment company advised by the Adviser or its affiliates for temporary emergency purposes in order to facilitate redemption requests, or for other purposes consistent with Fund investment policies and restrictions. All loans are set at an interest rate between the rates charged on overnight repurchase agreements and short-term bank loans.

Short Sales

A Fund may sometimes sell securities short when it owns an equal amount of such securities as those securities sold short. This is a technique known as selling short “against the box.” If a Fund makes a short sale “against the box,” it would not immediately deliver the securities sold and would not receive the proceeds from the sale. The seller is said to have a short position in the securities sold until it delivers the securities sold, at which time it receives the proceeds of the sale. To secure its obligation to deliver securities sold short, a Fund will deposit in escrow in a separate account with the custodian an equal amount of the securities sold short or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such securities. A Fund can close out its short position by purchasing and delivering an equal amount of the securities sold short, rather than by delivering securities already held by a Fund, because a Fund might want to continue to receive interest and dividend payments on securities in its portfolio that are convertible into the securities sold short.

Short sales “against the box” entail many of the same risks and considerations described above regarding short sales not “against the box.” However, when a Fund sells short “against the box” it typically limits the amount of securities that it has leveraged. A Fund’s decision to make a short sale “against the box” may be a technique to hedge against market risks when the Adviser believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a security owned by a Fund or a security convertible into or exchangeable for such security. In such case, any future losses in a Fund’s long position would be reduced by a gain in the short position. The extent to which such gains or losses in the long position are reduced will depend upon the amount of securities sold short relative to the amount of the securities a Fund owns, either directly or indirectly, and, in the case where a Fund owns convertible securities, changes in the investment values or conversion premiums of such securities. Short sales may have adverse tax consequences to a Fund and its shareholders.

Subject to its fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies, a Fund may engage in short sales that are not “against the box,” which are sales by a Fund of securities or commodity futures contracts that it does not own in hopes of purchasing the same security at a later date at a lower price. The technique is also used to protect a profit in a long-term position in a security or commodity futures contract. To make delivery to the buyer, a Fund must borrow or purchase the security. If borrowed, a Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed from the third party, so a Fund must purchase the security at the market price at a later time. If the price of the security has increased during this time, then a Fund will incur a loss equal to the increase in price of

 

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the security from the time of the short sale plus any premiums and interest paid to the third party. (Until the security is replaced, a Fund is required to pay to the lender amounts equal to any dividends or interest which accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, a 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 the margin requirements, until the short position is closed out.)

Short sales by a Fund that are not made “against the box” create opportunities to increase a Fund’s return but, at the same time, involve specific risk considerations and may be considered a speculative technique. Because a Fund in effect profits from a decline in the price of the securities sold short without the need to invest the full purchase price of the securities on the date of the short sale, a Fund’s NAV per share tends to increase more when the securities it has sold short decrease in value, and to decrease more when the securities it has sold short increase in value, than if it had not engaged in such short sales. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of any premium, dividends or interest a Fund may be required to pay in connection with the short sale. Short sales could potentially involve unlimited loss, as the market price of securities sold short may continually increase, although a Fund can mitigate any such losses by replacing the securities sold short. Under adverse market conditions, a Fund might have difficulty purchasing securities to meet its short sale delivery obligations, and might have to sell portfolio securities to raise the capital necessary to meet its short sale obligations at a time when fundamental investment considerations would not favor such sales. There is also the risk that the third party to the short sale may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a loss to a Fund.

A Fund’s successful use of short sales also will be subject to the ability of the Adviser to predict movements in the directions of the relevant market. A Fund therefore bears the risk that the Adviser will incorrectly predict future price directions. In addition, if a Fund sells a security short, and that security’s price goes up, a Fund will have to make up the margin on its open position (i.e., purchase more securities on the market to cover the position). It may be unable to do so and thus its position may not be closed out. There can be no assurance that a Fund will not incur significant losses in such a case.

In the view of the SEC, a short sale involves the creation of a “senior security” as such term is defined in the 1940 Act, unless the sale is “against the box” and the securities sold short are placed in a segregated account (not with the broker), or unless a Fund’s obligation to deliver the securities sold short is “covered” by placing in a segregated account (not with the broker) cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid debt or equity securities in an amount equal to the difference between the market value of the securities sold short at the time of the short sale and any such collateral required to be deposited with a broker in connection with the sale (not including the proceeds from the short sale), which difference is adjusted daily for changes in the value of the securities sold short. The total value of the cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid debt or equity securities deposited with the broker and otherwise segregated may not at any time be less than the market value of the securities sold short at the time of the short sale.

Lending Securities

Securities lending refers to the lending of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Subject to its investment policies described above and in the prospectuses, the Fund may make secured loans of its portfolio securities to broker/dealers and other institutional investors. Securities loans by the Fund are made pursuant to agreements that require that loans be secured continuously by collateral in cash. The Fund retains all or a portion of the income received on investment of cash collateral. A borrower will pay to the Fund an amount equal to any dividends or interest received on securities loaned, but the borrower typically will receive a portion of the income earned on investments of cash collateral. Although voting rights, or rights to consent, with respect to loaned securities pass to a borrower, the Fund retains the right to call the loans at any time on reasonable notice, and may do so in order to vote upon matters affecting, or to sell, the loaned securities.

The Fund typically invests the cash collateral it receives in connection with its securities lending program directly or indirectly in high quality, short-term investments. The Fund may invest some or all of such cash

 

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collateral in one or more pooled investment vehicles, including, among other vehicles, money market funds managed by the Fund’s securities lending agent or its affiliates. The securities lending agent shares in any income resulting from the investment of such cash collateral, and an affiliate of the securities lending agent receives asset-based fees for the management of such pooled investment vehicles, which may create a conflict of interest between the securities lending agent (or its affiliate) and the Fund with respect to the management of such cash collateral.

Engaging in securities lending is subject to certain risks, including counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty to a transaction could default. There also is a risk of possible delay in the recovery of loaned securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral if a borrower fails financially.

Portfolio Turnover

A change in the securities held by a Fund is known as “portfolio turnover.” High portfolio turnover ( e.g. , over 100%) involves correspondingly greater expenses to the Fund, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and reinvestments in other securities. Such sales may also result in adverse tax consequences to a Fund’s shareholders. The trading costs and tax effects associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect a Fund’s performance.

For each Fund’s portfolio turnover rate, see the Fees and Expenses of the Fund — Portfolio Turnover section in the prospectuses for that Fund.

In any particular year, market conditions may result in greater rates than are presently anticipated. The rate of a Fund’s turnover may vary significantly from time to time depending on the volatility of economic and market conditions.

Disclosure of Portfolio Information

The Board has adopted policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of each Fund’s portfolio holdings. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that disclosure of information regarding a Fund’s portfolio securities is in the best interests of Fund shareholders and to address conflicts between the interests of Fund shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Adviser, the Distributor or any affiliated person of a Fund, on the other. These policies and procedures provide that a Fund’s portfolio holdings information generally may not be disclosed to any party prior to the earlier of: (i) the business day next following the posting of such information on the Columbia Funds’ website, if applicable, or (ii) the time a Fund discloses the information in a publicly available SEC filing required to include such information. Certain limited exceptions that have been approved consistent with the policies and procedures are described below. The Board is updated as needed regarding compliance with these policies and procedures. The policies and procedures prohibit the Adviser and a Fund’s other service providers from entering into any agreement to disclose Fund portfolio holdings information in exchange for any form of consideration. The same policies and procedures apply to all categories of Columbia Funds and include some variations tailored to the different categories of Columbia Funds. Accordingly, some of the provisions described below do not apply to the Columbia Funds covered by this SAI. The Adviser also has adopted policies and procedures to monitor for compliance with these portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.

Public Disclosures

The Columbia Funds’ portfolio holdings are currently disclosed to the public through required filings with the SEC and on the Columbia Funds’ website. This information is available on the Columbia Funds’ website as described below.

 

   

For equity, convertible, balanced and asset allocation Columbia Funds, other than small cap and specialty Columbia Funds, a complete list of portfolio holdings as of a month-end is posted approximately but no earlier than 15 calendar days after such month-end.

 

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For small cap and specialty Columbia Funds and those Columbia Funds that are sub-advised by Marsico and Brandes, subadvisers for certain Columbia Funds, a complete list of portfolio holdings as of a month end is posted approximately but no earlier than 30 calendar days after such month-end.

 

   

For fixed-income funds, a complete list of portfolio holdings as of a calendar quarter-end is posted approximately but no earlier than 30 calendar days after such quarter-end.

 

   

For money market funds, a complete list of fund portfolio holdings as of month-end are posted on the Columbia Funds’ website on a monthly basis, approximately five business days after such month-end. Commencing with the month-end holdings as of September 2010 and thereafter, such month-end holdings will be continuously available on the website for at least six months, together with a link to an SEC webpage where a user of the website may obtain access to the fund’s most recent 12 months of publicly available filings on Form N-MFP. Additionally, as of September 2010 and thereafter, money market fund portfolio holdings information posted on the website will, at minimum, include with respect to each holding, the name of the issuer, the category of investment (e.g., Treasury debt, government agency debt, asset backed commercial paper, structured investment vehicle note), the CUSIP number (if any), the principal amount, the maturity date (as determined under Rule 2a-7 for purposes of calculating weighted average maturity), the final maturity date (if different from the maturity date previously described), coupon or yield and the amortized cost value. The money market funds will also disclose on the website the overall weighted average maturity and weighted average life maturity of a holding.

The Adviser makes publicly available information regarding certain Columbia Fund’s largest five to fifteen holdings, as a percent of the market value of the Columbia Funds’ portfolios as of a month-end. This holdings information is made publicly available through the website generally no earlier than fifteen (15) days following the month-end.

The Adviser may also disclose more current portfolio holdings information as of specified dates on the Columbia Funds’ website.

The scope of the information that is made available on the Columbia Funds’ website pursuant to the Columbia Funds’ policies relating to a Columbia Fund’s portfolio may change from time to time without prior notice. The Columbia Funds file their portfolio holdings with the SEC for each fiscal quarter on Form N-CSR (with respect to each annual period and semi-annual period) and Form N-Q (with respect to the first and third quarters of each Columbia Fund’s fiscal year). Shareholders may obtain each Columbia Fund’s Form N-CSR and N-Q filings on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, a link to which is provided on the Columbia Funds’ website. In addition, each Columbia Fund’s Form N-CSR and N-Q filings may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. You may call the SEC at 202.551.8090 for information about the SEC’s website or the operation of the public reference room.

The Columbia Funds, the Adviser and their affiliates may include portfolio holdings information that already has been made public through a website posting or SEC filing in marketing literature and other communications to shareholders, advisors or other parties, provided that the information is disclosed no earlier than the business day after the date the information is disclosed publicly on the Columbia Funds’ website or no earlier than the time a Columbia Fund files such information in a publicly available SEC filing required to include such information.

Other Disclosures

The Columbia Funds’ policies and procedures provide that no disclosures of the Columbia Funds’ portfolio holdings may be made prior to the portfolio holdings information being made public unless (i) the Columbia Funds have a legitimate business purpose for making such disclosure, (ii) the Columbia Funds’ President authorizes such non-public disclosure of information, and (iii) the party receiving the non-public information enters into an appropriate confidentiality agreement or is otherwise subject to a confidentiality obligation.

 

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In determining the existence of a legitimate business purpose for making portfolio disclosures, the following factors, among others, are considered: (i) any prior disclosure must be consistent with the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the fiduciary duties of the Adviser; (ii) any conflicts of interest between the interests of Columbia Fund shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Adviser, the Distributor or any affiliated person of a Columbia Fund, on the other; and (iii) any prior disclosure to a third party, although subject to a confidentiality agreement, would not make conduct lawful that otherwise is unlawful.

In addition, the Columbia Funds periodically disclose their portfolio information on a confidential basis to various service providers that require such information to assist the Columbia Funds with their day-to-day business affairs. In addition to the Adviser and its affiliates, these service providers include each Columbia Fund’s subadviser(s) (if any), the Columbia Funds’ custodian, sub-custodians, independent registered public accounting firm, legal counsel, financial printers, proxy solicitor and proxy voting service provider, as well as ratings agencies that maintain ratings on certain Columbia Funds. 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 Columbia Funds. The Columbia Funds also may disclose portfolio holdings information to broker/dealers and certain other entities in connection with potential transactions and management of the Columbia Funds, provided that reasonable precautions, including limitations on the scope of the portfolio holdings information disclosed, are taken to avoid any potential misuse of the disclosed information.

Each Columbia Fund’s Board has adopted policies to ensure that the Columbia Fund’s holdings information is only disclosed in accordance with these policies. Before any selective disclosure of holdings information is permitted, the person seeking to disclose such holdings information must submit a written request to the Portfolio Holdings Committee (PHC). The PHC is comprised of members from the Adviser’s legal department, the Adviser’s compliance department, and the Columbia Funds’ President. The PHC has been authorized by each Columbia Fund’s Board to perform an initial review of requests for disclosure of holdings information to evaluate whether there is a legitimate business purpose for selective disclosure, whether selective disclosure is in the best interests of a fund and its shareholders, to consider any potential conflicts of interest between the fund, the investment adviser, and its affiliates, and to safeguard against improper use of holdings information. Factors considered in this analysis are whether the recipient has agreed to or has a duty to keep the holdings information confidential and whether risks have been mitigated such that the recipient has agreed or has a duty to use the holdings information only as necessary to effectuate the purpose for which selective disclosure was authorized, including a duty not to trade on such information. Before portfolio holdings may be selectively disclosed, requests approved by the PHC must also be authorized by either the Columbia Fund’s President, Chief Compliance Officer or General Counsel or their respective designees. On at least an annual basis, the PHC reviews the approved recipients of selective disclosure and may require a resubmission of the request, in order to re-authorize certain ongoing arrangements. These procedures are intended to be reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality of fund holdings information and to prohibit their release to individual investors, institutional investors, intermediaries that distribute the Columbia Funds’ shares, and other parties, until such holdings information is made public or unless such persons have been authorized to receive such holdings information on a selective basis, as set forth above.

 

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The Columbia Funds currently have ongoing arrangements with certain approved recipients with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings information prior to such information being made public. Portfolio holdings information disclosed to such recipients is current as of the time of its disclosure, is disclosed to each recipient solely for purposes consistent with the services described below and has been authorized by the Columbia Funds’ President. These special arrangements are described in the table below.

Ongoing Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Arrangements

 

IDENTITY OF RECIPIENT

   COMPENSATION/
CONSIDERATION
RECEIVED
    

CONDITIONS/RESTRICTIONS ON
USE OF INFORMATION

   FREQUENCY OF
DISCLOSURE

Standard & Poor’s

     None       Use to maintain ratings for certain money market funds.    Weekly

InvestorTools, Inc.

     None       Access granted solely for the purpose of testing back office conversion of trading systems.    Real time

ING Insurance Company

     None       Access granted for specific Columbia Funds for ING’s creation of client/shareholder materials. ING may not distribute materials until the holdings information is made public.    Quarterly

Glass-Lewis & Co.

     None       Access in connection with testing the firm’s proxy services.    Daily

CMS Bondedge

     None       Access when assisting in resolving technical difficulties with application used by the Adviser’s Fixed Income Portfolio Management team as an analytical and trading tool.    Ad hoc

Linedata Services, Inc.

     None       Access when assisting in resolving technical difficulties with the software for the LongView Trade Order Management System.    Ad hoc

JP Morgan

     None       Access to provide the Adviser’s High Yield portfolio management team with peer group analysis reports for purposes of analyzing the portfolio.    Monthly

Malaspina Communications

     None       Use to facilitate writing, publishing and mailing Columbia Fund shareholder reports and communications including shareholder letters and management’s discussion of Columbia Fund performance.    Quarterly

Evare LLP

     None       Use for standardizing and reformatting data according to the Adviser’s specifications for use in the reconciliation process.    Daily

 

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IDENTITY OF RECIPIENT

   COMPENSATION/
CONSIDERATION
RECEIVED
    

CONDITIONS/RESTRICTIONS ON
USE OF INFORMATION

   FREQUENCY OF
DISCLOSURE

FactSet Research Systems, Inc.

     None       Use for provision of quantitative analytics, charting and fundamental data to the Adviser and Marsico, subadviser to certain Columbia Funds.    Daily
RR Donnelley/WE Andrews      None       Access as printers for the Columbia Funds’ prospectuses, supplements, SAIs, fact sheets and brochures.    Monthly
Merrill Corporation      None       Use to provide fulfillment of the Columbia Funds’ prospectuses, supplements, SAIs and sales materials.    Monthly
Citigroup      None       Access when assisting in resolving technical difficulties with Yield Book, an analytic software program that the Adviser uses to perform ongoing risk analysis and management of certain fixed income Columbia Funds and fixed income separately managed accounts.    Daily
Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS)      None       Proxy voting administration and research on proxy matters utilized by MacKay Shields LLC, subadviser for certain Columbia Funds.    Daily
Cogent Consulting LLC      None       Utilized by Marsico, subadviser for certain Columbia Funds, to facilitate the evaluation of commission rates and to provide flexible commission reporting.    Daily
Moody’s      None       Ongoing portfolio surveillance for ratings it maintains on certain money market funds.    Monthly
Kynex      None       Use to provide portfolio attribution reports.    Daily
Bowne & Co.      None       Use for printing of the following materials: prospectuses, supplements and SAIs.    Monthly/
quarterly
Bloomberg      None       Use for portfolio analytics.    Daily
Barclays Point      None       Use for analytics including risk and attribution assessment.    Daily
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.      None       Proxy voting and research utilized by Marsico, subadviser to certain Columbia Funds.    Daily

 

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IDENTITY OF RECIPIENT

   COMPENSATION/
CONSIDERATION
RECEIVED
    

CONDITIONS/RESTRICTIONS ON
USE OF INFORMATION

   FREQUENCY OF
DISCLOSURE
Investment Technology Group, Inc. (ITG, formerly known as Macgregor)      None       Order management system utilized by Marsico, subadviser for certain Columbia Funds that stores trading data and is used for trading and compliance purposes.    Ad hoc
Advent/AXP      None       Portfolio accounting system utilized by Marsico, subadviser to certain Columbia Funds, for both portfolio accounting and internal recordkeeping purposes.    Ad hoc
Investment Technology Group, Inc. (ITG, formerly known as Plexus Group)      None       Evaluation and assessment of trading activity, execution and practices by the Adviser.    Five days
after
quarter-end
BANA and State Street      None       Credit analysis performed by lenders.    Ad hoc
State Street      None       Use to provide custodian services.    Real time
Lipper      None       Use to create metrics for board and executive management reporting, product and marketing analysis, and fund performance.    Daily
Morningstar, Inc.      None       Use for independent research and ranking of Columbia Funds.    Daily

 

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INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

The Adviser and Investment Advisory Services

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly, RiverSource Investments, LLC) (the Adviser) is the investment adviser and administrator of the Funds. The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. Ameriprise Financial is located at 1099 Ameriprise Financial Center, Minneapolis, MN 55474. The Adviser is located at 100 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110. Prior to May 1, 2010, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC (the Previous Adviser), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America, was the Funds’ investment adviser and administrator.

Services Provided

Under the Investment Management Services Agreement, the Adviser has contracted to furnish each Fund with investment research and advice. For these services, each Fund pays a monthly fee to the Adviser based on the average of the daily closing value of the total net assets of a Fund for such month. Under the Investment Management Services Agreement, any liability of the Adviser to the Trust, a Fund and/or its shareholders is limited to situations involving the Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence in the performance of its duties or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties.

The Investment Management Services Agreement may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time on 60 days’ written notice by the Adviser or by the Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. The Investment Management Services Agreement will automatically terminate upon any assignment thereof, will continue in effect for two years from May 1, 2010 and thereafter will continue from year to year with respect to a Fund only so long as such continuance is approved at least annually (i) by the Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Adviser or the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

The Adviser pays all compensation of the Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Adviser, except for the Chief Compliance Officer, a portion of whose salary is paid by the Columbia Funds (excluding those Columbia Funds that pay a Unified Fee, as defined below). Except to the extent expressly assumed by the Adviser and except to the extent required by law to be paid or reimbursed by the Adviser, the Adviser does not have a duty to pay any Fund operating expense incurred in the organization and operation of a Fund, including, but not limited to, auditing, legal, custodial, investor servicing and shareholder reporting expenses. The Trust pays the cost of printing and mailing Fund prospectuses to shareholders.

The Adviser, at its own expense, provides office space, facilities and supplies, equipment and personnel for the performance of its functions under each Fund’s Investment Management Services Agreement.

Advisory Fee Rates Paid by the Funds

Each Fund pays the Adviser an annual fee for its investment advisory services, as set forth in the Investment Management Services Agreement, and as shown in the section entitled Fees and Expenses of the Fund Annual Fund Operating Expenses in each Fund’s prospectuses. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund and is paid monthly. In return for the advisory fee described below, the Adviser has agreed to pay all of the operating costs and expenses of Ultra Short Term Bond Fund other than Independent Trustees fees and expenses, including their legal counsel, auditing expenses, interest incurred on borrowing by Ultra Short Term Bond Fund, if any, portfolio transaction expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses. This fee is sometimes referred to herein as the “Unified Fee.” Any custody credits are applied to offset Fund expenses prior to determining the expenses the Adviser is required to bear; however, the Adviser bears any custodian overdraft charges. The Adviser also may pay amounts from its own assets to the Distributor and/or to selling and/or servicing agents for services they provide.

 

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The Adviser receives a monthly investment advisory fee based on each Fund’s average daily net assets at the following annual rates:

 

Fund

   First $500
million
    Next $500
million
    Next $500
million
    Next $1.5
billion
    Next $3
billion
    In excess
of $6
billion
 

Bond Fund

     0.65     0.35     0.32     0.29     0.28     0.27

Contrarian Core Fund

     0.70     0.65     0.60     0.55     0.53     0.51

Corporate Income Fund

     0.42     0.375     0.37     0.34     0.33     0.32

Dividend Income Fund

     0.70     0.65     0.60     0.55     0.53     0.51

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

     0.60     0.60     0.52     0.47     0.45     0.43

Intermediate Bond Fund

     0.35     0.35     0.30     0.29     0.28     0.27

Pacific/Asia Fund

     0.75     0.75     0.67     0.62     0.57     0.52

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

     0.75     0.75     0.52     0.47     0.45     0.43

 

Fund

   All
assets
 

Balanced Fund

     0.50

Real Estate Equity Fund

     0.75

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

     0.25

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

     0.10

 

Fund

   First $1
billion
    Next $2
billion
    In excess
of $3
billion
 

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

     0.50     0.45     0.40

 

Fund

   First
$500
million
    Next
$500
million
    Next
$500
million
    In excess
of $1.5
billion
 

High Yield Opportunity Fund

     0.60     0.55     0.52     0.49

International Bond Fund

     0.55     0.50     0.47     0.44

Mid Cap Growth Fund

     0.82     0.75     0.72     0.67

Strategic Income Fund

     0.60     0.55     0.52     0.49

 

Fund

   First $750
million
    Next $250
million
    Next $500
million
    Next $1.5
billion
    Next $3
billion
    In excess
of $6
billion
 

Emerging Markets Fund

     1.15     1.00     0.67     0.62     0.57     0.52

 

Fund

   First $100
million
    Next $100
million
    In excess
of $200
million
 

High Yield Municipal Fund

     0.450     0.425     0.400

 

Fund

   First $200
million
    Next $300
million
    In excess
of $500
million
 

Large Cap Growth Fund

     0.700     0.575     0.450

 

Fund

   First $500
million
    Next $500
million
    Next $500
million
    Next $500
million
    In excess
of $2
billion
 

Small Cap Core Fund

     0.75     0.70     0.65     0.60     0.55

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

   First $500
million
    Next $500
million
    In excess
of $1
billion
 

Small Cap Growth Fund I

     0.87     0.82     0.77

Small Cap Value Fund I

     0.80     0.75     0.70

Strategic Investor Fund

     0.60     0.55     0.50

 

Fund

   First $10
billion
    In excess
of $10
billion
 

Value and Restructuring Fund

     0.60     0.43

Advisory Fees Paid by the Funds

The Adviser and the Previous Adviser received fees from the Funds for their services as reflected in the following charts, which show the advisory fees paid to and, as applicable, waived/reimbursed by the Adviser and the Previous Adviser, for the three most recently completed fiscal years, except as otherwise indicated.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year ended
March 31, 2010*
     Fiscal Year ended
March 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year ended
March 31, 2008*
 

Bond Fund

        

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 3,555,388       $ 3,357,269       $ 3,573,130   

Amount Reimbursed

   $ 1,762,911       $ 968,294       $ 981,002   

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

Corporate Income Fund

        

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 2,172,793       $ 2,165,208       $ 2,762,711   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

Emerging Markets Fund

        

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 4,059,904       $ 6,822,851       $ 15,695,279   

Amount Reimbursed

   $ 133,614       $ 710,637         —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

        

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 3,382,995       $ 3,524,919       $ 4,061,431   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

Intermediate Bond Fund

        

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 6,768,041       $ 7,167,840       $ 7,648,763   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

Pacific/Asia Fund

        

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 219,007       $ 634,182       $ 1,872,501   

Amount Reimbursed

   $ 131,463       $ 37,003         —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

        

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 10,061,635       $ 7,032,799       $ 6,446,350   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

        

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 374,018       $ 360,167       $ 183,771   

Amount Reimbursed

   $ 659,969       $ 380,634       $ 163,118   

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

   Fiscal Year ended
March 31, 2010*
     Fiscal Year ended
March 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year ended
March 31, 2008*
 

Value and Restructuring Fund

        

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 38,153,435       $ 45,997,660       $ 54,318,105   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Adviser.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2010
     Fiscal Year  Ended
May 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year  Ended
May 31, 2008*
 

Fund

   Adviser      Previous Adviser        

High Yield Opportunity Fund

           

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 167,714       $ 1,881,734       $ 1,848,657       $ 2,186,530   

Amount Reimbursed

   $ 57,327       $ 83,858         —         $ 19,549   

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

Strategic Income Fund

           

Advisory Fee Paid

     $949,914         $10,224,619       $ 9,937,336       $ 10,213,556   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Adviser.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2010
     Fiscal Period Ended  

Fund

   Adviser      Previous Adviser      May 31, 2009*  

International Bond Fund

        

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 7,487       $ 69,573       $ 20,485   

Amount Reimbursed

   $ 25,747       $ 124,507       $ 142,545   

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Adviser.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2010
     Fiscal Year  Ended
June 30, 2009*
     Fiscal Year  Ended
June 30, 2008*
 

Fund

   Adviser      Previous Adviser        

High Yield Municipal Fund

           

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 524,787       $ 2,361,306       $ 2,421,629       $ 3,036,689   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

Small Cap Value Fund I

           

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 1,883,799       $ 7,793,816       $ 6,138,109       $ 7,336,126   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Adviser.

 

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Table of Contents

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
July 31, 2010 *
     Fiscal Year Ended
July 31, 2009*†
     Fiscal Year Ended
July 31, 2008*†
 

Fund

   Adviser      Previous Adviser        

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

           

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 774,383       $ 1,643,829       $ 346,249       $ 304,921   

Amount Reimbursed

   $ 23,307       $ 59,090       $ 58,864       $ 88,572   

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

 

* Ultra Short Term Bond Fund commenced operations as of November 23, 2009. All fees shown are the fees paid by the Predecessor Ultra Short Term Bond Fund, a series of Columbia Funds Institutional Trust.

All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Adviser.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2010
     Fiscal Year  Ended
August 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year  Ended
August 31, 2008*
 

Fund

   Adviser      Previous Adviser        

Balanced Fund

           

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 516,594       $ 875,889       $ 884,961       $ 1,038,397   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

Mid Cap Growth Fund

           

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 2,977,727       $ 5,939,170       $ 7,193,675       $ 11,479,270   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

Small Cap Growth Fund I

           

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 2,371,009       $ 4,158,194       $ 3,216,309       $ 2,697,664   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —         $ 109,017         —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

Strategic Investor Fund

           

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 1,486,665       $ 3,136,677       $ 4,131,661       $ 6,613,337   

Amount Reimbursed

   $ 407,410       $ 989,742       $ 1,606,165       $ 294,451   

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

 

*

All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Adviser.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2010 1
     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2008*
 

Fund

   Adviser      Previous Adviser        

Contrarian Core Fund

           

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 1,604,740       $ 1,929,231       $ 2,110,310       $ 2,721,935   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —         $ 318,233       $ 382,426   

Amount Waived

   $ 213,720       $ 71,834         —           —     

Dividend Income Fund

           

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 5,934,956       $ 7,295,736       $ 8,227,244       $ 7,520,664   

Amount Reimbursed

   $ 410,787       $ 54,673       $ 791,034       $ 591,255   

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

Large Cap Growth Fund

           

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 2,643,515       $ 3,959,944       $ 5,877,711       $ 8,656,167   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

 

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Table of Contents
     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2010 1
     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2008*
 

Fund

   Adviser      Previous Adviser        

Small Cap Core Fund

           

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 1,882,144       $ 2,495,915       $ 3,382,545       $ 6,765,818   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

 

*

All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Adviser.

1

Unaudited

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2008*
     Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2007*
 

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

        

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 462,542       $ 524,477       $ 588,869   

Amount Reimbursed

   $ 157,165       $ 160,592       $ 158,586   

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Adviser.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Period Ended
December 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2008*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2007*
 

Real Estate Equity Fund

           

Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 686,031       $ 1,670,236       $ 2,487,144       $ 4,576,982   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Adviser.

Portfolio Manager(s)

The following provides additional information about the portfolio manager(s) of the Adviser who are responsible for making the day-to-day investment decisions for the Funds. As described in the Management of the Fund – Primary Service Providers section of each Fund’s prospectuses, the portfolio manager(s) of the Adviser who are responsible for the Funds are:

 

Portfolio Manager

  

Fund(s)

Leonard A. Aplet, CFA    Balanced Fund
Stephen D. Barbaro, CFA    Small Cap Value Fund I
Robert B. Cameron    Emerging Markets Fund
Catherine Stienstra    Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund
Richard A. Carter    Select Large Cap Growth Fund
Wayne M. Collette, CFA   

Mid Cap Growth Fund

Small Cap Growth Fund I

Richard E. Dahlberg, CFA    Dividend Income Fund
Richard G. D’Auteuil    Small Cap Core Fund
Scott L. Davis    Dividend Income Fund
Peter R. Deininger    Large Cap Growth Fund
Chad H. Farrington, CFA    High Yield Municipal Fund
William Finan    U.S. Treasury Index Fund
Thomas M. Galvin, CFA    Select Large Cap Growth Fund
Emil A. Gjester    Strategic Investor Fund
Todd D. Herget    Select Large Cap Growth Fund
Jeffrey Hershey, CFA    Small Cap Core Fund

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio Manager

  

Fund(s)

Guy C. Holbrook, IV, CFA    Ultra Short Term Bond Fund
Michael E. Hoover    Energy and Natural Resources Fund
Jasmine (Weili) Huang, CFA, CPA (U.S. and China), CFM   

Emerging Markets Fund

Pacific/Asia Fund

Arthur J. Hurley, CFA    Real Estate Equity Fund
Orhan Imer, PhD, CFA    U.S. Treasury Index Fund
Jeremy Javidi, CFA    Small Cap Value Fund I
Brian Lavin, CFA   

Balanced Fund

Corporate Income Fund

High Yield Opportunity Fund

Intermediate Bond Fund

Strategic Income Fund

Lawrence W. Lin, CFA   

Mid Cap Growth Fund

Small Cap Growth Fund I

Colin J. Lundgren, CFA    Strategic Income Fund
George J. Myers, CFA   

Mid Cap Growth Fund

Small Cap Growth Fund I

Brian D. Neigut   

Mid Cap Growth Fund

Small Cap Growth Fund I

Daisuke Nomoto, CMA (SAAJ)    Pacific/Asia Fund
Jonas Patrikson, CFA    Strategic Investor Fund
Carl W. Pappo, CFA   

Bond Fund

Corporate Income Fund

Intermediate Bond

Nicholas Pifer, CFA    International Bond Fund
Jennifer Ponce de Leon    High Yield Opportunity Fund
Guy W. Pope, CFA   

Balanced Fund

Contrarian Core Fund

Value and Restructuring Fund

Alexander D. Powers   

Bond Fund

Intermediate Bond Fund

J. Nicholas Smith, CFA    Value and Restructuring Fund
Ronald B. Stahl, CFA    Balanced Fund
Gene R. Tannuzzo, CFA    Strategic Income Fund
Mary-Ann Ward    Strategic Investor Fund
Michael T. Welter, CFA    Strategic Investor Fund
Mary K. Werler, CFA    Ultra Short Term Bond Fund
Dara J. White, CFA    Emerging Markets Fund
David J. Williams, CFA    Value and Restructuring Fund
John T. Wilson, CFA    Large Cap Growth Fund
Michael Zazzarino   

Bond Fund

Intermediate Bond Fund

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio Manager(s) Information

The following table provides information about each Fund’s portfolio manager(s) as of the end of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, or as indicated, the most recent practicable date including the number and amount of assets of other investment accounts (or portions of investment accounts) that the portfolio manager(s) managed.

         

Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)

         

Fund

  

Portfolio Manager

  

Number and Type
of Account*

  

Approximate
Total Net
Assets

  

Performance
Based
Accounts

  

Dollar
Range of
Equity
Securities
in the Fund
Beneficially
Owned

   Structure of
Compensation
(described in
next
sub-section)

For Funds with fiscal year ending March 31

Bond Fund    Carl W. Pappo, CFA   

5 RICs

3 other accounts

  

$5.65 billion

$850,000

   None    None    (1)
   Alexander D. Powers   

2 RICs

7 PIVs

17 other accounts

  

$2.79 billion

$2.1 billion

$1.1 billion

   None   

$10,001- $50,000 a

$1- 10,000 b

   (1)
   Michael Zazzarino   

5 RICs

9 PIVs

9 other accounts

  

$4.193 billion

$2.636 billion

$192.2 million

   None    None    (1)
Corporate Income Fund    Brian Lavin, CFA 1   

2 RICs

1 PIV

4 other accounts

  

$2.92 billion

$9.56 million

$766.77 million

   None    None    (2)
   Carl W. Pappo, CFA   

4 RICs

3 other accounts

  

$5.1 billion

$850,000

   None    None    (1)
Emerging Markets Fund    Robert B. Cameron   

1 PIV

5 other accounts

  

$61.4 million

$930,000

   None    $1- $10,000 b    (1)
   Jasmine (Weili) Huang, CFA, CPA (U.S. and China), CFM   

7 RICs

4 PIVs

4 other accounts

  

$646.2 million

$634.7 million

$200,000

   None    None    (1)
   Dara J. White, CFA   

1 PIV

9 other accounts

  

$61.4 million

$405,000

   None   

$1- $10,000 a

$10,001- $50,000 b

   (1)
Energy and Natural Resources Fund    Michael E. Hoover   

3 PIVs

3 other accounts

  

$689.7 million

$741,342

   None    None    (1)
Intermediate Bond Fund    Brian Lavin, CFA 1   

2 RICs

1 PIV

4 other accounts

  

$2.92 billion

$9.56 million

$766.77 million

   None    None    (2)
   Carl W. Pappo, CFA   

4 RICs

3 other accounts

  

$3.45 billion

$850,000

   None    $50,001- $100,000 a    (1)
   Alexander D. Powers   

3 RICs

7 PIVs

17 other accounts

  

$3.4 billion

$2.1 billion

$1.1 billion

   None    None    (1)
   Michael Zazzarino   

5 RICs

9 PIVs

9 other accounts

  

$2.61 billion

$2.64 billion

$192.2 million

   None    None    (1)
Pacific/Asia Fund    Jasmine (Weili) Huang, CFA, CPA (U.S. and China), CFM   

7 RICs

4 PIVs

4 other accounts

  

$1.02 billion

$634.7 million

$200,000

   None    None    (1)
   Daisuke Nomoto, CMA (SAAJ)   

4 RICs

3 PIVs

2 other accounts

  

$490.8 million

$578.7 million

$200,000

   None    None    (1)

 

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Table of Contents
         

Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)

         

Fund

  

Portfolio Manager

  

Number and Type
of Account*

  

Approximate
Total Net
Assets

  

Performance
Based
Accounts

  

Dollar
Range of
Equity
Securities
in the Fund
Beneficially
Owned

   Structure of
Compensation
(described in
next
sub-section)
Select Large Cap Growth Fund    Richard A. Carter   

1 RIC

1 PIV

2,389 other accounts

  

$4 million

$43 million

$1.5 billion

   1 Other ($175 M)   

$50,001- $100,000 a

$1- $10,000 b

   (1)
   Thomas M. Galvin, CFA   

1 RIC

1 PIV

2,389 other accounts

  

$4 million

$43 million

$1.5 billion

   1 Other ($175 M)    Over $1,000,000    (1)
   Todd D. Herget   

1 PIV

2,389 other accounts

  

$43 million

$1.5 billion

   1 Other ($175 M)    $50,001- $100,000 a    (1)
U.S. Treasury Index Fund    William Finan    5 other accounts    $1 million    None    None    (1)
   Orhan Imer, PhD, CFA    6 other accounts    $150,000    None    None    (1)
Value and Restructuring Fund    Guy W. Pope, CFA   

5 RICs

1,927 other accounts

  

$1.76 billion

$2.29 billion

   None   

$1- $10,000 a

$1- $10,000 b

   (1)
   J. Nicholas Smith, CFA   

3 RICs

1,883 other accounts

  

$924.6 million

$2.01 billion

   None    $10,001- $50,000 a    (1)
   David J. Williams, CFA   

3 RICs

1,919 other accounts

  

$924.6 million

$2.08 billion

   None    $100,001- $500,000 a    (1)

For Funds with fiscal year ending May 31

High Yield Opportunity Fund    Brian Lavin, CFA   

12 RICs

1 PIV

3 other accounts

  

$10.312 billion

$9.331 million

$683.335 million

   None    None    (2)
   Jennifer Ponce de Leon   

12 RICs

1 PIV

27 other accounts

  

$17.640 billion

$9.331 million

$4.578 million

   None    None    (2)
International Bond Fund    Nicholas Pifer, CFA 2   

5 RICs

4 PIV

17 other accounts

  

$5.05 billion

$113.33 million

$4.62 billion

   None    None    (2)
Strategic Income Fund    Brian Lavin, CFA   

12 RICs

1 PIV

3 other accounts

  

$8.61 billion

$9.331 million

$683.335 million

   None    None    (2)
   Colin J. Lundgren, CFA   

21 RICs

9 other accounts

  

$40.761 billion

$274.15 million

  

2 RICs

($527.4 M)

   None    (2)
   Gene R. Tannuzzo, CFA   

10 RICs

2 other accounts

  

$25.657 billion

$0.08 million

   None       (2)

For Funds with fiscal year ending June 30

High Yield Municipal Fund    Chad H. Farrington    8 other accounts    $194,000    None    $1-$10,000 b    (1)
Small Cap Value Fund I    Stephen D. Barbaro, CFA   

5 RICs

1 PIV

13 other accounts

  

$433 million

$30 million

$57 million

   None   

$1- $10,000 a

$10,001 - $50,000 b

   (1)
   Jeremy Javidi, CFA   

5 RICs

1 PIV

14 other accounts

  

$433 million

$30 million

$54 million

   None   

$100,001- $500,000 a

$1 - $10,000 b

   (1)

 

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Table of Contents
         

Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)

         

Fund

  

Portfolio
Manager

  

Number and Type
of Account*

  

Approximate
Total Net
Assets

  

Performance
Based
Accounts

  

Dollar
Range of
Equity
Securities
in the Fund
Beneficially
Owned

   Structure of
Compensation
(described in
next
sub-section)

For Funds with fiscal year ending July 31

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund    Guy C. Holbrook, IV, CFA    10 other accounts    $20.5 million    None    None    (1)
   Mary K. Werler, CFA    8 other accounts    $132.7 million    None    None    (1)

For Funds with fiscal year ending August 31

Balanced Fund    Leonard A. Aplet, CFA   

10 RICs

8 PIVs

85 other accounts

  

$2.8 billion

$3.555 billion

$10.9 billion

   None    $10,001 - $50,000 a    (1)
   Brian Lavin, CFA   

12 RICs

1 PIV

3 other accounts

  

$9.907 billion

$10.48 million

$684.84 million

   None    None    (2)
   Guy W. Pope, CFA   

4 RICs

1,825 other accounts

  

$6.976 billion

$1.007 billion

   None    $100,001 - $500,000 a    (1)
   Ronald B. Stahl, CFA   

10 RICs

6 PIVs

53 other accounts

  

$2.8 billion

$785.7 million

$3.879 billion

   None    $10,001 - $50,000 a    (1)
Mid Cap Growth Fund    Wayne M. Collette, CFA   

9 RICs

2 PIVs

191 other accounts

  

$1.5 billion

$168.61 million

$240 million

   None    $10,001 - $50,000 b    (1)
   Lawrence W. Lin, CFA   

7 RICs

2 PIVs

184 other accounts

  

$1.178 billion

$168.61 million

$178.61 million

   None    $1- $10,000    (1)
   George J. Myers, CFA   

7 RICs

2 PIVs

182 other accounts

  

$1.178 billion

$168.61 million

$178.6 million

   None   

$10,001 - $50,000 a

$10,001 - $50,000 b

   (1)
   Brian D. Neigut   

7 RICs

2 PIVs

184 other accounts

  

$1.178 billion

$168.61 million

$178.61 million

   None   

$1- $10,000 a

$1- $10,000 b

   (1)
Small Cap Growth Fund I    Wayne M. Collette, CFA   

9 RICs

2 PIVs

191 other accounts

  

$1.8 billion

$168.61 million

$240 million

   None    $10,001 - $50,000 b    (1)
   Lawrence W. Lin, CFA   

7 RICs

2 PIVs

184 other accounts

  

$1.479 billion

$168.61 million

$178.8 million

   None    $1- $10,000    (1)
   George J. Myers, CFA   

7 RICs

2 PIVs

182 other accounts

  

$1.479 billion

$168.61 million

$178.61 million

   None   

$10,001 - $50,000 a

$10,001 - $50,000 b

   (1)
   Brian D. Neigut   

7 RICs

2 PIVs

184 other accounts

  

$1.479 billion

$168.61 million

$178.61 million

   None   

$1- $10,000 a

$1- $10,000 b

   (1)
Strategic Investor Fund    Emil A. Gjester   

1 RIC

1 PIV

289 other accounts

  

$89.65 million

$201.32 million

$220.38 million

   None   

$100,001 - $500,000 a

$10,001 - $50,000 b

   (1)

 

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Table of Contents
         

Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)

           

Fund

  

Portfolio
Manager

  

Number and Type
of Account*

  

Approximate
Total Net
Assets

  

Performance
Based
Accounts

  

Dollar
Range of
Equity
Securities
in the Fund
Beneficially
Owned

   Structure of
Compensation
(described in
next
sub-section)
 
   Jonas Patrikson, CFA   

1 RIC

1 PIV

282 other accounts

  

$89.648 million

$201.32 million

$220.22 million

   None   

$1- $10,000 a

$1-$10,000 b

     (1)   
   Mary-Ann Ward   

1 RIC

1 PIV

293 other accounts

  

$89.65 million

$201.32 million

$227.68 million

   None    None      (1)   
   Michael T. Welter, CFA   

1 RIC

1 PIV

283 other accounts

  

89.65 billion

$201.3 million

$220.6 million

   None   

$50,001- $100,000 a

$1 - $10,000 b

     (1)   

For Funds with fiscal year ending September 30

  
Contrarian Core Fund    Guy W. Pope, CFA   

3 RICs

1,847 other accounts

  

$6.6 billion

$567 million

   None   

$100,001- $500,000 a

$10,001- $50,000 b

     (1)   
Dividend Income Fund    Richard E. Dahlberg, CFA   

1 RIC

2 PIVs

99 other accounts

  

$425 million

$372 million

$813.01 million

   None   

$100,001- $500,000 a

$100,001- $500,000 b

     (1)   
   Scott L. Davis   

2 PIVs

92 other accounts

  

$372 million

$815 million

   None   

$50,001- $100,000 a

$100,001- $500,000 b

     (1)   
Large Cap Growth Fund    Peter R. Deininger 3   

1 PIV

15 other accounts

  

$315 million

$275 million

   None    $1- $10,000      (1)   
   John T. Wilson, CFA   

4 RICs

1 PIV

19 other accounts

  

$200 million

$300 million

$500 million

   None    $100,001- $500,000 a      (1)   
Small Cap Core Fund    Richard D’Auteuil   

1 PIV

27 other accounts

  

$158.85 million

$907.08 million

   None    None      (1)   
   Jeffrey Hershey, CFA   

1 PIV

28 other accounts

  

$158.85 million

$901.77 million

   None    None      (1)   

For the Fund with fiscal year ending October 31

  
Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund    Catherine Stienstra 4   

11 RICs

12 other accounts

  

$4.42 billion

$6.68 billion

   None    None      (2)   

For the Fund with fiscal period ending December 31

  
Real Estate Equity Fund    Arthur J. Hurley, CFA    8 other accounts    $750,000    None   

$1-$10,000 a

$1-$10,000 b

     (1)   

 

*

RIC refers to a Registered Investment Company; PIV refers to a Pooled Investment Vehicle.

a

Excludes any notional investments.

b

Notional investments through a deferred compensation account.

1

Information provided as of April 30, 2010.

2

Account information provided as of May 31, 2010. Other accounts also include personal accounts as of June 30, 2010.

3

Account information provided as of March 31, 2010.

4

Account information provided as of August 31, 2010.

 

69


Table of Contents

Structure of Compensation

(1) Compensation of Legacy Columbia Management Advisors, LLC Portfolio Managers

Compensation for portfolio managers who were associates of the Previous Adviser prior to May 1, 2010, is typically paid in the form of salary, bonus, stock options, restricted stock and notional investments through an incentive plan, the value of which is measured by reference to the performance of the Columbia Funds in which the account is invested. The bonus for these portfolio managers is variable and generally is based on (1) an evaluation of the portfolio manager’s investment performance and (2) the results of a peer and/or management review of the portfolio manager, which takes into account skills and attributes such as team participation, investment process, communication and professionalism. In evaluating investment performance, the Adviser generally considers the one, three and five year performance of mutual funds and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager relative to the benchmarks and peer groups noted below, emphasizing the portfolio manager’s three and five year performance. The Adviser also may consider a portfolio manager’s performance in managing client assets in sectors and industries assigned to the portfolio manager as part of his/her investment team responsibilities, when applicable. For portfolio managers who also have group management responsibilities, another factor in their evaluation is an assessment of the group’s overall investment performance. The size of the overall bonus pool each year depends on, among other factors, the levels of compensation generally in the investment management industry (based on market compensation data) and the Adviser’s profitability for the year, which is largely determined by assets under management.

(2) Compensation of Legacy RiverSource Investments, LLC Portfolio Managers

Compensation for portfolio managers who were associates of RiverSource Investments, LLC (now known as Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC), is typically comprised of (i) a base salary, and (ii) an annual cash bonus, a portion of which may be subject to a mandatory deferral program, and may include (iii) an equity incentive award in the form of stock options and/or restricted stock. The Adviser’s portfolio managers are provided with a benefits package, including life insurance, health insurance, and participation in a company 401(k) plan, comparable to that received by other Adviser employees. Depending upon their job level, Adviser portfolio managers may also be eligible for other benefits or perquisites that are available to all Adviser employees at the same job level.

The annual cash bonus is paid from a team bonus pool that is based on the performance of the accounts managed by the portfolio management team, which might include mutual funds, wrap accounts, institutional portfolios and hedge funds. The bonus pool is determined by the aggregate market competitive bonus targets for the teams of which the portfolio manager is a member and by the short-term (typically one-year) and long-term (typically three-year) performance of those accounts in relation to applicable benchmarks or the relevant peer group universe. Senior management of the Adviser has the discretion to increase or decrease the size of the part of the bonus pool and to determine the exact amount of each portfolio manager’s bonus paid from this portion of the bonus pool based on his/her performance as an employee. Certain investment personnel are also eligible to defer a portion of their compensation. An individual making this type of election can allocate the deferral to the returns associated with one or more products they manage or support or to certain other products managed by their investment team.

The size of the overall bonus pool each year depends on, among other factors, the levels of compensation generally in the investment management industry (based on market compensation data) and the Adviser’s profitability for the year, which is largely determined by assets under management.

 

70


Table of Contents

Performance Benchmarks

 

Portfolio Manager

  

Fund(s)

  

Primary Benchmark(s)

  

Peer Group

Leonard A. Aplet,

CFA

   Balanced Fund    S&P 500 ® Index; Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index; Blended Benchmark 1    Lipper Mixed-Asset Target Allocation Growth Funds Classification
Stephen D. Barbaro, CFA    Small Cap Value Fund I    Russell 2000 Value Index    Lipper Small-Cap Value Funds Classification
Catherine Stienstra    Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund    Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index    Lipper Connecticut Municipal Debt Funds Classification
Robert B. Cameron    Emerging Markets Fund    MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net); MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Gross); MSCI EAFE Index (Net)    Lipper Emerging Markets Funds Classification
Richard A. Carter    Select Large Cap Growth Fund    Russell 1000 Growth Index    Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Classification
Wayne M. Collette, CFA    Mid Cap Growth Fund    Russell MidCap Growth Index; Russell MidCap Index    Lipper Mid-Cap Growth Funds Classification
   Small Cap Growth Fund I    Russell 2000 Index; Russell 2000 Growth Index    Lipper Small-Cap Growth Funds Classification
Richard E. Dahlberg, CFA    Dividend Income Fund    Russell 1000 Index    Lipper Equity Income Funds Classification
Richard D’Auteuil    Small Cap Core Fund    Russell 2000 Index; S&P Small Cap 600 Composite Index    Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds Classification
Scott L. Davis    Dividend Income Fund    Russell 1000 Index    Lipper Equity Income Funds Classification
Peter R. Deininger    Large Cap Growth Fund    Russell 1000 Growth Index    Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Classification
Chad H. Farrington    High Yield Municipal Fund    Barclays Capital High Yield Municipal Bond Index; Blended Benchmark 4    Lipper High Yield Municipal Debt Funds Classification
William Finan    U.S. Treasury Index Fund    Citigroup Bond U.S. Treasury Index    Lipper General U.S. Treasury Funds Classification
Thomas M. Galvin, CFA    Select Large Cap Growth Fund    Russell 1000 Growth Index    Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Classification

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio Manager

  

Fund(s)

  

Primary Benchmark(s)

  

Peer Group

Emil A. Gjester    Strategic Investor Fund    Russell 1000 Index    Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Classification
Todd D. Herget    Select Large Cap Growth Fund    Russell 1000 Growth Index    Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Classification
Jeffrey Hershey, CFA    Small Cap Core Fund    Russell 2000 Index; S&P Small Cap 600 Composite Index    Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds Classification
Guy C. Holbrook, IV, CFA    Ultra Short Term Bond Fund    Citigroup One-Year U.S. Treasury Bill Index    Lipper Ultra-Short Obligations Funds Classification
Michael E. Hoover    Energy and Natural Resources Fund    S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index    Lipper Natural Resources Funds Classification
Jasmine (Weili) Huang, CFA, CPA (U.S. and China), CFA    Emerging Markets Fund    MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net); MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Gross); MSCI EAFE Index (Net)    Lipper Emerging Markets Funds Classification
   Pacific/Asia Fund    MSCI AC Asia Pacific Index (Net); MSCI EAFE Index (Net)    Lipper Pacific Region Funds Classification
Arthur J. Hurley, CFA    Real Estate Equity Fund    FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index    Lipper Real Estate Funds Classification
Orhan Imer    U.S. Treasury Index Fund    Citigroup Bond U.S. Treasury Index    Lipper General U.S. Treasury Funds Classification
Jeremy Javidi, CFA    Small Cap Value Fund I    Russell 2000 Value Index    Lipper Small-Cap Value Funds Classification
Brian Lavin, CFA    Balanced Fund    S&P 500 ® Index; Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index; Blended Benchmark 1    Lipper Mixed-Asset Target Allocation Growth Funds Classification
   Corporate Income Fund   

Barclays Capital Credit Bond Index;

Blended Benchmark 2

   Lipper Corporate Debt Funds BBB Rated Classification
   High Yield Opportunity Fund    JPMorgan Global High Yield Index; Credit Suisse High Yield Index   

Lipper High Current Yield

Funds Classification

   Intermediate Bond Fund    Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index    Lipper Intermediate Investment Grade Debt Funds Classification
   Strategic Income Fund    Barclays Capital Government/Credit Bond Index; Blended Benchmark 3    Lipper Multi-Sector Income Funds Classification

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio Manager

  

Fund(s)

  

Primary Benchmark(s)

  

Peer Group

Lawrence W. Lin, CFA    Mid Cap Growth Fund    Russell MidCap Growth Index; Russell MidCap Index    Lipper Mid-Cap Growth Funds Classification
   Small Cap Growth Fund I    Russell 2000 Index; Russell 2000 Growth Index    Lipper Small-Cap Growth Funds Classification
Colin J. Lundgren, CFA    Strategic Income Fund    Barclays Capital Government/Credit Bond Index; Blended Benchmark 3    Lipper Multi-Sector Income Funds Classification
George J. Myers, CFA    Mid Cap Growth Fund    Russell MidCap Growth Index; Russell MidCap Index    Lipper Mid-Cap Growth Funds Classification
   Small Cap Growth Fund I    Russell 2000 Index; Russell 2000 Growth Index    Lipper Small-Cap Growth Funds Classification
Brian D. Neigut    Mid Cap Growth Fund    Russell MidCap Growth Index; Russell MidCap Index    Lipper Mid-Cap Growth Funds Classification
   Small Cap Growth Fund I    Russell 2000 Index; Russell 2000 Growth Index    Lipper Small-Cap Growth Funds Classification
Daisuke Nomoto, CMA (SAAJ)    Pacific/Asia Fund    MSCI AC Asia Pacific Index (Net); MSCI EAFE Index (Net)    Lipper Pacific Region Funds Classification
Carl. W. Pappo, CFA    Bond Fund    Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index    Lipper Corporate Debt Funds A Rated Classification
   Corporate Income Fund   

Barclays Capital Credit Bond Index;

Blended Benchmark 2

   Lipper Corporate Debt Funds BBB Rated Classification
   Intermediate Bond Fund    Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index    Lipper Intermediate Investment Grade Debt Funds Classification
Jonas Patrikson, CFA    Strategic Investor Fund    Russell 1000 Index    Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Classification
Nicholas Pifer    International Bond Fund    Citigroup Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond Index- Unhedged    Lipper International Income Funds Classification
Jennifer Ponce de Leon    High Yield Opportunity Fund    JPMorgan Global High Yield Index; Credit Suisse High Yield Index   

Lipper High Current Yield

Funds Classification

 

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Portfolio Manager

  

Fund(s)

  

Primary Benchmark(s)

  

Peer Group

Guy W. Pope, CFA    Balanced Fund    S&P 500 ® Index; Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index; Blended Benchmark 1    Lipper Mixed-Asset Target Allocation Growth Funds Classification
   Contrarian Core Fund    Russell 1000 Index    Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Classification
   Value and Restructuring Fund    Russell 1000 Value Index; S&P 500 Index    Lipper Multi-Cap Value Funds Classification
Alexander D. Powers    Bond Fund    Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index    Lipper Corporate Debt Funds A Rated Classification
   Intermediate Bond Fund    Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index    Lipper Intermediate Investment Grade Debt Funds Classification
J. Nicholas Smith, CFA    Value and Restructuring Fund    Russell 1000 Value Index; S&P 500 ® Index    Lipper Multi-Cap Value Funds Classification
Ronald B. Stahl, CFA    Balanced Fund    S&P 500 ® Index; Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index; Blended Benchmark 1    Lipper Mixed-Asset Target Allocation Growth Funds Classification
Gene R. Tannuzzo, CFA    Strategic Income Fund    Barclays Capital Government/Credit Bond Index; Blended Benchmark 3    Lipper Multi-Sector Income Funds Classification
Mary-Ann Ward    Strategic Investor Fund    Russell 1000 Index    Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Classification
Mary K. Werler, CFA    Ultra Short Term Bond Fund    Citigroup One-Year U.S. Treasury Bill Index    Lipper Ultra-Short Obligations Funds Classification

Michael T. Welter,

CFA

   Strategic Investor Fund    Russell 1000 Index    Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Classification
Dara J. White   

Emerging Markets

Fund

   MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net); MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Gross); MSCI EAFE Index (Net)    Lipper Emerging Markets Funds Classification
David J. Williams, CFA    Value and Restructuring Fund    Russell 1000 Value Index; S&P 500 ® Index    Lipper Multi-Cap Value Funds Classification
John T. Wilson, CFA    Large Cap Growth Fund   

Russell 1000 Growth

Index

   Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Classification

 

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Portfolio Manager

  

Fund(s)

  

Primary Benchmark(s)

  

Peer Group

Michael Zazzarino    Bond Fund    Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index    Lipper Corporate Debt Funds A Rated Classification
   Intermediate Bond Fund    Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index    Lipper Intermediate Investment Grade Debt Funds Classification

 

1

A custom composite, established by the Adviser, consisting of a 60% weighting of the S&P 500 ® Index and a 40% weighting of the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index.

2

A weighted custom composite of the Barclays Capital U.S. Credit Bond Index (85%) and JP Morgan Global High Yield Index (15%) established by the Adviser.

3

A custom composite, established by the Adviser, consisting of a 35% weighting of the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, a 35% weighting of the JPMorgan Global High Yield Index, a 15% weighting of the Citigroup Non-U.S. World Government Bond Index – Unhedged and a 15% weighting of the JPMorgan EMBI Global Diversified Index.

4

A custom composite, established by the Adviser, consisting of a 60% weighting of the Barclays Capital High Yield Municipal Bond Index and a 40% weighting of the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index.

The Adviser’s Portfolio Managers and Potential Conflicts of Interest

Like other investment professionals with multiple clients, a Fund’s portfolio manager(s) may face certain potential conflicts of interest in connection with managing both the Fund and other accounts at the same time. The Adviser and the Funds have adopted compliance policies and procedures that attempt to address certain of the potential conflicts that portfolio managers face in this regard. Certain of these conflicts of interest are summarized below.

The management of accounts with different advisory fee rates and/or fee structures, including accounts that pay advisory fees based on account performance (performance fee accounts), may raise potential conflicts of interest for a portfolio manager by creating an incentive to favor higher fee accounts.

Potential conflicts of interest also may arise when a portfolio manager has personal investments in other accounts that may create an incentive to favor those accounts. As a general matter and subject to the Adviser’s Code of Ethics and certain limited exceptions, the Adviser’s investment professionals do not have the opportunity to invest in client accounts, other than the Funds. A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. The effects of this potential conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts managed by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies.

A portfolio manager may be able to select or influence the selection of the broker/dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the Funds. A portfolio manager’s decision as to the selection of broker/dealers could produce disproportionate costs and benefits among the Funds and the other accounts the portfolio manager manages.

A potential conflict of interest may arise when a portfolio manager buys or sells the same securities for a Fund and other accounts. On occasions when a portfolio manager considers the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interests of a Fund as well as other accounts, the Adviser’s trading desk may, to the extent consistent with applicable laws and regulations, aggregate the securities to be sold or bought in order to obtain the best execution and lower brokerage commissions, if any. Aggregation of trades may create the potential for unfairness to a Fund or another account if a portfolio manager favors one account over another in allocating the securities bought or sold.

“Cross trades,” in which a portfolio manager sells a particular security held by a Fund to another account (potentially saving transaction costs for both accounts), could involve a potential conflict of interest if, for example, a portfolio manager is permitted to sell a security from one account to another account at a higher price

 

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than an independent third party would pay. The Adviser and the Funds have adopted compliance procedures that provide that any transactions between the Fund and another account managed by the Adviser are to be made at a current market price, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

Another potential conflict of interest may arise based on the different investment objectives and strategies of a Fund and other accounts managed by its portfolio manager(s). Depending on another account’s objectives and other factors, a portfolio manager may give advice to and make decisions for a Fund that may differ from advice given, or the timing or nature of decisions made, with respect to another account. A portfolio manager’s investment decisions are the product of many factors in addition to basic suitability for the particular account involved. Thus, a portfolio manager may buy or sell a particular security for certain accounts, and not for a Fund, even though it could have been bought or sold for the Fund at the same time. A portfolio manager also may buy a particular security for one or more accounts when one or more other accounts are selling the security (including short sales). There may be circumstances when a portfolio manager’s purchases or sales of portfolio securities for one or more accounts may have an adverse effect on other accounts, including the Funds.

A Fund’s portfolio manager(s) also may have other potential conflicts of interest in managing the Fund, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict that could exist in managing the Fund and other accounts. Many of the potential conflicts of interest to which the Adviser’s portfolio managers are subject are essentially the same or similar to the potential conflicts of interest related to the investment management activities of the Adviser and its affiliates. See Investment Advisory and Other Services – Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest for more information about conflicts of interest, including those that relate to the Adviser and its affiliates.

Manager of Managers Exemption

The SEC has issued an order that permits the Adviser, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint an unaffiliated subadviser or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement for a Fund without first obtaining shareholder approval. The order permits a Fund to add or to change unaffiliated subadvisers or to change the fees paid to subadvisers from time to time without the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the change. The Adviser and its affiliates may have other relationships, including significant financial relationships, with current or potential subadvisers or their affiliates, which may create certain conflicts of interest. When making recommendations to the Board to appoint or to change a subadviser, or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, the Adviser discloses to the Board the nature of any material relationships it has with a subadviser or its affiliates.

The Administrator

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (which is also the Adviser) serves as Administrator of the Funds.

Services Provided

Pursuant to the terms of the Administrative Services Agreement, the Administrator has agreed to provide all of the services and facilities necessary for, or appropriate to, the business and effective operation of each Fund that are not (a) provided by employees or other agents engaged by each Fund or (b) required to be provided by any person pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement with each Fund.

Administration Fee Rates Paid by the Funds

The Administrator receives fees as compensation for its services, which are computed daily and paid monthly, as set forth in the Administrative Services Agreement, and as shown in the section entitled Primary Service Providers – The Administrator in each Fund’s prospectuses.

 

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For U.S. Treasury Index Fund, pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, the Administrator, from the administration fee it receives from the Fund, pays all operating expenses of the Fund, except the fees and expenses of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Administrator or its affiliates, brokerage fees and commissions, interest on borrowings and such extraordinary, non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation expenses. For the purposes of this arrangement, distribution and service fees are not considered operating expenses.

Administration Fees Paid by the Funds

The Administrator and the Previous Administrator received fees from the Funds for their services as reflected in the following charts, which show administration fees paid to and, as applicable, waived/reimbursed by the Administrator and the Previous Administrator, for the three most recently completed fiscal years, except as otherwise indicated.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2010*
     Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2008*
 

Bond Fund

        

Administration Fee Paid

   $ 754,748       $ 678,588       $ 759,720   

Amount Reimbursed

     —         $ 209,350       $ 206,179   

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

Corporate Income Fund

        

Administration Fee Paid

   $ 675,315       $ 675,654       $ 870,923   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

Emerging Markets Fund

        

Administration Fee Paid

   $ 615,027       $ 1,001,669       $ 2,430,055   

Amount Reimbursed

     —         $ 251,476       $ 476,664   

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

        

Administration Fee Paid

   $ 723,263       $ 765,650       $ 941,122   

Amount Reimbursed

     —         $ 254,984       $ 263,577   

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

Intermediate Bond Fund

        

Administration Fee Paid

   $ 3,164,565       $ 3,373,301       $ 3,620,050   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

Pacific/Asia Fund

        

Administration Fee Paid

   $ 16,020       $ 85,238       $ 334,900   

Amount Reimbursed

     —         $ 30,445       $ 66,921   

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

        

Administration Fee Paid

   $ 2,127,779       $ 1,291,853       $ 1,216,720   

Amount Reimbursed

     —         $ 394,599       $ 333,294   

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

        

Administration Fee Paid

   $ 1,122,055       $ 1,080,502       $ 551,345   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

Value and Restructuring Fund

        

Administration Fee Paid

   $ 9,398,359       $ 11,411,391       $ 13,588,716   

Amount Reimbursed

     —         $ 3,327,593       $ 3,424,080   

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Administrator.

 

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     Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2010
     Fiscal Year  Ended
May 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year  Ended
May 31, 2008*
 

Fund

   Administrator      Previous
Administrator
       

High Yield Opportunity Fund

           

Administration Fee Paid

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

Strategic Income Fund

           

Administration Fee Paid

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Administrator.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2010
     Fiscal Period Ended
May 31, 2009*
 

Fund

   Administrator      Previous
Administrator
    

International Bond Fund

        

Administration Fee Paid

     $680         $6,325       $ 1,862   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —     

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Administrator.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2010
     Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2008*
 

Fund

   Administrator      Previous
Administrator
       

High Yield Municipal Fund

           

Administration Fee Paid

   $ 140,597       $ 637,176       $ 661,657       $ 815,422   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

Small Cap Value Fund I

           

Administration Fee Paid

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Administrator.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
July 31, 2010*
     Fiscal Year  Ended
July 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year  Ended
July 31, 2008*
 

Fund

   Administrator      Previous
Administrator
       

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

           

Advisory Fee Paid

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

 

* Ultra Short Term Bond Fund commenced operations as of November 23, 2009. All fees shown are the fees paid by the Predecessor Ultra Short Term Bond Fund, a series of Columbia Funds Institutional Trust.

All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Administrator.

 

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     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2010
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2008*
 

Fund

   Administrator      Previous
Administrator
       

Balanced Fund

           

Administration Fee Paid

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

Mid Cap Growth Fund

           

Administration Fee Paid

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

Small Cap Growth Fund I

           

Administration Fee Paid

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

Strategic Investor Fund

           

Administration Fee Paid

     $382,478         $810,252       $ 1,058,644       $ 1,175,452   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Administrator.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2010 1
     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2008*
 

Fund

   Administrator      Previous
Administrator
       

Contrarian Core Fund

           

Administration Fee Paid

   $ 154,593       $ 184,969       $ 201,987       $ 260,528   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

Dividend Income Fund

           

Administration Fee Paid

   $ 646,899       $ 782,621       $ 836,788       $ 756,060   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

Large Cap Growth Fund

           

Administration Fee Paid

   $ 252,993       $ 383,524       $ 555,279       $ 865,130   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

Small Cap Core Fund

           

Administration Fee Paid

   $ 170,200       $ 224,996       $ 302,523       $ 625,431   

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

 

*

All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Administrator.

1

Unaudited.

 

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Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2008*
     Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2007*
 

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

        

Administration Fee Paid

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

Amount Reimbursed

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

Amount Waived

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Administrator.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Period Ended
December 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2008*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2007*
 

Real Estate Equity Fund

           

Administration Fee Paid

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Reimbursed

     —           —           —           —     

Amount Waived

     —           —           —           —     

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived/reimbursed by the Previous Administrator.

Pricing and Bookkeeping Services

State Street is responsible for providing certain pricing and bookkeeping services to the Funds. The Administrator is responsible for overseeing the performance of these services and for certain other services.

Services Provided

Effective December 15, 2006, the Trust entered into a Financial Reporting Services Agreement with State Street and the Previous Adviser (the Financial Reporting Services Agreement) pursuant to which State Street provides financial reporting services to the Funds. Also effective December 15, 2006, the Trust entered into an Accounting Services Agreement with State Street and the Previous Adviser (collectively with the Financial Reporting Services Agreement, the State Street Agreements) pursuant to which State Street provides accounting services to the Funds. Effective May 1, 2010, the State Street Agreements were amended to, among other things, assign and delegate the Previous Adviser’s rights and obligations under the State Street Agreements to the Administrator. Under the State Street Agreements, each Fund (other than Ultra Short Term Bond Fund) pays State Street an annual fee of $38,000 paid monthly plus an additional monthly fee based on an annualized percentage rate of average daily net assets of the Fund for the month. The aggregate fee for a Fund during any year shall not exceed $140,000 annually (exclusive of out-of-pocket expenses and charges). Each Fund (other than Ultra Short Term Bond Fund) also reimburses State Street for certain out-of-pocket expenses and charges. Ultra Short Term Bond Fund does not pay any separate fees for services rendered under the State Street Agreements; the fees for pricing and bookkeeping services incurred by Ultra Short Term Bond Fund are paid by the Adviser as part of the Unified Fee.

From December 15, 2006 through May 1, 2010, the Trust was party to a Pricing and Bookkeeping Oversight and Services Agreement (the Services Agreement) with the Previous Adviser. Under the Services Agreement, the Previous Adviser provided services related to Fund expenses and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and provided oversight of the accounting and financial reporting services provided by State Street. Under the Services Agreement, each Fund reimbursed the Previous Adviser for out-of-pocket expenses and charges, including fees payable to third parties, such as for pricing the Funds’ portfolio securities, incurred by the Previous Adviser in the performance of services under the Services Agreement. Prior to January 1, 2008, the Funds also reimbursed the Previous Adviser for accounting oversight services and services related to Fund expenses and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Effective May 1, 2010, the services previously provided by the Previous Adviser under the Services Agreement began to be provided by the Administrator under the Administrative Services Agreement, and the Services Agreement was terminated. Under the Administrative Services Agreement, fees for pricing and bookkeeping services incurred by U.S. Treasury Index Fund are paid by the Administrator.

 

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Prior to December 15, 2006, the Previous Adviser was responsible for providing pricing and bookkeeping services, to the Funds operating at the time, under a pricing and bookkeeping agreement and was entitled to receive an annual fee at the same rate described above under the State Street Agreements. Under separate agreements between the Previous Adviser and State Street, the Previous Adviser delegated certain functions to State Street. As a result of the delegation, the total fees payable under the pricing and bookkeeping agreement (other than certain reimbursements paid to the Previous Adviser and discussed below) were paid to State Street. The Funds also reimbursed the Previous Adviser for out-of-pocket expenses and charges, including fees payable to third parties for pricing the Funds’ portfolio securities and direct internal costs incurred by the Previous Adviser in connection with providing fund accounting oversight and monitoring and certain other services.

Pricing and Bookkeeping Fees Paid by the Funds

The Adviser and the Previous Adviser and State Street received fees from the Funds for their services as reflected in the following charts, which show the net pricing and bookkeeping fees paid to State Street and to the Adviser and the Previous Adviser, as applicable, for the three most recently completed fiscal years, except as otherwise indicated.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2010*
     Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2008*
 

Bond Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 5,746   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 149,216       $ 129,842       $ 82,648   

Corporate Income Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 10,791   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 158,268       $ 156,839       $ 182,251   

Emerging Markets Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 5,746   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 103,288       $ 117,814       $ 105,826   

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 5,746   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 123,403       $ 116,154       $ 78,072   

Intermediate Bond Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 10,791   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 189,677       $ 188,898       $ 189,435   

Pacific/Asia Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 5,746   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 53,504       $ 57,548       $ 52,002   

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 5,746   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 140,511       $ 140,065       $ 77,132   

U.S. Treasury Index Fund**

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —           —     

Amount Paid to State Street

     —           —           —     

Value and Restructuring Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 5,746   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 143,767       $ 143,296       $ 78,208   

 

* All amounts “Paid to Adviser” were paid to the Previous Adviser.
** Under the Administrative Services Agreement, fees for pricing and bookkeeping services incurred by U.S. Treasury Index Fund are paid by the Administrator.

 

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Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2010
     Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2008*
 

High Yield Opportunity Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 114,926   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 113,154       $ 96,616       $ 8,212   

Strategic Income Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 190,423   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 193,287       $ 181,682       $ 8,212   

 

* All amounts “Paid to Adviser” were paid to the Previous Adviser.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2010
     Fiscal Period Ended
May 31, 2009*
 

International Bond Fund

     

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —     

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 46,735       $ 26,617   

 

* All amounts “Paid to Adviser” were paid to the Previous Adviser.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2010
     Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2008*
 

High Yield Municipal Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 7,494   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 192,931       $ 180,290       $ 191,877   

Small Cap Value Fund I

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 7,494   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 146,364       $ 145,161       $ 143,111   

 

* All amounts “Paid to Adviser” were paid to the Previous Adviser.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
July  31, 2010
     Fiscal Year Ended
July  31, 2009
     Fiscal Year Ended
July  31, 2008
 

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —           —     

Amount Paid to State Street

     —           —           —     

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2010
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2008*
 

Balanced Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 4,673   

Amount Paid to State Street

     $97,492       $ 80,304       $ 85,084   

Mid Cap Growth Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 4,673   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 145,095       $ 145,117       $ 144,122   

Small Cap Growth Fund I

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 4,673   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 145,808       $ 97,227       $ 87,811   

Strategic Investor Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 4,673   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 147,864       $ 143,423       $ 149,889   

 

*

All amounts “Paid to Adviser” were paid to the Previous Adviser.

 

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Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2010 1
     Fiscal Year ended
September 30, 2009*
     Fiscal Year ended
September 30, 2008*
 

Contrarian Core Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 3,106   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 115,837       $ 83,251       $ 96,037   

Dividend Income Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 3,106   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 141,503       $ 141,429       $ 144,517   

Large Cap Growth Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 3,106   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 141,553       $ 141,538       $ 140,096   

Small Cap Core Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 3,106   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 130,786       $ 104,080       $ 152,060   

 

*

All amounts “Paid to Adviser” were paid to the Previous Adviser.

1

Unaudited.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2008*
     Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2007*
 

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

        

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —         $ 1,952       $ 24,798   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 61,643       $ 62,893       $ 56,215   

 

* All amounts “Paid to Adviser” were paid to the Previous Adviser.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Period Ended
December 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2009*
 

Real Estate Equity Fund

           

Amount Paid to Adviser

     —           —         $ 4,673       $ 63,096   

Amount Paid to State Street

   $ 27,743       $ 74,509       $ 84,454       $ 84,836   

 

* All amounts “Paid to Adviser” were paid to the Previous Adviser.

The Principal Underwriter/Distributor

Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor) serves as the principal underwriter and distributor for the continuous offering of shares of the Funds pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Distribution Agreement obligates the Distributor to use appropriate efforts to find purchasers for the shares of the Funds. The Distributor’s address is: One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111.

Distribution Obligations

Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor, as agent, sells shares of the Funds on a continuous basis and transmits purchase and redemption orders that it receives to the Trust or the Transfer Agent, or their designated agents. Additionally, the Distributor has agreed to use appropriate efforts to solicit orders for the sale of shares and to undertake advertising and promotion as it believes appropriate in connection with such solicitation. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor, at its own expense, finances those activities which are primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Funds, including, but not limited to, advertising, compensation of underwriters, dealers and sales personnel, the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than existing shareholders, and the printing and mailing of sales literature. The Distributor, however, may be compensated or reimbursed for all or a portion of such expenses to the extent permitted by a Distribution Plan adopted by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. See Investment Advisory and Other Services – Distribution and Servicing Plans for more information about the share classes for which the Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan.

 

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See Investment Advisory and Other Services – Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest for more information about conflicts of interest, including those that relate to the Adviser and its affiliates.

The Distribution Agreement became effective with respect to each Fund after approval by its Board, and, after an initial two-year period, continues from year to year, provided that such continuation of the Distribution Agreement is specifically approved at least annually by the Board, including its Independent Trustees. The Distribution Agreement terminates automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable with respect to each Fund at any time without penalty by the Trust (by vote of the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund) or by the Distributor on 60 days’ written notice.

Underwriting Commissions Paid by the Funds

The Distributor and the Previous Distributor received commissions and other compensation for their services as reflected in the following charts, which show amounts paid to the Distributor and the Previous Distributor, as well as amounts the Distributor and Previous Distributor retained, for the three most recently completed fiscal years, except as otherwise indicated. The Distributor does not charge any fees or commissions to Ultra Short Term Bond Fund or its shareholders for the sale of shares of Ultra Short Term Bond Fund.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2010*
     Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2008*
 

Bond Fund

        

Amount Paid

        

Class A shares

   $ 87,653       $ 23,344         —     

Amount Retained

        

Class A shares

   $ 10,847       $ 3,032         —     

Class C shares

   $ 813         —           —     

Corporate Income Fund

        

Amount Paid

        

Class A shares

   $ 76,987       $ 42,265       $ 83,846   

Amount Retained

        

Class A shares

   $ 8,679       $ 4,859       $ 10,209   

Class B shares

   $ 6,890       $ 19,621       $ 26,159   

Class C shares

   $ 1,744       $ 1,809       $ 4,085   

Emerging Markets Fund

        

Amount Paid

        

Class A shares

   $ 71,380       $ 25,581       $ 15,743   

Amount Retained

        

Class A shares

   $ 11,618       $ 4,445       $ 5,464   

Class C shares

   $ 134       $ 356       $ 117   

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

        

Amount Paid

        

Class A shares

   $ 367,133       $ 226,149       $ 41,980   

Amount Retained

        

Class A shares

   $ 55,189       $ 37,467       $ 6,898   

Class C shares

   $ 4,646       $ 5,557         —     

Intermediate Bond Fund

        

Amount Paid

        

Class A shares

   $ 100,659       $ 75,693       $ 164,058   

Amount Retained

        

Class A shares

   $ 9,832       $ 9,783       $ 17,512   

Class B shares

   $ 20,653       $ 67,508       $ 126,025   

Class C shares

   $ 3,191       $ 13,915       $ 3,509   

 

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Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2010*
     Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2008*
 

Pacific/Asia Fund

        

Amount Paid

        

Class A shares

   $ 4,028       $ 1,037         —     

Amount Retained

        

Class A shares

   $ 576       $ 109         —     

Class C shares

   $ 28         —           —     

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

        

Amount Paid

        

Class A shares

   $ 72,757       $ 35,906       $ 17,771   

Amount Retained

        

Class A shares

   $ 11,067       $ 22,304       $ 2,508   

Class C shares

   $ 1,504       $ 1,487         —     

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

        

Amount Paid

        

Class A shares

   $ 83,413       $ 599,674       $ 32,972   

Amount Retained

        

Class A shares

   $ 9,858       $ 68,225       $ 4,014   

Class B shares

   $ 20,761       $ 19,230       $ 7,255   

Class C shares

   $ 45,774       $ 36,124       $ 2,579   

Value and Restructuring Fund

        

Amount Paid

        

Class A shares

   $ 323,994       $ 1,456,148       $ 475,597   

Amount Retained

        

Class A shares

   $ 54,926       $ 327,389       $ 81,037   

Class C shares

   $ 22,254       $ 53,825       $ 1,095   

 

* All amounts were paid to or retained by the Previous Distributor.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2010
     Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2008*
 

Fund

  
Distributor
     Previous
Distributor
       

High Yield Opportunity Fund

           

Amount Paid

           

Class A shares

   $ 2,214       $ 102,312       $ 52,757       $ 81,858   

Amount Retained

           

Class A shares

     $12,953**       $ 6,397       $ 9,712   

Class B shares

     $12,197**       $ 37,832       $ 120,102   

Class C shares

     $1,882**       $ 2,372       $ 1,294   

Strategic Income Fund

           

Amount Paid

           

Class A shares

   $ 62,252       $ 1,393,488       $ 1,484,623       $ 1,500,658   

Amount Retained

           

Class A shares

     $212,105**       $ 174,597       $ 182,191   

Class B shares

     $112,534**       $ 254,576       $ 401,532   

Class C shares

     $ 55,451**       $ 38,358       $ 16,683   

 

* All amounts were paid to or retained by the Previous Distributor.
** A portion of the amount shown was retained by the Distributor and the Previous Distributor.

 

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     Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2010
     Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2009*
 

Fund

   Distributor      Previous
Distributor
    

International Bond Fund

        

Amount Paid

        

Class A shares

   $  532       $  7,025       $ 5   

Amount Retained

        

Class A shares

     $ 869**       $ 1   

Class C shares

     $     4**         —     

 

* All amounts were paid to or retained by the Previous Distributor.
** A portion of the amount shown was retained by the Distributor and the Previous Distributor.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2010
     Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2008*
 

Fund

  
Distributor
     Previous
Distributor
       

High Yield Municipal Fund

           

Amount Paid

           

Class A Shares

     $14,851         $76,842         $62,416         $79,171   

Amount Retained

           

Class A Shares

     $10,473**        
 
 
 
$7,933
(underwriting
discount)
$33 (CDSC)
  
  
  
  
    
 
 
 
$9,673
(underwriting
discounts)
$12,689 (CDSC)
  
  
  
  

Class B Shares

     $8,610**         $16,011         $23,627   

Class C Shares

     $2,743**         $736         $4,765   

Small Cap Value Fund I

           

Amount Paid

           

Class A shares

     $26,259         $154,679         $253,305         $350,124   

Amount Retained

           

Class A shares

     $28,705**        

 
 

 

$40,492

(underwriting
discount)

$519 (CDSC)

  

  
  

  

    
 
 
 
$54,614
(underwriting
discounts)
$1,051 (CDSC)
  
  
  
  

Class B shares

     $36,729**         $69,591         $95,335   

Class C shares

     $5,331**         $7,107         $16,400   

 

* All amounts were paid to or retained by the Previous Distributor.
** A portion of the amount shown was retained by the Distributor and the Previous Distributor.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2010 1
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2008*
 
       Distributor      Previous
Distributor
               

Balanced Fund

           

Amount Paid

           

Class A shares

     $207,936         $337,368         $134,794         $51,909   

Amount Retained

           

Class A shares

  

 

$81,893**

  

     $19,807        
 
 
$10,387
(underwriting
discount)
  
  
  

Class B shares

  

 

$10,629**

  

     $9,543         $8,501   

Class C shares

  

 

$7,621**

  

     $423         $94   

 

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Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2010
   Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2009*
   Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2008*
       Distributor    Previous
Distributor
         

Mid Cap Growth Fund

           

Amount Paid

           

Class A shares

   $19,121    $32,841    $51,601    $180,381

Class T shares

   $156    $372    $917    $1,016

Amount Retained

           

Class A Retained

  

$7,346**

   $7,987    $35,837

Class B Retained

  

$4,870**

   $9,579    $12,057

Class C Retained

  

$1,021**

   $1,459    $3,558

Class T Retained

  

$61**

      $1

Small Cap Growth Fund I

           

Amount Paid

           

Class A shares

   $27,242    $55,837    $101,052    $187,929

Amount Retained

           

Class A shares

  

$11,901**

   $17,113    $30,175

Class B shares

  

$5,690**

   $4,599    $1,789

Class C shares

  

$2,854**

   $13,038    $1,464

Strategic Investor Fund

           

Amount Paid

           

Class A shares

   $16,138    $42,407    $76,883    $209,325

Amount Retained

           

Class A shares

  

$8,700**

   $12,250    $241,215

Class B shares

  

$29,424**

   $70,039    $83,980

Class C shares

  

$2,257**

   $2,303    $4,702

 

* All amounts were paid to or retained by the Previous Distributor.
** A portion of the amount shown was retained by the Distributor and the Previous Distributor.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2010 1
     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2008*
 
       Distributor      Previous
Distributor
               

Contrarian Core Fund

           

Amount Paid

           

Class A shares

   $ 92,100       $ 227,532         $86,071         $36,936   

Class T shares

   $ 3,790       $ 11,024         $12,088         $28,049   

Amount Retained

           

Class A shares

     $47,600**         $12,921        
 
 

 

$6,075
(underwriting
discount)

$11 (CDSC)

  
  
  

  

Class B shares

     $3,157**         $4,070         $6,252   

Class C shares

     $4,090**         $442         $217   

Class T shares

     $1,978**         $1,659        
 
 
 
$4,121
(underwriting
discount)
— (CDSC)
  
  
 
  

 

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Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2010 1
     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2009*
   Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2008*
       Distributor      Previous
Distributor
           

Dividend Income Fund

           

Amount Paid

           

Class A shares

   $ 354,982       $ 681,001       $803,682    $286,403

Class T shares

   $ 1,672       $ 4,541       $6,141    $8,615

Amount Retained

           

Class A shares

     $164,846**       $125,322    $48,889
(underwriting
discount)

$347 (CDSC)

Class B shares

     $24,617**       $39,378    $46,255

Class C shares

     $19,053**       $5,857    $3,049

Class T shares

     $690**       $930    $1,246
(underwriting
discount)

Large Cap Growth Fund

           

Amount Paid

           

Class A shares

   $ 16,945       $ 55,494       $74,526    $98,167

Class E shares

   $ 126       $ 657         

Class T shares

   $ 8,964       $ 29,737       $41,614    $65,452

Amount Retained

           

Class A shares

     $10,904**       $18,305    $15,920
(underwriting
discount)

$795 (CDSC)

Class B shares

     $19,269**       $33,744    $88,380

Class C shares

     $1,872**       $2,549    $3,369

Class E shares

     $686**       $87    — (underwriting
discount)

$75 (CDSC)

Class F shares

     N/A       N/A    N/A

Class T shares

     $4,898**       $5,524    $8,731
(underwriting
discount)

$4,712 (CDSC)

Small Cap Core Fund

           

Amount Paid

           

Class A shares

   $ 38,411       $ 86,700       $65,118    $8,298

Class T shares

   $ 2,838       $ 7,735       $10,735    $17,011

Amount Retained

           

Class A shares

     $2,131**       $9,774    $1,180
(underwriting
discount)

— (CDSC)

 

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Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2010 1
   Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2009*
   Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2008*
       Distributor    Previous
Distributor
         

Class B shares

   $1,251**    $20,617    $59,022

Class C shares

   —      $100    $339

Class T shares

   —      $1,442    $2,334
(underwriting
discount)

$451 (CDSC)

 

* All amounts were paid to or retained by the Previous Distributor.
** A portion of the amount shown was retained by the Distributor and the Previous Distributor.
1

Unaudited.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2008*
     Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2007*
 

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

        

Amount Paid

        

Class A shares

     $81,306         $60,652         $36,337   

Amount Retained

        

Class A shares

     $10,073        
 
 
$7,301
(underwriting
discount)
  
  
  
    
 
 
 
$3,961
(underwriting
discounts)
(CDSC)
  
  
  
  

Class B shares

     $5,835         $13,389         $29,439   

Class C shares

     $168         $467         $40   

 

* All amounts were paid to or retained by the Previous Distributor.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Period Ended
December 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2009*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2008*
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2007*
 

Real Estate Equity Fund

           

Amount Paid

           

Class A shares

   $ 19,596       $ 27,222       $ 33,423       $ 120,365   

Amount Retained

           

Class A shares

   $ 3,518       $ 5,864       $ 6,160       $ 19,151   

Class B shares

   $ 2,585       $ 6,730       $ 12,250       $ 36,895   

Class C shares

   $ 431       $ 1,207       $ 1,701       $ 1,814   

 

* All amounts were paid to or retained by the Previous Distributor.

LOGO Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest

As described above in the Investment Advisory and Other Services section of this SAI, and in the Management of the Fund – Primary Service Providers section of each Fund’s prospectuses, the Adviser, Administrator, Distributor and Transfer Agent, all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, receive compensation from the Funds for the various services they provide to the Funds. Additional information as to the specific terms regarding such compensation is set forth in these affiliated service providers’ contracts with the Funds, each of which typically is included as an exhibit to Part C of each Fund’s registration statement.

In many instances, the compensation paid to the Adviser and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates for the services they provide to the Funds is based, in some manner, on the size of the Funds’ assets under management.

 

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As the size of the Funds’ assets under management grows, so does the amount of compensation paid to the Adviser and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates for providing services to the Funds. This relationship between Fund assets and affiliated service provider compensation may create economic and other conflicts of interests of which Fund investors should be aware. These potential conflicts of interest, as well as additional ones, are discussed in detail below and also are addressed in other disclosure materials, including the Funds’ prospectuses. These conflicts of interest also are highlighted in account documentation and other disclosure materials of Ameriprise Financial affiliates that make available or offer the Columbia Funds as investments in connection with their respective products and services. In addition, Part 1A of the Adviser’s Form ADV, which it must file with the SEC as an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, provides information about the Adviser’s business, assets under management, affiliates and potential conflicts of interest. Part 1A of the Adviser’s Form ADV is available online through the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Additional actual or potential conflicts of interest and certain investment activity limitations that could affect the Funds may arise from the financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including, for example, the investment advisory/management services provided for clients and customers other than the Funds. In this regard, Ameriprise Financial is a major financial services company. Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates are engaged in a wide range of financial activities beyond the mutual fund-related activities of the Adviser, including, among others, broker/dealer (sales and trading), asset management, insurance and other financial activities. The broad range of financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates may involve multiple advisory, transactional, lending, financial and other interests in securities and other instruments, and in companies, that may be bought, sold or held by the Funds. The following describes certain actual and potential conflicts of interest that may be presented.

Actual and Potential Conflicts of Interest Related to the Investment Advisory/Management Activities of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates in Connection With Other Advised/Managed Funds and Accounts

The Adviser and other affiliates of Ameriprise Financial may advise or manage funds and accounts other than the Funds. In this regard, Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates may provide investment advisory/management and other services to other advised/managed funds and accounts that are similar to those provided to the Funds. The Adviser and Ameriprise Financial’s other investment adviser affiliates (including, for example, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC) will give advice to and make decisions for all advised/managed funds and accounts, including the Funds, as they believe to be in that fund’s and/or account’s best interests, consistent with their fiduciary duties. The Funds and the other advised/managed funds and accounts of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates are separately and potentially divergently managed, and there is no assurance that any investment advice Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates give to other advised/managed funds and accounts will also be given simultaneously or otherwise to the Funds.

A variety of other actual and potential conflicts of interest may arise from the advisory relationships of the Adviser and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates with other clients and customers. Advice given to the Funds and/or investment decisions made for the Funds by the Adviser or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may differ from, or may conflict with, advice given to and/or investment decisions made for other advised/managed funds and accounts. As a result, the performance of the Funds may differ from the performance of other funds or accounts advised/managed by the Adviser or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates. Similarly, a position taken by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Adviser, on behalf of other funds or accounts may be contrary to a position taken on behalf of the Funds. Moreover, Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Adviser, may take a position on behalf of other advised/managed funds and accounts, or for their own proprietary accounts, that is adverse to companies or other issuers in which the Funds are invested. For example, the Funds may hold equity securities of a company while another advised/managed fund or account may hold debt securities of the same company. If the portfolio company were to experience financial difficulties, it might be in the best interest of the Funds for the company to reorganize while the interests of the other advised/managed fund or account might be better served by the liquidation of the company. This type of conflict of interest could arise as the result of circumstances that cannot be generally foreseen within the broad range of investment advisory/management activities in which Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates engage.

 

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Investment transactions made on behalf of other funds or accounts advised/managed by the Adviser or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates also may have a negative effect on the value, price or investment strategies of the Funds. For example, this could occur if another advised/managed fund or account implements an investment decision ahead of, or at the same time as, the Funds and causes the Funds to experience less favorable trading results than they otherwise would have experienced based on market liquidity factors. In addition, the other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Adviser and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, including the other Columbia Funds, may have the same or very similar investment objective and strategies as the Funds. In this situation, the allocation of, and competition for, investment opportunities among the Funds and other funds and/or accounts advised/managed by the Adviser or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may create conflicts of interest especially where, for example, limited investment availability is involved. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures addressing the allocation of investment opportunities among the Funds and other funds and accounts advised by the Adviser and other affiliates of Ameriprise Financial. For more information, see Investment Advisory and Other Services – The Adviser and Investment Advisory Services – Portfolio Manager(s) – The Adviser’s Portfolio Managers and Potential Conflicts of Interests .

Sharing of Information among Advised/Managed Accounts

Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates also may possess information that could be material to the management of a Fund and may not be able to, or may determine not to, share that information with the Fund, even though the information might be beneficial to the Fund. This information may include actual knowledge regarding the particular investments and transactions of other advised/managed funds and accounts, as well as proprietary investment, trading and other market research, analytical and technical models, and new investment techniques, strategies and opportunities. Depending on the context, Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates generally will have no obligation to share any such information with the Funds. In general, employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the portfolio managers of the Adviser, will make investment decisions without regard to information otherwise known by other employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, and generally will have no obligation to access any such information and may, in some instances, not be able to access such information because of legal and regulatory constraints or the internal policies and procedures of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. For example, if the Adviser or another Ameriprise Financial affiliate, or their respective employees, come into possession of non-public information regarding another advised/managed fund or account, they may be prohibited by legal and regulatory constraints, or internal policies and procedures, from using that information in connection with transactions made on behalf of the Funds. For more information, see Investment Advisory and Other Services – The Adviser and Investment Advisory Services – Portfolio Manager(s) – The Adviser’s Portfolio Managers and Potential Conflicts of Interests .

Soft Dollar Benefits

Certain products and services, commonly referred to as “soft dollar services” (including, to the extent permitted by law, research reports, economic and financial data, financial publications, proxy analysis, computer databases and other research-oriented materials), that the Adviser may receive in connection with brokerage services provided to a Fund may have the inadvertent effect of disproportionately benefiting other advised/managed funds or accounts. This could happen because of the relative amount of brokerage services provided to a Fund as compared to other advised/managed funds or accounts, as well as the relative compensation paid by a Fund.

Services Provided to Other Advised/Managed Accounts

Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates also may act as an investment adviser, investment manager, administrator, transfer agent, custodian, trustee, broker/dealer, agent, or in another capacity, for advised/managed funds and accounts other than the Funds, and may receive compensation for acting in such capacity. This compensation that the Adviser, Distributor and Transfer Agent and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates receive could be greater than the compensation Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates receive for acting in the same or similar capacity for the Funds. In addition, the Adviser, Distributor and Transfer Agent and other Ameriprise

 

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Financial affiliates may receive other benefits, including enhancement of new or existing business relationships. This compensation and/or the benefits that Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates may receive from other advised/managed funds and accounts and other relationships could potentially create incentives to favor other advised/managed funds and accounts over the Funds. Trades made by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates for the Funds may be, but are not required to be, aggregated with trades made for other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Adviser and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates. If trades are aggregated among the Funds and those other funds and accounts, the various prices of the securities being traded may be averaged, which could have the potential effect of disadvantaging the Funds as compared to the other funds and accounts with which trades were aggregated.

Proxy Voting

Although the Adviser endeavors to make all proxy voting decisions with respect to the interests of the Funds for which it is responsible in accordance with its proxy voting policies and procedures, the Adviser’s proxy voting decisions with respect to a Fund’s portfolio securities may nonetheless benefit other advised/managed funds and accounts, and/or clients, of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. The Adviser has adopted proxy voting policies and procedures that are designed to provide that all proxy voting is done in the best interests of its clients, including the Funds, without any resulting benefit or detriment to the Adviser and/or its affiliates, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. For more information about the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures, see Investment Advisory and Other Services – Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.

Certain Trading Activities

The directors/trustees, officers and employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts, and in doing so may take a position that is adverse to the Funds. In order to reduce the possibility that such personal investment activities of the directors/trustees, officers and employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates will materially adversely affect the Funds, Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates have adopted policies and procedures, and the Funds, the Board, the Adviser and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics that addresses such personal investment activities. For more information, see Investment Advisory and Other Services – Codes of Ethics .

Affiliate Transactions

Subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements, a Fund may enter into transactions in which Ameriprise Financial and/or its affiliates, or companies that are deemed to be affiliates of a Fund because of, among other factors, their or their affiliates’ ownership or control of shares of the Fund, may have an interest that potentially conflicts with the interests of the Fund. For example, an affiliate of Ameriprise Financial may sell securities to a Fund from an offering in which it is an underwriter or that it owns as a dealer, subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Applicable legal and regulatory requirements also may prevent a Fund from engaging in transactions with an affiliate of the Fund, which may include Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, or from participating in an investment opportunity in which an affiliate of a Fund participates.

Certain Investment Limitations

Regulatory and other restrictions may limit a Fund’s investment activities in various ways. For example, regulations regarding certain industries and markets, such as emerging or international markets, and certain transactions, such as those involving certain futures and derivatives as well as restrictions applicable to certain issuers (e.g., poison pills), may impose limits on the aggregate amount of investments that may be made by affiliated investors, including accounts owned or managed by the same or affiliated managers, in the aggregate or in individual issuers. In these circumstances, the Adviser may be prevented from acquiring securities for a Fund that it might otherwise prefer to acquire if the acquisition would cause the Fund and its affiliated investors to exceed an applicable limit. These types of regulatory and other applicable limits are complex and vary significantly in different contexts including, among others, from country to country, industry to industry and issuer to issuer. The Adviser has procedures in place designed to monitor potential conflicts arising from

 

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regulatory and other limits. Nonetheless, given the complexity of these limits, the Adviser and its affiliates may inadvertently breach these limits, and a Fund may therefore be required to sell securities that it might otherwise prefer to hold in order to comply with such limits. At certain times, a Fund may be restricted in its investment activities because of relationships that an affiliate of the Fund, which may include Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, may have with the issuers of securities. This could happen, for example, if a Fund desired to buy a security issued by a company for which Ameriprise Financial or an affiliate serves as underwriter. The internal policies and procedures of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates covering these types of restrictions and addressing similar issues also may at times restrict a Fund’s investment activities. See also About the Funds’ Investments – Certain Investment Activity Limits .

Actual and Potential Conflicts of Interest Related to Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates’ Non-Advisory Relationships with Clients and Customers other than the Funds

The financial relationships that Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates may have with companies and other entities in which a Fund may invest can give rise to actual and potential conflicts of interest. Subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements, a Fund may invest (a) in the securities of Ameriprise Financial and/or its affiliates and/or in companies in which Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates have an equity, debt or other interest, and/or (b) in the securities of companies held by other Columbia Funds. The purchase, holding and sale of such securities by a Fund may enhance the profitability and the business interests of Ameriprise Financial and/or its affiliates and/or other Columbia Funds. There also may be limitations as to the sharing with the Adviser of information derived from the non-investment advisory/management activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates because of legal and regulatory constraints and internal policies and procedures (such as information barriers and ethical walls). Because of these limitations, Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates generally will not share information derived from its non-investment advisory/management activities with the Adviser.

Actual and Potential Conflicts of Interest Related to Ameriprise Financial Affiliates’ Marketing and Use of the Columbia Funds as Investment Options

Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates also provide a variety of products and services that, in some manner, may utilize the Columbia Funds as investment options. For example, the Columbia Funds may be offered as investments in connection with brokerage and other securities products offered by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, and may be utilized as investments in connection with fiduciary, investment management and other accounts offered by affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, as well as for other Columbia Funds structured as “funds of funds.” The use of the Columbia Funds in connection with other products and services offered by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates may introduce economic and other conflicts of interest. These conflicts of interest are highlighted in account documentation and other disclosure materials for the other products and services offered by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates.

Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Adviser, may make payments to their affiliates in connection with the promotion and sale of the Funds’ shares, in addition to the sales-related and other compensation that these parties may receive from the Funds. As a general matter, personnel of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, do not receive compensation in connection with their sales or use of the Funds that is greater than that paid in connection with their sales of other comparable products and services. Nonetheless, because the compensation that the Adviser and other affiliates of Ameriprise Financial may receive for providing services to the Funds is generally based on the Funds’ assets under management and those assets will grow as shares of the Funds are sold, potential conflicts of interest may exist. See Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices – Additional Financial Intermediary Payments for more information.

Other Services Provided

The Transfer Agent

Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (formerly, RiverSource Service Corporation) is the transfer agent for the Funds. The Transfer Agent is located at One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111. Under

 

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the Transfer Agency Agreement, the Transfer Agent provides transfer agency, dividend disbursing agency and shareholder servicing agency services to the Funds. Effective September 7, 2010, the Funds pay the Transfer Agent an annual transfer agency fee of $12.08 per account, payable monthly for all share classes, except for Class I shares, and, prior to September 7, 2010, paid the Transfer Agent (and, prior to May 1, 2010, the Previous Transfer Agent) an annual transfer agency fee of $22.36 per account, payable monthly.

In addition, effective September 7, 2010, the Funds reimburse the Transfer Agent for the fees and expenses the Transfer Agent pays to financial intermediaries that maintain omnibus accounts with the Funds in an annual amount equal to 0.20% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares maintained in such omnibus accounts (other than omnibus accounts for which American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc. is the broker of record or accounts where the beneficial owner is a customer of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., for which the Transfer Agent is reimbursed $16.00 annually, calculated monthly based on the total number of positions in such accounts at the end of such month) for all share classes, except for Class I, Class R4, Class R5 and Class Y shares. For Class R4 and Class R5 shares, the Funds reimburse the Transfer Agent for the fees and expenses the Transfer Agent pays to financial intermediaries that maintain omnibus accounts with the Funds subject to an annual limitation of 0.05% of the net assets attributable to such shares. Prior to September 7, 2010, the Funds reimbursed the Transfer Agent (and, prior to May 1, 2010, the Previous Transfer Agent) for the fees and expenses the Transfer Agent paid to financial intermediaries that maintained omnibus accounts with the Funds, subject to a cap of up to $22.36 per account for financial intermediaries that sought payment by the Transfer Agent on a per account basis and a cap equal to 0.15% of a Fund’s net assets represented by such an account for financial intermediaries that sought payment by the Transfer Agent based on a percentage of net assets.

The Funds also pay certain reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses of the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent also may retain as additional compensation for its services revenues for fees for wire, telephone and redemption orders, IRA trustee agent fees and account transcripts due the Transfer Agent from Fund shareholders and credits (net of bank charges) earned with respect to balances in accounts the Transfer Agent maintains in connection with its services to the Funds.

For the period November 1, 2007 through October 31, 2009, the Previous Transfer Agent was paid an annual transfer agency fee of $17.34 per account, payable monthly. In addition, the Previous Transfer Agent was paid for the fees and expenses the Previous Transfer Agent paid to third party dealer firms that maintained omnibus accounts with certain of the Funds, subject to a cap equal to 0.15% of a Fund’s net assets represented by the account. For the period April 1, 2006 through October 31, 2007, the Previous Transfer Agent was paid an annual fee of $17.00 per account, payable monthly. For the period September 1, 2005 through October 31, 2007, the Previous Transfer Agent was entitled to reimbursement by certain Funds for the fees and expenses that the Previous Transfer Agent paid to dealer firms or transfer agents that maintained omnibus accounts with such Funds, subject to a cap equal to 0.11% of a Fund’s net assets represented by the account.

The Funds that offer Class R4 shares have a Plan Administration Services Agreement with the Transfer Agent. Under the agreement, the Funds pay for plan administration services, including services such as implementation and conversion services, account set-up and maintenance, reconciliation and account recordkeeping, education services and administration to various plan types, including 529 plans, retirement plans and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). The fee for services is equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each Fund attributable to Class R4 shares.

Transfer agency costs for each Fund are calculated separately for each of (i) Class Y shares, (ii) Class R4 and Class R5 shares and (iii) all other share classes (except Class I shares, which pay no transfer agency fees). Pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, the Administrator pays the Transfer Agency Fees of U.S. Treasury Index Fund on behalf of the Fund. The fees paid to the Transfer Agent may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.

The Transfer Agent retains BFDS/DST, 2 Heritage Drive, North Quincy, MA 02171 as the Funds’ sub-transfer agent. BFDS/DST assists the Transfer Agent in carrying out its duties.

 

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The Custodian

State Street, which is located at State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, is the Funds’ Custodian. State Street is responsible for safeguarding the Funds’ cash and securities, receiving and delivering securities and collecting the Funds’ interest and dividends.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which is located at 125 High Street, Boston, MA 02110, is the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm. The Funds issue unaudited financial statements semi-annually and audited financial statements annually. The financial statements for the fiscal years ended on or after August 31, 2009 contained in a Fund’s Annual Report were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The Board has selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Funds’ books and review their tax returns for the fiscal years ended on or after August 31, 2010.

The Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and the audited financial statements are included in the annual reports to shareholders of the Funds, and are incorporated herein by reference. No other parts of the annual reports or semi-annual reports to shareholders are incorporated by reference herein. The financial statements incorporated by reference into the Funds’ prospectuses and this SAI have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of the independent registered public accounting firm, given on its authority as an expert in auditing and accounting.

Counsel

Ropes & Gray LLP serves as legal counsel to the Trust. Its address is One International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. K&L Gates LLP serves as co-counsel. Its address is 1601 K Street N.W., Washington, DC, 20006-1600.

Distribution and Servicing Plans

The Trust has adopted distribution and/or shareholder servicing plans for the Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, Class E shares, Class F shares, Class R shares, Class R4 shares, Class T shares and Class W shares of the Funds. See Capital Stock and Other Securities for information about which Funds offer which classes of shares. The Funds no longer accept investments from new or existing investors in Class B shares, Class E shares, Class F shares or Class T shares, except for certain limited transactions from existing investors in any such shares. See the prospectuses for these share classes of the Funds for details.

The table below shows the maximum annual distribution and/or services fees (payable monthly and calculated based on an annual percentage of average daily net assets) and the combined amount of such fees applicable to each share class:

 

       Distribution
Fee
   Service
Fee
   Combined
Total

Class A

   up to 0.10%    0.25%    up to  0.35% a,b

Class B

   0.75%    0.25%    1.00% b

Class C

   0.75%    0.25%    1.00% b,c

Class E

   0.10%    0.25%    0.35%

Class F

   0.75%    0.25%    1.00%

Class I

   none    none    none

Class R

   0.50%    —   d    0.50%

Class R4

   none    0.25% e    0.25% e

Class R5

   none    none    none

Class T

   none    0.50% f    0.50% f

Class W

   0.25%    0.25%    0.25%

Class Y

   none    none    none

Class Z

   none    none    none

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

   none    none    none

 

a

As shown in the table below, the maximum distribution and service fees of Class A shares varies among the Funds.

 

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Columbia funds

   Class A
Distribution
Fee
    Class A
Service
Fee
    Class A
Combined
Total
 

Balanced Fund, Contrarian Core Fund, Dividend Income Fund, Intermediate Bond Fund, Large Cap Growth Fund, Mid Cap Growth Fund, Real Estate Equity Fund, Small Cap Core Fund, Small Cap Growth Fund I

     0.10     0.25     0.35 %* 

Bond Fund, Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund, Corporate Income Fund, Emerging Markets Fund, Energy and Natural Resources Fund, High Yield Opportunity Fund, International Bond Fund, Pacific/Asia Fund, Select Large Cap Growth Fund, Small Cap Value Fund I, Strategic Income Fund, Strategic Investor Fund, U.S. Treasury Index Fund, Value and Restructuring Fund

     —          0.25     0.25

High Yield Municipal Fund

     —          0.20     0.20

 

* The indicated Funds may pay distribution and service fees up to a maximum of 0.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares (comprised of up to 0.10% for distribution services and up to 0.25% for shareholder liaison services) but currently limit such fees to an aggregate fee of not more than 0.25% for Class A shares.
b

Service Fee for Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares of Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund – The annual service fee may equal up to 0.10% on net assets attributable to shares of the Fund issued prior to December 1, 1994, and 0.25% on net assets attributable to Fund shares issued thereafter. This arrangement results in a rate of service fee for Fund shares that is a blend between the 0.10% and 0.25% rates. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2009, the blended service fee was 0.24% of the Fund’s average net assets. Service Fee for Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares of Strategic Income Fund – The annual service fee may equal up to 0.15% on net assets attributable to shares of this Fund issued prior to January 1, 1993 and 0.25% on net assets attributable to shares issued thereafter. This arrangement results in a rate of service fee for all Fund shares that is a blend between the 0.15% and 0.25% rates. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010, the blended service fee was 0.25% of the Fund’s average net assets.

c

The Distributor has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the distribution fee for Class C shares of the following Funds so that the combined distribution and service fee (or the distribution fee for Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund) does not exceed the specified percentage annually: 0.45% for Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund; 0.80% for High Yield Municipal Fund; 0.85% for Corporate Income Fund, Intermediate Bond Fund, Strategic Income Fund and U.S. Treasury Index Fund. These arrangements may be modified or terminated by the Distributor at any time.

d

Class R shares pay a distribution fee pursuant to a Fund’s distribution (Rule 12b-1) plan for Class R shares. The Funds do not have a shareholder service plan for Class R shares.

e

The shareholder service fees for Class R4 shares are not paid pursuant to a 12b-1 plan. Under a Plan Administration Services Agreement, the Funds’ Class R4 shares pay for plan administration services, including services such as implementation and conversion services, account set-up and maintenance, reconciliation and account recordkeeping, education services and administration to various plan types, including 529 plans, retirement plans and health savings accounts.

f

The shareholder servicing fees for Class T shares are up to 0.50% of average daily net assets attributable to Class T shares for equity Funds and 0.40% for fixed income Funds. The Funds currently limit such fees to a maximum of 0.30% for equity Funds and 0.15% for fixed income Funds. See Class T Shares Shareholder Service Fees below for more information.

The shareholder servicing plan permits the Funds to compensate or reimburse servicing agents for the shareholder services they have provided. The Distribution Plan, adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, permits the Funds to compensate or reimburse the Distributor and/or selling agents for activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of the classes’ shares. Payments are made at an annual rate and paid monthly, as a percentage of average daily net assets, set from time to time by the Board, and are charged as expenses of each Fund directly to the applicable share class. A substantial portion of the expenses incurred pursuant to these plans may be paid to affiliates of the Distributor and Ameriprise Financial.

Under the shareholder servicing plan, the Board must review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts paid under the servicing agreements and the purposes for which those expenditures were made. The initial term of the shareholder servicing plan is one year and it will continue in effect from year to year after its initial one-year term provided that its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the shareholder servicing plan or in any agreement related to it. Any material amendment to the shareholder servicing plan must be approved in the same manner. The shareholder servicing plan is terminable at any time with respect to the Funds by a vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees.

 

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The Trustees believe the Distribution Plan could be a significant factor in the growth and retention of a Fund’s assets resulting in more advantageous expense ratios and increased investment flexibility which could benefit each class of Fund shareholders. The Distribution Plan will continue in effect from year to year so long as continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees. The Distribution Plan may not be amended to increase the fee materially without approval by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant class of shares, and all material amendments of the Distribution Plan must be approved by the Trustees in the manner provided in the foregoing sentence. The Distribution Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant class of shares.

Class T Shares Shareholder Service Fees

The Funds that offer Class T shares have adopted a shareholder services plan that permits them to pay for certain services provided to Class T shareholders by their selling and/or servicing agents. Equity Funds (including Columbia Asset Allocation Fund) may pay shareholder servicing fees up to an aggregate annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class T shares (comprised of up to 0.25% for shareholder liaison services and up to 0.25% for administrative support services). Fixed income Funds may pay shareholder servicing fees up to an aggregate annual rate of 0.40% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class T shares (comprised of an annual rate of up to 0.20% for shareholder liaison services and up to 0.20% for administrative support services). These fees are currently limited to an aggregate annual rate of not more than 0.30% for equity Funds and not more than 0.15% for fixed income Funds, other than Columbia Rhode Island Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, for which the limit currently is 0.00%. With respect to those Funds that declare dividends on a daily basis, the shareholder servicing fee shall be waived by the selling and/or servicing agents to the extent necessary to prevent net investment income from falling below 0.00% on a daily basis. The Funds consider “administrative support services” to include, without limitation, (i) aggregating and processing purchase and redemption orders, (ii) providing beneficial owners with statements showing their positions in the Funds, (iii) processing dividend payments, (iv) providing sub-accounting services for Fund shares held beneficially, (v) forwarding shareholder communications, such as proxies, shareholder reports, dividend and tax notices, and updating prospectuses to beneficial owners, (vi) receiving, tabulating and transmitting proxies executed by the beneficial owners, (vii) sub-transfer agent services for beneficial owners of Fund shares and (viii) other similar services.

Distribution and Service Fees Paid by the Funds

The Distributor and the Previous Distributor received distribution and service fees from the Funds for their services as reflected in the following charts, which show distribution and service fees paid to and waived by, as applicable, the Distributor and the Previous Distributor, for the most recently completed fiscal year, except as otherwise indicated. The Trust is not aware as to what amount, if any, of the distribution and service fees paid to the Distributor and Previous Distributor were, on a Fund-by-Fund basis, used for advertising, printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current shareholders, compensation to broker-dealers, compensation to sales personnel, or interest, carrying or other financing charges. Class Y shares, Class Z shares and shares of Ultra Short Term Bond Fund do not pay distribution and service fees.

Distribution and Services Fees Paid by the Funds for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2010*

 

Fund

   Class A Shares      Class B Shares      Class C Shares      Class R Shares  

Bond Fund

           

Distribution Fee

     —           —         $ 13,110         N/A   

Service Fee

   $ 29,341         —         $ 4,370         N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

     —           —           —           N/A   

 

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Fund

   Class A Shares      Class B Shares      Class C Shares      Class R Shares  

Corporate Income Fund

           

Distribution Fee

     —         $ 56,609       $ 84,028         N/A   

Service Fee

   $ 204,427       $ 18,855       $ 28,014         N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

     —           —         $ 16,837         N/A   

Emerging Markets Fund

           

Distribution Fee

     —           N/A       $ 7,090         N/A   

Service Fee

   $ 10,730         N/A       $ 2,363         N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

     —           N/A         —           N/A   

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

           

Distribution Fee

     —           N/A       $ 89,532         N/A   

Service Fee

   $ 95,419         N/A       $ 29,844         N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

     —           N/A         —           N/A   

Intermediate Bond Fund

           

Distribution Fee

   $ 159,958       $ 266,146       $ 239,468       $ 8,902   

Service Fee

   $ 399,760       $ 88,709       $ 79,839         N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

   $ 159,958         —         $ 47,893         N/A   

Pacific/Asia Fund

           

Distribution Fee

     —           N/A       $ 2,781         N/A   

Service Fee

   $ 1,579         N/A       $ 927         N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

     —           N/A         —           N/A   

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

           

Distribution Fee

     —           N/A       $ 14,917       $ 618   

Service Fee

   $ 769,303         N/A       $ 4,972         —     

Fees Waived by the Distributor

     —           N/A         —           —     

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

           

Distribution Fee

     —         $ 56,393       $ 184,245         —     

Service Fee

   $ 148,960       $ 18,798       $ 61,427         —     

Fees Waived by the Distributor

     —           —         $ 36,843         —     

Value and Restructuring Fund

           

Distribution Fee

     —           N/A       $ 473,717       $ 258,974   

Service Fee

   $ 610,589         N/A       $ 157,906         —     

Fees Waived by the Distributor

     —           N/A         —           —     

 

* All amounts were paid or waived by the Previous Distributor.

Distribution and Services Fees Paid by the Funds for the Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2010

 

    Class A Shares     Class B Shares     Class C Shares     Class J Shares*  

Fund

  Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
 

High Yield Opportunity Fund

               

Distribution Fee

    —          —        $ 10,429      $ 147,519      $ 8,223      $ 89,599        N/A        N/A   

Service Fee

  $ 41,009      $ 429,929      $ 3,469      $ 49,173      $ 2,714      $ 29,852        N/A        N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

    —          —          —          —        $ 1,645      $ 17,946        N/A        N/A   

International Bond Fund

               

Distribution Fee

    —          —          N/A        N/A      $ 64      $ 317        N/A        N/A   

Service Fee

  $ 213      $ 1,522        N/A        N/A      $ 195      $ 949        N/A        N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

    —          —          N/A        N/A        —          —          N/A        N/A   

 

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    Class A Shares     Class B Shares     Class C Shares     Class J Shares*  

Fund

  Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
 

Strategic Income Fund

               

Distribution Fee

    —          —        $ 59,732      $ 774,956      $ 126,549      $ 1,320,458        —        $ 28,560   

Service Fee

  $ 216,952      $ 2,300,745      $ 19,540      $ 255,683      $ 42,458      $ 435,805        —        $ 20,076   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

    —          —          —          —        $ 25,310      $ 262,023        —          —     

 

* On July 27, 2009, Strategic Income Fund liquidated and terminated Class J shares.

Distribution and Services Fees Paid by the Funds for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2010

 

     Class A Shares      Class B Shares      Class C Shares  

Fund

   Distributor      Previous
Distributor
     Distributor      Previous
Distributor
     Distributor      Previous
Distributor
 

High Yield Municipal Fund

                 

Distribution Fee

     —           —           $7,716         $46,609         $9,271         $44,660   

Service Fee

     $27,169         $112,152         $2,058         $12,428         $3,090         $14,887   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

     —           —           —           —           —           —     

Small Cap Value Fund I

                 

Distribution Fee

     —           —           $32,481         $188,879         $68,350         $327,919   

Service Fee

     $266,253         $1,175,984         $10,827         $  62,959         $22,783         $109,306   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

     —           —           —           —           —           —     

Distribution and Services Fees Paid by the Funds for the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2010

 

      Class A Shares     Class B Shares     Class C Shares     Class R Shares     Class T Shares*  

Fund

  Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
 

Balanced Fund

                   

Distribution Fee

                  $17,743        $36,746        $60,965        $80,541        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A   

Service Fee

    $48,934        $48,551        $ 5,914        $12,249        $20,477        $26,809        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

                                              N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A   

Mid Cap Growth Fund

                   

Distribution Fee

                  $15,838        $40,577        $26,090        $50,883        $8,167        $13,987                 

Service Fee

    $55,624        $101,648        $ 5,279        $13,526        $ 8,697        $16,961                      $20,814        $41,144   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

        

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

Small Cap Growth Fund I

                   

Distribution Fee

                  $6,386        $14,230        $35,553        $61,671        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A   

Service Fee

    $54,406        $102,137        $2,129        $ 4,743        $11,851        $20,557        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

        

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

N/A

  

 

 

N/A

  

 

 

N/A

  

 

 

N/A

  

Strategic Investor Fund

                   

Distribution Fee

                  $55,413        $127,463        $43,771        $99,781        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A   

Service Fee

    $127,413        $277,644        $18,471        $ 42,488        $14,590        $33,260        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

        

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

N/A

  

 

 

N/A

  

 

 

N/A

  

 

 

N/A

  

 

* Paid pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan for Class T shares.

 

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      Distribution and Service Fees Paid by the Funds Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010 1  
      Class A     Class B     Class C     Class E  
      Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
 

Contrarian Core Fund

               

Distribution Fee

    —          —        $ 12,447      $ 16,597      $ 52,471      $ 50,306        N/A        N/A   

Service Fee

  $ 101,403      $ 73,922      $ 4,149      $ 5,532      $ 17,491      $ 16,769        N/A        N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Dividend Income Fund

               

Distribution Fee

    —          —        $ 67,789      $ 116,211      $ 258,673      $ 273,873        N/A        N/A   

Service Fee

  $ 698,028      $ 841,030      $ 22,596      $ 38,937      $ 86,224      $ 91,291        N/A        N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Large Cap Growth Fund

               

Distribution Fee

    —          —        $ 48,749      $ 96,259      $ 49,753      $ 75,974      $ 5,236      $ 7,773   

Service Fee

  $ 152,724      $ 220,231      $ 16,250      $ 32,086      $ 16,584      $ 25,325      $ 13,091      $ 19,431   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Small Cap Core Fund

               

Distribution Fee

    —          —        $ 48,715      $ 74,789      $ 59,153      $ 82,960        N/A        N/A   

Service Fee

  $ 114,439      $ 136,573      $ 16,239      $ 24,930      $ 19,718      $ 27,653        N/A        N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

 

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      Distribution and Service Fees Paid by the Funds Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010 1  
      Class F     Class I     Class R     Class T     Class W  
      Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
    Distributor     Previous
Distributor
 

Contrarian Core Fund

                   

Distribution Fee

    N/A        N/A        —          —          —       —          —          —          —          —     

Service Fee

    N/A        N/A        —          —          —          —        $ 138,737      $ 208,725        —       —     

Fees Waived by the Distributor

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Dividend Income Fund

                   

Distribution Fee

    N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A      $ 15,398      $ 3,629        —          —          N/A        N/A   

Service Fee

    N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        —          —        $ 99,703      $ 139,493        N/A        N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Large Cap Growth Fund

                   

Distribution Fee

  $ 1,292      $ 1,677        —          —          —       N/A        —          —          —          —     

Service Fee

  $ 431      $ 559        —          —          N/A        N/A      $ 176,948      $ 260,003        —       —     

Fees Waived by the Distributor

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Small Cap Core Fund

                   

Distribution Fee

    N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        —          —          —          —          —          N/A   

Service Fee

    N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        —          —        $ 91,458      $ 131,716        —          N/A   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
1

Unaudited

* Rounds to less than $1

 

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Distribution and Services Fees Paid by the Fund for the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2009*

 

Fund

   Class A
Shares
     Class B
Shares
     Class C
Shares
 

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

        

Distribution Fee

     —         $ 68,025       $ 89,850   

Service Fee

   $ 171,733       $ 21,786       $ 28,797   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

     —           —         $ 35,944   

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived by the Previous Distributor.

Distribution and Services Fees Paid by the Fund for the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2009 *

 

Fund

   Class A
Shares
     Class B
Shares
     Class C
Shares
 

Real Estate Equity Fund

        

Distribution Fee

     —         $ 26,912       $ 26,164   

Service Fee

   $ 35,816       $ 8,971       $ 8,721   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

     —           —           —     

 

* All amounts were paid to or waived by the Previous Distributor.

Distribution and Services Fees Paid by the Fund for the Fiscal Period Ended December 31, 2009* , 1

 

Fund

   Class A
Shares
     Class B
Shares
     Class C
Shares
 

Real Estate Equity Fund

        

Distribution Fee

     —         $ 8,375       $ 9,509   

Service Fee

   $ 14,539       $ 2,791       $ 3,170   

Fees Waived by the Distributor

     —           —           —     

 

*

All amounts were paid to or waived by the Previous Distributor.

1

Data for the fiscal period September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.

The Distributor may use the entire amount of its fees to defray the costs of commissions and service fees paid to selling and/or servicing agents and for certain other purposes. Since the distribution and service fees are payable regardless of the Distributor’s expenses, the Distributor may realize a profit from the fees. The Distribution Plan authorizes any other payments by the Funds to the Distributor and its affiliates (including the Adviser) to the extent that such payments might be construed to be indirectly financing the distribution of a Fund’s shares.

The Funds participate in joint distribution activities with other Columbia Funds. The fees paid under the Distribution Plan adopted by a Fund may be used to finance the distribution of the shares of other Columbia Funds. Such distribution costs are allocated based on the relative net asset size of the respective Funds.

Codes of Ethics

The Funds, the Adviser and the Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to the requirements of the 1940 Act, including Rule 17j–1 under the 1940 Act. These Codes of Ethics permit personnel subject to the Codes of Ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be bought or held by the Funds. These Codes of Ethics are included as exhibits to Part C of the Funds’ registration statement. These Codes of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room and may be obtained by calling the SEC at 202.551.8090; they also are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549–1520.

 

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Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

The Funds have delegated to the Adviser, or as applicable, the subadviser, the responsibility to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Funds. In deciding to delegate this responsibility to the Adviser, the Board reviewed and approved the policies and procedures adopted by the Adviser and, as applicable, a subadviser. These included the procedures that the Adviser follows when a vote presents a conflict between the interests of the Funds and their shareholders and the Adviser (or subadviser), its affiliates, its other clients or other persons.

The Adviser’s policy is to vote all proxies for Fund securities in a manner considered by the Adviser to be in the best interest of the Funds and their shareholders without regard to any benefit to the Adviser, its affiliates, its other clients or other persons. The Adviser examines each proposal and votes against the proposal, if, in its judgment, approval or adoption of the proposal would be expected to have an adverse impact on the current or potential market value of the issuer’s securities. The Adviser also examines each proposal and votes the proxies against the proposal, if, in its judgment, the proposal would be expected to affect adversely the best interest of the Funds. The Adviser determines the best interest of the Funds in light of the potential economic return on each Fund’s investment.

The Adviser seeks to address potential material conflicts of interest by having predetermined voting guidelines. For those proposals that require special consideration or in instances where special circumstances may require varying from the predetermined guideline, the Adviser’s Proxy Voting Committee determines the vote in the best interest of the Funds, without consideration of any benefit to the Adviser, its affiliates, its other clients or other persons. The Adviser’s Proxy Voting Committee is composed of representatives of the Adviser’s equity investments, equity research, compliance, legal and operations functions. In addition to the responsibilities described above, the Proxy Voting Committee has the responsibility to review, at least annually, the Adviser’s proxy voting policies to ensure consistency with internal policies and regulatory requirements and to develop additional predetermined voting guidelines to assist in the review of proxy proposals.

The Proxy Voting Committee may vary from a predetermined guideline if it determines that voting on the proposal according to the predetermined guideline would be expected to have an adverse impact on the current or potential market value of the issuer’s securities or to affect adversely the best interest of the Funds. References to the best interests of the Funds refer to the interest of the Funds in terms of the potential economic return on the client’s investment. In determining the vote on any proposal, the Proxy Voting Committee does not consider any benefit other than benefits to the Funds. A member of the Proxy Voting Committee is prohibited from voting on any proposal for which he or she has a conflict of interest by reason of a direct relationship with the issuer or other party affected by a given proposal. Persons making recommendations to the Proxy Voting Committee or its members are required to disclose to the Committee any relationship with a party making a proposal or other matter known to the person that would create a potential conflict of interest.

The Adviser has retained Glass-Lewis & Co., a third-party vendor, to implement its proxy voting process. Glass-Lewis & Co. provides proxy analysis, record keeping services and vote disclosure services.

Information regarding how the Columbia Funds (except certain Columbia Funds that do not invest in voting securities) voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve month period ended June 30 will be available by August 31 of this year free of charge: (i) through the Columbia Funds’ website at www.columbiamanagement.com and (ii) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. For a copy of the Adviser’s (and subadviser’s) policies and procedures that are used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Columbia Funds, see Appendix B to this SAI.

 

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FUND GOVERNANCE

The Board

Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight

The Board oversees the Trust and the Funds. The Trustees are responsible for overseeing the management and operations of the Trust. The Board consists of eleven Trustees who have varied experience and skills. Ten of the Trustees, including the Chairman of the Board, are Independent Trustees. The remaining Trustee, Mr. Michael A. Jones, is an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Columbia Funds by reason of his service as president and director of the Adviser and the Distributor. With respect to Mr. Jones, the Trustees have concluded that having a senior officer of the Adviser serve as a Trustee benefits Fund shareholders by facilitating communication between the Independent Trustees and the senior management of the Adviser, and by aligning the interests of the Adviser more closely with those of Fund shareholders. Further information about the backgrounds and qualifications of the Trustees can be found in the section Trustee Biographical Information and Qualifications . The Board has several standing committees, which are an integral part of each Fund’s overall governance and risk oversight structure. The committees include the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee, the Advisory Fees & Expenses Committee, the Compliance Committee and the Investment Oversight Committees. A majority of the members of each of the committees are Independent Trustees. The roles of each committee are more fully described in the section Standing Committees below.

The Funds have retained the Adviser as the Funds’ investment adviser and administrator. The Adviser provides the Funds with investment advisory services, and is responsible for day-to-day administration of the Funds and management of the risks that arise from the Funds’ investments and operations. The Board provides oversight of the services provided by the Adviser, including risk management services. In addition, each committee of the Board provides oversight of the Adviser’s risk management services with respect to the particular activities within the committee’s purview. In the course of providing oversight, the Board and the committees receive a wide range of reports with respect to the Funds’ activities, including reports regarding each Fund’s investment portfolio, the compliance of the Funds with applicable laws, and the Funds’ financial accounting and reporting. The Board and the relevant committees meet periodically with officers of the Funds and the Adviser, with independent consultants hired by the Board, and with representatives of various of the Funds’ service providers. The Board and certain committees also meet periodically with the Funds’ chief compliance officer, who also serves as chief compliance officer of the Adviser, to receive reports regarding the compliance of the Funds and the Adviser with the federal securities laws and their internal compliance policies and procedures. In addition, the Board meets periodically with the portfolio managers of the Funds to receive reports regarding the management of the Funds, including their investment risks.

The Board reviews its leadership structure periodically and believes that its structure is appropriate, in light of the size of the Trust and the nature of its business, to enable the Board to exercise its oversight of the Funds and the other investment companies overseen by the Trustees. In particular, the Board believes that having an Independent Trustee serve as the chair of the Board and having other Independent Trustees serve as chairs of each committee promotes independence from the Adviser in setting agendas and conducting meetings. The Board believes that its committee structure makes the oversight process more efficient and more effective by allowing, among other things, smaller groups of Trustees to bring increased focus to matters within the purview of each committee.

Standing Committees

Ms. Verville and Messrs. Collins, Hacker and Nelson are members of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee’s functions include making recommendations to the Board regarding the selection and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm, and reviewing matters relating to accounting and auditing practices and procedures, accounting records and the internal accounting controls of the Funds and certain service providers.

 

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Messrs. Drake, Hacker, Mayer and Simpson are members of the Governance Committee. The Governance Committee’s functions include recommending to the Board nominees for Independent Trustee positions and for appointments to various committees, overseeing the Board’s periodic evaluations of the effectiveness of the Board, reviewing and recommending to the Board governance and other policies and practices to be followed in carrying out the Trustees’ duties and responsibilities and reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding the compensation of the Trustees who are not affiliated with the Adviser.

The Governance Committee will consider nominees for Trustee recommended by shareholders provided that such recommendations are submitted by the date disclosed in a Fund’s proxy statement and otherwise comply with applicable securities laws, including Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act. Such shareholder recommendations must be in writing and should be sent to the attention of the Governance Committee in care of the Fund at One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111-2621. Shareholder recommendations should include the proposed nominee’s biographical information (including business experience for the past ten years) and a description of the qualifications of the proposed nominee, along with a statement from the proposed nominee that he or she is willing to serve and meets the requirements to be a disinterested Trustee, if applicable.

Ms. Kelly and Messrs. Hacker, Mayer, Nelson, Neuhauser and Piel are members of the Advisory Fees & Expenses Committee. The Advisory Fees & Expenses Committee’s functions include reviewing and making recommendations to the Board as to contracts requiring approval of a majority of the Independent Trustees and as to any other contracts that may be referred to the Advisory Fees & Expenses Committee by the Board.

Mses. Kelly and Verville and Messrs. Nelson and Simpson are members of the Compliance Committee. The Compliance Committee’s functions include, among other things, monitoring, supervising and assessing the performance of each Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer and reviewing her compensation, reviewing periodically and recommending changes to the codes of ethics and compliance policies of each Fund and its service providers, and reviewing each Fund’s portfolio execution.

Each Trustee also serves on an Investment Oversight Committee (IOC). Each IOC is responsible for monitoring, on an ongoing basis, a select group of funds in the Columbia Funds Family and gives particular consideration to such matters as each Fund’s adherence to its investment mandates, historical performance, changes in investment processes and personnel, and proposed changes to investment objectives. Investment personnel who manage the Funds attend IOC meetings from time to time to assist each IOC in its review of the Funds. Each IOC meets four times a year, as the applicable IOC did for each Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year. The below are members of the respective IOCs and the general categories of funds in the Columbia Funds Family which they review. These asset categories may be reassigned among the IOCs from time to time.

IOC #1: Mr. Neuhauser and Ms. Verville are responsible for reviewing funds in the following asset categories: Global Stock, International Stock, Large Growth, Mid Value; Fixed Income – Core and Municipal.

IOC #2: Messrs. Collins, Hacker and Mayer are responsible for reviewing funds in the following asset categories: Large Value, Small Growth, Specialty; Fixed Income – High Yield, Multi-Sector and Municipal.

IOC #3: Mr. Piel and Ms. Kelly are responsible for reviewing funds in the following asset categories: Asset Allocation, Index, Large Value, Mid Value, Small Core, Small Value, Money Market; Fixed Income – Municipal and Short Duration.

IOC #4: Messrs. Drake, Nelson and Simpson are responsible for reviewing funds in the following asset categories: Asset Allocation, Large Blend, Mid Growth, Multi Blend, Small Growth, Specialty; Fixed Income – Core, Municipal and Short Duration.

 

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The table below shows the number of times each committee met during each Fund’s most recent fiscal year. The table is organized by fiscal year end.

 

Fiscal Period

   Audit
Committee
    Governance
Committee
    Advisory Fees &
Expenses
Committee
    Compliance
Committee
    Investment
Oversight

Committee
 

For Funds with fiscal periods ending March 31

     8        6        8        8        4   

For Funds with fiscal periods ending May 31

     8        7        8        9        4   

For Funds with fiscal periods ending June 30

     8        7        8        8        4   

For Funds with fiscal periods ending July 31

     8        7        9        8        4   

For Funds with fiscal periods ending August 31

     8        7        9        7        4   

For Funds with fiscal periods ending September 30

     6        6        8        7        4   

For Funds with fiscal periods ending October 31

     6        6        8        7        4   

For Funds with fiscal periods ending December 31

     3 a       2 a       4 a       4 a       1 a  

 

a

In 2009, Real Estate Equity Fund changed its fiscal year end from August 31 to December 31. The number of committee meetings in the table above reflects the period from September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, the Audit Committee met six times, the Governance Committee met six times, the Advisory Fees & Expenses Committee met eight times, the Compliance Committee met six times and each IOC met four times.

Trustee Biographical Information and Qualifications

The following provides an overview of the considerations that led the Board to conclude that each individual serving as a Trustee should so serve. Generally, no one factor was decisive in the selection of an individual to join the Board. Among the factors the Board considered when concluding that an individual should serve on the Board were the following: (i) the individual’s business and professional experience and accomplishments; (ii) the individual’s ability to work effectively with the other Trustees; (iii) the individual’s prior experience, if any, serving on the boards of public companies (including, where relevant, other investment companies) and other complex enterprises and organizations; and (iv) how the individual’s skills, experience and attributes would contribute to an appropriate mix of relevant skills and experience on the Board.

In respect of each current Trustee, the individual’s substantial professional accomplishments and experience, including in fields related to the operations of the Fund, were a significant factor in the determination that, in light of the business and structure of the Trust, the individual should serve as a Trustee. Following is a summary of each Trustee’s particular professional experience and additional considerations that contributed to the Board’s conclusion that an individual should serve as a Trustee:

Rodman L. Drake – Mr. Drake has significant experience serving as a CEO on boards of directors for public companies, including investment companies. This experience includes holding such positions with the various boards as chairman, lead independent director, and chairman of the nominating, compensation and audit committees. Mr. Drake is Co-Founder of Baringo Capital LLC, and was previously the CEO of a hybrid REIT, president of a private equity firm and the CEO of a leading management consulting firm.

 

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John D. Collins – Mr. Collins was a partner at KPMG LLP, where he worked for 37 years until his retirement in 1999. Mr. Collins has served on the board of directors for multiple companies. While with KPMG LLP, Mr. Collins was a senior audit partner. He also served on the International Auditing Procedures Committee.

Douglas A. Hacker – Mr. Hacker has extensive executive experience, having served in various executive roles with United Airlines and more recently as an independent business executive. Mr. Hacker also has experience on other boards of directors. As former chief financial officer of United Airlines, Mr. Hacker has significant experience in accounting and financial management, including in a public company setting.

Janet Langford Kelly – Ms. Kelly is Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for ConocoPhillips. Prior to joining ConocoPhillips Ms. Kelly held senior legal and leadership roles in other large corporations and law firms, including as a partner at the law firms Sidley & Austin and at Zelle, Hoffman, Voelbel, Mason and Gette. Ms. Kelly has previously served on the board of directors for a public company and various industry groups and non-profit organizations.

William E. Mayer – Mr. Mayer has significant executive and board experience with financial services and investment companies. Mr. Mayer, currently a partner at a private equity firm, also has significant executive experience and experience working in finance. Previously, Mr. Mayer was a professor and Dean of the College of Business and Management at the University of Maryland and was President and CEO of The First Boston Corporation.

Charles R. Nelson – Dr. Nelson is an experienced investment company trustee, having served on the Board, and the boards of predecessor funds, since 1981. Professor of Economics at the University of Washington since 1976, he has written several books, authored numerous articles in economics and finance, and served on editorial boards of professional journals. He is a Fellow of the Econometric Society and his contributions were the subject of a conference at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta in 2006. Additionally, he is an experienced consultant on economic and statistical matters.

John J. Neuhauser – Dr. Neuhauser is an experienced investment company trustee, having served on the Board since 1985 and on the boards of other investment companies. In addition to his board experience, Dr. Neuhauser has extensive executive experience. He is currently the President of Saint Michael’s College and has served in a variety of other leadership roles in higher education.

Jonathan Piel – Mr. Piel has served since 1994 as a trustee of mutual funds advised successively by U.S. Trust, Charles Schwab and the Adviser. In addition to this significant oversight experience he was the Editor of Scientific American and a vice president of Scientific American, Inc. He is also a member of the board of several not-for-profit organizations.

Patrick J. Simpson – Mr. Simpson is a partner at the law firm Perkins Coie L.L.P. Mr. Simpson’s practice includes such relevant areas as corporate governance and securities compliance.

Anne-Lee Verville – Ms. Verville has significant executive experience. Prior to her retirement in 1997, she held various leadership and executive roles with IBM Corporation. Ms. Verville has previously served on the board of directors for a public company and non-profit organizations.

Michael A. Jones – Mr. Jones has significant executive and board experience with financial services and investment companies. He has served as director and as president of the Adviser and the Distributor since May 2010. From 2007 to April 2010, Mr. Jones served as the manager, chairman, chief executive officer and president of the Previous Adviser, and from 2006 to April 2010 as the chief executive officer, president and director of the Previous Distributor.

 

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The following table provides additional biographical information about the Trustees as of the date of this SAI, including their principal occupations during the past five years, although their specific titles may have varied over the period. The mailing address of each Trustee is: c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, One Financial Center, Mail Stop MA5-515-11-05, Boston, MA 02111.

Independent Trustee Biographical Information

 

Name, Year of Birth
and Position Held with

the Trust

   Year First Appointed
or Elected as Trustee
to any Fund
Currently in the
Columbia Funds
Complex or a
Predecessor Thereof
    

Principal
Occupation(s) During the

Past Five Years

   Number of
Funds in the
Columbia
Funds
Complex
Overseen
    

Other Directorships Held by
Trustee
During the

Past Five Years

Rodman L. Drake
(Born 1943)
Trustee and Chairman of the Board
     1994       Independent consultant since 2010; Co-Founder of Baringo Capital LLC (private equity) from 1997 to 2008; CEO of Crystal River Capital, Inc. (real estate investment trust) from 2003 to 2010      64       Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (tax preparation services); Student Loan Corporation (student loan provider); Celgene Corporation (global biotechnology company); Crystal River Capital, Inc. from 2005 to 2010; Parsons Brinckerhoff from 1995 to 2008; The Helios Funds (exchange-traded funds); and Apex Silver Mines Ltd. from 2007 to 2009
John D. Collins
(Born 1938)
Trustee
     2005       Retired. Consultant, KPMG LLP (accounting and tax firm) from July 1999 to June 2000; Partner, KPMG LLP (accounting and tax firm) from March 1962 to June 1999      64       Mrs. Fields Original Cookies, Inc. (consumer products); Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.; and Montpelier Re (insurance underwriting firm)
Douglas A. Hacker
(Born 1955)
Trustee
     1996       Independent business executive since May 2006; Executive Vice President – Strategy of United Airlines from December 2002 to May 2006; President of UAL Loyalty Services (airline marketing company) from September 2001 to December 2002; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United Airlines from July 1999 to September 2001      64       Nash Finch Company (food distributor) and Aircastle Limited (aircraft leasing)

 

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Table of Contents

Name, Year of Birth
and Position Held with

the Trust

   Year First Appointed
or Elected as Trustee
to any Fund
Currently in the
Columbia Funds
Complex or a
Predecessor Thereof
    

Principal
Occupation(s) During the

Past Five Years

   Number of
Funds in the
Columbia
Funds
Complex
Overseen
    

Other Directorships Held by
Trustee
During the

Past Five Years

Janet Langford Kelly
(Born 1957)
Trustee
     1996       Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, ConocoPhillips (integrated energy company) since September 2007; Deputy General Counsel – Corporate Legal Services, ConocoPhillips from August 2006 to August 2007; Partner, Zelle, Hofmann, Voelbel, Mason & Gette LLP (law firm) from March 2005 to July 2006; Adjunct Professor of Law, Northwestern University from September 2004 to June 2006; Director, UAL Corporation (airline) from February 2006 to July 2006; Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President, Kmart Holding Corporation (consumer goods) from September 2003 to March 2004      64       None
William E. Mayer (Born 1940)
Trustee
     1994       Partner, Park Avenue Equity Partners (private equity) since February 1999; Dean and Professor, College of Business and Management University of Maryland from 1992 to 1996      64       DynaVox Inc. (software developer); Lee Enterprises (print media); WR Hambrecht + Co. (financial service provider); and BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation (investment company)

 

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Table of Contents

Name, Year of Birth
and Position Held with

the Trust

   Year First Appointed
or Elected as Trustee
to any Fund
Currently in the
Columbia Funds
Complex or a
Predecessor Thereof
    

Principal
Occupation(s) During the

Past Five Years

   Number of
Funds in the
Columbia
Funds
Complex
Overseen
    

Other Directorships Held by
Trustee
During the

Past Five Years

Charles R. Nelson
(Born 1942)
Trustee
     1981       Professor of Economics, University of Washington since January 1976; Ford and Louisa Van Voorhis Professor of Political Economy, University of Washington since September 1993; Adjunct Professor of Statistics, University of Washington since September 1980; Associate Editor, Journal of Money, Credit and Banking from September 1993 to 2008; consultant on econometric and statistical matters      64       None
John J. Neuhauser
(Born 1943)
Trustee
     1984       President, Saint Michael’s College since August 2007; University Professor, Boston College from November 2005 to August 2007; Director or Trustee of several non-profit organizations, including Fletcher Allen Health Care, Inc.; Academic Vice President and Dean of Faculties, Boston College from August 1999 to October 2005      64       Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (closed-end funds)

 

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Table of Contents

Name, Year of Birth
and Position Held with

the Trust

   Year First Appointed
or Elected as Trustee
to any Fund
Currently in the
Columbia Funds
Complex or a
Predecessor Thereof
    

Principal
Occupation(s) During the

Past Five Years

   Number of
Funds in the
Columbia
Funds
Complex
Overseen
    

Other Directorships Held by
Trustee
During the

Past Five Years

Jonathan Piel
(Born 1938)
Trustee
     1994       Cable television producer and web site designer; The Editor, Scientific American from 1984 to 1994; Vice President, Scientific American, Inc. from 1984 to 1994; Member, Advisory Board, Stone Age Institute, Bloomington, Indiana (research institute that explores the effect of technology on human evolution); Member, Board of Directors of the National Institute of Social Sciences, New York City; Member, Board of Trustees of the William Alanson White Institute, New York City (institution for training psychoanalysts); Member, Advisory Board, Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center, New York      64       None
Patrick J. Simpson
(Born 1944)
Trustee
     2000       Partner, Perkins Coie L.L.P. (law firm)      64       None
Anne-Lee Verville
(Born 1945)
Trustee
     1998       Retired since 1997 (formerly, General Manager, Global Education Industry from 1994 to 1997; President – Application Systems Division from 1991 to 1994; Chief Financial Officer – US Marketing & Services from 1988 to 1991; and Chief Information Officer from 1987 to 1988, IBM Corporation (computer and technology))      64       Enesco Group, Inc. (producer of giftware and home and garden decor products) from 2001 to 2006

 

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Table of Contents

Interested Trustee Biographical Information

 

Name, Year of Birth
and Position Held with
the Trust

   Year First Appointed
or Elected as Trustee
to any Fund
Currently in the
Columbia Funds
Complex or a
Predecessor Thereof
    

Principal

Occupation(s) During the

Past Five Years

   Number of
Funds in the
Columbia
Funds
Complex
Overseen
    

Other Directorships Held by
Trustee
During the

Past Five Years

Michael A. Jones
(Born 1959)
Trustee
     2010       Director and President, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010; President and Director, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. since May 2010; Manager, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC from 2007 to April 2010; Chief Executive Officer, President and Director, Columbia Management Distributors, Inc. from November 2006 to April 2010; previously, co-president and senior managing director at Robeco Investment Management.      64       None

Compensation

Trustees are compensated for their services to the Columbia Funds complex on a complex-wide basis, as shown in the table below.

 

    Aggregate Compensation from Fund
Independent Trustees
 

Fund

  Rodman  L.
Drake (1)
    John D.
Collins (2)
    Douglas A.
Hacker
    Janet
Langford
Kelly
    William
E. Mayer
    Charles R.
Nelson
    John J.
Neuhauser
    Jonathan
Piel
    Patrick J.
Simpson (3)
    Thomas C.
Theobald (4)
    Anne-Lee
Verville (5)
 

For Funds with fiscal year ending March 31

  

Bond Fund

  $ 4,544      $ 3,582      $ 3,867      $ 3,600      $ 3,532      $ 3,820      $ 3,533      $ 3,305      $ 3,599      $ 3,154      $ 3,739   

Amount deferred

  $ 1,526      $ 1,590      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 3,599      $ 0      $ 0   

Corporate Income Fund

  $ 4,205      $ 3,321      $ 3,586      $ 3,337      $ 3,277      $ 3,547      $ 3,276      $ 3,065      $ 3,337      $ 2,923      $ 3,469   

Amount deferred

  $ 1,416      $ 1,480      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 3,337      $ 0      $ 0   

Emerging Markets Fund

  $ 3,100      $ 2,472      $ 2,678      $ 3,099      $ 2,453      $ 1,969      $ 2,446      $ 2,292      $ 2,355      $ 2,172      $ 2,601   

Amount deferred

  $ 2,060      $ 2,188      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 2,355      $ 0      $ 0   

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

  $ 3,888      $ 3,086      $ 3,341      $ 1,920      $ 3,069      $ 2,671      $ 3,060      $ 2,868      $ 2,977      $ 2,691      $ 3,250   

Amount deferred

  $ 2,575      $ 2,738      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 2,977      $ 0      $ 0   

Intermediate Bond Fund

  $ 13,357      $ 10,532      $ 11,358      $ 10,581      $ 10,361      $ 11,198      $ 10,374      $ 9,698      $ 10,555      $ 9,353      $ 10,967   

Amount deferred

  $ 4,491      $ 4,604      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 10,555      $ 0      $ 0   

 

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Table of Contents
    Aggregate Compensation from Fund
Independent Trustees
 

Fund

  Rodman  L.
Drake (1)
    John D.
Collins (2)
    Douglas A.
Hacker
    Janet
Langford
Kelly
    William
E. Mayer
    Charles R.
Nelson
    John J.
Neuhauser
    Jonathan
Piel
    Patrick J.
Simpson (3)
    Thomas C.
Theobald (4)
    Anne-Lee
Verville (5)
 

Pacific/Asia Fund

  $ 1,588      $ 1,260      $ 1,363      $ 1,267      $ 1,247      $ 1,353      $ 1,244      $ 1,165      $ 1,306      $ 1,104      $ 1,320   

Amount deferred

  $ 1,060      $ 1,118      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,306      $ 0      $ 0   

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

  $ 7,034      $ 5,587      $ 6,059      $ 5,625      $ 5,602      $ 6,079      $ 5,569      $ 5,226      $ 4,880      $ 4,870      $ 5,919   

Amount deferred

  $ 4,591      $ 4,937      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 4,880      $ 0      $ 0   

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

  $ 3,628      $ 2,846      $ 3,067      $ 2,854      $ 2,780      $ 3,008      $ 2,789      $ 2,606      $ 2,836      $ 2,471      $ 2,947   

Amount deferred

  $ 1,204      $ 1,262      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 2,836      $ 0      $ 0   

Value and Restructuring Fund

  $ 33,775      $ 26,803      $ 28,951      $ 26,950      $ 26,607      $ 28,828      $ 26,576      $ 24,874      $ 22,548      $ 23,966      $ 28,137   

Amount deferred

  $ 11,452      $ 11,817      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 22,548      $ 0      $ 0   

For Funds with fiscal year ending May 31

  

High Yield Opportunity Fund

  $ 3,616      $ 2,742      $ 2,978      $ 2,763      $ 2,716      $ 2,945      $ 2,686      $ 2,524      $ 2,760      $ 1,652      $ 2,845   

Amount deferred

  $ 920      $ 1,437      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 2,760      $ 0      $ 0   

International Bond Fund

  $ 1,694      $ 1,286      $ 1,399      $ 1,297      $ 1,016      $ 1,088      $ 1,038      $ 962      $ 1,037      $ 541      $ 1,076   

Amount deferred

  $ 429      $ 676      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,037      $ 0      $ 0   

Strategic Income Fund

  $ 13,920      $ 10,524      $ 11,407      $ 10,585      $ 10,405      $ 11,283      $ 10,309      $ 9,680      $ 10,576      $ 6,427      $ 10,914   

Amount deferred

  $ 3,532      $ 5,457      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 10,576      $ 0      $ 0   

For Funds with fiscal year ending June 30

  

High Yield Municipal Fund

  $ 4,982      $ 3,854      $ 4,247      $ 3,862      $ 3,813      $ 4,118      $ 3,778      $ 3,555      $ 3,834      $ 2,098      $ 3,967   

Amount deferred.

  $ 1,903      $ 2,066      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 3,834      $ 0      $ 0   

Small Cap Value Fund I

  $ 7,259      $ 5,618      $ 6,198      $ 5,619      $ 5,604      $ 6,047      $ 5,539      $ 5,214      $ 5,618      $ 2,833      $ 5,818   

Amount deferred

  $ 1,497      $ 3,019      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 5,618      $ 0      $ 0   

For Funds with fiscal year ending July 31

  

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

  $ 4,549      $ 3,426      $ 3,749      $ 3,374      $ 3,394      $ 3,618      $ 3,399      $ 3,178      $ 3,334      $ 1,018      $ 3,480   

Amount deferred

  $ 654      $ 1,659      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 3,334      $ 0      $ 0   

For Funds with fiscal year ending August 31

  

Balanced Fund

  $ 3,975      $ 2,999      $ 3,314      $ 2,993      $ 3,040      $ 2,802      $ 2,560      $ 2,403      $ 2,557      $ 1,014      $ 3,524   

Amount deferred

  $ 370      $ 1,464      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 2,557      $ 0      $ 0   

Mid Cap Growth Fund

  $ 7,404      $ 5,624      $ 6,239      $ 5,647      $ 5,581      $ 6,036      $ 5,541      $ 5,190      $ 5,520      $ 1,875      $ 5,787   

Amount deferred

  $ 982      $ 2,814      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 5,520      $ 0      $ 0   

Small Cap Growth Fund I

  $ 4,817      $ 3,671      $ 4,077      $ 3,679      $ 3,649      $ 3,937      $ 3,617      $ 3,391      $ 3,598      $ 1,117      $ 3,768   

Amount deferred

  $ 602      $ 1,862      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 3,598      $ 0      $ 0   

Strategic Investor Fund

  $ 5,856      $ 4,446      $ 4,931      $ 4,467      $ 4,411      $ 4,774      $ 4,381      $ 4,103      $ 4,366      $ 1,518      $ 4,578   

Amount deferred

  $ 791      $ 2,220      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 4,366      $ 0      $ 0   

For Funds with fiscal year ending September 30

  

Contrarian Core Fund

  $ 3,804      $ 2,898      $ 3,213      $ 2,892      $ 2,878      $ 3,090      $ 2,860      $ 2,681      $ 2,822      $ 911      $ 2,959   

Amount deferred

  $ 477      $ 1,465      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 2,822      $ 0      $ 0   

Dividend Income Fund

  $ 11,002      $ 8,391      $ 9,311      $ 8,380      $ 8,344      $ 8,956      $ 8,285      $ 7,770      $ 8,174      $ 2,604      $ 8,568   

Amount deferred

  $ 1,372      $ 4,265      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 8,174      $ 0      $ 0   

Large Cap Growth Fund

  $ 8,540      $ 6,503      $ 7,204      $ 6,493      $ 6,452      $ 6,937      $ 6,407      $ 6,006      $ 6,349      $ 2,192      $ 6,655   

Amount deferred

  $ 1,144      $ 3,289      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 6,349      $ 0      $ 0   

Small Cap Core Fund

  $ 4,523      $ 3,445      $ 3,818      $ 3,440      $ 3,420      $ 3,675      $ 3,397      $ 3,185      $ 3,360      $ 1,135      $ 3,522   

Amount deferred

  $ 592      $ 1,743      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 3,360      $ 0      $ 0   

For Funds with fiscal year ending October 31

  

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

  $ 1,666      $ 1,331      $ 1,452      $ 1,401      $ 1,388      $ 1,491      $ 1,388      $ 1,294      $ 1,397      $ 1,546      $ 1,447   

Amount deferred

  $ 663      $ 638      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,397      $ 0      $ 0   

 

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Table of Contents
    Aggregate Compensation from Fund
Independent Trustees
 

Fund

  Rodman  L.
Drake (1)
    John D.
Collins (2)
    Douglas A.
Hacker
    Janet
Langford
Kelly
    William
E. Mayer
    Charles R.
Nelson
    John J.
Neuhauser
    Jonathan
Piel
    Patrick J.
Simpson (3)
    Thomas C.
Theobald (4)
    Anne-Lee
Verville (5)
 

For the Fund with fiscal period ended December 31, 2009 and fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, respectively

  

Real Estate Equity Fund

  $ 868      $ 694      $ 792      $ 735      $ 1,887      $ 783      $ 695      $ 660      $ 707      $ 508      $ 745   

Amount deferred

  $ 929      $ 903      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,952      $ 0      $ 0   

Real Estate Equity Fund

  $ 2,108      $ 1,822      $ 1,998      $ 1,950      $ 707      $ 2,086      $ 1,938      $ 1,821      $ 1,952      $ 2,057      $ 2,021   

Amount deferred

  $ 397      $ 412      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 707      $ 0      $ 0   

 

1

During the calendar year December 31, 2009, Mr. Drake deferred $116,500 of his total compensation from the Columbia Fund Complex pursuant to the deferred compensation plan. At December 31, 2009, the value of Mr. Drake’s account under that plan was $223,507.

2

During the calendar year December 31, 2009, Mr. Collins deferred $116,000 of his total compensation from the Columbia Fund Complex pursuant to the deferred compensation plan. At December 31, 2009, the value of Mr. Collins’ account under that plan was $205,097.

3

During the calendar year ended December 31, 2009, Mr. Simpson deferred $236,000 of his total compensation from the Columbia Funds Complex pursuant to the deferred compensation plan. At December 31, 2009, the value of Mr. Simpson’s account under that plan was $1,051,968.

4

At December 31, 2009, the value of Mr. Theobald’s account under the deferred compensation plan was $600,183. Mr. Theobald served as a Trustee of the Trust until February 2010.

5

At December 31, 2009, the value of Ms. Verville’s account under the deferred compensation plan was $679,903.

 

Aggregate Compensation from Fund   
     Interested Trustee  

Fund

   Michael A. Jones  

For Funds with fiscal year ending March 31

  

Bond Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Corporate Income Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Emerging Markets Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Intermediate Bond Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Pacific/Asia Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Value and Restructuring Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

For Funds with fiscal year ending May 31

  

High Yield Opportunity Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

International Bond Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Strategic Income Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

 

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Table of Contents
     Interested Trustee  

Fund

   Michael A. Jones  

For Funds with fiscal year ending June 30

  

High Yield Municipal Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Small Cap Value Fund I

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

For Funds with fiscal year ending July 31

  

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

   $ 0   

Amount Deferred

   $ 0   

For Funds with fiscal year ending August 31

  

Balanced Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Mid Cap Growth Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Small Cap Growth Fund I

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Strategic Investor Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

For Funds with fiscal year ending September 30

  

Contrarian Core Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Dividend Income Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Large Cap Growth Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Small Cap Core Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

For Funds with fiscal year ending October 31

  

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

For the Fund with fiscal year ended August 31, 2009 and fiscal period ended December 31, 2009, respectively

   

Real Estate Equity Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Real Estate Equity Fund

   $ 0   

Amount deferred

   $ 0   

Independent Trustee Compensation for the Calendar Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

Name of Trustee

   Total Compensation from the Columbia
Funds Complex Paid to  Independent Trustees
for the Calendar Year Ended December 31, 2009 a
 

Rodman L. Drake

   $ 275,955   

John D. Collins

   $ 226,990   

Douglas A. Hacker

   $ 251,005   

Janet Langford Kelly

   $ 234,000   

William E. Mayer

   $ 233,500   

Charles R. Nelson

   $ 249,500   

 

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Table of Contents

Name of Trustee

   Total Compensation from the Columbia
Funds Complex Paid to  Independent Trustees
for the Calendar Year Ended December 31, 2009 a
 

John J. Neuhauser

   $ 233,500   

Jonathan Piel

   $ 218,500   

Patrick J. Simpson

   $ 236,000   

Thomas C. Theobald b

   $ 248,550   

Anne-Lee Verville

   $ 244,000   

 

a

All Trustees receive reimbursements for reasonable expenses related to their attendance at meetings of the Board or standing committees, which are not included in the amounts shown.

b

Mr. Theobald served as a Trustee of the Trust until February 2010.

Interested Trustee Compensation for the Calendar Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

Name of Trustee

   Total Compensation from the Columbia
Funds Complex Paid to Interested Trustee
for the Calendar Year Ended December 31, 2009 a
 

Michael A. Jones

   $ 0   

 

a

Mr. Jones receives reimbursements for reasonable expenses related to his attendance at meetings of the Board or standing committees, which are not included in the amounts shown.

Columbia Funds Deferred Compensation Plan

Under the terms of the Deferred Fee Agreement (the Deferred Compensation Plan), each eligible Trustee may elect, on an annual basis, to defer receipt of all or a portion of compensation payable to him or her for service as Trustee for that calendar year (expressly, a Trustee may elect to defer his/her annual retainer, his/her attendance fees, or both components, which together comprise total compensation for service). Fees deferred by a Trustee are credited to a book reserve account (the Deferral Account) established by the Columbia Funds, the value of which is derived from the rate of return of one or more Columbia Funds selected by the Trustee (with accruals to the Deferral Account beginning at such time as a Trustee’s fund elections having been established, and proceeds for service having been paid into such account, and terminating at such time as when proceeds become payable to such Trustee under the Deferred Compensation Plan). Trustees may change their fund elections only in accordance with the provisions of the Deferred Compensation Plan.

Distributions from a Trustee’s Deferral Account will be paid by check, either in a lump sum or in annual installments. Payments made in annual installments are disbursed over a period of up to ten years, following such time as a Trustee may qualify to receive such payments. If a deferring Trustee dies prior to or after the commencement of the disbursement of amounts accrued in his/her Deferral Account, the balance of the account will be distributed to his/her designated beneficiary either in lump sum or in annual payments as established by such Trustee himself/herself, his/her beneficiary or his/her estate. Amounts payable under the Deferred Compensation Plan are not funded or secured in any way, and each deferring Trustee has the status of an unsecured creditor of the Columbia Fund(s) from which compensation has been deferred.

Beneficial Equity Ownership

As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and Officers of the Trust, as a group, beneficially owned less than 1% of each class of shares of each Fund. The table below shows, for each Trustee, the amount of Fund equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustee and the aggregate value of all investments in equity securities of the Columbia Funds Family overseen by the Trustee, stated as one of the following ranges: A = $0; B = $1-$10,000; C = $10,001-$50,000; D = $50,001-$100,000; and E = over $100,000.

 

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Independent Trustee Ownership for the Calendar Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

Fund

   John D.
Collins
    Rodman L.
Drake
    Douglas A.
Hacker
     Janet Langford
Kelly
     William E.
Mayer
     Charles R.
Nelson
 

Balanced Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         A   

Bond Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         A   

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         A   

Contrarian Core Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         A   

Corporate Income Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         E   

Dividend Income Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         A   

Emerging Markets Fund

     C        C 1       E         A         A         A   

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         A   

High Yield Municipal Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         A   

High Yield Opportunity Fund

     A        A        E         A         A         D   

Intermediate Bond Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         E   

International Bond Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         A   

Large Cap Growth Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         D   

Mid Cap Growth Fund

     A        A        A         E         A         E   

Pacific/Asia Fund

     C        A        A         A         A         A   

Real Estate Equity Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         A   

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

     C        D 1       A         A         A         A   

Small Cap Core Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         A   

Small Cap Growth Fund I

     A        A        A         A         A         A   

Small Cap Value Fund I

     A        A        A         A         A         A   

Strategic Income Fund

     E        D 1       E         E         A         E   

Strategic Investor Fund

     A        A        A         C         A         A   

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         A   

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

     A        A        A         A         A         A   

Value and Restructuring Fund

     C 1       C 1       A         A         A         A   

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Funds in the Columbia Funds Family Overseen by the Trustee

     E 1       E 1       E         E         A         E   

 

1

Includes the value of compensation payable under the Deferred Compensation Plan that is determined as if the amounts deferred had been invested, as of the date of deferral, in shares of one or more funds in the Columbia Funds Family overseen by the Trustee as specified by each Trustee.

Independent Trustee Ownership for the Calendar Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

Fund

   John J.
Neuhauser
     Jonathan
Piel
     Patrick J
Simpson
     Anne–Lee
Verville
 

Balanced Fund

     A         A         C         A   

Bond Fund

     A         A         A         A   

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

     A         A         A         A   

Contrarian Core Fund

     A         A         A         A   

Corporate Income Fund

     A         A         A         A   

Dividend Income Fund

     A         A         A         A   

Emerging Markets Fund

     A         A         A         A   

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

     A         A         A         A   

High Yield Municipal Fund

     A         A         A         A   

High Yield Opportunity Fund

     A         A         A         A   

 

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Fund

   John J.
Neuhauser
     Jonathan
Piel
     Patrick J
Simpson
    Anne–Lee
Verville
 

Intermediate Bond Fund

     A         A         A        A   

International Bond Fund

     A         A         A        A   

Large Cap Growth Fund

     A         A         D        A   

Mid Cap Growth Fund

     A         A         C        A   

Pacific/Asia Fund

     A         A         A        A   

Real Estate Equity Fund

     A         A         C        A   

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

     A         A         A        A   

Small Cap Core Fund

     A         A         A        A   

Small Cap Growth Fund I

     A         A         A        A   

Small Cap Value Fund I

     D         A         A        A   

Strategic Income Fund

     E         A         E        E 1  

Strategic Investor Fund

     A         A         A        A   

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

     A         A         A        A   

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

     A         A         A        A   

Value and Restructuring Fund

     A         A         A        A   

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Funds in the Columbia Funds Family Overseen by the Trustee

     E         A         E 1       E 1  

 

1

Includes the value of compensation payable under the Deferred Compensation Plan that is determined as if the amounts deferred had been invested, as of the date of deferral, in shares of one or more funds in the Columbia Funds Family overseen by the Trustee as specified by each Trustee.

Interested Trustee Ownership for the Calendar Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

Fund

   Michael A. Jones  

Balanced Fund

     A   

Bond Fund

     A   

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

     A   

Contrarian Core Fund

     A   

Corporate Income Fund

     A   

Dividend Income Fund

     A   

Emerging Markets Fund

     A   

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

     A   

High Yield Municipal Fund

     A   

High Yield Opportunity Fund

     A   

Intermediate Bond Fund

     A   

International Bond Fund

     A   

Large Cap Growth Fund

     A   

Mid Cap Growth Fund

     A   

Pacific/Asia Fund

     A   

Real Estate Equity Fund

     A   

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

     A   

Small Cap Core Fund

     A   

Small Cap Growth Fund I

     A   

Small Cap Value Fund I

     A   

Strategic Income Fund

     A   

Strategic Investor Fund

     A   

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

     A   

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

     A   

Value and Restructuring Fund

  

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Funds in the Columbia Funds Family Overseen by the Trustee

     C   

 

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The Officers

The following table provides basic information about the Officers of the Trust as of the date of this SAI, including their principal occupations during the past five years, although their specific titles may have varied over the period. The mailing address of each Officer is: c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, One Financial Center, Mail Stop MA5-515-11-05, Boston, MA 02111.

Officer Biographical Information

 

Name and

Year of Birth

   Position with  the
Trust
   Year First Elected or
Appointed to
Office
    

Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years

J. Kevin Connaughton

(Born 1964)

   President      2009       Senior Vice President and General Manager – Mutual Fund Products, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010; President, Columbia Funds, since 2009, and RiverSource Funds, since May 2010 (previously Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Columbia Funds, from June 2008 to January 2009, Treasurer, Columbia Funds, from October 2003 to May 2008, and senior officer of various other affiliated funds since 2000); Managing Director, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC from December 2004 to April 2010.
Michael G. Clarke
(Born 1969)
   Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial
Officer
     2009       Vice President, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010; Managing Director of Fund Administration, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, from September 2004 to April 2010; senior officer of Columbia Funds and affiliated funds since 2002.
Scott R. Plummer
(Born 1959)
   Senior Vice President,
Secretary and Chief
Legal Officer
     2010       Chief Legal Officer and Assistant Secretary, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since June 2005; Vice President and Lead Chief Counsel – Asset Management, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since May 2010 (previously Vice President and Chief Counsel – Asset Management, from 2005 to April 2010, and Vice President – Asset Management Compliance from 2004 to 2005); Vice President, Chief Counsel and Assistant Secretary, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. since 2008; Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Ameriprise Certificate Company since 2005; Chief Counsel, RiverSource Distributors, Inc. since 2006; Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, RiverSource Funds, since December 2006; Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, Columbia Funds, since May 2010.

 

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Name and

Year of Birth

   Position with  the
Trust
   Year First Elected or
Appointed to
Office
    

Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years

Linda J. Wondrack
(Born 1964)
   Senior Vice President
and Chief Compliance
Officer
     2007       Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010; Chief Compliance Officer, Columbia Funds since 2007, and RiverSource Funds, since May 2010; Director (Columbia Management Group, LLC and Investment Product Group Compliance), Bank of America, from June 2005 to April 2010; Director of Corporate Compliance and Conflicts Officer of MFS Investment Management (investment management) from August 2004 to May 2005.
William F. Truscott
(Born 1960)
   Senior Vice President      2010       Chairman of the Board, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010 (previously President, Chairman of the Board and Chief Investment Officer, from 2001 to April 2010); Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Asset Management & President, Annuities, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since May 2010 (previously President – U.S. Asset Management and Chief Investment Officer from 2005 to April 2010, and Senior Vice President – Chief Investment Officer, from 2001 to 2005); Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ameriprise Certificate Company since 2006; Director, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. since May 2010 (previously Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from 2008 to April 2010); Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, RiverSource Distributors, Inc. since 2006.

Colin Moore

(Born 1958)

   Senior Vice President      2010       Director and Chief Investment Officer, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010; Manager, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Columbia Management Advisors, LLC from 2007 to April 2010; Head of Equities, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC from 2002 to 2007.

 

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Name and

Year of Birth

   Position with  the
Trust
   Year First Elected or
Appointed to Office
  

Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years

Michael A. Jones
(Born 1959)
   Senior Vice President,
Trustee
   2010    Director and President, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010; President and Director, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. since May 2010; Manager, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC from 2007 to April 2010; Chief Executive Officer, President and Director, Columbia Management Distributors, Inc. from November 2006 to April 2010; previously, co-president and senior managing director at Robeco Investment Management.

Amy Johnson

(Born 1965)

   Senior Vice President    2010    Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010 (previously Chief Administrative Officer, from 2009 until April 2010, Vice President – Asset Management and Trust Company Services, from 2006 to 2009, and Vice President – Operations and Compliance from 2004 to 2006).
Joseph F. DiMaria
(Born 1968)
   Treasurer and Chief
Accounting Officer
   Treasurer since
2009 and Chief
Accounting Officer
since 2008
   Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, since May 2010; Director of Fund Administration, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC from January 2006 to April 2010; Head of Tax/Compliance and Assistant Treasurer, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, from November 2004 to December 2005.
Marybeth Pilat
(Born 1968)
   Deputy Treasurer    2010    Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, since May 2010; Vice President, Investment Operations, Bank of America, from October 2008 to April 2010; Finance Manager, Boston Children’s Hospital from August 2008 to October 2008; Director, Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, from May 2007 to July 2008; Vice President, Mutual Fund Valuation, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, from January 2006 to May 2007; Vice President, Mutual Fund Accounting Oversight, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC from January 2005 to January 2006.

 

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Name and

Year of Birth

  

Position with the
Trust

   Year First Elected or
Appointed to Office
  

Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years

Julian Quero
(Born 1967)
   Deputy Treasurer    2008    Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010; Director of Fund Administration, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, from August 2008 to April 2010; Senior Tax Manager, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC from August 2006 to July 2008; Senior Compliance Manager, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC from April 2002 to August 2006.

Kathryn Thompson

(Born 1967)

   Assistant Treasurer    2006    Director, Mutual Fund Accounting Oversight and Treasury of the Adviser, since May 2010; Vice President, Mutual Fund Accounting Oversight of the Previous Adviser from December 2004 to April 2010; Vice President, State Street Corporation (financial services) prior to December 2004.

Stephen T. Welsh

(Born 1957)

   Vice President    2006    President and Director, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. since May 2010; President and Director, Columbia Management Services, Inc. from July 2004 to April 2010; Managing Director, Columbia Management Distributors, Inc. from August 2007 to April 2010.
Paul B. Goucher
(Born 1968)
   Assistant Secretary    2010    Vice President and Chief Counsel of Ameriprise Financial since January 2010 (formerly Vice President and Group Counsel from November 2008 to January 2010); Director, Managing Director and General Counsel of J. & W. Seligman & Co. Incorporated (Seligman) from July 2008 to November 2008 and Managing Director and Associate General Counsel of Seligman from January 2005 to July 2008.

Christopher O. Petersen

(Born 1970)

   Assistant Secretary    2010    Vice President and Chief Counsel, Ameriprise Financial since January 2010 (formerly Vice President and Group Counsel or Counsel from April 2004 to January 2010); Assistant Secretary of RiverSource Funds since January 2007.
Ryan C. Larrenaga
(Born 1970)
   Assistant Secretary    2005    Counsel, Ameriprise Financial since May 2010; Assistant General Counsel, Bank of America from March 2005 to April 2010; Associate, Ropes & Gray LLP (law firm) from 1998 to February 2005.

 

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BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

General Brokerage Policy, Brokerage Transactions and Broker Selection

Subject to policies established by the Board, the Adviser (or the investment subadviser(s) who make the day-to-day investment decisions for a Fund, as applicable) is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for each Fund, for the selection of broker/dealers, for the execution of a Fund’s securities transactions and for the allocation of brokerage commissions in connection with such transactions. The Adviser’s primary consideration in effecting a security transaction is to obtain the best net price and the most favorable execution of the order. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through brokers who charge negotiated commissions for their services. Orders may be directed to any broker to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law.

In the over-the-counter market, securities generally are traded on a “net” basis with dealers acting as principals for their own accounts without stated commissions, although the price of a security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are bought at a fixed price that includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter’s “concession” or “discount.” On occasion, certain money market instruments may be bought directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid.

In placing orders for portfolio securities of the Funds, the Adviser gives primary consideration to obtaining the best net prices and most favorable execution. This means that the Adviser will seek to execute each transaction at a price and commission, if any, which provides the most favorable total cost or proceeds reasonably attainable in the circumstances. In seeking such execution, the Adviser will use its best judgment in evaluating the terms of a transaction, and will give consideration to various relevant factors, including, without limitation, the size and type of the transaction, the nature and character of the market for the security, the confidentiality, speed and certainty of effective execution required for the transaction, the general execution and operational capabilities of the broker/dealer, the reputation, reliability, experience and financial condition of the broker/dealer, the value and quality of the services rendered by the broker/dealer in this instance and other transactions and the reasonableness of the spread or commission, if any. Research services received from broker/dealers supplement the Adviser’s own research and may include the following types of information: statistical and background information on industry groups and individual companies; forecasts and interpretations with respect to U.S. and foreign economies, securities, markets, specific industry groups and individual companies; information on political developments; Fund management strategies; performance information on securities and information concerning prices of securities; and information supplied by specialized services to the Adviser and to the Board with respect to the performance, investment activities and fees and expenses of other mutual funds. Such information may be communicated electronically, orally or in written form. Research services also may include the arranging of meetings with management of companies and the provision of access to consultants who supply research information.

The outside research is useful to the Adviser since, in certain instances, the broker/dealers utilized by the Adviser may follow a different universe of securities issuers and other matters than those that the Adviser’s staff can follow. In addition, this research provides the Adviser with a different perspective on financial markets, even if the securities research obtained relates to issues followed by the Adviser. Research services that are provided to the Adviser by broker/dealers are available for the benefit of all accounts managed or advised by the Adviser. In some cases, the research services are available only from the broker/dealer providing such services. In other cases, the research services may be obtainable from alternative sources. The Adviser is of the opinion that because the broker/dealer research supplements rather than replaces the Adviser’s own research, the receipt of such research does not tend to decrease the Adviser’s expenses, but tends to improve the quality of its investment advice. However, to the extent that the Adviser would have bought any such research services had such services not been provided by broker/dealers, the expenses of such services to the Adviser could be considered to have been reduced accordingly. Certain research services furnished by broker/dealers may be useful to the clients of the Adviser other than the Funds. Conversely, any research services received by the Adviser through the

 

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placement of transactions of other clients may be of value to the Adviser in fulfilling its obligations to the Funds. The Adviser is of the opinion that this material is beneficial in supplementing its research and analysis; and, therefore, it may benefit the Trust by improving the quality of the Adviser’s investment advice. The advisory fees paid by the Trust are not reduced because the Adviser receives such services.

Under Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, the Adviser shall not be “deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached its fiduciary duty” solely because under certain circumstances it has caused the account to pay a higher commission than the lowest available. To obtain the benefit of Section 28(e), the Adviser must make a good faith determination that the commissions paid are “reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such member, broker, or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or his overall responsibilities with respect to the accounts as to which he exercises investment discretion.” Accordingly, the price to a Funds in any transaction may be less favorable than that available from another broker/dealer if the difference is reasonably justified by other aspects of the portfolio execution services offered. Some broker/dealers may indicate that the provision of research services is dependent upon the generation of certain specified levels of commissions and underwriting concessions by the Adviser’s clients, including the Funds.

Commission rates are established pursuant to negotiations with broker/dealers based on the quality and quantity of execution services provided by broker/dealers in light of generally prevailing rates. On exchanges on which commissions are negotiated, the cost of transactions may vary among different broker/dealers. Transactions on foreign stock exchanges involve payment of brokerage commissions that generally are fixed. Transactions in both foreign and domestic over-the-counter markets generally are principal transactions with dealers, and the costs of such transactions involve dealer spreads rather than brokerage commissions. With respect to over-the-counter transactions, the Adviser, where possible, will deal directly with dealers who make a market in the securities involved, except in those circumstances in which better prices and execution are available elsewhere.

In certain instances there may be securities that are suitable for a Fund as well as for one or more of the other clients of the Adviser. Investment decisions for the Funds and for the Adviser’s other clients are made with the goal of achieving their respective investment objectives. A particular security may be bought or sold for only one client even though it may be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more other clients are selling that same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when a number of accounts receive investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are engaged simultaneously in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. In some cases, this policy could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security in a particular transaction that may affect the Funds.

The Funds may participate, if and when practicable, in bidding for the purchase of portfolio securities directly from an issuer in order to take advantage of the lower purchase price available to members of a bidding group. A Fund will engage in this practice, however, only when the Adviser, in its sole discretion, believes such practice to be otherwise in such Fund’s interests.

The Trust will not execute portfolio transactions through, or buy or sell portfolio securities from or to, the Distributor, the Adviser, the Administrator or their affiliates acting as principal (including repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements), except to the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or order. However, the Adviser is authorized to allocate buy and sell orders for portfolio securities to certain broker/dealers and financial institutions, including, in the case of agency transactions, broker/dealers and financial institutions that are affiliated with Ameriprise Financial. To the extent that a Fund executes any securities trades with an affiliate of Ameriprise Financial, such Fund does so in conformity with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act and the procedures that such Fund has adopted pursuant to the rule. In this regard, for each transaction, the Board will determine that: (i) the transaction resulted in prices for and execution of securities transactions at least as favorable to the particular Fund as those likely to be derived from a non-affiliated qualified broker/dealer; (ii) the affiliated broker/dealer charged the Fund commission rates consistent with those charged by the affiliated broker/dealer in similar transactions to clients comparable to the Fund and that are not affiliated with the broker/dealer in

 

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question; and (iii) the fees, commissions or other remuneration paid by the Fund did not exceed 2% of the sales price of the securities if the sale was effected in connection with a secondary distribution, or 1% of the purchase or sale price of such securities if effected in other than a secondary distribution.

Certain affiliates of Ameriprise Financial may have deposit, loan or commercial banking relationships with the corporate users of facilities financed by industrial development revenue bonds or private activity bonds bought by certain of the Columbia Funds. Ameriprise Financial or certain of its affiliates may serve as trustee, custodian, tender agent, guarantor, placement agent, underwriter, or in some other capacity, with respect to certain issues of securities. Under certain circumstances, a Fund may buy securities from a member of an underwriting syndicate in which an affiliate of Ameriprise Financial is a member. The Trust has adopted procedures pursuant to Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act, and intends to comply with the requirements of Rule 10f-3, in connection with any purchases of municipal securities that may be subject to Rule 10f-3.

Given the breadth of the Adviser’s investment management activities, investment decisions for the Funds are not always made independently from those for other funds, or other investment companies and accounts advised or managed by the Adviser. When a purchase or sale of the same security is made at substantially the same time on behalf of one or more of the Columbia Funds and another investment portfolio, investment company or account, the transaction will be averaged as to price and available investments allocated as to amount in a manner which the Adviser believes to be equitable to the Funds and such other funds, investment portfolio, investment company or account. In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the position obtained or sold by the Fund. To the extent permitted by law, the Adviser may aggregate the securities to be sold or bought for the Funds with those to be sold or bought for other funds, investment portfolios, investment companies, or accounts in executing transactions.

See Investment Advisory and Other Services – Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest for more information about these and other conflicts of interest.

Brokerage Commissions

The following charts reflect the amounts of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds for the three most recently completed fiscal years, except as otherwise indicated. In certain instances, the Funds may pay brokerage commissions to broker/dealers that are affiliates of Ameriprise Financial. As indicated above, all such transactions involving the payment of brokerage commissions to affiliates are done in compliance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act.

Aggregate Brokerage Commissions Paid by the Funds

The following charts reflect the aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds for the three most recent fiscal years, except as otherwise indicated. Differences, year to year, in the amount of brokerage commissions paid by a Fund were primarily the result of increased market volatility as well as shareholder purchase and redemption activity in the Fund.

 

Fund

  Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2010
    Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2009
    Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2008
 

Bond Fund

    —        $ 7,631      $ 1,313   

Corporate Income Fund

  $ 16,910      $ 40,205      $ 41,873   

Emerging Markets Fund

  $ 1,613,790      $ 1,857,556      $ 409,305   

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

  $ 4,604,246      $ 4,051,236      $ 1,575,505   

Intermediate Bond Fund

  $ 72,932      $ 160,852      $ 251,534   

Pacific/Asia Fund

  $ 121,276      $ 249,437      $ 144,244   

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

  $ 1,269,007      $ 1,221,132      $ 399,105   

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

    —          —          —     

Value and Restructuring Fund

  $ 2,433,201      $ 4,287,837      $ 2,688,134   

 

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Fund

  Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2010
    Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2009
    Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2008
 

High Yield Opportunity Fund

    —          —          —     

Strategic Income Fund

    —          —          —     

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
May 31, 2010
     Fiscal Period Ended
May 31, 2009
 

International Bond Fund

   $ 7,557         —     

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2010
     Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2009
     Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2008
 

High Yield Municipal Fund

     —         $ 7,745       $ 38,343   

Small Cap Value Fund I

   $ 1,771,335       $ 1,761,043       $ 1,768,277   

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
July  31, 2010
     Fiscal Year Ended
July  31, 2009
     Fiscal Year Ended
July  31, 2008
 

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

     —           —           —     

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2010
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2009
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2008
 

Balanced Fund

   $ 1,940       $ 358,996       $ 367   

Mid Cap Growth Fund

   $ 3,436,137       $ 4,070,265       $ 4,499,159   

Small Cap Growth Fund I

   $ 4,948,857       $ 2,979,089       $ 1,860,445   

Strategic Investor Fund

   $ 1,505,109       $ 2,168,357       $ 2,202,923   

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2010*
     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2009
     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2008
 

Contrarian Core Fund

   $ 961,464       $ 1,108,739       $ 837,955   

Dividend Income Fund

   $ 943,668       $ 1,224,272       $ 300,918   

Large Cap Growth Fund

   $ 2,815,647       $ 3,113,714       $ 3,752,464   

Small Cap Core Fund

   $ 710,492       $ 401,075       $ 783,011   

 

* Unaudited.

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2009
     Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2008
     Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2007
 

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

   $ 215       $ 2,063.75       $ 5,041   

 

Fund

   Fiscal Period Ended
December 31, 2009
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2009
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2008
     Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, 2007
 

Real Estate Equity Fund

   $ 205,056       $ 770,227       $ 575,797       $ 1,245,494   

Brokerage Commissions Paid by the Funds to Certain Broker/Dealers

The Funds paid no brokerage commissions to affiliated broker/dealers for the three most recently completed fiscal years.

Directed Brokerage

The Funds or the Adviser, through an agreement or understanding with a broker/dealer, or otherwise through an internal allocation procedure, may direct, subject to applicable legal requirements, the Funds’ brokerage transactions to a broker/dealer because of the research services it provides the Funds or the Adviser.

 

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During each Fund’s last fiscal year, the Funds directed certain brokerage transactions and paid related commissions in the amounts as follows:

 

Fund

   Amount of
Transactions
     Related
Commissions
 

For Funds with fiscal year ended March 31, 2010

     

Bond Fund

     —           —     

Corporate Income Fund

     —           —     

Emerging Markets Fund

   $ 40,833,479       $ 96,869   

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

   $ 1,577,703,004       $ 1,174,934   

Intermediate Bond Fund

     —           —     

Pacific/Asia Fund

   $ 6,528,634       $ 16,526   

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

   $ 215,687,831       $ 123,292   

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

     —           —     

Value and Restructuring Fund

   $ 94,434,776       $ 109,144   

For Funds with fiscal year ended May 31, 2010

     

High Yield Opportunity Fund

     —           —     

Strategic Income Fund

     —           —     

International Bond Fund

     —           —     

For Funds with fiscal year ended June 30, 2010

     

High Yield Municipal Fund

     —           —     

Small Cap Value Fund I

   $ 243,711,788       $ 379,141   

For Funds with fiscal year ended July 31, 2010

     

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

     —           —     

For Funds with fiscal year ended August 31, 2010

     

Balanced Fund

     —           —     

Mid Cap Growth Fund

   $ 883,671,820       $ 882,670   

Small Cap Growth Fund I

   $ 552,521,922       $ 755,567   

Strategic Investor Fund

   $ 352,498,218       $ 387,370   

For Funds with fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 1

     

Contrarian Core Fund

   $ 571,205,186       $ 457,978   

Dividend Income Fund

   $ 548,899,216       $ 419,763   

Large Cap Growth Fund

   $ 801,177,108       $ 610,387   

Small Cap Core Fund

   $ 110,901,505       $ 152,705   

For the Fund with fiscal year ended October 31, 2009

     

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

     —           —     

For the Fund with fiscal year ended August 31, 2009 and fiscal period ended December 31, 2009, respectively

     

Real Estate Equity Fund

   $ 548,639,648       $ 128,657   

Real Estate Equity Fund

   $ 176,752,302       $ 10,022   

 

1

Unaudited

Securities of Regular Broker/Dealers

In certain cases, the Funds, as part of their principal investment strategies, or otherwise as a permissible investment, will invest in the common stock or debt obligations of the regular broker/dealers that the Adviser uses to transact brokerage for the Funds.

 

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As of each Fund’s fiscal year end, the Funds owned securities of their “regular brokers or dealers” or their parents, as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act, as shown in the table below:

Investments in Securities of Regular Broker/Dealers

 

Fund

  

Broker/Dealer

   Dollar Amount of
Securities Held
 

For Funds with fiscal year ended March 31, 2010

  

Bond Fund

   Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc    $ 24,282,998   
   Barclays Capital    $ 847,993   
   CS First Boston Corp.    $ 3,211,139   
   Deutsche Bank AG    $ 819,793   
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.    $ 8,744,405   
   UBS Warburg LLC    $ 9,489,194   
   Goldman Sachs & Co.    $ 3,182,799   

Corporate Income Fund

   Barclays Capital    $ 3,407,339   
   Citigroup, Inc.    $ 10,063,708   
   CS First Boston Corp.    $ 626,052   
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.    $ 12,494,578   

Emerging Markets Fund

   None    $ 0   

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

   None    $ 0   

Intermediate Bond Fund

   Barclays Capital    $ 2,552,425   
   Citigroup, Inc.    $ 41,593,132   
   CS First Boston Corp.    $ 33,863,433   
   Goldman Sachs & Co.    $ 21,911,658   
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.    $ 72,066,818   
   Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.    $ 39,657,747   

Pacific/Asia Fund

   None    $ 0   

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

   None    $ 0   

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

   None    $ 0   

Value and Restructuring Fund

   JPMorgan Chase & Co.    $ 127,537,500   
   Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.    $ 106,908,500   
   Goldman Sachs & Co.    $ 141,622,900   
   Citigroup, Inc    $ 22,547,800   

For Funds with fiscal year ended May 31, 2010

  

High Yield Opportunity Fund

   None    $ 0   

International Bond Fund

   None    $ 0   

Strategic Income Fund

   Citigroup, Inc    $ 21,350,102   
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.    $ 12,268,572   
   Barclays Capital    $ 3,127,149   
   Deutsche Bank AG    $ 12,787,838   
   Goldman Sachs & Co.    $ 9,796,852   
   Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.    $ 8,795,329   

For Funds with fiscal year ended June 30, 2010

  

High Yield Municipal Fund

   None    $ 0   

Small Cap Value Fund I

   Piper Jaffray Companies, Inc.    $ 6,315,184   

 

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Fund

  

Broker/Dealer

   Dollar Amount of
Securities Held
 

For Funds with fiscal year ended July 31, 2010

  

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

   Royal Bank of Canada    $ 3,069,456   
   Deutsche Bank AG    $ 13,476,135   
   Barclays Capital    $ 15,148,530   
   CS First Boston Corp.    $ 20,404,422   
   Goldman Sachs & Co.    $ 5,914,488   
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.    $ 39,144,826   
   Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.    $ 53,169,723   
   State Street Corp.    $ 2,675,999   
   Wells Fargo & Co.    $ 5,001,426   

For Funds with fiscal year ended August 31, 2010

  

Balanced Fund

   Goldman Sachs & Co.    $ 4,701,785   
   State Street Corp.    $ 2,838,147   
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.    $ 10,066,956   
   Citigroup, Inc.    $ 3,196,652   
   Deutsche Bank AG    $ 539,763   
   Barclays Capital    $ 561,638   
   Salomon Brothers Holdings, Inc.    $ 1,440,381   
   CS First Boston Corp.    $ 2,340,563   
   Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.    $ 2,559,873   
   UBS Warburg LLC    $ 1,720,960   
   Royal Bank of Scotland PLC    $ 430,160   

Mid Cap Growth Fund

   None    $ 0   

Small Cap Growth Fund I

   None    $ 0   

Strategic Investor Fund

   Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.    $ 7,979,314   
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.    $ 14,732,745   

For Funds with fiscal year ended September 30, 2009

  

Contrarian Core Fund

   Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.    $ 6,768,896   
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.    $ 11,790,735   
   State Street Corp.    $ 7,774,280   
   Goldman Sachs & Co.    $ 9,770,550   

Dividend Income Fund

   JPMorgan Chase & Co.    $ 47,544,700   
   Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.    $ 17,910,400   

Large Cap Growth Fund

   Goldman Sachs & Co.    $ 10,434,210   
   Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.    $ 19,525,424   
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.    $ 9,644,782   

Small Cap Core Fund

   None    $ 0   

For the Fund with fiscal year ended October 31, 2009

  

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

   None    $ 0   

For the Fund with fiscal period ended December 31, 2009

  

Real Estate Equity Fund

   None    $ 0   

Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments

The Funds, along with the Transfer Agent and/or the Distributor and the Adviser, may pay significant amounts to financial intermediaries (as defined below), including other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for providing the types of services that would typically be provided directly by a mutual fund’s transfer agent. The level of payments made to financial intermediaries may vary. A number of factors may be considered in determining payments to a financial intermediary, including, without limitation, the nature of the services provided to shareholders or retirement plan participants that invest in the Funds through retirement plans. These

 

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services may include sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency or similar recordkeeping services, shareholder or participant reporting, shareholder or participant transaction processing, and/or the provision of call center support (additional shareholder services). These payments for shareholder servicing support with respect to the Columbia Funds vary by financial intermediary but generally are not expected, with certain limited exceptions, to exceed 0.40% of the average aggregate value of each Fund’s shares in the program on an annual basis for those classes of shares that pay a service fee pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 Plan, and 0.45% of the average aggregate value of each Fund’s shares in the program on an annual basis for those classes of shares that do not pay a service fee pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 Plan. The Board has authorized each Fund to pay up to 0.15% of the average aggregate value of each Fund’s shares. Such payments will be made by a Fund to the Transfer Agent who will in turn make payments to the financial intermediary for the provision of such additional shareholder services. The Funds’ Transfer Agent, Distributor or their affiliates will pay, from its or their own resources, amounts in excess of the amount paid by the Funds to financial intermediaries in connection with the provision of these additional shareholder services and other services.

For purposes of this section the term “financial intermediary” includes any broker/dealer, bank, bank trust department, registered investment advisor, financial planner, retirement plan or other third party administrator and any other institution having a selling, services or any similar agreement with the Distributor and/or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates.

The Funds also may make additional payments to financial intermediaries that charge networking fees for certain services provided in connection with the maintenance of shareholder accounts through the NSCC.

In addition, the Distributor and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may make lump sum payments to selected financial intermediaries receiving shareholder servicing payments in reimbursement of printing costs for literature for participants, account maintenance fees or fees for establishment of the Funds on the financial intermediary’s system or other similar services.

As of the date of this SAI, the Distributor and/or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates had agreed to make shareholder servicing payments with respect to the Columbia Funds to the financial intermediaries or their affiliates shown below.

Recipients of Shareholder Servicing Payments with Respect to the Columbia Funds from the Distributor and/or other Ameriprise Financial Affiliates

 

   

Acclaim Benefits, Inc.

   

A.G. Edwards

   

Alerus Retirement Solutions

   

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.*

   

Bank of America, N.A.

   

Benefit Plan Administrators

   

Bisys Retirement Services

   

Charles Schwab & Co.

   

Charles Schwab Trust Co.

   

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

   

CitiStreet LLC

   

City National Bank

   

Compensation & Capital Administrative Services, Inc.

   

CPI Qualified Plan Consultants

   

Daily Access Concepts, Inc.

   

Digital Retirement Solutions

   

Dreyfus

   

Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P.

   

E*Trade Group, Inc.

   

ExpertPlan

   

Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Co.

   

First Clearing LLC

   

Genworth Financial

   

GPC Securities, Inc.

   

Guardian Life Insurance Company

   

GWFS Equities, Inc.

   

Hartford Life Insurance Company

   

Hewitt Associates LLC

   

ICMA Retirement Corporation

   

ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company

   

ING Institutional Plan Services, LLP

   

John Hancock Life Insurance Company (USA)


 

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John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York

   

JP Morgan Retirement Plan Services LLC

   

Lincoln Financial Group

   

LPL Financial Corporation

   

Marshall & Illsley Trust Company

   

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company

   

Matrix Settlement & Clearance Services

   

Mercer HR Services, LLC

   

Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company

   

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

   

Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation

   

Morgan Keegan & Co., Inc.

   

Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated

   

MSCS Financial Services, LLC

   

National Investor Services Corp.

   

Newport Retirement Services, Inc.

   

New York State Deferred Compensation Plan

   

NYLife Distributors LLC

   

PNC Advisors

   

Princeton Retirement Group

   

Principal Life Insurance Company

   

Prudential Insurance Company of America

   

Prudential Retirement Insurance & Annuity Co.

   

Reliance Trust Company

   

Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc.

   

Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.

   

Standard Retirement Services, Inc.

   

TD Ameritrade Clearing Inc.

   

TD Ameritrade Trust Company

   

Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America

   

The 401k Company

   

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.

   

The Vanguard Group, Inc.

   

Unified Trust Company, N.A.

   

UPromise Investments, Inc.

   

VALIC Retirement Services

   

Wachovia Bank, N.A.

   

Wachovia Securities, LLC

   

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

   

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

   

Wilmington Trust Corporation

   

Wilmington Trust Retirement & Institutional Services Company


 

* Ameriprise Financial affiliate

The Distributor and/or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may enter into similar arrangements with other financial intermediaries from time to time. Therefore, the preceding list is subject to change at any time without notice.

Additional Financial Intermediary Payments

Financial intermediaries may receive different commissions, sales charge reallowances and other payments with respect to sales of different classes of shares of the Funds. These other payments may include servicing payments to retirement plan administrators and other institutions at rates up to those described above under Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices – Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments . For purposes of this section the term “financial intermediary” includes any broker/dealer, bank, bank trust department, registered investment adviser, financial planner, retirement plan or other third party administrator and any other institution having a selling, services or any similar agreement with the Distributor and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates.

The Distributor and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may pay additional compensation to selected financial intermediaries, including other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, under the categories described below. These categories are not mutually exclusive, and a single financial intermediary may receive payments under all categories. A financial intermediary also may receive payments described above in Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices – Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments . These payments may create an incentive for a financial intermediary or its representatives to recommend or offer shares of a Fund to its customers. The amount of payments made to financial intermediaries may vary. In determining the amount of payments to be made, the Distributor and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may consider a number of factors, including, without limitation, asset mix and length of relationship with the financial intermediary, the size of the customer/shareholder base of the financial intermediary, the manner in which customers of the financial intermediary make

 

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investments in the Funds, the nature and scope of marketing support or services provided by the financial intermediary (as described more fully below) and the costs incurred by the financial intermediary in connection with maintaining the infrastructure necessary or desirable to support investments in the Funds.

These additional payments by the Distributor and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates are made pursuant to agreements between the Distributor and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates and financial intermediaries, and do not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of a share, the amount a Fund will receive as proceeds from such sales or the distribution fees and expenses paid by the Fund as shown under the heading Fees and Expenses of the Fund in the Fund’s prospectuses.

Marketing Support Payments

The Distributor and the Adviser may make payments, from their own resources, to certain financial intermediaries, including other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for marketing support services relating to the Columbia Funds, including, but not limited to, business planning assistance, educating financial intermediary personnel about the Funds and shareholder financial planning needs, placement on the financial intermediary’s preferred or recommended fund list or otherwise identifying the Funds as being part of a complex to be accorded a higher degree of marketing support than complexes not making such payments, access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the financial intermediary, client servicing and systems infrastructure support. These payments are generally based upon one or more of the following factors: average net assets of the Columbia Funds distributed by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary, gross sales of the Columbia Funds distributed by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary, reimbursement of ticket charges (fees that a financial intermediary firm charges its representatives for effecting transactions in fund shares) or a negotiated lump sum payment.

While the financial arrangements may vary for each financial intermediary, the marketing support payments to each financial intermediary generally are expected to be between 0.05% and 0.50% on an annual basis for payments based on average net assets of the Columbia Funds attributable to the financial intermediary, and between 0.05% and 0.25% on an annual basis for firms receiving a payment based on gross sales of the Columbia Funds attributable to the financial intermediary. The Distributor and affiliates may make payments in materially larger amounts or on a basis materially different from those described above when dealing with certain financial intermediaries. Such increased payments may enable the financial intermediaries to offset credits that they may provide to their customers.

As of the date of this SAI, the Distributor and/or the Adviser had agreed to make marketing support payments with respect to the Columbia Funds to the financial intermediaries or their affiliates shown below.

Recipients of Marketing Support Payments with Respect to the Columbia Funds from the Distributor and/or other Ameriprise Financial Affiliates

 

   

AIG Advisor Group

   

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.*

   

AXA Advisors, LLC

   

Banc of America Investment Services, Inc.

   

Banc of America Securities LLC

   

Bank of America, N.A.

   

Bank of New York

   

Citibank, N.A.

   

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

   

Commonwealth Financial Network

   

Custodial Trust Company

   

Fidelity Brokerage Services, Inc.

   

Genworth Financial, Inc.

   

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

   

GunAllen Financial, Inc.

   

Harris Corporation

   

ING Life Insurance and Annuity Co.

   

J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc.

   

J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp.

   

Liberty Life Insurance Co.

   

Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.

   

Linsco/Private Ledger Corp.

   

Mellon Financial Markets, LLC

   

Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company


 

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Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

   

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

   

MSCS Financial Services, LLC

   

National Financial Services LLC

   

Pershing LLC

   

Prudential Investment Management Services, LLC

   

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

   

Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.

   

SEI Investments Inc.

   

State Street Global Markets, LLC

   

Transamerica Corporation

   

UBS Financial Services Inc.

   

US Bank National Association

   

Wachovia Securities LLC

   

Webster Investment Services, Inc.

   

Wells Fargo Corporate Trust Services

   

Wells Fargo Funds Management LLC

   

Wells Fargo Investments, LLC


 

* Ameriprise Financial affiliate

The Distributor and/or the Adviser may enter into similar arrangements with other financial intermediaries from time to time. Therefore, the preceding list is subject to change at any time without notice.

Other Payments

From time to time, the Distributor, from its own resources, may provide additional compensation to certain financial intermediaries that sell or arrange for the sale of shares of the Funds to the extent not prohibited by laws or the rules of any self-regulatory agency, such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Such compensation provided by the Distributor may include financial assistance to financial intermediaries that enable the Distributor to participate in and/or present at financial intermediary-sponsored conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other financial intermediary employees, financial intermediary entertainment and other financial intermediary-sponsored events, and travel expenses, including lodging incurred by registered representatives and other employees in connection with prospecting, retention and due diligence trips. The Distributor makes payments for entertainment events it deems appropriate, subject to the Distributor’s internal guidelines and applicable law. These payments may vary depending upon the nature of the event.

Your financial intermediary may charge you fees or commissions in addition to those disclosed in this SAI. You should consult with your financial intermediary and review carefully any disclosure your financial intermediary provides regarding its services and compensation. Depending on the financial arrangement in place at any particular time, a financial intermediary and its financial consultants may have a financial incentive for recommending a particular fund or a particular share class over other funds or share classes. See Investment Advisory and Other Services – Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest for more information.

 

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CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES

Description of the Trust’s Shares

The Funds offer shares in the classes shown in the table below. Subject to certain limited exceptions discussed in each Fund’s prospectuses, a Fund may no longer be accepting new investments from current shareholders or prospective investors. The Funds, however, may at any time and without notice, offer any of these classes to the general public for investment.

The Trust’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (Declaration of Trust) permits it to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest of each Fund, without par value, and to divide or combine the shares of any series into a greater or lesser number of shares of that Fund without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in that Fund and to divide such shares into classes. Each share of a class of a Fund represents an equal proportional interest in that Fund with each other share in the same class and is entitled to such distributions out of the income earned on the assets belonging to that Fund as are declared in the discretion of the Board. However, different share classes of a Fund pay different distribution amounts because each share class has different expenses. Each time a distribution is made, the net asset value per share of the share class is reduced by the amount of the distribution.

Share Classes Offered by the Funds

 

Fund

  Class A
Shares
    Class  B a
Shares
    Class C
Shares
    Class I
Shares
    Class R
Shares
    Class R4
Shares
    Class R5
Shares
    Class T
Shares
    Class W
Shares
    Class Y
Shares
    Class Z
Shares
    Other  

Balanced Fund

  ü        ü        ü          ü        ü c      ü c            ü       

Bond Fund

  ü        ü c      ü        ü              ü c      ü        ü        ü       

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

  ü        ü        ü                      ü       

Contrarian Core Fund

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü c        ü        ü          ü       

Corporate Income Fund

  ü        ü        ü        ü                ü          ü       

Dividend Income Fund

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü            ü        ü          ü       

Emerging Markets Fund

  ü          ü        ü        ü              ü          ü       

Energy and Natural Resources Fund

  ü        ü c      ü        ü        ü        ü c              ü       

High Yield Municipal Fund

  ü        ü        ü                      ü       

High Yield Opportunity Fund

  ü        ü        ü                      ü       

Intermediate Bond Fund

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü              ü          ü       

International Bond Fund

  ü          ü        ü                    ü       

Large Cap Growth Fund

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü c      ü c      ü        ü        ü        ü        ü b   

Mid Cap Growth Fund

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü          ü c      ü        ü        ü        ü       

Pacific/Asia Fund

  ü          ü        ü                    ü       

Real Estate Equity Fund

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü        ü c      ü c        ü          ü       

Select Large Cap Growth Fund

  ü          ü        ü        ü              ü          ü       

Small Cap Core Fund

  ü        ü        ü        ü              ü        ü          ü       

Small Cap Growth Fund I

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü                ü        ü       

Small Cap Value Fund I

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü                ü        ü       

Strategic Income Fund

  ü        ü        ü          ü        ü c      ü c        ü          ü       

Strategic Investor Fund

  ü        ü        ü        ü        ü              ü        ü        ü       

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

                        ü d   

U.S. Treasury Index Fund

  ü        ü        ü        ü                    ü       

Value and Restructuring Fund

  ü          ü        ü        ü              ü          ü       

 

a

Class B shares of the Funds are closed to new investments, except for certain limited transactions from existing investors in Class B shares. Additional Class B shares of the Funds will be issued only in connection with (i) reinvestment of dividends and/or capital gain distributions in Class B shares of the Funds by the Funds’ existing Class B shareholders and (ii) exchanges by shareholders invested in Class B shares of a Columbia Fund for Class B shares of the Funds. See the prospectuses for Class B shares of the Funds for details.

b

The Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund also offers Class E shares and Class F shares. See the prospectuses for Class E shares and Class F shares for details.

c

Classes have not yet commenced operations as of the date of this SAI.

d

Ultra Short Term Bond Fund offers only a single class of shares.

 

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Restrictions on Holding or Disposing of Shares

There are no restrictions on the right of shareholders to retain or dispose of the Funds’ shares, other than the possible future termination of the Funds. The Funds may be terminated by reorganization into another mutual fund or by liquidation and distribution of their assets. Unless terminated by reorganization or liquidation, the Funds will continue indefinitely.

Liability

Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust disclaims any shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Funds and the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by a Fund or the Trustees. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of Fund property for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of a Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances (which are considered remote) in which a Fund would be unable to meet its obligations and the disclaimer was inoperative.

The risk of a Fund incurring financial loss on account of another series of the Trust also is believed to be remote, because it would be limited to circumstances in which the disclaimer was inoperative and the other series of the Trust was unable to meet its obligations.

Dividend Rights

The shareholders of a Fund are entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions declared for the Fund. No shares have priority or preference over any other shares of a Fund with respect to distributions. Distributions will be made from the assets of a Fund, and will be paid pro rata to all shareholders of the Fund (or class) according to the number of shares of the Fund (or class) held by shareholders on the record date. The amount of income dividends per share may vary between separate share classes of a Fund based upon differences in the way that expenses are allocated between share classes pursuant to a multiple class plan.

Voting Rights and Shareholder Meetings

The Trust is not required to hold annual shareholder meetings, but special meetings may be called for certain purposes. The Trust voluntarily has undertaken to hold a shareholder meeting at which the Board would be elected at least every five years beginning in 2005. Each whole share (or fractional share) outstanding on the record date established in accordance with the Trust’s By-Laws shall be entitled to a number of votes on any matter on which it is entitled to vote equal to the net asset value of the share (or fractional share) in U.S. dollars determined at the close of business on the record date (for example, a share having a net asset value of $10.50 would be entitled to 10.5 votes).

The Trustees may fill any vacancies on the Board except that the Trustees may not fill a vacancy if, immediately after filling such vacancy, less than two-thirds of the Trustees then in office would have been elected to such office by the shareholders. In addition, at such times as less than a majority of the Trustees then in office have been elected to such office by the shareholders, the Trustees must call a meeting of shareholders. Trustees may be removed from office by a written consent signed by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Trust or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares at a meeting duly called for the purpose. Except as otherwise disclosed in a Fund’s prospectuses and this SAI, the Trustees shall continue to hold office and may appoint their successors.

At any shareholders’ meetings that may be held, shareholders of all series would vote together, irrespective of series, on the election of Trustees, but each series would vote separately from the others on other matters, such as changes in the investment policies of that series or the approval of the management agreement for that series.

 

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Shares of the Fund and any other series of the Trust that may be in existence from time to time generally vote together except when required by law to vote separately by Fund or by class.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the Trust or the Funds, shareholders of the Funds are entitled to receive the assets attributable to the relevant class of shares of the Funds that are available for distribution and to a distribution of any general assets not attributable to a particular investment portfolio that are available for distribution in such manner and on such basis as the Board may determine.

Preemptive Rights

There are no preemptive rights associated with Fund shares.

Conversion Rights

With the exception of Class B shares, which no longer accept investments from new or existing investors in Class B shares, except for certain limited transactions from existing investors in Class B shares as described in the prospectuses for Class B shares of the Funds, shareholders have the right, which is subject to change by the Board, to convert or “exchange” shares of one class for another. Such right is outlined and subject to certain conditions set forth in each Fund’s prospectuses.

Redemptions

Each Fund’s dividend, distribution and redemption policies can be found in its prospectuses under the headings Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares and Distributions and Taxes . However, the Board may suspend the right of shareholders to sell shares when permitted or required to do so by law or compel sales of shares in certain cases.

Sinking Fund Provisions

The Trust has no sinking fund provisions.

Calls or Assessment

All Fund shares are issued in uncertificated form only and when issued will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust.

 

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PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

Purchase and Redemption

An investor may buy, sell and exchange shares in the Funds utilizing the methods, and subject to the restrictions, described in the Funds’ prospectuses. The following information supplements information in the Funds’ prospectuses.

The Funds have authorized one or more broker/dealers to accept buy and sell orders on the Funds’ behalf. These broker/dealers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept buy and sell orders on the Funds’ behalf. The Funds will be deemed to have received a buy or sell order when an authorized broker/dealer, or, if applicable, a broker/dealer’s authorized designee, accepts the order. Customer orders will be priced at each Fund’s net asset value next computed after they are accepted by an authorized broker/dealer or the broker’s authorized designee.

The Trust also may make payment for sales in readily marketable securities or other property if it is appropriate to do so in light of the Trust’s responsibilities under the 1940 Act.

Under the 1940 Act, the Funds may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment for shares during any period when (i) trading on the NYSE is restricted by applicable rules and regulations of the SEC; (ii) the NYSE is closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings; (iii) the SEC has by order permitted such suspension; (iv) an emergency exists as determined by the SEC. (The Funds may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of their shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions).

The Trust has elected to be governed by Rule 18f–1 under the 1940 Act, as a result of which each Fund is obligated to redeem shares, subject to the exceptions listed above, with respect to any one shareholder during any 90-day period, solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of each Fund at the beginning of the period.

Tax-Advantaged Retirement Plans (Retirement Plans)

The Transfer Agent maintains prototype tax-qualified plans, including Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans, for individuals, corporations, employees and the self-employed. The minimum initial Retirement Plan investment is $1,000, applied at the plan level. BANA is the custodian/trustee and plan sponsor of the Columbia Management prototype plans offered through the Distributor. In general a $20 annual fee is charged. Participants in Retirement Plans not sponsored by BANA, not including IRAs, may be subject to an annual fee of $20 unless the Retirement Plan maintains an omnibus account with the Transfer Agent. Participants in BANA sponsored prototype plans (other than IRAs) who liquidate the total value of their account may also be charged a $20 close-out processing fee payable to the Transfer Agent. The close-out fee applies to plans opened after September 1, 1996. The fee is in addition to any applicable CDSC. The fee will not apply if the participant uses the proceeds to open a Columbia Management IRA Rollover account in any fund distributed by the Distributor, or if the Retirement Plan maintains an omnibus account. Consultation with a competent financial advisor regarding these Retirement Plans and consideration of the suitability of fund shares as an investment under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or otherwise is recommended.

Front-End Sales Charge Waivers

In addition to the eligible investors described in the prospectuses, the investors listed below can buy Class A shares, Class E shares or Class T shares, without paying a front-end sales charge:

 

   

Employees of Bank of America, its affiliates and subsidiaries.

 

   

Employees or partners of Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC and Marsico Capital Management, LLC (or their successors).

 

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Individuals receiving a distribution from a Bank of America trust, fiduciary, custodial or other similar account may use the proceeds of that distribution to buy Class A shares without paying a front-end sales charge, as long as the proceeds are invested in the funds within 90 days of the date of distribution.

 

   

Any shareholder who owned shares of any fund of Columbia Acorn Trust (formerly named Liberty Acorn Trust) on September 29, 2000 (when all of the then outstanding shares of Columbia Acorn Trust were re-designated Class Z shares) and who since that time has remained a shareholder of any Fund, may buy Class A shares of any Fund without paying a front-end sales charge in those cases where a Columbia Fund Class Z share is not available.

 

   

Galaxy Fund shareholders prior to December 1, 1995; and shareholders who (i) bought Galaxy Fund Prime A shares without paying a front-end sales charge and received Class A shares in exchange for those shares during the Galaxy/Liberty Fund reorganization; and (ii) continue to maintain the account in which the Prime A shares were originally bought.

 

   

(For Class T shares only) Shareholders who (i) bought Galaxy Fund Retail A shares at net asset value and received Class T shares in exchange for those shares during the Galaxy/Liberty Fund reorganization; and (ii) continue to maintain the account in which the Retail A shares were originally bought; and Boston 1784 Fund shareholders on the date that those funds were reorganized into Galaxy Funds.

Class I shares are only available to the Funds and are sold without a front-end sales charge.

Class R, Class R4 and Class R5 shares are offered to certain institutional investors identified in the Fund’s prospectus. Class R, Class R4 and Class R5 shares are sold without a front-end sales charge.

Class W shares are offered to qualifying discretionary accounts. Class W shares are sold without a front-end sales charge.

Investors can also buy Class A shares without paying a sales charge if the purchase is made from the proceeds of a sale from any Columbia Fund Class A, B, C or T shares (other than Columbia Money Market Fund or Columbia Government Money Market Fund) within 90 days, up to the amount of the sales proceeds. In addition, shareholders of the money market fund series of BofA Funds Series Trust, which were formerly referred to as the Columbia Money Market Funds (the Former Columbia Money Market Funds), can also buy Class A shares of the Columbia Funds without paying a sales charge if the purchase is made from the proceeds of a sale of shares from a Former Columbia Money Market Fund within 90 days, up to the amount of the sales proceeds, provided that the proceeds are from the sale of shares of a Former Columbia Money Market Fund purchased on or before April 30, 2010. To be eligible for these reinstatement privileges the purchase must be made into an account for the same owner, but does not need to be into the same Columbia Fund from which the shares were sold. The Transfer Agent, Distributor or their agents must receive a written reinstatement request within 90 days after the shares are sold and the purchase of Class A shares through this reinstatement privilege will be made at the NAV of such shares next calculated after the request is received in good order.

Restrictions may apply to certain accounts and certain transactions. The Fund may change or cancel these terms at any time. Any change or cancellation applies only to future purchases. Unless you provide your financial advisor with information in writing about all of the factors that may count toward a waiver of the sales charge, there can be no assurance that you will receive all of the waivers for which you may be eligible. You should request that your financial advisor provide this information to the Fund when placing your purchase order. For more information about the sales charge reductions and waivers described here, as well as additional categories of eligible investors, please see the prospectuses.

 

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Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers (Class A, Class B, Class C and Class T Shares)

In addition to the redemptions eligible for CDSC waivers described in the prospectuses, shareholders won’t pay a CDSC in the following circumstances:

Disability: For shares purchased prior to September 7, 2010, CDSCs may be waived on sales after the sole shareholder on an individual account or a joint tenant on a joint tenant account becomes disabled (as defined by Section 72(m)(7) of the Code). To be eligible for such a waiver: (i) the disability must arise after the account is opened and (ii) a letter from a physician must be signed under penalty of perjury stating the nature of the disability. If the account is transferred to a new registration and then shares are sold, the applicable CDSC will be charged.*

Health savings accounts: For shares purchased prior to September 7, 2010, CDSCs may be waived on shares sold by health savings accounts sponsored by third party platforms, including those sponsored by Bank of America affiliates.*

Medical payments: For shares purchased prior to September 7, 2010, CDSCs may be waived on (i) shares sold for medical payments that exceed 7.5% of income and (ii) distributions made to pay for insurance by an individual who has separated from employment and who has received unemployment compensation under a federal or state program for at least twelve weeks.*

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): For shares purchased prior to September 7, 2010, CDSCs may be waived on sales occurring pursuant to a SWP established with the Transfer Agent, to the extent that the sales do not exceed, on an annual basis, 12% of the account’s value as long as distributions are reinvested. Otherwise, a CDSC will be charged on SWP sales until this requirement is met.

Qualified retirement plans: CDSCs may be waived on shares (except for Class B shares) sold by certain group retirement plans held in omnibus accounts. However, CDSC may not be waived for Class C shares if the waiver would occur as a result of a plan-level termination.

Redemptions under certain retirement plans and accounts: CDSCs may be waived on shares sold in connection with distributions from qualified retirement plans, government (Section 457) plans, individual retirement accounts or custodial accounts under Section 403(b)(7) of the Code, following normal retirement or the attainment of age 59  1 / 2 for shares purchased prior to September 7, 2010.**

Loans from qualified retirement plans: For Class B shares, and for Class A and Class C shares purchased prior to September 7, 2010, CDSCs may be waived on shares sold in connection with loans from qualified retirement plans to shareholders.*

 

* Fund investors and selling and/or servicing agents must inform the Fund or the Transfer Agent in writing that the Fund investor qualifies for the particular sales charge waiver and provide proof thereof.
** For direct trades on non-prototype retirement accounts where the date of birth of the Fund shareholder is not maintained, the shareholder or selling and/or servicing agent must inform the Fund or the Transfer Agent in writing that the Fund investor qualifies for the particular sales charge waiver and provide proof thereof.

Class I shares, Class R shares, Class R4 shares, Class R5 shares and Class W shares are sold without a CDSC.

Restrictions may apply to certain accounts and certain transactions. The Distributor may, in its sole discretion, authorize the waiver of the CDSC for additional classes of investors. The Fund may change or cancel these terms at any time. Any change or cancellation applies only to future purchases. For more information about the sales charge reductions and waivers described here, as well as additional categories of eligible redemptions, please see the prospectuses.

 

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Anti-Money Laundering Compliance

The Funds are required to comply with various anti-money laundering laws and regulations. Consequently, the Funds may request additional required information from you to verify your identity. Your application will be rejected if it does not contain your name, social security number, date of birth and permanent street address. If at any time the Funds believe a shareholder may be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of suspicious persons, the Funds may choose not to establish a new account or may be required to “freeze” a shareholder’s account. The Funds also may be required to provide a governmental agency with information about transactions that have occurred in a shareholder’s account or to transfer monies received to establish a new account, transfer an existing account or transfer the proceeds of an existing account to a governmental agency. In some circumstances, the law may not permit the Funds to inform the shareholder that it has taken the actions described above.

Offering Price

The share price of each Fund is based on each Fund’s net asset value per share, which is calculated separately for each class of shares as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (which is usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time unless the NYSE closes earlier) on each day the Funds are open for business, unless the Board determines otherwise.

The value of each Fund’s portfolio securities for which a market quotation is available is determined in accordance with the Trust’s valuation procedures. In general terms, the valuation procedures provide that domestic exchange traded securities (other than NASDAQ listed equity securities) generally will be valued at their last traded sale prices as reported on the principal exchange where those securities are traded. If no sales of those securities are reported on a particular day on the principal exchange, the securities generally will be valued at the mean between the latest bid and asked prices as reported on the principal exchange where those securities are traded. Securities traded on a foreign securities exchange will generally be valued at their last sale prices on the exchange where the securities are primarily traded, or in the absence of a reported sale on a particular day, at their bid prices (in the case of securities held long) or ask prices (in the case of securities held short) as reported by that exchange. Securities traded primarily on NASDAQ will generally be valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (NOCP) (which is the last trade price at or before 4:00:02 p.m. (Eastern Time) adjusted up to NASDAQ’s best bid price if the last trade price is below such bid price or adjusted down to NASDAQ’s best ask price if the last trade price is above such ask price). If no NOCP is available, the security will generally be valued at the last sale price shown on NASDAQ prior to the calculation of the NAV of the Fund. If no sale price is shown on NASDAQ, the latest bid price will be used. If no sale price is shown and no latest bid price is available, the price will be deemed “stale” and the value will be determined in accordance with the Funds’ fair valuation procedures.

Securities not traded upon any exchange will generally be valued at the mean between the latest bid and asked prices based upon quotes furnished by the appropriate market makers. If quoted prices are unavailable or are believed to be inaccurate, market values will generally be determined based on quotes obtained from one or more broker(s) or dealer(s) or based on a price obtained from a reputable independent pricing service.

Financial futures will generally be valued at the latest reported sales price. Forward foreign currency contracts will generally be valued using market quotations from a widely used quotation system that reflects the current cost of covering or off-setting the contract. Exchange traded options will generally be valued at the latest reported sales price on their exchange. If there is no reported sale on the valuation date, the options will generally be valued at the mean between the latest bid and asked prices.

Over-the-counter derivatives will generally be valued at fair value in accordance with the Funds’ fair valuation procedures.

 

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Repurchase agreements will generally be valued at a price equal to the amount of the cash invested in the repurchase agreement at the time of valuation. The market value of the securities underlying a repurchase agreement will be determined in accordance with the procedures above, as appropriate, for the purpose of determining the adequacy of collateral.

Shares of open-end investment companies held in each Fund’s portfolio will generally be valued at the latest net asset value reported by the investment company.

Debt securities will generally be valued by a pricing service which may employ a matrix or other indications of value, including but not limited to broker quotes, to determine valuations for normal institutional size trading units. The matrix can take into account various factors including, without limitation, bids, yield spreads, and/or other market data and specific security characteristics ( e.g. , credit quality, maturity and coupon rate). Debt securities for which a pricing service does not furnish valuations and for which market quotations are readily available will generally be valued based on the mean of the latest bid prices obtained from one or more dealers. Debt securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less will, absent unusual circumstances, be valued at amortized cost.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available for any reason, including that the latest quotation is deemed unreliable or unreasonable, securities and other assets and liabilities are valued at “fair value” as determined in good faith by the Adviser’s valuation committee. In general, any one or more of the following factors may be taken into account in determining fair value: the fundamental analytical data relating to the security; the value of other financial instruments, including derivative securities, traded on other markets or among dealers; trading volumes on markets, exchanges, or among dealers; values of baskets of securities traded on other markets; changes in interest rates; observations from financial institutions; government (domestic or foreign) actions or pronouncements; other news events; information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security; price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; nature and expected duration of the event, if any, giving rise to the valuation issue; pricing history of the security; the relative size of the position in the portfolio; and other relevant information.

With respect to securities traded on foreign markets, the following factors also may be relevant: the value of foreign securities traded on other foreign markets; ADR trading; closed-end fund trading; foreign currency exchange activity; and the trading of financial products that are tied to baskets of foreign securities, such as World Equity Benchmark Shares .

The Board has determined, and the valuation procedures provide, that in certain circumstances it may be necessary to use an alternative valuation method, such as in-kind redemptions with affiliated benefit plans where the Department of Labor requires that valuation to be done in accordance with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act.

 

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TAXATION

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Funds’ prospectuses entitled “ Distributions and Taxes .” The prospectuses generally describe the U.S. federal income tax treatment of distributions by the Funds. This section of the SAI provides additional information concerning U.S. federal income taxes. It is based on the Code, applicable Treasury Regulations, judicial authority, and administrative rulings and practice, all as in effect as of the date of this SAI and all of which are subject to change, including changes with retroactive effect. Except as specifically set forth below, the following discussion does not address any state, local or foreign tax matters.

A shareholder’s tax treatment may vary depending upon his or her particular situation. This discussion applies only to shareholders holding Fund shares as capital assets within the meaning of the Code. Except as otherwise noted, it may not apply to certain types of shareholders who may be subject to special rules, such as insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, shareholders holding Fund shares through tax-advantaged accounts (such as 401(k) Plan Accounts or Individual Retirement Accounts), financial institutions, broker-dealers, entities that are not organized under the laws of the United States or a political subdivision thereof, persons who are neither citizens nor residents of the United States, shareholders holding Fund shares as part of a hedge, straddle, or conversion transaction, and shareholders who are subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax.

The Trust has not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the IRS as to the U.S. federal income tax matters described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. In addition, the following discussion and the discussions in the prospectuses applicable to each shareholder address only some of the U.S. federal income tax considerations generally affecting investments in the Funds. Prospective shareholders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors and financial planners regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in a Fund, the application of state, local, or foreign laws, and the effect of any possible changes in applicable tax laws on their investment in the Funds.

Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company

It is intended that each Fund qualify as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1 of the Code. Each Fund will be treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, the provisions of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies generally will apply separately to each Fund, even though each Fund is a series of the Trust. Furthermore, each Fund will separately determine its income, gains, losses, and expenses for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies and their shareholders, each Fund must, among other things, derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year generally from (i) dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income attributable to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) and (ii) net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership, as defined below. In general, for purposes of this 90% gross income requirement, income derived from a partnership (other than a qualified publicly traded partnership) will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized directly by the regulated investment company. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (defined as a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, (y) that derives at least 90% of its income from the passive income sources defined in Code Section 7704(d), and (z) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in clause (i) above) will be treated as qualifying income. Certain of a Fund’s investments in master limited partnerships (MLPs), if any, may

 

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qualify as interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules do not apply to a regulated investment company, such rules do apply to a regulated investment company with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

Each Fund must also diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year: (i) at least 50% of the fair market value of its total assets consists of (A) cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and (B) securities of any one issuer (other than those described in clause (A)) to the extent such securities do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and are not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets consists of the securities of any one issuer (other than those described in clause (i)(A)), the securities of two or more issuers the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. In addition, for purposes of meeting this diversification requirement, the term “outstanding voting securities of such issuer” includes the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership and in the case of a Fund’s investments in loan participations, the Fund shall treat both the financial intermediary and the issuer of the underlying loan as an issuer. The qualifying income and diversification requirements described above may limit the extent to which a Fund can engage in certain derivative transactions, as well as the extent to which it can invest in MLPs.

In addition, each Fund generally must distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable income for the taxable year, which generally includes its ordinary income and the excess of any net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss, and at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income (if any) for the taxable year.

If a Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment, it generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any of the investment company taxable income and net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) it distributes to its shareholders (including Capital Gain Dividends, as defined below). Each Fund generally intends to distribute at least annually substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and substantially all of its net capital gain. However, no assurance can be given that a Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation. Any investment company taxable income retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates.

In addition, although each Fund generally intends to distribute all of its net capital gain, a Fund may determine to retain for investment all or a portion of its net capital gain. If a Fund retains any net capital gain, it will be subject to a tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders, who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of a Fund will be increased by an amount equal under current law to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income under clause (i) of the preceding sentence and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence.

In determining its net capital gain for Capital Gain Dividend purposes, a regulated investment company generally must treat any net capital loss or any net long-term capital loss incurred after October 31 as if it had been incurred in the succeeding year. Treasury Regulations generally permit a regulated investment company, in determining its taxable income, to elect to treat all or part of any net capital loss, any net long-term capital loss or any foreign currency loss incurred after October 31 as if it had been incurred in the succeeding year.

 

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In order to comply with the distribution requirements described above applicable to regulated investment companies, a Fund generally must make the distributions in the same taxable year that it realizes the income and gain, although in certain circumstances, a Fund may make the distributions in the following taxable year in respect of income and gains from the prior taxable year. Shareholders generally are taxed on any distributions from a Fund in the year they are actually distributed. If a Fund declares a distribution to shareholders of record in October, November or December of one calendar year and pays the distribution by January 31 of the following calendar year, however, the Fund and its shareholders will be treated as if the Fund paid the distribution by December 31 of the earlier year.

If, for any taxable year, a Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company accorded special tax treatment under the Code, it will be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation without any deduction for its distributions to shareholders, and all distributions from the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (including any distributions of its net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains) to its shareholders will be taxable to shareholders as dividend income. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a regulated investment company.

Excise Tax

If a Fund fails to distribute by December 31 of each calendar year at least the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for that year (excluding capital gains and losses) and 98% of its capital gain net income (adjusted for net ordinary losses) for the 1-year period ending on October 31 of that year (or November 30 or December 31 of that year if the Fund is permitted to elect and so elects), and any of its ordinary income and capital gain net income from previous years that were not distributed during such years, the Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. For these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it has been subject to corporate income tax in the taxable year ending within the calendar year. Each Fund generally intends to actually distribute or be deemed to have distributed substantially all of its ordinary income and capital gain net income, if any, by the end of each calendar year and, thus, expects not to be subject to the excise tax. However, no assurance can be given that a Fund will not be subject to the excise tax. Moreover, each Fund reserves the right to pay an excise tax rather than make an additional distribution when circumstances warrant (for example, if the amount of excise tax to be paid is deemed de minimis by a Fund).

Capital Loss Carryforwards

Subject to certain limitations, a Fund is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss from any year to offset its capital gains, if any, realized during the eight years following the year of the loss. A Fund’s capital loss carryforward is treated as a short-term capital loss in the year to which it is carried. If future capital gains are offset by carried forward capital losses, such future capital gains are not subject to fund-level U.S. federal income taxation, regardless of whether they are distributed to shareholders. Accordingly, the Funds do not expect to distribute any such offsetting capital gains. The Funds cannot carry back or carry forward any net operating losses.

Equalization Accounting

Each Fund may use the so-called “equalization method” of accounting to allocate a portion of its “accumulated earnings and profits,” which generally equals a Fund’s undistributed net investment income and realized capital gains, with certain adjustments, to redemption proceeds. This method permits a Fund to achieve more balanced distributions for both continuing and redeeming shareholders. Although using this method generally will not affect a Fund’s total returns, it may reduce the amount of income and gains that the Fund would otherwise distribute to continuing shareholders by reducing the effect of redemptions of Fund shares on Fund distributions to shareholders. The IRS has not sanctioned the particular equalization method used by the Funds, and thus a Fund’s use of this method may be subject to IRS scrutiny.

 

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Investment through Master Portfolios

Some Funds seek to continue to qualify as regulated investment companies by investing their assets through one or more Master Portfolios. Each Master Portfolio will be treated as a non-publicly traded partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes rather than as a regulated investment company or a corporation under the Code. Under the rules applicable to a non-publicly traded partnership, a proportionate share of any interest, dividends, gains and losses of a Master Portfolio will be deemed to have been realized ( i.e. , “passed through”) to its investors, including the corresponding Fund, regardless of whether any amounts are actually distributed by the Master Portfolio. Each investor in a Master Portfolio will be taxed on such share, as determined in accordance with the governing instruments of the particular Master Portfolio, the Code and Treasury Regulations, in determining such investor’s U.S. federal income tax liability. Therefore, to the extent a Master Portfolio were to accrue but not distribute any income or gains, the corresponding Fund would be deemed to have realized its proportionate share of such income or gains without receipt of any corresponding distribution. However, each of the Master Portfolios will seek to minimize recognition by its investors (such as a corresponding Fund) of income and gains without a corresponding distribution. Furthermore, each Master Portfolio intends to manage its assets, income and distributions in such a way that an investor in a Master Portfolio will be able to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by investing its assets through the Master Portfolio.

Taxation of Fund Investments

In general, realized gains or losses on the sale of securities held by a Fund will be treated as capital gains or losses, and long-term capital gains or losses if the Fund has held or is deemed to have held the securities for more than one year at the time of disposition.

If a Fund purchases a debt obligation with original issue discount (OID) (generally a debt obligation with an issue price less than its stated principal amount, such as a zero-coupon bond), the Fund may be required to annually include in its income a portion of the OID as ordinary income, even though the Fund will not receive cash payments for such discount until maturity or disposition of the obligation. Inflation-protected bonds generally can be expected to produce OID income as their principal amounts are adjusted upward for inflation. In general, gains recognized on the disposition of (or the receipt of any partial payment of principal on) a debt obligation (including a municipal obligation) purchased by a Fund at a market discount, generally at a price less than its principal amount, will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of market discount which accrued, but was not previously recognized pursuant to an available election, during the term that the Fund held the debt obligation. A Fund generally will be required to make distributions to shareholders representing the OID or market discount (if an election is made by the Fund to accrue market discount over the holding period of the applicable debt obligation) on debt securities that is currently includible in income, even though the cash representing such income may not have been received by the Fund. Cash to pay such distributions may be obtained from borrowing or from sales proceeds of securities held by a Fund which the Fund otherwise might have continued to hold; obtaining such cash might be disadvantageous for the Fund.

In addition, payment-in-kind securities similarly will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though a Fund receives no cash interest payment on the security during the year. A portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high-yield discount obligations (such as high-yield corporate debt securities) may not (and interest paid on debt obligations owned by a Fund that are considered for tax purposes to be payable in the equity of the issuer or a related party will not) be deductible to the issuer, possibly affecting the cash flow of the issuer.

If a Fund invests in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default, special tax issues may exist for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether a Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation and, if so, the amount of market discount the Fund should recognize, when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or

 

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worthless securities and how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

If an option granted by a Fund is sold, lapses or is otherwise terminated through a closing transaction, such as a repurchase by the Fund of the option from its holder, the Fund generally will realize a short-term capital gain or loss, depending on whether the premium income is greater or less than the amount paid by the Fund in the closing transaction. Some capital losses realized by a Fund in the sale, exchange, exercise or other disposition of an option may be deferred if they result from a position that is part of a “straddle,” discussed below. If securities are sold by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a covered call option granted by it, the Fund generally will add the premium received to the sale price of the securities delivered in determining the amount of gain or loss on the sale. If securities are purchased by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the Fund generally will subtract the premium received from its cost basis in the securities purchased.

Some regulated futures contracts, foreign currency contracts, and non-equity, listed options that may be used by a Fund will be deemed “Section 1256 contracts.” A Fund will be required to “mark to market” any such contracts held at the end of the taxable year by treating them as if they had been sold on the last day of that year at market value. Sixty percent of any net gain or loss realized on all dispositions of Section 1256 contracts, including deemed dispositions under the “mark-to-market” rule, generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and the remaining 40% will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss, although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary income or loss as described below. These provisions may require a Fund to recognize income or gains without a concurrent receipt of cash. Transactions that qualify as designated hedges are exempt from the mark-to-market rule and the “60%/40%” rule and may require the Fund to defer the recognition of losses on certain futures contracts, foreign currency contracts, and non-equity options.

Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by a Fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities, certain options, futures contracts, forward contracts and similar instruments relating to foreign currency, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which generally causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income or loss and may affect the amount and timing of recognition of the Fund’s income. Under future Treasury Regulations, any such transactions that are not directly related to a Fund’s investments in stock or securities (or its options contracts or futures contracts with respect to stock or securities) may have to be limited in order to enable the Fund to satisfy the 90% qualifying income test described above. If the net foreign exchange loss exceeds a Fund’s net investment company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss) for a taxable year, the resulting ordinary loss for such year will not be available as a carryforward and thus cannot be deducted by the Fund or its shareholders in future years.

Offsetting positions held by a Fund involving certain derivative instruments, such as forward, futures and options contracts, may be considered, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to constitute “straddles.” “Straddles” are defined to include “offsetting positions” in actively traded personal property. The tax treatment of “straddles” is governed by Section 1092 of the Code which, in certain circumstances, overrides or modifies the provisions of Section 1256. If a Fund is treated as entering into a “straddle” and at least one (but not all) of the Fund’s positions in derivative contracts comprising a part of such straddle is governed by Section 1256 of the Code, described above, then such straddle could be characterized as a “mixed straddle.” A Fund may make one or more elections with respect to “mixed straddles.” Depending upon which election is made, if any, the results with respect to a Fund may differ. Generally, to the extent the straddle rules apply to positions established by a Fund, losses realized by the Fund may be deferred to the extent of unrealized gain in any offsetting positions. Moreover, as a result of the straddle rules, short-term capital loss on straddle positions may be recharacterized as long-term capital loss, and long-term capital gain may be characterized as short-term capital gain. In addition, the existence of a straddle may affect the holding period of the offsetting positions. As a result, the straddle rules

 

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could cause distributions that would otherwise constitute “qualified dividend income” or qualify for the dividends-received deduction to fail to satisfy the applicable holding period requirements (as described below). Furthermore, the Fund may be required to capitalize, rather than deduct currently, any interest expense and carrying charges applicable to a position that is part of a straddle, including any interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry any positions that are part of a straddle. The application of the straddle rules to certain offsetting Fund positions can therefore affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders, and may result in significant differences from the amount, timing and character of distributions that would have been made by the Fund if it had not entered into offsetting positions in respect of certain of its portfolio securities.

If a Fund enters into a “constructive sale” of any appreciated financial position in stock, a partnership interest, or certain debt instruments, the Fund will be treated as if it had sold and immediately repurchased the property and must recognize gain (but not loss) with respect to that position. A constructive sale of an appreciated financial position occurs when a Fund enters into certain offsetting transactions with respect to the same or substantially identical property, including, but not limited to: (i) a short sale; (ii) an offsetting notional principal contract; (iii) a futures or forward contract; or (iv) other transactions identified in future Treasury Regulations. The character of the gain from constructive sales will depend upon a Fund’s holding period in the appreciated financial position. Losses realized from a sale of a position that was previously the subject of a constructive sale will be recognized when the position is subsequently disposed of. The character of such losses will depend upon a Fund’s holding period in the position beginning with the date the constructive sale was deemed to have occurred and the application of various loss deferral provisions in the Code. Constructive sale treatment does not apply to certain closed transactions, including if such a transaction is closed on or before the 30th day after the close of the Fund’s taxable year and the Fund holds the appreciated financial position unhedged throughout the 60-day period beginning with the day such transaction was closed.

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

If a Fund makes a distribution of income received by the Fund in lieu of dividends (a “substitute payment”) with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction, such income will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders. Similar consequences may apply to repurchase and other derivative transactions. Similarly, to the extent that a Fund makes distributions of income received by such Fund in lieu of tax-exempt interest with respect to securities on loan, such distributions will not constitute exempt-interest dividends (defined below) to shareholders.

In addition, a Fund’s transactions in securities and certain types of derivatives (e.g., options, futures contracts, forward contracts and swap agreements) may be subject to other special tax rules, such as the wash-sale rules or the short-sale rules, the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains, and/or convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.

Certain of a Fund’s investments in derivative instruments and foreign currency-denominated instruments, as well as any of its foreign currency transactions and hedging activities, are likely to produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If a Fund’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the distribution (if any) of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt

 

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income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If a Fund’s book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.

Rules governing the U.S. federal income tax aspects of derivatives, including swap agreements, are in a developing stage and are not entirely clear in certain respects. Accordingly, while each Fund intends to account for such transactions in a manner it deems to be appropriate, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a Fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid fund-level tax. Certain requirements that must be met under the Code in order for a Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company may limit the extent to which a Fund will be able to engage in certain derivatives transactions.

Any investment by a Fund in equity securities of a REIT may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Investments in equity securities of a REIT or another regulated investment company also may require a Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, the Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio (including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. Dividends received by the Fund from a REIT generally will not constitute qualified dividend income and will not qualify for the dividends-received deduction.

A Fund may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (TMPs). Under an IRS notice, and Treasury Regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively, a portion of a Fund’s income (including income allocated to the Fund from a REIT, a regulated investment company or other pass-through entity) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as a Fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly. As a result, the Fund may not be a suitable investment for certain tax-exempt shareholders, as noted under “ Tax-Exempt Shareholders ” below.

In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or certain other tax-exempt entities) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax.

Some amounts received by a Fund from its investments in MLPs will likely be treated as returns of capital because of accelerated deductions available with respect to the activities of MLPs. On the disposition of an investment in such an MLP, the Fund will likely realize taxable income in excess of economic gain from that asset (or if a Fund does not dispose of the MLP, the Fund will likely realize taxable income in excess of cash flow received by the Fund from the MLP in a later period), and the Fund must take such income into account in determining whether the Fund has satisfied its regulated investment company distribution requirements. The Fund may have to borrow or liquidate securities to satisfy its distribution requirements and meet its redemption requests, even though investment considerations might otherwise make it undesirable for the Fund to borrow money or sell securities at the time. In addition, distributions attributable to gain from the sale of MLPs that are characterized as ordinary income under the Code’s recapture provisions will be taxable to Fund shareholders as ordinary income.

 

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“Passive foreign investment companies” (PFICs) are generally defined as foreign corporations where at least 75% of their gross income for their taxable year is income from passive sources (such as certain interest, dividends, rents and royalties, or capital gains) or at least 50% of their assets on average produce such passive income. If a Fund acquires any equity interest in a PFIC, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and interest charges on “excess distributions” received from the PFIC or on gain from the sale of such equity interest in the PFIC, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. Excess distributions and gain from the sale of interests in PFICs may be characterized as ordinary income even though, absent the application of PFIC rules, these amounts may otherwise have been classified as capital gain.

A Fund will not be permitted to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for these special taxes and interest charges incurred with respect to a PFIC. Elections may be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections would require a Fund to include its share of the PFIC’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC (in the case of a “QEF election”), or to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in its interests in the PFIC “to the market” as though the Fund had sold and repurchased such interests on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year, treating such gains and losses as ordinary income and loss (in the case of a “mark-to-market election”). The QEF and mark-to-market elections may require a Fund to recognize taxable income or gain without the concurrent receipt of cash and increase the amount required to be distributed by the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require a Fund to liquidate other investments prematurely to meet the minimum distribution requirements described above, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and adversely affect the Fund’s total return. Each Fund may attempt to limit and/or manage its holdings in PFICs to minimize tax liability and/or maximize returns from these investments but there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. Moreover, because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC in advance of acquiring shares in the corporation, a Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income, as defined below.

In addition to the investments described above, prospective shareholders should be aware that other investments made by a Fund may involve complex tax rules that may result in income or gain recognition by the Fund without corresponding current cash receipts. Although each Fund seeks to avoid significant noncash income, such noncash income could be recognized by a Fund, in which case the Fund may distribute cash derived from other sources in order to meet the minimum distribution requirements described above. In this regard, a Fund could be required at times to liquidate investments prematurely in order to satisfy its minimum distribution requirements, which may accelerate the recognition of gain and adversely affect the Fund’s total return.

Taxation of Distributions

Except for exempt-interest dividends (defined below) paid by a Fund, distributions paid out of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in the Fund, generally are deemed to be taxable distributions and must be reported by each shareholder who is required to file a U.S. federal income tax return. Dividends and distributions on a Fund’s shares are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Fund’s realized income and gains, even though such dividends and distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholder’s investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when the Fund’s net asset value reflects either unrealized gains, or realized but undistributed income or gains. Such realized income and gains may be required to be distributed even when the Fund’s net asset value also reflects unrealized losses. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a Fund’s earnings and profits, described above, are determined at the end of the Fund’s taxable year and are allocated pro rata to distributions paid over the entire year. Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will first be treated as a return of capital up to the amount of a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares and then as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but

 

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it reduces a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of his or her shares. A Fund may make distributions in excess of its earnings and profits to a limited extent, from time to time.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income (except for exempt-interest dividends, defined below) are generally taxable as ordinary income, and distributions of gains from the sale of investments that a Fund owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income. Distributions properly designated by a Fund as capital gain dividends (Capital Gain Dividends) will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain (to the extent such distributions do not exceed the Fund’s actual net long-term capital gain for the taxable year), regardless of how long a shareholder has held Fund shares, and do not qualify as dividends for purposes of the dividends-received deduction or as qualified dividend income (defined below). Each Fund will designate Capital Gain Dividends, if any, in a written notice mailed by the Fund to its shareholders not later than 60 days after the close of the Fund’s taxable year.

Some states will not tax distributions made to individual shareholders that are attributable to interest a Fund earns on direct obligations of the U.S. government if the Fund meets the state’s minimum investment or reporting requirements, if any. Investments in GNMA or FNMA securities, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper, and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities generally do not qualify for tax-free treatment. This exemption may not apply to corporate shareholders.

Sales and Exchanges of Fund Shares

If a shareholder sells or exchanges his or her Fund shares, he or she generally will realize a taxable capital gain or loss on the difference between the amount received for the shares (or deemed received in the case of an exchange) and his or her tax basis in the shares. This gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if he or she has held (or is deemed to have held) such Fund shares for more than one year at the time of the sale or exchange, and short-term capital gain or loss otherwise.

If a shareholder sells or exchanges Fund shares within 90 days of having acquired such shares and if, as a result of having initially acquired those shares, he or she subsequently pays a reduced sales charge on a new purchase of shares of the Fund or a different regulated investment company, the sales charge previously incurred in acquiring the Fund’s shares generally shall not be taken into account (to the extent the previous sales charges do not exceed the reduction in sales charges on the new purchase) for the purpose of determining the amount of gain or loss on the disposition, but generally will be treated as having been incurred in the new purchase. Also, if a shareholder realizes a loss on a disposition of Fund shares, the loss will be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent that he or she purchases substantially identical shares within the 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition. Any disallowed loss generally will be reflected in an adjustment to the tax basis of the purchased shares.

If a shareholder receives a Capital Gain Dividend or is deemed to receive a distribution of long-term capital gain with respect to any Fund share and such Fund share is held or treated as held for six months or less, then (unless otherwise disallowed) any loss on the sale or exchange of that Fund share will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the Capital Gain Dividend or deemed long-term capital gain distribution. If shares of a Fund are sold at a loss after being held for six months or less, the loss will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends (defined below) received on those shares.

Foreign Taxes

Amounts realized by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to file an annual election with the IRS

 

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pursuant to which the Fund may pass through to its shareholders on a pro rata basis foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund with respect to foreign securities that the Fund has held for at least the minimum holding periods specified in the Code and such taxes may be claimed, subject to certain limitations, either as a tax credit or deduction by the shareholders. A Fund that invests primarily or exclusively in other regulated investment companies would not be eligible for this election, even if the underlying regulated investment companies were eligible and did make the election.

Certain Funds may qualify for and make the election; however, even if a Fund qualifies for the election for any year, it may determine not to make the election for such year. If a Fund does not so qualify or qualifies but does not so elect, then shareholders will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to foreign taxes paid by or withheld from payments to the Fund. A Fund will notify its shareholders within 60 days after the close of the Fund’s taxable year if it has elected for the foreign taxes paid by it to “pass through” for that year.

In general, if a Fund makes the election, the Fund itself will not be permitted to claim a credit or deduction for foreign taxes paid in that year, and the Fund’s dividends-paid deduction will be increased by the amount of foreign taxes paid that year. Fund shareholders generally shall include their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund in their gross income and treat that amount as paid by them for the purpose of the foreign tax credit or deduction, provided that any applicable holding period and other requirements have been met. If a shareholder claims a credit for foreign taxes paid, in general, the credit will be subject to certain limits. A deduction for foreign taxes paid may be claimed only by shareholders that itemize their deductions.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Rates

As of the date of this SAI, the maximum stated U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to individuals generally is 35% for ordinary income and 15% for net long-term capital gain. Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals have been temporarily reduced – in general, to 15% with lower rates applying to taxpayers in the 10% and 15% rate brackets – for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend this provision for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2011.

For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, U.S. federal income tax law also provides for a maximum individual U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to “qualified dividend income” equal to the highest net long-term capital gain rate, which, as described above, generally is 15%. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend this provision for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. In general, “qualified dividend income” is income attributable to dividends received by a Fund from certain domestic and foreign corporations, as long as certain holding period and other requirements are met by the Fund with respect to the dividend-paying corporation’s stock and by the shareholders with respect to the Fund’s shares. If 95% or more of a Fund’s gross income (excluding net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) constitutes qualified dividend income, all of its distributions (other than Capital Gain Dividends) will be generally treated as qualified dividend income in the hands of individual shareholders, as long as they have owned their Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date) and meet certain other requirements specified in the Code. In general, if less than 95% of a Fund’s income is attributable to qualified dividend income, then only the portion of the Fund’s distributions that is attributable to qualified dividend income and designated as such in a timely manner will be so treated in the hands of individual shareholders who meet the aforementioned holding period requirements. The rules regarding the qualification of Fund distributions as qualified dividend income are complex, including the holding period requirements. Individual Fund shareholders therefore are urged to consult their own tax advisors and financial planners. Fixed income funds typically do not distribute significant amounts of qualified dividend income.

The maximum stated corporate U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income and net capital gain is 35%. Actual marginal tax rates may be higher for some shareholders, for example, through reductions in deductions. Naturally, the amount of tax payable by any taxpayer will be affected by a combination of tax laws

 

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covering, for example, deductions, credits, deferrals, exemptions, sources of income and other matters. U.S. federal income tax rates are set to increase in future years under various “sunset” provisions of U.S. federal income tax laws.

Backup Withholding

Each Fund generally is required to withhold, and remit to the U.S. Treasury, subject to certain exemptions, an amount equal to 28% of all distributions and redemption proceeds (including proceeds from exchanges and redemptions in-kind) paid or credited to a Fund shareholder if (1) the shareholder fails to furnish the Fund with a correct “taxpayer identification number” (TIN) or has not certified to the Fund that withholding does not apply or (2) the IRS notifies the Fund that the shareholder’s TIN is incorrect or the shareholder is otherwise subject to backup withholding. These backup withholding rules may also apply to distributions that are properly designated as exempt-interest dividends (defined below). This backup withholding is not an additional tax imposed on the shareholder. The shareholder may apply amounts required to be withheld as a credit against his or her future U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. If a shareholder fails to furnish a valid TIN upon request, the shareholder can also be subject to IRS penalties. Unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise, the rate of backup withholding is set to increase to 31% for amounts distributed or paid after December 31, 2010.

Tax-Deferred Plans

The shares of a Fund may be available for a variety of tax-deferred retirement and other tax-advantaged plans and accounts. Prospective investors should contact their tax advisors and financial planners regarding the tax consequences to them of holding Fund shares through such plans and/or accounts.

Corporate Shareholders

Subject to limitations and other rules, a corporate shareholder of a Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction on Fund distributions attributable to dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations, which, if received directly by the corporate shareholder, would qualify for such a deduction. For eligible corporate shareholders, the dividends-received deduction may be subject to certain reductions, and a distribution by a Fund attributable to dividends of a domestic corporation will be eligible for the deduction only if certain holding period and other requirements are met. These requirements are complex; therefore, corporate shareholders of the Funds are urged to consult their own tax advisors and financial planners.

As discussed above, a portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high-yield discount obligations that a Fund may own may not be deductible to the issuer. If a portion of the interest paid or accrued on these obligations is not deductible, that portion will be treated as a dividend. In such cases, if the issuer of the obligation is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by a Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction to the extent of the dividend portion of such interest.

Foreign Shareholders

For purposes of this discussion, “foreign shareholders” generally include: (i) nonresident alien individuals, (ii) foreign trusts ( i.e. , a trust other than a trust with respect to which a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over administration of that trust and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control substantial decisions of that trust), (iii) foreign estates ( i.e. , the income of which is not subject to U.S. tax regardless of source), and (iv) foreign corporations.

Generally, unless an exception applies, dividend distributions made to foreign shareholders other than Capital Gain Dividends and exempt-interest dividends (defined below) will be subject to non-refundable U.S. federal income tax withholding at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be provided under an applicable income

 

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tax treaty) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly, would not be subject to withholding. However, generally, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2010, distributions made to foreign shareholders and properly designated by a Fund as “interest-related dividends” were exempt from U.S. federal income tax withholding. The exemption for interest-related dividends did not apply to any distribution to a foreign shareholder (i) to the extent that the dividend was attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign shareholder was the issuer or was a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (ii) that was within certain foreign countries that had inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (iii) to the extent the dividend was attributable to interest paid by a person that was a related person of the foreign shareholder and the foreign shareholder was a controlled foreign corporation. Interest-related dividends were generally attributable to the Fund’s net U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder. In order to qualify as an interest-related dividend, the Fund was required to designate a distribution as such in a written notice mailed to its shareholders not later than 60 days after the close of the Fund’s taxable year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a distribution described above is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment) of the recipient foreign shareholder, U.S. federal income tax withholding will not apply. Instead, the distribution will be subject to the tax, reporting and withholding requirements generally applicable to U.S. persons, and an additional branch profits tax may apply if the recipient foreign shareholder is a foreign corporation.

In general, a foreign shareholder’s capital gains realized on the disposition of Fund shares and distributions properly designated as Capital Gain Dividends are not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless: (i) such gains or distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment) of the foreign shareholder; (ii) in the case of an individual foreign shareholder, the shareholder is present in the U.S. for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the disposition of Fund shares or the receipt of Capital Gain Dividends and certain other conditions are met; or (iii) the Fund shares on which the foreign shareholder realized gain constitute U.S. real property interests (USRPIs, defined below) or, in certain cases, the distributions are attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI, as discussed below. If the requirements of clause (i) are met, the tax, reporting and withholding requirements applicable to U.S. persons generally will apply to the foreign shareholder and an additional branch profits tax may apply if the foreign shareholder is a foreign corporation. If the requirements of clause (i) are not met, but the requirements of clause (ii) are met, such gains and distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be provided under an applicable income tax treaty). Please see below for a discussion of the tax implications to foreign shareholders in the event that clause (iii) applies. With respect to taxable years of a Fund beginning before January 1, 2010, distributions to a foreign shareholder attributable to a Fund’s net short-term capital gain in excess of its net long-term capital loss and designated as such by the Fund in a written notice mailed by the Fund to its shareholders not later than 60 days after the close of the Fund’s taxable year (“short-term capital gain dividends”) were generally not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above applied to such distribution.

It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend the exemptions from withholding for interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends with respect to taxable years of a Fund beginning on or after January 1, 2010 and what the terms of any such extension would be. Even if permitted to do so, each Fund provides no assurance that it would designate any distributions as interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends.

In the case of shares held through an intermediary, even if a Fund makes a designation with respect to a payment, no assurance can be made that the intermediary will respect such a designation, and an intermediary may withhold even if a Fund makes a designation with respect to a payment. Foreign shareholders should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.

Special rules apply to distributions to foreign shareholders from a Fund if it is either a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (USRPHC) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions from USRPI

 

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treatment for interests in domestically controlled REITs or regulated investment companies and not-greater- than-5% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs or regulated investment companies. Additionally, special rules apply to the sale of shares in a Fund if it is a USRPHC. Generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs – defined generally as any interest in U.S. real property or any equity interest in a USRPHC – the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation’s USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States and other assets. If a Fund holds (directly or indirectly) significant interests in REITs, it may be a USRPHC.

If a Fund is a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for certain of the above-mentioned exceptions, amounts the Fund receives from REITs derived from gains realized from USRPIs generally will retain their character as such in the hands of the Fund’s foreign shareholders. In the hands of a foreign shareholder that holds (or has held in the prior 12 months) more than a 5% interest in any class of the Fund, such amounts generally will be treated as gains “effectively connected” with the conduct of a “U.S. trade or business,” and subject to tax at graduated rates. Moreover, such shareholder generally will be required to file a U.S. income tax return for the year recognized, and the Fund must withhold 35% of the amount of such distribution. Otherwise, in the case of all other foreign shareholders (i.e., those whose interest in any class of the Fund did not exceed 5% at any time during the prior 12 months), such amounts generally will be treated as ordinary income (regardless of any designation by the Fund that such distribution is a Capital Gain Dividend), and the Fund must withhold 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate) of the amount of the distribution paid to such shareholders. If a Fund is subject to the rules of this paragraph, its foreign shareholders may also be subject to “wash sale” rules to prevent the avoidance of the foregoing tax-filing and payment obligations through the sale and repurchase of Fund shares. Prior to January 1, 2010, if a Fund was a USRPHC or would have been a USRPHC but for certain of the above-mentioned exceptions, similar rules generally also applied to any non-REIT USRPI gains recognized by the Fund directly or indirectly through certain lower-tier regulated investment companies. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend such application for distributions made on or after January 1, 2010 and what the terms of any such extension would be.

In addition, if a Fund is a USRPHC, it generally must withhold 10% of the amount realized in redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, and that shareholder must file a U.S. income tax return for the year of the disposition of the USRPI and pay any additional tax due on the gain. Prior to January 1, 2010, such withholding generally was not required with respect to amounts paid in redemption of shares of a Fund if it was a domestically controlled USRPHC, or, in certain limited cases, if the Fund (whether or not domestically controlled) held substantial investments in regulated investment companies that were domestically controlled USRPHCs. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend this exemption from withholding for redemptions made on or after January 1, 2010 and what the terms of any such extension would be. Unless and until such legislation is enacted, beginning on January 1, 2010, withholding is required in respect of amounts paid in redemption of shares of a Fund by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder if the Fund is a USRPHC, without regard to whether the Fund or any regulated investment company in which it invests is domestically controlled.

In order to qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or for lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from backup withholding, a foreign shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its foreign status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute form). Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisors in this regard.

Special rules (including withholding and reporting requirements) apply to foreign partnerships and those holding Fund shares through foreign partnerships. In addition, additional considerations may apply to foreign trusts and foreign estates. Investors holding Fund shares through foreign entities should consult their tax advisors about their particular situation.

If a Fund qualifies and makes an election to pass through foreign taxes to its shareholders, as described earlier, foreign shareholders of the Fund generally will be subject to increased U.S. federal income taxation without a corresponding benefit for the pass-through of foreign taxes.

 

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A beneficial holder of shares who is a foreign person may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the U.S. federal income tax referred to above.

Tax-Exempt Shareholders

Under current law, a Fund serves to “block” (that is, prevent the attribution to shareholders of) UBTI from being realized by tax-exempt shareholders. Notwithstanding this “blocking” effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b).

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

In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) that invest in regulated investment companies that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT, as defined in Section 664 of the Code, that realizes UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI solely as a result of investing in a Fund to the extent that it recognizes excess inclusion income. Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a Fund and the Fund recognizes excess inclusion income, then the Fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest U.S. federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which the IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, each Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s interest in the Fund. Each Fund has not yet determined whether such an election will be made. CRTs are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in a Fund.

Shareholder Reporting Requirements Regarding Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts and Other Foreign Financial Assets

Effective for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010, certain individuals (and, if provided in future guidance, certain domestic entities) must disclose annually their interests in “specified foreign financial assets” on their U.S. federal income tax returns. It is currently unclear under what circumstances, if any, a shareholder’s (indirect) interest in a Fund’s “specified foreign financial assets,” if any, falls within this requirement. In addition, shareholders that are U.S. persons and own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of a Fund by vote or value could be required to report annually their “financial interest” in the Fund’s “foreign financial accounts,” if any, on Treasury Department Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). Shareholders should consult a tax advisor regarding the applicability to them of both of these reporting requirements.

Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements

New rules enacted in March 2010 require the reporting to the IRS of direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts and foreign entities by U.S. persons. Failure, including by a U.S. person, to provide this required information can result in a 30% withholding tax on certain payments (“withholdable payments”) made after December 31, 2012. Withholdable payments include U.S.-source dividends and interest, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposal of property that can produce U.S.-source dividends or interest.

 

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The IRS has issued only limited guidance with respect to these new rules; their scope remains unclear and potentially subject to material change. Very generally, it is possible that distributions made by a Fund after December 31, 2012 (or such later date as may be provided in future guidance) to a shareholder, including a distribution in redemption of shares and a distribution of income or gains otherwise exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to non-U.S. shareholders described above (e.g., Capital Gain Dividends), will be subject to the new 30% withholding requirement. Payments to a foreign shareholder that is a “foreign financial institution” will generally be subject to withholding, unless such shareholder enters into an agreement with the IRS. Payments to shareholders that are U.S. persons or foreign individuals will generally not be subject to withholding, so long as such shareholders provide a Fund with such certifications or other documentation as the Fund requires to comply with the new rules. Persons investing in a Fund through an intermediary should contact their intermediary regarding the application of the new reporting and withholding regime to their investments in the Fund.

Shareholders are urged to consult a tax advisor regarding this new reporting and withholding regime, in light of their particular circumstances.

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations

Under Treasury Regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Special Tax Considerations Pertaining to Tax-Exempt Funds

If, at the close of each quarter of a regulated investment company’s taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of obligations the interest on which is exempt from U.S. federal income tax under Section 103(a) of the Code, then the regulated investment company may qualify to pay “exempt-interest dividends” and pass through to its shareholders the tax-exempt character of its income from such obligations. Certain of the Funds intend to so qualify and are designed to provide shareholders with a high level of income in the form of exempt-interest dividends, which are generally exempt from U.S. federal income tax (such qualifying Funds, “the Tax-Exempt Funds”).

Distributions of capital gains or income not attributable to interest on Tax-Exempt Funds’ tax-exempt obligations will not constitute exempt-interest dividends and will be taxable to shareholders as described earlier.

Not later than 60 days after the close of a Tax-Exempt Fund’s taxable year, the Tax-Exempt Fund will notify its shareholders of the portion of the distributions for the taxable year which constitutes exempt-interest dividends. In general, if an amount of the Tax-Exempt Fund’s distribution designated as an exempt-interest dividend exceeds the fund’s net-exempt interest, the amount so qualifying as tax-exempt will be scaled back ratably to the amount of its net-exempt income. In such a case, each Tax-Exempt Fund shareholder must proportionately reduce the amount of the dividend it treats as tax-exempt, and will generally include the excess income as a taxable dividend to the extent of certain disallowed deductions and thereafter as a return of capital. The deductibility of interest paid or accrued on indebtedness incurred by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares of a Tax-Exempt Fund may be limited. The portion of such interest that is non-deductible generally equals the amount of such interest times the ratio of a Tax-Exempt Fund’s exempt-interest dividends received by the shareholder to all of the Tax-Exempt Fund’s dividends received by the shareholder (excluding Capital Gain Dividends and any capital gains required to be included in the shareholder’s long term capital gains in respect of capital gains retained by the Tax-Exempt Fund, as described earlier).

 

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Although exempt-interest dividends are generally exempt from U.S. federal income tax, there may not be a similar exemption under the laws of a particular state or local taxing jurisdiction. Thus, exempt-interest dividends may be subject to state and local taxes; however, each state-specific Tax-Exempt Fund generally invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest that is exempt not only from U.S. federal income tax, but also from the applicable state’s personal income tax (but not necessarily local taxes or taxes of other states). You should consult your tax advisor to discuss the tax consequences of your investment in a Tax-Exempt Fund.

Tax-exempt interest on certain “private activity bonds” has been designated as a “tax preference item” and must be added back to taxable income for purposes of calculating U.S. federal alternative minimum tax (AMT). To the extent that a Tax-Exempt Fund invests in certain private activity bonds, its shareholders will be required to report that portion of a Tax-Exempt Fund’s distributions attributable to income from the bonds as a tax preference item in determining their U.S. federal AMT, if any. Shareholders will be notified of the tax status of distributions made by a Tax-Exempt Fund. Persons who may be “substantial users” (or “related persons” of substantial users) of facilities financed by private activity bonds should consult their tax advisors before purchasing shares in a Tax-Exempt Fund. In addition, exempt-interest dividends paid by a Tax-Exempt Fund to a corporate shareholder are, with very limited exceptions, included in the shareholder’s “adjusted current earnings” as part of its U.S. federal AMT calculation. As of the date of this SAI, individuals are subject to the U.S. federal AMT at a maximum rate of 28% and corporations at a maximum rate of 20%. Shareholders with questions or concerns about the U.S. federal AMT should consult their own tax advisors.

Ordinarily, a Tax-Exempt Fund relies on an opinion from the issuer’s bond counsel that interest on the issuer’s obligation will be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not successfully challenge such exemption, which could cause interest on the obligation to be taxable and could jeopardize a Tax-Exempt Fund’s ability to pay exempt-interest dividends. Similar challenges may occur as to state-specific exemptions. Also, from time to time legislation may be introduced or litigation may arise that would change the treatment of exempt-interest dividends. Such litigation or legislation may have the effect of raising the state or other taxes payable by shareholders on such dividends. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors for the current law on exempt-interest dividends.

A shareholder who receives Social Security or railroad retirement benefits should consult his or her tax advisor to determine what effect, if any, an investment in a Tax-Exempt Fund may have on the federal taxation of such benefits. Exempt-interest dividends are included in income for purposes of determining the amount of benefits that are taxable.

 

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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

As of September 30, 2010 (or as of October 31, 2010 for CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund), the name, address and percentage of ownership of each person who may be deemed to be a “principal holder” (i.e., owns of record or is known by the Trust to own beneficially 5% or more of any class of a Fund’s outstanding shares) is listed below.

Principal Holder Ownership of the Funds with fiscal year ending March 31:

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Bond Fund

Class A

  

EDWARD D JONES & CO

MUTUAL FUND SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNTING

201 PROGRESS PKWY

MARYLAND HTS MO 63043-3009

     231,713.9370         13.88%   

Columbia Bond Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     128,858.1120         7.72%   

Columbia Bond Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     16,991.9580         6.48%   

Columbia Bond Fund

Class C

  

WELLS FARGO INVESTMENTS LLC

625 MARQUETTE AVE FL 13

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2323

     13,245.4760         5.05%   

Columbia Bond Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     261.0300         100.00%   

Columbia Bond Fund

Class W

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     261.2970         100.00%   

Columbia Bond Fund

Class Y

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     1,792,527.4810         99.93%   

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Bond Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     44,395,590.7660         61.41%   

Columbia Bond Fund

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     4,737,302.7060         6.55%   

Columbia Corporate Income Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     620,044.1290         7.11%   

Columbia Corporate Income Fund

Class A

  

EDWARD D JONES & CO

MUTUAL FUND SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNTING

201 PROGRESS PKWY

MARYLAND HTS MO 63043-3009

     641,588.8450         7.36%   

Columbia Corporate Income Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     128,497.3820         22.27%   

Columbia Corporate Income Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     234,458.5820         20.29%   

Columbia Corporate Income Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     254.1810         100.00%   

Columbia Corporate Income Fund

Class W

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     254.1750         100.00%   

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Corporate Income Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     22,719,786.0950         59.54%   

Columbia Corporate Income Fund

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     5,023,009.6700         13.16%   

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     147,904.2740         22.96%   

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     43,259.0470         27.49%   

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

Class C

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.

ATTN: PETER BOOTH 7TH FL

333 W 34TH ST

NEW YORK NY 10001-2402

     10,035.0910         6.38%   

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

Class C

  

NFS LLC FEBO

FMT CO CUST R/O IRA

FBO ERIC K LIEW

3419 CROSS CREEK CIR

WOOSTER OH 44691-1863

     8,216.2920         5.22%   

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     213.4930         100.00%   

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

Class R

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     213.6750         100.00%   

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

Class W

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     213.6750         100.00%   

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     10,150,197.9010         31.06%   

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     8,889,579.8000         27.20%   

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

Class Z

  

STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY

AAF LIFEGOAL BALANCED GROWTH

ATTN JIM BOTSOLIS

TWO AVENUE DE LAFAYETTE

BOSTON MA 02111-1724

     2,144,861.4930         6.56%   

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

Class Z

  

NFS LLC FEBO

SMALL GRAT LLC

35 EAGLE DR

SHARON MA 02067-2907

     2,112,423.0010         6.46%   

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

Class Z

  

STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY

AAF LIFEGOAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO

ATTN JIM BOTSOLIS

TWO AVENUE DE LAFAYETTE

BOSTON MA 02111-1724

     2,015,460.5900         6.17%   

Columbia Energy & Natural Resources Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     214,418.7330         8.63%   

Columbia Energy & Natural Resources Fund

Class A

  

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY

HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER

PLAZA 2, 3RD FL

JERSEY CITY NJ 07311

     159,151.2010         6.41%   

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Energy & Natural Resources Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     138,725.2940         15.93%   

Columbia Energy & Natural Resources Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     132.8370         100.00%   

Columbia Energy & Natural Resources Fund

Class R

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     133.2620         100.00%   

Columbia Energy & Natural Resources Fund

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     6,155,878.0700         19.19%   

Columbia Energy & Natural Resources Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     6,140,791.7260         19.14%   

Columbia Energy & Natural Resources Fund

Class Z

  

STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY

AAF LIFEGOAL BALANCED GROWTH

ATTN JIM BOTSOLIS

TWO AVENUE DE LAFAYETTE

BOSTON MA 02111-1724

     2,048,545.0140         6.39%   

Columbia Energy & Natural Resources Fund

Class Z

  

TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS

P.O. BOX 2226

OMAHA NE 68103-2226

     1,649,852.0080         5.14%   

Columbia Energy & Natural Resources Fund

Class Z

  

LPL FINANCIAL

FBO CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS

ATTN MUTUAL FUND OPERATIONS

P.O. BOX 509046

SAN DIEGO CA 92150-9046

     1,635,431.9370         5.10%   

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class A

  

NFS LLC FEBO

TRANSAMERICA LIFE INS COMPANY

1150 S OLIVE ST STE 2700

LOS ANGELES CA 90015-2211

     3,523,035.6830         18.82%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     654,794.7180         29.59%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     839,859.8690         23.36%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class C

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.

ATTN: PETER BOOTH 7TH FL

333 W 34TH ST

NEW YORK NY 10001-2402

     456,912.3270         12.71%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class C

  

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY

HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER

PLAZA 2, 3RD FL

JERSEY CITY NJ 07311

     187,152.6570         5.21%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     271.5510         100.00%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class R

  

FRONTIER TRUST CO FBO

REGGIO REGISTER CO INC 401K

P.O. BOX 10758

FARGO ND 58106-0758

     42,853.8020         18.90%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class R

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     37,728.4780         16.64%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class R

  

MG TRUST COMPANY CUST, FBO

GREGORY PHILLIES, MD, PC

700 17TH ST STE 300

DENVER CO 80202-3531

     18,019.8790         7.95%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class R

  

FRONTIER TRUST CO FBO

THOMAS J KING JR D D S PC P

P.O. BOX 10758

FARGO ND 58106-0758

     14,940.0210         6.59%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class R

  

RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOC INC

FBO THOMAS C DAVIS & STEVEN J DAVIS TTEE

SB DAVIS COMPANY PSP

2695 ELMRIDGE DR NW

GRAND RAPIDS MI 49534-1302

     14,292.6100         6.31%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class R

  

FRONTIER TRUST CO FBO

AUBURN MANUFACTORING INC RETIREMENT

P.O. BOX 10758

FARGO ND 58106-0758

     14,250.9170         6.29%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class R

  

MG TRUST CO CUST FBO

ALERT AMBULANCE SERVICE INC 401K

700 17TH ST STE 300

DENVER CO 80202-3531

     13,146.7720         5.80%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class W

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     271.5410         100.00%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     108,767,489.3180         50.20%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     14,809,519.3880         6.83%   

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class Z

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.

BOOK ENTRY ACCOUNT

ATTN: MATT MAESRI

MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT

333 W 34TH ST 7TH FL

NEW YORK NY 10001-2402

     12,546,091.5630         5.79%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Class Z

  

COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT ADVISORS INC

FBO COL MODERATE GROWTH NY 529

ATTN: JIM MARIN

245 SUMMER ST FL 3

BOSTON MA 02210-1133

     11,200,007.2990         5.17%   

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

Class A

  

LPL FINANCIAL

FBO CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS

ATTN MUTUAL FUND OPERATIONS

P.O. BOX 509046

SAN DIEGO CA 92150-9046

     55,928.8560         43.67%   

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

Class A

  

PERSHING LLC

P.O. BOX 2052

JERSEY CITY NJ 07303-2052

     10,252.7010         8.01%   

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

Class A

  

LPL FINANCIAL

9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR

SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968

     6,500.1570         5.08%   

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

Class C

  

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY

HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER

PLAZA 2, 3RD FL

JERSEY CITY NJ 07311

     2,677.2470         44.60%   

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

Class C

  

FIRST CLEARING LLC

2801 MARKET ST

SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523

     1,899.6370         31.64%   

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

Class C

  

LPL FINANCIAL SERVICES

9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR

SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968

     733.6400         12.22%   

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

Class C

  

FIRST CLEARING LLC

BETTY JEAN GHOSH TR

BETTY JEAN GHOSH TTEE

245 KUIKAHI ST

HILO HI 96720-2223

     518.4120         8.64%   

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     316.8570         100.00%   

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     1,454,249.1510         31.17%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

Class Z

  

STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY

AAF LIFEGOAL BALANCED GROWTH

ATTN JIM BOTSOLIS

TWO AVENUE DE LAFAYETTE

BOSTON MA 02111-1724

     1,059,953.6000         22.72%   

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

Class Z

  

STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY

AAF LIFEGOAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO

ATTN JIM BOTSOLIS

TWO AVENUE DE LAFAYETTE

BOSTON MA 02111-1724

     689,282.3110         14.77%   

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     448,523.2660         9.61%   

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     55,033.4560         18.55%   

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class C

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.

ATTN: PETER BOOTH 7TH FL

333 W 34TH ST

NEW YORK NY 10001-2402

     53,383.4870         17.99%   

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class C

  

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

70 HUDSON STREET, 7TH FL

JERSEY CITY NJ 07302-4585

     40,192.9260         13.55%   

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class C

  

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY

HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER

PLAZA 2, 3RD FL

JERSEY CITY NJ 07311

     39,009.9630         13.15%   

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     222.6180         100.00%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class R

  

WILMINGTON TRUST RISC CUST FBO

WATTEREDGE INC EMPLOYEE SP

P.O. BOX 52129

PHOENIX AZ 85072-2129

     32,236.3850         25.92%   

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class R

  

FRONTIER TRUST CO FBO

NETWORK ADJUSTERS INC 401

P.O. BOX 10758

FARGO ND 58106-0758

     20,152.4090         16.20%   

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class R

  

FRONTIER TRUST CO FBO

CROSE & LEMKE CONSTRUCTION INC P.O. BOX 10758

FARGO ND 58106-0758

     16,854.7500         13.55%   

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class R

  

WILMINGTON TRUST RISC CUST FBO

INDUSTRIAL ENERGY

P.O. BOX 52129

PHOENIX AZ 85072-2129

     16,817.0710         13.52%   

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class R

  

ORCHARD TRUST CO LLC CUST

OPP FUNDS RECORDK PRO RET PL

8515 E ORCHARD RD

GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111

     14,565.8440         11.71%   

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class R

  

FRONTIER TRUST CO FBO

REGGIO REGISTER CO INC 401K

P.O. BOX 10758

FARGO ND 58106-0758

     11,303.0530         9.09%   

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class R

  

FRONTIER TRUST CO FBO

JACKSIN SERVICES INC 401K RETIR

PO BOX 10758

FARGO ND 58106-0758

     8,346.9230         6.71%   

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class W

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     224.0140         100.00%   

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     174,231,681.5130         84.37%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     14,103,428.4260         6.83%   

Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     1,061,274.4000         25.34%   

Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund

Class A

  

PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC FBO MUTUAL FUND CLIENTS

100 MULBERRY ST

NEWARK NJ 07102-4056

     214,763.4460         5.13%   

Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     131,479.8590         28.71%   

Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     155,004.3560         9.81%   

Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund

Class C

  

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY

HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER

PLAZA 2, 3RD FL

JERSEY CITY NJ 07311

     131,912.6590         8.35%   

Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     212.6280         100.00%   

Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     7,739,343.1240         30.12%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund

Class Z

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     3,658,883.9410         14.24%   

Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     220,043.2390         15.07%   

Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

Class C

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.

ATTN: PETER BOOTH 7TH FL

333 W 34TH ST

NEW YORK NY 10001-2402

     118,452.3790         8.11%   

Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     57.5110         100.00%   

Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

Class R

  

DCGT AS TTEE AND/OR CUST

FBO PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP QUALIFIED PRIN ADVTG OMNIBUS

ATTN NPIO TRADE DESK

711 HIGH STREET

DES MOINES IA 50392-0001

     349,799.6330         26.16%   

Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

Class R

  

DCGT AS TTEE AND/OR CUST

FBO PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP QUALIFIED PRIN ADVTG OMNIBUS

ATTN NPIO TRADE DESK

711 HIGH STREET

DES MOINES IA 50392-0001

     258,023.3540         19.30%   

Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

Class R

  

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK CUST

FBO HUTAMAKI LONG TERM SAVINGS & INVESTMENT PLAN

C/O JPMORGAN RPS 5500 TEAM

9300 WARD PKWY

KANSAS CITY MO 64114-3317

     198,346.9220         14.84%   

Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

Class R

  

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK CUST

FBO HUTAMAKI LONG TERM SAVINGS & INVESTMENT PLAN

C/O JPMORGAN RPS 5500 TEAM

9300 WARD PKWY

KANSAS CITY MO 64114-3317

     74,367.5070         5.56%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

Class W

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     57.4840         100.00%   

Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     36,097,426.4100         27.49%   

Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     20,424,748.5680         15.56%   

Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

Class Z

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     17,260,116.2440         13.15%   

Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

Class Z

  

JOHN HANCOCK LIFE INSURANCE CO USA

RPS SEG FUNDS & ACCOUNTING ET-7

601 CONGRESS ST

BOSTON MA 02210-2804

     7,670,245.0440         5.84%   

Principal Holder Ownership of the Funds with fiscal year ending May 31:

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia High Yield Opportunity Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     6,720,428.1240         13.90%   

Columbia High Yield Opportunity Fund

Class A

  

EDWARD D JONES & CO

MUTUAL FUND SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNTING

201 PROGRESS PKWY

MARYLAND HTS MO 63043-3009

     4,206,538.9500         8.70%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia High Yield Opportunity Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     457,352.7670         13.33%   

Columbia High Yield Opportunity Fund

Class B

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.

ATTN: PETER BOOTH 7TH FL

333 W 34TH ST

NEW YORK NY 10001-2402

     336,888.5590         9.82%   

Columbia High Yield Opportunity Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     469,379.8150         14.22%   

Columbia High Yield Opportunity Fund

Class C

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.

ATTN: PETER BOOTH 7TH FL

333 W 34TH ST

NEW YORK NY 10001-2402

     170,452.1540         5.16%   

Columbia High Yield Opportunity Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     21,778,115.1400         76.46%   

Columbia International Bond Fund

Class A

  

LPL FINANCIAL

FBO CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS

ATTN MUTUAL FUND OPERATIONS

PO BOX 509046

SAN DIEGO CA 92150-9046

     18,954.6860         17.89%   

Columbia International Bond Fund

Class A

  

EDWARD D JONES & CO

MUTUAL FUND SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNTING

201 PROGRESS PKWY

MARYLAND HTS MO 63043-3009

     13,295.4930         12.55%   

Columbia International Bond Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     6,491.0000         16.54%   

Columbia International Bond Fund

Class C

  

AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVCS

PO BOX 9446

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55440-9446

     2,824.4790         7.20%   

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia International Bond Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     220.4590         100.00%   

Columbia International Bond Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     820,950.2480         59.81%   

Columbia International Bond Fund

Class Z

  

FIM FUNDING INC

C/O BOFA GOBAL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

100 FEDERAL ST

BOSTON MA 02110-1802

     516,099.7760         37.60%   

Columbia Strategic Income Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     17,139,026.3850         10.32%   

Columbia Strategic Income Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     3,512,579.0500         25.43%   

Columbia Strategic Income Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     9,631,716.6250         29.10%   

Columbia Strategic Income Fund

Class C

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.

ATTN: PETER BOOTH 7TH FL

333 W 34TH ST

NEW YORK NY 10001-2402

     1,863,775.5590         5.63%   

Columbia Strategic Income Fund

Class R

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     405.8440         100.00%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Strategic Income Fund

Class W

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     405.8440         100.00%   

Columbia Strategic Income Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     83,245,905.4230         71.01%   

Columbia Strategic Income Fund

Class Z

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     9,992,474.6940         8.52%   

Columbia Strategic Income Fund

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     6,348,121.9690         5.42%   

Principal Holder Ownership of the Funds with fiscal year ending June 30:

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     2,898,947.8830         35.14

Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund

Class A

  

EDWARD D JONES & CO

MUTUAL FUND SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNTING

201 PROGRESS PKWY

MARYLAND HTS MO 63043-3009

     518,408.6020         6.28

Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     205,867.2160         36.48

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     323,169.4900         32.44

Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund

Class C

  

LPL FINANCIAL SERVICES

9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR

SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968

     54,017.2680         5.42

Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     57,791,398.9660         81.53

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Class A

  

ORCHARD TRUST COMPANY LLC TTEE

FBO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS 401(K) PLAN

8515 E ORCHARD RD #2T2

GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002

     863,978.5170         5.32

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     857,698.9710         5.28

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Class A

  

DCGT AS TTEE AND/OR CUST

FBO PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP QUALIFIED FIA OMNIBUS

ATTN NPIO TRADE DESK

711 HIGH ST

DES MOINES IA 50392-001

     847,944.5300         5.22

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     63,970.2730         9.40

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     330,773.3610         21.60

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Class C

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.

ATTN: PETER BOOTH 7TH FL

333 W 34TH ST

NEW YORK NY 10001-2402

     89,658.9020         5.85%   

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Class C

  

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY

HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER

PLAZA 2, 3RD FL

JERSEY CITY NJ 07311

     87,817.7670         5.73%   

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     61.8810         100.00%   

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Class R

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     65.0530         100.00%   

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Class Y

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     28,342.1690         98.89%   

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     5,171,440.5480         24.27%   

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Class Z

  

EDWARD D JONES & CO

MUTUAL FUND SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNTING

201 PROGRESS PKWY

MARYLAND HTS MO 63043-3009

     2,437,484.6220         11.44%   

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Class Z

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     1,297,671.7490         6.09%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     1,285,600.5530         6.03

Principal Holder Ownership of the Fund with fiscal year ending July 31:

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 
CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FLOOR DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     123,560,365.2470         98.78%   

Principal Holder Ownership of the Funds with fiscal year ending August 31:

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Balanced Fund

Class A

  

TAYNIK & CO

C/O INVESTORS BANK & TRUST CO

200 CLARENDON ST #FPG90

BOSTON MA 02116-5021

     282,965.6610         9.37

Columbia Balanced Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     163,972.1100         5.43

Columbia Balanced Fund

Class A

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.

ATTN: PETER BOOTH 7TH FL

333 W 34TH ST

NEW YORK NY 10001-2402

     155,186.3500         5.14

Columbia Balanced Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     65,840.3590         23.03

Columbia Balanced Fund

Class B

  

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY

HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER

PLAZA 2, 3RD FL

JERSEY CITY NJ 07311

     18,691.0110         6.54

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Balanced Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     182,062.5900         16.33%   

Columbia Balanced Fund

Class C

  

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY

HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER

PLAZA 2, 3RD FL

JERSEY CITY NJ 07311

     160,656.5000         14.41%   

Columbia Balanced Fund

Class C

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.

ATTN: PETER BOOTH 7TH FL

333 W 34TH ST

NEW YORK NY 10001-2402

     127,157.7540         11.41%   

Columbia Balanced Fund

Class R

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     101.5430         100.00%   

Columbia Balanced Fund

Class Z

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     1,380,710.7190         15.37%   

Columbia Balanced Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     546,028.1750         6.08%   

Columbia Balanced Fund

Class Z

  

NFS LLC FEBO

REGIONS BANK DBA KENNEBURT CO

250 RIVERCHASE PKWY E FL 5

BIRMINGHAM AL 35244-1832

     488,272.9300         5.44%   

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     746,691.5880         23.21%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     90,385.5020         31.02%   

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     91,133.9560         17.33%   

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Class C

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.

ATTN: PETER BOOTH 7TH FL

333 W 34TH ST

NEW YORK NY 10001-2402

     61,854.3100         11.76%   

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     107.6190         100.00%   

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Class R

  

PALACE ENTERTAINMENT TTEE FBO

PALACE ENTERTAINMENT 401K

C/O FASCORE LLC

8515 E ORCHARD RD #2T2

GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002

     29,872.0110         12.13%   

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Class R

  

COUNSEL TRUST DBA MATC FBO

ANDERSON & VREELAND INC PSP

1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525

PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228

     25,872.0820         10.50%   

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Class R

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     22,752.8750         9.24%   

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Class R

  

CAPITAL BANK & TRUST CO

TTEE F FALASCA MECHANICAL INC

401K

8515 E ORCHARD RD #2T2

GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002

     13,292.9880         5.40%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Class T

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     164,348.5380         17.16%   

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Class W

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     110.2780         100.00%   

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Class Y

  

FIM FUNDING INC

C/O BOFA GLOBAL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

100 FEDERAL ST

BOSTON MA 02110-1802

     619.0670         100.00%   

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     19,841,200.6310         42.06%   

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     2,957,559.1610         6.27%   

Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     9,135.3190         9.95%   

Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     183,419.5700         30.05%   

Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     93.0750         100.00%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I

Class R

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     94.2680         100.00%   

Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I

Class Y

  

ANCHORAGE POLICE & FIRE RETIREMENT SYSTEM

ATTN CHARLES M LAIRD

3600 DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVE

STE 207

ANCHORAGE AK 99507-1222

     574,338.8870         99.91%   

Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     14,930,461.6990         50.48%   

Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     3,020,180.4990         10.21%   

Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I

Class Z

  

NFS LLC FEBO

STATE STREET BANK TRUST CO

TTEE VARIOUS RETIREMENT PLANS

4 MANHATTANVILLE RD

PURCHASE NY 10577-2139

     1,905,578.3390         6.44%   

Columbia Strategic Investor Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     605,226.9980         6.64%   

Columbia Strategic Investor Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     366,932.3080         27.69%   

Columbia Strategic Investor Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     195,471.8960         18.33%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Strategic Investor Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     146.9720         100.00%   

Columbia Strategic Investor Fund

Class R

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     147.3190         100.00%   

Columbia Strategic Investor Fund

Class W

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     147.3190         100.00%   

Columbia Strategic Investor Fund

Class Y

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     625,701.5030         99.88%   

Columbia Strategic Investor Fund

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     2,113,685.8780         6.22%   

Principal Holder Ownership of the Funds with fiscal year ending September 30:

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     55,204.9040         16.30%   

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     400,538.8090         25.71%   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     196.8500         100.00%   

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

Class R

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     198.0980         100.00%   

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

Class T

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     2,904,076.6610         32.18%   

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

Class W

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     198.0980         100.00%   

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     11,895,818.9480         43.85%   

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

Class Z

  

STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY

AAF LIFEGOAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO

ATTN JIM BOTSOLIS

TWO AVENUE DE LAFAYETTE

BOSTON MA 02111-1724

     1,742,073.6190         6.37%   

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

Class Z

  

STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY

AAF LIFEGOAL BALANCED GROWTH

ATTN JIM BOTSOLIS

TWO AVENUE DE LAFAYETTE

BOSTON MA 02111-1724

     1,646,036.7240         6.07%   

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     3,833,676.4450         6.39%   

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     323,006.5390         18.13%   

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     1,679,694.0770         21.34%   

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Class C

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.

ATTN: PETER BOOTH 7TH FL

333 W 34TH ST

NEW YORK NY 10001-2402

     505,894.0470         6.43%   

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     205.9310         100.00%   

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Class R

  

NFS LLC FEBO

STATE STREET BANK TRUST CO

TTEE VARIOUS RETIREMENT PLANS

4 MANHATTANVILLE RD

PURCHASE NY 10577-2139

     354,054.4290         50.12%   

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Class R

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     72,943.3090         10.33%   

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Class R

  

CAPITAL BANK & TRUST CO

TTEE F CHEMGLASS INC 401K

8515 E ORCHARD RD

GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002

     48,596.2770         6.88%   

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Class T

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     1,729,484.3090         26.07%   

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Class T

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     1,052,218.9670         15.86%   

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Class W

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     206.1010         100.00%   

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     76,073,223.1810         58.11%   

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     9,604,889.3720         7.34%   

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     501,887.3690         6.97%   

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     93,881.2820         12.24%   

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     144,483.2790         17.15%   

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share
Balance
     Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class F

  

BRIDGET NEUMANN

ADVANTAGE PLAN TRUST

C/O CHRISTOPHER M NEUMANN

2923 E LAKE RD

SKANEATELES NY 13152-9003

     3,133.0250         13.97%   

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class F

  

ANDREW NEUMANN

ADVANTAGE PLAN TRUST

C/O CHRISTOPHER M NEUMANN

2923 E LAKE RD

SKANEATELES NY 13152-9003

     3,132.6550         13.97%   

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class F

  

KAYLA HALL

ADVANTAGE PLAN TRUST

C/O MAUREEN HALL

49 RAYMOND PL

STATEN ISLAND NY 10310-2231

     2,804.7220         12.51%   

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class F

  

MIRANDA E KRAMER

ADVANTAGE PLAN TRUST

C/O LEIGH A NEUMANN

5203 SILVER FOX DR

JAMESVILLE NY 13078-8742

     2,617.7510         11.67%   

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class F

  

CLAIRE NEUMANN

ADVANTAGE PLAN TRUST

C/O ROBERT S NEUMANN

2923 E LAKE RD

SKANEATELES NY 13152-9003

     2,587.8420         11.54%   

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class F

  

LILY ELIZABETH KRAMER

ADVANTAGE PLAN TRUST

C/O LEIGH A NEUMANN

5203 SILVER FOX DR

JAMESVILLE NY 13078-8742

     2,582.3600         11.51%   

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class F

  

MATTHEW PATRICK NEUMANN

ADVANTAGE PLAN TRUST

C/O CHRISTOPHER M NEUMANN

2923 E LAKE RD

SKANEATELES NY 13152-9003

     2,572.5710         11.47%   

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     118.0360         100.00%   

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class R

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     120.8900         100.00%   

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class T

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     1,850,615.3180         26.36%   

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class W

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     120.8900         100.00%   

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class Y

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     1,053,087.9350         99.94%   

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     15,661,903.8570         38.14%   

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     725,948.6660         7.96%   

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Class A

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     456,353.2080         5.00%   

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     237,992.1060         18.27%   

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     223,748.8400         13.55%   

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Class C

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.

ATTN: PETER BOOTH 7TH FL

333 W 34TH ST

NEW YORK NY 10001-2402

     129,811.4340         7.86%   

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Class C

  

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY

HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER

PLAZA 2, 3RD FL

JERSEY CITY NJ 07311

     100,824.8620         6.11%   

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     186.9860         100.00%   

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Class T

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     1,853,281.8600         32.82%   

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Class W

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     192.1600         100.00%   

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     14,295,990.1260         47.59%   

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Class Z

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     3,431,874.4850         11.42%   

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     2,230,417.1550         7.43%   

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Class Z

  

FIDELITY INVSTMNTS INSTITUTIONAL OPERATING CO FIIOC AGENT

FBO CERTAIN EMP BENEFIT PLANS

100 MAGELLAN WAY

COVINGTON KY 41015-1987

     1,612,451.1200         5.37%   

Principal Holder Ownership of the Funds with fiscal year ending October 31:

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia CT Tax-Exempt Fund

Class A

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     1,458,758.9220         14.36%   

Columbia CT Tax-Exempt Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     127,193.2490         31.57%   

Columbia CT Tax-Exempt Fund

Class C

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     378,486.5220         23.66%   

Columbia CT Tax-Exempt Fund

Class C

  

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY

HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER

PLAZA 2, 3RD FL

JERSEY CITY NJ 07311

     111,582.9250         6.98%   

Columbia CT Tax-Exempt Fund

Class C

  

PERSHING LLC

PO BOX 2052

JERSEY CITY NJ 07303-2052

     94,050.7650         5.88%   

Columbia CT Tax-Exempt Fund

Class Z

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     313.3810         100.00%   

 

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Principal Holder Ownership of the Fund with fiscal year ending December 31:

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund

Class A

  

FIRST CLEARING LLC

BARRETT A TOAN & PAULA OBRIAN JT TEN

42 PORTLAND PL

SAINT LOUIS MO 63108-1242

     246,430.2830         11.89%   

Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund

Class A

  

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY

HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER

PLAZA 2, 3RD FL

JERSEY CITY NJ 07311

     198,900.1270         9.64%   

Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund

Class B

  

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS

ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION

4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 2

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484

     38,577.2290         14.49%   

Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund

Class I

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     212.4040         100.00%   

Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund

Class R

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     212.7660         100.00%   

Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund

Class W

  

COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC

ATTN T ARMBRUSTMACHER & V GEHLHAR

50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508

     212.7660         100.00%   

Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund

Class Z

  

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     10,537,887.6510         37.22%   

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 

Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund

Class Z

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     5,884,378.3790         20.78%   

As of September 30, 2010 (or as of October 31, 2010 for CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund), the name, address and percentage of ownership of each person who may be deemed to be a “control person” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of a Fund because it owns of record more than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Fund by virtue of its fiduciary roles with respect to its clients or otherwise, is shown below. A control person may be able to facilitate shareholder approval of proposals it approves and to impede shareholder approval of proposals it opposes. If a control person’s record ownership of a Fund’s outstanding shares exceeds 50%, then, for certain shareholder proposals, such control person may be able to approve, or prevent approval, of such proposals without regard to votes by other Fund shareholders.

Control Person Ownership of the Funds with fiscal year ending March 31:

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of Fund
 
Columbia Bond Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     46,188,118.2470         60.75
Columbia Corporate Income Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     22,719,786.0950         46.74
Columbia Emerging Markets Fund   

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     10,150,197.5000         30.32
Columbia Emerging Markets Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     8,889,579.8000         26.55

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of Fund
 
Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     108,767,489.3180         45.05
Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     1,454,249.1510         30.30
Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     174,231,681.5130         62.53
Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund   

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

101 MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151

     36,097,426.4100         25.82

Control Person Ownership of the Funds with fiscal year ending May 31:

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of Fund
 
Columbia High Yield Opportunity Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     21,778,115.1400         26.07
Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     57,791,398.9660         71.62
Columbia International Bond Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     820,950.2480         54.08

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of Fund
 
Columbia International Bond Fund   

FIM FUNDING INC

C/O BOFA GOBAL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

100 FEDERAL ST

BOSTON MA 02110-1802

     516,099.7760         34.00
Columbia Strategic Income Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     83,245,905.4230         25.21

Control Person Ownership of the Fund with fiscal year ending July 31:

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of class
 
CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE
ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     123,560,365.2470         98.78%   

Control Person Ownership of the Funds with fiscal year ending August 31:

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of Fund
 
Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     19,841,200.6310         37.86
Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     14,930,461.6990         44.56

Control Person Ownership of the Funds with fiscal year ending September 30:

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of Fund
 
Columbia Contrarian Core Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     11,895,878.9480         25.40

 

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Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of Fund
 
Columbia Dividend Income Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     76,073,223.1810         58.11
Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     16,714,991.7920         28.53
Columbia Small Cap Core Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     14,295,990.1260         29.93

Control Person Ownership of the Fund with fiscal year ending December 31:

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Account Registration

   Share Balance      Percentage
of Fund
 
Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund   

BANK OF AMERICA NA, TRUSTEE

ATTN BETTY BARLEY/FUNDS ACCOUNTING

1201 MAIN STREET 10TH FL

DALLAS TX 75202-3908

     10,537,887.6510         33.79

Bank of America, N.A. is a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States, 101 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255. FIM Funding, Inc. is a Massachusetts corporation, 401 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255. Bank of America Corporation, a publicly-traded financial services corporation, is the ultimate parent company of Bank of America, N.A. and FIM Funding, Inc.

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. is a California corporation, 211 Main Street, San Francisco, California 94105. The Charles Schwab Corporation is the ultimate parent company of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

 

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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In June 2004, an action captioned John E. Gallus et al. v. American Express Financial Corp. and American Express Financial Advisors Inc. , was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. The plaintiffs allege that they are investors in several American Express Company (now known as RiverSource) mutual funds and they purport to bring the action derivatively on behalf of those funds under the 1940 Act. The plaintiffs allege that fees allegedly paid to the defendants by the funds for investment advisory and administrative services are excessive. The plaintiffs seek remedies including restitution and rescission of investment advisory and distribution agreements. The plaintiffs voluntarily agreed to transfer this case to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota (the District Court). In response to defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint, the District Court dismissed one of plaintiffs’ four claims and granted plaintiffs limited discovery. Defendants moved for summary judgment in April 2007. Summary judgment was granted in the defendants’ favor on July 9, 2007. The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (the Eighth Circuit) on August 8, 2007. On April 8, 2009, the Eighth Circuit reversed summary judgment and remanded to the District Court for further proceedings. On August 6, 2009, defendants filed a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court (the Supreme Court), asking the Supreme Court to stay the District Court proceedings while the Supreme Court considered and ruled in a case captioned Jones v. Harris Associates , which involved issues of law similar to those presented in the Gallus case. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Jones v. Harris Associates , and on April 5, 2010, the Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s decision in the Gallus case and remanded the case to the Eighth Circuit for further consideration in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Jones v. Harris Associates . On June 4, 2010, the Eighth Circuit remanded the Gallus case to the District Court for further consideration in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Jones v. Harris Associates .

In December 2005, without admitting or denying the allegations, American Express Financial Corporation (AEFC, which is now known as Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial)), entered into settlement agreements with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Minnesota Department of Commerce (MDOC) related to market timing activities. As a result, AEFC was censured and ordered to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations of certain provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the 1940 Act, and various Minnesota laws. AEFC agreed to pay disgorgement of $10 million and civil money penalties of $7 million. AEFC also agreed to retain an independent distribution consultant to assist in developing a plan for distribution of all disgorgement and civil penalties ordered by the SEC in accordance with various undertakings detailed at http://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/ia-2451.pdf . Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates have cooperated with the SEC and the MDOC in these legal proceedings, and have made regular reports to the RiverSource, Seligman and Threadneedle funds’ Boards of Directors/Trustees.

Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions, and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Funds are not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Funds or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Funds. Ameriprise Financial is required to make 10-Q, 10-K and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the SEC on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at www.sec.gov .

There can be no assurance that these matters, or the adverse publicity associated with them, will not result in increased fund redemptions, reduced sale of fund shares or other adverse consequences to the Funds. Further, although we believe proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Funds or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Funds, these proceedings are subject to uncertainties and, as such, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result. An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief that could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of Ameriprise Financial.

 

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APPENDIX A — DESCRIPTIONS OF SECURITIES RATINGS

This Appendix summarizes the various descriptions of securities ratings applicable to securities purchased by the Columbia Funds. Please refer to a Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information to determine whether that Fund may invest in securities that have ratings described in this Appendix.

STANDARD & POOR’S (S&P)

Bonds

The following summarizes the ratings used by S&P for bonds. The ratings AAA, AA, A and BBB denote investment grade securities.

AAA bonds have the highest rating assigned by S&P and are considered to have an extremely strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

AA bonds are considered to have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal, and they differ from AAA only in small degree.

A bonds are considered to have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal, although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.

BBB bonds are considered to have an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal than for bonds in the A category.

BB, B, CCC, CC and C bonds are considered to have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and C the highest degree. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or large exposures to adverse conditions.

BB bonds are considered to have less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative issues. However, they face major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BBB – rating.

B bonds are considered to have a greater vulnerability to default but currently have the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB – rating.

CCC bonds are considered to have a currently identifiable vulnerability to default, and are dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the bonds are not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The CCC rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied B or B – rating.

CC rating typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied CCC rating.

 

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C rating typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied CCC – debt rating. The C rating may be used to cover a situation, for example, where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service payments are continued.

CI rating is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

D bonds are in payment default. The D rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P 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 if debt service payments 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.

Municipal Notes

SP-1. Notes rated SP-1 are considered to have very strong or strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics are designated as SP-1+.

SP-2. Notes rated SP-2 are considered to have satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.

Notes due in three years or less normally receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years normally receive a bond rating, although the following criteria are used in making that assessment:

Amortization schedule (the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely the issue will be rated as a note).

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

Commercial Paper

A. Issues assigned this highest rating are regarded as having the greatest capacity for timely payment. Issues in this category are further refined with the designations 1, 2, and 3 to indicate the relative degree of safety.

A-1. Issues assigned to this rating are considered to have overwhelming or very strong capacity for timely payment. Those issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics are designed A-1+.

MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. (MOODY’S)

Municipal Bonds

Aaa bonds are considered to be of the best quality. They are considered to have the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edge”. Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair a fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Aa bonds are considered to be of high quality by all standards. Together with Aaa bonds they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

 

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Those bonds in the Aa through B groups that Moody’s believes possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by the symbols Aa1, A1 or Baa1.

A bonds are considered to possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered to be upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present that suggest a susceptibility to impairment at some time in the future.

Baa bonds are considered to be medium grade obligations: they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great period of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and, in fact, have speculative characteristics as well.

Ba bonds are considered to have speculative elements: their future cannot be considered as well secured. Often, the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times in the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this grade.

B bonds are considered generally to lack characteristics of a desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa bonds are considered to be of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

Ca bonds are considered to represent obligations that are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C bonds are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so rated are considered to have extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

Conditional Ratings . Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of some act or the fulfillment of some condition are rated conditionally. These are bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under construction, (b) earnings of projects unseasoned in operating experience, (c) rentals which begin when facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting conditions attach. Parenthetical rating denotes probable credit stature upon completion of construction or elimination of basis of condition.

Corporate Bonds

The description of the applicable rating symbols (Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, etc.) and their meanings is identical to that of the Municipal Bond ratings as set forth above, except for the numerical modifiers. Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in the Aa and A classifications of its corporate bond rating system. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a midrange ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issuer ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.

Municipal Notes

MIG 1. This designation denotes best quality. There is present strong protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MIG 2. This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are ample although not so large as in the preceding group.

 

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MIG 3. This designation denotes favorable quality. All security elements are accounted for, but there is lacking the undeniable strength of the preceding grades. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well established.

Commercial Paper

Moody’s employs the following three designations, all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of rated issuers:

Prime-1 Highest Quality

Prime-2 Higher Quality

Prime-3 High Quality

If an issuer represents to Moody’s that its commercial paper obligations are supported by the credit of another entity or entities, Moody’s, in assigning ratings to such issuers, evaluates the financial strength of the indicated affiliated corporations, commercial banks, insurance companies, foreign governments, or other entities, but only as one factor in the total rating assessment.

FITCH, INC. (FITCH)

Long-Term Debt

Investment Grade Bond Ratings

AAA bonds are considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and/or dividends and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.

AA bonds are considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The obligor’s ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in the AAA and AA categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F-1+.

A bonds are considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The obligor’s ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances than debt securities with higher ratings.

BBB bonds are considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality. The obligor’s ability to pay interest or dividends and repay principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these securities and, therefore, impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for securities with higher ratings.

Speculative Grade Bond Ratings

BB bonds are considered speculative. The obligor’s ability to pay interest and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be identified, which could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.

B bonds are considered highly speculative. While securities in this class are currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor’s limited margin of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the life of the issue.

 

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CCC bonds are considered to have certain identifiable characteristics that, if not remedied, may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous business and economic environment.

CC bonds are considered to be minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or principal seems probable over time.

C bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.

DDD, DD, and D bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such securities are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. DDD represents the highest potential for recovery on these securities and D represents the lowest potential for recovery.

Plus (+) or minus (-) : Plus or minus signs are used to show relative standing within the major rating categories. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in the DDD, DD, or D categories.

Short-Term Debt

Fitch’s short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand or have original maturities of up to three years, including commercial paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and investment notes.

F-1+ obligations have exceptionally strong credit quality and are considered to have the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.

F-1 obligations are considered to reflect an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated F-1+.

F-2 obligations are considered to have good credit quality. Securities in this class have a satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is not as great as for issues assigned F-1+ and F-1 ratings.

F-3 obligations are considered to have characteristics suggesting that the degree of assurance for timely payment is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could cause these securities to be rated below investment grade.

F-S rating is assigned to obligations that are considered to have a minimal degree of assurance for timely payment and to be vulnerable to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

B obligations are considered to have a minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments and a susceptibility to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions.

C rating is assigned to obligations that are considered to have a high default risk and whose capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

D obligations are in actual or imminent payment default.

 

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APPENDIX B — PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT ADVISERS, LLC

PROXY VOTING POLICY FOR LEGACY COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT CLIENTS

EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2010

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (CMIA) has adopted the attached Proxy Voting Policy for purposes of voting proxies of securities held in certain client accounts 1 , with the following changes:

 

   

References to Columbia Management Advisors, LLC and CMA are deemed to be references to Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC; and

 

   

References to Bank of America Corporation and BAC are deemed to be references to Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

In addition, the text of footnote 1 in the Proxy Voting Policy is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

Ameriprise Financial, Inc., the corporate parent of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, and all of its numerous affiliates own, operate and have interests in many lines of business that may create or give rise to the appearance of a conflict of interest between Ameriprise Financial, Inc. or its affiliates and those of clients advised by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. For example, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and its affiliates may have interests with respect to issuers of voting securities that could appear to or even actually conflict with Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC’s duty, in the proxy voting process, to act in the best economic interest of its clients.

 

1 On April 30, 2010, Ameriprise Financial, Inc., the parent company of CMIA, acquired from Bank of America, N.A. a portion of the asset management business of Columbia Management Group, LLC, the parent company of Columbia Management Advisors, LLC (“CMA”). In connection with this transaction, CMIA became the investment adviser of certain client accounts previously advised by CMA. CMIA will apply CMA’s Proxy Voting Policy to certain of these and other client accounts.

 

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Columbia Management Advisors, LLC (“CMA”) Proxy Voting Policy

 

Last Review Date:

   April 2010
Applicable Regulatory Authority:   

Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940

Form N-PX

ERISA Department of Labor Bulletin 08-2

Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (SEC No Action Letter dated September 15, 2004)

Explanation/Summary of Regulatory Requirements

An investment adviser that exercises voting authority over clients’ proxies must adopt written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that those proxies are voted in the best economic interests of clients. An adviser’s policies and procedures must address how the adviser resolves material conflicts of interest between its interests and those of its clients. An investment adviser must comply with certain record keeping and disclosure requirements with respect to its proxy voting responsibilities. In addition, an investment adviser to Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) accounts has an affirmative obligation to vote proxies for an ERISA account, unless the client expressly retains proxy voting authority.

Policy Summary

Columbia Management Advisors, LLC (“CMA”) has adopted and implemented the following policy, which it believes is reasonably designed to: (1) ensure that proxies are voted in the best economic interest of clients; and (2) address material conflicts of interest that may arise. This policy applies primarily to the Global Wealth and Investment Management (“GWIM”) Investment Operations Group, the Investment groups (particularly, Equity and Chief Investment Officer’s Office), as well as to Compliance Risk Management (“CRM”) and Legal. CRM and Business groups to which this policy directly applies must adopt written procedures to implement this Policy.

Policy

All proxies regarding client securities for which CMA has authority to vote will, unless CMA determines in accordance with policies stated below to refrain from voting, be voted in a manner considered by CMA to be in the best interest of CMA’s clients without regard to any resulting benefit or detriment to CMA, its associates, or its affiliates. The best interest of clients is defined for this purpose as the interest of enhancing or protecting the economic value of client accounts, considered as a group rather than individually, as CMA determines in its sole and absolute discretion. In the event a client believes that its other interests require a different vote, CMA will vote as the client clearly instructs, provided CMA receives such instructions in time to act accordingly. Information regarding CMA’s proxy voting decisions is confidential. Therefore, the information may be shared on a need to know basis only, including within CMA and with CMA affiliates. Advisory clients, including mutual funds’ and other funds’ boards, may obtain information on how their proxies were voted by CMA. However, CMA will not selectively disclose its investment company clients’ proxy voting records to third parties. Rather, the investment company clients’ proxy records will be disclosed to shareholders by publicly-available annual filings for 12-month periods ending each year on June 30 th on Form N-PX.

CMA endeavors to vote, in accordance with this Policy, all proxies of which it becomes aware prior to the vote deadline date, subject to certain general exceptions described below.

CMA seeks to avoid the occurrence of actual or apparent material conflicts of interest in the proxy voting process by voting in accordance with predetermined voting guidelines and observing other procedures that are intended to prevent where practicable and manage conflicts of interest (refer to Conflicts of Interest section below). CMA’s proxy voting policy and practices are summarized in its Form ADV. Additionally, CMA will provide clients with a copy of its policies, as they may be updated from time to time, upon request.

 

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Means of Achieving Compliance

The Proxy Group within GWIM Investment Operations is primarily responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the proxy voting process. The Proxy Group’s monitoring will take into account the following elements: (1) periodic review of the proxy vendor’s votes to ensure that the proxy vendor is accurately voting consistent with CMA’s Voting Guidelines; and (2) review of the Columbia Funds’ fund website to ensure that annual proxy voting reports are posted in a timely and accurate manner. CMA has established a Proxy Committee which is responsible for overseeing the proxy voting process.

The specific responsibilities of the Proxy Committee and scope of its oversight are described in the Proxy Committee’s charter.

CMA’S INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Under CMA’s Voting Guidelines, certain matters must be determined on a case-by-case basis. In general, the Proxy Group within GWIM Investment Operations will refer these matters first to the relevant CMA research analyst after first confirming that the proxy matter does not present a potential conflict to CMA. If there is not a research analyst assigned to the particular security, the matter will be referred to the appropriate portfolio manager.

In considering a particular proxy matter, the research analyst or portfolio manager must vote in the clients’ best interest as defined above. Information regarding CMA’s proxy voting decisions is confidential information. Therefore, research analysts and portfolio managers generally must not discuss proxy votes with any person outside of CMA and within CMA except on a need to know basis only.

Research analysts and portfolio managers must discharge their responsibilities consistent with the obligations set forth below (refer to Management of Conflicts of Interest – Additional Procedures). A research analyst or portfolio manager must disclose in writing any inappropriate attempt to influence their recommendation or any other personal interest that they have with the issuer (see Appendix B – Conflicts of Interest Disclosure and Certification Form). For each Proxy Referral (defined below), the research analyst or portfolio manager is responsible for memorializing their recommendation on the Proxy Voting Recommendation Form (see Appendix C) and communicating their recommendation to the Proxy Group.

Research analysts and portfolio managers should seek advice from CRM or Legal with respect to any questions that they have regarding personal conflicts of interests, communications regarding proxies, or other related matters.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

For purposes of this policy, a material conflict of interest is a relationship or activity engaged in by CMA, a CMA affiliate 1 , or a CMA associate that creates an incentive (or appearance thereof) to favor the interests of CMA, the affiliate, or associate, rather than the clients’ interests. However, a material conflict of interest is not automatically created when there is a relationship or activity engaged in by a CMA affiliate, but there is a possibility that a CMA affiliate could cause a conflict. CMA may have a conflict of interest if either CMA has a significant business relationship with a company that is soliciting a proxy, or if a CMA associate involved in the proxy voting decision-making process has a significant personal or family relationship with the particular

 

1 Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”), the ultimate corporate parent of CMA, Bank of America, N.A. and all of their numerous affiliates owns, operates and has interests in many lines of business that may create or give rise to the appearance of a conflict of interest between BAC or its affiliates and those of CMA-advised clients. For example, the commercial and investment banking business lines may have interests with respect to issuers of voting securities that could appear to or even actually conflict with CMA’s duty, in the proxy voting process, to act in the best economic interest of its clients.

 

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company. A conflict of interest is considered to be “material” to the extent that a reasonable person could expect the conflict to influence CMA’s decision on the particular vote at issue. In all cases where there is deemed to be a material conflict of interest, CMA will seek to resolve said conflict in the clients’ best interests.

For those proxy proposals that: (1) are not addressed by CMA’s proxy voting guidelines; (2) the guidelines specify the issue must be evaluated and determined on a case-by-case basis; or (3) a CMA investment associate believes that an exception to the guidelines may be in the best economic interest of CMA’s clients (collectively, “Proxy Referrals”), CMA may vote the proxy, subject to the conflicts of interest procedures set forth below.

In the case of Proxy Referrals, CRM identifies companies with which CMA has a significant business relationships and Proxy Referrals of such companies will be voted consistent with CMA’s conflicts management procedures described below. For Proxy Referrals that do not involve companies with which CMA has a significant business relationship the relevant CMA investment personnel (i.e. research analyst, portfolio manager, members of Proxy Committee) involved in the particular Proxy Referral must report any personal conflict of interest circumstances (e.g., relationships with nominees for directorship, members of an issuer’s or dissident’s management or otherwise, unusual communications with parties outside the investment organization concerning a proxy matter) to Columbia Management’s Conflicts of Interest Officer in writing (see Appendix B). In the event any member of the Proxy Committee has a conflict of interest regarding a given matter, he or she will similarly disclose the circumstance and abstain from participating in the Committee’s determination of whether and/or how to vote in the matter.

If the Proxy Committee, the Chairperson of the Proxy Committee, or the Conflicts Officer determines that a proxy matter presents a material conflict of interest, or a material conflict of interest is otherwise determined to exist through the application of this Policy, CMA will invoke one or more of the following conflict management procedures:

 

   

Causing the proxies to be voted in accordance with the recommendations of an independent third party (which generally will be CMA’s proxy voting agent);

 

   

Causing the proxies to be delegated to a qualified, independent third party, which may include CMA’s proxy voting agent; or

 

   

In unusual cases, with the Client’s consent and upon ample notice, forwarding the proxies to CMA’s clients so that they may vote the proxies directly.

Affiliate Investment Companies and Public Companies

CMA considers (1) proxies solicited by open-end and closed-end investment companies for which CMA or an affiliate serves as an investment adviser or principal underwriter; and (2) proxies solicited by Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) or other public companies within the BAC organization to present a material conflict of interest for CMA. Consequently, the proxies of such affiliates will be voted following one of the conflict management practices discussed above.

Management of Conflicts of Interest – Additional Procedures

In certain circumstances, CMA follows the proxy guidelines and uses other research services provided by the proxy vendor or another independent third party. CMA reviews its proxy vendor’s conflicts of interest procedures as part of its oversight of the proxy vendor’s services.

CMA and other BAC affiliates have adopted various other policies and procedures that help reinforce this Policy. Please see any associated documents.

Ownership Limits – Delegation of Proxy Voting to an Independent Third Party

From time to time, CMA may face regulatory or compliance limits on the types or amounts of voting securities that it may purchase or hold for client accounts. Among other limits, federal, state, foreign regulatory restrictions, or company-specific ownership limits may restrict the total percentage of an issuer’s voting securities that CMA can hold for clients (collectively, “Ownership Limits”).

 

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The regulations or company-specific documents governing a number of these Ownership Limits often focus upon holdings in voting securities. As a result, in limited circumstances in order to comply with such Ownership Limits and/or internal policies designed to comply with such limits, CMA may delegate proxy voting in certain issuers to a qualified, independent third party, who may be CMA’s proxy voting agent.

PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

A. CMA’s Proxy Voting Guidelines – General Practices.

The Proxy Committee has adopted the guidelines for voting proxies specified in Appendix A of this policy. CMA uses an independent, third-party proxy vendor to implement its proxy voting process as CMA’s proxy voting agent. In general, whenever a vote is solicited, the proxy vendor will execute the vote according to CMA’s Voting Guidelines.

B. Ability to Vote Proxies Other than as Provided by Voting Guidelines.

A Portfolio Manager or other party involved with a client’s account may conclude that the best interest of the firm’s client, as defined above, requires that a proxy be voted in a manner that differs from the predetermined proxy Voting Guidelines. In this situation, he or she will request in writing that the Proxy Committee consider voting the proxy other than according to such Guidelines and provide information as the Proxy Committee may request. The Proxy Committee may consider the matter, subject to the conflicts of interest procedures discussed above.

C. Other Proxy Matters

For the following categories, proxies will be voted as stated below:

1. New Proposals . For certain new proposals that are expected to be proposed to shareholders of multiple companies, the Proxy Committee may develop a Voting Guideline which will be incorporated into this Policy.

2. Accounts Adhering to Taft Hartley Principles. All proposals for accounts adhering to Taft Hartley principles will be voted according to the Taft Hartley Guidelines developed by the proxy vendor.

3. Accounts Adhering to Socially Responsible Principles. All proposals for accounts adhering to socially responsible principles will be voted according to the Socially Responsible Guidelines developed by the proxy vendor or as specified by the client.

4. Proxies of International Issuers . In general, CMA will refrain from voting securities in cases where international issuers impose share blocking restrictions. However, in the exceptional circumstances that CMA determines that it would be appropriate to vote such securities, all proposals for these securities will be voted only on the specific instruction of the Proxy Committee and to the extent practicable in accordance with the Voting Guidelines set forth in this Policy. Additionally, proxies will typically not be voted in markets where powers of attorney are required to be executed in order to vote shares.

5. Proxy Referrals for Passive Index Accounts. Proxy Referrals for a security that is held only within a passive index account managed by CMA’s Quantitative Strategies Group and not in any other account within CMA, shall be voted according to the guidelines developed by the proxy vendor or as specified by the client. However, if a security is held within a passive index account managed by CMA’s Quantitative Strategies Group and within another CMA-managed account (including without limitation an account actively managed by CMA’s Quantitative Strategies Group), all proposals, including Proxy Referrals, will be voted in accordance with the Voting Guidelines, subject to the other provisions of this Policy.

6. Proxy Voting for Securities on Loan . CMA generally votes in cases where shares have been loaned from actively managed Columbia Funds as long as the shares have been recalled in a timely manner. However,

 

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CMA generally does not vote shares that have been loaned from passively managed Columbia Index Funds. Other CMA clients may have their own stock loan programs and may or may not recall their shares for proxy voting.

Supervision

Managers and supervisory personnel are responsible for ensuring that their associates understand and follow this policy and any applicable procedures adopted by the business group to implement the policy. The Proxy Committee has ultimate responsibility for the implementation of this Policy.

Escalation

With the exception of conflicts of interest-related matters, issues arising under this policy should be escalated to the Proxy Committee. Issues involving potential or actual conflicts of interest should be promptly communicated to the Columbia Management Conflicts Officer.

Monitoring/Oversight

CRM and/or Corporate Internal Audit Group perform periodic reviews and assessments of various lines of businesses, including a review of Columbia Management’s compliance with the Proxy Voting Policy.

Recordkeeping

CMA will create and maintain records of each investment company’s proxy record for 12-month periods ended June 30 th . CMA will compile the following information for each matter relating to a portfolio security considered at any shareholder meeting during the period covered by the annual report and for which CMA was entitled to vote:

 

   

The name of the issuer of the security;

 

   

The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security (if symbol is available through reasonably practicable means);

 

   

The Council on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures number for the portfolio security (if number is available through reasonably practicable means);

 

   

The shareholder meeting date;

 

   

A brief identification of the matter voted on;

 

   

Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder;

 

   

Whether the company cast its vote on the matter;

 

   

How the company cast its vote (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding the election of directors); and

 

   

Whether the company cast its vote for or against management.

Business groups and support partners are responsible for maintaining all records necessary to evidence compliance with this policy. The records must be properly maintained and readily accessible in order to evidence compliance with this policy.

 

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These records include:

 

Document

  

Responsible Party

Proxy Committee Meeting Minutes and Related Materials    Proxy Group in GWIM Investment Operations
Proxy Vote Recommendation Form and Supporting Materials of Investment Management Personnel Concerning Proxy Decisions and Recommendations (or any other document created by CMA that was material to making a voting decision or that memorializes the basis for the voting decision)    Proxy Group in GWIM Investment Operations
Conflicts of Interest Review Documentation, including Conflicts of Interest Forms    Compliance Risk Management
Client Communications Regarding Proxy Matters    Client Service Group
Copy of Each Applicable Proxy Statement Unless it has been Filed with the SEC and may be Obtained from the SEC’s EDGAR System    Proxy Group in GWIM Investment Operations

Records should be retained for a period of not less than six years plus the current year. Records must be retained in an appropriate office of CM for the first three years.

 

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APPENDIX A – CMA’s Proxy Voting Policy

CMA’S VOTING GUIDELINES

A. The Proxy Committee has adopted the following guidelines for voting proxies:

1. Matters Relating to the Board of Directors/Corporate Governance

CMA generally will vote FOR:

 

   

Proposals for the election of directors or for an increase or decrease in the number of directors, provided that no more than one-third of the Board of Directors would, presently or at any time during the previous three-year period, be from management.

However, CMA generally will WITHHOLD votes from pertinent director nominees if:

 

  (i) the board as proposed to be constituted would have more than one-third of its members from management;

 

  (ii) the board does not have audit, nominating, and compensation committees composed solely of directors who qualify as being regarded as “independent,” i.e. having no material relationship, directly or indirectly, with the Company, as CMA’s proxy voting agent may determine (subject to the Proxy Committee’s contrary determination of independence or non-independence);

 

  (iii) the nominee, as a member of the audit committee, permitted the company to incur excessive non-audit fees (as defined below regarding other business matters — ratification of the appointment of auditors);

 

  (iv) a director serves on more than six public company boards;

 

  (v) the CEO serves on more than two public company boards other than the company’s board; or

 

  (vi) CMA generally will vote AGAINST Director nominee of a company who is chief executive officer of another company on whose board the company’s chief executive officer sits (i.e. interlocking executives).

One a CASE-BY-CASE basis, CMA may WITHHOLD votes for a director nominee who has failed to observe good corporate governance practices or, through specific corporate action or inaction (e.g. failing to implement policies for which a majority of shareholders has previously cast votes in favor; served voted for the adoption of a poison pill without approval of shareholders), has demonstrated a disregard for the interests of shareholders.

 

   

Proposals requesting that the board audit, compensation and/or nominating committee be composed solely of independent directors. The Audit Committee must satisfy the independence and experience requirements established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the New York Stock Exchange, or appropriate local requirements for foreign securities. At least one member of the Audit Committee must qualify as a “financial expert” in accordance with SEC rules.

 

   

Proposals to declassify a board, absent special circumstances that would indicate that shareholder interests are better served by a classified board structure.

CMA generally will vote FOR:

 

   

Proposals to separate the role of Chairman of the Board and CEO.

 

   

Proposals that grant or restore shareholder ability to remove directors with or without cause.

 

   

Proposals to permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.

 

   

Proposals that encourage directors to own a minimum amount of company stock.

 

   

Proposals to provide or to restore shareholder appraisal rights.

 

   

Proposals for the company to adopt confidential voting.

 

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CMA will generally vote FOR shareholder proposals calling for majority voting thresholds for director elections unless the company has adopted formal corporate governance principles that present a meaningful alternative to the majority voting standard and/or provides an adequate response to both new nominees as well as incumbent nominees who fail to receive a majority of votes cast.

CMA will generally vote FOR 162(m) bonus plans unless the Proxy Administrator recommends voting against a specific plan, in which case CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

CMA generally will vote AGAINST:

 

   

Proposals to classify boards, absent special circumstances indicating that shareholder interests would be better served by a classified board structure.

 

   

Proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board without shareholder approval.

 

   

Proposals that provide directors may be removed only by supermajority vote.

 

   

Proposals which allow more than one vote per share in the election of directors.

 

   

Proposals that provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies.

 

   

Proposals that mandate a minimum amount of company stock that directors must own.

 

   

Proposals to limit the tenure of non-management directors.

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis:

 

   

In contested elections of directors. Proposals to adopt or eliminate cumulative voting.

 

   

CMA generally will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on board approved proposals relating to corporate governance. Such proposals include, but are not limited to:

 

   

Reimbursement of proxy solicitation expenses taking into consideration whether or not CMA was in favor of the dissidents.

 

   

Proxy contest advance notice. CMA generally will vote FOR proposals that allow shareholders to submit proposals as close to the meeting date as possible while allowing for sufficient time for Company response, SEC review, and analysis by other shareholders.

 

   

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis to indemnify directors and officers, and AGAINST proposals to indemnify external auditors.

 

   

CMA will vote FOR the indemnification of internal auditors, unless the costs associated with the approval are not disclosed.

2. Compensation

CMA generally will vote FOR:

 

   

CMA generally will vote FOR management sponsored compensation plans (such as bonus plans, incentive plans, stock option plans, pension and retirement benefits, stock purchase plans or thrift plans) if they are consistent with industry and country standards.

 

   

Proposals requiring that executive severance arrangements be submitted for shareholder ratification.

 

   

Proposals asking a company to expense stock options.

 

   

Proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote.

 

   

Employee stock purchase plans that have the following features: (i) the shares purchased under the plan are acquired for no less than 85% of their market value, (ii) the offering period under the plan is 27 months or less, and (iii) dilution is 10% or less.

 

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Shareholder proposals to adopt a non-binding advisory vote on Executive Compensation (“Say on Pay”).

 

   

CMA recognizes that individual compensation committees are in the best position to determine the optimal design of share based plans. However, CMA generally prefers a greater use of restricted stock in place of stock options due to the greater uncertainty involved with the valuation of stock options at the time of issue.

CMA generally will vote AGAINST:

 

   

Stock option plans that permit issuance of options with an exercise price below the stock’s current market price, or that permit replacing or repricing of out-of-the money options.

 

   

Proposals to authorize the replacement or repricing of out-of-the money options.

 

   

Proposals requesting that plan administrators have advance authority to amend the terms of a plan without detailed disclosure of the specific amendments. When sufficient details are provided on the amendments permitted by the advance authority, CMA will recommend on such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

   

CMA generally is opposed to compensation plans that substantially dilute ownership interest in a company, provide participants with excessive awards, or have objectionable structural features. Specifically, for equity-based plans, if the proposed number of shares authorized for option programs (excluding authorized shares for expired options) exceeds 5% of the average number of shares outstanding for the last 3 years, or exceeds 1% of the average number of shares outstanding for the last 3 years (for directors only), CMA will vote on such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. CMA requires that management provide substantial justification for the repricing of options.

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis:

 

   

Proposals regarding approval of specific executive severance arrangements.

 

   

-Management proposals regarding “Say on Pay” (i.e. non-binding advisory vote on pay).

 

   

Proposals that involve awarding 50% or more of the equity shares of an equity-based compensation plan to the top five or fewer executives.

3. Capitalization

CMA generally will vote FOR:

 

   

Proposals to increase the authorized shares for stock dividends, stock splits (and reverse stock splits) or general issuance, unless proposed as an anti-takeover measure or a general issuance proposal increases the authorization by more than 30% without a clear need presented by the company. Proposals for reverse stock splits should include an overall reduction in authorization.

For companies recognizing preemptive rights for existing shareholders, CMA generally will vote FOR general issuance proposals that increase the authorized shares by more than 30%. CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis all such proposals by companies that do not recognize preemptive rights for existing shareholders.

 

   

Proposals for the elimination of authorized but unissued shares or retirement of those shares purchased for sinking fund or treasury stock.

 

   

Proposals to institute/renew open market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms.

 

   

Proposals to reduce or change the par value of common stock, provided the number of shares is also changed in order to keep the capital unchanged.

 

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CMA will evaluate on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals regarding:

 

   

Management proposals that allow listed companies to de-list and terminate the registration of their common stock. CMA will determine whether the transaction enhances shareholder value by giving consideration to:

 

   

Whether the company has attained benefits from being publicly traded.

 

   

Cash-out value

 

   

Balanced interests of continuing vs. cashed-out shareholders

 

   

Market reaction to public announcement of transaction

4. Mergers, Restructurings and Other Transactions

CMA will review, on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, business transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, liquidations, spinoffs, buyouts and sale of all or substantially all of a company’s assets.

5. Anti-Takeover Measures

CMA generally will vote AGAINST proposals intended largely to avoid acquisition prior to the occurrence of an actual event or to discourage acquisition by creating a cost constraint. With respect to the following measures, CMA generally will vote as follows:

Poison Pills

 

   

CMA votes FOR shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification.

 

   

CMA generally votes FOR shareholder proposals to eliminate a poison pill.

 

   

CMA generally votes AGAINST management proposals to ratify a poison pill.

 

Greenmail

 

   

CMA will vote FOR proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or to otherwise restrict a company’s ability to make greenmail payments.

Supermajority vote

 

   

CMA will vote AGAINST board-approved proposals to adopt anti-takeover measures such as supermajority voting provisions, issuance of blank check preferred stock, the creation of a separate class of stock with disparate voting rights and charter amendments adopting control share acquisition provisions.

Control Share Acquisition Provisions

 

   

CMA will vote FOR proposals to opt out of control share acquisition statutes.

6. Other Business Matters

CMA generally will vote FOR:

 

   

Bylaw amendments giving holders of at least 25% of outstanding common stock the ability to call a special meeting of stockholders.

 

   

Board governance document amendments or other proposals which give the lead independent director the authority to call special meetings of the independent directors at any time.

 

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CMA generally will vote FOR:

 

   

Proposals to approve routine business matters such as changing the company’s name and procedural matters relating to the shareholder meeting such as approving the minutes of a prior meeting.

 

   

Proposals to ratify the appointment of auditors, unless any of the following apply in which case CMA will generally vote AGAINST the proposal:

 

   

Credible reason exists to question:

 

   

The auditor’s independence, as determined by applicable regulatory requirements.

 

   

The accuracy or reliability of the auditor’s opinion as to the company’s financial position.

 

   

Fees paid to the auditor or its affiliates for “non-audit” services exceeds 25% of the total fees paid for “audit,” “audit-related” and “tax compliance” and/or “tax return preparation” services, as disclosed in the company’s proxy materials.

 

   

Bylaw or charter changes that are of a housekeeping nature (e.g., updates or corrections).

 

   

Proposals to approve the annual reports and accounts provided the certifications required by the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 have been provided.

CMA generally will vote AGAINST:

 

   

Proposals to eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent or call special meetings.

 

   

Proposals providing management with authority to adjourn an annual or special shareholder meeting absent compelling reasons, or to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws without shareholder approval, or to vote unmarked proxies in favor of management.

 

   

Shareholder proposals to change the date, time or location of the company’s annual meeting of shareholders.

CMA will vote AGAINST:

 

   

Authorization to transact other unidentified substantive (as opposed to procedural) business at a meeting.

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis:

 

   

Proposals to change the location of the company’s state of incorporation. CMA considers whether financial benefits (e.g., reduced fees or taxes) likely to accrue to the company as a result of a reincorporation or other change of domicile outweigh any accompanying material diminution of shareholder rights.

 

   

Proposals on whether and how to vote on “bundled” or otherwise conditioned proposals, depending on the overall economic effects upon shareholders.

CMA generally will ABSTAIN from voting on shareholder proposals predominantly involving social, socio-economic, environmental, political or other similar matters on the basis that their impact on share value can rarely be anticipated with any high degree of confidence. CMA may, on a CASE-BY-CASE basis , vote:

 

   

FOR proposals seeking inquiry and reporting with respect to, rather than cessation or affirmative implementation of, specific policies where the pertinent issue warrants separate communication to shareholders; and

 

   

FOR or AGAINST the latter sort of proposal in light of the relative benefits and detriments (e.g. distraction, costs, other burdens) to share value which may be expected to flow from passage of the proposal.

 

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7. Other Matters Relating to Foreign Issues

CMA generally will vote FOR:

 

   

Most stock (scrip) dividend proposals. CMA votes AGAINST proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value.

 

   

Proposals to capitalize the company’s reserves for bonus issues of shares or to increase the par value of shares.

 

   

Proposals to approve control and profit transfer agreements between a parent and its subsidiaries.

 

   

Management proposals seeking the discharge of management and supervisory board members, unless there is concern about the past actions of the company’s auditors/directors and/or legal action is being taken against the board by other shareholders.

 

   

Management proposals concerning allocation of income and the distribution of dividends, unless the proxy vendor would vote against such proposal in accordance with its guidelines, in which case CMA will evaluate the proposal on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

   

Proposals for the adoption of financing plans if they are in the best economic interests of shareholders.

CMA will generally vote FOR proposals to approve Directors’ Fees, unless the proxy vendor would vote against such proposal in accordance with its guidelines, in which case CMA will evaluate the proposal on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

CMA will evaluate management proposals to approve protective preference shares for Netherlands located company-friendly foundations proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis and will only support resolutions if:

 

   

The supervisory board needs to approve an issuance of shares while the supervisory board is independent within the meaning of CMA’s categorization rules and the Dutch Corporate Governance Code.

 

   

No call/put option agreement exists between the company and the foundation.

 

   

There is a qualifying offer clause or there are annual management and supervisory board elections.

 

   

The issuance authority is for a maximum of 18 months.

 

   

The board of the company-friendly foundation is independent.

 

   

The company has disclosed under what circumstances it expects to make use of the possibility to issue preference shares.

 

   

There are no priority shares or other egregious protective or entrenchment tools.

 

   

The company releases its proxy circular, with details of the poison pill proposal, at least three weeks prior to the meeting.

 

   

Art 2:359c Civil Code of the legislative proposal has been implemented.

8. Investment Company Matters

Election of Directors:

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals for the election of directors, considering the following factors:

 

   

Board structure

 

   

Attendance at board and committee meetings.

 

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CMA will WITHHOLD votes from directors who:

 

   

Attend less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings without a valid excuse for the absences. Valid reasons include illness or absence due to company business. Participation via telephone is acceptable. In addition, if the director missed only one meeting or one day’s meetings, votes should not be withheld even if such absence dropped the director’s attendance below 75 percent.

 

   

Ignore a shareholder proposal that is approved by a majority of shares outstanding;

 

   

Ignore a shareholder proposal this is approved by a majority of the votes cast for two consecutive years;

 

   

Are interested directors and sit on the audit or nominating committee; or

 

   

Are interested directors and the full board serves as the audit or nominating committee or the company does not have one of these committees.

Proxy Contests:

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals for proxy contests, considering the following factors:

 

   

Past performance relative to its peers

 

   

Market in which fund invests

 

   

Measures taken by the board to address the pertinent issues (e.g., closed-end fund share market value discount to NAV)

 

   

Past shareholder activism, board activity and votes on related proposals

 

   

Strategy of the incumbents versus the dissidents

 

   

Independence of incumbent directors; director nominees

 

   

Experience and skills of director nominees

 

   

Governance profile of the company

 

   

Evidence of management entrenchment

Converting Closed-end Fund to Open-end Fund:

CMA will vote conversion proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, considering the following factors:

 

   

Past performance as a closed-end fund

 

   

Market in which the fund invests

 

   

Measures taken by the board to address the discount

 

   

Past shareholder activism, board activity, and votes on related proposals.

Investment Advisory Agreements:

CMA will vote investment advisory agreements on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, considering the following factors:

 

   

Proposed and current fee schedules

 

   

Fund category/investment objective

 

   

Performance benchmarks

 

   

Share price performance as compared with peers

 

   

Resulting fees relative to peers

 

   

Assignments (where the adviser undergoes a change of control)

 

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Approving New Classes or Series of Shares:

CMA will vote FOR the establishment of new classes or series of shares.

Preferred Stock Proposals:

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals for the authorization for or increase in the preferred shares, considering the following factors:

 

   

Stated specific financing purpose

 

   

Possible dilution for common shares

 

   

Whether the shares can be used for anti-takeover purposes

Policies Addressed by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”):

CMA will vote proposals regarding adoption or changes of policies addressed by the 1940 Act on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, considering the following factors:

 

   

Potential competitiveness

 

   

Regulatory developments

 

   

Current and potential returns

 

   

Current and potential risk

CMA generally will vote FOR these amendments as long as the proposed changes do not fundamentally alter the investment focus of the fund and do comply with current SEC interpretations.

Changing a Fundamental Restriction to a Non-fundamental Restriction:

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to change a fundamental restriction to a non-fundamental restriction, considering the following factors:

 

   

Fund’s target investments

 

   

Reasons given by the fund for the change

 

   

Projected impact of the change on the portfolio

Change Fundamental Investment Objective to Non-fundamental:

CMA will vote AGAINST proposals to change a fund’s investment objective from fundamental to non-fundamental unless management acknowledges meaningful limitations upon its future requested ability to change the objective

Name Change Proposals:

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to change a fund’s name, considering the following factors:

 

   

Political/economic changes in the target market

 

   

Consolidation in the target market

 

   

Current asset composition

 

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Change in Fund’s Subclassification:

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to change a fund’s subclassification, considering the following factors:

 

   

Potential competitiveness

 

   

Current and potential returns

 

   

Risk of concentration

 

   

Consolidation in target industry

Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation:

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis these proposals, considering the following factors:

 

   

Strategies employed to salvage the company

 

   

Past performance of the fund

 

   

Terms of the liquidation

Changes to the Charter Document:

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to change the charter document, considering the following factors:

 

   

The degree of change implied by the proposal

 

   

The efficiencies that could result

 

   

The state of incorporation; net effect on shareholder rights

 

   

Regulatory standards and implications

CMA will vote FOR:

 

   

Proposals allowing the Board to impose, without shareholder approval, fees payable upon redemption of fund shares, provided imposition of such fees is likely to benefit long-term fund investors (e.g., by deterring market timing activity by other fund investors)

 

   

Proposals enabling the Board to amend, without shareholder approval, the fund’s management agreement(s) with its investment adviser(s) or sub-advisers, provided the amendment is not required by applicable law (including the Investment Company Act of 1940) or interpretations thereunder to require such approval

CMA will vote AGAINST:

 

   

Proposals enabling the Board to:

 

   

Change, without shareholder approval the domicile of the fund

 

   

Adopt, without shareholder approval, material amendments of the fund’s declaration of trust or other organizational document

Changing the Domicile of a Fund:

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to reincorporate, considering the following factors:

 

   

Regulations of both states

 

   

Required fundamental policies of both states

 

   

The increased flexibility available

 

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Authorizing the Board to Hire and Terminate Subadvisors Without Shareholder Approval:

CMA will vote FOR proposals to enable the Board or Investment Adviser to hire and terminate sub-advisers, without shareholder approval, in accordance with applicable rules or exemptive orders under the Investment Company Act of 1940

Distribution Agreements:

CMA will vote these proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, considering the following factors:

 

   

Fees charged to comparably sized funds with similar objectives

 

   

The proposed distributor’s reputation and past performance

 

   

The competitiveness of the fund in the industry

 

   

Terms of the agreement

Master-Feeder Structure:

CMA will vote FOR the establishment of a master-feeder structure.

Mergers:

CMA will vote merger proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, considering the following factors:

 

   

Resulting fee structure

 

   

Performance of both funds

 

   

Continuity of management personnel

 

   

Changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights

Shareholder Proposals to Establish Director Ownership Requirement:

CMA will generally vote AGAINST shareholder proposals that mandate a specific minimum amount of stock that directors must own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board. While CMA favors stockownership on the part of directors, the company should determine the appropriate ownership requirement.

Shareholder Proposals to Reimburse Shareholder for Expenses Incurred:

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to reimburse proxy solicitation expenses.

Shareholder Proposals to Terminate the Investment Adviser:

CMA will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to terminate the investment adviser, considering the following factors:

 

   

Performance of the fund’s NAV

 

   

The fund’s history of shareholder relations

 

   

The performance of other funds under the adviser’s management

 

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APPENDIX B

Conflicts of Interest Disclosure and Certification Form

Conflict Review Questionnaire for Proxy Voting Working Group Members and Other Individuals

Participating in the Proxy Voting Decision-Making Process.

Instructions : Please complete each of the questions. Please provide an explanation for any affirmative responses. Return the completed questionnaire to Columbia Management Conflicts of Interest Officer.

 

 

 

Issuer and Proxy Matter:      

 

 

 

 

  1. Do you or any member of your immediate family have an existing (or potential) business, financial, personal or other relationship with any management personnel of the issuer 1 ?

 

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

 

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

 

  2. Do you or any member of your immediate family have an existing (or potential) business, financial, personal or other relationship with any person participating, supporting, opposing or otherwise connected with the particular proxy proposal (e.g., principals of the issuer; director nominees of issuer company; shareholder activists)?

 

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

 

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

 

  3. Have you discussed this particular proxy proposal with anyone outside of Columbia Management’s investment group 2 ?

 

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

 

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

  4. Are you aware of any other potential personal conflicts of interest not described above? Please detail below.

 

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

 

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

 

Name:      
Signed:      
Date:      

 

1 Personal investing in the issuer by you or a member of your immediate family does not require an affirmative response to this item.
2 Communications with issuer or solicitors in the regular course of business would not have to be disclosed on this form.

 

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APPENDIX C

CMA Proxy Vote Recommendation/Proxy Committee Request Form

 

Name of Investment Associate:      

 

Company Name:      

 

Overview of Proxy Vote and Meeting Date:      

 

 

 

Proxy Agenda Item(s)

 

Description of Item:      
 
(The above information will be pre-populated by the Proxy Department.)

 

Recommendation (FOR, AGAINST, ABSTAIN) including brief rationale:      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please attach any supporting information other than analysis or reports provided by the Proxy Department.

 

 

 

Signed

By signing, I am certifying that I either have no conflicts of interest-related information to report or have sent a completed “Conflicts of Interest Disclosure and Certification Form” to Compliance Risk Management (Conflicts Officer).

 

 

Send Completed Forms to:

GWIM Investment Operations – Proxy Department

        or

In the case of Proxy Votes to be referred to the Proxy Committee, submit this form and materials to the Chair of the Proxy Committee

 

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APPENDIX C — SALES CHARGE WAIVERS

Front-End Sales Charge Waivers

In addition to the eligible investors described in the prospectuses, the investors listed below can buy Class A shares, Class E shares or Class T shares, without paying a front-end sales charge:

 

   

Employees of Bank of America, its affiliates and subsidiaries.

 

   

Employees or partners of Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC and Marsico Capital Management, LLC (or their successors).

 

   

Individuals receiving a distribution from a Bank of America trust, fiduciary, custodial or other similar account may use the proceeds of that distribution to buy Class A shares without paying a front-end sales charge, as long as the proceeds are invested in the funds within 90 days of the date of distribution.

 

   

Any shareholder who owned shares of any fund of Columbia Acorn Trust (formerly named Liberty Acorn Trust) on September 29, 2000 (when all of the then outstanding shares of Columbia Acorn Trust were re-designated Class Z shares) and who since that time has remained a shareholder of any Fund, may buy Class A shares of any Fund without paying a front-end sales charge in those cases where a Columbia Fund Class Z share is not available.

 

   

Galaxy Fund shareholders prior to December 1, 1995; and shareholders who (i) bought Galaxy Fund Prime A shares without paying a front-end sales charge and received Class A shares in exchange for those shares during the Galaxy/Liberty Fund reorganization; and (ii) continue to maintain the account in which the Prime A shares were originally bought.

 

   

(For Class T shares only) Shareholders who (i) bought Galaxy Fund Retail A shares at net asset value and received Class T shares in exchange for those shares during the Galaxy/Liberty Fund reorganization; and (ii) continue to maintain the account in which the Retail A shares were originally bought; and Boston 1784 Fund shareholders on the date that those funds were reorganized into Galaxy Funds.

Class I shares are only available to the Funds and are sold without a front-end sales charge.

Class R, Class R4 and Class R5 shares are offered to certain institutional investors identified in the Fund’s prospectus. Class R, Class R4 and Class R5 shares are sold without a front-end sales charge.

Class W shares are offered to qualifying discretionary accounts. Class W shares are sold without a front-end sales charge.

Investors can also buy Class A shares without paying a sales charge if the purchase is made from the proceeds of a sale from any Columbia Fund Class A, B, C or T shares within 90 days, up to the amount of the sales proceeds. In addition, shareholders of the money market fund series of BofA Funds Series Trust, which were formerly referred to as the Columbia Money Market Funds (the Former Columbia Money Market Funds), can also buy Class A shares of the Columbia Funds without paying a sales charge if the purchase is made from the proceeds of a sale of shares from a Former Columbia Money Market Fund within 90 days, up to the amount of the sales proceeds, provided that the proceeds are from the sale of shares of a Former Columbia Money Market Fund purchased on or before April 30, 2010. To be eligible for these reinstatement privileges the purchase must be made into an account for the same owner, but does not need to be into the same Columbia Fund from which the shares were sold. The Transfer Agent, Distributor or their agents must receive a written reinstatement request within 90 days after the shares are sold and the purchase of Class A shares through this reinstatement privilege will be made at the NAV of such shares next calculated after the request is received in good order.

 

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Restrictions may apply to certain accounts and certain transactions. The Fund may change or cancel these terms at any time. Any change or cancellation applies only to future purchases. Unless you provide your financial advisor with information in writing about all of the factors that may count toward a waiver of the sales charge, there can be no assurance that you will receive all of the waivers for which you may be eligible. You should request that your financial advisor provide this information to the Fund when placing your purchase order. For more information about the sales charge reductions and waivers described here, as well as additional categories of eligible investors, please see the prospectuses.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers (Class A, Class B, Class C and Class T Shares)

In addition to the redemptions eligible for CDSC waivers described in the prospectuses, shareholders won’t pay a CDSC in the following circumstances:

Disability: For shares purchased prior to September 7, 2010, CDSCs may be waived on sales after the sole shareholder on an individual account or a joint tenant on a joint tenant account becomes disabled (as defined by Section 72(m)(7) of the Code). To be eligible for such a waiver: (i) the disability must arise after the account is opened and (ii) a letter from a physician must be signed under penalty of perjury stating the nature of the disability. If the account is transferred to a new registration and then shares are sold, the applicable CDSC will be charged.*

Health savings accounts: For shares purchased prior to September 7, 2010, CDSCs may be waived on shares sold by health savings accounts sponsored by third party platforms, including those sponsored by Bank of America affiliates.*

Medical payments: For shares purchased prior to September 7, 2010, CDSCs may be waived on (i) shares sold for medical payments that exceed 7.5% of income and (ii) distributions made to pay for insurance by an individual who has separated from employment and who has received unemployment compensation under a federal or state program for at least twelve weeks.*

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): For shares purchased prior to September 7, 2010, CDSCs may be waived on sales occurring pursuant to a SWP established with the Transfer Agent, to the extent that the sales do not exceed, on an annual basis, 12% of the account’s value as long as distributions are reinvested. Otherwise, a CDSC will be charged on SWP sales until this requirement is met.

Qualified retirement plans: CDSCs may be waived on shares (except for Class B shares) sold by certain group retirement plans held in omnibus accounts. However, CDSC may not be waived for Class C shares if the waiver would occur as a result of a plan-level termination.

Redemptions under certain retirement plans and accounts: CDSCs may be waived on shares sold in connection with distributions from qualified retirement plans, government (Section 457) plans, individual retirement accounts or custodial accounts under Section 403(b)(7) of the Code, following normal retirement or the attainment of age 59  1 / 2 for shares purchased prior to September 7, 2010.**

Loans from qualified retirement plans: For Class B shares, and for Class A and Class C shares purchased prior to September 7, 2010, CDSCs may be waived on shares sold in connection with loans from qualified retirement plans to shareholders.*

 

* Fund investors and selling and/or servicing agents must inform the Fund or the Transfer Agent in writing that the Fund investor qualifies for the particular sales charge waiver and provide proof thereof.

 

** For direct trades on non-prototype retirement accounts where the date of birth of the Fund shareholder is not maintained, the shareholder or selling and/or servicing agent must inform the Fund or the Transfer Agent in writing that the Fund investor qualifies for the particular sales charge waiver and provide proof thereof.

 

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Class I shares, Class R shares, Class R4 shares, Class R5 shares and Class W shares are sold without a CDSC.

Restrictions may apply to certain accounts and certain transactions. The Distributor may, in its sole discretion, authorize the waiver of the CDSC for additional classes of investors. The Fund may change or cancel these terms at any time. Any change or cancellation applies only to future purchases. For more information about the sales charge reductions and waivers described here, as well as additional categories of eligible redemptions, please see the prospectuses.

 

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APPENDIX D — DESCRIPTION OF STATE RISK FACTORS

State Tax Exempt Funds

The state tax-exempt Funds invest primarily in municipal securities issued by a single state and political sub-divisions of that state. Each Fund will be particularly affected by political and economic conditions and developments in the state in which it invests. This vulnerability to factors affecting the state’s tax-exempt investments will be significantly greater than that of more geographically diversified funds, and may result in greater losses and volatility. Because of the relatively small number of issuers of tax-exempt securities, the Fund may invest a higher percentage of assets in a single issuer and, therefore, be more exposed to the risk of loss than a fund that invests more broadly. At times, the Fund and other accounts managed by the Adviser may own all or most of the debt of a particular issuer. This concentration of ownership may make it more difficult to sell, or to determine the fair value of, these investments. In addition, a Fund may focus on a segment of the tax-exempt debt market, such as revenue bonds for health care facilities, housing or airports. These investments may cause the value of a Fund’s shares to change more than the values of shares of funds that invest more diversely. The yields on the securities in which the Funds invest generally are dependent on a variety of factors, including the financial condition of the issuer or other obligor, the revenue source from which the debt service is payable, general economic and monetary conditions, conditions in the relevant market, the size of a particular issue, the maturity of the obligation, and the rating of the issue. In addition to such factors, geographically concentrated securities will experience particular sensitivity to local conditions, including political and economic changes, adverse conditions to an industry significant to the area, and other developments within a particular locality. Because many tax-exempt bonds may be revenue or general obligations of local governments or authorities, ratings on tax-exempt bonds may be different from the ratings given to the general obligation bonds of a particular state.

Certain events may adversely affect all investments within a particular market segment of the market. Examples include litigation, legislation or court decisions, concerns about pending or contemplated litigation, legislation or court decisions, or lower demand for the services or products provided by a particular market segment. Investing mostly in state-specific, tax-exempt investments makes the Funds more vulnerable to the relevant state’s economy and to factors affecting tax-exempt issuers in the state than would be true for more geographically diversified funds. These risks include, among others:

 

   

the inability or perceived inability of a government authority to collect sufficient tax or other revenues to meet its payment obligations;

 

   

natural disasters and ecological or environmental concerns;

 

   

the introduction of constitutional or statutory limits on a tax-exempt issuer’s ability to raise revenues or increase taxes;

 

   

the inability of an issuer to pay interest on or to repay principal or securities in which the funds invest during recessionary periods; and

 

   

economic or demographic factors that may cause a decrease in tax or other revenues for a government authority or for private operators of publicly financed facilities.

More information about state specific risks may be available from official state resources.

State Specific Information

Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund’s investments are highly dependent on and sensitive to the general fiscal and economic stability of the State of Connecticut (“Connecticut” or the “State”), as well as the general fiscal and economic stability of Connecticut’s subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities or authorities, which issue the securities in which the Fund invests. The following information supplements information set forth in Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund’s prospectus, constitutes only a brief summary and does not purport to be a complete description of certain state-specific considerations and is provided to investors in view of Connecticut

 

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Tax-Exempt Fund’s policy of concentrating its investments in securities issued by issuers of a single state. The information is based on publicly available sources and has not been independently verified by the Adviser. It is expected that the information will be updated only on an annual basis and thus may be out of date at any time that you make an investment decision to purchase or sell shares of Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund.

To the extent that any statements made below involve matters of forecasts, projections, assumptions, opinions or estimates, whether or not expressly stated to be such, they are made as such and not as representations of fact or certainty, and no representation is made that any of these statements has been or will be realized. All forecasts, projections, assumptions, opinions or estimates are “forward looking statements” that must be read with an abundance of caution and that may not be realized or may not occur in the future.

Connecticut

The following information relates specifically to Columbia Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund. This summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all relevant facts for the Fund. Although the Fund has no reason to believe that the information summarized below is not correct in all material respects, such information has not been independently verified for accuracy or thoroughness. Rather, this information has been obtained from official statements, prospectuses and other disclosure provided in connection with various securities offerings of Connecticut and local agencies in Connecticut available as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information. The Fund assumes that all such material was prepared and published in a manner consistent with current standards of disclosure. Further, estimates and projections contained in the following information should not be construed as statements of fact. They are based on assumptions that may be affected by numerous factors and there can be no assurance that such estimates and projections will be realized or achieved.

The Fund is more susceptible to factors adversely affecting issuers of Connecticut municipal securities than comparable municipal bond funds that do not focus on investments in Connecticut issuers.

Introduction. The State, together with the nation as a whole, is facing economic and fiscal challenges brought on by the current recession. These challenges for the State include fiscal year deficits and falling employment, among other issues. The State Office of Policy and Management monitors such matters and generally issues a report periodically estimating the current fiscal year deficit. The State Comptroller issues a similar report periodically. From time to time the legislature’s Office of Fiscal Analysis also issues reports covering these matters. The most current such information is described below under “State General Fund,” which should be considered together with the other information set forth herein.

The State’s current and projected fiscal and economic condition, as described herein, is subject to change based on a number of factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (a) developments with respect to the national economy as a whole, (b) developments with respect to the financial services sector of the economy, (c) developments in the world economy, and in particular commodity prices such as oil, (d) federal fiscal and economic policies, including fiscal stimulus efforts in general and the effect of such stimulus efforts in the State and the amount of federal aid to the State, (e) the extent to which the federal stimulus legislation, and in particular The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “ARRA”), as enacted and implemented, provides less federal aid to the State than was anticipated in the adopted biennial budget, and the resulting need to implement other revenue enhancements or expenditure reductions, and (f) the effect of the State’s constitutional balanced budget requirement and spending cap provisions on the adoption of the biennial budget and the effect spending constraints might have on the State’s economy. Such factors are continually changing, and no assurances can be given with respect to how such factors or other factors will materialize in the future or what effect they will have on the State’s fiscal and economic condition.

Connecticut’s economic performance is measured by personal income, which has been among the highest in the nation, and gross state product (the market value of all final goods and services produced by labor and

 

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property located within the State), which demonstrated slower growth in the early 2000s, but expanded at a healthy pace in 2004, surpassing the New England and national growth rates. Since then, Connecticut’s annual growth in gross state product has performed better than the New England region, but mostly slower than the nation. Employment had gained approximately 66,800 jobs by late 2007 since it bottomed out in July of 2003, but in 2008 Connecticut lost jobs.

After enjoying an extraordinary boom during the late 1990s, Connecticut, as well as the rest of the northeast and the nation, experienced an economic slowdown during the recession of the early 2000s. The unemployment rate in the State reached its low of 2.3% in 2000, compared to New England’s average of 2.8% and the national average of 4.0%. After climbing to a high of 5.5% in 2003, Connecticut’s unemployment rate declined to 4.4% for 2006. The current recession brought the unemployment rate up to 5.1% for the first six months of 2008, compared to the New England average of 4.8% and the national average of 5.1% for the same period.

General Fund. The State finances most of its operations through its General Fund. However, certain State functions, such as the State’s transportation budget, are financed through other State funds. General Fund revenues are derived primarily from the collection of State taxes, including the personal income tax, the sales and use tax and the corporation business tax. Miscellaneous fees, receipts, transfers and unrestricted federal grants account for most of the other General Fund revenue. The State, as of the forecast date, expected to derive approximately 76 percent and 72 percent, respectively, of its General Fund revenues from taxes during the 2007-08 fiscal year and the 2008-09 fiscal year.

Budget for Fiscal Years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009. Although the General Assembly did not pass the biennial budget for fiscal years 2007-08 and 2008-09 prior to its adjournment date of June 6, 2007, in a subsequent special session, the General Assembly passed, and the Governor signed into law on June 26, 2007, the biennial budget for fiscal years 2007-08 and 2008-09. The budget for fiscal year 2007-08 included General Fund revenues of $16,315.6 million and net appropriations of $16,314.9 million, resulting in a projected surplus of $0.7 million The budget for fiscal year 2008-09 included General Fund revenues of $17,073.1 million and net appropriations of $17,072.3 million, resulting in a projected surplus of $0.8 million. Pursuant to Public Act No. 07-1 of the September Special Session of the General Assembly, the General Assembly made an additional appropriation of $0.7 million for clean contracting standards, thereby reducing the projected General Fund surplus for the 2008-09 fiscal year to $0.1 million.

The General Assembly also included in the biennial budget (i) the appropriation of $613.7 million of the anticipated fiscal year 2006-07 General Fund surplus funds to pay for various spending items, including $300 million to fund a portion of the State’s contribution to the Teachers’ Retirement Fund and $85 million for debt retirement, (ii) a reduction of lapses in the amount of $96.6 million and (iii) a transfer of $80 million of the anticipated fiscal year 2006-07 General Fund surplus to the budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, resulting in a net reduction in the anticipated 2006-07 surplus of $790.3 million. According to estimates of the Office of Fiscal Analysis, approximately $471.9 million of the appropriations were for one-time purposes and approximately $318.4 million of the appropriations were for on-going purposes.

The budget was $690.4 million above the expenditure cap in fiscal year 2007-08 and $28.2 million below the expenditure cap in fiscal year 2008-09. In accordance with the provisions of Article XXVIII of the Amendments to the Constitution, the Governor issued a declaration to exceed the State’s expenditure cap in fiscal year 2007-08. This declaration was ratified by a three-fifths vote of each house of the General Assembly.

Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Operations. Pursuant to the Comptroller’s financial statements provided on December 31, 2008, as of June 30, 2008, General Fund revenues were $16,418.8 million, General Fund expenditures and net miscellaneous adjustments were $16,319.4 million and the General Fund balance for the 2007-08 fiscal year was a surplus of $99.4 million The entire surplus was reserved for fiscal year 2008-09 spending.

 

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Governor’s Proposed Midterm Budget Adjustments. Per Section 4-71 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Governor is required to submit a status report to the General Assembly on the biennial budget enacted in the previous year. The status report must include any recommendations for adjustments and revisions to the enacted budget.

On February 6, 2008 the Governor submitted to the General Assembly a status report including detailed projections of expenditures and revenues and proposed Midterm Budget Adjustments for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 fiscal years. The General Assembly convened on February 6, 2008 to consider the Governor’s proposed Midterm Budget Adjustments and adjourned on May 7, 2008. The legislature did not make any midterm budget adjustments for the 2008-09 fiscal year in the legislative session which ended May 7, 2008. However, in subsequent special sessions, $79 million was appropriated for energy relief programs in fiscal year 2008-09 and the 2007-08 surplus of $83.4 million, plus the transfer of $16 million pursuant to Section 91 of Public Act No. 07-1 of the June Special Session, was transferred for use in fiscal year 2008-09. In addition, the scheduled increase on July 1, 2008 in the oil companies tax from 7.0% to 7.5% was eliminated.

Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Operations. Pursuant to Section 4-66 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Office of Policy and Management provides estimates to the Comptroller by the twentieth day of each month of revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year for use by the Comptroller in preparing the Comptroller’s monthly report. In the monthly estimates provided by the Office of Policy and Management on August 20, 2008 (as of the period ending July 31, 2008), September 22, 2008 (as of the period ending August 31, 2008), October 20, 2008 (as of the period ending September 30, 2008), November 20, 2008 (as of the period ending October 31, 2008) and December 20, 2008 (as of the period ending November 30, 2008), each for the General Fund for the 2008-09 fiscal year, the General Fund was estimated to have a deficit of $145.7 million, $302.4 million, $107.9 million, $356.3 million and $193.0 million, respectively. In the monthly estimate provided by the Office of Policy and Management on January 20, 2009 for the General Fund for the 2008-09 fiscal year, as of the period ending December 31, 2008, General Fund revenues were estimated at $16,098.0 million, General Fund expenditures and miscellaneous adjustments were estimated at $17,019.7 million and the General Fund was estimated to have a deficit of $921.7 million These revenue estimates include an estimated $40 million from tax amnesty program and $12 million from the escheat of unclaimed bottler deposits and transfers totaling $71.2 million from various funds to the General Fund per Public Act No. 08-1 of the November 24, Special Session and Public Act No. 09-1. The expenditure estimates included three allotment rescissions in 2008 totaling $157 million and two mitigation plans totaling $69.8 million per Public Act No. 08-1 of the November 24, 2008 Special Session and Public Act No. 09-1. The revenue estimates as of December 31, 2008 did not take into account any economic effect as a result of the changes in the financial and credit markets occurring after December 31, 2008 or during the remainder of the fiscal year. No assurances can be given that future report estimates will match the Office of Policy and Management’s prior estimates.

By statute, the State’s fiscal position is reported monthly by the Comptroller. In her monthly reports dated September 2, 2008, October 1, 2008 and November 3, 2008, the Comptroller generally agreed with the Office of Policy and Management’s projections as of the periods ending July 31, 2008, August 31, 2008 and September 30, 2008, respectively. In her monthly report dated December 1, 2008, the Comptroller’s estimate of the General Fund deficit for the 2008-09 fiscal year was $50 million higher than the Office of Policy and Management’s projection for the same period. In her monthly report dated January 2, 2009, the Comptroller’s estimate of the General Fund deficit for the 2008-09 fiscal year was $150 million higher than the Office of Policy and Management’s projections for the same period. In her monthly report dated February 2, 2009 for the period ending December 31, 2008, the Comptroller’s estimate of the General Fund deficit for the 2008-09 fiscal year was $1.1 billion, which amount was $172.9 million higher than the estimate of the Office of Policy and Management.

Pursuant to Section 4-85 of the Connecticut General Statutes, whenever the cumulative monthly financial statement issued by the Comptroller indicates a projected General Fund deficit greater than one percent of the total General Fund appropriations, the Governor is required within thirty days to file a report with the joint

 

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standing committees of the General Assembly on appropriations and on finance, revenue and bonding. The report must include a plan which the Governor must implement to modify agency allotments to the extent necessary to prevent a deficit. Should such plan result in a reduction of more than five percent of total appropriations, approval of the General Assembly would be required. Since July 2008, the Governor has exercised her authority under Section 4-85 of the Connecticut General Statutes in rescinding allotments totaling $157 million in General Fund expenditures. In addition, the Governor has proposed two deficit mitigation packages to address the then projected deficits that exceeded her allotment rescission authority. Public Act No. 08-1 of the November 24, 2008 Special Session and Public Act No. 09-1 were enacted by the General Assembly and resulted in an estimated $193.6 million in deficit mitigation. Even with these changes, on January 20, 2009, the Office of Policy and Management projected a $921.7 million deficit in the General Fund for the 2008-09 fiscal year.

The above projections are only estimates and the information in the monthly letters of the Office of Policy and Management to the Comptroller and in the Comptroller’s monthly reports contain only estimates and no assurances can be given that future events will materialize as estimated or that subsequent estimates, adjustments or audit or actions of the General Assembly will not indicate changes in the final result of the fiscal year 2008-09 operations of the General Fund.

Pursuant to the Comptroller’s unaudited preliminary financial results dated September 1, 2009, the Comptroller estimated the General Fund revenues for the 2008-09 fiscal year were $15,700.8 million, General Fund expenditures and miscellaneous adjustments were $16,626.7 million and the General Fund balance for the 2008-09 fiscal year was estimated to have a deficit of $925.9 million. The Comptroller indicated in her letter that under House Bill No. 6802, the General Assembly approved additional carry forward authority which is accounted for as part of the 2008-09 fiscal year deficit and therefore increases the deficit. Accordingly, the 2008-09 fiscal year deficit would increase to $947.6 million upon the act becoming law. House Bill No. 6802 became law after the date of the Comptroller’s September 1, 2009 results. Pursuant to Public Act No. 09-2 of the June Special Session, for the purpose of funding the deficit in the General Fund for the 2008-09 fiscal year, the Treasurer is authorized to issue notes of the State in an amount not to exceed the amount of such deficit and in such additional amounts as the Treasurer shall determine to pay the costs of issuance of any such notes and interest payable or accrued on such notes through June 30, 2011.

The above projections are only estimates and the information in the Comptroller’s report contains only estimates and no assurances can be given that future events will materialize as estimated or that subsequent estimates, adjustments or audit or actions of the General Assembly will not indicate changes in the final result of the fiscal year 2008-09 operations of the General Fund.

Budget for Fiscal Years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. On June 3, 2009, the General Assembly adjourned its regular 2009 session without adopting a fiscal 2009-2011 biennial budget. Prior to adjournment, the General Assembly passed resolutions calling for a special session to take up matters related to adoption of a budget. The special session was immediately convened at the conclusion of the regular session. During the special session, the General Assembly passed a General Fund budget for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 fiscal years which was subsequently vetoed by the Governor.

The State continued to run its operations pursuant to executive orders issued by the Governor. Authorization to pay debt service on the State’s general obligation bonds remained unaffected. The executive orders directed all department heads and executive branch employees to limit purchases of goods and services and directed all department heads to utilize personnel and other resources in an effective and efficient manner, giving priority to programs that provide direct care services, administer justice and protect the public health and safety. The executive orders covered the months of July, August and the portion of September until the approval of an appropriation act for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2009.

In a special session, the General Assembly passed the biennial budget for fiscal years 2009-10 and 2010-11 which subsequently became law on September 8, 2009. The enacted budget, Public Act No. 09-3 of June 2009

 

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Special Session, for fiscal year 2009-10 included General Fund revenues of $17,375.4 million and net appropriations of $17,374.6 million, resulting in a projected surplus of $0.8 million. The budget for fiscal year 2010-11 included General Fund revenues of $17,591.9 million and net appropriations of $17,591.0 million, resulting in a projected surplus of $0.9 million.

The enacted biennial budget raises net revenues from three major resources: 1) grants from the ARRA, 2) transfers from other State funds to the State’s General Fund and securitizations, and 3) net increases in taxes and miscellaneous fees. Federal grants from the ARRA for human services, education, and other economic related stimulus programs total $878.9 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and $594.8 million in fiscal year 2010-11. Major revenues from transfers of other State funds to the State’s General Fund and securitizations include (i) transferring Budget Reserve Funds of $1,039.7 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and $342.0 million in fiscal year 2010-11, and (ii) securitizing $1,290.7 million in fiscal year 2010-11 as amended by Public Act No. 09-7 of the September 2009 Special Session. The significant tax changes include: (i) an increase in the highest income tax rate to 6.5% from 5% for those with taxable incomes over $1 million for joint filers, $800,000 for heads of households, and $500,000 for single filers and married people filing separately, raising approximately $594.0 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and $400.0 million in fiscal year 2010-11; (ii) an imposition of a 10% corporation tax surcharge for the 2009, 2010, and 2011 income years on companies that have (1) $100 million or more in annual gross income in those years and (2) tax liability that exceeds the $250 minimum, raising approximately $74.1 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and $41.1 million in fiscal year 2010-11; (iii) an increase in the cigarette tax rate from $2.00 per pack to $3.00 per pack, raising approximately $94.9 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and $112.4 million in fiscal year 2010-11; (iv) changes in various fees, raising approximately a net total of $108.5 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and $105.9 million in fiscal year 2010-11, and (v) cuts in taxes, including (1) a reduction in the sales and use tax rate to 5.5% from 6%, and (2) a reduction in the estate and gift tax. The reduction of the sales and use tax rate effective January 1, 2010 is expected to result in a revenue loss of approximately $129.5 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and $268.0 million in fiscal year 2010-11. However, if any cumulative monthly financial statement issued by the Comptroller before January 1, 2010 indicated that the estimated gross tax revenue to the General Fund to the end of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010 was at least 1% less than the adopted gross tax revenue to the General Fund for fiscal year 2009-10, the tax rate will remain at 6%. If any cumulative monthly financial statement issued after January 1, 2010, and on or before June 30, 2010, indicates that the estimated gross tax revenue to the General Fund to the end of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010 is at least 1% less than the adopted gross tax revenue to the General Fund, the tax rate will remain at 6%. On the estate and gift taxes, the enacted law will (i) increase the threshold for the value of an estate or gift subject to the estate and gift taxes from $2 million to $3.5 million; (ii) reduce the marginal tax rates by 25%; and (iii) eliminate the tax cliff. These three measures were estimated to reduce revenues by approximately $5.9 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and $70.3 million in fiscal year 2010-11.

The significant changes in appropriations are from State employee personal services reductions, entitlement programs savings, and education grants reductions. Personal services reductions from concessions with a coalition of employee collective bargaining units including wage freezes and a Retirement Incentive Plan are expected to save approximately $191.0 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and $193.7 million in fiscal year 2010-11. Savings from entitlement programs include (i) eliminating nursing home rate increases in reimbursement levels under Medicaid, saving approximately $113.2 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and $162.2 million in fiscal year 2010-11, (ii) reducing managed care organization capitation rates by 6% under both HUSKY A and HUSKY B, saving approximately $50.1 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and $51.8 million in fiscal year 2010-11, and (iii) managing services for aged, blind and disabled individuals who are currently receiving care under the Medicaid fee-for-service program, saving approximately $27.8 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and $80.0 million in fiscal year 2010-11. Education reductions include cuts of grants to (i) the Excess Cost program that reimburses funds to towns, saving approximately $13.4 million each for both fiscal years 2009-10 and 2010-11, (ii) the Priority School District program that assists the neediest communities and funds the School Readiness program, reducing $6.9 million each for both fiscal years 2009-10 and 2010-11, and (iii) the Reading Success program designed to improve kindergarten through grade three reading, saving the State $2.4 million each for both fiscal years 2009-10 and 2010-11.

 

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In addition, the budget for fiscal year 2010-11 requires the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to jointly develop a financing plan that will result in net proceeds of up to $1,290.7 million to be used as general revenues of the State during such fiscal year, which may include securitizations as discussed above. The budget also requires the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to jointly develop a plan to sell assets of the State that will result in net proceeds of up to $15 million to be used as general revenues of the State during the 2009-10 fiscal year and $45 million to be used as general revenues of the State during the 2010-11 fiscal year. In addition, the budget for fiscal year 2009-10 requires a reduction of $473.3 million in expenses from budgeted amounts. The budget for fiscal year 2010-11 requires a reduction of $515.2 million of expenses from budgeted amounts.

The budget was $852.4 million below the expenditure cap in fiscal year 2009-10 and $587.0 million below the expenditure cap in fiscal year 2010-11.

Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Operations. Pursuant to Section 4-66 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Office of Policy and Management provides estimates to the Comptroller by the twentieth day of each month of revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year for use by the Comptroller in preparing the Comptroller’s monthly report. In the monthly estimates provided by the Office of Policy and Management on October 20, 2009 for the General Fund for the 2009-10 fiscal year, as of the period ending September 30, 2009, General Fund revenues were estimated at $17,203.3 million, General Fund expenditures and miscellaneous adjustments were estimated at $17,591.8 million and the General Fund was estimated to have a deficit of $388.5 million. No assurances can be given that future report estimates will match the Office of Policy and Management’s prior estimates.

By statute, the State’s fiscal position is reported monthly by the Comptroller. In her monthly report dated October 1, 2009 for the period ending August 31, 2009, the Comptroller indicated that although many of the revenue enhancements associated with the budget had not yet appeared within the revenue collection figures, the first quarter revenue trends raised concerns. She indicated that if the first quarter trends continued unabated, even after fully incorporating the projected revenue gains enacted as part of the budget, the revenue shortfall in the General Fund for the 2009-10 fiscal year would exceed $500 million. She further indicated that because it was early in the fiscal year, there was sufficient time for a reversal in the trend to mitigate the shortfall. The Comptroller did not address any increased expenditures, which the Office of Policy and Management projected to be an additional $212.5 million in its October 20, 2009 report. In the Comptroller’s monthly report dated November 1, 2009, the Comptroller estimated a General Fund deficit for the 2009-10 fiscal year of $624 million as of the period ending September 30, 2009. No assurances can be given that future report estimates will match the Office of Policy and Management’s estimates or the Comptroller’s prior estimates.

The Governor may generally reduce budget allotment requests within certain prescribed limits and has done so for the current fiscal year. Additionally, as described above, pursuant to Section 4-85 of the Connecticut General Statutes, whenever the cumulative monthly financial statement issued by the Comptroller indicates a projected General Fund deficit greater than one percent of the total General Fund appropriations, the Governor is required within thirty days to file a report with the joint standing committees of the General Assembly on appropriations and on finance, revenue and bonding. The report must include a plan which the Governor must implement to modify agency allotments to the extent necessary to prevent a deficit. The Governor is required to file such report as a result of the deficit projection included in the Comptroller’s November 1, 2009 report.

The above projections are only estimates and the information in the monthly letters of the Office of Policy and Management to the Comptroller and in the Comptroller’s monthly reports contain only estimates and no assurances can be given that future events will materialize as estimated or that subsequent estimates, adjustments or audit or actions of the General Assembly will not indicate changes in the final result of the fiscal year 2009-10 operations of the General Fund.

 

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STATE DEBT

Types of State Debt. Pursuant to various public and special acts the State has authorized a variety of types of debt. These types fall generally into the following categories: direct general obligation debt, which is payable from the State’s General Fund; special tax obligation debt, which is payable from specified taxes and other funds which are maintained outside the State’s General Fund; and special obligation and revenue debt, which is payable from specified revenues or other funds which are maintained outside the State’s General Fund. In addition, the State has a number of programs under which the State provides annual appropriation support for, or is contingently liable on, the debt of certain State quasi-public agencies and political subdivisions.

State Direct General Obligation Debt. Statutory Authorization and Security Provisions. In general, the State issues general obligation bonds pursuant to specific statutory bond acts and Section 3-20 of the General Statutes, the State general obligation bond procedure act. That act provides that such bonds shall be general obligations of the State and that the full faith and credit of the State of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds as the same become due. Such act further provides that, as a part of the contract of the State with the owners of such bonds, appropriation of all amounts necessary for the punctual payment of such principal and interest will be made, and the Treasurer will pay such principal and interest as the same become due.

There are no State constitutional provisions precluding the exercise of State power by statute to impose any taxes, including taxes on taxable property in the State or on income, in order to pay debt service on bonded debt now or hereafter incurred. The constitutional limit on increases in General Fund expenditures for any fiscal year does not include expenditures for the payment of bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness. There are also no constitutional or statutory provisions requiring or precluding the enactment of liens on or pledges of State General Fund revenues or taxes, or the establishment of priorities for payment of debt service on the State’s general obligation bonds. There are no express statutory provisions establishing any priorities in favor of general obligation bondholders over other valid claims against the State.

Statutory Debt Limit. Section 3-21 of the General Statutes provides that no bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness for borrowed money payable from General Fund tax receipts of the State may be authorized by the General Assembly or issued unless they do not cause the aggregate amount of (1) the total amount of bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness payable from General Fund tax receipts authorized by the General Assembly but which have not been issued and (2) the total amount of such indebtedness which has been issued and remains outstanding, to exceed 1.6 times the total estimated General Fund tax receipts of the State for the fiscal year in which any such authorization will become effective or in which such indebtedness is issued, as estimated for such fiscal year by the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of finance, revenue and bonding. However, in computing the aggregate amount of indebtedness at any time, revenue anticipation notes having a maturity of one year or less, refunded indebtedness, bond anticipation notes, borrowings payable solely from the revenues of a particular project, the balances of debt retirement funds associated with indebtedness subject to the debt limit as certified by the Treasurer, the amount of federal grants certified by the Secretary of OPM as receivable to meet the principal of certain indebtedness, all authorized and issued indebtedness to fund any budget deficits of the State for any fiscal year ending on or before June 30, 1991 and for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2002 and June 30, 2003, all authorized debt to fund the Connecticut Development Authority’s tax increment bond program, any indebtedness represented by agreements entered into pursuant to certain provisions of the General Statutes, provided the indebtedness in connection with which such agreements were entered into shall be included in such aggregate amount of indebtedness, any indebtedness issued for the purpose of meeting cash flow needs, and any indebtedness issued for the purpose of covering emergency needs in times of natural disaster are excluded or deducted. For purposes of the debt limit statute, all bonds and notes issued or guaranteed by the State and payable from General Fund tax receipts are counted against the limit, except for the exclusions or deductions described above. In addition, the amount of authorized but unissued debt for the UConn 2000 program is limited to the amount permitted to be issued under the cap.

 

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Under the General Statutes, the Treasurer is required to compute the aggregate amount of indebtedness as of January 1 and July 1 each year and to certify the results of such computation to the Governor and the General Assembly. If the aggregate amount of indebtedness reaches 90% of the statutory debt limit, the Governor must review each bond act for which no bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness have been issued, and recommend to the General Assembly priorities for repealing authorizations for remaining projects.

Certain Short-Term Borrowings. The General Statutes authorize the Treasurer, subject to the approval of the Governor, to borrow such funds, from time to time, as may be necessary, and to issue obligations of the State therefor, which must be redeemed by the Treasurer whenever, in the opinion of the Treasurer, there are funds in the treasury available for such purpose. The State has established programs of temporary note issuances from time to time to cover periodic cash flow requirements. On June 18, 2009, pursuant to the Treasurer’s request and the Governor’s approval to borrow funds on a temporary basis from time to time on behalf of the State, the Treasurer arranged with a group of banks a 364-day revolving credit facility in the amount of $580 million.

OTHER FUNDS, DEBT AND LIABILITIES

The State conducts certain of its operations through State funds other than the State General Fund and, pursuant to legislation, may issue debt secured by the special taxes or revenues pledged to certain of such funds. In addition, the State is contingently liable or has limited liability, from the resources of the State’s General Fund, for payment of debt service on certain obligations of quasi-public State agencies and municipalities of the State. The State has also made commitments to municipalities to make future grant payments for school construction projects, payable over a period of years. In addition, the State has committed to apply moneys for debt service on loans to finance child care facilities and has certain other contingent liabilities for future payments.

Transportation Fund and Debt. In 1984 the State adopted legislation establishing a transportation infrastructure program and authorizing special tax obligation (“STO”) bonds to finance the program. The infrastructure program is a continuous program for planning, construction and improvement of State highways and bridges, projects on the interstate highway system, alternate highway projects in the interstate highway substitution program, waterway facilities, mass transportation and transit facilities, aeronautic facilities (excluding Bradley International Airport), the highway safety program, maintenance garages and administrative facilities of the Department of Transportation, payment of the State’s share of the costs of the local bridge program established under the act, and payment of State contributions to the local bridge revolving fund established under the act. The infrastructure program is administered by the Department of Transportation.

The cost of the infrastructure program for State fiscal years 1985-2012, which will be met from federal, State and local funds, is currently estimated at $23.5 billion. The State’s share of such cost, estimated at $9.5 billion, is to be funded from transportation related taxes, fees and revenues deposited in the Special Transportation Fund, as described below, and from the proceeds of STO bonds. The portion of State program costs not financed by STO bonds is estimated at $0.6 billion and includes the expenses of the infrastructure program that either are not sufficiently large or do not have a sufficiently long life expectancy to justify the issuance of long-term bonds. Such expenses currently include liquid resurfacing, minor bridge repairs, highway maintenance activities, safety improvements and other minor transportation improvements.

The State’s share of the cost of the Infrastructure Program for State fiscal years 1985-2012 to be financed by STO bonds currently is estimated at $8.9 billion. The actual amount may exceed $8.9 billion to finance reserves and cost of issuance amounts. The issuance of such STO bonds has eliminated the need for the authorization of additional general obligation bonds of the State for surface transportation purposes. STO bonds may also be issued for the purpose of refunding general obligation bonds of the State issued for transportation infrastructure purposes.

 

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During fiscal years 1985-2007, $18.3 billion of the total infrastructure program was approved by the appropriate governmental authorities. The remaining $5.2 billion is required for fiscal years 2008-2012. The $5.2 billion of such infrastructure costs is anticipated to be funded with proceeds of $1.8 billion from the anticipated issuance of new STO bonds, $63 million in anticipated revenues, and $3.3 billion in anticipated federal funds.

The State has established the Special Transportation Fund for the purpose of budgeting and accounting for all transportation related taxes, fees and revenues credited to such Fund and securing the STO bonds. STO bonds are payable solely from revenues of the Special Transportation Fund. The aggregate of certain motor fuel taxes, motor vehicle receipts, motor vehicle related licenses, permits and fees, and portions of the oil companies tax and sales tax on motor vehicles and other transportation related revenue sources, including enacted adjustments to all the foregoing sources, are intended to cover the cost of the State’s share of the infrastructure program, including debt service requirements. After providing for debt service requirements, the balance of the receipts from such revenue sources may be applied to the payment of general obligation bonds of the State issued for transportation purposes and for the payment of annually budgeted expenses of the Department of Transportation and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

It is anticipated that additional STO bonds will be authorized by the General Assembly annually in an amount necessary to finance and to complete the infrastructure program. Such additional bonds may be issued on an equal rank with the outstanding bonds provided certain pledged revenue coverage requirements of the STO indentures controlling the issuance of such bonds are met. The State expects to continue to offer bonds for this program.

In addition to STO Bonds, the State has issued direct general obligation bonds for transportation purposes and the debt service on these bonds may be paid from resources of the Special Transportation Fund provided there is sufficient funding first to pay all STO debt service. For the year ended June 30, 2008 the Special Transportation Fund paid $3.1 million of State direct general obligation transportation debt service payments. The amount budgeted by the Special Transportation Fund for State direct general obligation transportation debt service payments for fiscal year 2008-09 was $2.0 million

During the past several years the Fund’s revenues and expenses have undergone a variety of legislative changes. In 2003 legislation provided for a one-time transfer of $52 million from the Fund to the State’s General Fund. In 2004 legislation increased the tax on gasohol and raised various motor vehicle fees resulting in an $18.6 million benefit to the Fund. In 2005 legislation increased the scheduled transfers to the Fund from the State’s General Fund from Oil Companies Tax revenue by $22.5 million in fiscal year 2006, $30 million in fiscal year 2007, $53 million in fiscal year 2008, $79.9 million in each of fiscal years 2009-2013, and $98 million thereafter. In 2006, legislation again increased the scheduled transfers to the Fund from the State’s General Fund from Oil Companies Tax revenue by $80 million in each of fiscal years 2007-2010 and by $100 million in fiscal year 2011 and thereafter. In July 2007 legislation increased the motor fuels tax on each gallon of diesel fuel from $0.26 to $0.37 and correspondingly exempted diesel fuel from the petroleum products gross earnings tax.

A fifteen member Transportation Strategy Board (“TSB”) was established in 2001 to propose a transportation strategy, an implementation cost estimate and funding approaches to the Governor and General Assembly. The TSB’s strategic goals are: 1) improve personal mobility within and through Connecticut; 2) improve the movement of goods and freight within and through Connecticut; 3) integrate transportation with economic, land use, environmental and quality of life issues; 4) develop policies and procedures that will integrate the state economy with regional, national and global economies; and 5) identify policies and sources that provide an adequate and reliable flow of funding necessary for a quality multi-modal transportation system. The TSB presented the initial transportation strategy to the Governor and General Assembly on January 6, 2003. In January 2007, as required in Public Act No. 06-136, the TSB again presented “Connecticut’s Transportation Strategy” to the Governor and General Assembly.

 

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In order to implement the strategy-related projects submitted by TSB, legislation was passed in 2005 that established fixed transfers from the Special Transportation Fund to the TSB project accounts in the amounts of $25.3 million in fiscal year 2005-06, $20.3 million in fiscal year 2006-07, $15.3 million in each of fiscal years 2007-08 through 2014-15 and $0.3 million in fiscal year 2015-16 and thereafter. In September 2007 legislation authorized the transfer of $5.5 million on deposit in the Special Transportation Fund to the TSB’s project account for various transportation related studies.

Public Acts in 2005 and 2006 authorized the issuance of more than $2.1 billion of special tax obligation bonds for the ten-year period from 2005 to 2014 for transportation system improvements, many of which are TSB-recommended projects. As of February 1, 2009 $2.0 billion of the borrowing authorized is effective with the remaining $100 million becoming effective in fiscal year 2009-10. Legislation passed in 2006 also authorized the issuance of $1.3 billion in bonds in anticipation of future federal transportation funds. Pursuant to Public Act No. 09-2 of the September 2009 Special Session, the General Assembly has authorized special tax obligation bonds of $579.2 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and $265.4 million in fiscal year 2010-11. In November 2009, the State issued $195,970,000 Special Tax Obligation Bonds Transportation Infrastructure Purposes, 2009 Series A, $304,030,000 Special Tax Obligation Bonds Transportation Infrastructure Purposes, 2009 Series B (Taxable Build America Bonds—Direct Pay), and $49,775,000 Special Tax Obligation Refunding Bonds Transportation Infrastructure Purposes, 2009 Series C.

Other Special Revenue Funds and Debt

Bradley Airport . Bradley International Airport, located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, is owned by the State and operated by the Bureau of Aviation and Ports in the State’s Department of Transportation. The General Assembly has authorized the issuance of revenue bonds for improvements at Bradley International Airport, payable from all or a portion of the revenues generated at the airport. Legislation passed in 2001 removed a $294 million bond issuance cap for Bradley Airport but retained the requirement for State Bond Commission approval of any new bond issue. As of February 1, 2009, there were $198.9 million of Bradley International Airport Revenue Bonds outstanding.

The 2001 legislation also established a board of directors to oversee the operation and development of Bradley Airport. The seven-member board includes five appointed members and the Commissioners of Transportation and Economic and Community Development. The Bradley board is charged with a wide range of duties and responsibilities, including developing an organizational and management structure, approving the annual capital and operating budget, master plan, and community relations policies of the airport, and ensuring customer service standards and performance assessments.

Additional special obligation bonds to finance self-sustaining special facilities at Bradley International Airport payable solely from the revenues derived from such special facilities were authorized in 1993. In March 2000 the State issued $53.8 million of Bradley International Airport Special Obligation Parking Revenue Bonds to finance the construction of a five story parking garage facility at the airport and, as of February 1, 2009, $44.7 million of such bonds were outstanding.

The board of directors of Bradley Airport and the State Bond Commission approved a transaction authorizing the State Treasurer to refund Bradley International Airport General Airport Revenue Bonds, Series 2001A (AMT) for expected delivery in 2011 or thereafter and to enter into a forward starting interest rate swap transaction for the purpose of locking in current market savings. Pursuant to such authorization the State entered into certain swap agreements in April 2006.

Clean Water Fund. The General Assembly has authorized the issue of up to $1,753.4 million of revenue bonds, of which $1,209.28 million have been issued, for the purpose of funding various State and federally mandated water pollution control and drinking water projects. The revenue bonds are payable solely from the revenues or other receipts, funds or moneys pledged therefor. The proceeds of the revenue bonds are loaned

 

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primarily to Connecticut municipalities to finance water pollution control and drinking water improvements, and the loan repayments by the municipalities secure the bonds. The loans are evidenced by interim funding obligations and project loan obligations of the municipalities, pursuant to which either the full faith and credit of each such municipality is pledged, or the revenues and other funds of a municipal sewer system are pledged. The General Assembly has authorized the issue of up to $1,833.4 million of revenue bonds, of which $1,408.7 million has been issued, for the purpose of funding various State and federally mandated water pollution control and drinking water projects. As of October 1, 2009 $853.9 million of revenue bonds were outstanding (including refunding bonds).

Unemployment Compensation. The State pays unemployment compensation benefits from the State’s Unemployment Compensation Fund, which is funded by unemployment compensation taxes collected from employers. In 1993, the State responded to a deficit in the Fund by, among other things, issuing three series of special obligation bonds totaling $1,020.7 million to repay certain federal borrowings and to fund certain reserves. All of these bonds were defeased in June 2001. To fund future shortfalls, the State has reserved the authority to issue bonds in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not in excess of $1,000 million, plus amounts for certain reserves and costs of issuance. The State has not incurred any additional borrowing since 1993 other than borrowings from the Federal Unemployment Trust Fund for cash flow purposes, which have been repaid prior to September 30 in each case and which therefore have not been subject to federal interest charges.

Second Injury Fund. The Second Injury Fund is a State-run workers’ compensation insurance fund which pays lost wages and medical benefits to qualified injured workers. The State established the Second Injury Fund in 1945 to encourage the hiring of persons with pre-existing physical impairments, such as veterans, and to provide relief to employers when an injured worker, who already had a pre-existing injury or condition, was hurt on the job and the second injury was made worse by the existence of the first injury. In 1995 and 1996, the State enacted legislation to close the Second Injury Fund to future second injury claims. Those laws authorized the issuance of an amount not to exceed $750 million in revenue bonds and notes outstanding at any one time to provide funds for paying past claims. No bonds are currently outstanding. The State’s management objective is to pay additional claims and settlements from current income and, if necessary, short term borrowings.

Rate Reduction Bonds. The General Assembly authorized the issuance of special obligation bonds to sustain funding of the conservation and load management and the renewable energy investment programs established under the general statutes. The State issued $205.3 million of Special Obligation Rate Reduction Bonds (2004 Series A) in June 2004. These bonds were defeased on June 5, 2008. The bonds were secured by certain revenues collected through a non-bypassable charge imposed upon each customer of the electric utilities within the State. Such revenues are property of the State and are pledged towards payment of debt service on the bonds and related costs, which pledge is a first priority lien on such revenues. The net proceeds of the bonds were deposited in the General Fund.

Contingent Liability Debt. The General Assembly has the power to impose limited or contingent liabilities upon the State in such a manner as it may deem appropriate and as may serve a public purpose. This power has been used to support the efforts of quasi-public agencies, municipalities and other authorities formed to carry out essential public and governmental functions by authorizing these entities to issue indebtedness backed, partially or fully, by General Fund resources of the State. Not all entities that are authorized to issue such indebtedness have done so, and the description below of the State’s limited or contingent liability is restricted only to specific indebtedness backed by the State.

Special Capital Reserve Funds. The primary vehicle through which the State has undertaken contingent or limited liability is the special capital reserve fund. A special capital reserve fund, if established, provides additional security for bonds issued by the entity authorized to establish such a reserve fund. Subject to exceptions in the legislation authorizing the establishment of a particular special capital reserve fund, monies held in and credited to a special capital reserve fund are intended to be used solely for the payment of the

 

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principal of bonds secured by such special capital reserve fund, the purchase of such bonds, the payment of interest on such bonds or the payment of any redemption premium required to be paid when such bonds are redeemed prior to maturity. The special capital reserve fund is frequently funded with bond proceeds to a specified amount (the minimum of which is often the maximum annual principal and interest payments due on the bonds). The State undertakes the obligation to restore a special capital reserve fund to its minimum level. The method for determining such required minimum capital reserve is set out in the legislation authorizing the special capital reserve fund. If the special capital reserve fund should fall below the required minimum capital reserve amount, an official of the authority or municipality which established the special capital reserve fund must certify to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management or the State Treasurer or both the amount necessary to restore such special capital reserve fund to the required minimum capital reserve amount. On or before December 1, annually, the amount specified in the certificate is deemed to be appropriated from the State’s General Fund and must be allotted and paid to the entity that established the special capital reserve fund. On an annual basis, the State’s liability under any special capital reserve fund mechanism is limited to its obligation to restore that fund to its minimum capital reserve amount.

Quasi-Public Agencies. The State has established by legislation several quasi-public agencies. These quasi-public agencies are not departments, institutions or agencies of the State. They are, however, bodies politic and corporate that constitute public instrumentalities and political subdivisions of the State and whose exercise of authority granted to them is deemed to be the performance of an essential public and governmental function. These organizations provide a wide range of services that might otherwise be provided directly by the State. Among the public authorities are: the Connecticut Development Authority, the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority and the Capital City Economic Development Authority. Each of these public authorities is authorized to issue bonds in its own name to facilitate its activities and each has issued bonds secured by a special capital reserve fund, or other contractual arrangement, for which the State has limited contingent liability.

Assistance to Municipalities. In addition to the limited or contingent liabilities that the State has undertaken in connection with the activities of its quasi-public agencies, the State has undertaken certain limited or contingent liabilities to assist municipalities. The State currently has limited or contingent liabilities outstanding in connection with bonds or other obligations issued by the City of Waterbury and the Southeastern Connecticut Water Authority. The State previously was obligated pursuant to the establishment of a special capital reserve fund to secure certain bonds issued by the City of Bridgeport to fund its past budget deficits; however such bonds were refunded by the city in 1996. The State previously had guaranteed debt service on bonds of the City of West Haven, but an irrevocable escrow has been established to pay such bonds. Legislation also authorized distressed municipalities, in certain circumstances and subject to various conditions, to issue deficit funding obligations secured by a special capital reserve fund. There are no such obligations currently outstanding.

School Construction Grant Commitments. The State is obligated to various cities, towns and regional school districts under a grant-in-aid public school building program to fund certain of the costs of construction and alteration of school buildings or to support part of the debt service payments on municipal debt issued to fund the State’s share of such school building projects. For certain school projects approved by the General Assembly, cities, towns and districts are ranked according to their adjusted equalized net grand list per capita and based on such rankings a percentage is assigned which determines the amount of grant money a town or regional school district is eligible to receive for a project or type of project authorized by the legislature and approved by the Commissioner of Education.

For school construction projects approved during the 1997 legislative session and thereafter, the State pays the costs of its share of construction projects on a progress payment basis during the construction period. Each year the legislature authorizes grant commitments which vary in amounts from year to year. The State has authorized new school construction grant commitments of approximately $400 million which take effect in the 2009-10 fiscal year. As of June 30, 2009, the Commissioner estimates that current grant obligations under the

 

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grant program established in 1997 are approximately $2,450 million, which includes approximately $6,900 million of grants approved as of such date less payments already made of $4,450 million.

Prior to 1997 the grant program was conducted differently. For certain school projects grants for construction costs are paid to the cities, towns and districts in installments which correspond to the number and time of principal payments due on municipal bonds, or temporary notes renewed for a third or subsequent year, issued to finance project costs. If a project is fully paid from sources other than borrowing, such grants are paid in five annual installments. Grants in support of interest payments correspond to the number and time of such interest payments. As of June 30, 2009, under the grant program prior to 1997 the State is obligated to various cities, towns and regional school districts for approximately $314 million in aggregate principal installment payments and $57 million aggregate interest subsidies, for a total of $371 million. Funding for these payments may come from future State direct general obligation bond sales. No new grant commitment can be authorized under this program.

The legislature has authorized bonds for both grant programs based on the amount of grants that the Commissioner of Education estimates will be paid during each fiscal year. Since there is generally a lapse of one or more years from the time grant commitments are approved to the time grant payments are required to be made, the amount of unpaid grant commitments will be significantly greater than the amount of bonds authorized to fund the grant commitments.

Child Care Facilities Debt Service Commitments. Legislation enacted in 1997 authorized the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) to issue bonds and loan the proceeds to various entities to finance child care facilities. The Department of Social Services may enter into commitments to apply monies for each such entity to pay the debt service on the loans in amounts sufficient to cover a portion of the debt service on CHEFA’s bonds. Legislation enacted in 1999 provided for the obligation of the Department of Social Services to make debt service payments to be made by the State Treasurer. Any obligation by the Department of Social Services or the State Treasurer to pay is subject to annual appropriation. CHEFA first issued special obligation bonds under this program in 1998. As of February 1, 2009 CHEFA had approximately $69.6 million bonds outstanding under this program with annual debt service of approximately $5.4 million, of which the Department of Social Services is committed to pay approximately $4.5 million. The remaining portion of debt service is to be paid from Department of Education and Department of Social Services intercepts of revenues from providers. Two other Child Care Facilities programs also authorize the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services to enter into guaranties of loans made to entities to finance the development of child care and child development centers or programs. CHEFA is administering this program on behalf of the Department, and is currently limiting the aggregate amount of guaranties to the balance of monies in the reserve funds for the respective programs.

Other Contingent Liabilities. The Connecticut Lottery Corporation (the “Corporation”) was created in 1996 as a public instrumentality of the State to operate the State’s lottery pursuant to the Connecticut Lottery Corporation Act (the “CLC Act”). The State and the Corporation purchase annuities under group contracts with insurance companies which provide payments corresponding to the obligation for payments to lottery prize winners. The State has transferred to the Corporation all annuities purchased by it and the Corporation has assumed responsibility for the collection of revenue generated from the lottery and for the payment of all lottery prizes. Under the CLC Act, the termination of the Corporation would not affect any outstanding contractual obligation of the Corporation and the State would succeed to the obligations of the Corporation under any such contract. As of June 30, 2008 the current and long term liabilities of the Corporation total $291 million.

PENSION AND RETIREMENT SYSTEMS

State Employees’ Retirement Fund. The State Employees’ Retirement Fund is one of the systems maintained by the State with approximately 53,196 active members, 1,592 inactive (vested) members and 38,093 retired members as of June 30, 2008. Generally, employees hired before July 1, 1984 participate in the Tier I plan, which includes employee contributions. As of July 1, 2008 approximately 13% of the total work force was

 

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covered under the Tier I Plan. Other employees generally participate in the Tier II plan, which is non-contributory and provides somewhat lesser benefits. As of July 1, 2008, approximately 42% of the total workforce was covered under the Tier II plan. Employees hired after July 1, 1997 participate in the Tier IIA plan, which requires contributions from its employee members. As of July 1, 2008, approximately 45% of the total work force was covered under the Tier IIA Plan. Since fiscal year 1978-79, payments into the State Employees’ Retirement Fund and investment income in each fiscal year, with the exception of fiscal year 2003-04, have been sufficient to meet benefits paid from the fund in such year. Payments into the fund are made from employee contributions, General and Special Transportation Fund appropriations and grant reimbursements from Federal and other funds. State contributions to the fund are made monthly on the basis of transfers submitted by the Office of the State Comptroller.

Full actuarial valuations are performed as of June 30th of each even-numbered year. The most recent actuarial valuation of November 2008 indicated that, as of June 30, 2007, the State Employees’ Retirement Fund had assets with an actuarial value of $9,585 0 million and as of June 30, 2008, the State Employees’ Retirement Fund had assets with an actuarial value of $9,990.2 million. The actuarial valuation was based upon an 8.25% earnings assumption and the effect of phasing in an approximately 4.8% negative return on plan assets for the 2007-08 fiscal year. The Treasurer has realized an annualized net return of 6.06% on investment assets in the State Employees’ Retirement Fund over the past ten years (fiscal year 1998-99 through fiscal year 2007-08) and an annualized net return of 9.43% over the past five years (fiscal year 2003-04 through fiscal year 2007-08). The November 2008 actuarial valuation indicated that as of June 30, 2008 the State Employees’ Retirement Fund had a funded ratio of 51.9% on a projected basis. As of June 30, 2008 the market value of the fund’s investment assets, as reported in the actuarial valuation, was $9,329,175,038. The market value of the fund’s investment assets is continually subject to change based on a variety of factors, including changes in the financial and credit markets and general economic conditions, and the current market value of the fund’s investment assets is lower than it was at June 30, 2008. As of June 30, 2009, the market value of the fund’s investment assets was $7,320,843,712.

The November 2008 actuarial valuation determined the following employer contribution requirements, based on a projected unit credit actuarial cost method and level percent-of-payroll contributions, which contributions are sufficient to meet Governmental Accounting Standards Board (“GASB”) standards: (i) $897.4 million for fiscal year 2009-10, and (ii) $944.1 million for fiscal year 2010-11. The annual contribution requirements for fiscal years 2009-10 and 2010-11 include amounts which may be required pursuant to the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Longley v. State Employees Retirement Commission, which requires that the plaintiffs’ final pro-rated longevity payment be included in the earnings calculations for purposes of calculating their retirement incomes. The State met 99.25% of its annual contribution requirement for fiscal year 2007-08. To meet the State’s annual contribution requirements for fiscal year 2008-09, $575.8 million was appropriated from the General Fund and the Special Transportation Fund. The Office of Policy and Management projects that contributions to the fund for fiscal year 2008-09 from grant reimbursements from federal and other funds will be sufficient to meet the balance of the required annual contribution.

Teachers’ Retirement Fund. The Teachers’ Retirement Fund, administered by the Teachers’ Retirement Board, provides benefits for any teacher, principal, supervisor, superintendent or other eligible employee in the public school systems of the State, with certain exceptions. While establishing salary schedules for teachers, municipalities do not provide contributions to the maintenance of the fund. As of June 30, 2008, there were 61,421 active and former employees with accrued and accruing benefits and 28,609 retired members.

Since fiscal year 1978-79, payments into the Teachers’ Retirement Fund and investment income in each fiscal year, with the exception of fiscal years 2003-04 and 2004-05, have been sufficient to meet benefits paid from the fund in such year. Contributions to the fund are made by employees and by General Fund appropriations from the State. State contributions to the fund are made quarterly on the basis of certifications submitted by the Teachers’ Retirement Board and are funded with annual appropriations from the General Fund.

 

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Actuarial valuations are performed as of June 30th of each even-numbered year. The most recent actuarial valuation dated November 12, 2008 indicated that, as of June 30, 2008, the Teachers’ Retirement Fund had assets, inclusive of the cost-of-living adjustment reserve account, with an actuarial value of $15,271.0 million. The actuarial valuation was based upon an 8.50% earnings assumption. The Treasurer has realized an annualized net return of 6.13% on investment assets in the Teachers’ Retirement Fund over the past ten years (fiscal year 1998-99 through fiscal year 2007-08) and an annualized net return of 9.56% over the past five years (fiscal year 2003-04 through fiscal year 2007-08). The November 2008 actuarial valuation indicated that as of June 30, 2008 the Teachers’ Retirement Fund had a funded ratio of 70.1% on a projected basis. As of June 30, 2008, the market value of the fund’s investment assets, as reported in the actuarial valuation, was $14,551,467,434. The market value of the fund’s investment assets is continually subject to change based on a variety of factors, including changes in the financial and credit markets and general economic conditions and the current market value of the fund’s investment assets is lower than it was at June 30, 2008. As of June 30, 2009, the market value of the fund’s investment assets was $11,396,681,762.

The actuarial valuation dated November 29, 2006 determined the following employer contribution requirements, based on an individual entry-age actuarial cost method and level percent-of-payroll contributions, which contributions are sufficient to meet GASB standards: (i) $518.6 million for fiscal year 2007-08, and (ii) $539.3 million for fiscal year 2008-09. The State met its annual contribution requirement for fiscal year 2007-08. To meet the State’s annual contribution requirement for fiscal year 2008-09, $539.3 million has been appropriated. The actuarial valuation dated November 12, 2008 determined the following employer contribution requirements, which are sufficient to meet GASB standards: (i) $559.2 million for fiscal year 2009-10, and (ii) $581.6 million for fiscal year 2010-11.

Public Act No. 07-186 authorized the issuance of general obligation bonds (“TRF Bonds”) of the State in amounts sufficient to fund a $2.0 billion deposit to the Teachers’ Retirement Fund plus amounts required for costs of issuance and up to two years of capitalized interest. The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the State Treasurer subsequently determined that issuance of such bonds would be in the best interests of the State, and in April 2008 the State issued $2,276,578,270.75 of such bonds.

Section 8 of Public Act No. 07-186 provides that, in each fiscal year that any TRF Bonds (or any refunding bonds) are outstanding, an amount equal to the annual required contribution to the Teachers’ Retirement Fund is deemed to be appropriated from the General Fund, and such amount must be deposited in the fund in such fiscal year. The amounts of the annual required contributions for each biennial budget are based on the actuarial valuation required to be completed by the December 1 prior to the beginning of the next biennial budget. Under Section 8 the State has pledged to and agreed with the holders of any TRF Bonds that, so long as the actuarial evaluation of the Teachers’ Retirement Fund is completed and the certification of the annual contribution amounts is made as required by Section 8, no public or special act of the General Assembly shall diminish such required contribution until such bonds, together with interest thereon, are fully met and discharged unless adequate provision is made by law for the protection of the holders of the bonds. Such contributions may be reduced in any biennium, however, if (i) the Governor declares an emergency or the existence of extraordinary circumstances (which may include changes in actuarial methods or accounting standards) in which the provisions of Section 4-85 of the Connecticut General Statutes is invoked, (ii) at least three-fifths of the members of each Chamber of the General Assembly vote to diminish such required contributions during the biennium for which the emergency or extraordinary circumstances are determined, and (iii) the funded ratio of the fund is at least equal to the funded ratio immediately after the sale of the bonds in accordance with the actuarial method used at the time. If such conditions are met, the funding of the annual required actuarial contribution may be diminished, but in no event may such diminution result in a reduction of the funded ratio of the fund by more than 5% from (i) the funded ratio which would otherwise have resulted had the State funded the full required contribution or (ii) the funded ratio immediately after the sale of the bonds, whichever is greater.

The statutory provisions that govern pension benefits payable from the Teachers’ Retirement Fund include certain cost of living adjustments. Public Act No. 07-186 added a provision limiting cost-of-living adjustments

 

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for employees hired after July 1, 2007, but also removed a statutory provision that subjected certain annual cost of living adjustments in pension benefits to a limit based on funds available from earnings on fund investments which exceeded an 11.5% return. Such excess earnings were held in the cost-of-living adjustment reserve account until applied to provide for cost of living adjustments. Although there are other statutory limits on the cost of living adjustments, it is anticipated that the removal of the limit based on available earnings that exceeded an 11.5% return will cause an increase in the aggregate actuarial accrued liability of the fund. One preliminary report estimated that these changes could increase the unfunded actuarial accrued liability by approximately $1.0 billion. This preliminary estimate was based on various assumptions and no assurances can be given that subsequent projections or the next actuarial report will not result in a higher estimate.

Other Retirement Systems. The other minor retirement systems funded by the State include the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System (the Judicial Retirement System), the General Assembly Pension System, the State Attorneys’ Retirement Fund and the Public Defenders’ Retirement Fund. As of June 30, 2008, there were approximately 225 active members of these plans and approximately 254 retired members. Unclassified employees of the Connecticut State System of Higher Education and the central office staff of the Department of Higher Education are eligible to participate in the Connecticut Alternate Retirement Program. This program is a defined contribution program, and thus the State has no unfunded liability with respect to the program. All member contributions and State appropriations are held in a separate retirement fund by the Treasurer who may invest and reinvest as much of the fund’s assets as are not required for current disbursements, which are composed primarily of benefit payments. Any employee who elects or has elected to participate in the program may elect to receive a refund of all contributions made by the employee into the state employees retirement system in lieu of receiving any pension benefits under said retirement system.

The State is the administrator of the Connecticut Municipal Employees’ Retirement System and the Connecticut Probate Judges and Employees’ Retirement System. As the administrator of these systems the State owes a fiduciary obligation to these systems; however, the State has no direct financial liability to pay benefits under these systems.

Social Security and Other Post-Employment Benefits. State employees, except for police and members of a retirement system other than the State Employees’ Retirement Fund, whose employment commenced after February 21, 1958 are entitled to Social Security coverage. Certain employees hired prior to that date have also elected to be covered. Pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, state police hired on or after May 8, 1984 are entitled to Social Security coverage. As of June 30, 2008, approximately 62,828 State employees were entitled to Social Security coverage. The amount expended by the State for Social Security coverage for fiscal year 2007-08 was $298.6 million Of this amount, $221.3 million was paid from the General Fund and $14.4 million was paid from the Special Transportation Fund.

The State provides post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits to all employees who retire from State employment. The State finances the cost of such benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis; as such, the State has not established any fund for the accumulation of assets with which to pay post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits in future years. The State will need to make significant General Fund appropriations for such benefits each fiscal year. For fiscal year 2008-09 $484.2 million was appropriated.

Implementation of GASB Statement No. 45 regarding accounting and financial reporting for postemployment benefits other than pensions requires the State to obtain an analysis of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of such post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits and to recognize the annual required contribution to fund that actuarial liability in its financial statements commencing with those for fiscal year 2007-08. The State has received an actuarial report dated March 2007 with respect to the State’s liability for post-retirement health care benefits for persons covered under the State Employees Retirement System and other State retirement systems, excluding the Teachers’ Retirement System. The report indicated an OPEB actuarial accrued liability as of April 1, 2006 estimated to range from $11.4 billion to $21.7 billion. The amounts depend

 

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upon various assumptions including those with respect to medical cost inflation rates, the establishment of a trust to fund those liabilities, the amount of initial and annual amounts deposited in such a trust and discount rates. The report used discount rates ranging from 4.5% to 8.5%. The amount of the annual required contribution under these various assumptions ranged from $1.0 billion to $1.6 billion for fiscal year 2006-07, based on a projected unit credit actuarial cost method and level percent-of-payroll contributions. Additional assumptions were also tested for sensitivity analysis which produced different results. The annual required contribution included the cost for both current eligible employees and retirees. The State has received an interim actuarial valuation dated February 16, 2009 with respect to the State’s liability for post-retirement health care benefits for persons covered under the State Employees Retirement System and other State retirement systems, excluding the Teachers’ Retirement System, based upon the stated assumptions of the March 2007 actuarial report but reflecting actual increases in the State’s medical and dental costs between April 1, 2006 and June 30, 2008. The report indicates an OPEB actuarial accrued liability as of June 30, 2007 of up to $23.1 billion and a projected actuarial accrued liability as of June 30, 2008 of up to $24.6 billion on an unfunded basis with no valuation assets available to offset the liabilities of the plan. The interim actuarial valuation determined an employer contribution requirement for fiscal year 2007-08 of up to $1.66 billion on an unfunded basis, based on a projected unit credit actuarial cost method and level percent-of-payroll contributions. The State paid $458.4 million for eligible employees and $415.4 million for retirees for health care costs in fiscal year 2006-07. The State paid $480.0 million for eligible employees and $468.8 million for retirees for health care costs in fiscal year 2007-08.

The State makes a General Fund appropriation to the Teachers’ Retirement Fund to cover one-third of retiree health insurance costs plus any portion of the balance of such costs which is not funded from the amounts available in the Teachers’ Retirement Health Insurance Fund. The amount of $24.4 million has been appropriated for such purpose for fiscal year 2008-09. Fund assets do not constitute plan assets for purposes of GASB Statements Nos. 43 and 45 and for actuarial valuation purposes fund assets are not treated as valuation assets available to offset the accrued liability of the plan. It is anticipated that significant General Fund appropriations will be required for each fiscal year to meet retiree health insurance costs. Legislation which became effective July 1, 1998 generally requires the State to subsidize the health insurance costs of retired teachers who are not members of the Teachers’ Retirement Board’s health benefit plan in a manner consistent with its prior practice of subsidizing the health insurance costs of those retired teachers who were members of the Board’s health benefit plan. Legislation which became effective July 1, 2008 generally requires the State to subsidize a portion of the health insurance costs of retired teachers who have attained normal retirement age, are ineligible to participate in Medicare Part A and pay to participate in local board of education retiree health benefit plans. Since July 1, 1994, retiree health benefits have been self-insured.

Implementation of GASB Statement No. 45 requires the State to obtain an analysis of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of such retiree health insurance benefits and to recognize the annual required contribution to fund that actuarial liability in its financial statements commencing with those for fiscal year 2007-08. The Teachers’ Retirement Board has received an actuarial valuation of the State’s liability with respect to postretirement health care benefits for members of the Teachers’ Retirement Fund. The report indicates an actuarial accrued liability as of June 30, 2008 of $2,318.8 million on an unfunded basis, based upon certain stated assumptions including a 4.5% earnings assumption and a 30 year amortization period and no valuation assets available to offset the liabilities of the plan. The actuarial valuation determined a $116.7 million employer contribution requirement for fiscal year 2008-09 and $121.3 million for fiscal year 2009-10, based on an individual entry-age actuarial cost method and level percent-of-payroll contributions. The State paid $20.7 million for post-retirement health insurance costs for fiscal year 2007-08. The valuation noted that if the plan were prefunded the actuarial accrued liability as of June 30, 2008 would be reduced to $1.52 billion based on a 7.5% earnings assumption, which would result in a $67.9 million employer contribution requirement for fiscal year 2008-09.

 

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APPENDIX E — LEGACY COLUMBIA FUNDS

Legacy Columbia funds are funds that were branded Columbia or Columbia Acorn prior to Sept. 27, 2010.

 

Columbia SM Acorn ® Fund

Columbia SM Acorn International ®

Columbia SM Acorn International Select ®

Columbia SM Acorn Select ®

Columbia SM Acorn USA ®

Columbia Asset Allocation Fund

Columbia Asset Allocation Fund II

Columbia Balanced Fund

Columbia Blended Equity Fund

Columbia Bond Fund

Columbia California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia California Tax-Exempt Fund

Columbia Connecticut Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

Columbia Conservative High Yield Fund

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

Columbia Convertible Securities Fund

Columbia Core Bond Fund

Columbia Corporate Income Fund (formerly known as Columbia Income Fund)

Columbia Disciplined Value Fund

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

Columbia Energy and Natural Resources Fund

Columbia Federal Securities Fund

Columbia Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Global Value Fund

Columbia Greater China Fund

Columbia High Income Fund

Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund

Columbia High Yield Opportunity Fund

Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund

Columbia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia International Bond Fund

Columbia International Growth Fund

Columbia International Stock Fund

Columbia International Value Fund

Columbia Large Cap Core Fund

Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Columbia Large Cap Index Fund

Columbia Large Cap Value Fund

Columbia Liberty Fund

Columbia LifeGoal ® Balanced Growth Portfolio

Columbia LifeGoal ® Growth Portfolio

Columbia LifeGoal ® Income and Growth Portfolio

Columbia LifeGoal ® Income Portfolio

 

Columbia Marsico 21st Century Fund

Columbia Marsico Focused Equities Fund

Columbia Marsico Global Fund

Columbia Marsico Growth Fund

Columbia Marsico International Opportunities Fund

Columbia Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Massachusetts Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund

Columbia Masters International Equity Portfolio

Columbia Mid Cap Core Fund

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund

Columbia Mid Cap Value Fund

Columbia Multi-Advisor International Equity Fund

Columbia New Jersey Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia New York Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia New York Tax-Exempt Fund

Columbia North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Oregon Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Overseas Value Fund

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund

Columbia Rhode Island Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

Columbia Select Opportunities Fund

Columbia Select Small Cap Fund

Columbia Short Term Bond Fund

Columbia Short Term Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Short-Intermediate Bond Fund

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I

Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund II

Columbia Small Cap Index Fund

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund II

Columbia South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Strategic Income Fund

Columbia Strategic Investor Fund

Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund

Columbia Technology Fund

Columbia SM Thermostat Fund ®

Columbia Total Return Bond Fund

Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund

Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund

Columbia Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia World Equity Fund

 

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APPENDIX F — LEGACY RIVERSOURCE FUNDS

Legacy RiverSource funds include RiverSource, Seligman and Threadneedle funds, funds renamed effective Sept. 27, 2010 to bear the Columbia brand, and certain other funds. Prior fund names are noted in parenthesis.

Columbia 120/20 Contrarian Equity Fund (formerly known as RiverSource 120/20 Contrarian Equity Fund)

Columbia Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund)

Columbia AMT-Free Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Tax-Exempt Bond Fund)

Columbia Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund (formerly known as Threadneedle Asia Pacific Fund)

Columbia Diversified Bond Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Diversified Bond Fund)

Columbia Diversified Equity Income Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Diversified Equity Income Fund)

Columbia Dividend Opportunity Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Dividend Opportunity Fund)

Columbia Emerging Markets Bond Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Emerging Markets Bond Fund)

Columbia Emerging Markets Opportunity Fund (formerly known as Threadneedle Emerging Markets Fund)

Columbia Equity Value Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Equity Value Fund)

Columbia European Equity Fund (formerly known as Threadneedle European Equity Fund)

Columbia Floating Rate Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Floating Rate Fund)

Columbia Frontier Fund, Inc. (formerly known as Seligman Frontier Fund, Inc.)

Columbia Global Bond Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Global Bond Fund)

Columbia Global Equity Fund (formerly known as Threadneedle Global Equity Fund)

Columbia Global Extended Alpha Fund (RiverSource Global Extended Alpha Fund)

Columbia Government Money Market Fund, Inc. (formerly known as RiverSource Government Money Market Fund, Inc.)

Columbia High Yield Bond Fund (formerly known as RiverSource High Yield Bond Fund)

Columbia Income Builder Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Income Builder Basic Income Fund)

Columbia Income Builder Fund II (formerly known as RiverSource Income Builder Moderate Income Fund)

Columbia Income Builder Fund III (formerly known as RiverSource Income Builder Enhanced Income Fund)

Columbia Income Opportunities Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Income Opportunities Fund)

Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Inflation Protected Securities Fund)

Columbia Large Core Quantitative Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Disciplined Equity Fund)

Columbia Large Growth Quantitative Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Disciplined Large Cap Growth Fund)

Columbia Large Value Quantitative Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Disciplined Large Cap Value Fund)

Columbia Limited Duration Credit Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Limited Duration Bond Fund)

Columbia Marsico Flexible Capital Fund

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Opportunity Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Mid Cap Growth Fund)

Columbia Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Mid Cap Value Fund)

Columbia Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund)

Columbia Money Market Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Cash Management Fund)

Columbia Multi-Advisor International Value Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Partners International Select Value Fund)

Columbia Multi-Advisor Small Cap Value Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Partners Small Cap Value Fund)

Columbia Portfolio Builder Aggressive Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Portfolio Builder Aggressive Fund)

Columbia Portfolio Builder Conservative Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Portfolio Builder Conservative Fund)

Columbia Portfolio Builder Moderate Aggressive Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Portfolio Builder Moderate Aggressive Fund)

Columbia Portfolio Builder Moderate Conservative Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Portfolio Builder Moderate Conservative Fund)

 

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Columbia Portfolio Builder Moderate Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Portfolio Builder Moderate Fund)

Columbia Portfolio Builder Total Equity Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Portfolio Builder Total Equity Fund)

Columbia Recovery and Infrastructure Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Recovery and Infrastructure Fund)

Columbia Retirement Plus 2010 Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Retirement Plus 2010 Fund)

Columbia Retirement Plus 2015 Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Retirement Plus 2015 Fund)

Columbia Retirement Plus 2020 Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Retirement Plus 2020 Fund)

Columbia Retirement Plus 2025 Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Retirement Plus 2025 Fund)

Columbia Retirement Plus 2030 Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Retirement Plus 2030 Fund)

Columbia Retirement Plus 2035 Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Retirement Plus 2035 Fund)

Columbia Retirement Plus 2040 Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Retirement Plus 2040 Fund)

Columbia Retirement Plus 2045 Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Retirement Plus 2045 Fund)

Columbia Select Large-Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Seligman Large-Cap Value Fund)

Columbia Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Seligman Smaller-Cap Value Fund)

Columbia Seligman Communications and Information Fund, Inc. (formerly known as Seligman Communications and Information Fund, Inc.)

Columbia Seligman Global Technology Fund (formerly known as Seligman Global Technology Fund)

Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Short-Term Cash Fund)

Columbia Strategic Allocation Fund (formerly known as RiverSource Strategic Allocation Fund)

Columbia U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (formerly known as RiverSource U.S. Government Mortgage Fund)

RiverSource Balanced Fund

RiverSource California Tax-Exempt Fund

RiverSource Disciplined International Equity Fund

RiverSource Disciplined Small and Mid Cap Equity Fund

RiverSource Disciplined Small Cap Value Fund

RiverSource Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund

RiverSource LaSalle Global Real Estate Fund

RiverSource LaSalle Monthly Dividend Real Estate Fund

RiverSource New York Tax-Exempt Fund

RiverSource Partners Fundamental Value Fund

RiverSource Partners International Select Growth Fund

RiverSource Partners International Small Cap Fund

RiverSource Precious Metals and Mining Fund

RiverSource Real Estate Fund

RiverSource S&P 500 Index Fund

RiverSource Short Duration U.S. Government Fund

RiverSource Small Company Index Fund

RiverSource Strategic Income Allocation Fund

RiverSource Tax-Exempt High Income Fund

Seligman California Municipal High Yield Series

Seligman California Municipal Quality Series

Seligman Capital Fund, Inc.

Seligman Growth Fund, Inc.

Seligman Minnesota Municipal Class

Seligman National Municipal Class

Seligman New York Municipal Class

Seligman TargETFund 2015

Seligman TargETFund 2025

Seligman TargETFund 2035

Seligman TargETFund 2045

Seligman TargETFund Core

Threadneedle Global Equity Income Fund

Threadneedle International Opportunity Fund

 

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PART C OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28. Exhibits

 

(a)(1)

   Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 10, 2005. (1)

(a)(2)

   Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 10, 2005. (1)

(b)

   Amended and Restated By-laws of Registrant. (2)

(c)

   Not applicable.

(d)(1)

   Investment Management Services Agreement by and between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Registrant, dated as of May 1, 2010. (17)

(d)(2)

   Investment Management Services Agreement by and between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Registrant, dated as of May 1, 2010 (CMG Ultra Short-Term Bond Fund). (17)

(e)

   Distribution Agreement by and between Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. dated as of September 7, 2010. (18)

(f)

   Not Applicable.

(g)

   Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated September 19, 2005. (3)

(h)(1)

   Administrative Services Agreement by and between Registrant, the other parties listed on Schedule A and Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC dated as of May 1, 2010 with Schedule A dated May 1, 2010. (17)

(h)(2)(i)

   Financial Reporting Services Agreement between Registrant, the other parties listed on Schedule A, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated December 15, 2006 with Schedule A dated May 5, 2008. (8)

(h)(2)(ii)

   Amendment to Financial Reporting Services Agreement between Registrant, the other parties listed on Schedule A, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated as of June 29, 2007 with Schedule A dated as of June 29, 2007. (12)

(h)(2)(iii)

   Amendment to Financial Reporting Services Agreement by and among Registrant, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, State Street Bank and Trust Company, and Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC dated as of April 30, 2010, with Schedule A dated as of May 1, 2010. (17)

(h)(3)(i)

   Accounting Services Agreement between Registrant, the other parties listed on Schedule A, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated as of December 15, 2006 with Schedule A dated May 5, 2008. (8)

(h)(3)(ii)

   Amendment to Accounting Services Agreement between Registrant, the other parties listed on Schedule A, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated as of June 29, 2007 with Schedule A dated as of June 29, 2007. (12)


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(h)(3)(iii)

   Amendment to Accounting Services Agreement by and among Registrant, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, State Street Bank and Trust Company, and Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC dated as of April 30, 2010, with Schedule A dated as of May 1, 2010. (17)

(h)(4)

   Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent Agreement by and between Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. dated as of September 7, 2010 with Schedule A dated as of September 7, 2010. (18)

(h)(5)

   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 19, 2006 by and among Registrant and certain other trusts party thereto, on behalf of certain of their series listed on Schedule A thereto, Columbia Fund Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I and Banc of America Funds Trust, on behalf of certain of their series listed on Schedule B thereto, Lloyds TSB Bank plc, Société Générale, New York Branch, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A., State Street Bank and Trust Company, individually, State Street Bank and Trust Company, as administrative agent for each of the banks party thereto, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as operations agent for each of the banks party thereto. (4)

(h)(6)

   Amendment Agreement No. 1 and Instrument of Adherence dated as of October 18, 2007 by and among Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, LLC, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I, Banc of America Funds Trust, Excelsior Funds, Inc., Excelsior Funds Trust and Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc., Registrant, Columbia Funds Institutional Trust and Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, the banks party thereto, State Street Bank and Trust Company, as operations agent for itself and the banks party thereto, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as administrative agent for itself and the banks party thereto. (4)

(h)(7)

   Letter agreement dated as of September 19, 2005, by and among Nations Funds Trust, Nations Master Investment Trust and Nations Separate Account Trust, each on behalf of certain of its series, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, individually, as acknowledged by State Street Bank and Trust Company, as custodian. (4)

(h)(8)

   Letter agreement dated as of February 15, 2006, by and among Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust and Nations Separate Account Trust, each on behalf of certain of its series, and State Street Bank and Trust Company. (4)

(h)(9)

   Letter agreement dated as of June 7, 2006, by and among Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I and Bank of America Funds Trust, each on behalf of certain of its series, and State Street Bank and Trust Company. (4)

(h)(10)

   Letter agreement dated as of September 15, 2006, by and among Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I and Bank of America Funds Trust, each on behalf of certain of its series, and State Street Bank and Trust Company. (4)

(h)(11)

   Letter agreement dated as of October 19, 2006, by and among Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I, Bank of America Funds Trust, Registrant, Columbia Funds Institutional Trust and Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, each on behalf of certain of its series, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, individually, as acknowledged by State Street Bank and Trust Company, as custodian. (4)


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(h)(12)

   Letter agreement dated as of September 17, 2007, by and among Registrant, Columbia Funds Institutional Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, Columbia Fund Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, LLC, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I, Banc of America Funds Trust, Excelsior Funds, Inc., Excelsior Funds Trust and Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc., each on behalf of certain of its series, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, individually, as acknowledged by State Street Bank and Trust Company, as custodian. (4)

(h)(13)

   Letter agreement dated as of October 18, 2007, by and among Registrant, Columbia Funds Institutional Trust and Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, each on behalf of certain of its series, as set forth on Appendix I to the Sixth Amendment Agreement, Columbia Fund Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, LLC, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I, Banc of America Funds Trust, Excelsior Funds, Inc., Excelsior Funds Trust and Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc., each on behalf of certain of its series, as set forth on Appendix I thereto, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, individually, as acknowledged by State Street Bank and Trust Company, as custodian. (4)

(h)(14)

   Letter agreement dated as of February 28, 2008, by and among the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, LLC, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I, Columbia Funds Institutional Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, Banc of America Funds Trust, Excelsior Funds, Inc., Excelsior Funds Trust, and Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc., each on behalf of certain of its series, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, individually, as acknowledged by State Street Bank and Trust Company, as custodian. (7)

(h)(15)

   Amendment Agreement No. 2 dated as of February 28, 2008 by and among the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, LLC, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I, Columbia Funds Institutional Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, Banc of America Funds Trust, Excelsior Funds, Inc., Excelsior Funds Trust, and Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc., the banks party thereto, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as operations agent for itself and the banks party thereto, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as administrative agent for itself and the banks party thereto. (7)

(h)(16)

   Letter agreement dated as of August 29, 2008, by and among the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, LLC, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I, Columbia Funds Institutional Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, Banc of America Funds Trust, Excelsior Funds, Inc., Excelsior Funds Trust, and Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc., each on behalf of certain of its series, and State Street Bank Trust Company, individually, as acknowledged by State Street Bank and Trust Company, as custodian. (9)

(h)(17)

   Form of Indemnification Agreement. (2)

(h)(18)

   Amendment Agreement No. 3, dated March 31, 2008, to the Limited Waiver and Limited Consent, by and among the Registrant, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, Columbia Funds Institutional Trust, Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, LLC, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I and Banc of America Funds Trust, on behalf of each of their respective series listed on Schedule 2 and State Street Bank and Trust Company, individually, as operations agent and as administrative agent. (11)

(h)(19)

   Amendment Agreement No. 4, dated October 16, 2008, to the Limited Waiver and Limited Consent, by and among the Registrant, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, Columbia Funds Institutional Trust, Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, LLC, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I and Banc of America Funds Trust, on behalf of each of their respective series listed on Schedule 2 and State Street Bank and Trust Company, individually, as operations agent and as administrative agent. (10)


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(h)(20)

   Amendment Agreement No. 5 and Limited Consent, dated as of June 1, 2009, by and among the Registrant, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, Columbia Funds Institutional Trust, Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, LLC, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I, Banc of America Funds Trust, each on behalf of each of its respective series listed on Schedule 2 thereto and State Street Bank and Trust Company, individually, as operations agent and as administrative agent. (13)

(h)(21)

   Amendment Agreement No. 6, dated as of October 15, 2009, by and among the Registrant, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, Columbia Funds Institutional Trust, Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, LLC, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I, Columbia Funds Series Trust II, each on behalfrf each of its respective series listed on Schedule 2 thereto and State Street Bank and Trust Company, individually, as operations agent and as administrative agent. (14)

(h)(22)

   Plan Administration Services Agreement, dated as of September 7, 2010, by and among the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (18)

(h)(23)

   Amendment Agreement No. 7, dated as of October 14, 2010, by and among the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, LLC, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, Columbia Funds Series Trust II, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I, each on behalf of its respective series listed on Schedule 2 attached thereto and State Street Bank and Trust Company, individually, as operations agent and as administrative agent. (19)

(i)(1)

   Opinion of Counsel of Ropes & Gray LLP. (1)

(i)(2)

   Opinion of Counsel of Ropes & Gray LLP. (6)

(i)(3)

   Opinion of Counsel of Ropes & Gray LLP. (11)

(i)(4)

   Opinion of Counsel of Ropes & Gray LLP. (15)

(j)(1)

   Consent of Morningstar, Inc. (5)

(j)(2)

   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is filed herewith.

(k)

   Not Applicable.

(l)

   Not Applicable.

(m)(1)

   Amended and Restated Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1. (18)

(m)(2)

   Amended and Restated Shareholder Servicing Plan for certain Fund share classes of the Registrant. (18)

(m)(3)

   Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Plan for Registrant’s Class T shares, filed herewith.

(m)(4)

   Shareholder Servicing Plan Implementation Agreement for certain Fund share classes of the Registrant between the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Series Trust II and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., filed herewith.

(m)(5)

   Shareholder Servicing Plan Implementation Agreement for Registrant’s Class T shares between the Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., filed herewith.

(n)

   Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan. (18)

(p)(1)

   Columbia Funds Family Code of Ethics as revised September, 2009. (16)

(p)(2)

   Code of Ethics of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. dated May 1, 2010. (17)

(q)(1)

   Power of Attorney for John D. Collins, Rodman L. Drake, Douglas A. Hacker, Janet Langford Kelly, William E. Mayer, Charles R. Nelson, John J. Neuhauser, Jonathan Piel, Patrick J. Simpson and Anne-Lee Verville, dated May 1, 2010. (17)

(q)(2)

   Power of Attorney for Joseph F. DiMaria, dated May 1, 2010. (17)


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(q)(3)   Power of Attorney for Michael G. Clarke, dated May 1, 2010. (17)
(q)(4)   Power of Attorney for J. Kevin Connaughton, dated May 1, 2010. (17)
(q)(5)   Power of Attorney for Michael A. Jones, dated October 28, 2010 is filed herewith.

 

1. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about September 16, 2005.
2. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about March 24, 2006.
3. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about March 29, 2007.
4. Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-14 (File No. 333-148106), filed on or about December 17, 2007.
5. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about August 30, 1996.
6. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about January 16, 2008.
7. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about March 28, 2008.
8. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about July 29, 2008.
9. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about September 25, 2008.
10. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about October 27, 2008.
11. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about November 25, 2008.
12. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about July 29, 2009.
13. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about August 28, 2009.
14. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about October 28, 2009.
15. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about November 20, 2009.
16. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about December 29, 2009.
17. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about May 28, 2010.
18. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about September 27, 2010.
19. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed on or about October 28, 2010.

 

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant

None

 

Item 30. Indemnification

Article Five of the Bylaws of Registrant (“Article Five”) provides that Registrant shall indemnify each of its trustees and officers (including persons who serve at Registrant’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which Registrant has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) who are not employees or officers of any investment adviser to Registrant or any affiliated person thereof, and its chief compliance officer, regardless of whether such person is an employee or officer of any investment adviser to Registrant or any affiliated person thereof, and may indemnify each of its trustees and officers (including persons who serve at Registrant’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which Registrant has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) who are employees or officers of any investment adviser to Registrant or any affiliated person thereof (“Covered Persons”) under specified circumstances.


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Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”) provides that neither the Agreement and Declaration of Trust nor the Bylaws of Registrant, nor any other instrument pursuant to which Registrant is organized or administered, shall contain any provision which protects or purports to protect any trustee or officer of Registrant against any liability to Registrant or its shareholders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office. In accordance with Section 17(h) of the 1940 Act, Article Five shall not protect any person against any liability to Registrant or its shareholders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office. To the extent required under the 1940 Act, (i) Article Five does not protect any person against any liability to Registrant or to its shareholders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office; (ii) in the absence of a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before whom a proceeding was brought that a Covered Person was not liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office, no indemnification is permitted under Article Five unless a determination that such person was not so liable is made on behalf of Registrant by (a) the vote of a majority of the trustees who are neither “interested persons” of Registrant, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, nor parties to the proceeding (“disinterested, non-party trustees”), or (b) an independent legal counsel as expressed in a written opinion; and (iii) Registrant will not advance attorneys’ fees or other expenses incurred by a Covered Person in connection with a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding unless Registrant receives an undertaking by or on behalf of the Covered Person to repay the advance (unless it is ultimately determined that he is entitled to indemnification) and (a) the Covered Person provides security for his undertaking, or (b) Registrant is insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (c) a majority of the disinterested, non-party trustees of Registrant or an independent legal counsel as expressed in a written opinion, determine, based on a review of readily-available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

Any approval of indemnification pursuant to Article Five does not prevent the recovery from any Covered Person of any amount paid to such Covered Person in accordance with Article Five as indemnification if such Covered Person is subsequently adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person’s action was in, or not opposed to, the best interests of Registrant or to have been liable to Registrant or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office.

Article Five also provides that its indemnification provisions are not exclusive. Registrant has also entered into Indemnification Agreements with each of its trustees and its chief compliance officer, a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to this registration statement, establishing certain procedures with respect to the indemnification described above.

Registrant’s investment adviser, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, maintains investment advisory professional liability insurance to insure it, for the benefit of Registrant and its non-interested trustees, against loss arising out of any effort, omission, or breach of any duty owed to Registrant or any series of Registrant by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.

 

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Adviser), the Registrant’s investment adviser, except as set forth below, are or have been, at any time during the Registrant’s past two fiscal years, engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.

 

  (a)

The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. performs investment advisory services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of the Adviser and certain of its officers is set forth in the Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information of the


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Registrant’s portfolios and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of the Adviser and the directors and principal executive officers of the Adviser is also included in the Form ADV filed by the Adviser (formerly, RiverSource Investments, LLC) with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-25943), which is incorporated herein by reference. In addition to their position with the Adviser, certain directors and officers of the Adviser also hold various positions with, and engage in business for, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. or its other subsidiaries. Prior to May 1, 2010, when Ameriprise Financial, Inc. acquired the long-term asset management business of Columbia Management Group, LLC from Bank of America, N.A., certain current directors and officers of the Adviser held various positions with, and engaged in business for, Columbia Management Group, LLC or other direct or indirect subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.

 

Item 32. Principal Underwriter

 

  (a) Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. acts as principal underwriter for the following investment companies, including the Registrant:

Columbia Acorn Trust; Columbia Funds Series Trust; Columbia Funds Series Trust I; Columbia Funds Series Trust II; Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust; Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I; RiverSource Bond Series, Inc.; RiverSource California Tax-Exempt Trust; RiverSource Dimensions Series, Inc.; RiverSource Diversified Income Series, Inc.; RiverSource Equity Series, Inc.; RiverSource Global Series, Inc.; RiverSource Government Income Series, Inc.; RiverSource Government Money Market Fund, Inc.; RiverSource High Yield Income Series, Inc.; RiverSource Income Series, Inc.; RiverSource International Managers Series, Inc.; RiverSource International Series, Inc.; RiverSource Investment Series, Inc.; RiverSource Large Cap Series, Inc.; RiverSource Managers Series, Inc.; RiverSource Market Advantage Series, Inc.; RiverSource Money Market Series, Inc.; RiverSource Sector Series, Inc.; RiverSource Selected Series, Inc.; RiverSource Series Trust; RiverSource Short Term Investments Series, Inc.; RiverSource Special Tax-Exempt Series Trust; RiverSource Strategic Allocation Series, Inc., RiverSource Strategy Series, Inc.; RiverSource Tax-Exempt Income Series, Inc.; RiverSource Tax-Exempt Series, Inc.; RiverSource Variable Series Trust; Seligman Asset Allocation Series, Inc.; Seligman Capital Fund, Inc.; Seligman Communications and Information Fund, Inc.; Seligman Frontier Fund, Inc.; Seligman Growth Fund, Inc.; Seligman Global Fund Series, Inc.; Seligman LaSalle Real Estate Fund Series, Inc.; Seligman Municipal Fund Series, Inc.; Seligman Municipal Series Trust; Seligman Portfolios, Inc.; Seligman TargetHorizon ETF Portfolios, Inc.; Seligman Value Fund Series, Inc., and Wanger Advisors Trust. Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. acts as placement agent for Columbia Funds Master Investment Trust, LLC.

 

  (b) As to each director, principal officer or partner of Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.

 

Name and Principal

Business Address*

  

Position and Offices

with Principal

Underwriter

  

Positions and

Offices with

Registrant

William F. “Ted” Truscott    Director (Chairman)    Senior Vice President


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Michael A. Jones    Director; President    Senior Vice President
Beth Ann Brown    Director; Senior Vice President    None
Amy Unckless    Director; Chief Administrative Officer    None
Jeffrey F. Peters    Senior Vice President    None
Jeffrey P. Fox    Chief Financial Officer    None
Scott Roane Plummer    Vice President, Chief Counsel and Assistant Secretary    Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Stephen O. Buff    Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer    None
Christopher Thompson    Senior Vice President and Head of Investment Products and Marketing    None
Brian Walsh    Vice President, Strategic Relations    None
Frank Kimball    Vice President, Asset Management Distribution Operations and Governance    None
Thomas R. Moore    Secretary    None
Michael E. DeFao    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    None
Paul Goucher    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    Assistant Secretary
Tara Tilbury    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    None
Nancy W. LeDonne    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    None
Ryan C. Larrenega    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    Assistant Secretary
Joseph L. D’Alessandro    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    None


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Christopher O. Petersen    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    Assistant Secretary
Eric T. Brandt    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    None
James L. Hamalainen    Treasurer    None
Neysa Alecu    Anti-Money Laundering Officer and Identity Theft Prevention Officer    None
Kevin Wasp    Ombudsman    None
Lee Faria    Conflicts Officer    None

 

* c/o Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

 

  (c) Not applicable.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

Person maintaining physical possession of accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder include:

 

   

Registrant, One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111;

 

   

Registrant’s investment adviser and administrator, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, 100 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110;

 

   

Registrant’s subadviser, Nordea Investment Management North America, Inc., 437 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022;

 

   

Registrant’s principal underwriter, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111;

 

   

Registrant’s transfer agent, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111; and

 

   

Registrant’s custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111.

In addition, Iron Mountain Records Management is an off-site storage facility housing historical records that are no longer required to be maintained on-site. Records stored at this facility include various trading and accounting records, as well as other miscellaneous records. The address for Iron Mountain Records Management is 920 & 950 Apollo Road, Eagan, MN 55121.

 

Item 34. Management Services

Not Applicable

 

Item 35. Undertakings

Not Applicable


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust I, certifies that it meets all the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Boston, and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 24 th day of November, 2010.

 

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST I
By:  

/s/ J. Kevin Connaughton

Name:   J. Kevin Connaughton
Title:   President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:

 

SIGNATURES

     

TITLE

     

DATE

/s/ J. Kevin Connaughton

    President     November 24, 2010      
J. Kevin Connaughton     (Principal Executive Officer)    

/s/ Michael G. Clarke

    Chief Financial Officer     November 24, 2010
Michael G. Clarke     (Principal Financial Officer)    

/s/ Joseph F. DiMaria

    Chief Accounting Officer     November 24, 2010
Joseph F. DiMaria     (Principal Accounting Officer)    

JOHN D. COLLINS*

    Trustee     November 24, 2010
John D. Collins        

RODMAN L. DRAKE*

    Trustee     November 24, 2010
Rodman L. Drake        

DOUGLAS A. HACKER*

    Trustee     November 24, 2010
Douglas A. Hacker        

MICHAEL A. JONES*

    Trustee     November 24, 2010
Michael A. Jones        

JANET LANGFORD KELLY*

    Trustee     November 24, 2010
Janet Langford Kelly        


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WILLIAM E. MAYER *

    Trustee     November 24, 2010      
William E. Mayer        

CHARLES R. NELSON*

    Trustee     November 24, 2010
Charles R. Nelson        

JOHN J. NEUHAUSER*

    Trustee     November 24, 2010
John J. Neuhauser        

JONATHAN PIEL*

    Trustee     November 24, 2010
Jonathan Piel        

PATRICK J. SIMPSON*

    Trustee     November 24, 2010
Patrick J. Simpson        

ANNE-LEE VERVILLE*

    Trustee     November 24, 2010
Anne-Lee Verville        

 

*By:  

/s/ Ryan C. Larrenaga

  Ryan C. Larrenaga**
 

Attorney-in-Fact

November 24, 2010

 

 

** Executed by Ryan C. Larrenaga on behalf of each of the Trustees pursuant to a Power of Attorney dated May 1, 2010 and incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A, filed with the Commission on May 28, 2010 and on behalf of Michael A. Jones pursuant to a Power of Attorney dated October 28, 2010 which is filed herewith.


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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

(j)(2)   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
(m)(3)   Amended and Restated Shareholder Servicing Plan for Registrant’s Class T shares
(m)(4)   Shareholder Servicing Plan Implementation Agreement for Certain Fund share classes of the Registrant between the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Series Trust II and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
(m)(5)   Shareholder Servicing Plan Implementation Agreement for Registrant’s Class T shares between the Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
(q)(5)   Power of Attorney for Michael A. Jones, dated October 28, 2010

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated September 20, 2010, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights which appear in the July 31, 2010 Annual Report to Shareholders of CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund, which are also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

November 24, 2010

AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN

Section 1.

(a) Upon the recommendation of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC(the “Administrator”), the administrator of Columbia Funds Series Trust I (the “Trust”), any officer of the Trust is authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Trust’s series listed on the attached Schedule I (each, a “Fund”), written agreements in any form approved by the Board of Trustees (“Class T Servicing Agreements”) with securities dealers, financial institutions and other industry professionals (“Service Organizations”) that are shareholders or dealers of record or which have a servicing relationship with the beneficial owners of Class T shares of each Fund listed on such schedule. Pursuant to said Agreements, Service Organizations shall provide administrative support and shareholder liaison services as set forth therein to their customers who beneficially own Class T shares (as described in the applicable fund prospectus) of the Funds in consideration of fees, computed and paid in the manner set forth in the Class T Servicing Agreements, at the annual rate of up to 50% in the aggregate of the net asset value of the Class T shares beneficially owned by such customers. All expenses incurred by a Fund with respect to Class T shares of a particular Fund in connection with Servicing Agreements and the implementation of this Plan shall be borne entirely by the holders of the applicable series of shares of the Fund. Each Class T Servicing Agreement will provide for payment of the fee payable hereunder only to the extent provided in the then current Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information of the Fund.

(b) Any bank, trust company, thrift institution or broker-dealer is eligible to become a Service Organization and to receive fees under this Plan, including Bank of America Corporation and its affiliates. In addition to Board-approved forms, any Class T Servicing Agreement may be on such additional forms of agreement as the applicable Trust’s officer deems appropriate, provided that such officer determines that the Trust’s responsibility or liability to any person under, or on account of any acts or statements of any servicing agent under, any such agreement does not exceed its responsibility or liability under the form(s) approved by the Board of Trustees, and provided further that such officer determines that the overall terms of any such sales support agreement are not materially less advantageous to the Trust than the overall terms of the form(s) approved by the Board of Trustees.

Section 2. The Administrator shall monitor the arrangements pertaining to each Fund’s Class T Servicing Agreements with Service Organizations in accordance with the terms of the Administration Agreement between the Administrator and the Trust. The Administrator shall not, however, be obliged by this Plan to recommend, and the Trust shall not be obliged to execute, any Class T Servicing Agreement with any qualifying Service Organization.

Section 3. So long as this Plan is in effect, the Administrator or the Trust’s officers, as applicable, shall provide to the Trust’s Board of Trustees, and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.

Section 4. Unless sooner terminated, this Plan shall continue in effect with respect to any class of shares of a Fund for one year after its adoption and then shall continue automatically for


successive annual periods provided such continuance is approved at least annually by a majority of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any Agreement related to this Plan (the “Disinterested Trustees”).

Section 5. This Plan may be amended at any time with respect to any Fund by the Board of Trustees, provided that any material amendments of the terms of this Plan shall become effective only upon the approvals set forth in Section 4.

Section 6. This Plan is terminable at any time with respect to any Fund by vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees.

Section 7. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion of the Trust’s Disinterested Trustees.

Section 8. This restatement of the Plan has been adopted by the Trust as of November 8, 2010.


SCHEDULE I

As of November 8, 2010

EQUITY FUNDS

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Columbia Disciplined Value Fund

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Columbia Asset Allocation Fund

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

BOND FUNDS

Columbia Bond Fund

Columbia Core Bond Fund

Columbia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Connecticut Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

Columbia Massachusetts Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia New Jersey Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia New York Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Rhode Island Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

FEE RATE

With respect to Equity Funds above, the fee with respect to Class T Shares shall be an annual rate up to 0.25% for shareholder liaison services and up to 0.25% for administrative support services.

With respect to Bond Funds above, the fee with respect to Class T Shares shall be an annual rate up to 0.20% for shareholder liaison services and up to 0.20% for administrative support services.

For purposes of this Plan, “administrative support services” shall be:

 

  1. Aggregating and processing purchase and redemption orders

 

  2. Providing beneficial owners with statements showing their positions in the Funds

 

  3. Processing dividend payments

 

  4. Providing sub-accounting services for Fund shares held beneficially


 

  5. Forwarding shareholder communications, such as proxies, shareholder reports, dividend and tax notices, and updating prospectuses to beneficial owners

 

  6. Receiving, tabulating and transmitting proxies executed by the beneficial owners.

 

  7. Sub- transfer agent services for beneficial owners of the fund shares

 

  8. Other similar services

 

-2-

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST I

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST II

One Financial Center

Boston, MA 02111

As of September 7, 2010

Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.

One Financial Center

Boston, MA 02111

Attn: President

 

  Re: Restated Schedule I to Shareholder Servicing Plan Implementation Agreement

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to that certain Shareholder Servicing Plan Implementation Agreement by and among Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Series Trust I, Columbia Funds Series Trust II and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. effective on May 1, 2010 (the “ Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement.

In accordance with Section 8 of the Agreement, Columbia Funds Series Trust, Columbia Funds Series Trust I and Columbia Funds Series Trust II hereby notify you that Schedule I to the Agreement is hereby replaced by Schedule I hereto effective as of the date set forth above.

 

Very truly yours,
COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST
COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST I

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST II

each on behalf of its respective Funds

By:  

/s/ J. Kevin Connaughton

  Name: J. Kevin Connaughton
  Title: President

Accepted and Agreed to:

COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

 

By:  

/s/ Beth Ann Brown

  Name: Beth Ann Brown
  Title: Senior Vice President


SCHEDULE I

COMPENSATION

Classes A, 1 B, C, E and F Shares of a Fund, except as otherwise specifically identified below:

The Servicing Fee shall be, with respect to each applicable Fund, an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such Fund Share classes, other than Shares with respect to which the Fund is paying a shareholder servicing fee directly to a third party. The Servicing Fee shall be accrued daily and paid monthly in arrears.

For Class A Shares of Columbia Asset Allocation Fund, Columbia Balanced Fund, Columbia Conservative High Yield Fund, Columbia Contrarian Core Fund, Columbia Disciplined Value Fund, Columbia Dividend Income Fund, Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund. Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Oregon Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund, Columbia Small Cap Core Fund, Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I and Columbia Technology Fund, each a series of Columbia Funds Series Trust I, the Board of Trustees of Columbia Funds Series Trust I limits total payments for distribution and service fees for each applicable Fund to 0.25% of such Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares, and therefore any amounts payable by Class A Shares of such Fund pursuant to Columbia Funds Series Trust I’s Distribution Plan shall directly reduce the maximum allowable rate of the Servicing Fee. For example, payment of a 0.10% distribution fee would reduce the maximum allowable rate of the Servicing Fee to 0.15%.

Classes A, B and C of Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund, Columbia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund and Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund:

The Servicing Fee shall be, with respect to each applicable Fund, an annual rate not to exceed 0.20% of the average daily net assets of such Fund Share classes, other than Shares with respect to which the Fund is paying a shareholder servicing fee directly to a third party. The Servicing Fee shall be accrued daily and paid monthly in arrears.

Classes A and B of Columbia Liberty Fund:

The Servicing Fee shall be an annual rate not to exceed 0.15% of the average daily net assets attributable to Shares issued prior to April 1, 1989, and an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Shares issued thereafter, other than Shares with respect to which the Fund is paying a shareholder servicing fee directly to a third party. The Servicing Fee shall be accrued daily and paid monthly in arrears.

Classes A and B of Columbia California Tax-Exempt Fund, Columbia Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund, Columbia Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund and Columbia New York Tax-Exempt Fund:

The Servicing Fee shall be an annual rate not to exceed 0.10% of the average daily net assets attributable to Shares issued prior to December 1, 1994, and an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Shares issued thereafter, other than Shares with respect to which the Fund is paying a shareholder servicing fee directly to a third party. The Servicing Fee shall be accrued daily and paid monthly in arrears.

Classes A and B of Columbia Strategic Income Fund:

The Servicing Fee shall be an annual rate not to exceed 0.15% of the average daily net assets attributable to Shares issued prior to January 1, 1993, and an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Shares issued thereafter, other than Shares with respect to which the Fund is paying a shareholder servicing fee directly to a third party. The Servicing Fee shall be accrued daily and paid monthly in arrears.

Class W Shares

The Servicing Fee shall be, with respect to each applicable Fund, an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class W Shares, provided , that the Fund’s combined Servicing Fee and distribution fee shall not exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to all Class W Shares.

 

 

1. Class A Shares of each Fund that is a series of Columbia Funds Series Trust have a combined shareholder servicing and distribution plan pursuant to which the aggregate annual fee rate listed above represents total compensation for services rendered in connection with (i) the sale of such Shares; (ii) the personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts holding such Shares; or (iii) any combination thereof.

AMENDED AND RESTATED

SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT

CLASS T SHARES

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We wish to enter into this Shareholder Servicing Plan Implementation Agreement (“Agreement”) with you concerning the provision of services as set forth herein. The terms and conditions of this Agreement are as follows:

1. Provision of Services

(a) You will from time to time enter into agreements with banks, broker/dealers and other financial institutions (collectively “Intermediaries”) pursuant to which the Intermediaries will agree to provide one or more administrative support services included on Exhibit I (“Administrative Support Services”) and shareholder liaison services to their clients (“Customers”) who may from time to time beneficially own Class T shares of one or more of the portfolios (collectively, the “Funds”) of Columbia Funds Series Trust I (the “Trust”) that has a Board approved shareholder servicing plan (the “Plan”). The Class T shares of the Funds are collectively referred to herein as “Class T Shares.”

(b) You will pay to the Intermediaries, out of the Servicing Fee (as defined below), such amounts as may be agreed between you and the Intermediaries in return for the provision by the Intermediaries of Administrative Support Services and shareholder liaison services as described in Section l(a).

(c) For all purposes of this Agreement you will be deemed to be an independent contractor, and will have no authority to act as agent for us in any other capacity, except as expressly provided herein.

2. Compensation

(a) In consideration of the services provided by you hereunder, we will pay to you a fee as set forth in Schedule I (the “Servicing Fee”). The Servicing Fee may be prospectively increased or decreased by us, in our sole discretion, at any time upon notice to you.

(b) All expenses incurred by a Fund with respect to Class T Shares of such Fund in connection with services provided by Intermediaries pursuant to an agreement with you and the implementation of the Plan shall be borne entirely by the holders of the Class T Shares of the Fund. Each such agreement shall provide for the payment of the Servicing Fee to the extent provided in the then-current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Fund.

3. Reports

You agree to furnish us with such information as we may reasonably request, and will otherwise cooperate with us and our designees (including, without limitation, any auditors or


legal counsel designated by us) in connection with the preparation of reports to our Board of Trustees concerning this Agreement and the monies paid or payable by us pursuant hereto, as well as any other reports or filings that may be required by law. You agree to provide us with such certifications, reports and other information as we may reasonably request from time to time to assist us in complying with, and monitoring for compliance with, such laws, rules and regulations.

4. Term

(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of November 8, 2010 and, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue in effect from year to year with respect to a Fund, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) our Board of Trustees, or (ii) a vote of a majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”)) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in either event the continuance is also approved by the majority of our Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

(b) This Agreement is terminable with respect to a Fund, without penalty, on not less than sixty (60) days’ written notice, by the Board of Trustees, by vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund, or by you. This Agreement will also terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). Upon termination, the obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall cease except for unfulfilled obligations and liabilities arising prior to termination.

5. Communications

You will send any notice to us by first class mail, postage prepaid at: One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, fax number 617-345-0919, Attention: Secretary. We will send any notice to you by first class mail, postage prepaid, or by confirmed telefacsimile to you at: c/o Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (formerly known as RiverSource Fund Distributors, Inc.), One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111, fax number 617-737-0641, Attn: President, or such other address or telefacsimile number as we may reasonably believe appropriate. A party that changes its address or telefacsimile number shall promptly notify the other party.

6. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without giving effect to conflict of laws principles. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party.

7. Actions by the Trust and its Trustees

A reference to the Trust and the Trustees of each Fund refer respectively to the Trust created by the Declaration of Trust and the Trustees as Trustees but not individually or personally. A copy of the document establishing the Trust is filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any and all liabilities of the Trust arising, directly or indirectly, under this Agreement will be satisfied solely


out of the assets of the Trust and that no Trustee, officer or shareholder shall be personally liable for any such liabilities. All persons dealing with the Trust, must look solely to the property belonging to the Trust for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust.

8. Miscellaneous

We may amend this Agreement upon written notice to you. You will be deemed to have accepted such amendment by providing the services contemplated in this Agreement after receipt of such notice. You and we also may amend this Agreement by means of a written amendment signed by both parties.

This Agreement shall cancel and supersede any and all prior servicing agreements or similar agreements or contracts relating to the provision of similar services between you and the Funds. This Agreement amends and restates the Shareholder Servicing Plan Implementation Agreement in effect on September 7, 2010.

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original for all purposes and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.

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If you agree to be legally bound by the provisions of this Agreement, please sign a copy of this letter where indicated below and promptly return it to us, at the following address: One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.

Very truly yours,

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST I

On behalf of its series,

 

By:   /s/ J. Kevin Connaughton
Name:   J. Kevin Connaughton
Title:   President

Accepted and Agreed to:

COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

 

By:   /s/ Beth Ann Brown
Name:   Beth Ann Brown
Title:   Senior Vice President


SCHEDULE I

COMPENSATION

EQUITY FUNDS

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

Columbia Disciplined Value Fund

Columbia Small Cap Core Fund

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

Columbia Asset Allocation Fund

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

BOND FUNDS

Columbia Bond Fund

Columbia Core Bond Fund

Columbia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Connecticut Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund

Columbia Massachusetts Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia New Jersey Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia New York Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Columbia Rhode Island Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

FEE RATE

With respect to each Equity Fund above, the fee with respect to Class T Shares shall be an aggregate annual rate of not more than 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class T Shares for shareholder liaison services and Administrative Support Services.

With respect to each Bond Fund above, the fee with respect to Class T Shares shall be an aggregate annual rate of not more than 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class T Shares for shareholder liaison services and Administrative Support Services.

With respect to Columbia Rhode Island Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, the fee with respect to Class T Shares shall be an aggregate annual rate of not more than 0.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class T Shares for shareholder liaison services and Administrative Support Services.


EXHIBIT I

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

 

1. Aggregating and processing purchase and redemption orders

 

2. Providing beneficial owners with statements showing their positions in the Funds

 

3. Processing dividend payments

 

4. Providing sub-accounting services for Fund shares held beneficially

 

5. Forwarding shareholder communications, such as proxies, shareholder reports, dividend and tax notices, and updating prospectuses to beneficial owners

 

6. Receiving, tabulating and transmitting proxies executed by the beneficial owners.

 

7. Sub-transfer agent services for beneficial owners of the fund shares

 

8. Other similar services

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST I

COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST

(each a “Registrant”)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Michael G. Clarke, J. Kevin Connaughton, Joseph D’Alessandro, Joseph F. DiMaria, Paul Goucher, Ryan C. Larrenaga, John M. Loder, Brian D. McCabe, Christopher O. Petersen, Scott Plummer, Bruce Rosenblum and Stephen T. Welsh, each individually, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent (each an “Attorney-in-Fact”) with power of substitution or resubstitution, in any and all capacities, including without limitation in the undersigned’s capacity as a trustee of each Registrant, in the furtherance of the business and affairs of each Registrant: (i) to execute any and all instruments which said Attorney-in-Fact may deem necessary or advisable or which may be required to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (together the “Acts”) and any other applicable federal securities laws, or rules, regulations or requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in respect thereof, in connection with the filing and effectiveness of each Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A regarding the registration of each Registrant or its shares of beneficial interest, and any and all amendments thereto, including without limitation any reports, forms or other filings required by the Acts or any other applicable federal securities laws, or rules, regulations or requirements of the SEC; and (ii) to execute any and all federal, state or foreign regulatory or other required filings, including all applications with regulatory authorities, state charter or organizational documents and any amendments or supplements thereto, to be executed by, on behalf of, or for the benefit of, each Registrant. The undersigned hereby grants to each Attorney-in-Fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing contemplated above, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said Attorneys-in-Fact, individually or collectively, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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This Power of Attorney shall not be revoked by any subsequent power of attorney I may execute unless such subsequent power of attorney specifically refers to this Power of Attorney or specifically states that the instrument is intended to revoke all prior general powers of attorney or all prior powers of attorney (and unless otherwise required by a provision of law that cannot be waived). This Power of Attorney shall terminate automatically with respect to a Registrant if the undersigned ceases to hold the above-referenced office of the Registrant.

Dated: October 28, 2010

 

/s/ Michael A. Jones

Michael A. Jones