Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2017.

Registration Nos. 333-131683

811-21852

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

Form N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933   
Pre-Effective Amendment No.   
Post-Effective Amendment No. 166   

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940   
Amendment No. 178   

(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)

 

 

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST II

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Address of Principal Executive Officers) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (800) 345-6611

 

 

Christopher O. Petersen, Esq.

c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

225 Franklin Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:

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

 

Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
On September 1, 2017 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 Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund series. 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in the Registrant’s Registration Statement relating to any other series of the Registrant is neither amended nor superseded hereby.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
Prospectus
September 1, 2017
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
    
Class   Ticker Symbol
Class A Shares   RRIAX
Class C Shares   RRICX
Class K Shares   RRIYX
Class R Shares   RRIRX
Class R4 Shares   CRRIX
Class R5 Shares   RRIZX
Class Y Shares   CGLYX
Class Z Shares   CRIZX
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Summary of the Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
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. An investor transacting in a class of Fund shares without any front-end sales charge, contingent deferred sales charge, or other asset-based fee for sales or distribution may be required to pay a commission to the financial intermediary for effecting such transactions. Such commission rates are set by the financial intermediary and are not reflected in the tables or the example below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and members of your immediate family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in certain classes of shares of eligible funds distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). More information about these and other sales charge discounts and waivers is available from your financial intermediary, and can be found in the Choosing a Share Class section beginning on page 28 of the Fund’s prospectus, in Appendix A to the prospectus beginning on page A-1 and in Appendix S to the Statement of Additional Information (SAI) under Sales Charge Waivers beginning on page S-1.
    
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
  Class A Class C
Classes K,
R, R4,
R5, Y and Z
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a % of offering price) 5.75% None None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) imposed on redemptions (as a % of the lower of the original purchase price or current net asset value) 1.00% (a) 1.00% (b) None
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class A Class C
Class K
Class R Class R4 Class R5 Class Y Class Z
Management fees 0.71% 0.71% 0.71% 0.71% 0.71% 0.71% 0.71% 0.71%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.25% 1.00% 0.00% 0.50% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Other expenses (c) 0.25% 0.25% 0.44% 0.25% 0.25% 0.19% 0.13% 0.25%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 1.21% 1.96% 1.15% 1.46% 0.96% 0.90% 0.84% 0.96%
(a) This charge is imposed on certain investments of between $1 million and $50 million redeemed within 18 months after purchase, as follows: 1.00% if redeemed within 12 months after purchase, and 0.50% if redeemed more than 12, but less than 18, months after purchase, with certain limited exceptions.
(b) This charge applies to redemptions within 12 months after purchase, with certain limited exceptions.
(c) Other expenses have been restated to reflect current transfer agency fees paid by the Fund and other expenses for Class Y shares are based on estimated amounts for the Fund’s current fiscal year.
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
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 applicable class of Fund shares 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 Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class A (whether or not shares are redeemed) $691 $937 $1,202 $1,957
Class C (assuming redemption of all shares at the end of the period) $299 $615 $1,057 $2,285
Class C (assuming no redemption of shares) $199 $615 $1,057 $2,285
Class K (whether or not shares are redeemed) $117 $365 $ 633 $1,398
Class R (whether or not shares are redeemed) $149 $462 $ 797 $1,746
Class R4 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 98 $306 $ 531 $1,178
Class R5 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 92 $287 $ 498 $1,108
Class Y (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 86 $268 $ 466 $1,037
Class Z (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 98 $306 $ 531 $1,178
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay 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 60% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests in infrastructure-related securities that appear to be undervalued or that may be temporarily out of favor, but that the investment manager believes are entering a period of recovery (i.e., a period in which these infrastructure-related issuers have good prospects for growth or capital appreciation). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities (equity, fixed-income and/or other “hybrid” (convertible) securities) of infrastructure-related issuers and/or securities intended primarily to finance infrastructure-related activities. Infrastructure-related issuers are defined as U.S. or foreign companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues or profits from the ownership, development, construction, operation, utilization or financing of infrastructure-related assets, or have at least 50% of the fair market value of their assets invested in infrastructure-related assets. Investments in infrastructure-related issuers may also include securities issued to finance infrastructure-related assets.
Infrastructure-related assets are the physical structures and networks which provide necessary services to society. Examples of infrastructure-related assets include, among others, transportation assets (e.g., roads, bridges, railroads, airports, seaports, tunnels), utility assets (e.g., electric transmission and distribution lines, power generation facilities, broadcast and wireless towers, gas and water distribution facilities, cable and satellite networks) and social assets (e.g., hospitals, schools, stadiums, courthouses). The Fund’s investments include issuers with a direct investment in infrastructure-related companies and in issuers that operate or utilize infrastructure-related assets (e.g., airlines, automakers, and technology companies) or issuers with indirect exposure to infrastructure-related assets (e.g., suppliers of construction materials). The Fund may also invest in securities that
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
are intended to finance infrastructure-related activities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in securities of issuers that are not infrastructure-related, including issuers that the investment manager believes may be undervalued due to their cyclical nature, market conditions, and/or changes in the economy. The Fund’s investments can include high-yield instruments, which are investments rated below investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield securities” or “junk” bonds). The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 40% of its net assets in issuers that maintain their principal place of business or conduct their principal business activities outside the U.S., issuers that have their securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges or issuers that have been formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries (the 40% Global Investment Policy). The Fund considers an issuer to conduct its principal business activities outside the U.S. if it derives at least 50% of its revenue or profits from business outside the U.S. or has at least 50% of its sales or assets outside the U.S. From time to time, the Fund may be below this 40% level and, in such circumstances, the Fund will then endeavor to invest its assets to bring the Fund’s net assets above this 40% level, consistent with the investment manager’s view of market and other conditions and available investment opportunities. Such investments can include securities of emerging market and frontier market issuers. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the energy sector and the industrials sector.
In addition to investing in individual stocks, bonds or other securities, the Fund may invest in publicly-traded units of master limited partnerships, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other pooled investment vehicles and investment companies.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including those described below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk. The Fund may also be forced to convert a convertible security at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
(i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Frontier Market Risk. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies and even less developed capital markets than traditional emerging market countries (which themselves have increased investment risk relative to more developed market countries) and, as a result, the Fund’s exposure to the risks associated with investing in emerging market countries are magnified when the Fund invests in frontier market countries. Increased risks include: the potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity in frontier market countries; government ownership or control of parts of the private sector and of certain companies; trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist and similar measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which frontier market countries trade; and the relatively new and unsettled securities laws in many frontier market countries.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Infrastructure-Related Companies Risk. Because the Fund concentrates its investments in infrastructure-related securities, the Fund has greater exposure to adverse economic, regulatory, political, legal, and other conditions or events affecting the issuers of such securities. Additionally, infrastructure-related entities may be subject to regulation by various governmental authorities and may also be affected by governmental regulation of rates charged to customers, service interruption and/or legal challenges due to environmental, operational or other conditions or events and the imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax laws, regulatory policies and accounting standards.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates (which are currently near historic lows) rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of the Fund's shares. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which would negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors. The market capitalization of an issuer may also impact its risk profile. Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. Market risk refers to the possibility that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Master Limited Partnership Risk. Investments in securities (units) of master limited partnerships involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock. Investors have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership. Investments are also subject to certain tax risks and conflicts of interest may exist between common unit holders, subordinated unit holders and the general partner of a master limited partnership.
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that the Fund will not be able to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business in a related group of industries within a sector, including the energy sector and the industrials sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Energy Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the energy sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the energy sector are subject to certain risks, including legislative or regulatory changes, adverse market conditions and increased competition. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, among others, fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, local and international politics, and events occurring in nature. For instance, natural events (such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires in prime natural resources areas) and political events (such as government instability or military confrontations) can affect the value of companies involved in business activities in the energy sector. Other risks may include liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The energy sector may also be affected by economic cycles, rising interest rates, high inflation, technical progress, labor relations, legislative or regulatory changes, local and international politics, and adverse market conditions.
Industrials Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the industrials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events and economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Small- and Mid-Cap Company Securities Risk. Investments in small- and mid-capitalization companies (small- and mid-cap companies) often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies (larger companies) because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
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. Class Y shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class A share performance (without sales charges) has varied for each full calendar year shown. If the sales charges were reflected, returns shown would be lower. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns (after applicable sales charges shown in the Shareholder Fees table in this prospectus) for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class A shares (without applicable sales charges and adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Any share class, such as Class Y shares, that does
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Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class A shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses and sales charges (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The after-tax returns shown in the Average Annual Total Returns table below are calculated using the highest historical individual U.S. 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-advantaged accounts such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). The after-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares and will vary for other share classes.
The Fund’s performance prior to December 2013 reflects returns achieved pursuant to different principal investment strategies. If the Fund’s current strategies had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedle.com/us.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year*
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 4th Quarter 2010 19.92%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -27.71%
* Year to Date return as of June 30, 2017: 9.00%
Average Annual Total Returns After Applicable Sales Charges (for periods ended December 31, 2016)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class A 02/19/2009      
returns before taxes   2.23% 9.87% 16.62%
returns after taxes on distributions   1.51% 5.71% 13.51%
returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares   1.62% 7.64% 13.78%
Class C returns before taxes 02/19/2009 7.71% 10.70% 16.86%
Class K returns before taxes 02/19/2009 8.57% 11.31% 17.62%
Class R returns before taxes 02/19/2009 8.21% 10.92% 17.18%
Class R4 returns before taxes 03/19/2013 8.74% 11.41% 17.65%
Class R5 returns before taxes 02/19/2009 8.81% 11.58% 17.91%
Class Z returns before taxes 09/27/2010 8.63% 11.46% 17.74%
S&P Global Infrastructure Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   12.43% 7.67% 10.74%
  
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Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Peter Santoro, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2013
Craig Leopold, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2013
Kirk Moore, CFA   Portfolio Manager, Vice President and Global Head of Research   Co-Portfolio Manager   2013
Tiffany Wade   Equity Analyst   Co-Portfolio Manager   January 2017
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund on any business day by contacting the Fund in the ways described below:
    
Online   Regular Mail   Express Mail   By Telephone
investor.columbiathreadneedle.com/us   Columbia Funds,
c/o Columbia Management
Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 8081
Boston, MA 02266-8081
  Columbia Funds,
c/o Columbia Management
Investment Services Corp.
30 Dan Road, Suite 8081
Canton, MA 02021-2809
  800.422.3737
You may purchase shares and receive redemption proceeds by electronic funds transfer, by check or by wire. If you maintain your account with a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, you must contact that financial intermediary to buy, sell or exchange shares of the Fund through your account with the intermediary.
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Summary of the Fund (continued)
The minimum initial investment amounts for the share classes offered by the Fund are shown below:
Minimum Initial Investment
    
Class Category of eligible account For accounts other than
systematic investment
plan accounts
For systematic investment
plan accounts
Classes A & C All accounts other than IRAs $2,000 $100
IRAs $1,000 $100
Classes K (a) , R & R5 All eligible accounts None N/A
Classes R4 & Z All eligible accounts $0, $1,000 or $2,000
depending upon the category
of eligible investor
$100
Class Y All eligible accounts $0, $1,000, $2,000
or $1 million depending
upon the category
of eligible investor
$100 (for certain
eligible investors)
  
(a) Class K shares are generally closed to new investors.
There is no minimum additional investment for any share class.
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, qualified dividend income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. If you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, you may be taxed upon withdrawals from that account.
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 Investment Manager), 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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Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
More Information About the Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests in infrastructure-related securities that appear to be undervalued or that may be temporarily out of favor, but that the investment manager believes are entering a period of recovery (i.e., a period in which these infrastructure-related issuers have good prospects for growth or capital appreciation). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities (equity, fixed-income and/or other “hybrid” (convertible) securities) of infrastructure-related issuers and/or securities intended primarily to finance infrastructure-related activities. Infrastructure-related issuers are defined as U.S. or foreign companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues or profits from the ownership, development, construction, operation, utilization or financing of infrastructure-related assets, or have at least 50% of the fair market value of their assets invested in infrastructure-related assets. Investments in infrastructure-related issuers may also include securities issued to finance infrastructure-related assets.
Infrastructure-related assets are the physical structures and networks which provide necessary services to society. Examples of infrastructure-related assets include, among others, transportation assets (e.g., roads, bridges, railroads, airports, seaports, tunnels), utility assets (e.g., electric transmission and distribution lines, power generation facilities, broadcast and wireless towers, gas and water distribution facilities, cable and satellite networks) and social assets (e.g., hospitals, schools, stadiums, courthouses). The Fund’s investments include issuers with a direct investment in infrastructure-related companies and in issuers that operate or utilize infrastructure-related assets (e.g., airlines, automakers, and technology companies) or issuers with indirect exposure to infrastructure-related assets (e.g., suppliers of construction materials). The Fund may also invest in securities that are intended to finance infrastructure-related activities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in securities of issuers that are not infrastructure-related, including issuers that the investment manager believes may be undervalued due to their cyclical nature, market conditions, and/or changes in the economy. The Fund’s investments can include high-yield instruments, which are investments rated below investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield securities” or “junk” bonds). The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 40% of its net assets in issuers that maintain their principal place of business or conduct their principal business activities outside the U.S., issuers that have their securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges or issuers that have been formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries (the 40% Global Investment Policy). The Fund considers an issuer to conduct its principal business activities outside the U.S. if it derives at least 50% of its revenue or profits from business outside the U.S. or has at least 50% of its sales or assets outside the U.S. From time to time, the Fund may be below this 40% level and, in such circumstances, the Fund will then endeavor to invest its assets to bring the Fund’s net assets above this 40% level, consistent with the investment manager’s view of market and other conditions and available investment opportunities. Such investments can include securities of emerging market and frontier market issuers. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the energy sector and the industrials sector.
In addition to investing in individual stocks, bonds or other securities, the Fund may invest in publicly-traded units of master limited partnerships, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other pooled investment vehicles and investment companies.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) combines fundamental, macroeconomic and quantitative analysis with risk management techniques in identifying investment opportunities and constructing the Fund’s portfolio.
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More Information About the Fund (continued)
The Investment Manager considers investments based on issuer-specific factors (i.e., bottom-up factors) including:
valuation, in particular, a focus on issuers that are believed to be undervalued, based on a variety of measures, including, but not limited to price-to-earnings ratios, price-to-book ratios, price-to-free cash flow, current and projected dividends, sum-of-the parts or breakup value and historic relative price valuations; and
growth potential, in particular, issuers believed to have growth potential based on factors such as effective management, as demonstrated by overall performance, and/or financial strength (the quality of its balance sheet and earnings), the issuer’s competitive positions, and its future prospects.
The Investment Manager’s consideration of macroeconomic factors may include an assessment of investment themes across the investible universe, industry trends, as well as local, regional and country-related market conditions (e.g., capital flows and economic trends).
In connection with selecting fixed-income securities, the Investment Manager also evaluates the security based on its potential to generate income and/or capital appreciation. With respect to these investments (and in addition to the above), the Investment Manager 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, and call features and value relative to other securities; and
the local, national and global economic conditions, market conditions, and interest rate movements.
In connection with selecting hybrid securities, the Investment Manager also evaluates its conversion features.
In evaluating whether to sell a security, in addition to considering macroeconomic factors, the Investment Manager may consider, among other factors, whether:
The security is believed to be overvalued relative to alternative investments;
The security has reached the Investment Manager’s price objective;
The issuer has met the Investment Manager’s earnings and/or growth expectations;
Other investments are believed to be more attractive; and
The investment no longer meets the criteria for investment described above.
In addition to the above, for fixed-income securities, the Investment Manager considers among other factors whether there is deterioration in a security’s credit rating.
In addition to the above, for hybrid securities, the Investment Manager, while taking into consideration conversion costs, may sell hybrid securities when they take on the trading characteristics of the underlying common stock prior to conversion to an equity security, or the Investment Manager may hold these securities post-conversion consistent with the Investment Manager’s outlook for equity securities.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including those described below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that will achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk (the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates) and credit risk (the risk that the issuer of a debt instrument will default or otherwise become unable, or be perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor a financial obligation, such as making payments to the Fund when due). Convertible securities also react to
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More Information About the Fund (continued)
changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk (the risk that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise). Because the value of a convertible security can be influenced by both interest rates and the common stock's market movements, a convertible security generally is not as sensitive to interest rates as a similar debt instrument, and generally will not vary in value in response to other factors to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities would typically be paid before the company's common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. The Fund may be forced to convert a convertible security before it otherwise would choose to do so, which may decrease the Fund's return.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated debt instruments, or if the ratings of such instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs 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 withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of
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Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Frontier Market Risk. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies and even less developed capital markets than typical emerging market countries (which themselves have increased investment risk relative to more developed market countries) and, as a result, the Fund’s exposure to risks associated with investing in emerging market countries are magnified when the Fund invests in frontier market countries. The increased risks include: the potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity in frontier market countries; government ownership or control of parts of the private sector and of certain companies; trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which frontier market countries trade; and the relatively new and unsettled securities laws in many frontier market countries. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in frontier market countries are even more likely than emerging markets securities to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk .
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Infrastructure-Related Companies Risk. Because the Fund concentrates its investments in infrastructure-related securities, the Fund has greater exposure to adverse economic, regulatory, political, legal, and other conditions or events, affecting the issuers of such securities. Infrastructure-related businesses are subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations including high interest costs in connection with capital construction programs, costs associated with environmental and other regulations, the effects of an economic slowdown and surplus capacity, increased competition, uncertainties concerning availability of fuel at reasonable prices, the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors. Additionally, infrastructure-related entities may be subject to regulation by various governmental authorities and may also be affected by governmental regulation of
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Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
rates charged to customers, service interruption and/or legal challenges due to environmental, operational or other conditions or events and the imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax laws, regulatory policies and accounting standards. There is also the risk that corruption may negatively affect publicly-funded infrastructure projects, especially in foreign markets, resulting in work stoppage, delays and cost overruns.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates (which are currently near historic lows) rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of the Fund's shares. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which would negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors. The market capitalization of an issuer may also impact its risk profile. Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively
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More Information About the Fund (continued)
impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. Market risk refers to the possibility that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., an unfavorable earnings report), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Master Limited Partnership Risk. Investments in securities (units) of master limited partnerships involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock. Holders of these units have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership. These units may be subject to cash flow and dilution risks. There are also certain tax risks associated with such an investment. In particular, the Fund’s investment in master limited partnerships can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and can limit the Fund’s ability to so qualify. In addition, conflicts of interest may exist between common unit holders, subordinated unit holders and the general partner of a master limited partnership, including a conflict arising as a result of incentive distribution payments. In addition, there are risks related to the general partner’s right to require unit holders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
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Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that the Fund will not be able to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. The Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Additionally, the purchase price and subsequent valuation of private placements typically reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a more liquid market exists. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business in a related group of industries within a sector, including the energy sector and the industrials sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Energy Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the energy sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the energy sector are subject to certain risks, including legislative or regulatory changes, adverse market conditions and increased competition. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, among others, fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, local and international politics, and events occurring in nature. For instance, natural events (such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires in prime natural resources areas) and political events (such as government instability or military confrontations) can affect the value of companies involved in business activities in the energy sector. Other risks may include liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The energy sector may also be affected by economic cycles, rising interest rates, high inflation, technical progress, labor relations, legislative or regulatory changes, local and international politics, and adverse market conditions.
Industrials Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the industrials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events and economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Small- and Mid-Cap Company Securities Risk. Securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies (small- and mid-cap companies) can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger, more established companies (larger companies) but may also have more risk. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on
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smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in losses to the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Additional Investment Strategies and Policies
This section describes certain investment strategies and policies that the Fund may utilize in pursuit of its investment objective and some additional factors and risks involved with investing in the Fund.
Investment Guidelines
As a general matter, and except as specifically described in the discussion of the Fund's principal investment strategies in this prospectus or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, 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 investment in the security or asset.
Holding Other Kinds of Investments
The Fund may hold other investments that are not part of its principal investment strategies. These investments and their risks are described below and/or 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. Information on the Fund’s holdings can be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports or by visiting columbiathreadneedle.com/us.
Transactions in Derivatives
The Fund may enter into derivative transactions or otherwise have exposure to derivative transactions through underlying investments. 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 the London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly known as LIBOR)) or market indices (such as the Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 ® Index). The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. 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 directly. The values of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in unusual market conditions, and may result in increased volatility in the value of the derivative and/or the Fund’s shares, 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
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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. U.S. federal legislation has been enacted that provides for new clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements for participants in the derivatives market. These changes could restrict and/or impose significant costs or other burdens upon the Fund’s participation in derivatives transactions. For more information on the risks of derivative investments and strategies, see the SAI.
Affiliated Fund Investing
The Investment Manager or an affiliate serves as investment adviser to funds using the Columbia brand (Columbia Funds), including those that are structured as “fund-of-funds”, and provides asset-allocation services to (i) shareholders by investing in shares of other Columbia Funds, which may include the Fund (collectively referred to in this section as Underlying Funds), and (ii) discretionary managed accounts (collectively referred to as affiliated products) that invest exclusively in Underlying Funds. These affiliated products, individually or collectively, may own a significant percentage of the outstanding shares of one or more Underlying Funds, and the Investment Manager seeks to balance potential conflicts of interest between the affiliated products and the Underlying Funds in which they invest. The affiliated products’ investment in the Underlying Funds may have the effect of creating economies of scale, possibly resulting in lower expense ratios for the Underlying Funds, because the affiliated products may own substantial portions of the shares of Underlying Funds. However, redemption of Underlying Fund shares by one or more affiliated products could cause the expense ratio of an Underlying Fund to increase, as its fixed costs would be spread over a smaller asset base. Because of large positions of certain affiliated products, the Underlying Funds may experience relatively large inflows and outflows of cash due to affiliated products’ purchases and sales of Underlying Fund shares. Although the Investment Manager or its affiliate may seek to minimize the impact of these transactions where possible, for example, by structuring them over a reasonable period of time or through other measures, Underlying Funds may experience increased expenses as they buy and sell portfolio securities to manage the cash flow effect related to these transactions. Further, when the Investment Manager or its affiliate structures transactions over a reasonable period of time in order to manage the potential impact of the buy and sell decisions for the affiliated products, those affiliated products, including funds-of-funds, may pay more or less (for purchase activity), or receive more or less (for redemption activity), for shares of the Underlying Funds than if the transactions were executed in one transaction. In addition, substantial redemptions by affiliated products within a short period of time could require the Underlying Fund to liquidate positions more rapidly than would otherwise be desirable, which may have the effect of reducing or eliminating potential gain or causing it to realize a loss. In order to meet such redemptions, an Underlying Fund may be forced to sell its liquid (or more liquid) positions, leaving the Underlying Fund holding, post-redemption, a relatively larger position in illiquid securities (securities that are not readily marketable or that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business, within seven days, at approximately the value at which the holder has valued the security) or less liquid securities. Substantial redemptions may also adversely affect the ability of the Underlying Fund to implement its investment strategy. The Investment Manager or its affiliate also has an economic conflict of interest in determining the allocation of affiliated products’ assets among the Underlying Funds, as it earns different fees from the various Underlying Funds.
Investing in Money Market Funds
The Fund may invest cash in, or hold as collateral for certain investments, shares of registered or unregistered money market funds, including funds advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates. These funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. 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.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to 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.
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The Fund currently does not participate in the securities lending program but the Board of Trustees (the Board) may determine to renew participation in the future. For more information on lending of portfolio securities and the risks involved, see the SAI and the annual and semiannual reports to shareholders.
Investing Defensively
The Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive investment positions that may be inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing some or all of its assets in money market instruments or shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or holding some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may take such defensive investment positions for as long a period as deemed necessary.
The Fund may not achieve its investment objective while it is investing defensively. Investing defensively may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and taxes, and decreased Fund performance. See also Investing in Money Market Funds above for more information.
Other Strategic and Investment Measures
The Fund may also from time to time take temporary portfolio positions that may or may not be consistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing in derivatives, such as forward contracts, futures contracts, options, structured investments and swaps, for various purposes, including among others, investing in particular derivatives in seeking to reduce investment exposures, or in seeking to achieve indirect investment exposures, to a sector, country, region or currency where the Investment Manager believes such positioning is appropriate. The Fund may take such portfolio positions for as long a period as deemed necessary. While the Fund is so positioned, derivatives could comprise a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments and the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. Investing in this manner may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and taxes, and decreased Fund performance. For information on the risks of investing in derivatives, see Transactions in Derivatives above.
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
The Board has adopted policies and procedures that govern the timing and circumstances of disclosure to shareholders and third parties of information regarding the securities owned by the Fund. A description of these policies and procedures is included in the SAI. Fund policy generally permits the disclosure of portfolio holdings information on the Fund's website (columbiathreadneedle.com/us) only after a certain amount of time has passed, as described in the SAI.
Purchases and sales of portfolio securities can take place at any time, so the portfolio holdings information available on the Fund's website may not always be current.
FUNDamentals
Portfolio Holdings Versus the Benchmarks
The Fund does not limit its investments to the securities within its benchmark(s), and accordingly the Fund's holdings may diverge significantly from those of its benchmark(s). In addition, the Fund may invest in securities outside any industry and geographic sectors represented in its benchmark(s). The Fund's weightings in individual securities, and in industry or geographic sectors, may also vary considerably from those of its benchmark(s).
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eDelivery and Mailings to Households
In order to reduce shareholder expenses, the Fund may, if prior consent has been provided, mail only one copy of the Fund’s prospectus and each annual and semiannual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive separate copies of these documents, call 800.345.6611 or, if your shares are held through a financial intermediary, contact your intermediary directly. Additionally, you may elect to enroll in eDelivery to receive electronic versions of these documents by logging into your account at investor.columbiathreadneedle.com/us.
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 shareholders redeeming Fund shares could require the Fund to sell portfolio securities at less than opportune times or to hold ready reserves of uninvested cash in amounts larger than might otherwise be the case to meet shareholder redemptions. Either situation could adversely impact the Fund’s performance.
Understanding Annual Fund Operating Expenses
The Fund’s annual operating expenses, as presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section of this prospectus, generally are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, may vary by share class and are expressed as a percentage (expense ratio) of the Fund’s average net assets during that fiscal year. The expense ratios reflect the Fund’s fee arrangements as of the date of this prospectus and, unless indicated otherwise, are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year. The Fund’s assets will fluctuate, but unless indicated otherwise in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table, no adjustments have been or will be made to the expense ratios to reflect any differences in the Fund’s average net assets between the most recently completed fiscal year and the date of this prospectus or a later date. In general, the Fund’s expense ratios will increase as its net assets decrease, such that the Fund’s actual expense ratios may be higher than the expense ratios presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table if assets fall. Any commitment by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates to waive fees and/or cap (reimburse) expenses is expected, in part, to limit the impact of any increase in the Fund’s expense ratios that would otherwise result because of a decrease in the Fund’s assets in the current fiscal year. The Fund’s annual operating expenses are comprised of (i) investment management fees, (ii) distribution and/or service fees, and (iii) other expenses. Management fees do not vary by class, but distribution and/or service fees and other expenses may vary by class.
FUNDamentals
Other Expenses
“Other expenses” consist of the fees the Fund pays to its custodian, transfer agent, auditors, lawyers and trustees, costs relating to compliance and miscellaneous expenses. Generally, these expenses are allocated on a pro rata basis across all share classes. Transfer agency fees and certain shareholder servicing fees, however, are class specific. They differ by share class because the shareholder services provided to each share class may be different. Accordingly, the differences in “other expenses” among share classes are primarily the result of the different transfer agency and shareholder servicing fees applicable to each share class. For more information on these fees, see Choosing a Share Class — Financial Intermediary Compensation.
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Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Arrangements and Impact on Past Performance
The Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below) through August 31, 2018, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund's Board, so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rates of:
    
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Class A 1.42%
Class C 2.17%
Class K 1.37%
Class R 1.67%
Class R4 1.17%
Class R5 1.12%
Class Y 1.06%
Class Z 1.17%
Under the agreement, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the Fund’s operating expenses when calculating the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), expenses associated with investment in affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, interest, infrequent and/or unusual expenses and any other expenses the exclusion of which is specifically approved by the Fund’s Board. This agreement may be modified or amended only with approval from all parties.
Effect of Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements on Past Performance. The Fund’s returns shown in the Performance Information section of this prospectus reflect the effect of any fee waivers and/or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the Investment Manager and/or any of its affiliates that were in place during the performance period shown. Without such fee waivers/expense reimbursements, the Fund’s returns might have been lower.
Primary Service Providers
The Fund enters into contractual arrangements (Service Provider Contracts) with various service providers, including, among others, the Investment Manager, the Distributor, the Transfer Agent and the Fund’s custodian. The Fund’s Service Provider Contracts are solely among the parties thereto. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended to be third-party beneficiaries of, any Service Provider Contracts. Further, this prospectus, the SAI and any Service Provider Contracts are not intended to give rise to any agreement, duty, special relationship or other obligation between the Fund and any investor, or give rise to any contractual, tort or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of shareholders or other person, including any right to assert a fiduciary or other duty, enforce the Service Provider Contracts against the parties or to seek any remedy thereunder, either directly or on behalf of the Fund. Nothing in the previous sentence should be read to suggest any waiver of any rights under federal or state securities laws.
The Investment Manager, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent are all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). They and their affiliates currently provide key services, including investment advisory, administration, distribution, shareholder servicing and transfer agency services, to the Fund and various other funds, including the Columbia Funds, and are paid for providing these services. These service relationships are described below.
The Investment Manager
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 and serves as investment adviser and administrator to the Columbia Funds. The Investment Manager is a registered investment adviser and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Investment Manager’s management experience
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covers all major asset classes, including equity securities, debt instruments and money market instruments. In addition to serving as an investment adviser to traditional mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds, the Investment Manager acts as an investment adviser for itself, its affiliates, individuals, corporations, retirement plans, private investment companies and financial intermediaries.
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Investment Manager manages the day-to-day operations of the Fund, determining what securities and other investments the Fund should buy or sell and executing portfolio transactions. The Investment Manager may use the research and other capabilities of its affiliates and third parties in managing the Fund’s investments. The Investment Manager is also responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of the Fund, including the general supervision of the Fund’s operations, the coordination of the Fund’s other service providers and the provision of related clerical and administrative services.
The SEC has issued an order that permits the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint an unaffiliated subadviser or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, including fees paid thereunder, for the Fund without first obtaining shareholder approval, thereby avoiding the expense and delays typically associated with obtaining shareholder approval. The Investment Manager 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 Investment Manager discloses to the Board the nature of any such material relationships. At present, the Investment Manager has not engaged any investment subadviser for the Fund.
The Fund pays the Investment Manager a fee for its management services, which include investment advisory services and administrative services. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of the Fund and is paid monthly. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, management services fees paid to the Investment Manager by the Fund amounted to 0.71% of average daily net assets of the Fund, before any applicable reimbursements. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the Fund's management agreement is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended October 31, 2016.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Peter Santoro, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2013
Craig Leopold, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2013
Kirk Moore, CFA   Portfolio Manager, Vice President and Global Head of Research   Co-Portfolio Manager   2013
Tiffany Wade   Equity Analyst   Co-Portfolio Manager   January 2017
Mr. Santoro joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2003. Mr. Santoro began his investment career in 1996 and earned a B.A. from Amherst College.
Mr. Leopold joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2003. Mr. Leopold began his investment career in 1989 and earned a B.B.A. from Adelphi University and an M.B.A. from Fordham University.
Mr. Moore joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2003. Mr. Moore began his investment career in 1990 and earned a B.A. from the University of Missouri and an M.B.A. from Washington University.
Ms. Wade joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2010. Ms. Wade began her investment career in 2008 and earned a B.A. in economics from Brown University.
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The Distributor
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., which is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. 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
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. is a registered transfer agent and wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Transfer Agent is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, and its responsibilities include processing purchases, redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares, calculating and paying distributions, maintaining shareholder records, preparing account statements and providing customer service. The Transfer Agent has engaged DST Systems, Inc., including its affiliate, Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., to provide various shareholder or “sub-transfer agency” services. In addition, the Transfer Agent enters into agreements with various financial intermediaries through which you may hold Fund shares, pursuant to which the Transfer Agent pays these financial intermediaries for providing certain shareholder services. Depending on the type of account, the Fund pays the Transfer Agent a per account fee or a fee based on the assets invested through omnibus accounts, and reimburses the Transfer Agent for certain out-of-pocket expenses, including certain payments to financial intermediaries through which shares are held.
Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest
The Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent, all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, provide various services to the Fund and other Columbia 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 Investment Manager 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 Investment Manager, 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 Investment Manager 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 Investment Manager 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 Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates;
regulatory and other investment restrictions on investment activities of the Investment Manager 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 Investment Manager, and a Columbia Fund.
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The Investment Manager 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 Management and Other Services — Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest section of the SAI. 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 are 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 quarterly (10-Q), annual (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 sec.gov.
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Choosing a Share Class
The Funds
The Columbia Funds (referred to as the Funds) generally share the same policies and procedures for investor services, as described below. Each Fund is a series of Columbia Funds Series Trust (CFST), Columbia Funds Series Trust I (CFST I) or Columbia Funds Series Trust II (CFST II), and certain features of distribution and/or service plans may differ among these trusts. The Fund offered by this prospectus is a series of CFST II. Columbia Funds with names that include the words “Tax-Exempt,” “Municipal” or “Muni” (the Tax-Exempt Funds) have certain policies that differ from other Columbia Funds (the Taxable Funds). The Fund offered by this prospectus is treated as a Taxable Fund for these purposes.
Funds Contact Information
Additional information about the Funds, including sales charges and other class features and policies, can be obtained, free of charge, at columbiathreadneedle.com/us,* by calling toll-free 800.345.6611, or by writing (regular mail) to Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., P.O. Box 8081, Boston, MA 02266-8081 or (express mail) Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., c/o Boston Financial, 30 Dan Road, Suite 8081, Canton, MA 02021-2809.
*The website references in this prospectus are inactive links and information contained in or otherwise accessible through the referenced websites does not form a part of this prospectus.
FUNDamentals
Financial Intermediaries
The term “financial intermediary” refers to the selling and servicing agents that are authorized to sell and/or service shares of the Funds. Financial intermediaries include broker-dealers and financial advisors as well as firms that employ broker-dealers and financial advisors, including, for example, brokerage firms, banks, investment advisers, third party administrators and other firms in the financial services industry.
Omnibus Accounts
The term “omnibus account” refers to a financial intermediary’s account with the Fund (held directly through the Transfer Agent) that represents the combined holdings of, and transactions in, Fund shares of one or more clients of the financial intermediary (beneficial Fund shareholders). Omnibus accounts are held in the name of the financial intermediaries and not in the name of the beneficial Fund shareholders invested in the Fund through omnibus accounts.
Retirement Plans and Omnibus Retirement Plans
The term “retirement plan” refers to retirement plans created under Sections 401(a), 401(k), 457 and 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and non-qualified deferred compensation plans governed by Section 409A of the Code and similar plans, but does not refer to individual retirement plans, such as traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. The term “omnibus retirement plan” refers to a retirement plan that has a plan-level or omnibus account with the Transfer Agent.
Networked Accounts
Networking, offered by the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation’s Wealth Management Services (WMS), is the industry standard IT system for mutual fund account reconciliation and dividend processing.
Summary of Share Class Features
Each share class has its own investment eligibility criteria, cost structure and other features. You may not be eligible to invest in every share class. Your financial intermediary may not make every share class available or may cease to make available one or more share classes of the Fund. The share class you select through your financial intermediary may have higher fees and/or sales charges than other classes of shares available through other financial intermediaries. An investor transacting in a class of Fund shares without any front-end sales charge, contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), or other asset-based fee for sales or distribution, such as a Rule 12b-1
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fee, may be required to pay a commission to the broker/financial intermediary for effecting such transactions. Each investor’s personal situation is different and you may wish to discuss with your financial intermediary the share classes the Fund offers, which share classes are available to you and which share class(es) is/are appropriate for you. In all instances, it is your responsibility to notify your financial intermediary or (for Direct-at-Fund Accounts, as defined below) the Fund at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts that may qualify you for sales charge waivers or discounts. The Fund, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent do not provide investment advice or make recommendations regarding Fund share classes. Your financial intermediary may provide advice and recommendations to you, such as which share class(es) is/are appropriate for you.
When deciding which class of shares to buy, you should consider, among other things:
The amount you plan to invest.
How long you intend to remain invested in the Fund.
The fees (e.g., sales charge or “load”) and expenses for each share class.
Whether you may be eligible for a reduction or waiver of sales charges when you buy or sell shares.
FUNDamentals
Front-End Sales Charge Calculation
The front-end sales charge is calculated as a percentage of the offering price.
The net asset value (NAV) per share is the price of a share calculated by the Fund every business day.
The offering price per share is the NAV per share plus any front-end sales charge (or load) that applies.
The dollar amount of any applicable front-end sales charge is the difference between the offering price of the shares you buy and the NAV of those shares. To determine the front-end sales charge you will pay when you buy Class A and Class V shares, the Fund will add the amount of your investment to the value of your account (and any other accounts eligible for aggregation of which you or your financial intermediary notifies the Fund) and base the sales charge on the aggregate amount. For information on account value aggregation, sales charge waivers and other important information, see Choosing a Share Class — Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges .
FUNDamentals
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) is a sales charge applied at the time you sell your shares, unlike a front-end sales charge that is applied at the time of purchase. A CDSC can vary based on the length of time that you have held your shares. A CDSC is applied to the NAV at the time of your purchase or sale, whichever is lower, and will not be applied to any shares you receive through Fund distribution reinvestments or any amount that represents appreciation in the value of your shares. For purposes of calculating a CDSC, the start of the holding period is generally the first day of the month in which your purchase was made.
When you place an order to sell shares of a class that has a CDSC, the Fund will first redeem any shares that are not subject to a CDSC, followed by those you have held the longest. This means that if a CDSC is imposed, you cannot designate the individual shares being redeemed for U.S. federal income tax purposes. You should consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of investing in the Fund. In certain circumstances, the CDSC may not apply. See Choosing a Share Class — Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges for details.
Share Class Features
The following summarizes the primary features of Class A, Class C, Class K, Class R, Class R4, Class R5, Class T, Class V, Class Y and Class Z shares.
Prospectus 2017 29

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
Not all Funds offer every class of shares. The Fund offers the class(es) of shares set forth on the cover of this prospectus and may offer other share classes through a separate prospectus. Although certain share classes are generally closed to new and/or existing investors, information relating to these share classes is included in the table below because certain qualifying purchase orders are permitted, as described below.
The sales charge reductions and waivers available to investors who purchase and hold their Fund shares through different financial intermediaries may vary. Appendix A describes financial intermediary-specific reductions and/or waiver policies. A shareholder transacting in Fund shares through a financial intermediary identified in Appendix A should carefully read the terms and conditions of Appendix A . A reduction and/or waiver that is specific to a particular financial intermediary is not available to Direct-at-Fund Accounts, as defined below, or through another financial intermediary. The information in Appendix A may be provided by, or compiled from or based on information provided by the financial intermediaries identified in Appendix A . The Fund, the Investment Manager and the Distributor do not establish financial intermediary-specific policies and are not responsible for ensuring that you receive any discounts or waivers that may be available to you in this regard. Please consult your financial intermediary with respect to any sales charge reduction and/or waiver described in Appendix A .
A Note About Class T Shares
Class T shares are sold only through financial intermediaries that, by written agreement with the Distributor, are specifically authorized to sell Class T shares (Class T Intermediaries).
Class T shares are capable of being offered by different financial intermediaries with different front-end sales charge structures. Currently, Class T shares are offered with only one sales charge structure, which means that all Class T Intermediaries that are offering Class T shares are doing so with the same pricing. For convenience, these Class T Intermediaries are referred to as Category One Financial Intermediaries . Financial intermediaries may in the future seek to offer Class T shares under a different pricing structure and, as such, other categories of Class T Intermediaries may be added in the future. Note also that, unlike other classes of shares of the Fund with a front-end sales charge (i.e., Class A and Class V shares, as available), the front-end sales charge applicable to Class T shares is a per-transaction charge, meaning that separate orders will not be aggregated for purposes of calculating the rate of the sales charge payable. Class T does not make available any discounts (for example, under a right of accumulation, letter of intent or other such programs).
    
Share Class Eligible Investors (a) ;
Minimum Initial Investments (b)
Front-End
Sales Charges (c)
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charges
(CDSCs) (c)
Sales Charge
Reductions/Waivers
Maximum Distribution
and/or Service Fees (d)
Class A Eligibility: Available to the general public for investment
Minimum Initial Investment: $2,000 ($1,000 for IRAs; $100 for systematic investment plan accounts)
Taxable Funds: 5.75% maximum, declining to 0.00% on investments of $1 million or more
Tax-Exempt Funds: 3.00% maximum, declining to 0.00% on investments of $500,000 or more
None for Columbia Government Money Market Fund and certain other Funds (e)
Taxable Funds (e) : CDSC on certain investments of between $1 million and $50 million redeemed within 18 months after purchase charged as follows:
• 1.00% CDSC if redeemed within 12 months after purchase, and
• 0.50% CDSC if redeemed more than 12, but less than 18, months after purchase
Tax-Exempt Funds (e) : Maximum CDSC of 0.75% on
Reductions : yes, see Choosing a Share Class — Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges – Class A and Class V Shares Front-End Sales Charge Reductions
Waivers : yes, on Fund distribution reinvestments. For additional waivers, see Choosing a Share Class — Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges – Class A and Class V Shares Front-End Sales Charge Waivers , as well as Choosing a Share Class — CDSC Waivers – Class A, Class C and Class V
Financial intermediary-specific waivers are also available, see Appendix A
Distribution and Service
Fees: up to 0.25%
30 Prospectus 2017

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
Share Class Eligible Investors (a) ;
Minimum Initial Investments (b)
Front-End
Sales Charges (c)
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charges
(CDSCs) (c)
Sales Charge
Reductions/Waivers
Maximum Distribution
and/or Service Fees (d)
      certain investments of $500,000 or more redeemed within 12 months after purchase    
Class C Eligibility: Available to the general public for investment
Minimum Initial Investment: $2,000 ($1,000 for IRAs; $100 for systematic investment plan accounts)
Purchase Order Limit for Tax-Exempt Funds: $499,999 (g) , none for omnibus retirement plans
Purchase Order Limit for Taxable Funds: $999,999 (g) ; none for omnibus retirement plans
None 1.00% on certain investments redeemed within one year of purchase (h) Waivers : yes, on Fund distribution reinvestments. For additional waivers, see Choosing a Share Class — CDSC Waivers – Class A, Class C and Class V
Financial intermediary-specific CDSC waivers are also available, see Appendix A
Distribution Fee: 0.75%
Service Fee: 0.25%
Class K Eligibility: Closed to new investors; available only to qualified employee benefit plans, trust companies or similar institutions, 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, non-qualified deferred compensation plans whose participants are included in a qualified employee benefit plan described above, 529 plans, and health savings accounts (f)
Minimum Initial Investment: N/A
None None N/A Plan Administration Services Fee: 0.25%
Class R Eligibility: Available only to eligible retirement plans, health savings accounts and, in the sole discretion of the Distributor, other types of retirement accounts held through platforms maintained by financial intermediaries approved by the Distributor
Minimum Initial Investment: None
None None N/A Series of CFST & CFST I: distribution fee of 0.50%
Series of CFST II: distribution and service fee of 0.50%, of which the service fee may be up to 0.25%
Class R4 Eligibility: Available only to (i) omnibus retirement plans; (ii) trust companies or similar institutions; (iii) broker-dealers, banks, trust companies and similar institutions that clear Fund share transactions for their client or customer investment advisory or similar accounts through designated financial intermediaries and their mutual fund trading platforms that have been granted specific written authorization from the Transfer Agent with respect to Class R4 eligibility apart from selling, servicing or similar agreements; (iv) None None N/A None
Prospectus 2017 31

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
Share Class Eligible Investors (a) ;
Minimum Initial Investments (b)
Front-End
Sales Charges (c)
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charges
(CDSCs) (c)
Sales Charge
Reductions/Waivers
Maximum Distribution
and/or Service Fees (d)
  501(c)(3) charitable organizations; (v) 529 plans; (vi) health savings accounts; (vii) investors participating in a fee-based advisory program sponsored by a financial intermediary or other entity that is not compensated by the Fund for those services, other than payments for shareholder servicing or sub-accounting performed in place of the Transfer Agent; and (viii) commissionable brokerage platforms where the financial intermediary, acting as broker on behalf of its customer, charges the customer a commission for effecting transactions in Fund shares, provided that the financial intermediary has an agreement with the Distributor that specifically authorizes offering Class R4 shares within such platform.
Minimum Initial Investment: None, except in the case of (viii) above, which is $2,000 ($1,000 for IRAs; $100 for systematic investment plan accounts)
       
Class R5 Eligibility: Available only to (i) certain registered investment advisers and family offices that clear Fund share transactions for their client or customer accounts through designated financial intermediaries and their mutual fund trading platforms that have been granted specific written authorization from the Transfer Agent with respect to Class R5 eligibility apart from selling, servicing or similar agreements; (ii) omnibus retirement plans (f) ; and (iii) institutional investors that are clients of the Columbia Threadneedle Global Institutional Distribution Team that invest in Class R5 shares for their own account through platforms approved by the Distributor or an affiliate thereof to offer and/or service Class R5 shares within such platform.
Minimum Initial Investment: None
None None N/A None
Class T Eligibility : Available to the general public (purchasing through a Class T Intermediary)
Minimum Initial Investment : $2,000 ($1,000 for IRAs; $100 for systematic investment plan accounts)
Per Transaction :
$0–$249,999:
2.50%
$250,000–
$499,999:
2.00%
None Waivers : yes,
(i) on Fund distribution reinvestments;
(ii) on exchanges of Class T shares of the Fund from, at the discretion of Class T Intermediaries, another class of shares of the same Fund held in accounts of Class T Intermediaries, provided that
Distribution and/or Service Fees : 0.25%
32 Prospectus 2017

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
Share Class Eligible Investors (a) ;
Minimum Initial Investments (b)
Front-End
Sales Charges (c)
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charges
(CDSCs) (c)
Sales Charge
Reductions/Waivers
Maximum Distribution
and/or Service Fees (d)
    $500,000–
$999,999:
1.50%
$1,000,000 or more:
1.00%
  (a) the other share class may only be exchanged for Class T shares if your financial intermediary does not offer that other share class on the intermediary’s commission-based platform, and (b) unless waived in the Distributor’s discretion, shares of the class to be exchanged are held in a networked or omnibus account with the Fund; and
(iii) on purchases within fee-based accounts, provided that the Class T Intermediary has an agreement with the Distributor that specifically authorizes offering Class T shares within the designated fee-based platform.
Financial intermediary-specific waivers are also available, see Appendix A
 
Class V Eligibility: Generally closed to new investors (f)
Minimum Initial Investment: N/A
5.75% maximum, declining to 0.00% on investments of $1 million or more CDSC on certain investments of between $1 million and $50 million redeemed within 18 months after purchase, charged as follows:
• 1.00% CDSC if redeemed within 12 months after purchase and
• 0.50% CDSC if redeemed more than 12, but less than 18, months after purchase
Reductions : yes, see Choosing a Share Class — Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges – Class A and Class V Shares Front-End Sales Charge Reductions
Waivers : yes, on Fund distribution reinvestments.
For additional waivers, see
Choosing a Share Class — Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges – Class A and Class V Shares Front-End Sales Charge Waivers , as well as Choosing a Share Class — CDSC Waivers – Class A, Class C and Class V
Service Fee: up to 0.50%
Class Y Eligibility: Available to (i) group retirement plans that maintain plan-level or omnibus accounts with the Fund (f) ; (ii) institutional investors that are clients of the Columbia Threadneedle Global Institutional Distribution Team that invest in Class Y shares for their own account through platforms approved by the Distributor or an affiliate thereof to offer and/or service Class Y shares within such platform; (iii) collective trust funds; (iv) affiliated or unaffiliated mutual funds (e.g., funds operating as funds-of-funds);
(v) fee-based platforms of financial intermediaries (or the clearing intermediary they trade through) that have an agreement with the
None None N/A None
Prospectus 2017 33

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
Share Class Eligible Investors (a) ;
Minimum Initial Investments (b)
Front-End
Sales Charges (c)
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charges
(CDSCs) (c)
Sales Charge
Reductions/Waivers
Maximum Distribution
and/or Service Fees (d)
  Distributor or an affiliate thereof that specifically authorizes the financial intermediary to offer and/or service Class Y shares within such platform, provided also that Fund shares are held in an omnibus account; (vi) commissionable brokerage platforms where the financial intermediary, acting as broker on behalf of its customer, charges the customer a commission for effecting transactions in Fund shares, provided that the financial intermediary has an agreement with the Distributor that specifically authorizes offering Class Y shares within such platform and that Fund shares are held in an omnibus account; and (vii) bank trust departments, subject to an agreement with the Distributor that specifically authorizes offering Class Y shares and provided that Fund shares are held in an omnibus account. In each case above where noted that Fund shares are required to be held in an omnibus account, the Distributor may, in its discretion, determine to waive this requirement.
Minimum Initial Investment: No minimum for the eligible investors described in (i), (iii), (iv) and (v) above; $2,000 ($1,000 for IRAs; $100 for systematic investment plan accounts) for the eligible investors described in (vi) above; and $1 million for all other eligible investors, unless waived in the discretion of the Distributor
       
Class Z Eligibility: Available only to certain eligible investors, which are subject to different minimum investment requirements, ranging from $0 to $2,000; closed to (i) accounts of financial intermediaries that clear Fund share transactions for their client or customer accounts through designated financial intermediaries and their mutual fund trading platforms that have been given specific written notice from the Transfer Agent of the termination of their eligibility for new purchases of Class Z shares and (ii) omnibus group retirement plans, subject to certain exceptions (f)
Minimum Initial Investment: See Eligibility above
None None N/A None
(a) For Columbia Government Money Market Fund, new investments must be made in Class A, Class T, Class Y or Class Z shares, subject to eligibility. Class C and Class R shares of Columbia Government Money Market Fund are available as a new investment only to investors in the
34 Prospectus 2017

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
  Distributor's proprietary 401(k) products, provided that such investor is eligible to invest in the class and transact directly with the Fund or the Transfer Agent through a third party administrator or third party recordkeeper. Columbia Government Money Market Fund offers other classes of shares only to facilitate exchanges with other Funds offering such share classes.
(b) The minimum initial investment requirement for investment in Class A and Class C shares is $5,000 for each of Columbia Floating Rate Fund and Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund, and $10,000 for Columbia Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund. Certain share classes are subject to minimum account balance requirements, as described in Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares — Transaction Rules and Policies.
(c) Actual front-end sales charges and CDSCs vary among the Funds. For more information on applicable sales charges, see Choosing a Share Class — Sales Charges and Commissions, and for information about certain exceptions to these sales charges, see Choosing a Share Class — Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges.
(d) These are the maximum applicable distribution and/or service fees under the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan. Fee rates and fee components (i.e., the portion of a combined fee that is a distribution or service fee) may vary among Funds. Because these fees are paid out of Fund assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of distribution and/or service fees. Although Class A shares of certain series of CFST I are subject to a combined distribution and service fee of up to 0.35%, these Funds currently limit the combined fee to 0.25%. Columbia Government Money Market Fund pays a distribution and service fee of up to 0.10% on Class A shares and up to 0.75% distribution fee on Class C shares. Columbia AMT-Free Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund and Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund each pay a service fee of up to 0.20% on Class A and Class C shares. Columbia AMT-Free Intermediate Muni Bond Fund pays a distribution fee of up to 0.65% on Class C shares. For more information on distribution and service fees, see Choosing a Share Class — Distribution and Service Fees.
(e) For Columbia Short Term Municipal Bond Fund, a CDSC of 0.50% is charged on certain investments of $500,000 or more redeemed within 12 months after purchase. The following Funds are not subject to a front-end sales charge or a CDSC on Class A shares: Columbia Government Money Market Fund, Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund, Columbia Large Cap Index Fund, Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund, Columbia Small Cap Index Fund and Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund.
(f) These share classes are closed to new accounts, or closed to previously eligible investors, subject to certain conditions, as summarized below and described in more detail under Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares — Buying Shares — Eligible Investors:
•   Class K Shares . Shareholders who opened and funded a Class K account with a Fund as of the close of business on December 31, 2010 may continue to make additional purchases of such share class, and existing Class K accounts may continue to allow new investors or participants to be established in their Fund account.
•   Class R5 Shares . Shareholders with Class R5 accounts funded before November 8, 2012 who do not satisfy the current eligibility criteria for Class R5 shares may not establish new Class R5 accounts but may continue to make additional purchases of Class R5 shares in existing accounts. In addition, investment advisory programs and similar programs that opened a Class R5 account as of May 1, 2010, and continuously hold Class R5 shares in such account after such date, may generally not only continue to make additional purchases of Class R5 shares but also open new Class R5 accounts and add new shareholders in the program.
•   Class V Shares. Shareholders with Class V accounts who received, and have continuously held, Class V shares (formerly named Class T shares, which have no relation to the Fund’s current Class T shares) in connection with the merger of certain Galaxy funds into certain Funds that were then named Liberty funds may continue to make additional purchases of such share class.
•   Class Y Shares . Shareholders with Class Y accounts funded before November 8, 2012 who do not satisfy the current eligibility criteria for Class Y shares may not establish new accounts for such share class but may continue to make additional purchases of Class Y shares in existing accounts.
•   Class Z Shares . Financial intermediaries that clear Fund share transactions through designated financial intermediaries and their mutual fund trading platforms that have been given specific written notice from the Transfer Agent, effective March 29, 2013, of the termination of their eligibility for new purchases of Class Z shares and omnibus retirement plans are not permitted to establish new Class Z accounts, subject to certain exceptions. Omnibus retirement plans that opened and, subject to exceptions, funded a Class Z account as of close of business on March 28, 2013, and have continuously held Class Z shares in such account after such date, may generally continue to make additional purchases of Class Z shares, open new Class Z accounts and add new participants. In certain circumstances and in the sole discretion of the Distributor, omnibus retirement plans affiliated with a grandfathered plan may also open new Class Z accounts. Accounts of financial intermediaries (other than omnibus retirement plans) that clear Fund share transactions for their client or customer accounts through designated financial intermediaries and their mutual fund trading platforms are not permitted to establish new Class Z accounts or make additional purchases of Class Z shares (other than through Fund distribution reinvestments).
(g) If you are eligible to invest in Class A shares without a front-end sales charge, you should discuss your options with your financial intermediary. For more information, see Choosing a Share Class – Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges.
(h) There is no CDSC on redemptions from Class C shares of Columbia Government Money Market Fund.
Sales Charges and Commissions
Sales charges, commissions and (discussed in a separate sub-section below) distribution and service fees compensate financial intermediaries (typically your financial advisor) for selling shares to you and service fees compensate financial intermediaries for maintaining and servicing the shares held in your account with them. Depending on which share class you choose and the financial intermediary through which you purchase your shares, you may pay these charges at potentially different levels at the outset as a front-end sales charge, at the time you sell your shares as a CDSC and/or over time in the form of distribution and/or service fees.
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
As described in more detail below, Class A, Class T and Class V shares have a front-end sales charge, which is deducted from your purchase price when you buy your shares, and results in a smaller dollar amount being invested in the Fund than the purchase price you pay (unless you qualify for a waiver or (Class A shares and Class V shares only) reduction of the sales charge). The Fund’s other share classes do not have a front-end sales charge, so the full amount of your purchase price is invested in those classes. Class A shares have lower ongoing distribution and/or service fees than Class C and Class R shares of the Fund. Over time, Class C and Class R shares can incur distribution and service fees that are equal to or more than the front-end sales charge and the distribution and service fees you would pay for Class A shares. Thus, although the full amount of your purchase price of Class C and Class R shares is invested in a Fund, your return on this money will be reduced by the expected higher annual expenses of Class C and Class R shares. Class R4, Class R5, Class Y and Class Z shares of the Fund do not have distribution and/or service fees.
Whether the ultimate cost is higher for one class over another depends on the amount you invest, how long you hold your shares, the amount of the sales charge, and whether you are eligible for reduced or waived sales charges, if available. The differential between classes also will vary depending on the actual investment return for any given investment period. You are responsible for choosing the share class most appropriate for you after taking into account your share class eligibility, class-specific features, and any applicable reductions in, or waivers of, sales charges. For more information, see Choosing a Share Class – Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges . We encourage you to consult with a financial advisor who can help you with your investment decisions. Please contact your financial intermediary for more information about services, fees and expenses, and other important information about investing in the Fund, as well as with any questions you may have about your investing options. In all instances, it is your responsibility to notify your financial intermediary or (for Direct-at-Fund Accounts, as defined below) the Fund at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts that may qualify you for sales charge waivers or discounts.
Class A Shares — Front-End Sales Charge
Unless your purchase qualifies for a waiver (e.g., you buy the shares through reinvested Fund distributions or subject to an applicable financial intermediary-specific waiver), you will pay a front-end sales charge when you buy Class A shares (other than shares of Columbia Government Money Market Fund, Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund, Columbia Large Cap Index Fund, Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund, Columbia Small Cap Index Fund and Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund), resulting in a smaller dollar amount being invested in a Fund than the purchase price you pay. For more information about sales charge waivers and reduction opportunities, see Choosing a Share Class — Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges and Appendix A.
The Distributor receives the sales charge and re-allows (or pays) a portion of the sales charge to the financial intermediary through which you purchased the shares. The Distributor retains the balance of the sales charge. The Distributor retains the full sales charge you pay when you purchase shares of the Fund directly from the Fund (through the Transfer Agent, rather than through a financial intermediary).
The front-end sales charge you will pay on Class A shares:
depends on the amount you are investing (generally, the larger the investment, the smaller the percentage sales charge), and
is based on the total amount of your purchase and the value of your account (and any other accounts eligible for aggregation of which you or your financial intermediary notifies the Fund).
The table below presents the front-end sales charge as a percentage of both the offering price and the net amount invested.
    
36 Prospectus 2017

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
Class A Shares — Front-End Sales Charge — Breakpoint Schedule*
Breakpoint Schedule For: Dollar amount of
shares bought (a)
Sales
charge
as a
% of the
offering
price (b)
Sales
charge
as a
% of the
net
amount
invested (b)
Amount
retained by
or paid to
financial
intermediaries as
a % of the
offering price
Equity Funds,
Columbia Adaptive Risk Allocation Fund,
Columbia Alternative Beta Fund,
Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund,
Columbia Diversified Absolute Return Fund
and Funds-of-Funds (equity)*
$ 0–$49,999 5.75% 6.10% 5.00%
$ 50,000–$99,999 4.50% 4.71% 3.75%
$100,000–$249,999 3.50% 3.63% 3.00%
$250,000–$499,999 2.50% 2.56% 2.15%
$500,000–$999,999 2.00% 2.04% 1.75%
$ 1,000,000 or more 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% (c)
         
Fixed Income Funds (except those listed below),
Columbia Multi-Asset Income Fund
and Funds-of-Funds (fixed income)*
$ 0-$49,999 4.75% 4.99% 4.00%
$ 50,000–$99,999 4.25% 4.44% 3.50%
$100,000–$249,999 3.50% 3.63% 3.00%
$250,000–$499,999 2.50% 2.56% 2.15%
$500,000–$999,999 2.00% 2.04% 1.75%
$ 1,000,000 or more 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% (c)
         
Tax-Exempt Funds (other than Columbia Short Term Municipal Bond Fund) $ 0-$99,999 3.00% 3.09% 2.50%
$100,000–$249,999 2.50% 2.56% 2.15%
$250,000–$499,999 1.50 % 1.53% 1.25%
$ 500,000 or more 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% (c)
         
Columbia Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund,
Columbia Floating Rate Fund,
Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund,
Columbia Limited Duration Credit Fund,
Columbia Mortgage Opportunities Fund,
Columbia Total Return Bond Fund,
and Columbia U.S. Government Mortgage Fund
$ 0-$99,999 3.00% 3.09% 2.50%
$100,000–$249,999 2.50% 2.56% 2.15%
$250,000–$499,999 2.00% 2.04% 1.75%
$500,000–$999,999 1.50% 1.52% 1.25%
$ 1,000,000 or more 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% (c)
         
Columbia Short Term Bond Fund $ 0-$99,999 1.00% 1.01% 0.75%
$100,000–$249,999 0.75% 0.76% 0.50%
$250,000–$999,999 0.50% 0.50% 0.40%
$ 1,000,000 or more 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% (c)
         
Columbia Short Term Municipal Bond Fund $ 0-$99,999 1.00% 1.01% 0.75%
$100,000–$249,999 0.75% 0.76% 0.50%
$250,000–$499,999 0.50% 0.50% 0.40%
$ 500,000 or more 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% (c)
         
* The following Funds are not subject to a front-end sales charge or CDSC on Class A shares: Columbia Government Money Market Fund, Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund, Columbia Large Cap Index Fund, Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund, Columbia Small Cap Index Fund and Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund. "Funds-of-Funds (equity)" includes Columbia Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio, Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio, Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio, Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate
Prospectus 2017 37

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
  Portfolio and Columbia Global Strategic Equity Fund . "Funds-of-Funds (fixed income)" includes Columbia Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio and Columbia Income Builder Fund. Columbia Balanced Fund, Columbia Flexible Capital Income Fund and Columbia Global Opportunities Fund are treated as equity Funds for purposes of the table.
(a) Purchase amounts and account values may be aggregated among all eligible Fund accounts for the purposes of this table. See Choosing a Share Class — Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges for a discussion of account value aggregation.
(b) Because the offering price is calculated to two decimal places, the dollar amount of the sales charge as a percentage of the offering price and your net amount invested for any particular purchase of Fund shares may be higher or lower depending on whether downward or upward rounding was required during the calculation process. Purchase price includes the sales charge.
(c) For information regarding cumulative commissions paid to your financial intermediary when you buy $1 million or more of Class A shares of a Taxable Fund or $500,000 or more of Class A shares of a Tax-Exempt Fund, see Class A Shares — Commissions below.
Class A Shares — CDSC
In some cases, you'll pay a CDSC if you sell Class A shares that you purchased without a front-end sales charge.
Tax-Exempt Funds
If you purchased Class A shares of any Tax-Exempt Fund (other than Columbia Short Term Municipal Bond Fund and Columbia U.S. Social Bond Fund) without paying a front-end sales charge because your eligible accounts aggregated $500,000 or more at the time of purchase, you will incur a CDSC of 0.75% if you redeem those shares within 12 months after purchase. Subsequent Class A share purchases that bring your aggregate account value to $500,000 or more will also be subject to a CDSC of 0.75% if you redeem those shares within 12 months after purchase.
If you purchased Class A shares of Columbia Short Term Municipal Bond Fund without paying a front-end sales charge because your eligible accounts aggregated $500,000 or more at the time of purchase, you will incur a CDSC of 0.50% if you redeem those shares within 12 months after purchase. Subsequent Class A share purchases that bring your aggregate account value to $500,000 or more will also be subject to a CDSC of 0.50% if you redeem those shares within 12 months after purchase.
If you purchased Class A shares of Columbia U.S. Social Bond Fund on or after August 8, 2016 without paying a front-end sales charge because your eligible accounts aggregated $500,000 or more at the time of purchase, you will incur a CDSC of 0.75% if you redeem those shares within 12 months after purchase. Subsequent Class A share purchases made on or after August 8, 2016 that bring your aggregate account value to $500,000 or more will also be subject to a CDSC of 0.75% if you redeem those shares within 12 months after purchase. If you purchased Class A shares of Columbia U.S. Social Bond Fund prior to August 8, 2016 without paying a front-end sales charge because your eligible accounts aggregated between $1 million and $50 million at the time of purchase, you will incur a CDSC if you redeem those shares within 18 months after purchase, which is charged as follows: 1.00% CDSC if shares are redeemed within 12 months after purchase; and 0.50% CDSC if shares are redeemed more than 12, but less than 18, months after purchase. Subsequent Class A share purchases made prior to August 8, 2016 that bring your aggregate account value to $1 million or more (but less than $50 million) will also be subject to a CDSC if you redeem them within 18 months after purchase as described in this paragraph.
Taxable Funds
If you purchased Class A shares of any Taxable Fund without paying a front-end sales charge because your eligible accounts aggregated between $1 million and $50 million at the time of purchase, you will incur a CDSC if you redeem those shares within 18 months after purchase, which is charged as follows: 1.00% CDSC if shares are redeemed within 12 months after purchase; and 0.50% CDSC if shares are redeemed more than 12, but less than 18, months after purchase. Subsequent Class A share purchases that bring your aggregate account value to $1 million or more (but less than $50 million) will also be subject to a CDSC if you redeem them within 18 months after purchase as described in the previous sentence.
Class A Shares — Commissions
The Distributor may pay your financial intermediary an up-front commission when you buy Class A shares. The Distributor generally funds the commission through the applicable sales charge paid by you. For more information, see Class A Shares — Front-End Sales Charge above .
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
The Distributor may also pay your financial intermediary a cumulative commission when you buy Class A shares in amounts not subject to a front-end sales charge, according to the following schedule:
    
Class A Shares of Tax-Exempt Funds — Commission Schedule (Paid by the Distributor to Financial Intermediaries)
Purchase Amount Commission Level*
(as a % of net asset
value per share)
$500,000 – $3,999,999 0.75%**
$4 million – $19,999,999 0.50%
$20 million or more 0.25%
* The commission level applies to the applicable asset level; therefore, for example, for a purchase of $5 million, the Distributor would pay a commission of 0.75% on the first $3,999,999 and 0.50% on the balance.
** The commission level on purchases of Class A shares of Columbia Short Term Municipal Bond Fund is: 0.50% on purchases of $500,000 to $19,999,999 and 0.25% on purchases of $20 million or more.
    
Class A Shares of Taxable Funds — Commission Schedule (Paid by the Distributor to Financial Intermediaries)*
Purchase Amount Commission Level**
(as a % of net asset
value per share)
$1 million – $2,999,999 1.00%
$3 million – $49,999,999 0.50%
$50 million or more 0.25%
* Not applicable to Funds that do not assess a front-end sales charge.
** The commission level applies to the applicable asset level; therefore, for example, for a purchase of $5 million, the Distributor would pay a commission of 1.00% on the first $2,999,999 and 0.50% on the balance.
Class C Shares — Front-End Sales Charge
You do not pay a front-end sales charge when you buy Class C shares, but you may pay a CDSC when you sell Class C shares. Although Class C shares do not have a front-end sales charge, over time Class C shares can incur distribution and/or service fees that are equal to or more than the front-end sales charge and distribution and/or service fees you would pay for Class A shares. Thus, although the full amount of your purchase of Class C shares is invested in a Fund, any positive investment return on this money may be partially or fully offset by the expected higher annual expenses of Class C shares. If you are eligible to invest in Class A shares without a front-end sales charge, you should discuss your options with your financial intermediary. For more information, see Choosing a Share Class – Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges.
Class C Shares — CDSC
You will pay a CDSC of 1.00% if you redeem Class C shares within 12 months of buying them unless you qualify for a waiver of the CDSC (e.g., the shares you are selling were purchased with reinvested Fund distributions). Redemptions of Class C shares are not subject to a CDSC if redeemed after 12 months. Class C shares of Columbia Government Money Market Fund are not subject to a CDSC. For more information, see Choosing a Share Class — Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges .
Class C Shares — Commissions
Although there is no front-end sales charge when you buy Class C shares, the Distributor pays an up-front commission directly to your financial intermediary of up to 1.00% of the NAV per share when you buy Class C shares (except on purchases of Class C shares of Columbia Government Money Market Fund). A portion of this commission may be paid to your financial advisor. The Distributor seeks to recover this commission through distribution fees it receives under the Fund's distribution and/or service plan and any applicable CDSC applied when you sell your shares. For more information, see Choosing a Share Class — Distribution and Service Fees.
Prospectus 2017 39

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
Class T Shares — Front-End Sales Charge
Different financial intermediaries may offer Class T shares with different front-end sales charge structures. This differs from other Fund share classes, which have fixed sales charge structures. As of the date of this prospectus, Class T shares are offered with only one sales charge structure, which means that all financial intermediaries that are offering Class T shares (Class T Intermediaries) are offering the same pricing. For convenience, these Class T Intermediaries are referred to as Category One Financial Intermediaries. Financial intermediaries may seek to offer Class T shares under a different pricing structure and, as a result, other categories of Class T Intermediaries may be added in the future.
The front-end sales charge applicable to Class T shares is a per-transaction charge, meaning that the separate orders will not be aggregated for purposes of calculating the rate of the sales charge payable, which is different from other Fund share classes with a front-end sales charge. Unless your purchase qualifies for a waiver, you will pay a front-end sales charge on each purchase of Class T shares based on the amount of each purchase transaction. As with all front-end sales charges, this will result in a smaller dollar amount being invested in the Fund than the purchase price you pay. No discounts (for example, under a right of accumulation, letter of intent, or other such programs) are available for Class T shares. For information about sales charge waivers, see Choosing a Share Class — Reductions/Waivers — Class T Sales Charge Waivers below.
    
Class T Shares — Front-End Sales Charge (Per Transaction)
Breakpoint Schedule For: Dollar amount of
shares bought
Sales
charge
as a
% of the
offering
price (a)
Sales
charge
as a
% of the
net
amount
invested (a)
Amount
retained by
or paid to
Financial
Intermediaries
as a % of the
offering price
Class T Shares
(Purchasing through a Category One Financial Intermediary)
$ 0–$249,999 2.50% 2.56% 2.50%
$250,000–$499,999 2.00% 2.04% 2.00%
$500,000–$999,999 1.50% 1.53% 1.50%
$ 1,000,000 or more 1.00% 1.01% 1.00%
         
(a) Because the offering price is calculated to two decimal places, the dollar amount of the sales charge as a percentage of the offering price and your net amount invested for any particular purchase of Fund shares may be higher or lower depending on whether downward or upward rounding was required during the calculation process. Purchase price includes the sales charge.
Class V Shares — Front-End Sales Charge
Unless you qualify for a waiver (e.g., you purchase shares through reinvested Fund distributions), you will pay a front-end sales charge when you buy Class V shares, resulting in a smaller dollar amount being invested in a Fund than the purchase price you pay. For more information about sales charge waivers (as well as sales charge reduction opportunities), see Choosing a Share Class — Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges.
The front-end sales charge you will pay on Class V shares:
depends on the amount you are investing (generally, the larger the investment, the smaller the percentage sales charge), and
is based on the total amount of your purchase and the value of your account (and any other accounts eligible for aggregation of which you notify your financial intermediary or, in the case of Direct-at-Fund Accounts (as defined below), you notify the Fund).
    
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
Class V Shares — Front-End Sales Charge — Breakpoint Schedule
Breakpoint Schedule For: Dollar amount of
shares bought (a)
Sales
charge
as a
% of the
offering
price (b)
Sales
charge
as a
% of the
net
amount
invested (b)
Amount
retained by
or paid to
Financial
Intermediaries
as a % of the
offering price
Equity Funds $ 0–$49,999 5.75% 6.10% 5.00%
$ 50,000–$99,999 4.50% 4.71% 3.75%
$100,000–$249,999 3.50% 3.63% 2.75%
$250,000–$499,999 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
$500,000–$999,999 2.00% 2.04% 1.75%
$ 1,000,000 or more 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% (c)
         
Fixed Income Funds $ 0–$49,999 4.75% 4.99% 4.25%
$ 50,000–$99,999 4.50% 4.71% 3.75%
$100,000–$249,999 3.50% 3.63% 2.75%
$250,000–$499,999 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
$500,000–$999,999 2.00% 2.04% 1.75%
$ 1,000,000 or more 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% (c)
         
(a) Purchase amounts and account values are aggregated among all eligible Fund accounts for the purposes of this table.
(b) Because the offering price is calculated to two decimal places, the dollar amount of the sales charge as a percentage of the offering price and your net amount invested for any particular purchase of Fund shares may be higher or lower depending on whether downward or upward rounding was required during the calculation process.
(c) For more information regarding cumulative commissions paid to your financial intermediary when you buy $1 million or more of Class V shares, see Class V Shares — Commissions below.
Class V Shares — CDSC
In some cases, you will pay a CDSC if you sell Class V shares that you bought without a front-end sales charge.
If you purchased Class V shares without a front-end sales charge because your eligible accounts aggregated between $1 million and $50 million at the time of purchase, you will incur a CDSC if you redeem those shares within 18 months after purchase, which is charged as follows: 1.00% CDSC if shares are redeemed within 12 months after purchase, and 0.50% CDSC if shares are redeemed more than 12, but less than 18, months after purchase.
Subsequent Class V share purchases that bring your aggregate account value to $1 million or more (but less than $50 million) will also be subject to a CDSC if you redeem them within the time periods noted above.
Class V Shares — Commissions
The Distributor may pay your financial intermediary an up-front commission when you buy Class V shares (a portion of this commission may, in turn, be paid to your financial advisor). For more information, see Class V Shares — Front-End Sales Charge.
The Distributor may also pay your financial intermediary a cumulative commission when you buy $1 million or more of Class V shares, according to the following schedule:
Prospectus 2017 41

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
Class V Shares Commission Schedule (Paid by the Distributor to Financial Intermediaries) 
Purchase
Amount
Commission Level*
(as a % of net asset
value per share)
$1 million – $2,999,999 1.00%
$3 million – $49,999,999 0.50%
$50 million or more 0.25%
* The commission level applies to the applicable asset level; therefore, for example, for a purchase of $5 million, the Distributor would pay a commission of 1.00% on the first $2,999,999 and 0.50% on the balance.
Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges
The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts will depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from the Fund (i.e., a Direct-at-Fund Account, as defined below) or through a financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales charge and/or CDSC waivers. In all instances, it is your responsibility to notify your financial intermediary or (for Direct-at-Fund Accounts, as defined below) the Fund at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts that may qualify you for sales charge waivers or discounts. In order to obtain waivers and discounts not available through a particular financial intermediary, shareholders will have to purchase Fund shares directly from the Fund (if permitted) or through a different financial intermediary. For a description of financial intermediary-specific sales charge reductions and/or waivers, see Appendix A .
Class A and Class V Shares Front-End Sales Charge Reductions
The Fund makes available two means of reducing the front-end sales charge that you may pay when you buy Class A shares or Class V shares of a Fund. These types of sales charge reductions are also referred to as breakpoint discounts.
First, through the right of accumulation (ROA), you may combine the value of eligible accounts (as described in the Eligible Accounts section below) maintained by you and members of your immediate family to reach a breakpoint discount level and apply a lower front-end sales charge to your purchase. To calculate the combined value of your eligible Fund accounts in the particular class of shares, the Fund will use the current public offering price per share. For purposes of obtaining a breakpoint discount through ROA, you may aggregate your and your “immediate family” members' ownership (as described in the FUNDamentals box below) of certain classes of shares held in certain account types, as described in the Eligible Accounts section below.
Second, by making a statement of intent to purchase additional shares (commonly referred to as a letter of intent (LOI)), you may pay a lower sales charge on all purchases of Class A shares or Class V shares made within 13 months after the date of your LOI. Your LOI must state the aggregate amount of purchases you intend to make in that 13-month period, which must be at least enough to reach the first (or next) breakpoint of the Fund. The required form of LOI may vary by financial intermediary, so please contact them directly for more information. Five percent of the purchase commitment amount will be placed in escrow. At the end of the 13-month period, the shares will be released from escrow, provided that you have invested the commitment amount. If you do not invest the commitment amount by the end of the 13 months, the remaining amount of the unpaid sales charge will be redeemed from the escrowed shares and the remaining balance released from escrow. To calculate the total value of the purchases you've made under an LOI, the Fund will use the historic cost (i.e., dollars invested and not current market value) of the shares held in each eligible account; reinvested dividends or capital gains, or purchases made through the reinstatement privilege do not count as purchases made under an LOI. For purposes of making an LOI to purchase additional shares, you may aggregate eligible shares owned by you or your immediate family members in eligible accounts, valued as of the day immediately before the initiation of your LOI.
You must request the reduced sales charge (whether through ROA or an LOI) when you buy shares. If you do not complete and file an LOI, or do not request the reduced sales charge at the time of purchase, you will not be eligible for the reduced sales charge. To obtain a breakpoint discount, you must notify your financial intermediary in writing at the time you buy your shares of each eligible account maintained by you and members of your immediate family,
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
including accounts maintained through different financial intermediaries. You and your financial intermediary are responsible for ensuring that you receive discounts for which you are eligible. The Fund is not responsible for a financial intermediary's failure to apply the eligible discount to your account. You may be asked by your financial intermediary (or by the Fund if you hold your account directly with the Fund) for account statements or other records to verify your discount eligibility for new and subsequent purchases, including, when applicable, records for accounts opened with a different financial intermediary and records of accounts established by members of your immediate family.
The sales charge reductions available to investors who purchase and hold their Fund shares through different financial intermediaries may vary. For a description of such financial intermediary-specific sales charge reductions, see Appendix A .
FUNDamentals
Your “Immediate Family” and Account Value Aggregation
For purposes of obtaining a breakpoint discount for Class A shares or Class V shares, the value of your account will be deemed to include the value of all applicable shares in eligible Fund accounts that are held by you and your “immediate family,” which includes your spouse, domestic partner, parent, step-parent, legal guardian, child under 21, step-child under 21, father-in-law and mother-in-law, provided that you and your immediate family members share the same mailing address. Any Fund accounts linked together for account value aggregation purposes as of the close of business on September 3, 2010 will be permitted to remain linked together. Group retirement plan accounts are valued at the retirement plan level.
Eligible Accounts
The following accounts are eligible for account value aggregation as described above, provided that they are invested in Class A, Class C, Class E, Class F, Class V or Class Z shares of a Fund, or non-retirement plan accounts invested in Class R4 or Class R5 shares of a Fund: individual or joint accounts; Roth and traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs); Simplified Employee Pension accounts (SEPs), Savings Investment Match Plans for Employees of Small Employers accounts (SIMPLEs) and Tax Sheltered Custodial Accounts (TSCAs); Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA)/Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) accounts for which you, your spouse, or your domestic partner is parent or guardian of the minor child; revocable trust accounts for which you or an immediate family member, individually, is the beneficial owner/grantor; accounts held in the name of your, your spouse’s, or your domestic partner’s sole proprietorship or single owner limited liability company or S corporation; qualified retirement plan assets, provided that you are the sole owner of the business sponsoring the plan, are the sole participant (other than a spouse) in the plan, and have no intention of adding participants to the plan; and investments in wrap accounts.
The following accounts are not eligible for account value aggregation as described above: accounts of pension and retirement plans with multiple participants, such as 401(k) plans (which are combined to reduce the sales charge for the entire pension or retirement plan and therefore are not used to reduce the sales charge for your individual accounts); investments in 529 plans, donor advised funds, variable annuities, variable insurance products or managed separate accounts; charitable and irrevocable trust accounts; accounts holding shares of money market funds that used the Columbia brand before May 1, 2010; accounts invested in Class K, Class R, Class T or Class Y shares of a Fund; and retirement plan accounts invested in Class R4 or Class R5 shares of a Fund.
Additionally, direct purchases of shares of Columbia Government Money Market Fund may not be aggregated for account value aggregation purposes; however, shares of Columbia Government Money Market Fund acquired by exchange from other Funds may be included in account value aggregation.
Prospectus 2017 43

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
Class A and Class V Shares Front-End Sales Charge Waivers
There are no front-end sales charges on reinvested Fund distributions. The Distributor may waive front-end sales charges on purchases of Class A and Class V shares of the Funds by certain categories of investors, including Board members, certain employees of financial intermediaries, Fund portfolio managers and certain retirement and employee benefit plans (see the SAI’s Appendix S for details). The Distributor may waive front-end sales charges on (i) purchases (including exchanges) of Class A shares in accounts of financial intermediaries that have entered into agreements with the Distributor to offer Fund shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may or may not charge a transaction fee to customers; (ii) exchanges of Class Z shares of a Fund for Class A shares of the Fund; and (iii) purchases of Class A shares on brokerage mutual fund-only platforms of financial intermediaries that have an agreement with the Distributor that specifically authorizes the offering of Class A shares within such platform. For a more complete description of categories of investors who may purchase Class A and Class V shares of the Funds at NAV, without payment of any front-end sales charge that would otherwise apply, see Appendix S to the SAI. In addition, certain types of purchases of Class A and Class V shares may be made at NAV. For a description of these eligible transactions, see Appendix S to the SAI.
The sales charge waivers available to investors who purchase and hold their Fund shares through different financial intermediaries may vary. For a description of such financial intermediary-specific sales charge waivers, see Appendix A .
Class T Sales Charge Waivers
There is no front-end sales charge on (i) reinvested Fund distributions; (ii) exchanges of Class T shares of the Fund from, at the discretion of Class T Intermediaries, another class of shares of the same Fund held in accounts of Class T Intermediaries, provided that (a) the other share class may only be exchanged for Class T shares if your financial intermediary does not offer that other share class on the financial intermediary’s commission-based platform and (b), unless waived in the Distributor’s discretion, shares of the class to be exchanged are held in a networked or omnibus account with the Fund; and (iii) purchases within fee-based accounts, provided that the Class T Intermediary has an agreement with the Distributor that specifically contemplates offering Class T shares within the designated fee-based platform.
The sales charge waivers available to investors who purchase and hold their Fund shares through different financial intermediaries may vary. For a description of such financial intermediary-specific sales charge waivers, see Appendix A .
CDSC Waivers – Class A, Class C and Class V
You may be able to avoid an otherwise applicable CDSC when you sell Class A, Class C or Class V shares of the Fund. This could happen because of the way in which you originally invested in the Fund, because of your relationship with the Funds or for other reasons. For example, the CDSC will be waived on redemptions of shares in the event of the shareholder's death; that result from required minimum distributions taken from retirement accounts when the shareholder reaches age 70½; in connection with the Fund's Small Account Policy (which is described in Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares — Transaction Rules and Policies ); and by certain other investors and in certain other types of transactions or situations. For a more complete description of the available waivers of the CDSC on redemptions of Class A, Class C or Class V shares, see Appendix S to the SAI.
The sales charge waivers available to investors who purchase and hold their Fund shares through different financial intermediaries may vary. For a description of such financial intermediary-specific sales charge waivers, see Appendix A .
Repurchases (Reinstatements)
As noted in the table below, you can redeem shares of certain classes (see Redeemed Share Class below) and use such redemption proceeds to buy shares of the Corresponding Repurchase Class without paying an otherwise applicable sales charge and/or CDSC (other than redemptions from Columbia Government Money Market Fund unless purchased via an exchange from another Fund) within 90 days, up to the amount of the redemption proceeds.
    
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
Repurchases (Reinstatements)
Redeemed Share Class Corresponding Repurchase Class
Class A Class A
Class C Class C
Class V Class V
Any CDSC paid upon redemption of your Class A, Class C or Class V shares of a Fund will not be reimbursed.
To be eligible for the repurchase (or reinstatement) privilege, the purchase must be made into an account for the same owner, but does not need to be into the same Fund from which the shares were sold. The Transfer Agent, Distributor or their agents must receive a written reinstatement request from you or your financial intermediary within 90 days after the shares are redeemed. The purchase of the Corresponding Repurchase Class (as noted in the table above) through this repurchase (or reinstatement) privilege will be made at the NAV of such shares next calculated after the request is received in “good form.” Systematic withdrawals and purchases are excluded from this policy.
Restrictions and Changes in Terms and Conditions
Restrictions may apply to certain accounts and certain transactions. The Funds and/or the Distributor may change or cancel these terms and conditions at any time. Unless you provide your financial intermediary with information in writing about all of the factors that may count toward available reductions or waivers of an applicable sales charge, there can be no assurance that you will receive all of the reductions and waivers for which you may be eligible. To the extent your Fund account is held directly with the Fund, you should provide this information to the Fund when placing your purchase or redemption order. Please see Appendix A to this prospectus and Appendix S of the SAI for more information about sales charge waivers.
Distribution and Service Fees
The Board has approved, and the Funds have adopted, distribution and/or shareholder service plans which set the distribution and/or service fees that are periodically deducted from the Funds’ assets. These fees are calculated daily, may vary by share class and are intended to compensate the Distributor and/or eligible financial intermediaries for, with regard to distribution fees, selling Fund shares and, with regard to service fees, directly or indirectly providing services to shareholders. Because the fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an ongoing basis, they will increase the cost of your investment over time.
The table below shows the maximum annual distribution and/or service fees (as 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 0.25% up to 0.25% up to 0.35% (a)(b)(c)
Class C 0.75% (c)(d) 0.25% 1.00% (b)
Class K None None (e) None (e)
Class R (series of CFST and CFST I) 0.50% (f) 0.50%
Class R (series of CFST II) up to 0.50% (c) up to 0.25% 0.50% (f)
Class R4 None None None
Class R5 None None None
Class T up to 0.25% (c) up to 0.25% 0.25%
Class V None up to 0.50% (g) up to 0.50% (g)
Class Y None None None
Class Z None None None
Prospectus 2017 45

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Choosing a Share Class (continued)
(a) The maximum distribution and service fees of Class A shares varies among the Funds, as shown in the table below:
    
Funds Maximum
Class A
Distribution Fee
Maximum
Class A
Service Fee
Maximum
Class A
Combined Total
Series of CFST 0.25%; these Funds pay a
combined distribution and
service fee
Series of CFST II (other than Columbia
Government Money Market Fund)
up to 0.25% up to 0.25% 0.25%
Columbia Government Money Market Fund 0.10%
Columbia AMT-Free Oregon Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, Columbia Balanced Fund, Columbia Contrarian Core Fund, Columbia Disciplined Small Core Fund, Columbia Dividend Income Fund, Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund, Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund, Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I, Columbia Total Return Bond Fund up to 0.10% up to 0.25% up to 0.35%; these Funds may
pay distribution and service fees
up to a maximum of 0.35% of their
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
Columbia Adaptive Risk Allocation Fund, Columbia Alternative Beta Fund, Columbia AMT-Free Connecticut Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, Columbia AMT-Free Massachusetts Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, Columbia AMT-Free New York Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, Columbia Bond Fund, Columbia California Tax-Exempt Fund, Columbia Corporate Income Fund, Columbia Diversified Absolute Return Fund, Columbia Diversified Real Return Fund, Columbia Emerging Markets Fund, Columbia Global Dividend Opportunity Fund, Columbia Global Energy and Natural Resources Fund, Columbia Greater China Fund, Columbia Multi-Asset Income Fund, Columbia New York Tax-Exempt Fund, Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund, Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I, Columbia Strategic Income Fund, Columbia U.S. Social Bond Fund, Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund 0.25% 0.25%
Columbia AMT-Free Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund, Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund 0.20% 0.20%
(b) The service fees for Class A and Class C shares of certain Funds vary. The annual service fee for Class A and Class C shares of Columbia AMT-Free Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund and Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund may equal up to 0.20% of the average daily NAV of all shares of such Fund class. The annual distribution fee for Class C shares for Columbia AMT-Free Intermediate Muni Bond Fund shall be 0.65% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class C shares. The Distributor has voluntarily agreed to waive the service fee for Class A and Class C shares of Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund so that the service fee does not exceed 0.15% annually. This arrangement may be modified or terminated by the Distributor at any time.
(c) Fee amounts noted apply to all Funds other than Columbia Government Money Market Fund, which, for each of Class A and Class T shares, pays distribution and service fees of 0.10%, and for Class C shares pays distribution fees of 0.75%. The Distributor has currently agreed not to be reimbursed by the Fund for 0.25% of the 0.50% fee for Class R shares of Columbia Government Money Market Fund. The Distributor has voluntarily agreed to waive the 12b-1 fees it receives from Class A, Class C, Class R and Class T shares of Columbia Government Money Market Fund. This arrangement may be modified or terminated by the Distributor at any time. Compensation paid to financial intermediaries may be suspended to the extent of the Distributor's waiver of the 12b-1 fees on these specific share classes of these Funds.
(d) The Distributor has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the distribution fee for Class C shares of the following Funds so that the distribution fee does not exceed the specified percentage annually: 0.45% for Columbia AMT-Free Connecticut Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, Columbia AMT-Free Massachusetts Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, Columbia AMT-Free New York Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, Columbia AMT-Free Oregon Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, Columbia California Tax-Exempt Fund and Columbia New York Tax-Exempt Fund; 0.60% for Columbia Corporate Income Fund and Columbia Short Term Bond Fund; 0.65% for Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund and Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund; and 0.70% for Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund. These arrangements may be modified or terminated by the Distributor at any time.
(e) Under a plan administration services agreement, the Funds' Class K shares pay for plan administration services. These fees for Class K shares are not paid pursuant to a 12b-1 plan. See Class K Plan Administration Services Fee below for more information.
(f) Class R shares of series of CFST and CFST I pay a distribution fee pursuant to a distribution (Rule 12b-1) plan for Class R shares. The Funds do not have a shareholder service plan for Class R shares. Series of CFST II have a distribution and shareholder service plan for Class R
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  shares, which, prior to the close of business on September 3, 2010, were known as Class R2 shares. For Class R shares of series of CFST II, the maximum fee under the plan reimbursed for distribution expenses is equal on an annual basis to 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Class R shares. Of that amount, up to 0.25% may be reimbursed for shareholder service expenses.
(g) The shareholder servicing fees for Class V shares are up to 0.50% of average daily net assets attributable to Class V shares for equity Funds and 0.40% for fixed income Funds. In general, the Funds currently limit such fees to a maximum of 0.25% for equity Funds and 0.15% for fixed-income Funds. These fees for Class V shares are not paid pursuant to a 12b-1 plan. See Class V Shareholder Service Fees below for more information.
The distribution and/or service fees for Class A, Class C, Class R and Class T shares, as applicable, are subject to the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Distributor may retain these fees otherwise payable to financial intermediaries if the amounts due are below an amount determined by the Distributor in its sole discretion.
For Class A (with the exception noted in the next sentence), Class R and Class T shares, the Distributor begins to pay these fees immediately after purchase. For Class A shares (if purchased as part of a purchase of shares of $1 million or more for Taxable Funds or $500,000 or more for Tax-Exempt Funds) and for Class C shares (with the exception noted in the next sentence), the Distributor begins to pay these fees 12 months after purchase. For Class C shares, financial intermediaries may opt to decline payment of a sales commission and instead may receive these fees immediately after purchase. For the first 12 months following the sale of Class C shares, the Distributor retains the distribution fee of up to 0.75% in order to finance the payment of sales commissions to financial intermediaries and to pay for other distribution related expenses.
Series of CFST II. The maximum fee for services under the distribution and/or shareholder servicing plan for series of CFST II is the lesser of the amount of reimbursable expenses and the fee rates in the table above. If a share class of a series of CFST II has no reimbursable distribution or shareholder servicing expenses, it will suspend the payment of any such fee.
If you maintain shares of the Fund directly with the Fund, without working with a financial advisor or other financial intermediary, distribution and service fees may be retained by the Distributor as payment or reimbursement for incurring certain distribution and shareholder service related expenses.
Over time, these distribution and/or service fees will reduce the return on your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. The Fund will pay these fees to the Distributor and/or to eligible financial intermediaries for as long as the distribution plan and/or shareholder servicing plans continue in effect, which is expected to be indefinitely. However, the Fund may reduce or discontinue payments at any time. Your financial intermediary may also charge you other additional fees for providing services to your account, which may be different from those described here.
Class K Plan Administration Services Fee
Class K shares pay an annual plan administration services fee for the provision of various administrative, recordkeeping, communication and educational 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. The fee for Class K shares is equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of average daily net assets attributable to the class. These fees for Class K shares are not paid pursuant to a 12b-1 plan. The Distributor pays these fees as applicable.
Class V Shareholder Services Fees
The Funds that offer Class V shares have adopted a shareholder services plan that permits them to pay for certain services provided to Class V shareholders by their financial intermediaries. Equity Funds 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 V 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 V shares (comprised 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 0.25% for equity Funds and not more than 0.15% for fixed income Funds. The Distributor begins to pay these fees immediately after purchase for purchases up to $1 million, for purchases of $1 million or more the Distributor will begin to pay these fees 12 months after purchase. These fees for Class V shares are not paid pursuant to a 12b-1 plan. With respect to those Funds that declare dividends on a daily basis, the
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Choosing a Share Class (continued)
shareholder servicing fee shall be waived by the financial intermediaries to the extent necessary to prevent net investment income from falling below 0% on a daily basis. If you maintain shares of the Fund directly with the Fund, without working with a financial advisor or other intermediary, shareholder services fees may be retained by the Distributor as payment or reimbursement for incurring certain shareholder service related expenses.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
The Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates make payments, from their own resources, to financial intermediaries, including other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for marketing/sales support services relating to the Funds (Marketing Support Payments). Such payments are generally based upon one or more of the following factors: average net assets of the Funds attributable to that financial intermediary; gross sales of the Funds attributable to that financial intermediary; reimbursement of ticket charges (fees that a financial intermediary 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, Marketing Support Payments to any one financial intermediary are generally between 0.05% and 0.40% on an annual basis for payments based on average net assets of the Fund 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 Funds attributable to the financial intermediary. The Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates may at times make payments with respect to a Fund or the Columbia Funds generally on a basis other than those described above, or in larger amounts, when dealing with certain financial intermediaries. Not all financial intermediaries receive Marketing Support Payments. The Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates do not make Marketing Support Payments with respect to Class Y shares.
In addition, the Transfer Agent has certain arrangements in place to compensate financial intermediaries, including other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, that hold Fund shares through networked and omnibus accounts, including omnibus retirement plans, for services that they provide to beneficial Fund shareholders (Shareholder Services). Shareholder Services and related fees vary by financial intermediary and according to distribution channel and may include sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, shareholder or participant transaction processing, maintenance of shareholder records, preparation of account statements and provision of customer service, and are not intended to include services that are primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares. Payments for Shareholder Services generally are not expected, with certain limited exceptions, to exceed 0.40% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares. Generally, each Fund pays the Transfer Agent a per account fee or a percentage of the average aggregate value of shares per annum maintained in omnibus accounts up to the lesser of the amount charged by the financial intermediary or a channel-specific or share class-specific cap established by the Board from time to time. Fee amounts in excess of the amount paid by the Fund are borne by the Transfer Agent, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates. For Class Y shares, the Transfer Agent does not pay financial intermediaries for Shareholder Services, and the Fund does not compensate the Transfer Agent for any Shareholder Services provided by financial intermediaries.
In addition to the payments described above, the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates typically make other payments or allow promotional incentives to certain broker-dealers to the extent permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and by other applicable laws and regulations.
Amounts paid by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates are paid out of their own resources and do not increase the amount paid by you or the Fund. You can find further details in the SAI about the payments made by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates, as well as a list of the financial intermediaries, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, to which the Distributor, the Investment Manager or their affiliates have agreed to make Marketing Support Payments and pay Shareholder Services fees.
Your financial intermediary may charge you fees and commissions in addition to those described in this prospectus. 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 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, sell or exchange shares is the Fund's next determined net asset value (or NAV) per share for a given share class. The Fund calculates the NAV per share for each class of shares of the Fund at the end of each business day, with the value of the Fund's shares based on the total value of all of the securities and other assets that it holds as of a specified time.
FUNDamentals
NAV Calculation
Each of the Fund's share classes calculates its NAV per share as follows:
NAV per share =   (Value of assets of the share class) – (Liabilities of the share class)
Number of outstanding shares of the class
FUNDamentals
Business Days
A business day is any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. A business day typically ends at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE’s scheduled close. The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading or an intraday unscheduled closing as a close of regular trading on the NYSE for these purposes and will price its shares as of the regularly scheduled closing time for that day (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NAV of Fund shares may be determined at such other time or times (in addition to or in lieu of the time set forth above) as the Fund’s Board may approve or ratify. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, the Fund’s NAV 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.
Equity securities are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations reported on stock exchanges and other securities markets around the world. If an equity security is listed on a national exchange, the security is valued at the closing price or, if the closing price is not readily available, the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. Certain equity securities, debt securities and other assets are valued differently. For instance, bank loans trading in the secondary market are valued primarily on the basis of indicative bids, fixed-income investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued primarily using the amortized cost method, unless this methodology results in a valuation that does not approximate the market value of these securities, and those maturing in excess of 60 days are valued primarily using a market-based price obtained from a pricing service, if available. Investments in other open-end funds are valued at their published NAVs. Both market quotations and indicative bids are obtained from outside pricing services approved and monitored pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund's Board.
If a market price is not readily available or is deemed not to reflect market value, the Fund will determine the price of a portfolio security based on a determination of the security's fair value pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund’s Board. 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 days when the Fund is open. Such significant events affecting a foreign security may include, but are not limited to: (1) corporate actions, earnings announcements, litigation or other events 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 foreign security's market price is readily available and reflective of market value and, if not, the fair value
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Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares (continued)
of the security. To the extent the Fund has significant holdings of small cap stocks, high-yield bonds, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt, foreign or other securities that may trade infrequently, fair valuation may be used more frequently than for other funds.
Fair valuation may have the effect of reducing stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, when 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.
Transaction Rules and Policies
The Fund, the Distributor or the Transfer Agent may refuse any order to buy or exchange shares. If this happens, the Fund will return any money it received, but no interest will be paid on that money. Your financial intermediary may have rules and policies in place that are in addition to or different than those described below.
Order Processing
Orders to buy, sell or exchange Fund shares are processed on business days. Depending upon the class of shares, orders can be made by mail, by telephone or online. Orders received in “good form” by the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary before the end of a business day are priced at the NAV per share of the Fund's applicable share class on that day. Orders received after the end of a business day will receive the next business day's NAV per share. When a written order to buy, sell or exchange shares is sent to the Transfer Agent, the share price used to fill the order is the next price calculated by the Fund after the Transfer Agent receives the order at its transaction processing center in Canton, Massachusetts, not the P.O. Box provided for regular mail delivery. 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 NAV per share. The business day that applies to your order is also called the trade date.
“Good Form”
An order is in “good form” if the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary has all of the information and documentation it deems necessary to effect your order. For example, when you sell shares, “good form” means that your request (i) has complete instructions and written requests include the signatures of all account owners, (ii) is for an amount that is less than or equal to the shares in your account for which payment has been received and collected, (iii) has a Medallion Signature Guarantee for amounts greater than $100,000 and certain other transactions, as described below, and (iv) includes 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
The Transfer Agent may require a Medallion Signature Guarantee for your signature in order to process certain transactions, including if: (i) the transaction amount is over $100,000; (ii) you want your check made payable to someone other than the registered account owner(s); (iii) the address of record has changed within the last 30 days; (iv) you want the check mailed to an address other than the address of record; (v) you want proceeds to be sent according to existing bank account instructions not coded for outgoing Automated Clearing House (ACH) or wire, or to a bank account not on file; or (vi) you are changing legal ownership of your account.
A Medallion Signature Guarantee helps assure that a signature is genuine and not a forgery. A Medallion Signature Guarantee must be provided by an eligible guarantor institution including, but not limited to, the following: a bank, credit union, savings association, broker or dealer that participates in the Securities Transfer Association Medallion Program (STAMP), the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP) or the New York Stock Exchange Medallion
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Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares (continued)
Signature Program (MSP). For other transactions, the Transfer Agent may require a signature guarantee. Notarization by a notary public is not an acceptable signature guarantee. The Transfer Agent reserves the right to reject a signature guarantee and to request additional documentation for any transaction.
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., social security number (SSN) or other taxpayer identification number (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.
Small Account Policy — Class A, Class C, Class T, Class V and Class Z Share Accounts Below the Minimum Account Balance
The Funds generally will automatically sell your shares if the value of your Fund account (treating each account of the Fund you own separately from any other account of the Fund you may own) falls below the applicable minimum account balance. The minimum account balance varies among Funds, share classes and types of accounts, as follows:
    
Minimum Account Balance  
  Minimum
Account
Balance
For all Funds, classes and account types except those listed below $250 (None for accounts with
Systematic Investment Plans)
Individual Retirement Accounts for all Funds and classes except those listed below None
Columbia Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund $5,000
Columbia Floating Rate Fund and Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund $2,500
Class K, Class R, Class R4, Class R5 and Class Y None
If your shares are sold, the Transfer Agent will remit the sale proceeds to you. Any otherwise applicable CDSC will not be imposed on such an automatic sale of your shares. The Transfer Agent will send you written notification in advance of any automatic sale, which will provide details on how you may avoid such an automatic sale. Generally, you may avoid such an automatic sale by raising your account balance to at least $250, consolidating your multiple accounts you may have with the Funds through an exchange (so as to maintain at least $250 in each of your accounts), or setting up a Systematic Investment Plan (described below). For more information, contact the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary. The Transfer Agent's contact information (toll-free number and mailing addresses) as well as the Funds’ website address can be found at the beginning of the section Choosing a Share Class .
The Fund also may sell your Fund shares if your financial intermediary tells us to sell your shares pursuant to arrangements made with you, and under certain other circumstances allowed under the 1940 Act.
Small Account Policy — Class A, Class C, Class T, Class V and Class Z Share Accounts Minimum Balance Fee
If the value of your Fund account (treating each account of the Fund you own separately from any other account of the Fund you may own) falls below the minimum initial investment requirement applicable to you for any reason, including as a result of market decline, your account generally will be subject to a $20 annual fee. This fee will be assessed through the automatic sale of Fund shares in your account. Any otherwise applicable CDSC will not be imposed on such an automatic sale of your shares. The Transfer Agent will reduce the expenses paid by the Fund by any amounts it collects from the assessment of this fee. For Funds that do not have transfer agency expenses against which to offset the amount collected through assessment of this fee, the fee will be paid directly to the Fund. The Transfer
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Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares (continued)
Agent will send you written notification in advance of assessing any fee, which will provide details on how you can avoid the imposition of such fee. Generally, you may avoid the imposition of such fee by raising your Fund account balance, consolidating your multiple accounts you may have with the Funds, or setting up a Systematic Investment Plan that invests at least monthly. For more information, contact the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary. You can contact the Transfer Agent by calling toll-free 800.345.6611, or by writing (regular mail) to Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., P.O. Box 8081, Boston, MA 02266-8081 or (express mail) Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., c/o Boston Financial, 30 Dan Road, Suite 8081, Canton, MA 02021-2809. You can also visit the Funds' website at columbiathreadneedle.com/us.
The Funds reserve the right to lower the account size trigger point for the minimum balance fee in any year or for any class of shares when we believe it is appropriate to do so in light of declines in the market value of Fund shares or for other reasons.
Exceptions to the Small Account Policy (Accounts Below Minimum Account Balance) and Minimum Balance Fee
The automatic sale of Fund shares of accounts under $250 and the annual minimum balance fee described above do not apply to shareholders of Class K, Class R, Class R4, Class R5 and Class Y shares; shareholders holding their shares through financial intermediary networked accounts; wrap fee and omnibus accounts; accounts with active Systematic Investment Plans; certain qualified retirement plans; and health savings accounts. The automatic sale of Fund shares of accounts under the applicable minimum account balance does not apply to individual retirement plans.
Small Account Policy — Financial Intermediary Networked and Wrap Fee Accounts
The Funds may automatically redeem, at any time, financial intermediary networked accounts and wrap fee accounts that have account balances of $20 or less or have less than one share.
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 financial intermediaries, including participating life insurance companies and financial intermediaries that sponsor or offer retirement plans through which shares of the Funds are made available for purchase. Pursuant to Rule 22c-2, financial intermediaries 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.
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Non-Money Market Funds
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.
The Fund reserves the right to reject, without any prior notice, any purchase or exchange order for any reason, and will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected orders. For example, the Fund may in its sole discretion restrict or reject a purchase or exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to the specific limitation 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 purchase or exchange transactions communicated directly to the Transfer Agent and to those received by financial intermediaries.
Specific Buying and Exchanging Limitations — If a Fund detects that an investor has made two “material round trips” in any 28-day period, it will generally reject the investor's future purchase orders, including exchange purchase orders, involving any Fund.
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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 sole discretion, reject future purchase 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 in 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. In addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reinstate trading privileges that have been revoked under the Fund's Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures.
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, sell or exchange orders through financial intermediaries, and cannot always know of or reasonably detect excessive trading that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries 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 financial intermediaries such as broker-dealers, retirement plans and variable insurance products. These arrangements often permit financial intermediaries to aggregate their clients' transactions and accounts, and in these circumstances, the identities of the financial intermediary clients that beneficially own Fund shares are often not known to the Fund.
Some financial intermediaries apply their own restrictions or policies to their clients’ transactions and 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 Fund 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;
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
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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 do not 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 securities and other debt instruments that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk bonds”), equity securities of small-capitalization companies, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt or other securities that may trade infrequently, because
these securities are often traded infrequently, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these securities as of the Fund's valuation time. 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 only, or significantly, in highly liquid securities, in part because the Fund may have difficulty selling these particular investments 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 non-redeeming shareholders.
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Columbia Government Money Market Fund
A money market fund is designed to offer investors a liquid cash option that they may buy and sell as often as they wish. Accordingly, the Board has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage excessive or short-term trading of Columbia Government Money Market Fund shares. However, since frequent purchases and sales of Columbia Government Money Market Fund shares could in certain instances harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs (such as spreads paid to dealers who trade money market instruments with Columbia Government Money Market Fund) and disrupting portfolio management strategies, Columbia Government Money Market Fund reserves the right, but has no obligation, to reject any purchase or exchange transaction at any time. Except as expressly described in this prospectus (such as minimum purchase amounts), Columbia Government Money Market Fund has no limits on purchase or exchange transactions. In addition, Columbia Government Money Market Fund reserves the right to impose or modify restrictions on purchases, exchanges or trading of Fund shares at any time.
Opening an Account and Placing Orders
We encourage you to consult with a financial advisor who can help you with your investment decisions and who can help you open an account. Once you have an account, you can buy, sell or exchange shares by contacting your financial advisor who will send your order to the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary. As described below, once you have an account you can also communicate your orders directly to the Transfer Agent by mail, by telephone or online (except that purchases of Class T shares must be made through a Class T Intermediary).
The Funds are generally available directly (except for Class T shares) and through broker-dealers, banks and other financial intermediaries or institutions, and through certain qualified and non-qualified plans, wrap fee products or other investment products sponsored by financial intermediaries. You may exchange or sell shares through your financial intermediary. If you maintain your account directly with your financial intermediary, you must contact that agent to process your transaction.
Not all financial intermediaries offer the Funds (or all classes of Fund shares) and certain financial intermediaries that offer the Funds may not offer all Funds on all investment platforms or programs. Please consult with your financial intermediary to determine the availability of the Funds. If you set up an account at a financial intermediary that does not have, and is unable to obtain, a selling agreement with the Distributor, you will not be able to transfer Fund holdings to that account. In that event, you must either maintain your Fund holdings with your current financial intermediary or find another financial intermediary with a selling agreement.
Financial intermediaries that offer the Funds may charge you additional fees for the services they provide and they may have different policies that are not described in this prospectus. An investor transacting in a class of Fund shares without any front-end sales charge, CDSC, or other asset-based fee for sales or distribution, such as a Rule
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12b-1 fee, may be required to pay a commission to the broker/financial intermediary for effecting such transactions. The Funds are offered in a number of different share classes that have different fees and expenses and other features. Some differences in the policies of different financial intermediaries may include different minimum investment amounts, exchange privileges, Fund/class choices and cutoff times for investments. Additionally, recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to your account may be performed by the financial intermediaries through which your shares of the Fund are held. Since the Fund (and its service providers) may not have a record of your account transactions, you should always contact the financial intermediary through which you purchased or at which you maintain your shares of the Fund to make changes to your account, to give instructions concerning your account, or to obtain information about your account. The Fund and its service providers, including the Distributor and the Transfer Agent, are not responsible for the failure of any financial intermediary to carry out its obligations to its customers.
The Fund may engage financial intermediaries to receive purchase, exchange and sell orders on its behalf. Accounts established directly with the Fund will be serviced by the Transfer Agent. The Funds, the Transfer Agent and the Distributor do not provide investment advice.
Direct-At-Fund Accounts (Accounts Established Directly with the Fund)
You can hold Fund shares through an account established and held through the financial intermediary through which you purchased Fund shares or, with the exception of Class T shares, you or your financial intermediary may establish an account directly with the Fund, in which case you will receive Fund account transaction confirmations and statements from the Transfer Agent, and not your financial intermediary (Direct-at-Fund Accounts).
To open a Direct-at-Fund Account, complete a Fund account application with your financial advisor or investment professional, and mail the account application to the Transfer Agent. Account applications may be obtained at columbiathreadneedle.com/us or may be requested by calling 800.345.6611. Make your check payable to the Fund. You will be assessed a $15 fee for any checks rejected by your financial institution due to insufficient funds or other reasons. The Funds do not accept cash, credit card convenience checks, money orders, traveler's checks, starter checks, third or fourth party checks, or other cash equivalents.
Mail your check and completed application to the Transfer Agent at its regular or express mail address that can be found at the beginning of the section Choosing a Share Class . You may also use these addresses to request an exchange or redemption of Fund shares. When a written order to buy, sell or exchange shares is sent to the Transfer Agent, the share price used to fill the order is the next price calculated by the Fund after the Transfer Agent receives your transaction request in “good form” at its transaction processing center in Canton, Massachusetts, not the P.O. Box provided for regular mail delivery.
You will be sent a statement confirming your purchase and any subsequent transactions in your account. You will also be sent quarterly and annual statements detailing your transactions in the Fund and the other Funds you own under the same account number. Duplicate quarterly account statements for the current year and duplicate annual statements for the most recent prior calendar year will be sent to you free of charge. Copies of year-end statements for prior years are available for a fee. Please contact the Transfer Agent for more information.
Written Transactions – Direct-at-Fund Accounts
If you have a Direct-at-Fund Account, you can communicate written buy, sell or exchange orders to the Transfer Agent at its address that can be found at the beginning of the section Choosing a Share Class . When a written order to buy, sell or exchange shares is sent to the Transfer Agent, the share price used to fill the order is the next price calculated by the Fund after the Transfer Agent receives your transaction request in “good form” at its transaction processing center in Canton, Massachusetts, not the P.O. Box provided for regular mail delivery.
Include in your transaction request letter: your name; the name of the Fund(s); your account number; the class of shares to be purchased, exchanged or sold; your SSN or other TIN; the dollar amount or number of shares you want to purchase, exchange or sell; specific instructions regarding delivery of any redemption proceeds or exchange destination (i.e., the Fund/class to be exchanged into); signature(s) of all registered account owner(s); and any special documents the Transfer Agent may require in order to process your order.
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Corporate, trust or partnership accounts may need to send additional documents. Payment will be mailed to the address of record and made payable to the names listed on the account, unless your request specifies differently and is signed by all owners.
Telephone Transactions – Direct-at-Fund Accounts
For Class A, Class C, Class R, Class V, Class Y and Class Z shares, if you have a Direct-at-Fund Account, you may place orders to buy, sell or exchange shares by telephone through the Transfer Agent. To place orders by telephone, call 800.422.3737. Have your account number and SSN or TIN available when calling.
You can sell Fund shares via the telephone and receive redemption proceeds: by electronic funds transfer or by check to the address of record, subject to a maximum of $100,000 of shares per day, per Fund account; or by wire, subject to a maximum of $3 million of shares per day, per Fund account. You can buy up to a maximum of $100,000 of shares per day, per Fund account through your bank account as an Automated Clearing House (ACH) transaction via the telephone. Certain restrictions apply, so please call the Transfer Agent at 800.422.3737 for this and other information in advance of any need to transact via telephone.
Telephone orders may not be as secure as written orders. The Fund will take reasonable steps to confirm that telephone instructions are genuine. For example, we require proof of your 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.
Online Transactions – Direct-at-Fund Accounts
For Class A, Class C, Class R, Class V, Class Y and Class Z shares, if you have a Direct-at-Fund Account, you may contact the Transfer Agent at 800.345.6611 for more information on account trading restrictions and the special sign-up procedures required for online transactions. You can also go to www.investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com to sign up for online transactions. The Transfer Agent has procedures in place to authenticate electronic orders you send through the internet. You will be required to accept the terms of an online agreement and to establish an online account and utilize a password in order to access online account services. You can sell a maximum of $100,000 of shares per day, per Fund account through your online account if you qualify for internet orders.
Wire Transactions – Direct-at-Fund Accounts
If you hold a Direct-at-Fund Account, you may purchase or redeem Class A, Class C, Class V, Class Y and Class Z shares of a Fund by wiring money from (or to) your bank account to (or from) your Fund account by calling the Transfer Agent at 800.422.3737. You must set up this feature prior to your request unless you are submitting your request in writing with a Medallion Signature Guarantee. The Transfer Agent charges a fee for shares sold by Fedwire. The Transfer Agent may waive the fee for certain accounts. In the case of a redemption, the receiving bank may charge an additional fee. The minimum amount that can be redeemed by wire is $500. When selling Fund shares via a telephone request, the maximum amount that can be redeemed via wire transfer is $3 million per day, per Fund account.
Electronic Funds Transfer – Direct-at-Fund Accounts
If you hold a Direct-at-Fund Account, you may purchase or redeem Class A, Class C, Class V, Class Y and Class Z shares of a Fund by electronically transferring money from (or to) your bank account to (or from) your Fund account up to and including an aggregate of $100,000 of shares per day, per Fund account by calling the Transfer Agent at 800.422.3737. Prior to your request, you must establish this feature with the Transfer Agent by calling 800.422.3737 to obtain the necessary forms. Your bank may take up to three business days to post an electronic funds transfer to (or from) your Fund account.
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Buying Shares
Eligible Investors
Class A Shares
Class A shares are available to the general public for investment.
Class C Shares
Class C shares are available to the general public for investment.
Class K Shares (Closed)
Class K shares are closed to new investors and new accounts, subject to certain limited exceptions described below.
Only shareholders who opened and funded a Class K account with the Fund as of the close of business on December 31, 2010 (including accounts once funded that subsequently reached a zero balance) may continue to make additional purchases of Class K shares. Plans may continue to make additional purchases of Fund shares and add new participants, and new plans sponsored by the same or an affiliated sponsor may invest in the Fund (and add new participants) if an initial plan so sponsored invested in the Fund as of December 31, 2010 (or had approved the Fund as an investment option as of December 31, 2010 and funded its initial account with the Fund prior to March 31, 2011) and holds Fund shares at the plan level. An order to purchase Class K shares received by the Fund or the Transfer Agent that does not meet these requirements will be refused by the Fund and the Transfer Agent and any money that the Fund or the Transfer Agent received with the order will be returned to the investor or the financial intermediary, as appropriate, without interest.
Class K shares are designed for qualified employee benefit plans, trust companies or similar institutions, charitable organizations that meet the definition in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, non-qualified deferred compensation plans whose participants are included in a qualified employee benefit plan described above, state sponsored college savings plans established under Section 529 of the Code, and health savings accounts created pursuant to public law 108-173. Class K shares may be purchased, sold or exchanged only through the Distributor or an authorized financial intermediary.
Class R Shares
Class R shares are available only to eligible health savings accounts sponsored by third party platforms, including those sponsored by Ameriprise Financial affiliates, eligible retirement plans and, in the sole discretion of the Distributor, other types of retirement accounts held through platforms maintained by financial intermediaries approved by the Distributor. Eligible retirement plans include any retirement plan other than individual 403(b) plans. Class R shares are generally not available for investment through retail nonretirement accounts, traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SAR-SEPs, Simple IRAs or 529 tuition programs. Contact the Transfer Agent or your retirement plan or health savings account administrator for more information about investing in Class R shares.
Class R4 Shares
Class R4 shares are available only to (i) omnibus retirement plans, (ii) trust companies or similar institutions, (iii) broker-dealers, banks, trust companies and similar institutions that clear Fund share transactions for their client or customer investment advisory or similar accounts through designated financial intermediaries and their mutual fund trading platforms that have been granted specific written authorization from the Transfer Agent with respect to Class R4 eligibility apart from selling, servicing or similar agreements, (iv) 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, (v) 529 plans, (vi) health savings accounts, (vii) investors participating in a fee-based advisory program sponsored by a financial intermediary or other entity that is not compensated by the Fund for those services, other than payments for shareholder servicing or sub-accounting performed in place of the Transfer Agent, and (viii) commissionable brokerage platforms where the financial intermediary, acting as broker on behalf of its customer, charges the customer a commission for effecting transactions in Fund shares, provided that the financial intermediary has an agreement with the Distributor that specifically authorizes offering Class R4 shares within such platform.
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Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares (continued)
Class R5 Shares
Class R5 shares are available only to (i) certain registered investment advisers and family offices that clear Fund share transactions for their client or customer accounts through designated financial intermediaries and their mutual fund trading platforms that have been granted specific written authorization from the Transfer Agent with respect to Class R5 eligibility apart from selling, servicing or similar agreements; (ii) omnibus retirement plans; and (iii) institutional investors that are clients of the Columbia Threadneedle Global Institutional Distribution Team that invest in Class R5 shares for their own account through platforms approved by the Distributor or an affiliate thereof to offer and/or service Class R5 shares within such platform. Prior to November 8, 2012, Class R5 shares were closed to new investors and new accounts, subject to certain exceptions. Existing shareholders who do not satisfy the new eligibility requirements for investment in Class R5 may not establish new Class R5 accounts but may continue to make additional purchases of Class R5 shares in accounts opened and funded prior to November 8, 2012; provided, however, that investment advisory programs and similar programs that opened a Class R5 account as of May 1, 2010, and continuously hold Class R5 shares in such account after such date, may generally not only continue to make additional purchases of Class R5 shares but also open new Class R5 accounts for such pre-existing programs and add new shareholders in the program.
Class T Shares
Class T shares are available to the general public. Class T shares must be purchased through a Class T Intermediary (as defined above).
Class V Shares
Class V shares are available only to investors who received (and who have continuously held) Class V shares (formerly named Class T shares, which have no relation to a Fund’s current Class T shares) in connection with the merger of certain Galaxy funds into certain Funds that were then named Liberty funds.
Class Y Shares
Class Y shares are available to: (i) group retirement plans that maintain plan-level or omnibus accounts with the Fund (through the Transfer Agent); (ii) institutional investors that are clients of the Columbia Threadneedle Global Institutional Distribution Team that invest in Class Y shares for their own account through platforms approved by the Distributor or an affiliate thereof to offer and/or service Class Y shares within such platform; (iii) collective trust funds; (iv) affiliated or unaffiliated mutual funds (e.g., funds operating as funds-of-funds); (v) fee-based platforms of financial intermediaries (or the clearing intermediary that they trade through) that have an agreement with the Distributor or an affiliate thereof that specifically authorizes the financial intermediary to offer and/or service Class Y shares within such platform, provided also that Fund shares are held in an omnibus account; (vi) commissionable brokerage platforms where the financial intermediary, acting as broker on behalf of its customer, charges the customer a commission for effecting transactions in Fund shares, provided that the financial intermediary has an agreement with the Distributor that specifically authorizes offering Class Y shares within such platform and that Fund shares are held in an omnibus account; and (vii) bank trust departments, subject to an agreement with the Distributor that specifically authorizes offering Class Y shares and provided that Fund shares are held in an omnibus account. In each case above where noted that Fund shares are required to be held in an omnibus account, the Distributor may, in its discretion, determine to waive this requirement.
Class Z Shares
Class Z shares are available only to the categories of eligible investors described below under Class Z Shares Minimum Initial Investments . Financial intermediaries that clear Fund share transactions through designated financial intermediaries and their mutual fund trading platforms that were given specific written notice from the Transfer Agent of the termination, effective March 29, 2013, of their eligibility for new purchases of Class Z shares and omnibus retirement plans are not permitted to establish new Class Z accounts, subject to certain exceptions described below.
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Omnibus retirement plans that opened and, subject to certain exceptions, funded a Class Z account with the Fund as of the close of business on March 28, 2013 and have continuously held Class Z shares in such account after such date (each, a grandfathered plan), may generally continue to make additional purchases of Class Z shares, open new Class Z accounts and add new participants. In addition, an omnibus retirement plan affiliated with a grandfathered plan may, in the sole discretion of the Distributor, open new Class Z accounts in a Fund if the affiliated plan opened a Class Z account on or before March 28, 2013. If an omnibus retirement plan invested in Class Z shares changes recordkeepers after March 28, 2013, any new accounts established for that plan may not be established in Class Z shares, but such a plan may establish new accounts in a different share class for which the plan is eligible.
Accounts of financial intermediaries (other than omnibus retirement plans, which are discussed above) that clear Fund share transactions for their client or customer accounts through designated financial intermediaries and their mutual fund trading platforms that received specific written notice from the Transfer Agent of the termination, effective March 29, 2013, of their eligibility for new purchases of Class Z shares will not be permitted to establish new Class Z accounts or make additional purchases of Class Z shares (other than through reinvestment of distributions). Any such account may, at its holder’s option, exchange Class Z shares of a Fund, without the payment of a sales charge, for Class A shares of the same Fund.
Additional Eligible Investors
In addition, the Distributor, in its sole discretion, may accept investments in any share class from investors other than those listed in this prospectus, and may also waive certain eligibility requirements for operational and other reasons, including but not limited to any requirement to maintain Fund shares in networked or omnibus accounts.
Minimum Initial Investments
The table below shows the Fund’s minimum initial investment requirements, which may vary by Fund, class and type of account.
The Fund reserves the right to redeem your shares if your account falls below the Fund’s minimum initial investment requirement.
    
Minimum Initial Investments
  Minimum
Initial
Investment (a)
Minimum
Initial Investment
for Accounts
with Systematic
Investment Plans
For all Funds, classes and account types except those listed below $2,000 $100 (b)
Individual Retirement Accounts for all Funds and classes except those listed below $1,000 $100 (c)
Group retirement plans None N/A
Columbia Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund $10,000 $10,000
Columbia Floating Rate Fund and Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund $5,000 $5,000
Class K, Class R and Class R5 None N/A
Class Y $0, $1,000, $2,000 or $1 million (d) $100 (d)
Class R4 and Class Z $0, $1,000 or $2,000 (e) $100 (e)
(a) If your Class A, Class C, Class V, Class R4, Class Y or Class Z shares account balance falls below the minimum initial investment amount for any reason, including a market decline, you may be asked to increase it to the minimum initial investment amount or establish a monthly Systematic Investment Plan. If you do not do so, your account will be subject to a $20 annual low balance fee and/or shares may be automatically redeemed and the proceeds mailed to you if the account falls below the minimum account balance. See Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares — Transaction Rules and Policies above.
(b) Columbia Government Money Market Fund $2,000
(c) Columbia Government Money Market Fund $1,000
(d) There is no minimum initial investment in Class Y shares for: group retirement plans that maintain plan-level or omnibus accounts with the Fund; collective trust funds; affiliated or unaffiliated mutual funds (e.g., funds operating as funds-of-funds); and fee-based platforms of financial intermediaries (or the clearing intermediary that they trade through) that have an agreement with the Distributor or an affiliate thereof that specifically authorizes the financial intermediary to offer and/or service Class Y shares within such platform and Fund shares are held in an
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  omnibus account. The minimum initial investment in Class Y shares is $2,000 ($1,000 for IRAs; $100 for systematic investment plan accounts) for commissionable brokerage platforms where the financial intermediary, acting as broker on behalf of its customer, charges the customer a commission for effecting transactions in Fund shares, provided that the financial intermediary has an agreement with the Distributor that specifically authorizes offering Class Y shares within such platform and Fund shares are held in an omnibus account. The minimum initial investment in Class Y shares is $1 million, unless waived in the discretion of the Distributor, for the following investors: institutional investors that are clients of the Columbia Threadneedle Global Institutional Distribution Team that invest in Class Y shares for their own account through platforms approved by the Distributor or an affiliate thereof to offer and/or service Class Y shares within such platform; and bank trust departments, subject to an agreement with the Distributor that specifically authorizes offering Class Y shares and provided that Fund shares are held in an omnibus account. The Distributor may, in its discretion, waive the $1 million minimum initial investment required for these Class Y investors. In each case above where noted that Fund shares are required to be held in an omnibus account, the Distributor may, in its discretion, determine to waive this requirement.
(e) The minimum initial investment in Class R4 shares is $2,000 ($1,000 for IRAs; $100 for systematic investment plan accounts) for commissionable brokerage platforms where the financial intermediary, acting as broker on behalf of its customers, charges the customer a commission for effecting transactions in Fund shares, provided that the financial intermediary has an agreement with the Distributor that specifically authorizes offering Class R4 shares within such platform; for all other eligible Class R4 share investors (see Buying Shares – Eligible Investors – Class R4 Shares above), there is no minimum initial investment. The minimum initial investment amount for Class Z shares is $0, $1,000 or $2,000 depending upon the category of eligible investor. See — Class Z Shares Minimum Initial Investments below. The minimum initial investment amount for systematic investment plan accounts is the same as the amount set forth in the first two rows of the table, as applicable.
Additional Information about Minimum Initial Investments
The minimum initial investment requirements may be waived for accounts that are managed by an investment professional, or for accounts held in approved discretionary or non-discretionary wrap programs. The Distributor, in its sole discretion, may also waive minimum initial investment requirements for other account types.
Minimum investment and related requirements may be modified at any time, with or without prior notice. If your account is closed and then re-opened with a systematic investment plan, your account must meet the then-current applicable minimum initial investment.
Class Z Shares Minimum Initial Investments
There is no minimum initial investment in Class Z shares for the following categories of eligible investors:
Any health savings account sponsored by a third party platform.
Any investor participating in an account sponsored by a financial intermediary or other entity (that provides services to the account) that is paid a fee-based advisory fee by the investor and that is not compensated by the Fund for those services, other than payments for shareholder servicing or sub-accounting performed in place of the Transfer Agent.
The minimum initial investment in Class Z shares for the following categories of eligible investors is $1,000:
Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) on commissionable brokerage platforms where the financial intermediary, acting as broker on behalf of its customer, charges the customer a commission for effecting transactions in Fund shares, provided that the financial intermediary has an agreement with the Distributor that specifically authorizes offering Class Z shares within such platform.
Any current employee of Columbia Management Investment Advisers LLC, the Distributor or the Transfer Agent and immediate family members of any of the foregoing who share the same address are eligible to invest in Class Z shares through an individual retirement account (IRA). If you maintain your account with a financial intermediary, you must contact that financial intermediary each time you seek to purchase shares to notify them that you qualify for Class Z shares. If Class Z shares are not available at your financial intermediary, you may consider opening a Direct-at-Fund Account. It is your obligation to advise your financial intermediary or (in the case of Direct-at-Fund Accounts) the Transfer Agent that you qualify for Class Z shares; be prepared to provide proof thereof.
The minimum initial investment in Class Z shares for the following categories of eligible investors is $2,000:
Investors (except investors in individual retirement accounts (IRAs)) on commissionable brokerage platforms where the financial intermediary, acting as broker on behalf of its customer, charges the customer a commission for effecting transactions in Fund shares provided that the financial intermediary has an agreement with the Distributor that specifically authorizes offering Class Z shares within such platform.
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Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares (continued)
Any current employee of Columbia Management Investment Advisers LLC, the Distributor or the Transfer Agent and immediate family members of any of the foregoing who share the same address are eligible to invest in Class Z shares (other than individual retirement accounts (IRAs), for which the minimum initial investment is $1,000). If you maintain your account with a financial intermediary, you must contact that financial intermediary each time you seek to purchase shares to notify them that you qualify for Class Z shares. If Class Z shares are not available at your financial intermediary, you may consider opening a Direct-at-Fund Account. It is your obligation to advise your financial intermediary or (in the case of Direct-at-Fund Accounts) the Transfer Agent that you qualify for Class Z shares; be prepared to provide proof thereof.
Certain financial institutions and intermediaries, such as insurance companies, trust companies, banks, endowments, investment companies or foundations, buying shares for their own account, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates and/or subsidiaries.
Bank trust departments that assess their clients an asset-based fee.
Certain other investors as set forth in more detail in the SAI.
Systematic Investment Plan
The Systematic Investment Plan allows you to schedule regular purchases via automatic transfers from your bank account to the Fund on a monthly, quarterly or semiannual basis. Contact the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary to set up the plan. Systematic Investment Plans may not be available for all share classes. With the exception of Columbia Government Money Market Fund, the Systematic Investment Plan is confirmed on your quarterly account statement.
Dividend Diversification
Generally, you may automatically invest Fund distributions into the same class of shares (and in some cases certain other classes of shares, but not Class T shares) of another Fund without paying any applicable front-end sales charge. Call the Transfer Agent at 800.345.6611 for details. The ability to invest distributions from one Fund to another Fund may not be available to accounts held at all financial intermediaries.
Other Purchase Rules You Should Know
Once the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary receives your purchase order in “good form,” your purchase will be made at the Fund’s next calculated public offering price per share, which is the NAV per share plus any sales charge that applies.
You generally buy Class A, Class T and Class V shares at the public offering price per share because purchases of these share classes are generally subject to a front-end sales charge.
You buy Class C, Class K, Class R, Class R4, Class R5, Class Y and Class Z shares at NAV per share because no front-end sales charge applies to purchases of these share classes.
The Distributor and the Transfer Agent reserve the right to cancel your order if the Fund does not receive payment within three business days of receiving your purchase order. The Fund will return any payment received for orders that have been cancelled, but no interest will be paid on that money.
Financial intermediaries are responsible for sending your purchase orders to the Transfer Agent and ensuring that the Fund receives your money on time.
Shares purchased are recorded on the books of the Fund. The Fund does not issue certificates.
Please also read Appendix A and contact your financial intermediary for more information regarding any reductions and/or waivers described therein.
Selling Shares
When you sell shares, the amount you receive may be more or less than the amount you invested. Your sale price will be the next NAV calculated after your request is received in “good form,” minus any applicable CDSC.
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Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares (continued)
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
The Systematic Withdrawal Plan allows you to schedule regular redemptions from your account any business day on a monthly, quarterly or semiannual basis. Currently, Systematic Withdrawal Plans are generally available for Class A, Class C, Class R4, Class R5, Class T, Class V, Class Y and Class Z share accounts. Contact the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary to set up the plan. To set up the plan, your account balance must meet the class minimum initial investment amount. A Systematic Withdrawal Plan cannot be set up on an account that already has a Systematic Investment Plan established. Note that a Medallion Signature Guarantee may be required if this service is established after your Fund account is opened.
You can choose to receive your withdrawals via check or direct deposit into your bank account. The Fund will deduct any applicable CDSC from the withdrawals before sending redemption proceeds to you. You can cancel the plan by giving the Fund 30 days’ notice in writing or by calling the Transfer Agent at 800.422.3737. It’s important to remember that if you withdraw more than your investment in the Fund is earning, you'll eventually withdraw your entire investment.
Check Redemption Service (for Columbia Government Money Market Fund)
Class A and Class Z shares of Columbia Government Money Market Fund (which is not offered in this prospectus) offer check writing privileges. If you have $2,000 in Columbia Government Money Market Fund, you may request checks which may be drawn against your account. The amount of any check drawn against your Columbia Government Money Market Fund must be at least $100 and not more than $100,000 per day. You can elect this service when you initially establish your account or thereafter. Call 800.345.6611 for the appropriate forms to establish this service. If you own Class A shares that were originally purchased in another Fund at NAV because of the size of the purchase, and then exchanged into Columbia Government Money Market Fund, check redemptions may be subject to a CDSC. A $15 charge will be assessed for any stop payment order requested by you or any overdraft in connection with checks written against your Columbia Government Money Market Fund account. Note that a Medallion Signature Guarantee may be required if this service is established after your Fund account is opened.
Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests
When you sell your Fund shares, the Fund is effectively buying them back from you. This is called a redemption. Except as noted below with respect to newly purchased shares, the Fund typically expects to send you payment for your shares within three business days after your redemption request is received in “good form.” The Fund can suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven days. The Fund can also suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds in excess of seven days under certain circumstances, including when the NYSE is closed or trading thereon is restricted or during emergency or other circumstances, including as determined by the SEC.
The Fund typically seeks to satisfy redemption requests from cash or cash equivalents held by the Fund, from the proceeds of orders to purchase Fund shares or from the proceeds of sales of Fund holdings effected in the normal course of managing the Fund. However, the Fund may have to sell Fund holdings, including in down markets, to meet heavier than usual redemption requests. For example, under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances, including circumstances adversely affecting the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be more likely to be forced to sell Fund holdings to meet redemptions than under normal market circumstances. In these situations, the Investment Manager may have to sell Fund holdings that it would otherwise prefer not to sell because, among other reasons, the current price to be received is less than the Fund’s perceived value of the holdings. The Fund may also, under certain circumstances (but more likely under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances), borrow money under a credit facility to which the Fund and certain other Columbia Funds are parties. The Fund and the other Columbia Funds are limited as to the amount that each may individually and collectively borrow under the credit facility to meet redemption requests. As a result, borrowings available to the Fund under the credit facility might be insufficient, alone or in combination with the other strategies described herein, to satisfy Fund redemption requests. Please see About Fund Investments – Borrowings in the SAI for more information about the credit facility. The Fund is also limited in the total amount it may borrow. The Fund may only borrow to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any exemptive relief
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available to the Fund, which currently limit Fund borrowings to 33 1/3% of total assets (including any amounts borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings), plus an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes (to be repaid within 60 days without extension or renewal), in each case determined at the time the borrowing is made.
In addition, the Fund reserves the right to honor redemption orders wholly or partly with in-kind distributions of Fund portfolio securities instead of cash. In the event the Fund distributes portfolio securities in kind, you may incur brokerage and other 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. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, redemptions paid in securities are generally treated the same as redemptions paid in cash.
While the Fund is not required (and may refuse in its discretion) to pay a redemption with an in-kind distribution of Fund portfolio securities and reserves the right to pay the redemption proceeds in cash, if you wish to request an in-kind redemption, please call the Transfer Agent at 800.345.6611. As a result of the operational steps needed to coordinate with the redeeming shareholder’s custodian, in-kind redemptions typically take several weeks to complete after a redemption request is received. The Fund and the redeeming shareholder will typically agree upon a redemption date. Since the Fund’s NAV may fluctuate during this time, the Fund’s NAV may be lower on the agreed-upon redemption date than on an earlier date on which the investment could have been redeemed for cash.
Redemption of Newly Purchased Shares
You may not redeem shares for which the Fund has not yet received payment. If you pay for shares by check or electronically by ACH and your purchase payment is not guaranteed, it may take up to 10 calendar days to clear. Only shares that have been held in your account for 10 calendar days after the trade date of the purchase will be considered to be in “good form” for redemption (Collected Shares). If you request a redemption for an amount that, based on the NAV next calculated after your redemption request is received, includes any shares that are not yet Collected Shares, the Fund will only process the redemption up to the amount of the value of Collected Shares available in your account. You must submit a new redemption request if you wish to redeem those shares that were not yet Collected Shares at the time the original redemption request was received by the Fund.
Other Redemption Rules You Should Know
Once the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary receives your redemption order in “good form,” your shares will be sold at the Fund’s next calculated NAV per share. Any applicable CDSC will be deducted from the amount you're selling and the balance will be remitted to you.
If you sell your shares that are held in a Direct-at-Fund Account, we will normally send the redemption proceeds by mail or electronically transfer them to your bank account within three business days after the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary receives your order in “good form.”
If you sell your shares through a financial intermediary, the Funds will normally send the redemption proceeds by Fedwire to your financial intermediary within three business days after the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary receives your order in “good form.”
No interest will be paid on uncashed redemption checks.
Other restrictions may apply to retirement accounts. For information about these restrictions, contact your retirement plan administrator.
For broker-dealer and wrap fee accounts: The Fund reserves the right to redeem your shares if your account falls below the Fund's minimum initial investment requirement. The Fund will notify your broker-dealer prior to redeeming shares, and will provide details on how to avoid such redemption.
Also keep in mind the Funds' Small Account Policy, which is described above in Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares — Transaction Rules and Policies.
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Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares (continued)
Exchanging Shares
Except for Class T shares, which are not exchangeable for another share class of any Fund (including with Class T shares of another Fund), you can generally sell shares of your Fund to buy shares of another Fund (subject to eligibility requirements), in what is called an exchange. You should read the prospectus of, and make sure you understand the investment objective, principal investment strategies, risks, fees and expenses of, the Fund into which you are exchanging. Although the Funds allow certain exchanges from one share class to another share class with higher expenses, you should consider the expenses of each class before making such an exchange. Please see Same-Fund Exchange Privilege below for more information.
You may be subject to a sales charge if you exchange from Columbia Government Money Market Fund or any other Fund that does not charge a front-end sales charge into a non-money market Fund. If you hold your Fund shares through certain financial intermediaries, you may have limited exchangeability among the Funds. Please contact your financial intermediary for more information.
Systematic Exchanges
You may buy Class A, Class C, Class V, Class Y and/or Class Z shares of a Fund by exchanging each month from another Fund for shares of the same class of the Fund at no additional cost, subject to the following exchange amount minimums: $50 each month for individual retirement accounts (i.e., tax qualified accounts); and $100 each month for non-retirement accounts. Contact the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary to set up the plan.
Exchanges will continue as long as your balance in the Fund you are exchanging shares from is sufficient to complete the systematic monthly exchange, subject to the Funds' Small Account Policy described above in Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares — Transaction Rules and Policies. You may terminate the program or change the amount you would like to exchange (subject to the $50 and $100 minimum requirements noted immediately above) by calling the Transfer Agent at 800.345.6611.
Other Exchange Rules You Should Know
Exchanges are made at the NAV next calculated (plus any applicable sales charge) after your exchange order is received in “good form.”
Once the Fund receives your exchange request, you cannot cancel it after the market closes.
The rules for buying shares of a Fund generally apply to exchanges into that Fund, including, if your exchange creates a new Fund account, it must satisfy the minimum investment amount, unless a waiver applies.
Shares of the purchased Fund may not be used on the same day for another exchange or sale.
If you exchange shares from Class A shares of Columbia Government Money Market Fund to a non-money market Fund, any further exchanges must be between shares of the same class. For example, if you exchange from Class A shares of Columbia Government Money Market Fund into Class C shares of a non-money market Fund, you may not exchange from Class C shares of that non-money market Fund back to Class A shares of Columbia Government Money Market Fund or Class A shares of any other Fund.
A sales charge may apply when you exchange shares of a Fund that were not assessed a sales charge at the time you purchased such shares. For example, if you invest in Columbia Government Money Market Fund (or any other Fund that does not impose a front end sales charge) and then you exchange into a non-money market Fund, your transaction is subject to a front-end sales charge if you exchange into Class A shares and to a CDSC if you exchange into Class C shares of the Funds.
If you purchased Class A shares of a non-money market Fund (and paid any applicable sales charge) and you then exchange those shares into Columbia Government Money Market Fund, you may exchange that amount to Class A of another Fund, including dividends earned on that amount, without paying a sales charge.
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Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares (continued)
If your shares are subject to a CDSC, you will not be charged a CDSC upon the exchange of those shares. Any CDSC will be deducted when you sell the shares you received from the exchange. The CDSC imposed at that time will be based on the period that begins when you bought shares of the original Fund and ends when you sell the shares of the Fund you received from the exchange. Any applicable CDSC charged will be the CDSC of the original Fund.
You may make exchanges only into a Fund that is legally offered and sold in your state of residence. Contact the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary for more information.
You generally may make an exchange only into a Fund that is accepting investments.
The Fund may change or cancel your right to make an exchange by giving the amount of notice required by regulatory authorities (generally 60 days for a material change or cancellation).
Unless your account is part of a tax-advantaged arrangement, an exchange for shares of another Fund is a taxable event, and you may recognize a gain or loss for tax purposes.
Changing your investment to a different Fund will be treated as a sale and purchase, and you will be subject to applicable taxes on the sale and sales charges on the purchase of the new Fund.
Class Z shares of a Fund may be exchanged for Class A or Class Z shares of another Fund. In certain circumstances, the front-end sales charge applicable to Class A shares may be waived on exchanges of Class Z shares for Class A shares. See Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares — Buying Shares — Eligible Investors — Class Z Shares for details.
You may generally exchange Class V shares of a Fund for Class A shares of another Fund if the other Fund does not offer Class V shares. Class V shares exchanged into Class A shares cannot be exchanged back into Class V shares.
Former CFIT Shareholders may not exchange Class Y shares of a Fund into Class Y shares of another Fund.
Same-Fund Exchange Privilege
Shareholders may be eligible to invest in other classes of shares of the same Fund, and may exchange their current shares for another share class if deemed eligible and offered by the Fund. Such same-Fund exchanges could include an exchange of one class for another with higher expenses. Before making such an exchange, you should consider the expenses of each class. Shareholders should contact their financial intermediaries to learn more about the details of the same-Fund exchange privilege. Exchanges out of Class A, Class C and Class V shares will be subject to any applicable CDSC. Financial intermediaries that have a customized arrangement with regard to CDSCs are detailed in Appendix A .
Exchanges out of Class C shares to another share class of the same Fund are not permissible on Direct-at-Fund Accounts. Exchanges out of Class C shares to another share class of the same Fund within commissionable brokerage accounts are permitted only (1) by shareholders moving from a commissionable brokerage account to a fee-based advisory program or (2) when the exchange is part of a share class conversion (or a similar multiple shareholder transaction event) instituted by a financial intermediary and such conversion or similar type event is preapproved by the Distributor.
Ordinarily, shareholders will not recognize a gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon a same-Fund exchange. You should consult your tax advisor about your particular exchanges.
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Distributions and Taxes
Distributions to Shareholders
A mutual fund can make money two ways:
It can earn income on its investments. Examples of fund income are interest paid on money market instruments and bonds, and dividends paid on common stocks.
A mutual fund can also have capital gains if the value of its investments increases. While a fund continues to hold an investment, any gain is generally unrealized. If the fund sells an investment, it generally will realize a capital gain if it sells that investment for a higher price than its adjusted cost basis, and will generally realize a capital loss if it sells that investment for a lower price than its adjusted cost basis. Capital gains and losses are either short-term or long-term, depending on whether the fund holds the securities for one year or less (short-term) or more than one year (long-term).
Mutual funds make payments of fund earnings to shareholders, distributing them among all shareholders of the fund. As a shareholder, you are entitled to your portion of a fund's distributed income, including capital gains. Reinvesting your distributions buys you more shares of a fund which lets you take advantage of the potential for compound growth. Putting the money you earn back into your investment means it, in turn, may earn even more money (or be exposed to additional losses, if the Fund earns a negative return). Over time, the power of compounding has the potential to significantly increase the value of your investment. There is no assurance, however, that you'll earn more money if you reinvest your distributions rather than receive them in cash.
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 Annually
Distributions Annually
The Fund may declare or pay distributions of net investment income more frequently.
Different share classes of the Fund usually pay different net investment income distribution amounts, because each class has different expenses. Each time a distribution is made, the NAV per share of the share class is reduced by the amount of the distribution.
The Fund generally pays cash distributions within five business days after the distribution was declared (or, if the Fund declares distributions daily, 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 same share class of the Fund unless you inform us you want to receive your distributions in cash (the financial intermediary through which you purchased shares may have different policies). You can do this by contacting the Funds at the addresses and telephone numbers listed at the beginning of the section entitled Choosing a Share Class . No sales charges apply to the purchase or sale of such shares.
For accounts held directly with the Fund (through the Transfer Agent), 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 a tax-exempt investor or holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account (such as a 401(k) plan or IRA), 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) of net investment income or net realized capital gain, 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
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Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Distributions and Taxes (continued)
“buying a dividend.” To avoid “buying a dividend,” before you invest check the Fund's distribution schedule, which is available at the Funds' website and/or by calling the Funds' telephone number listed at the beginning of the section entitled Choosing a Share Class .
Taxes
You should be aware of the following considerations applicable to the Fund:
The Fund intends to qualify and to be eligible for treatment 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 for treatment as a regulated investment company would result in Fund-level taxation, and consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to you and in the NAV of your shares. Even if the Fund qualifies for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund may be subject to federal excise tax on certain undistributed income or gains.
Otherwise taxable distributions generally are taxable to you when paid, whether they are paid in cash or automatically reinvested in additional Fund shares. Dividends paid in January are deemed paid on December 31 of the prior year if the dividend was declared and payable to shareholders of record in October, November, or December of such prior year.
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.
From time to time, a distribution from the Fund could constitute a return of capital, which is not taxable to you so long as the amount of the distribution does not exceed your tax basis in your Fund shares. A return of capital reduces your tax basis in your Fund shares, with any amounts exceeding such basis generally taxable as capital gain.
If you are an individual and you meet certain holding period and other requirements for your Fund shares, a portion of your distributions may be treated as “qualified dividend income” taxable at the lower net long-term capital gain rates instead of the higher ordinary income rates. Qualified dividend income is income attributable to the Fund's dividends received from certain U.S. and foreign corporations, as long as the Fund meets certain holding period and other requirements for the stock producing such dividends.
Certain high-income individuals (as well as estates and trusts) are subject to a 3.8% tax on net investment income. For individuals, the 3.8% tax applies to the lesser of (1) the amount (if any) by which the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts or (2) the taxpayer's “net investment income.”
  Net investment income generally includes for this purpose dividends, including any capital gain dividends, paid by the Fund, and net gains recognized on the sale, redemption or exchange of shares of the Fund.
Certain derivative instruments when held in the Fund's portfolio subject the Fund to special tax rules, the effect of which may be to, among other things, accelerate income to the Fund, defer Fund losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of Fund portfolio securities, or convert capital gains into ordinary income, short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses or long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to shareholders.
Generally, a Fund realizes a capital gain or loss on an option when the option expires, or when it is exercised, sold or otherwise terminated. However, if an option is a “section 1256 contract,” which includes most traded options on a broad-based index, and the Fund holds such option at the end of its taxable year, the Fund is deemed to sell such option at fair market value at such time and recognize any gain or loss thereon, which is generally deemed to be 60% long-term and 40% short-term gain or loss, as described further in the SAI.
Income and proceeds received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign taxes. If at the end of the taxable year more than 50% of the value of the Fund's assets consists of securities of foreign corporations, and the Fund makes a special election, you will generally be required to include in your income for
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Distributions and Taxes (continued)
  U.S. federal income tax purposes your share of the qualifying foreign income taxes paid by the Fund in respect of its foreign portfolio securities. You may be able to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of this amount, subject to certain limitations. There is no assurance that the Fund will make this election for a taxable year, even if it is eligible to do so.
A sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares is a taxable event. This includes redemptions where you are paid in securities. Your sales, redemptions and exchanges 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 (or are deemed to have received in the case of exchanges) and your adjusted tax basis in the shares, which is generally the amount you paid (or are deemed to have paid in the case of exchanges) 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 or exchange. In certain circumstances, capital losses may be converted from short-term to long-term; in other circumstances, capital losses may be disallowed under the “wash sale” rules.
For sales, redemptions and exchanges of shares that were acquired in a non-qualified account after 2011, the Fund generally is required to report to shareholders and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) cost basis information with respect to those shares. The Fund uses average cost basis as its default method of calculating cost basis. For more information regarding average cost basis reporting, other available cost basis methods, and selecting or changing to a different cost basis method, please see the SAI, columbiathreadneedle.com/us, or contact the Fund at 800.345.6611. If you hold Fund shares through a financial intermediary (e.g., a brokerage firm), you should contact your financial intermediary to learn about its cost basis reporting default method and the reporting elections available to your account.
The Fund is required by federal law to withhold tax on any taxable or tax-exempt distributions and redemption proceeds paid to you (including amounts paid to you in securities and amounts deemed to be paid to you upon an exchange of shares) if: you have not provided a correct TIN or have not certified to the Fund that withholding does not apply, the 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
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. Please see the SAI for more detailed tax information. 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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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Financial Highlights
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect payment of sales charges, if any. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. Effective on July 17, 2017, Class B shares of the Fund automatically converted to Class A shares; since this was subsequent to the Fund’s fiscal year end, financial highlights are provided for this class. 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, which is available upon request.
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Financial Highlights (continued)

    
Year ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Class A
4/30/2017 $11.56 0.27 1.13 1.40 (0.29)
4/30/2016 $16.59 0.20 (1.85) (1.65) (0.25) (3.13)
4/30/2015 $21.12 0.24 0.61 0.85 (0.29) (5.09)
4/30/2014 $21.31 0.09 6.25 6.34 (0.22) (6.31)
4/30/2013 $18.96 0.14 2.56 2.70 (0.04) (0.31)
Class B
4/30/2017 $10.86 0.25 1.07 1.32 (0.29)
4/30/2016 $15.83 0.19 (1.78) (1.59) (0.25) (3.13)
4/30/2015 $20.37 0.23 0.59 0.82 (0.27) (5.09)
4/30/2014 $20.73 0.02 6.05 6.07 (0.12) (6.31)
4/30/2013 $18.55 0.01 2.48 2.49 (0.31)
Class C
4/30/2017 $10.82 0.27 1.07 1.34 (0.32)
4/30/2016 $15.72 0.20 (1.76) (1.56) (0.21) (3.13)
4/30/2015 $20.27 0.09 0.58 0.67 (0.13) (5.09)
4/30/2014 $20.74 (0.08) 6.04 5.96 (0.12) (6.31)
4/30/2013 $18.56 0.00 (d) 2.49 2.49 (0.31)
Class K
4/30/2017 $11.63 0.28 1.14 1.42 (0.30)
4/30/2016 $16.67 0.21 (1.85) (1.64) (0.27) (3.13)
4/30/2015 $21.20 0.24 0.63 0.87 (0.31) (5.09)
4/30/2014 $21.38 0.11 6.27 6.38 (0.25) (6.31)
4/30/2013 $19.02 0.17 2.57 2.74 (0.07) (0.31)
Class R
4/30/2017 $11.25 0.22 1.12 1.34 (0.26)
4/30/2016 $16.25 0.15 (1.81) (1.66) (0.21) (3.13)
4/30/2015 $20.78 0.19 0.61 0.80 (0.24) (5.09)
4/30/2014 $21.06 0.03 6.16 6.19 (0.16) (6.31)
4/30/2013 $18.78 0.10 2.52 2.62 (0.03) (0.31)
Class R4
4/30/2017 $11.85 0.26 1.22 1.48 (0.32)
4/30/2016 $16.93 0.23 (1.89) (1.66) (0.29) (3.13)
4/30/2015 $21.44 0.32 0.60 0.92 (0.34) (5.09)
4/30/2014 $21.55 0.17 6.31 6.48 (0.28) (6.31)
4/30/2013 (e) $21.86 (0.02) (0.29) (f) (0.31)
  
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Financial Highlights (continued)
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
 
(0.29) $12.67 12.33% 1.21% 1.21% (c) 2.27% 60% $92,892
(3.38) $11.56 (8.50%) 1.20% 1.20% (c) 1.43% 60% $148,931
(5.38) $16.59 4.90% 1.15% 1.15% (c) 1.22% 51% $268,460
(6.53) $21.12 32.06% 1.16% 1.16% (c) 0.39% 51% $307,298
(0.35) $21.31 14.43% 1.17% 1.17% (c) 0.77% 23% $298,401
 
(0.29) $11.89 12.39% 1.22% 1.22% (c) 2.26% 60% $3,682
(3.38) $10.86 (8.54%) 1.20% 1.20% (c) 1.44% 60% $4,949
(5.36) $15.83 4.94% 1.15% 1.15% (c) 1.21% 51% $9,315
(6.43) $20.37 31.65% 1.44% 1.44% (c) 0.11% 51% $12,333
(0.31) $20.73 13.59% 1.92% 1.92% (c) 0.03% 23% $12,329
 
(0.32) $11.84 12.63% 0.97% 0.97% (c) 2.46% 60% $25,709
(3.34) $10.82 (8.40%) 1.13% 1.13% (c) 1.50% 60% $23,952
(5.22) $15.72 4.12% 1.90% 1.90% (c) 0.47% 51% $38,305
(6.43) $20.27 31.01% 1.91% 1.91% (c) (0.35%) 51% $40,179
(0.31) $20.74 13.59% 1.92% 1.92% (c) 0.03% 23% $34,696
 
(0.30) $12.75 12.44% 1.13% 1.13% 2.35% 60% $64
(3.40) $11.63 (8.45%) 1.11% 1.11% 1.50% 60% $71
(5.40) $16.67 4.97% 1.08% 1.08% 1.22% 51% $105
(6.56) $21.20 32.16% 1.07% 1.07% 0.49% 51% $205
(0.38) $21.38 14.63% 1.02% 1.02% 0.92% 23% $312
 
(0.26) $12.33 12.13% 1.47% 1.47% (c) 1.87% 60% $1,017
(3.34) $11.25 (8.80%) 1.46% 1.46% (c) 1.17% 60% $638
(5.33) $16.25 4.70% 1.40% 1.40% (c) 0.99% 51% $735
(6.47) $20.78 31.68% 1.41% 1.41% (c) 0.15% 51% $642
(0.34) $21.06 14.13% 1.42% 1.42% (c) 0.52% 23% $259
 
(0.32) $13.01 12.71% 0.97% 0.97% (c) 2.17% 60% $509
(3.42) $11.85 (8.38%) 0.96% 0.96% (c) 1.66% 60% $237
(5.43) $16.93 5.20% 0.91% 0.91% (c) 1.69% 51% $134
(6.59) $21.44 32.40% 0.91% 0.91% (c) 0.77% 51% $89
$21.55 (1.42%) 0.86% (g) 0.86% (g) (0.78%) (g) 23% $15
  
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Financial Highlights (continued)
Year ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Class R5
4/30/2017 $11.76 0.24 1.24 1.48 (0.33)
4/30/2016 $16.83 0.24 (1.87) (1.63) (0.31) (3.13)
4/30/2015 $21.35 0.30 0.63 0.93 (0.36) (5.09)
4/30/2014 $21.49 0.15 6.32 6.47 (0.30) (6.31)
4/30/2013 $19.13 0.21 2.59 2.80 (0.13) (0.31)
Class Y
4/30/2017 (h) $12.35 0.04 0.48 0.52
Class Z
4/30/2017 $11.77 0.25 1.21 1.46 (0.32)
4/30/2016 $16.83 0.24 (1.88) (1.64) (0.29) (3.13)
4/30/2015 $21.35 0.29 0.63 0.92 (0.35) (5.09)
4/30/2014 $21.48 0.10 6.35 6.45 (0.27) (6.31)
4/30/2013 $19.13 0.19 2.57 2.76 (0.10) (0.31)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) The benefits derived from expense reductions had an impact of less than 0.01%.
(d) Rounds to zero.
(e) Class R4 shares commenced operations on March 19, 2013. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
(f) Calculation of the net gain (loss) per share (both realized and unrealized) does not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized gain (loss) presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of subscriptions and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to fluctuations in the market value of the portfolio.
(g) Annualized.
(h) Class Y shares commenced operations on March 1, 2017. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Financial Highlights (continued)
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
 
(0.33) $12.91 12.81% 0.90% 0.90% 2.02% 60% $1,993
(3.44) $11.76 (8.27%) 0.86% 0.86% 1.78% 60% $278
(5.45) $16.83 5.26% 0.83% 0.83% 1.53% 51% $255
(6.61) $21.35 32.47% 0.82% 0.82% 0.66% 51% $22
(0.44) $21.49 14.89% 0.77% 0.77% 1.15% 23% $40
 
$12.87 4.21% 0.85% (g) 0.85% (g) 2.08% (g) 60% $25,523
 
(0.32) $12.91 12.63% 0.99% 0.99% (c) 2.11% 60% $74,245
(3.42) $11.77 (8.30%) 0.95% 0.95% (c) 1.69% 60% $15,547
(5.44) $16.83 5.18% 0.90% 0.90% (c) 1.47% 51% $37,933
(6.58) $21.35 32.40% 0.92% 0.92% (c) 0.42% 51% $70,199
(0.41) $21.48 14.68% 0.92% 0.92% (c) 1.00% 23% $305,482
  
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Table of Contents
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Appendix A: Financial Intermediary-Specific Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges
As noted in the Choosing a Share Class section of the prospectus, the sales charge reductions and waivers available to investors who purchase and hold their Fund shares through different financial intermediaries may vary. This Appendix A describes financial intermediary-specific reductions and/or waiver policies applicable to Fund shares purchased and held through the particular financial intermediary. A reduction and/or waiver that is specific to a particular financial intermediary is not available to Direct-at-Fund Accounts or through another financial intermediary. These reductions and/or waivers may apply to purchases, sales, and exchanges of Fund shares. A shareholder transacting in Fund shares through a financial intermediary identified below should carefully read the terms and conditions of the reductions and/or waivers. Please consult your financial intermediary with respect to any sales charge reduction/waiver described below.
The financial intermediary-specific information below may be provided by, or compiled from or based on information provided by the financial intermediaries noted. The Funds, the Investment Manager and the Distributor do not establish these financial intermediary-specific policies and are not responsible for ensuring that you receive any discounts or waivers that may be available to you.
Merrill Lynch Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (Merrill Lynch)
The following information has been provided by Merrill Lynch:
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Merrill Lynch platform or account are eligible for the following sales charge waivers and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s prospectus or SAI:
Class A Shares Front-End Sales Charge Discounts:
Merrill Lynch makes available breakpoint discounts on Class A shares of the Fund through:
Rights of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Merrill Lynch. Eligible fund family assets not held at Merrill Lynch may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI) which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, through Merrill Lynch, over a 13-month period of time (if applicable).
Class A Shares Front-End Sales Charge Waivers:
Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the plan is a group plan (more than one participant), the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held in the name of the plan through an omnibus account
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan
Shares purchased through a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program
Shares purchased by third party investment advisors on behalf of their advisory clients through Merrill Lynch’s platform
Shares of funds purchased through the Merrill Edge Self-Directed platform
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same Fund (but not any other fund within the same fund family)
Shares exchanged from Class C (i.e., level-load) shares of the same fund in the month of or following the 10-year anniversary of the purchase date
Employees and registered representatives of Merrill Lynch or its affiliates and their family members
Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this prospectus
A-1 Prospectus 2017

 

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Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Appendix A: Financial Intermediary-Specific Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges (continued)
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement)
CDSC Waivers on Class A and C Shares:
Shares redeemed following the death or disability of the shareholder
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in this prospectus
Redemptions that constitute a return of excess contributions from an IRA
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½
Shares sold to pay Merrill Lynch fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Merrill Lynch
There will be no CDSC charged on the sale of Fund shares acquired through a right of reinstatement
The redemption of shares held in retirement brokerage accounts, that are exchanged for a lower cost share class due to transfer to a fee based account or platform (applicable to Class A and Class C shares only)
Prospectus 2017 A-2

 

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Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Appendix A: Financial Intermediary-Specific Reductions/Waivers of Sales Charges (continued)
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC (Morgan Stanley Wealth Management)
The following information has been provided by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management:
Class T Shares Front-End Sales Charge Waivers Available Through a Transactional Brokerage Account:
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans; however these plans are eligible to purchase Class T shares through a transactional brokerage account.
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management employee and employee-related accounts according to Morgan Stanley’s account linking rules.
Mutual fund shares exchanged from an existing position in the same fund as part of a share class conversion instituted by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.
Additional Sales Charge Reductions and/or Waivers Available at Certain Financial Intermediaries
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a platform or account of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC or RBC Capital Markets, LLC are eligible for the following sales charge waiver:
Class A Shares Front-End Sales Charge Waiver:
For employer-sponsored retirement plans held through a commissionable brokerage account, Class A shares are available at NAV (i.e., without a sales charge). For this purpose, employer-sponsored retirement plans include, but are not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
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Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
P.O. Box 8081
Boston, MA 02266-8081
Additional Information About the Fund
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semiannual 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, please contact the Fund as follows:
By Mail:   Columbia Funds
c/o Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 8081
Boston, MA 02266-8081
By Telephone: 800.345.6611
Online: columbiathreadneedle.com/us
Additionally, 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, D.C. 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, D.C. 20549-1520.
The investment company registration number of Columbia Funds Series Trust II, of which the Fund is a series, is 811-21852.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
© 2017 Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
800.345.6611
PRO213_04_G01_(09/17)


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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
September 1, 2017
Columbia Funds Series Trust
Columbia AMT-Free California Intermediate Muni
Bond Fund
Class A: NACMX Class C: CCICX Class R4: CCMRX
Class R5: CNBRX Class Y: CCBYX Class Z: NCMAX
Columbia AMT-Free Georgia Intermediate Muni
Bond Fund
Class A: NGIMX Class C: NGINX Class R4: CGIMX
Class Y: CGIYX Class Z: NGAMX  
Columbia AMT-Free Maryland Intermediate Muni
Bond Fund
Class A: NMDMX Class C: NMINX Class R4: CMDMX
Class Y: CMYYX Class Z: NMDBX  
Columbia AMT-Free North Carolina Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Class A: NNCIX Class C: NNINX Class R4: CNCEX
Class Y: CNCYX Class Z: NNIBX  
Columbia AMT-Free South Carolina Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Class A: NSCIX Class C: NSICX Class R4: CSICX
Class Y: CSOYX Class Z: NSCMX  
Columbia AMT-Free Virginia Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Class A: NVAFX Class C: NVRCX Class R4: CAIVX
Class Y: CVAYX Class Z: NVABX  
Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate
Aggressive Portfolio
Class A: NBIAX Class C: NBICX Class K: CAMKX
Class R: CLBRX Class R4: CGBRX Class R5: CLHRX
Class V: CGGTX Class Y: CPHNX Class Z: NBGPX
Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate
Conservative Portfolio
Class A: NLGAX Class C: NIICX Class K: CCAKX
Class R: CLIRX Class R4: CHWRX Class R5: CLRRX
Class Y: CPDGX Class Z: NIPAX  
Columbia Convertible Securities Fund
Class A: PACIX Class C: PHIKX Class R: CVBRX
Class R4: COVRX Class R5: COCRX Class T: CVBWX
Class Y: CSFYX Class Z: NCIAX  
Columbia Global Strategic Equity Fund
Class A: NLGIX Class C: NLGCX Class K: CGRUX
Class R: CLGRX Class R4: CWPRX Class R5: CGPRX
Class Y: CGSYX Class Z: NGPAX  
Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund
Class A: NMIAX Class R: CCERX Class R4: CECFX
Class R5: CLNCX Class T*: — Class Y: CECYX
Class Z: NMIMX    
Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund III
Class A: NFEAX Class C: NFECX Class R: CLGPX
Class R4: CSFRX Class R5: CADRX Class T: CLCPX
Class Y: CLRYX Class Z: NFEPX  
Columbia Large Cap Index Fund
Class A: NEIAX Class R5: CLXRX Class Y: CLPYX
Class Z: NINDX    
Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund
Class A: NTIAX Class R5: CPXRX Class Y: CMDYX
Class Z: NMPAX    
Columbia Mid Cap Value Fund
Class A: CMUAX Class C: CMUCX Class K: CMUFX
Class R: CMVRX Class R4: CFDRX Class R5: CVERX
Class T: CMUWX Class Y: CMVYX Class Z: NAMAX
Columbia Overseas Value Fund
Class A: COAVX Class C: COCVX Class K: COKVX
Class R: COVUX Class R4: COSVX Class R5: COSSX
Class T: COVWX Class Y: COSYX Class Z: COSZX
Columbia Select Global Growth Fund
Class A: COGAX Class C: COGCX Class R: COGRX
Class R4: CADHX Class R5: CADIX Class T*: —
Class Y: CGGYX Class Z: COGZX  
Columbia Select International Equity Fund
Class A: NIIAX Class C: NITRX Class K: CMEFX
Class R: CIERX Class R4: CQYRX Class R5: CQQRX
Class T: CMAWX Class Y: CMIYX Class Z: NIEQX
Columbia Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Class A: NSGAX Class C: NSGCX Class R*: —
Class R4: CLSRX Class R5: CLCRX Class T: CLCWX
Class Y: CLEYX Class Z: NSEPX  
Columbia Short Term Bond Fund
Class A: NSTRX Class C: NSTIX Class K: CBRFX
Class R: CSBRX Class R4: CMDRX Class R5: CCBRX
Class T: CSBWX Class Y: CSBYX Class Z: NSTMX
Columbia Short Term Municipal Bond Fund
Class A: NSMMX Class C: NSMUX Class R4: CSMTX
Class R5: CNNRX Class Y: CSMYX Class Z: NSMIX
Columbia Small Cap Index Fund
Class A: NMSAX Class K: CIDUX Class R5: CXXRX
Class T: CSMWX Class Y: CSPYX Class Z: NMSCX
Columbia Small Cap Value Fund II
Class A: COVAX Class C: COVCX Class R: CCTRX
Class R4: CLURX Class R5: CRRRX Class Y: CRRYX
Class Z: NSVAX    

 

Columbia Funds Series Trust II
Columbia Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund
Class A: RARAX Class C: RARCX Class R4: CARCX
Class R5: COUIX Class T: RACWX Class Y: CABYX
Class Z: CACZX    
Columbia Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund
Class A: CAJAX Class C: CAJCX Class R: CAJRX
Class R5: TAPRX Class Y: CAPYX Class Z: CAJZX
Columbia Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio
Class A: AXBAX Class C: RBGCX Class K: CAGRX
Class R: CPARX Class R4: CPDAX Class R5: CPANX
Class Y: CPDIX Class Z: CPAZX  
Columbia Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio
Class A: ABDAX Class C: RPCCX Class K: CPVRX
Class R: CBVRX Class R4: CPCYX Class R5: CPAOX
Class Y: CPDHX Class Z: CBVZX  
Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio
Class A: ABUAX Class C: AMTCX Class K: CBRRX
Class R: CBMRX Class R4: CPCZX Class R5: CPAMX
Class Y: CPDMX Class Z: CBMZX  
Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund
Class A: CCSAX Class C: CCSCX Class R: CCSRX
Class R4: CCOMX Class R5: CADLX Class T: CCSWX
Class Y: CCFYX Class Z: CCSZX  
Columbia Disciplined Core Fund
Class A: AQEAX Class C: RDCEX Class K: RQEYX
Class R: CLQRX Class R4: CLCQX Class R5: RSIPX
Class T: RDEWX Class Y: CCQYX Class Z: CCRZX
Columbia Disciplined Growth Fund
Class A: RDLAX Class C: RDLCX Class K: RDLFX
Class R: CGQRX Class R4: CGQFX Class R5: CQURX
Class T: RDLWX Class Y: CGQYX Class Z: CLQZX
Columbia Disciplined Value Fund
Class A: RLCAX Class C: RDCCX Class K: RLCYX
Class R: RLCOX Class R4: COLEX Class R5: COLVX
Class T: RLCWX Class V: CVQTX Class Y: COLYX
Class Z: CVQZX    
Columbia Diversified Equity Income Fund
Class A: INDZX Class C: ADECX Class K: IDQYX
Class R: RDEIX Class R4: RDERX Class R5: RSEDX
Class T: CDEWX Class Y: CDEYX Class Z: CDVZX
Columbia Dividend Opportunity Fund
Class A: INUTX Class C: ACUIX Class K: RSORX
Class R: RSOOX Class R4: CDORX Class R5: RSDFX
Class T: CDOWX Class Y: CDOYX Class Z: CDOZX
Columbia Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Class A: REBAX Class C: REBCX Class K: CMKRX
Class R: CMBRX Class R4: CEBSX Class R5: CEBRX
Class T: REMWX Class Y: CEBYX Class Z: CMBZX
Columbia European Equity Fund
Class A: AXEAX Class C: REECX Class K: CEQRX
Class R4: CADJX Class R5: CADKX Class T: CEEWX
Class Y: CEEUX Class Z: CEEZX  
Columbia Flexible Capital Income Fund
Class A: CFIAX Class C: CFIGX Class R: CFIRX
Class R4: CFCRX Class R5: CFXRX Class T: CFIWX
Class Y: CFCYX Class Z: CFIZX  
Columbia Floating Rate Fund
Class A: RFRAX Class C: RFRCX Class K: CFERX
Class R: CFRRX Class R4: CFLRX Class R5: RFRFX
Class T: RFRWX Class Y: CFRYX Class Z: CFRZX
Columbia Global Bond Fund
Class A: IGBFX Class C: AGBCX Class K: RGBRX
Class R: RBGRX Class T: RGBWX Class Y: CGBYX
Class Z: CGBZX    
Columbia Global Equity Value Fund
Class A: IEVAX Class C: REVCX Class K: AEVYX
Class R: REVRX Class R4: RSEVX Class R5: RSEYX
Class T: CEVWX Class Y: CEVYX Class Z: CEVZX
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Class A: RRIAX Class C: RRICX Class K: RRIYX
Class R: RRIRX Class R4: CRRIX Class R5: RRIZX
Class Y: CGLYX Class Z: CRIZX  
Columbia Global Opportunities Fund
Class A: IMRFX Class C: RSSCX Class K: IDRYX
Class R: CSARX Class R4: CSDRX Class R5: CLNRX
Class T: CGOPX Class Y: CGOYX Class Z: CSAZX
Columbia Government Money Market Fund
Class A: IDSXX Class C: RCCXX Class R: RVRXX
Class R5: CMRXX Class T: RCWXX Class Y: CGMXX
Class Z: IDYXX    
Columbia High Yield Bond Fund
Class A: INEAX Class C: APECX Class K: RSHYX
Class R: CHBRX Class R4: CYLRX Class R5: RSHRX
Class T: RHYWX Class Y: CHYYX Class Z: CHYZX
Columbia Income Builder Fund
Class A: RBBAX Class C: RBBCX Class K: CIPRX
Class R: CBURX Class R4: CNMRX Class R5: CKKRX
Class T: CINDX Class Y: CIBYX Class Z: CBUZX
Columbia Income Opportunities Fund
Class A: AIOAX Class C: RIOCX Class K: COPRX
Class R: CIORX Class R4: CPPRX Class R5: CEPRX
Class T: CIOWX Class Y: CIOYX Class Z: CIOZX
Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund
Class A: APSAX Class C: RIPCX Class K: CISRX
Class R: RIPRX Class R5: CFSRX Class T: RIPWX
Class Y: CINYX Class Z: CIPZX  
Columbia Limited Duration Credit Fund
Class A: ALDAX Class C: RDCLX Class K: CLDRX
Class R4: CDLRX Class R5: CTLRX Class T: RLDWX
Class Y: CLDYX Class Z: CLDZX  
Columbia Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund
Class A: IMNTX Class C: RMTCX Class R4: CLONX
Class R5: CADOX Class Y: CMNYX Class Z: CMNZX
Columbia Mortgage Opportunities Fund
Class A: CLMAX Class C: CLMCX Class R4: CLMFX
Class R5: CLMVX Class T: CLMWX Class Y: CMOYX
Class Z: CLMZX    
Columbia Select Global Equity Fund
Class A: IGLGX Class C: RGCEX Class K: IDGYX
Class R: CGERX Class R5: RGERX Class T: CGEWX
Class Y: CSEYX Class Z: CGEZX  
Columbia Select Large-Cap Value Fund
Class A: SLVAX Class C: SVLCX Class K: SLVTX
Class R: SLVRX Class R4: CSERX Class R5: SLVIX
Class T: CSVWX Class Y: CSRYX Class Z: CSVZX
Columbia Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund
Class A: SSCVX Class C: SVMCX Class K: SSLRX
Class R: SSVRX Class R4: CSPRX Class R5: SSVIX
Class Y: CSSYX Class Z: CSSZX  
Columbia Seligman Communications and
Information Fund
Class A: SLMCX Class C: SCICX Class K: SCIFX
Class R: SCIRX Class R4: SCIOX Class R5: SCMIX
Class T: CITTX Class Y: CCOYX Class Z: CCIZX
Columbia Seligman Global Technology Fund
Class A: SHGTX Class C: SHTCX Class K: SGTSX
Class R: SGTRX Class R4: CCHRX Class R5: SGTTX
Class Y: CGTYX Class Z: CSGZX  
Columbia Small/Mid Cap Value Fund
Class A: AMVAX Class C: AMVCX Class K: RMCVX
Class R: RMVTX Class R4: RMCRX Class R5: RSCMX
Class T: CVOWX Class Y: CPHPX Class Z: CMOZX
Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund
Class A: INTAX Class C: RTCEX Class R4: CATRX
Class R5: CADNX Class T: CMTTX Class Y: CATYX
Class Z: CATZX    

 

Columbia U.S. Government Mortgage Fund
Class A: AUGAX Class C: AUGCX Class K: RSGYX
Class R: CUGUX Class R4: CUVRX Class R5: CGVRX
Class T: CGMWX Class Y: CUGYX Class Z: CUGZX
Multi-Manager Value Strategies Fund
Class A: CDEIX Class Z: CZMVX  
* This share class is not currently available for purchase.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, references herein to “each Fund,” “the Fund,” “a Fund,” “the Funds” or “Funds” refers to each Fund listed above.
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 each Fund’s current prospectus (as amended or supplemented), the date of which may be found in the section of this SAI entitled About the Trusts . The most recent annual report for each Fund (as applicable), which includes the Fund’s audited financial statements for its most recent fiscal period, is incorporated by reference into this SAI.
Copies of the Funds' current prospectuses and annual and semiannual reports (once available, as applicable) may be obtained without charge by writing Columbia Funds, c/o 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.columbiathreadneedle.com/us.

 

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Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 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.columbiathreadneedle.com/us and/or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
For purposes of any electronic version of this SAI, all references to websites or universal resource locators (URLs), are intended to be inactive and are not meant to incorporate the contents of any such website or URL into this SAI.
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 each 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.
Throughout this SAI, the term “financial intermediary” may refer, generally, to one or more of the selling agents and/or servicing agents that are authorized to sell and/or service shares of the Funds, which may include broker-dealers and financial advisors as well as firms that employ such broker-dealers and financial advisors, including, for example, brokerage firms, banks, investment advisers, third party administrators and other financial intermediaries, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates.
Each Fund typically updates its registration statement approximately four months after the end of its fiscal year, although in certain circumstances a Fund may update its registration statement sooner. Some of the information in this SAI is reported for a Fund as of the end of the Fund’s last fiscal year (or period) or during the Fund’s last fiscal year (or period). This is a reference to the fiscal year (or period) ending prior to the Fund’s last annual update, which may be fifteen months or more prior to the date of the SAI. See About the Trusts for each Fund’s fiscal year end and most recent prospectus date (i.e., the date of the Fund’s last annual update).
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
Before reading the SAI, you should consult the prospectus for the Fund as well as the Glossary below, which defines certain of the terms used in the SAI. Terms not defined in the Glossary below generally have the same meaning as otherwise ascribed in a Fund’s prospectus.
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, as amended, if applicable, between a Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and the Investment Manager
Ameriprise Financial Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
BANA Bank of America, National Association
Bank of America Bank of America Corporation
BFDS/DST Boston Financial Data Services, Inc./DST Systems, Inc.
Barrow Hanley Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC
Board A Trust’s Board of Trustees
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 2

 

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Board Services Board Services Corporation
Business Day Any day on which the NYSE is open for business. A business day typically ends at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE’s scheduled close. The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading or an intraday unscheduled closing as a close of regular trading on the NYSE for these purposes and will price its shares as of the regularly scheduled closing time for that day (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NAV of Fund shares may be determined at such other time or times (in addition to or in lieu of the time set forth above) as the Fund’s Board may approve or ratify. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, the Fund's NAV 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.
Capital Allocation Portfolios Collectively, Columbia Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio, Columbia Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio, Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio, Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio and Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio
CEA Commodity Exchange Act
CFST Columbia Funds Series Trust
CFST I Columbia Funds Series Trust I
CFST II Columbia Funds Series Trust II
CFTC The United States Commodities Futures Trading Commission
CMOs Collateralized mortgage obligations
Code Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
Codes of Ethics The codes of ethics adopted by the Funds, the Investment Manager, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. and/or any sub-adviser, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act
Columbia Funds Complex The fund complex that is comprised of the registered investment companies advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates
Columbia Funds or Columbia Fund Family The open-end investment management companies, including the Funds, advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates or principally underwritten by the Distributor
Columbia Management Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Custodian JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
DFA Dimensional Fund Advisors LP
Diamond Hill Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc.
Distribution Agreement The Distribution Agreement between a Trust, on behalf of its 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.
Donald Smith Donald Smith & Co., Inc.
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
GNMA Government National Mortgage Association
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 3

 

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Independent Trustees The Trustees of the Board who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds
Interested Trustees The Trustees of the Board who are currently deemed to be “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds
Investment Management Services Agreement The Investment Management Services Agreements, as amended, if applicable, between a Trust, on behalf of its Funds, and the Investment Manager
Investment Manager Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
IRS United States Internal Revenue Service
JPMorgan JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the Funds' custodian
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
Management Agreement The Management Agreements, as amended, if applicable, between a Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and the Investment Manager
Marsico Capital Marsico Capital Management, LLC
MetWest Capital Metropolitan West Capital Management, LLC
Moody’s Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
Multi-Manager Strategies Funds Multi-Manager Alternative Strategies Fund, Multi-Manager Directional Alternative Strategies Fund, Multi-Manager Growth Strategies Fund, Multi-Manager Small Cap Equity Strategies Fund, Multi-Manager Total Return Bond Strategies Fund and Multi-Manager Value Strategies Fund. Shares of the Multi-Manager Strategies Funds are offered only through certain wrap fee programs sponsored and/or managed by Ameriprise Financial, Inc. or its affiliates.
NASDAQ National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations system
Nations Funds The Funds within the Columbia Funds Complex that historically bore the Nations brand and includes series of CFST
NAV Net asset value per share of a Fund
NRSRO Nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (such as, for example, Moody’s, Fitch or S&P)
NSCC National Securities Clearing Corporation
NYSE New York Stock Exchange
Previous Adviser Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, the investment adviser of certain Columbia Funds prior to May 1, 2010 when Ameriprise Financial acquired the long-term asset management business of the Previous Adviser, which was an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America.
Previous Distributor Columbia Management Distributors, Inc., the distributor of certain Columbia Funds prior to May 1, 2010 when Ameriprise Financial acquired the long-term asset management business of the Previous Adviser, which was an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America.
Previous Transfer Agent Columbia Management Services, Inc., the transfer agent of certain Columbia Funds prior to May 1, 2010 when Ameriprise Financial acquired the long-term asset management business of the Previous Adviser, which was an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America.
    
PwC PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
REIT Real estate investment trust
REMIC Real estate mortgage investment conduit
RIC A “regulated investment company,” as such term is used in the Code
RiverSource Funds The Funds within the Columbia Funds Complex that historically bore the RiverSource brand and includes series of CFST II
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 4

 

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 Investment Manager. 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, as amended and supplemented from time-to-time
SBH Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC
Seligman Funds The Funds within the Columbia Fund Complex that historically bore the Seligman brand and includes series of CFST II
SEC United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Shares Shares of a Fund
State Tax-Exempt Funds and State Municipal Bond Funds Collectively, AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, MN Tax-Exempt Fund, AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund and AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Subadvisory Agreement The Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust on behalf of the Fund(s), the Investment Manager and a Fund’s investment subadviser(s), as the context may require
Subsidiary One or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of a Fund
Threadneedle Threadneedle International Limited
Transfer Agency Agreement The Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent Agreement between a Trust, on behalf of its Funds, and the Transfer Agent
Transfer Agent Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
Trustee(s) One or more members of the Board
Trusts CFST and CFST II, the registered investment companies in the Columbia Fund Family to which this SAI relates
VP – Managed Volatility Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund
Throughout this SAI, the Funds are referred to as follows:
Fund Name:   Referred to as:
Columbia Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund   Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund
Columbia AMT-Free California Intermediate Muni Bond Fund   AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia AMT-Free Georgia Intermediate Muni Bond Fund   AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia AMT-Free Maryland Intermediate Muni Bond Fund   AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia AMT-Free North Carolina Intermediate Muni Bond Fund   AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia AMT-Free South Carolina Intermediate Muni Bond Fund   AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia AMT-Free Virginia Intermediate Muni Bond Fund   AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund   Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund
Columbia Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio   Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio
Columbia Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio   Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio
Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio   Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio
Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio   Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio
Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio   Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 5

 

Fund Name:   Referred to as:
Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund   Commodity Strategy Fund
Columbia Convertible Securities Fund   Convertible Securities Fund
Columbia Disciplined Core Fund   Disciplined Core Fund
Columbia Disciplined Growth Fund   Disciplined Growth Fund
Columbia Disciplined Value Fund   Disciplined Value Fund
Columbia Diversified Equity Income Fund   Diversified Equity Income Fund
Columbia Dividend Opportunity Fund   Dividend Opportunity Fund
Columbia Emerging Markets Bond Fund   Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Columbia European Equity Fund   European Equity Fund
Columbia Flexible Capital Income Fund   Flexible Capital Income Fund
Columbia Floating Rate Fund   Floating Rate Fund
Columbia Global Bond Fund   Global Bond Fund
Columbia Global Equity Value Fund   Global Equity Value Fund
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund   Global Infrastructure Fund
Columbia Global Opportunities Fund   Global Opportunities Fund
Columbia Global Strategic Equity Fund   Global Strategic Equity Fund
Columbia Government Money Market Fund   Government Money Market Fund
Columbia High Yield Bond Fund   High Yield Bond Fund
Columbia Income Builder Fund   Income Builder Fund
Columbia Income Opportunities Fund   Income Opportunities Fund
Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund   Inflation Protected Securities Fund
Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund   Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund
Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund III   Large Cap Growth Fund III
Columbia Large Cap Index Fund   Large Cap Index Fund
Columbia Limited Duration Credit Fund   Limited Duration Credit Fund
Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund   Mid Cap Index Fund
Columbia Mid Cap Value Fund   Mid Cap Value Fund
Columbia Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund   MN Tax-Exempt Fund
Columbia Mortgage Opportunities Fund   Mortgage Opportunities Fund
Columbia Overseas Value Fund   Overseas Value Fund
Columbia Select Global Equity Fund   Select Global Equity Fund
Columbia Select Global Growth Fund   Select Global Growth Fund
Columbia Select International Equity Fund   Select International Equity Fund
Columbia Select Large Cap Equity Fund   Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Columbia Select Large-Cap Value Fund   Select Large-Cap Value Fund
Columbia Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund   Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund
Columbia Seligman Communications and Information Fund   Seligman Communications and Information Fund
Columbia Seligman Global Technology Fund   Seligman Global Technology Fund
Columbia Short Term Bond Fund   Short Term Bond Fund
Columbia Short Term Municipal Bond Fund   Short Term Municipal Bond Fund
Columbia Small Cap Index Fund   Small Cap Index Fund
Columbia Small Cap Value Fund II   Small Cap Value Fund II
Columbia Small/Mid Cap Value Fund   Small/Mid Cap Value Fund
Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund   Strategic Municipal Income Fund
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 6

 

Fund Name:   Referred to as:
Columbia U.S. Government Mortgage Fund   U.S. Government Mortgage Fund
Multi-Manager Value Strategies Fund   MM Value Strategies Fund
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 7

 

ABOUT THE Trusts
The Trusts are open-end management investment companies registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act with an address at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
CFST was organized as a Delaware business trust, a form of entity now known as a statutory trust, on October 22, 1999. On September 26, 2005, CFST changed its name from Nations Funds Trust to Columbia Funds Series Trust. CFST II was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on January 27, 2006. On March 7, 2011, CFST II changed its name from RiverSource Series Trust to Columbia Funds Series Trust II and prior to September 11, 2007 was known as RiverSource Retirement Series Trust. The offering of the shares is registered under the 1933 Act.
Fund Fiscal Year End Prospectus Date Date Began
Operations*
Diversified** Fund Investment Category***
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund October 31 3/1/2017 6/15/2006 Yes Alternative
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund April 30 9/1/2017 8/19/2002 Yes Tax-exempt fixed income
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund April 30 9/1/2017 3/1/1992 Yes Tax-exempt fixed income
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund April 30 9/1/2017 9/1/1990 No Tax-exempt fixed income
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund April 30 9/1/2017 12/11/1992 Yes Tax-exempt fixed income
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund April 30 9/1/2017 1/6/1992 Yes Tax-exempt fixed income
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund April 30 9/1/2017 9/20/1989 Yes Tax-exempt fixed income
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund October 31 3/1/2017 7/15/2009 Yes Equity
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio January 31 6/1/2017 3/4/2004 Yes Fund-of-funds – equity
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio January 31 6/1/2017 3/4/2004 Yes Fund-of-funds – fixed income
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio January 31 6/1/2017 10/15/1996 Yes Fund-of-funds – equity
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio January 31 6/1/2017 10/15/1996 Yes Fund-of-funds – fixed income
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio January 31 6/1/2017 3/4/2004 Yes Fund-of-funds – equity
Commodity Strategy Fund May 31 10/1/2016 7/28/2011 Yes Equity
Convertible Securities Fund February 28/29 7/1/2017 9/25/1987 Yes Equity
Disciplined Core Fund July 31 12/1/2016 4/24/2003 Yes Equity
Disciplined Growth Fund July 31 12/1/2016 5/17/2007 Yes Equity
Disciplined Value Fund July 31 12/1/2016 8/1/2008 Yes Equity
Diversified Equity Income Fund May 31 10/1/2016 10/15/1990 Yes Equity
Dividend Opportunity Fund May 31 10/1/2016 8/1/1988 Yes Equity
Emerging Markets Bond Fund October 31 3/1/2017 2/16/2006 No Taxable fixed income
European Equity Fund October 31 3/1/2017 6/26/2000 Yes Equity
Flexible Capital Income Fund May 31 10/1/2016 7/28/2011 Yes Flexible
Floating Rate Fund July 31 12/1/2016 2/16/2006 Yes Taxable fixed income
Global Bond Fund October 31 3/1/2017 3/20/1989 No Taxable fixed income
Global Equity Value Fund February 28/29 7/1/2017 5/14/1984 Yes Equity
Global Infrastructure Fund April 30 9/1/2017 2/19/2009 Yes Equity
Global Opportunities Fund July 31 12/1/2016 1/28/1985 Yes Flexible
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 8

 

Fund Fiscal Year End Prospectus Date Date Began
Operations*
Diversified** Fund Investment Category***
Global Strategic Equity Fund January 31 6/1/2017 10/15/1996 Yes Fund-of-funds – equity
Government Money Market Fund July 31 10/1/2016 10/6/1975 Yes Taxable money market
High Yield Bond Fund May 31 10/1/2016 12/8/1983 Yes Taxable fixed income
Income Builder Fund January 31 6/1/2017 2/16/2006 Yes Fund-of-funds – fixed income
Income Opportunities Fund July 31 12/1/2016 6/19/2003 Yes Taxable fixed income
Inflation Protected Securities Fund July 31 12/1/2016 3/4/2004 Yes Taxable fixed income
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund February 28/29 7/1/2017 7/31/1996 Yes Equity
Large Cap Growth Fund III February 28/29 7/1/2017 12/31/1997 Yes Equity
Large Cap Index Fund February 28/29 7/1/2017 12/15/1993 Yes Equity
Limited Duration Credit Fund July 31 12/1/2016 6/19/2003 Yes Taxable fixed income
Mid Cap Index Fund February 28/29 7/1/2017 3/31/2000 Yes Equity
Mid Cap Value Fund February 28/29 7/1/2017 11/20/2001 Yes Equity
MM Value Strategies Fund May 31 10/1/2016 4/20/2012 Yes Equity
MN Tax-Exempt Fund July 31 12/1/2016 8/18/1986 No Tax-exempt fixed income
Mortgage Opportunities Fund May 31 10/1/2016 4/30/2014 No Taxable fixed income
Overseas Value Fund February 28/29 7/1/2017 3/31/2008 Yes Equity
Select Global Equity Fund October 31 3/1/2017 5/29/1990 Yes Equity
Select Global Growth Fund February 28/29 7/1/2017 4/30/2008 Yes Equity
Select International Equity Fund February 28/29 7/1/2017 12/2/1991 Yes Equity
Select Large Cap Equity Fund February 28/29 7/1/2017 10/2/1998 Yes Equity
Select Large-Cap Value Fund May 31 10/1/2016 4/25/1997 Yes Equity
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund May 31 10/1/2016 4/25/1997 Yes Equity
Seligman Communications and Information Fund May 31 10/1/2016 6/23/1983 No Equity
Seligman Global Technology Fund October 31 3/1/2017 5/23/1994 No Equity
Short Term Bond Fund March 31 8/1/2017 9/30/1992 Yes Taxable fixed income
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund April 30 9/1/2017 10/7/1993 Yes Tax-exempt fixed income
Small Cap Index Fund February 28/29 7/1/2017 10/15/1996 Yes Equity
Small Cap Value Fund II February 28/29 7/1/2017 5/1/2002 Yes Equity
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund May 31 10/1/2016 2/14/2002 Yes Equity
Strategic Municipal Income Fund July 31 12/1/2016 11/24/1976 Yes Tax-exempt fixed income
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund May 31 10/1/2016 2/14/2002 Yes Taxable fixed income
* Certain Funds reorganized into series of the Trust. The date of operations for these Funds represents the date on which the predecessor funds began operation.
** A “diversified” Fund may not, with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of any one issuer or purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer, except obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and except securities of other investment companies. A “non-diversified” Fund may invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund, which increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a “diversified” fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, a “non-diversified” Fund’s value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
*** The Fund Investment Category is used as a convenient way to describe Funds in this SAI and should not be deemed a description of the Fund’s principal investment strategies, which are described in the Fund’s prospectus.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 9

 

Name Changes. The table below identifies the Funds whose names have changed in the past five years, the effective date of the name change and the former name.
Fund Effective Date of Name Change Previous Fund Name
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund July 7, 2014 Columbia California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund July 7, 2014 Columbia Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund July 7, 2014 Columbia Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund July 7, 2014 Columbia North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund July 7, 2014 Columbia South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund July 7, 2014 Columbia Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio December 14, 2012 Columbia Portfolio Builder Aggressive Fund
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio December 14, 2012 Columbia Portfolio Builder Conservative Fund
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio December 14, 2012 Columbia LifeGoal Balanced Growth Fund
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio December 14, 2012 Columbia LifeGoal Income and Growth Portfolio
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio December 14, 2012 Columbia Portfolio Builder Moderate Fund
Disciplined Core Fund December 21, 2015 Columbia Large Core Quantitative Fund
Disciplined Growth Fund December 21, 2015 Columbia Large Growth Quantitative Fund
Disciplined Value Fund December 21, 2015 Columbia Large Value Quantitative Fund
Global Equity Value Fund September 5, 2014 Columbia Equity Value Fund
Global Infrastructure Fund December 11, 2013 Columbia Recovery and Infrastructure Fund
Global Opportunities Fund December 14, 2012 Columbia Strategic Allocation Fund
Global Strategic Equity Fund June 2, 2015 Columbia LifeGoal ® Growth Portfolio
Government Money Market Fund October 1, 2016 Columbia Money Market Fund
Large Cap Growth Fund III November 20, 2015 Columbia Marsico Focused Equities Fund
MM Value Strategies Fund February 28, 2017 Active Portfolios ® Multi-Manager Value Fund
  December 11, 2013 Columbia Active Portfolios – Diversified Equity Income Fund
Select Global Equity Fund January 15, 2015 Columbia Global Equity Fund
Select Global Growth Fund November 20, 2015 Columbia Marsico Global Fund
Select International Equity Fund May 1, 2015 Columbia Multi-Advisor International Equity Fund
Select Large Cap Equity Fund December 11, 2013 Columbia Large Cap Core Fund
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund July 7, 2014 Columbia Mid Cap Value Opportunity
Strategic Municipal Income Fund April 18, 2016 Columbia AMT-Free Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 10

 

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 only with Board approval and does not require shareholder approval.
Unless otherwise noted in a Fund’s prospectus or this SAI, 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 (Time of Purchase Standard). Thus, a Fund may continue to hold a security even though it causes the Fund to exceed a percentage limitation because of fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s assets.
Notwithstanding any of a Fund’s other investment policies, the Fund, subject to certain limitations, may invest its assets in another investment company. These underlying funds have adopted their own investment policies that may be more or less restrictive than those of the Fund. Unless a Fund has a policy to consider the policies of underlying funds, the Fund may engage in investment strategies indirectly that would otherwise be prohibited under the Fund’s investment policies.
In adhering to the fundamental and non-fundamental investment restrictions and policies applicable to Commodity Strategy Fund, the Fund will, to the extent possible, treat any assets of its Subsidiary generally as if the assets were held directly by the Fund.
For all series of CFST II, except Mortgage Opportunities Fund: Notwithstanding any of a Fund’s other investment policies, the Fund may invest its assets in an open-end management investment company having substantially the same investment objectives, policies, and restrictions as the Fund for the purpose of having those assets managed as part of a combined pool.
Notwithstanding the policies set forth in this SAI for Government Money Market Fund, the Fund will comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act (Rule 2a-7).
Fundamental Policies
The table below shows Fund-specific policies that may be changed only with a “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund, which means the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the 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 table indicates whether or not a fund has a policy on a particular topic. A dash indicates that the Fund does not have a Fundamental policy on a particular topic. The specific policy is stated in the paragraphs that follow the table.
Fund A
Buy or
sell real
estate
B
Buy or sell
commodities
C
Issuer
Diversification
D
Concentrate
in any one
industry
E
Invest
80%
F
Act as an
underwriter
G
Lending
H
Borrow
money
I
Issue
senior
securities
J
Buy on
margin/
sell
short
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund A1 B1 C5 D12 F1 G1 H1 I1
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 E3 F3 G3 H2 I3
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 E3 F3 G3 H2 I3
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A4 B6 D6 E3 F3 G3 H2 I3
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 E3 F3 G3 H2 I3
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 E3 F3 G3 H2 I3
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 E3 F3 G3 H2 I3
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund A1 B2 C5 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio A1 B1 C5 D2 F1 G1 H1 I1
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio A1 B1 C5 D2 F1 G1 H1 I1
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio A1 B1 C5 D2 F1 G1 H1 I1
Commodity Strategy Fund A1 B9 C5 D5 F1 G1 H1 I1
Convertible Securities Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 11

 

Fund A
Buy or
sell real
estate
B
Buy or sell
commodities
C
Issuer
Diversification
D
Concentrate
in any one
industry
E
Invest
80%
F
Act as an
underwriter
G
Lending
H
Borrow
money
I
Issue
senior
securities
J
Buy on
margin/
sell
short
Disciplined Core Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Disciplined Growth Fund A1 B2 C1 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Disciplined Value Fund A1 B2 C5 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Diversified Equity Income Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Dividend Opportunity Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Emerging Markets Bond Fund A1 B3 D3 F1 G1 H1 I1
European Equity Fund A1 B1 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Flexible Capital Income Fund A1 B9 C5 D5 F1 G1 H1 I1
Floating Rate Fund A1 B3 C1 D4 F1 G1 H1 I1
Global Bond Fund A1 B1 C6 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Global Equity Value Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Global Infrastructure Fund A1 B3 C5 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Global Opportunities Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Global Strategic Equity Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
Government Money Market Fund A2 A2 C1 D13 F1 G1 H1 I1 J1
High Yield Bond Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Income Builder Fund A1 B3 C5 D2 F1 G1 H1 I1
Income Opportunities Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Inflation Protected Securities Fund A1 B1 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
Large Cap Growth Fund III A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
Large Cap Index Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
Limited Duration Credit Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Mid Cap Index Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
Mid Cap Value Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
MM Value Strategies Fund A1 B8 C5 D12 F1 G1 H1 I1
MN Tax-Exempt Fund A1 B1 D7 E1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Mortgage Opportunities Fund A1 B1 D11 F1 G1 H1 I1
Overseas Value Fund A5 B7 C4 D12 F4 G4 H3 I4
Select Global Equity Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Select Global Growth Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
Select International Equity Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
Select Large Cap Equity Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
Select Large-Cap Value Fund A3 B5 C3 D10 F2 G2 I2 I2 J2
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund A3 B5 C3 D10 F2 G2 I2 I2 J2
Seligman Communications and Information Fund A3 B5 D9 F2 G2 I2 I2 J2
Seligman Global Technology Fund A3 B5 D8 F2 G2 I2 I2 J2
Short Term Bond Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 E4 F3 G3 H2 I3
Small Cap Index Fund A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
Small Cap Value Fund II A4 B6 C2 D6 F3 G3 H2 I3
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 12

 

Fund A
Buy or
sell real
estate
B
Buy or sell
commodities
C
Issuer
Diversification
D
Concentrate
in any one
industry
E
Invest
80%
F
Act as an
underwriter
G
Lending
H
Borrow
money
I
Issue
senior
securities
J
Buy on
margin/
sell
short
Strategic Municipal Income Fund A1 B1 C1 D7 E2 F1 G1 H1 I1
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 F1 G1 H1 I1
A. Buy or sell real estate
A1 – The Fund will not buy or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business or real estate investment trusts. For purposes of this policy, real estate includes real estate limited partnerships.
A2 – The Fund will not buy or sell real estate, commodities or commodity contracts. For purposes of this policy, real estate includes real estate limited partnerships.
A3 – The Fund will not purchase or hold any real estate, except that a Fund may invest in securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by persons (other than real estate investment trusts) which deal in real estate or interests therein.
A4 – The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, except the Fund may purchase securities of issuers which deal or invest in real estate and may purchase securities which are secured by real estate or interests in real estate.
A5 – The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, except the 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.
B. Buy or sell physical commodities*
B1 – The Fund will not buy or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except this shall not prevent the Fund from buying or selling options and futures contracts (and, in the case of Mortgage Opportunities Fund, swaps) or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by, or whose value is derived from, physical commodities.
B2 – The Fund will not buy or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except this shall not prevent the Fund from buying or selling options, futures contracts and foreign currency or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by, or whose value is derived from, physical commodities.
B3 – The Fund will not buy or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except this shall not prevent the Fund from buying or selling options, futures contracts and foreign currency or from entering into forward currency contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by, or whose value is derived from, physical commodities.
B4 – The Fund will not buy or sell commodities, except that the Fund may to the extent consistent with its investment objective(s), invest in securities of companies that purchase or sell commodities or which invest in such programs, and purchase and sell options, forward contracts, futures contracts, and options on futures contracts and enter into swap contracts and other financial transactions relating to commodities. This restriction does not apply to foreign currency transactions including without limitation forward currency contracts.
B5 – The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except to the extent permissible under applicable law and interpretations, as they may be amended from time to time.
B6 – The Fund may not purchase or sell commodities, except that the Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment objective, invest in securities of companies that purchase or sell commodities or which invest in such programs, and purchase and sell options, forward contracts, futures contracts, and options on futures contracts. This limitation does not apply to foreign currency transactions, including, without limitation, forward currency contracts.
B7 – The Fund may not purchase or sell commodities, except that the 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
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 13

 

  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.
B8 – The Fund will not buy or sell commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except this shall not prevent the Fund from transacting in derivative instruments relating to commodities, including but not limited to, buying or selling options, swap contracts or futures contracts, or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by, or whose value is derived from, commodities.
B9 – The Fund will not buy or sell physical commodities, except that the Fund may to the extent consistent with its investment objective(s), invest in securities of companies that purchase or sell commodities or commodities contracts or which invest in such programs, and the Fund may, without limitation by this restriction, purchase and sell options, forward contracts, commodities futures contracts, commodity-linked notes, and options on futures contracts and enter into swap contracts and other financial transactions relating to, or that are secured by, physical commodities or commodity indices. This restriction does not apply to foreign currency transactions including without limitation forward currency contracts. This restriction also does not prevent Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund from investing up to 25% of its total assets in one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries (as described further herein and referred to herein collectively as the “Subsidiary”), thereby gaining exposure to the investment returns of commodities markets within the limitations of the federal tax requirements.

* For purposes of the fundamental investment policy on buying and selling physical commodities above, at the time of the establishment of the restriction for certain Funds, swap contracts on financial instruments or rates were not within the understanding of the term “commodities.” Notwithstanding any federal legislation or regulatory action by the CFTC that subjects such swaps to regulation by the CFTC, these Funds will not consider such instruments to be commodities for purposes of this restriction.
C. Issuer Diversification*
C1 – The Fund will not purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer, except that up to 25% of the Fund’s assets may be invested without regard to this 10% limitation. For tax-exempt Funds, for purposes of this policy, the terms of a municipal security determine the issuer. The Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of any company, government, or political subdivision thereof, except the limitation will not apply to investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies, or instrumentalities, or other investment companies, and except that up to 25% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested without regard to this 5% limitation. For tax-exempt Funds, for purposes of this policy, the terms of a municipal security determine the issuer.
C2 – The Fund may not 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, and any exemptive relief obtained by the Fund.
C3 – The Fund will not make any investment inconsistent with its classification as a diversified company under the 1940 Act.
C4 – The Fund may not 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: (a) up to 25% of its total assets may be invested without regard to these limitations; and (b) the 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 obtained by the Fund.
C5 – The Fund will not 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: (a) up to 25% of its
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 14

 

  total assets may be invested without regard to these limitations; and (b) 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.
C6 – The Fund will not purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer, except that up to 25% of the Fund’s assets may be invested without regard to this 10% limitation. For tax-exempt Funds, for purposes of this policy, the terms of a municipal security determine the issuer.

* For purposes of applying the limitation set forth in its issuer diversification policy above, a Fund does not consider futures or swaps central counterparties, where the Fund has exposure to such central counterparties in the course of making investments in futures and securities, to be issuers.
D. Concentration*
D1 – The Fund will not concentrate in any one industry. According to the present interpretation by the SEC, this means that up to 25% of the Fund’s total assets, based on current market value at time of purchase, can be invested in any one industry.
D2 – The Fund will not concentrate in any one industry. According to the present interpretation by the SEC, this means that up to 25% of the Fund’s total assets, based on current market value at time of purchase, can be invested in any one industry. The Fund itself does not intend to concentrate, however, the aggregation of holdings of the underlying funds may result in the Fund indirectly investing more than 25% of its assets in a particular industry. The Fund does not control the investments of the underlying funds and any indirect concentration will occur only as a result of the Fund following its investment objectives by investing in the underlying funds.
D3 – While the Fund may invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of foreign governmental and corporate entities located in the same country, it will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any single foreign governmental issuer.
D4 – The Fund will not concentrate in any one industry. According to the present interpretation by the SEC, this means that up to 25% of the Fund’s total assets, based on current market value at time of purchase, can be invested in any one industry. For purposes of this restriction, loans will be considered investments in the industry of the underlying borrower, rather than that of the seller of the loan.
D5 – The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of corporate issuers engaged in any one industry. The foregoing restriction does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or repurchase agreements secured by them. In addition, the foregoing restriction shall not apply to or limit, Commodity Strategy Fund’s counterparties in commodities-related transactions.
D6 – The Fund may not 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: a) 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; and b) 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 exemptive relief obtained by the Fund.
D7 – The Fund will not invest more than 25% of total assets, at market value, in any one industry; except that municipal securities and securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities are not considered an industry for purposes of this limitation.
D8 – The Fund will, under normal market conditions, 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 technology and related group of industries, 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; and (ii) notwithstanding this limitation or any other fundamental investment limitation, assets may be invested in the securities of one or more management investment companies or subsidiaries to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
D9 – The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets, at market value, in the securities of issuers in any particular industry, except that the Fund will invest at least 25% of the value of its total assets in securities of companies principally engaged in the communications, information and related industries and provided that this limitation shall exclude securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
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D10 – The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets, at market value, in the securities of issuers in any particular industry, provided that this limitation shall exclude securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
D11 – The Fund will not 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, municipality or territory of the United States, or any of their agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions; and 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 obtained by the Fund. Consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and strategies, the Fund may invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities issued by sovereign and quasi-sovereign ( e.g. , government agencies or instrumentalities) foreign governmental issuers or obligors, including in emerging market countries, but it will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any single foreign governmental issuer.
D12 – The Fund will not 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; and (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.
D13 – The Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in money market instruments issued by U.S. banks, U.S. branches of foreign banks and U.S. Government securities.

* For purposes of applying the limitation set forth in its concentration policy, above, a Fund will generally use the industry classifications provided by the Global Industry Classification System (GICS) for classification of issuers of equity securities and the classifications provided by the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index for classification of issues of fixed-income securities. A Fund does not consider futures or swaps clearinghouses or securities clearinghouses, where the Fund has exposure to such clearinghouses in the course of making investments in futures and securities, to be part of any industry.
E. Invest 80%
E1 – The Fund will not under normal market conditions, invest less than 80% of its net assets in municipal obligations that are generally exempt from federal income tax as well as respective state and local income tax.
E2 – The Fund will not under normal market conditions, invest less than 80% of its net assets in bonds and other debt securities issued by or on behalf of state or local governmental units whose interest, in the opinion of counsel for the issuer, is exempt from federal income tax.
E3 – The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities that pay interest exempt from federal income tax, other than the federal alternative minimum tax, and state individual income tax.
E4 – The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities that pay interest exempt from federal income tax, other than the federal alternative minimum tax
F. Act as an underwriter
F1 – The Fund will not act as an underwriter (sell securities for others). However, under the securities laws, the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter when it purchases securities directly from the issuer and later resells them.
F2 – The Fund will not underwrite the securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the 1933 Act in disposing of a portfolio security or in connection with investments in other investment companies.
F3 – The Fund may not underwrite any issue of securities within the meaning of the 1933 Act except when it might technically 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 its investment objective. This restriction shall not limit the Fund’s ability to invest in securities issued by other registered management investment companies.
F4 – The Fund may not 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
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 16

 

  security; or (ii) in connection with the purchase of securities directly from the issuer thereof in accordance with its investment objective. This restriction shall not limit the Fund’s ability to invest in securities issued by other registered investment companies.
G. Lending
G1 – The Fund will not lend securities or participate in an interfund lending program if the total of all such loans would exceed 33  1 3 % of the Fund’s total assets except this fundamental investment policy shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing money market securities, loans, loan participation or other debt securities, or from entering into repurchase agreements. For funds-of-funds – equity, under current Board policy, the Fund has no current intention to borrow to a material extent.
G2 – The Fund will not make loans, except as permitted by the 1940 Act or any rule thereunder, any SEC or SEC staff interpretations thereof or any exemptions therefrom which may be granted by the SEC.
G3 – The Fund may not make loans, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any exemptive relief obtained by the Fund.
G4 – The Fund may not make loans, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
H. Borrowing*
H1 – The Fund will not borrow money, except for temporary purposes (not for leveraging or investment) in an amount not exceeding 33  1 3 % of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings) immediately after the borrowings. For funds-of-funds – equity, under current Board policy, the Fund has no current intention to borrow to a material extent.
H2 – The Fund may not borrow money except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any exemptive relief obtained by the Fund.
H3 – The Fund may not borrow money except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

* For purposes of the policies described herein, this restriction shall not prevent the Funds from engaging in derivatives, short sales or other portfolio transactions that create leverage, as allowed by each Fund’s investment policies.
I. Issue senior securities
I1 – The Fund will not issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
I2 – The Fund will not issue senior securities or borrow money, except as permitted by the 1940 Act or any rule thereunder, any SEC or SEC staff interpretations thereof or any exemptions therefrom which may be granted by the SEC.
I3 – The Fund may not issue senior securities except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any exemptive relief obtained by the Fund.
I4 – The Fund may not issue senior securities except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
J. Buy on margin/sell short
J1 – The Fund will not buy on margin or sell short or deal in options to buy or sell securities.
J2 – The Fund will not purchase securities on margin except as permitted by the 1940 Act or any rule thereunder, any SEC or SEC staff interpretations thereof or any exemptions therefrom which may be granted by the SEC.
In addition to the policies described above and any fundamental policy described in the prospectus:
For Government Money Market Fund, the Fund will not:
Purchase common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants, other equity securities, corporate bonds or debentures, state bonds, municipal bonds, or industrial revenue bonds.
For Seligman Communications and Information Fund, Seligman Global Technology Fund, Select Large-Cap Value Fund and Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund, the Fund will not:
Purchase or hold the securities of any issuer, if to its knowledge, directors or officers of the Fund and, only in the case of Seligman Global Technology Fund, the directors and officers of the Fund’s Investment Manager, individually owning beneficially more than 0.5% of the outstanding securities of that issuer own in the aggregate more than 5% of such securities.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 17

 

Enter into repurchase agreements of more than one week’s duration if more than 10% of the Fund’s net assets would be so invested.
Non-fundamental Policies
The following non-fundamental policies may be changed by the Board at any time and may be in addition to those described in the Funds' prospectus.
Investment in Illiquid Securities
No more than 5% of a money market Fund’s total assets will be held in securities and other instruments that are illiquid. No more than 15% of the net assets of any other Fund will be held in securities and other instruments that are illiquid. “Illiquid Securities” are 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. Compliance with this limitation is not measured under the Time of Purchase Standard.
Investment in Other Investment Companies
The Funds may not 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.
Investment in Foreign Securities
For Disciplined Core Fund, Disciplined Growth Fund, Disciplined Value Fund, Diversified Equity Income Fund, Dividend Opportunity Fund, Flexible Capital Income Fund, Floating Rate Fund, High Yield Bond Fund, Income Opportunities Fund, Inflation Protected Securities Fund, Limited Duration Credit Fund, MM Value Strategies Fund, Select Large-Cap Value Fund, Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund, Seligman Communications and Information Fund and Small/Mid Cap Value Fund:
Up to 25% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in foreign investments.
For Convertible Securities Fund:
Up to 15% of its total assets may be invested in Eurodollar convertible securities and up to an additional 20% of its total assets in foreign securities.
For Large Cap Growth Fund III, Mid Cap Value Fund, Select Large Cap Equity Fund and Small Cap Value Fund II:
Up to 20% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in foreign securities.
For U.S. Government Mortgage Fund:
Up to 20% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in foreign investments.
Invest 80%
For Large Cap Growth Fund III:
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities.
For Government Money Market Fund:
The Fund will not (subject to the succeeding sentence) 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 and, under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in government securities and/or repurchase securities that are collateralized by government securities; and (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. If, at a future date, the Fund ceases to be a government money market fund and becomes a money market fund that may invest significantly in Rule 2a-7 eligible securities issued by non-government entities, the Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in money market instruments issued by U.S. banks or U.S. branches of foreign banks (subject to the applicable requirements of Rule 2a-7) and U.S. Government securities.
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Selling Securities Short
For series of CFST other than Funds with a fundamental policy with respect to selling securities short:
The Funds may not sell securities short, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
Purchasing Securities of Any One Issuer
For AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund and Large Cap Growth Fund III:
The Fund may not purchase securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government Obligations and securities of other investment companies) if, immediately after such purchase, more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of one issuer, and with respect to 50% of the Fund’s total assets, more than 5% of its assets would be invested in the securities of one issuer.
Additional Information About Concentration
Mortgage Opportunities Fund will consider the concentration policies of any underlying funds in which it invests when evaluating compliance with its concentration policy.
Names Rule Policy
To the extent a Fund is subject to Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act (the Names Rule), and does not otherwise have a fundamental 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. A Fund subject to a fundamental policy in place to comply with the Names Rule will disclose in the More Information About the Fund section of its prospectus that its 80% policy cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
Summary of 1940 Act Restrictions on Certain Activities
Certain of the Fund’s fundamental and, if any, non-fundamental policies set forth above prohibit transactions “except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.” The following discussion summarizes the flexibility that the Fund currently gains from these exceptions. To the extent the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder may, in the future, be amended to provide greater flexibility, or to the extent the SEC may in the future grant exemptive relief providing greater flexibility, the Fund will be able to use that flexibility without seeking shareholder approval of its fundamental policies.
Borrowing money – The 1940 Act permits a Fund to borrow up to 33  1 3 % of its total assets (including the amounts borrowed) from banks, plus an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, which may be borrowed from banks or other sources. The exception in the fundamental policy allows the Funds to borrow money subject to these conditions. Compliance with this limitation is not measured under the Time of Purchase Standard (meaning, a Fund may not exceed these thresholds including if, after borrowing, the Fund’s net assets decrease due to market fluctuations).
Investing in other investment companies – The 1940 Act, in summary, provides that a fund generally may not: (i) purchase more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of another investment company; (ii) purchase securities issued by another investment company in an amount representing more than 5% of the investing fund’s total assets; or (iii) purchase securities issued by investment companies that in the aggregate represent more than 10% of the acquiring fund’s total assets (the “3, 5 and 10 Rule”). Affiliated funds-of-funds (i.e., those funds that invest in other funds within the same fund family), with respect to investments in such affiliated underlying funds, are not subject to the 3, 5 and 10 Rule and, therefore, may invest in affiliated underlying funds without restriction. A fund-of-funds may also invest its assets in unaffiliated funds, but the fund-of-funds generally may not purchase more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one unaffiliated fund. Additionally, certain exceptions to these limitations apply to investments in money market open-end funds. If shares of the Fund are purchased by an affiliated fund beyond the 3, 5 and 10 Rule in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, for so long as shares of the Fund are held by such other affiliated fund beyond the 3, 5 and 10 Rule, 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.
Issuing senior securities – A “senior security” is an obligation with respect to the earnings or assets of a company that takes precedence over the claims of that company’s common stock with respect to the same earnings or assets. The 1940 Act prohibits an open-end fund from issuing senior securities other than certain borrowings from a bank, but SEC staff interpretations allow a Fund to engage in certain types of transactions that otherwise might raise senior security concerns (such as short sales, buying and selling financial futures contracts and other derivative instruments and selling put and call options), provided that the Fund
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 19

 

segregates or designates on the Fund’s books and records liquid assets, or, as permitted in accordance with SEC staff interpretations, otherwise covers the transaction with offsetting portfolio securities, in amounts sufficient to offset any liability associated with the transaction. The exception in the fundamental policy allows the Fund to operate in reliance upon these staff interpretations.
Making loans (Lending) – Under the 1940 Act, an open-end fund may loan money or property to persons who do not control and are not under common control with the Fund, except that a Fund may make loans to a wholly-owned subsidiary. In addition, the SEC staff takes the position that a Fund may not lend portfolio securities representing more than one-third of the Fund’s total value. A Fund must receive from the borrower collateral at least equal in value to the loaned securities, marked to market daily. The exception in the fundamental policy allows the Fund to make loans to third parties, including loans of its portfolio securities, subject to these conditions.
Purchase of securities on margin – A purchase on margin involves a loan from the broker-dealer arranging the transaction. The “margin” is the cash or securities that the buyer/borrower places with the broker-dealer as collateral against the loan. However, the purchase of securities on margin is effectively prohibited by the 1940 Act because the Fund generally may borrow only from banks. Thus, under current law, this exception does not provide any additional flexibility to the Fund.
Selling securities short – A Fund may sell a security short by borrowing the security, then selling it to a third party. The Fund will eventually need to close out the short sale by buying the security and returning it, together with interest, to the party from whom the Fund borrowed the security. The SEC staff takes the position that, as described under “Issuing senior securities” above, a mutual fund must segregate or designate on the Fund’s books and records liquid assets with a value equal to, or otherwise cover the obligation to return, the security. The exception in the fundamental policy allows the Fund to sell securities short provided it designates liquid assets with a value equal to, or otherwise covers the obligation to return, the security.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 20

 

ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS
Each Fund’s investment objective, principal investment strategies and related principal risks are discussed in each Fund’s prospectus. Each Fund’s prospectus identifies the types of securities in which the Fund invests principally and summarizes the principal risks to the Fund’s portfolio as a whole associated with such investments. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus or this SAI, the investment objective and policies of a Fund may be changed without shareholder approval.
To the extent that a type of security identified in the table below for a Fund is not described in the Fund’s prospectus (or as a sub-category of such security type in this SAI), the Fund generally invests in such security type, if at all, as part of its non-principal investment strategies.
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 may invest in these types of securities, subject to its investment objective and fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies. A Fund is not required to invest in any or all of the types of securities listed below.
Funds-of-funds invest in a combination of underlying funds, although they may also invest directly in stocks, bonds and other securities. These underlying funds have their own investment strategies and types of investments they are allowed to engage in and purchase. Funds-of-funds may invest directly or indirectly through investments in underlying funds, in securities and other instruments and may engage in the investment strategies indicated in the table below.
Certain Investment Activity Limits. The overall investment and other activities of the Investment Manager and its affiliates may limit the investment opportunities for each Fund in certain markets, industries or transactions or in individual issuers where limitations are imposed upon the aggregate amount of investment by the Funds and other accounts managed by the Investment Manager and accounts of its affiliates (collectively, affiliated investors). From time to time, each Fund’s activities also may be restricted because of regulatory restrictions applicable to the Investment Manager and its affiliates and/or because of their internal policies. See Investment Management and Other Services – Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest .
Temporary Defensive Positions. Each Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive investment positions that may be inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation investing some or all of its assets in money market instruments or shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or holding some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may take such defensive investment positions for as long a period as deemed necessary.
Other Strategic and Investment Measures. A Fund may also from time to time take temporary portfolio positions that may or may not be consistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing in derivatives, such as forward contracts, futures contracts, options, structured investments and swaps, for various purposes, including among others, investing in particular derivatives in seeking to reduce investment exposure, or in seeking to achieve indirect investment exposure, to a sector, country, region or currency where the Investment Manager (or Fund subadviser, if applicable) believes such defensive positioning is appropriate. Each Fund may do so without limit and for as long a period as deemed necessary, when the Investment Manager or the Fund’s subadviser, if applicable: (i) believes that market conditions are not favorable for profitable investing or to avoid losses, (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 the Fund is so positioned, derivatives could comprise a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments and the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. Investing in this manner may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and taxes, and decreased Fund performance.
Types of Investments
A black circle indicates that the investment strategy or type of investment generally is authorized for a category of Funds. Exceptions are noted following the table. See About the Trusts for fund investment categories.
Type of Investment Alternative Equity
and
Flexible
Funds-of-Funds
– Equity and
Fixed Income
Taxable
Fixed
Income
Taxable
Money Market
Tax-Exempt
Fixed
Income
Asset-Backed Securities
Bank Obligations (Domestic and Foreign)
Collateralized Bond Obligations
Commercial Paper
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Type of Investment Alternative Equity
and
Flexible
Funds-of-Funds
– Equity and
Fixed Income
Taxable
Fixed
Income
Taxable
Money Market
Tax-Exempt
Fixed
Income
Common Stock •A
Convertible Securities •B •C
Corporate Debt Securities •D
Custody Receipts and Trust Certificates •E •E •E
Debt Obligations
Depositary Receipts
Derivatives
Dollar Rolls •F
Exchange-Traded Notes
Foreign Currency Transactions •G
Foreign Securities
Guaranteed Investment Contracts (Funding Agreements)
High-Yield Securities
Illiquid Securities
Inflation Protected Securities
Initial Public Offerings
Inverse Floaters •H
Investments in Other Investment Companies (Including ETFs)
Listed Private Equity Funds
Money Market Instruments
Mortgage-Backed Securities
Municipal Securities
Participation Interests
Partnership Securities
Preferred Stock •I •I
Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities
Real Estate Investment Trusts
Repurchase Agreements
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
Short Sales •J •J •J •J •J
Sovereign Debt
Standby Commitments
U.S. Government and Related Obligations
Variable and Floating Rate Obligations •K •K •K
Warrants and Rights
A. The following Fund is not authorized to invest in common stock: U.S. Government Mortgage Fund.
B. The following Fund is not authorized to invest in convertible securities: Commodity Strategy Fund.
C. The following Fund is not authorized to invest in convertible securities: U.S. Government Mortgage Fund.
D. While the Fund is prohibited from investing in corporate bonds, it may invest in securities classified as corporate bonds if they meet the requirements of Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act.
E. The following equity, flexible, taxable fixed income and tax-exempt fixed income Funds are not authorized to invest in Custody Receipts and Trust Certificates: each series of CFST.
F. The following Funds are authorized to invest in Dollar Rolls: Commodity Strategy Fund, Flexible Capital Income Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, MM Value Strategies Fund and each series of CFST.
G. The following Funds are not authorized to invest in Foreign Currency Transactions: State Tax-Exempt and State Municipal Bond Funds.
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H. The following Funds are authorized to invest in inverse floaters: Commodity Strategy Fund, Flexible Capital Income Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, MM Value Strategies Fund and each series of CFST.
I. The following taxable fixed income and tax-exempt fixed income Funds are not authorized to invest in preferred stock: Strategic Municipal Income Fund and U.S. Government Mortgage Fund.
J. The Funds are not prohibited from engaging in short sales, subject to any Fundamental or Non-Fundamental Investment policy, however, each Fund will seek Board approval prior to utilizing short sales as an active part of its investment strategy.
K. The following equity, flexible, taxable money market and tax-exempt fixed income Funds are authorized to invest in Floating Rate Loans: Commodity Strategy Fund, Flexible Capital Income Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, MM Value Strategies Fund and each series of CFST.
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 as, among others, motor vehicle installment sales, contracts, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, and receivables from revolving (credit card) agreements. Such securities entitle the security holders to receive distributions ( i.e. , principal and interest) that are tied to the payments made by the borrower 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. Collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) are but one example of an asset-backed security. See Types of Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, – Debt Obligations – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with asset-backed securities include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Liquidity Risk and Prepayment and Extension Risk.
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 Types of 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. 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 banks with interest and principal paid in U.S. dollars. Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar CDs typically have maturities of less than two years and have interest rates that typically are pegged to the London Interbank Offered Rate or LIBOR. 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. 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.
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 and/or heightened 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 and/or interest on those obligations; (vi) there may be less publicly available information concerning foreign banks issuing the
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obligations; and (vii) the reserve requirements and accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements applicable to foreign banks may differ (including, less stringent) from those applicable to domestic banks. Foreign banks generally are not subject to examination by any U.S. Government agency or instrumentality. See Types of Investments – Foreign Securities .
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with bank obligations include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, Liquidity Risk, and Prepayment and Extension Risk.
Collateralized Bond Obligations
Collateralized bond obligations (CBOs) are investment grade bonds backed by a pool of bonds, which may include junk bonds (which are considered speculative investments). CBOs are similar in concept to collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), but differ in that CBOs represent different degrees of credit quality rather than different maturities. (See Types of Investments – Mortgage-Backed Securities and – Asset-Backed Securities . ) CBOs are often privately offered and sold, and thus not registered under the federal securities laws.
Underwriters of CBOs package a large and diversified pool of high-risk, high-yield junk bonds, which is then structured into “tranches.” Typically, the first tranche represents a senior claim on collateral and pays the lowest interest rate; the second tranche is junior to the first tranche and therefore subject to greater risk and pays a higher rate; the third tranche is junior to both the first and second tranche, represents the lowest credit quality and instead of receiving a fixed interest rate receives the residual interest payments — money that is left over after the higher tranches have been paid. CBOs, like CMOs, are substantially overcollateralized and this, plus the diversification of the pool backing them, may earn certain of the tranches investment-grade bond ratings. Holders of third-tranche CBOs stand to earn higher or lower yields depending on the rate of defaults in the collateral pool. See Types of Investments – High-Yield Securities .
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with CBOs include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Liquidity Risk, High-Yield Securities Risk and Prepayment and Extension Risk.
Commercial Paper
Commercial paper is a short-term debt obligation, usually sold on a discount basis, with a maturity ranging from 2 to 270 days issued by banks, corporations and other borrowers. It is sold to investors with temporary idle cash as a way to increase returns on a short-term basis. These instruments are generally unsecured, which increases the credit risk associated with this type of investment. See Types of Investments — Debt Obligations and — Illiquid Securities. See Appendix A for a discussion of securities ratings.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with commercial paper include: Credit Risk and Liquidity Risk.
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. See Types of Investments – Foreign Securities . Common stock may be privately placed or publicly offered. The price of common stock is generally determined by corporate earnings, type of products or services offered, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and market conditions generally. In the event that a corporation declares bankruptcy or is liquidated, the claims of secured and unsecured creditors and owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock. See Types of Investments – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities, – Preferred Stock and – Convertible Securities for more information.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with common stock include: Issuer Risk and Market Risk.
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
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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 common stock’s market movements can influence their value, convertible securities generally are not as sensitive to changes in interest rates as similar non-convertible debt securities nor generally as sensitive to changes in share price as the 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 Types of Investments — Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, —Debt Obligations - Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities, — Common Stock, — Corporate Debt Securities and — Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
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 at 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.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with convertible securities include: Convertible Securities Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, Market Risk, Prepayment and Extension Risk, and Reinvestment Risk.
Corporate Debt Securities
Corporate debt securities are long and short term fixed income securities typically issued by businesses to finance their operations. Corporate debt securities are issued by public or private companies, as distinct from debt securities issued by a government or its agencies. The issuer of a corporate debt security often has a contractual obligation to pay interest at a stated rate on specific dates and to repay principal periodically or on a specified maturity date. Corporate debt securities typically have four distinguishing features: (1) they are taxable; (2) they have a par value of $1,000; (3) they have a term maturity, which means they come due at a specified time period; and (4) many are traded on major securities exchanges. 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, as are debentures. The broad category of corporate debt securities 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. They may also be senior or subordinated obligations. See Appendix A for a discussion of securities ratings. See Types of Investments — Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, — Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities, — Debt Obligations, — Commercial Paper and — High-Yield 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.
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Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with corporate debt securities include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, High-Yield Securities Risk, Prepayment and Extension Risk and Reinvestment Risk.
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.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with custody receipts and trust certificates include: Liquidity Risk and Counterparty Risk. In addition, custody receipts and trust certificates generally are subject to the same risks as the securities evidenced by the receipts or certificates.
Debt Obligations
Many different types of debt obligations exist (for example, bills, bonds, and notes). Issuers of debt obligations have a contractual obligation to pay interest at a fixed, variable or floating rate on specified dates and to repay principal by a specified maturity date. Certain debt obligations (usually intermediate and long-term bonds) have provisions that allow the issuer to redeem or “call” a bond before its maturity. Issuers are most likely to call these securities during periods of falling interest rates. When this happens, an investor may have to replace these securities with lower yielding securities, which could result in a lower return.
The market value of debt obligations is affected primarily by changes in prevailing interest rates and the issuer’s perceived ability to repay the debt. The market value of a debt obligation generally reacts inversely to interest rate changes. When prevailing interest rates decline, the market value of the bond usually rises, and when prevailing interest rates rise, the market value of the bond usually declines.
In general, the longer the maturity of a debt obligation, the higher its yield and the greater the sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Conversely, the shorter the maturity, the lower the yield and the lower the sensitivity to changes in interest rates.
As noted, the values of debt obligations also may be affected by changes in the credit rating or financial condition of their issuers. Generally, the lower the quality rating of a security, the higher the degree of risk as to the payment of interest and return of principal. To compensate investors for taking on such increased risk, those issuers deemed to be less creditworthy generally must offer their investors higher interest rates than do issuers with better credit ratings. See Types of Investments — Corporate Debt Securities, — High-Yield Securities and — Preferred Stock - Trust-Preferred Securities for information.
Event-Linked Instruments/Catastrophe Bonds. A Fund may obtain event-linked exposure by investing in “event-linked bonds” or “event-linked swaps” or by implementing “event-linked strategies.” Event-linked exposure results in gains or losses that typically are contingent on, or formulaically related to, defined trigger events. Examples of trigger events include hurricanes, earthquakes, weather-related phenomena or statistics relating to such events. Some event-linked bonds are commonly referred to as “catastrophe bonds.” If a trigger event occurs, the principal amount of the bond is reduced (potentially to zero), and a Fund may lose all or a portion of its entire principal invested in the bond or the entire notional amount on a swap.
Stripped Securities. Stripped securities are the separate income or principal payments of a debt security and 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, (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.
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.
See Types of Investments – Mortgage-Backed Securities, – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations and – U.S. Government and Related Obligations for more information.
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Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with stripped securities include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Liquidity Risk, Prepayment and Extension Risk and Stripped Securities Risk
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 after the customary settlement period for that type of security. Normally, the settlement date occurs within 45 days of the purchase although in some cases settlement may take longer. The investor does not pay for the securities or receive dividends or interest on them until the contractual settlement date. When engaging in when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions, a Fund typically will designate liquid assets 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 transactions only with the intention of completing such transactions.
However, a Fund’s portfolio manager may determine not to complete a transaction if he or she deems it appropriate to close out the transaction prior to its completion. In such cases, a Fund may realize short-term gains or losses. See Types of Investments — Asset-Backed Securities and — Mortgage-Backed Securities for more information.
To Be Announced Securities (“TBAs”). As with other delayed delivery transactions, a seller agrees to issue a TBA security at a future date. However, the seller does not specify the particular securities to be delivered. Instead, the Fund agrees to accept any security that meets specified terms. For example, in a TBA mortgage-backed security transaction, the Fund and the seller would agree upon the issuer, interest rate and terms of the underlying mortgages. The seller would not identify the specific underlying mortgages until it issues the security. TBA mortgage-backed securities increase market risks because the underlying mortgages may be less favorable than anticipated by the Fund. See Types of Investments — Asset-Backed Securities and — Mortgage-Backed Securities for more information.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk and Market Risk.
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, high-yield 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 that gradually increases over time. 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, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities holders generally have substantially all the rights and privileges of holders of the underlying coupon obligations or principal obligations. Holders of these securities typically 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.
See Appendix A for a discussion of securities ratings. See Types of Investments — Asset-Backed Securities and — Mortgage-Backed Securities for more information.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with zero-coupon, step-coupon, and pay-in-kind securities include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk and Zero-Coupon Bonds Risk.
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Determining Investment Grade for Purposes of Investment Policies. Unless otherwise stated in the Fund’s prospectus, when determining, under a Fund’s investment policies, whether a debt instrument is investment grade or below investment grade for purposes of purchase by the Fund, the Fund will apply a particular credit quality rating methodology, as described within the Fund’s shareholder reports, when available. These methodologies typically make use of credit quality ratings assigned by a third-party rating agency or agencies, when available. Credit quality ratings assigned by a rating agency are subjective opinions, not statements of fact, and are subject to change, including daily. Credit quality ratings apply to the Fund’s debt instrument investments and not the Fund itself.
Ratings limitations under a Fund’s investment policies are applied at the time of purchase by a Fund. Subsequent to purchase, a debt instrument may cease to be rated by a rating agency or its rating may be reduced by a rating agency(ies) below the minimum required for purchase by a Fund. Neither event will require the sale of such debt instrument, but it may be a factor in considering whether to continue to hold the instrument. Unless otherwise stated in a Fund’s prospectus or in this SAI, a Fund may invest in debt instruments that are not rated by a rating agency. When a debt instrument is not rated by a rating agency, the Investment Manager or, as applicable, a Fund subadviser determines, at the time of purchase, whether such debt instrument is of investment grade or below investment grade (e.g., junk bond) quality. A Fund’s debt instrument holdings that are not rated by a rating agency are typically referred to as “Not Rated” within the Fund’s shareholder reports.
See Appendix A for a discussion of securities ratings.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with debt obligations include: Confidential Information Access Risk, Credit Risk, Highly Leveraged Transactions Risk, Impairment of Collateral Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, Liquidity Risk, Prepayment and Extension Risk and Reinvestment Risk.
Determining Average Maturity. When determining the average maturity of a Fund's portfolio, the Fund may use the effective maturity of a portfolio security by, among other things, adjusting for interest rate reset dates, call dates or “put” dates.
Depositary Receipts
See Types of Investments – Foreign Securities below.
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), market indices (such as the S& P 500 ® Index) or customized baskets of securities or instruments. Some forms of derivatives, such as exchange-traded futures and options 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. Many derivative instruments often require little or no initial payment and therefore often create inherent economic leverage. Derivatives, when used properly, can enhance returns and be useful in hedging portfolios and managing risk. 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; 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 unfavorable 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; (vi) to manage the effective maturity or duration of its portfolio; and/or (vii) to maintain cash reserves while remaining fully invested.
Certain Funds may employ portfolio margining with respect to derivatives investments, which creates leverage in a Fund’s portfolio (subjecting the Fund to Leverage Risk). Portfolio margining is a methodology that computes margin requirements for an account based on the greatest projected net loss of all positions in a product class or group, and uses computer modeling to perform risk analysis using multiple pricing scenarios. The pricing scenarios are designed to measure the theoretical loss of the positions, given changes in the underlying price and implied volatility inputs to the model. Accordingly, the margin required is based on the greatest loss that would be incurred in a portfolio if the value of its components move up or down by a predetermined amount.
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. The use of derivatives is a function of numerous variables, including market conditions. See also Types of Investments — Warrants and Rights and — Debt Obligations - When Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Transactions.
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Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with transactions in derivatives (including the derivatives instruments discussed below) include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Leverage Risk, Liquidity Risk, Market Risk, Derivatives Risk, Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk, Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk, Derivatives Risk – Inverse Floaters Risk, Derivatives Risk – Options Risk, Derivatives Risk – Structured Investments Risk and/or Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk.
Structured Investments (Indexed or Linked Securities)
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.
Indexed and Inverse Floating Rate Securities. A Fund may invest in securities that provide a potential return based on a particular index or interest rates. For example, a Fund may invest in debt 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. A trust funds the purchase of a bond by issuing two classes of certificates: short-term floating rate notes (typically sold to third parties) and the inverse floaters (also known as residual certificates). No additional income beyond that provided by the trust’s underlying bond is created; rather, that income is merely divided-up between the two classes of certificates. Generally, income on inverse floating rate bonds will decrease when interest rates increase, and will increase when interest rates decrease. Such securities can have the effect of providing a degree of investment leverage, since they may increase or decrease in value in response to changes in market interest rates at a rate that is a multiple of the actual 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. 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 securities are indirectly subject to the risks associated with derivative instruments. 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.
Equity-Linked Notes. An equity-linked note (ELN) is a debt instrument whose value is based on the value of a single equity security, basket of equity securities or an index of equity securities (each, an Underlying Equity). An ELN typically provides interest income, thereby offering a yield advantage over investing directly in an Underlying Equity. The Fund may purchase
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ELNs that trade on a securities exchange or those that trade on the over-the-counter markets, including Rule 144A securities. The Fund may also purchase ELNs in a privately negotiated transaction with the issuer of the ELNs (or its broker-dealer affiliate). The Fund may or may not hold an ELN until its maturity.
Equity-linked securities also 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.
ELNs also include participation notes issued by a bank or broker-dealer that entitles the Fund to a return measured by the change in value of an Underlying Equity. Participation notes are typically used when a direct investment in the Underlying Equity is restricted due to country-specific regulations. Investment in a participation note is not the same as investment in the constituent shares of the company (or other issuer type) to which the Underlying Equity is economically tied. A participation note represents only an obligation of the company or other issuer type to provide the Fund the economic performance equivalent to holding shares of the Underlying Equity. A participation note does not provide any beneficial or equitable entitlement or interest in the relevant Underlying Equity. In other words, shares of the Underlying Equity are not in any way owned by the Fund.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with equity-linked notes include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Liquidity Risk and Market Risk
Index-, Commodity- and Currency-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 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 or securities. 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- and currency-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 may not perform as expected by a Fund’s portfolio manager. Markets and underlying investments and indexes may move in a direction that was not anticipated by a Fund’s portfolio manager. 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, although the SEC has issued exemptive relief permitting investment companies such as the Funds to invest beyond the limits of Section 12(d)(1)(A) subject to certain conditions. SPDRs generally 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.
Because linked securities 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 linked securities 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.
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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 CEA by the CFTC, a U.S. Government agency. See CFTC Regulation below for information on CFTC regulation.
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.
Upon entering into futures contracts, in compliance with regulatory requirements, cash or liquid securities, at least 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 designated in a Fund’s books and records.
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.
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 its portfolio manager’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
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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.
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).
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.
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Commodity-Linked Futures Contracts. Commodity-linked futures contracts are traded on futures exchanges. These futures exchanges offer a central marketplace in which to transact in futures contracts, a clearing corporation to process trades, and standardization of expiration dates and contract sizes. Futures markets also specify the terms and conditions of delivery as well as the maximum permissible price movement during a trading session. Additionally, the commodity futures exchanges may have position limit rules that limit the amount of futures contracts that any one party may hold in a particular commodity at any point in time. These position limit rules are designed to prevent any one participant from controlling a significant portion of the market.
Commodity-linked futures contracts are generally based upon commodities within six main commodity groups: (1) energy, which includes, among others, crude oil, brent crude oil, gas oil, natural gas, gasoline and heating oil; (2) livestock, which includes, among others, feeder cattle, live cattle and hogs; (3) agriculture, which includes, among others, wheat (Kansas wheat and Chicago wheat), corn and soybeans; (4) industrial metals, which includes, among others, aluminum, copper, lead, nickel and zinc; (5) precious metals, which includes, among others, gold and silver; and (6) softs, which includes cotton, coffee, sugar and cocoa. A Fund may purchase commodity futures contracts, swaps on commodity futures contracts, options on futures contracts and options and futures on commodity indices with respect to these six main commodity groups and the individual commodities within each group, as well as other types of commodities.
The price of a commodity futures contract will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity. These storage costs include the time value of money invested in the physical commodity plus the actual costs of storing the commodity less any benefits from ownership of the physical commodity that are not obtained by the holder of a futures contract (this is sometimes referred to as the “convenience yield”). To the extent that these storage costs change for an underlying commodity while a Fund is long futures contracts on that commodity, the value of the futures contract may change proportionately.
In the commodity futures markets, if producers of the underlying commodity wish to hedge the price risk of selling the commodity, they will sell futures contracts today to lock in the price of the commodity at delivery tomorrow. In order to induce speculators to take the corresponding long side of the same futures contract, the commodity producer must be willing to sell the futures contract at a price that is below the expected future spot price. Conversely, if the predominant hedgers in the futures market are the purchasers of the underlying commodity who purchase futures contracts to hedge against a rise in prices, then speculators will only take the short side of the futures contract if the futures price is greater than the expected future spot price of the commodity.
The changing nature of the hedgers and speculators in the commodity markets will influence whether futures contract prices are above or below the expected future spot price. This can have significant implications for a Fund when it is time to replace an existing contract with a new contract. If the nature of hedgers and speculators in futures markets has shifted such that commodity purchasers are the predominant hedgers in the market, a Fund might open the new futures position at a higher price or choose other related commodity-linked investments.
The values of commodities which underlie commodity futures contracts are subject to additional variables which may be less significant to the values of traditional securities such as stocks and bonds. Variables such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes and tariffs may have a larger impact on commodity prices and commodity-linked investments, including futures contracts, commodity-linked structured notes, commodity-linked options and commodity-linked swaps, than on traditional securities. These additional variables may create additional investment risks which subject a Fund’s commodity-linked investments to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.
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, but not the obligation, to buy from (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 regulatory requirements, it has designated cash or liquid securities at least equal in value to the underlying security’s or other asset’s value (less any applicable margin deposits). 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.
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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.
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 a Fund’s portfolio manager, 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.
Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar Futures Contracts and Options Thereon. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. A Fund may use Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against changes in the LIBOR, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed income instruments are linked.
Options
Options on Stocks, Stock Indices and Other Indices. 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.
There is a key difference between stock options and 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.
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.
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.
Writing Covered Options. A Fund may write covered call options and covered put options on securities held in its portfolio. 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.
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A Fund may write 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 liquid assets 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 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, including 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. OTC options (options not traded on exchanges) are generally established through negotiation with the other party to the options contract. 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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Swap Agreements
General . 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, commodity futures, equity, equity index, credit default, bond futures, total return, portfolio 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.
Swap agreements are usually entered into without an upfront payment because the value of each party’s position is the same. The market values of the underlying commitments will change over time, resulting in one of the commitments being worth more than the other and the net market value creating a risk exposure for one party or the other.
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 amounts 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. In interest rate collar transactions, one party sells a cap and purchases a floor, or vice versa, in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels or collar amounts.
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. In that case, 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.
Because swaps are two-party contracts that may be subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and termination and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. If a swap is not liquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses.
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. When a counterparty’s obligations are not fully secured by collateral, then the Fund is essentially an unsecured creditor of the counterparty. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that a counterparty will be able to meet its obligations pursuant to such contracts or that, in the event of default, the Fund will succeed in enforcing contractual remedies. Counterparty risk still exists even if a counterparty’s obligations are secured by collateral because the Fund’s interest in collateral may not be perfected or additional collateral may not be promptly posted as required. Counterparty risk also may be more pronounced if a counterparty’s obligations exceed the amount of collateral held by the Fund (if any), the Fund is unable to exercise its interest in collateral upon default by the counterparty, or the termination value of the instrument varies significantly from the marked-to-market value of the instrument.
Counterparty risk with respect to derivatives will be affected by new rules and regulations affecting the derivatives market. Some derivatives transactions are required to be centrally cleared, and a party to a cleared derivatives transaction is subject to the credit risk of the clearing house and the clearing member through which it holds its cleared position, rather than the credit risk of its original counterparty to the derivative transaction. Credit risk of market participants with respect to derivatives that are centrally cleared is concentrated in a few clearing houses, and it is not clear how an insolvency proceeding of a clearing house would be conducted and what impact an insolvency of a clearing house would have on the financial system. A clearing member is obligated by contract and by applicable regulation to segregate all funds received from customers with respect to cleared derivatives transactions from the clearing member’s proprietary assets. However, all funds and other property received by a clearing broker from its customers are generally held by the clearing broker on a commingled basis in an omnibus account, and the clearing member may invest those funds in certain instruments permitted under the applicable regulations. The assets of a Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of a Fund’s clearing member, because the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing broker’s customers for a
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relevant account class. Also, the clearing member is required to transfer to the clearing organization the amount of margin required by the clearing organization for cleared derivatives, which amounts are generally held in an omnibus account at the clearing organization for all customers of the clearing member. Regulations promulgated by the CFTC require that the clearing member notify the clearing house of the amount of initial margin provided by the clearing member to the clearing organization that is attributable to each customer. However, if the clearing member does not provide accurate reporting, the Funds are subject to the risk that a clearing organization will use a Fund’s assets held in an omnibus account at the clearing organization to satisfy payment obligations of a defaulting customer of the clearing member to the clearing organization. In addition, clearing members generally provide to the clearing organization the net amount of variation margin required for cleared swaps for all of its customers in the aggregate, rather than the gross amount of each customer. The Funds are therefore subject to the risk that a clearing organization will not make variation margin payments owed to a Fund if another customer of the clearing member has suffered a loss and is in default, and the risk that a Fund will be required to provide additional variation margin to the clearing house before the clearing house will move the Fund’s cleared derivatives transactions to another clearing member. In addition, if a clearing member does not comply with the applicable regulations or its agreement with the Funds, or in the event of fraud or misappropriation of customer assets by a clearing member, a Fund could have only an unsecured creditor claim in an insolvency of the clearing member with respect to the margin held by the clearing member.
Interest Rate Swaps. Interest rate swap agreements are often used to obtain or preserve a desired return or spread at a lower cost than through a direct investment in an instrument that yields the desired return or spread. They are financial instruments that involve the exchange of one type of interest rate cash flow for another type of interest rate cash flow on specified dates in the future. In a standard interest rate swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange their respective commitments to pay fixed or floating interest rates on a predetermined specified (notional) amount. The swap agreement’s notional amount is the predetermined basis for calculating the obligations that the swap counterparties have agreed to exchange. Under most swap agreements, the obligations of the parties are exchanged on a net basis. The two payment streams are netted out, with each party receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Interest rate swaps can be based on various measures of interest rates, including LIBOR, swap rates, Treasury rates and foreign interest rates.
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 a credit default swap. 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.
A Fund’s obligations under a credit default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund). For bilateral credit default swaps (CDS) where the Fund is the seller of protection, the Fund will cover the full notional amount of the swap minus any collateral on deposit. In connection with credit default swaps in which a Fund is the buyer, the Fund will segregate or designate cash or other liquid assets in accordance with its policies and procedures. Such segregation or designation will ensure that a Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction. Such segregation or designation will not limit a Fund’s exposure to loss.
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
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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.
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 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 designated by a Fund in its books and records. 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 designated 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.
Commodity-Linked Swaps. Commodity-linked swaps are two-party contracts in which the parties agree to exchange the return or interest rate on one instrument for the return of a particular commodity, commodity index or commodities futures or options contract. The payment streams are calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional amount. A one-period swap contract operates in a manner similar to a forward or futures contract because there is an agreement to swap a commodity for cash at only one forward date. A Fund may engage in swap transactions that have more than one period and therefore more than one exchange of commodities.
A Fund may invest in total return commodity swaps to gain exposure to the overall commodity markets. In a total return commodity swap, a Fund will receive the price appreciation of a commodity index, a portion of the index, or a single commodity in exchange for paying an agreed-upon fee. If the commodity swap is for one period, the Fund will pay a fixed fee, established at the outset of the swap. However, if the term of the commodity swap is more than one period, with interim swap payments, the Fund will pay an adjustable or floating fee. With a “floating” rate, the fee is pegged to a base rate such as LIBOR, and is adjusted each period. Therefore, if interest rates increase over the term of the swap contract, a Fund may be required to pay a higher fee at each swap reset date.
Cross Currency Swaps. Cross currency swaps are similar to interest rate swaps, except that they involve multiple currencies. A Fund may enter into a cross currency swap when it has exposure to one currency and desires exposure to a different currency. Typically, the interest rates that determine the currency swap payments are fixed, although occasionally one or both parties may pay a floating rate of interest. Unlike an interest rate swap, however, the principal amounts are exchanged at the beginning of the contract and returned at the end of the contract. In addition to paying and receiving amounts at the beginning and termination of the agreements, both sides will have to pay in full periodically based upon the currency they have borrowed. Changes in foreign exchange currency rates and changes in interest rates, as described above, may negatively affect currency swaps.
Contracts for Differences. Contracts for differences are swap arrangements in which the parties agree that their return (or loss) will be based on the relative performance of two different groups or baskets of securities. Often, one or both baskets will be an established securities index. A Fund’s return will be based on changes in value of theoretical long futures positions in the securities comprising one basket (with an aggregate face value equal to the notional amount of the contract for differences) and theoretical short futures positions in the securities comprising the other basket. A Fund also may use actual long and short futures positions and achieve similar market exposure by netting the payment obligations of the two contracts. A Fund typically enters into contracts for differences (and analogous futures positions) when its portfolio manager believes that the basket of securities constituting the long position will outperform the basket constituting the short position. If the short basket outperforms the long basket, a Fund will realize a loss — even in circumstances when the securities in both the long and short baskets appreciate in value.
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Swaptions. A swaption is an options contract on a swap agreement. These transactions give a party the right (but not the obligation) to enter into new swap agreements or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement (which are described herein) at some designated future time on specified terms, in return for payment of the purchase price (the “premium”) of the option. A Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions to the same extent it may make use of standard options on securities or other instruments. The writer of the contract receives the premium and bears the risk of unfavorable changes in the market value on the underlying swap agreement. Swaptions can be bundled and sold as a package. These are commonly called interest rate caps, floors and collars (which are described herein).
Many swaps are complex and often valued subjectively. Many over-the-counter derivatives are complex and their valuation often requires modeling and judgment, which increases the risk of mispricing or incorrect valuation. The pricing models used may not produce valuations that are consistent with the values the Fund realizes when it closes or sells an over-the-counter derivative. Valuation risk is more pronounced when the Fund enters into over-the-counter derivatives with specialized terms because the market value of those derivatives in some cases is determined in part by reference to similar derivatives with more standardized terms. Incorrect valuations may result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties, undercollateralization and/or errors in calculation of the Fund’s net asset value.
Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) established a framework for the regulation of OTC swap markets; the framework outlined the joint responsibility of the CFTC and the SEC in regulating swaps. The CFTC is responsible for the regulation of swaps, the SEC is responsible for the regulation of security-based swaps and they are both jointly responsible for the regulation of mixed swaps.
Risk of Potential Governmental Regulation of Derivatives
It is possible that government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures and swap agreements, may limit or prevent the Funds from using such instruments as a part of their investment strategy, and could ultimately prevent the Funds from being able to achieve their investment objectives. The effects of present or future legislation and regulation in this area are not known, but the effects could be substantial and adverse.
The futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading.
The regulation of swaps and futures transactions in the U.S. is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in a Fund or the ability of a Fund to continue to implement its investment strategies. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Act, which was signed into law in July 2010, has changed the way in which the U.S. financial system is supervised and regulated. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act sets forth a new legislative framework for OTC derivatives, such as swaps, in which the Funds may invest. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act makes broad changes to the OTC derivatives market, grants significant new authority to the SEC and the CFTC to regulate OTC derivatives and market participants, and will require clearing of many OTC derivatives transactions.
Recent U.S. and non-U.S. legislative and regulatory reforms, including those related to the Dodd-Frank Act, have resulted in, and may in the future result in, new regulation of derivative instruments and the Fund's use of such instruments. New regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund's ability to engage in derivative transactions (for example, by making certain types of derivative instruments or transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such transactions, and the Fund may as a result be unable to execute its investment strategies in a manner the Investment Manager might otherwise choose.
Additional Risk Factors in Cleared Derivatives Transactions
Under recently adopted rules and regulations, transactions in some types of swaps (including interest rate swaps and credit default swaps on North American and European indices) are required to be centrally cleared. In a transaction involving those swaps (“cleared derivatives”), a Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house, rather than a bank or broker. Since the Funds are not members of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Funds will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members. In a cleared derivatives transaction, the Funds will make payments (including margin payments) to and receive payments from a clearing house through their accounts at clearing members. Clearing members guarantee performance of their clients’ obligations to the clearing house.
In many ways, centrally cleared derivative arrangements are less favorable to open-end funds than bilateral arrangements. For example, the Funds may be required to provide greater amounts of margin for cleared derivatives positions than for bilateral derivatives transactions. Also, in contrast to a bilateral derivatives position, following a period of notice to a Fund, a clearing member generally can require termination of an existing cleared derivatives position at any time or increases in margin requirements above the margin that the clearing member required at the beginning of a transaction. Clearing houses also have
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broad rights to increase margin requirements for existing positions or to terminate those positions at any time. Any increase in margin requirements or termination of existing cleared derivatives positions by the clearing member or the clearing house could interfere with the ability of a Fund to pursue its investment strategy. Further, any increase in margin requirements by a clearing member could also expose a Fund to greater credit risk to its clearing member, because margin for cleared derivatives transactions in excess of clearing house’s margin requirements typically is held by the clearing member. Also, a Fund is subject to risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or that the Investment Manager expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Fund’s behalf. While the documentation in place between the Funds and their clearing members generally provides that the clearing members will accept for clearing all transactions submitted for clearing that are within credit limits (specified in advance) for each Fund, the Funds are still subject to the risk that no clearing member will be willing or able to clear a transaction. In those cases, the position might have to be terminated, and the Fund could lose some or all of the benefit of the position, including loss of an increase in the value of the position and/or loss of hedging protection. In addition, the documentation governing the relationship between the Funds and clearing members is developed by the clearing members and generally is less favorable to the Funds than typical bilateral derivatives documentation. For example, documentation relating to cleared derivatives generally includes a one-way indemnity by the Funds in favor of the clearing member for losses the clearing member incurs as the Funds’ clearing member and typically does not provide the Funds any remedies if the clearing member defaults or becomes insolvent. While futures contracts entail similar risks, the risks likely are more pronounced for cleared swaps due to their more limited liquidity and market history.
Some types of cleared derivatives are required to be executed on an exchange or on a swap execution facility. A swap execution facility is a trading platform where multiple market participants can execute derivatives by accepting bids and offers made by multiple other participants in the platform. While this execution requirement is designed to increase transparency and liquidity in the cleared derivatives market, trading on a swap execution facility can create additional costs and risks for the Funds. For example, swap execution facilities typically charge fees, and if a Fund executes derivatives on a swap execution facility through a broker intermediary, the intermediary may impose fees as well. Also, a Fund may indemnify a swap execution facility, or a broker intermediary who executes cleared derivatives on a swap execution facility on the Fund’s behalf, against any losses or costs that may be incurred as a result of the Fund’s transactions on the swap execution facility.
These and other new rules and regulations could, among other things, further restrict a Fund’s ability to engage in, or increase the cost to the Fund of, derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Fund, increasing margin or capital requirements, or otherwise limiting liquidity or increasing transaction costs. These regulations are new and evolving, so their potential impact on the Funds and the financial system are not yet known. While the new regulations and the central clearing of some derivatives transactions are designed to reduce systemic risk ( i.e. , the risk that the interdependence of large derivatives dealers could cause a number of those dealers to suffer liquidity, solvency or other challenges simultaneously), there is no assurance that the new clearing mechanisms will achieve that result, and in the meantime, as noted above, central clearing and related requirements expose the Funds to new kinds of risks and costs.
CFTC Regulation
Pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA, Commodity Strategy Fund does not qualify for an exclusion from the definition of a commodity pool. Accordingly, the Fund is registered as a "commodity pool" and the Investment Manager is registered as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the Fund under the CEA.
Each of the other Funds listed on the cover of this SAI qualifies for an exclusion from the definition of a commodity pool under the CEA and has on file a notice of exclusion under CFTC Rule 4.5. Accordingly, the Investment Manager is not subject to registration or regulation as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA with respect to these Funds, although the Investment Manager is a registered “commodity pool operator” and “commodity trading advisor”. To remain eligible for the exclusion, each of these Funds is limited in its ability to use certain financial instruments regulated under the CEA (“commodity interests”), including futures and options on futures and certain swaps transactions. In the event that a Fund’s investments in commodity interests are not within the thresholds set forth in the exclusion, one or more Funds not currently registered as a “commodity pool” may be required to register as such, which could increase Fund expenses, adversely affecting the Fund’s total return.
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 securities on a specified future date and price from the same party. 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. The investor also could be compensated through the receipt of fee income equivalent to a lower forward price. Dollar roll transactions may result in higher transaction costs for a Fund.
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Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with mortgage dollar rolls include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk and Interest Rate Risk.
Exchange-traded notes (ETNs)
ETNs are instruments that combine aspects of bonds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and are designed to provide investors with access to the returns, less investor fees and expenses, of various market benchmarks or strategies to which they are usually linked. When an investor buys an ETN, the issuer, typically an underwriting bank, promises to pay upon maturity the amount reflected in the benchmark or strategy (minus fees and expenses). Some ETNs make periodic coupon payments. Like ETFs, ETNs are traded on an exchange, but ETNs have additional risks compared to ETFs, including the risk that if the credit of the ETN issuer becomes suspect, the investment might lose some or all of its value. Though linked to the performance, for example, of a market benchmark, ETNs are not equities or index funds, but they do share several characteristics. Similar to equities, ETNs are traded on an exchange and can be sold short. Similar to index funds, ETNs may be linked to the return of a benchmark or strategy, but ETNs don't have an ownership interest in the instruments underlying the benchmark or strategy the ETN is tracking.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with exchange-traded notes include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk and Market Risk.
Foreign Currency Transactions
Because investments in foreign securities usually involve currencies of foreign countries and because a Fund may hold cash and cash equivalent investments in foreign currencies, the value of a Fund’s assets as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations. Also, a Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, causing a Fund’s NAV to fluctuate. Currency exchange rates are generally determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or anticipated changes in interest rates, and other complex factors. Currency exchange rates also can be affected by the intervention of U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments.
Spot Rates and Derivative Instruments . A Fund may conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either at the spot (cash) rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or by entering into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (forward contracts). (See Types of Investments – Derivatives .) These contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market might involve substantially larger amounts than those involved in the use of such derivative instruments, a Fund could be disadvantaged by having to deal in the odd lot market for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for round lots.
A Fund may enter into forward contracts for a variety of reasons, including for risk management (hedging) or for investment purposes.
When a Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency or has been notified of a dividend or interest payment, it may desire to lock in the price of the security or the amount of the payment, usually in U.S. dollars, although it could desire to lock in the price of the security in another currency. By entering into a forward contract, a Fund would be able to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between different currencies from the date the security is purchased or sold to the date on which payment is made or received or when the dividend or interest is actually received.
A Fund may enter into forward contracts when management of the Fund believes the currency of a particular foreign country may decline in value relative to another currency. When selling currencies forward in this fashion, a Fund may seek to hedge the value of foreign securities it holds against an adverse move in exchange rates. The precise matching of forward contract amounts and the value of securities involved generally will not be possible since the future value of securities in foreign currencies more than likely will change between the date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures. The projection of short-term currency market movements is extremely difficult and successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain.
This method of protecting the value of a Fund’s securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange that can be achieved at some point in time. Although forward contracts can be used to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in value of hedged currency, they will also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of such currency increase.
A Fund may also enter into forward contracts when the Fund’s portfolio manager believes the currency of a particular country will increase in value relative to another currency. A Fund may buy currencies forward to gain exposure to a currency without incurring the additional costs of purchasing securities denominated in that currency.
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For example, the combination of U.S. dollar-denominated instruments with long forward currency exchange contracts creates a position economically equivalent to a position in the foreign currency, in anticipation of an increase in the value of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar. Conversely, the combination of U.S. dollar-denominated instruments with short forward currency exchange contracts is economically equivalent to borrowing the foreign currency for delivery at a specified date in the future, in anticipation of a decrease in the value of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar.
Unanticipated changes in the currency exchange results could result in poorer performance for Funds that enter into these types of transactions.
A Fund may designate cash or securities in an amount equal to the value of the Fund’s total assets committed to consummating forward contracts entered into under the circumstance set forth above. If the value of the securities declines, additional cash or securities will be designated on a daily basis so that the value of the cash or securities will equal the amount of the Fund’s commitments on such contracts.
At maturity of a forward contract, a Fund may either deliver (if a contract to sell) or take delivery of (if a contract to buy) the foreign currency or terminate its contractual obligation by entering into an offsetting contract with the same currency trader, having the same maturity date, and covering the same amount of foreign currency.
If a Fund engages in an offsetting transaction, it will incur a gain or loss to the extent there has been movement in forward contract prices. If a Fund engages in an offsetting transaction, it may subsequently enter into a new forward contract to buy or sell the foreign currency.
Although a Fund values its assets each business day in terms of U.S. dollars, it may not intend to convert its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a daily basis. However, it will do so from time to time, and such conversions involve certain currency conversion costs. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (spread) between the prices at which they buy and sell various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to a Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should a Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.
It is possible, under certain circumstances, including entering into forward currency contracts for investment purposes, that a Fund will be required to limit or restructure its forward contract currency transactions to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Code.
Options on Foreign Currencies. A Fund may buy put and call options and write covered call and cash-secured put options on foreign currencies for hedging purposes and to gain exposure to foreign currencies. For example, a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which securities are denominated will reduce the dollar value of such securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. In order to protect against the diminutions in the value of securities, a Fund may buy put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency does decline, a Fund would have the right to sell the currency for a fixed amount in dollars and would thereby offset, in whole or in part, the adverse effect on its portfolio that otherwise would have resulted.
Conversely, where a change in the dollar value of a currency would increase the cost of securities a Fund plans to buy, or where a Fund would benefit from increased exposure to the currency, a Fund may buy call options on the foreign currency, giving it the right to purchase the currency for a fixed amount in dollars. The purchase of the options could offset, at least partially, the changes in exchange rates.
As in the case of other types of options, however, the benefit to a Fund derived from purchases of foreign currency options would be reduced by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In addition, where currency exchange rates do not move in the direction or to the extent anticipated, a Fund could sustain losses on transactions in foreign currency options that would require it to forego a portion or all of the benefits of advantageous changes in rates.
A Fund may write options on foreign currencies for similar purposes. For example, when a Fund anticipates a decline in the dollar value of foreign-denominated securities due to adverse fluctuations in exchange rates, it could, instead of purchasing a put option, write a call option on the relevant currency, giving the option holder the right to purchase that currency from the Fund for a fixed amount in dollars. If the expected decline occurs, the option would most likely not be exercised and the diminution in value of securities would be offset, at least partially, by the amount of the premium received.
Similarly, instead of purchasing a call option when a foreign currency is expected to appreciate, a Fund could write a put option on the relevant currency, giving the option holder the right to that currency from the Fund for a fixed amount in dollars. If rates move in the manner projected, the put option would expire unexercised and allow the Fund to hedge increased cost up to the amount of the premium.
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As in the case of other types of options, however, the writing of a foreign currency option will constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium, and only if rates move in the expected direction. If this does not occur, the option may be exercised and the Fund would be required to buy or sell the underlying currency at a loss that may not be offset by the amount of the premium. Through the writing of options on foreign currencies, the Fund also may be required to forego all or a portion of the benefits that might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements on exchange rates.
An option written on foreign currencies is covered if a Fund holds currency sufficient to cover the option or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that currency without additional cash consideration upon conversion of assets denominated in that currency or exchange of other currency held in its portfolio. An option writer could lose amounts substantially in excess of its initial investments, due to the margin and collateral requirements associated with such positions.
Options on foreign currencies are traded through financial institutions acting as market-makers, although foreign currency options also are traded on certain national securities exchanges, such as the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and the Chicago Board Options Exchange, subject to SEC regulation. In an over-the-counter trading environment, many of the protections afforded to exchange participants will not be available. For example, there are no daily price fluctuation limits, and adverse market movements could therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time. Although the purchaser of an option cannot lose more than the amount of the premium plus related transaction costs, this entire amount could be lost.
Foreign currency option positions entered into on a national securities exchange are cleared and guaranteed by the OCC, thereby reducing the risk of counterparty default. Further, a liquid secondary market in options traded on a national securities exchange may be more readily available than in the over-the-counter market, potentially permitting a Fund to liquidate open positions at a profit prior to exercise or expiration, or to limit losses in the event of adverse market movements.
Foreign Currency Futures and Related Options. A Fund may enter into currency futures contracts to buy or sell currencies. It also may buy put and call options and write covered call and cash-secured put options on currency futures. Currency futures contracts are similar to currency forward contracts, except that they are traded on exchanges (and have margin requirements) and are standardized as to contract size and delivery date. Most currency futures call for payment of delivery in U.S. dollars. A Fund may use currency futures for the same purposes as currency forward contracts, subject to CFTC limitations.
Currency futures and options on futures values can be expected to correlate with exchange rates, but will not reflect other factors that may affect the value of the Fund’s investments. A currency hedge, for example, should protect a Yen-denominated bond against a decline in the Yen, but will not protect a Fund against price decline if the issuer’s creditworthiness deteriorates. Because the value of a Fund’s investments denominated in foreign currency will change in response to many factors other than exchange rates, it may not be possible to match the amount of a forward contract to the value of a Fund’s investments denominated in that currency over time.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with foreign currency transactions include: Foreign Currency Risk, Derivatives Risk, Interest Rate Risk, and Liquidity Risk.
Foreign Securities
Unless otherwise stated in a Fund’s prospectus, stocks, bonds and other securities or investments are deemed to be “foreign” based primarily on the issuer’s place of organization/incorporation, but the Fund may also consider the issuer’s domicile, its principal place of business, its primary stock exchange listing, the source of its revenue or other factors. A Fund’s investments in foreign markets, may include issuers in emerging markets, as well as frontier markets, each of which carry heightened risks as compared with investments in other typical foreign markets. Unless otherwise stated in a Fund’s prospectus, emerging market countries are generally those either defined by World Bank-defined per capita income brackets or determined to be an emerging market based on the Fund portfolio manager’s qualitative judgments about a country’s level of economic and institutional development, among other factors. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies and even less developed capital markets than typical emerging market countries (which themselves have increased investment risk relative to investing in more developed markets) and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries. 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 Types of Investments — Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, — Debt Obligations - Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and — Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
Due to the potential for foreign withholding taxes, 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 Investment Manager 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.
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There is a practice in certain foreign markets under which an issuer’s securities are blocked from trading at the custodian or sub-custodian level for a specified number of days before and, in certain instances, after a shareholder meeting where such shares are voted. This is referred to as “share blocking.” The blocking period can last up to several weeks. Share blocking may prevent a Fund from buying or selling securities during this period, because during the time shares are blocked, trades in such securities will not settle. It may be difficult or impossible to lift blocking restrictions, with the particular requirements varying widely by country. As a consequence of these restrictions, the Investment Manager, on behalf of a Fund, may abstain from voting proxies in markets that require share blocking.
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 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.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with foreign securities include: Emerging Markets Securities Risk, Foreign Currency Risk, Foreign Securities Risk, Frontier Market Risk, Geographic Focus Risk, Issuer Risk and Market Risk.
Guaranteed Investment Contracts (Funding Agreements)
Guaranteed investment contracts, or funding agreements, are short-term, privately placed 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. 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. See Types of Investments – Illiquid Securities .
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with guaranteed investment contracts (funding agreements) include: Credit Risk and Liquidity Risk.
High-Yield Securities
High-yield, or 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 a Fund’s portfolio manager 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. High-yield 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. Credit ratings issued by credit rating agencies are designed to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of rated securities. They do not, however, evaluate the market value risk of lower-quality securities and, therefore, may not fully reflect the true risks of an investment. In addition, credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the condition of
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the issuer that affect the market value of the securities. Consequently, credit ratings are used only as a preliminary indicator of investment quality. High-yield 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 Types of Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, – Debt Obligations – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
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 Investment Manager’s (or, if applicable, a subadviser’s) credit analysis with respect to these types of securities than is the case for more highly rated securities.
The market values of certain high-yield securities and comparable unrated securities tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than are the market values of more highly rated securities. In addition, issuers of high-yield 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 high-yield and comparable unrated securities than it is for higher rated securities because high-yield 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 1933 Act. 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.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with high-yield securities include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, High-Yield Securities Risk and Prepayment and Extension Risk.
Illiquid Securities
Illiquid securities are defined by a Fund consistent with the 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. Some securities are deemed to be illiquid because they are subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale. 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 at the time of purchase.
In October 2016, the SEC adopted a new rule relating to the management of liquidity risk by certain investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, such as the Funds. The new rule may impact the Funds' performance and ability to achieve their respective investment objectives. The Investment Manager continues to evaluate the potential impact of this new rule, which has a compliance date of December 1, 2018 as it relates to the Funds.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risk typically associated with illiquid securities include: Liquidity Risk.
Inflation-Protected Securities
Inflation is a general rise in prices of goods and services. Inflation erodes the purchasing power of an investor’s assets. For example, if an investment provides a total return of 7% in a given year and inflation is 3% during that period, the inflation-adjusted, or real, return is 4%. Inflation-protected securities are debt securities whose principal and/or interest payments are adjusted for inflation, unlike debt securities that make fixed principal and interest payments. One type of inflation-protected debt security is issued by the U.S. Treasury. The principal of these securities is adjusted for inflation as indicated by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban consumers and interest is paid on the adjusted amount. The CPI is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy.
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If the CPI falls, the principal value of inflation-protected securities will be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Conversely, if the CPI rises, the principal value of inflation-protected securities will be adjusted upward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities will be increased. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities, even during a period of deflation. However, the current market value of the inflation-protected securities is not guaranteed and will fluctuate. Other inflation-indexed securities include inflation-related bonds, which may or may not provide a similar guarantee. If a guarantee of principal is not provided, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.
Other issuers of inflation-protected debt securities include other U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, corporations and foreign governments. There can be no assurance that the CPI or any foreign inflation index will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the rate of inflation in a foreign country will be correlated to the rate of inflation in the United States. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency exchange rates), investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bond’s inflation measure.
Any increase in principal for an inflation-protected security resulting from inflation adjustments is considered by IRS regulations to be taxable income in the year it occurs. For direct holders of an inflation-protected security, this means that taxes must be paid on principal adjustments even though these amounts are not received until the bond matures. Similarly, a Fund treated as a regulated investment company (RIC) under the Code that holds these securities distributes both interest income and the income attributable to principal adjustments in the form of cash or reinvested shares, which are taxable to shareholders.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with inflation-protected securities include: Inflation-Protected Securities Risk, Interest Rate Risk and Market Risk. In addition, inflation-protected securities issued by non-U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities are subject to Credit Risk.
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. 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.
Although one or more risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with IPOs include: IPO Risk, Issuer Risk, Liquidity Risk, Market Risk and Small Company Securities Risk.
Inverse Floaters
See Types of Investments – Derivatives – Indexed or Linked Securities (Structured Products) above.
Investments in Other Investment Companies (Including ETFs)
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 relief currently or in the future available to a Fund. These securities include shares of other affiliated or unaffiliated open-end investment companies ( i.e. , mutual funds), closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), UCITS funds (pooled investment vehicles established in accordance with the Undertaking for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities adopted by European Union member states) and business development companies.
Except with respect to funds structured as funds-of-funds or so-called master/feeder funds or other funds whose strategies otherwise allow such investments, 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 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 may be passively managed (e.g., they seek to track the performance of specific indexes or companies in related industries) or they may be actively managed. The SEC has granted orders for exemptive relief to certain ETFs that permit investments in those ETFs by certain other registered investment companies in excess of these limits.
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ETFs are listed on an exchange and trade in the secondary market on a per-share basis, which allows investors to purchase and sell ETF shares at their market price throughout the day. Certain ETFs, such as passively managed ETFs, hold portfolios of securities that are designed to replicate, as closely as possible before expenses, the price and yield of a specified market index. The performance results of these ETFs will not replicate exactly the performance of the pertinent index due to transaction and other expenses, including fees to service providers borne by ETFs. ETF shares are sold and redeemed at net asset value only in large blocks called creation units. The Funds’ ability to redeem creation units may be limited by the 1940 Act, which provides that ETFs will not be obligated to redeem shares held by the Funds in an amount exceeding one percent of their total outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days.
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. Because these investment companies may invest in other securities, they are also subject to the risks associated with a variety of investment instruments as described in this SAI.
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 Management and Other Services – Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest .
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with the securities of other investment companies include: Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk, Investing in Other Funds Risk, Issuer Risk and Market Risk.
Listed Private Equity Funds
A Fund may invest directly in listed private equity funds, which may include, among others, business development companies, investment holding companies, publicly traded limited partnership interests (common units), publicly traded venture capital funds, publicly traded venture capital trusts, publicly traded private equity funds, publicly traded private equity investment trusts, publicly traded closed-end funds, publicly traded financial institutions that lend to or invest in privately held companies and any other publicly traded vehicle whose purpose is to invest in privately held companies.
A Fund may invest in listed private equity funds that hold investments in a wide array of businesses and industries at various stages of development, from early stage to later stage to fully mature businesses. A Fund may invest in listed private equity funds that emphasize making equity and equity-like (preferred stock, convertible stock and warrants) investments in later stage to mature businesses, or may invest in listed private equity funds making debt investments or investments in companies at other stages of development. In addition, a Fund may invest in the common stock of closed-end management investment companies, including business development companies that invest in securities of listed private equity companies.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with investment in listed private equity funds include: Credit Risk, Liquidity Risk, Market Risk, Sector Risk, and Valuation Risk.
Money Market Instruments
Money market instruments include cash equivalents and short-term debt obligations which include: (i) bank obligations, including certificates of deposit (CDs), time deposits and bankers’ acceptances, and letters of credit of banks or savings and loan associations having capital surplus and undivided profits (as of the date of its most recently published annual financial statements) in excess of $100 million (or the equivalent in the instance of a foreign branch of a U.S. bank) at the date of investment; (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. A Fund may also invest in affiliated and unaffiliated money market mutual funds, which invest primarily in money market instruments. See Types of Investments — Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations and — Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
With respect to money market securities, certain U.S. Government obligations are backed or insured by the U.S. Government, its agencies or its instrumentalities. Other money market securities are backed only by the claims paying ability or creditworthiness of the issuer.
Bankers’ acceptances are marketable short-term credit instruments used to finance the import, export, transfer or storage of goods. They are termed “accepted” when a bank unconditionally guarantees their payment at maturity.
A Fund may invest its daily cash balance in Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund, a money market fund established for the exclusive use of the funds in the Columbia Fund Complex and other institutional clients of the Investment Manager.
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Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with money market instruments include: Credit Risk, Inflation Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk and Money Market Fund Risk.
Mortgage-Backed Securities
Mortgage-backed securities are a type of asset-backed security that 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 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 Types of Investments — Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, — Debt Obligations - Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and — 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. The U.S. Treasury has historically had the authority to purchase obligations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In addition, in 2008, due to capitalization concerns, Congress provided the U.S. Treasury with additional authority to lend Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac emergency funds and to purchase the companies’ stock, as described below. In September 2008, the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had been placed in conservatorship.
In the past Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have received significant capital support through U.S. Treasury preferred stock purchases and Federal Reserve purchases of their mortgage-backed securities. There can be no assurance that these or other agencies of the government will provide such support in the future. The future status of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac could be impacted by, among other things, the actions taken and restrictions placed on Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac by the FHFA in its role as conservator, the restrictions placed on Fannie Mae’s or Freddie Mac’s operations and activities under the senior stock purchase agreements, market responses to developments at Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and future legislative and regulatory action that alters the operations, ownership structure and/or mission of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, each of which may, in turn, impact the value of, and cash flows on, any securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Stripped mortgage-backed securities are a type of mortgage-backed security that receives differing proportions of the interest and principal payments from the underlying assets. Generally, there are two classes of stripped mortgage-backed securities: Interest Only (IO) and Principal Only (PO). IOs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the interest on the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. POs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the principal of the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. See Types of Investments — Debt Obligations - Stripped Securities for more information.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs) are hybrid mortgage-related instruments issued by special purpose entities secured by pools of mortgage loans or other mortgage-related securities, such as mortgage pass-through securities or stripped mortgage-backed securities. CMOs may be structured into multiple classes, often referred to as “tranches,” with each class bearing a different stated maturity and entitled to a different schedule for payments of principal and interest, including prepayments. Principal prepayments on collateral underlying a CMO may cause it to be retired substantially earlier than its stated maturity or final distribution dates, resulting in a loss of all or part of the premium if any has been paid. The yield characteristics of mortgage-backed securities differ from those of other debt securities. Among the differences are that interest and principal payments are made more frequently on mortgage-backed securities, usually monthly, and principal may be repaid at any time. These factors may reduce the expected yield. 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.
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Commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) are a specific type of mortgage-backed security collateralized by a pool of mortgages on commercial real estate.
CMO residuals are mortgage securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose entities of the foregoing. The cash flow generated by the mortgage assets underlying a series of CMOs is applied first to make required payments of principal and interest on the CMOs and second to pay the related administrative expenses and any management fee of the issuer. The residual in a CMO structure generally represents the interest in any excess cash flow remaining after making the foregoing payments. Each payment of such excess cash flow to a holder of the related CMO residual represents income and/or a return of capital. The amount of residual cash flow resulting from a CMO will depend on, among other things, the characteristics of the mortgage assets, the coupon rate of each class of CMO, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses and the pre-payment experience on the mortgage assets. In particular, the yield to maturity on CMO residuals is extremely sensitive to pre-payments on the related underlying mortgage assets, in the same manner as an interest-only (“IO”) class of stripped mortgage-backed securities. In addition, if a series of a CMO includes a class that bears interest at an adjustable rate, the yield to maturity on the related CMO residual will also be extremely sensitive to changes in the level of the index upon which interest rate adjustments are based. As described below with respect to stripped mortgage-backed securities, in certain circumstances an ETF may fail to recoup fully its initial investment in a CMO residual. CMO residuals are generally purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers. Transactions in CMO residuals are generally completed only after careful review of the characteristics of the securities in question. In addition, CMO residuals may, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom, may not have been registered under the 1933 Act. CMO residuals, whether or not registered under the 1933 Act, may be subject to certain restrictions on transferability, and may be deemed “illiquid” and subject to a Fund’s limitations on investment in illiquid securities.
Mortgage pass-through securities are interests in pools of mortgage-related securities that differ from other forms of debt securities, which normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. Instead, these securities provide a monthly payment which consists of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on their residential or commercial mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Additional payments are caused by repayments of principal resulting from the sale of the underlying property, refinancing or foreclosure, net of fees or costs which may be incurred. Some mortgage-related securities (such as securities issued by the GNMA) are described as “modified pass-through.” These securities entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, at the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether or not the mortgagor actually makes the payment.
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.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with mortgage- and asset-backed securities include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, Liquidity Risk, Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk, Prepayment and Extension Risk and Reinvestment Risk.
Municipal Securities
Municipal securities include debt obligations issued by governmental entities, including states, political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, and authorities, as well as U.S. territories, commonwealths and possessions (such as Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and their political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, and authorities, 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 may include municipal bonds, municipal notes and municipal leases, which are described below. 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 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 Types of Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, – Debt Obligations – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
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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. See Types of Investments – Commercial Paper for more information.
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 U.S. 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 and may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase, or a conditional sales contract. They are issued by state and local governments and authorities to acquire land, equipment, and facilities. An investor may purchase these obligations directly, or it may purchase participation interests in such obligations. In general, municipal lease obligations are unrated, in which case they will be determined by a Fund’s portfolio manager 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.
Municipal leases may be subject to greater risks than general obligation or revenue bonds. State constitutions and statutes set forth requirements that states or municipalities must meet in order to issue municipal obligations. Municipal leases may contain a covenant by the state or municipality to budget for and make payments due under the obligation. Certain municipal leases may, however, provide that the issuer is not obligated to make payments on the obligation in future years unless funds have been appropriated for this purpose each year.
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.
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
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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. The municipal bond market is characterized by a large number of different issuers, many having smaller sized bond issues, and a wide choice of different maturities within each issue. For these reasons, most municipal bonds do not trade on a daily basis and many trade only rarely. Because many of these bonds trade infrequently, the spread between the bid and offer may be wider and the time needed to develop a bid or an offer may be longer than for other security markets. See Appendix A for a discussion of securities ratings. (See Types of Investments – Debt Obligations .)
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.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with standby commitments include: Counterparty Risk, Market Risk and Municipal Securities Risk.
Taxable Municipal Obligations. Interest or other investment return is subject to federal income tax for certain types of municipal obligations for a variety of reasons. These municipal obligations do not qualify for the federal income tax exemption because (a) they did not receive necessary authorization for tax-exempt treatment from state or local government authorities, (b) they exceed certain regulatory limitations on the cost of issuance for tax-exempt financing or (c) they finance public or private activities that do not qualify for the federal income tax exemption. These non-qualifying activities might include, for example, certain types of multi-family housing, certain professional and local sports facilities, refinancing of certain municipal debt, and borrowing to replenish a municipality’s underfunded pension plan.
For more information about the key risks associated with investments in municipal securities of particular states, see Appendix C. See Appendix A for a discussion of securities ratings. (See Types of Investments – Debt Obligations .)
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with municipal securities include: Credit Risk, Inflation Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Market Risk and Municipal Securities Risk.
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 Types of Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, – Debt Obligations – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
Loan participations also are a type of participation interest. Loans, loan participations, and interests in securitized loan pools are interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental, or other borrower to a lender or consortium of lenders (typically banks, insurance companies, investment banks, government agencies, or international agencies).
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with loan participations include: Confidential Information Access Risk, Credit Risk and Interest Rate Risk.
Partnership Securities
The Fund may invest in securities issued by publicly traded partnerships or master limited partnerships or limited liability companies (together referred to as “PTPs/MLPs”). These entities are limited partnerships or limited liability companies that may be publicly traded on stock exchanges or markets such as the NYSE, the NYSE Alternext US LLC (“NYSE Alternext”) (formerly the American Stock Exchange) and NASDAQ. PTPs/MLPs often own businesses or properties relating to energy, natural resources or real estate, or may be involved in the film industry or research and development activities. Generally PTPs/MLPs are operated under the supervision of one or more managing partners or members. Limited partners, unit holders, or
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members (such as a fund that invests in a partnership) are not involved in the day-to-day management of the company. Limited partners, unit holders, or members are allocated income and capital gains associated with the partnership project in accordance with the terms of the partnership or limited liability company agreement.
At times PTPs/MLPs may potentially offer relatively high yields compared to common stocks. Because PTPs/MLPs are generally treated as partnerships or similar limited liability “pass-through” entities for tax purposes, they do not ordinarily pay income taxes, but pass their earnings on to unit holders (except in the case of some publicly traded firms that may be taxed as corporations). For tax purposes, unit holders may initially be deemed to receive only a portion of the distributions attributed to them because certain other portions may be attributed to the repayment of initial investments and may thereby lower the cost basis of the units or shares owned by unit holders. As a result, unit holders may effectively defer taxation on the receipt of some distributions until they sell their units. These tax consequences may differ for different types of entities.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with partnership securities include: Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, Liquidity Risk and Market Risk.
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 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. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. See Types of 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. An APS is distinguished from standard preferred stock because its dividends change from time to time. Shares typically are bought and sold at face values generally ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 per share. Holders of APS may not be able to sell their shares if an auction fails, such as when there are more shares of APS for sale at an auction than there are purchase bids.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with preferred stock include: Convertible Securities Risk, Issuer Risk, Liquidity Risk and Market Risk.
Trust-Preferred Securities. Trust-preferred securities, also known as trust-issued securities, are securities that have characteristics of both debt and equity instruments and are typically treated by the Funds as debt investments.
Generally, trust-preferred securities are cumulative preferred stocks issued by a trust that is created by a financial institution, such as a bank holding company. The financial institution typically creates the trust with the objective of increasing its capital by issuing subordinated debt to the trust in return for cash proceeds that are reflected on the financial institutions balance sheet.
The primary asset owned by the trust is the subordinated debt issued to the trust by the financial institution. The financial institution makes periodic interest payments on the debt as discussed further below. The financial institution will subsequently own the trust’s common securities, which may typically represent a small percentage of the trust’s capital structure. The remainder of the trust’s capital structure typically consists of trust-preferred securities which are sold to investors. The trust uses the sales proceeds to purchase the subordinated debt issued by the financial institution. The financial institution uses the proceeds from the subordinated debt sale to increase its capital while the trust receives periodic interest payments from the financial institution for holding the subordinated debt.
The trust uses the interest received to make dividend payments to the holders of the trust-preferred securities. The dividends are generally paid on a quarterly basis and are often higher than other dividends potentially available on the financial institution’s common stocks. The interests of the holders of the trust-preferred securities are senior to those of common stockholders in the event that the financial institution is liquidated, although their interests are typically subordinated to those of other holders of other debt issued by the institution.
The primary benefit for the financial institution in using this particular structure is that the trust-preferred securities issued by the trust are treated by the financial institution as debt securities for tax purposes (as a consequence of which the expense of paying interest on the securities is tax deductible), but are treated as more desirable equity securities for purposes of the calculation of capital requirements.
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In certain instances, the structure involves more than one financial institution and thus, more than one trust. In such a pooled offering, an additional separate trust may be created. This trust will issue securities to investors and use the proceeds to purchase the trust-preferred securities issued by other trust subsidiaries of the participating financial institutions. In such a structure, the trust-preferred securities held by the investors are backed by other trust-preferred securities issued by the trust subsidiaries.
If a financial institution is financially unsound and defaults on interest payments to the trust, the trust will not be able to make dividend payments to holders of the trust-preferred securities such as the Fund, as the trust typically has no business operations other than holding the subordinated debt issued by the financial institution(s) and issuing the trust-preferred securities and common stock backed by the subordinated debt.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with trust-preferred securities include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Liquidity Risk and Prepayment and Extension Risk.
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 generally 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 “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, high-yield 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 qualified 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.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with private placement and other restricted securities include: Issuer Risk, Liquidity Risk, Market Risk and Confidential Information Access Risk.
Real Estate Investment Trusts
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are pooled investment vehicles that manage a portfolio of real estate or real estate related loans to earn profits for their shareholders. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property, such as shopping centers, nursing homes, office buildings, apartment complexes, and hotels, and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. REITs can be subject to extreme volatility due to fluctuations in the demand for real estate, changes in interest rates, and adverse economic conditions.
Partnership units of real estate and other types of companies sometimes are organized as master limited partnerships in which ownership interests are publicly traded.
Similar to regulated investment companies, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with certain requirements under the Code. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially affect its value. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses paid by a REIT in which it invests. REITs often do not provide complete tax information until after the calendar year-end. Consequently, because of the delay, it may be necessary for a Fund investing in REITs to request permission to extend the deadline for issuance of Forms 1099-DIV beyond January 31. In the alternative, amended Forms 1099-DIV may be sent.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with REITs include: Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, Market Risk and Real Estate-Related Investment Risk.
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements are agreements under which a Fund acquires a security for a relatively short period of time (usually within seven days) subject to the obligation of a seller to repurchase and a Fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price (representing the Fund’s cost plus interest). The repurchase agreement specifies the yield during the purchaser’s holding period. Repurchase agreements also may be viewed as loans made by a Fund that are collateralized by the securities subject to repurchase, which may consist of a variety of security types. A Fund typically will enter into repurchase agreements only with
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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.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with repurchase agreements include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Issuer Risk, Market Risk and Repurchase Agreements Risk.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements under which a Fund temporarily transfers possession of a portfolio instrument to another party, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash. At the same time, the Fund agrees to repurchase the instrument at an agreed-upon time (normally within 7 days) and price which reflects an interest payment. A Fund generally retains the right to interest and principal payments on the security. Reverse repurchase agreements also may be viewed as borrowings made by a Fund.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with reverse repurchase agreements include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, Leverage Risk, Market Risk and Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk.
Short Sales
A Fund may sometimes sell securities short when it owns an equal amount of the 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 below regarding short sales not “against the box.” However, when a Fund sells short “against the box” it typically limits the amount of its effective leverage. A Fund’s decision to make a short sale “against the box” may be a technique to hedge against market risks when a Fund’s portfolio manager 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, contracts or instruments that it does not own in hopes of purchasing the same security, contract or instrument 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, commodity futures contract or other instrument. 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 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 of forward commitments and derivatives do not involve borrowing a security. These types of short sales may include futures, options, contracts for differences, forward contracts on financial instruments and options such as contracts, credit-linked instruments, and swap contracts.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with short sales include: Leverage Risk, Market Risk and Short Positions Risk.
Sovereign Debt
Sovereign debt obligations are issued or guaranteed by foreign governments or their agencies. It may be in the form of conventional securities or other types of debt instruments such as loans or loan participations. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size
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of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject. (See also Types of Investments – Foreign Securities .) In addition, there may be no legal recourse against a sovereign debtor in the event of a default.
Sovereign debt includes Brady Bonds, which are securities issued under the framework of the Brady Plan, an initiative announced by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Nicholas F. Brady in 1989 as a mechanism for debtor nations to restructure their outstanding external commercial bank indebtedness.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with sovereign debt include: Credit Risk, Emerging Markets Securities Risk, Foreign Securities Risk, Issuer Risk and Market Risk.
Standby Commitments
See Types of Investments – Municipal Securities above.
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 agencies or instrumentalities established or sponsored by the U.S. Government. U.S. Treasury obligations and securities issued or guaranteed by various agencies or instrumentalities 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 Types of Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations for more information.
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, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). 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.
Government-sponsored entities issuing securities include privately owned, publicly chartered entities created to reduce borrowing costs for certain sectors of the economy, such as farmers, homeowners, and students. They include the Federal Farm Credit Bank System, Farm Credit Financial Assistance Corporation, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Student Loan Marketing Association (SLMA), and Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC). Government-sponsored entities may issue discount notes (with maturities ranging from overnight to 360 days) and bonds. On September 7, 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), an agency of the U.S. Government, placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of returning the entities to normal business operations. FHFA will act as the conservator to operate the enterprises until they are stabilized.
On August 5, 2011, S& P lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating for the United States of America to “AA+” from “AAA”. Because a Fund may invest in U.S. Government obligations, the value of its shares may be adversely affected by S&P’s downgrade or any future downgrades of the U.S. Government’s credit rating. The long-term impact of the downgrade is uncertain. See Appendix A for a description of securities ratings.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with U.S. Government and related obligations include: Credit Risk, Inflation Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Prepayment and Extension Risk, Reinvestment Risk and U.S. Government Obligations Risk.
Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations
Variable- and floating-rate obligations are debt instruments that 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. Variable- or floating-rate securities frequently include a demand feature enabling the holder to sell the securities to the issuer at par. In many cases, the demand feature can be exercised at any time. Some securities that do not have variable or floating interest rates may be accompanied by puts producing similar results and price characteristics. Variable-rate demand notes include master demand notes that are obligations that permit the investor to invest fluctuating amounts, which may change daily without penalty, pursuant to direct arrangements between the investor (as lender), and the borrower. The interest rates on these notes fluctuate. The issuer of such obligations normally has a corresponding right, after a given period, to prepay in its discretion the outstanding principal amount of the obligations plus accrued interest upon a specified number of days’ notice to the holders of such obligations. Because these obligations are direct lending arrangements
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between the lender and borrower, it is not contemplated that such instruments generally will be traded. There generally is not an established secondary market for these obligations. Accordingly, where these obligations are not secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements, the lender’s right to redeem is dependent on the ability of the borrower to pay principal and interest on demand. Such obligations frequently are not rated by credit rating agencies and may involve heightened risk of default by the issuer. Asset-backed securities, bank obligations, convertible securities, corporate debt securities, foreign securities, high-yield 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.
Most floating rate loans are acquired directly from the agent bank or from another holder of the loan by assignment. Most such loans are secured, and most impose restrictive covenants on the borrower. These loans are typically made by a syndicate of banks and institutional investors, represented by an agent bank which has negotiated and structured the loan and which is responsible generally for collecting interest, principal, and other amounts from the borrower on its own behalf and on behalf of the other lending institutions in the syndicate, and for enforcing its rights and the rights of the syndicate against the borrower. Each of the lending institutions, including the agent bank, lends to the borrower a portion of the total amount of the loan, and retains the corresponding interest in the loan. Floating rate loans may include delayed draw term loans and prefunded or synthetic letters of credit.
A Fund’s ability to receive payments of principal and interest and other amounts in connection with loans held by it will depend primarily on the financial condition of the borrower. The failure by the Fund to receive scheduled interest or principal payments on a loan would adversely affect the income of the Fund and would likely reduce the value of its assets, which would be reflected in a reduction in the Fund’s NAV. Banks and other lending institutions generally perform a credit analysis of the borrower before originating a loan or purchasing an assignment in a loan. In selecting the loans in which the Fund will invest, however, the Investment Manager will not rely on that credit analysis of the agent bank, but will perform its own investment analysis of the borrowers. The Investment Manager’s analysis may include consideration of the borrower’s financial strength and managerial experience, debt coverage, additional borrowing requirements or debt maturity schedules, changing financial conditions, and responsiveness to changes in business conditions and interest rates. Investments in loans may be of any quality, including “distressed” loans, and will be subject to the Fund’s credit quality policy.
Loans may be structured in different forms, including assignments and participations. In an assignment, a Fund purchases an assignment of a portion of a lender’s interest in a loan. In this case, the Fund may be required generally to rely upon the assigning bank to demand payment and enforce its rights against the borrower, but would otherwise be entitled to all of such bank’s rights in the loan.
The borrower of a loan may, either at its own election or pursuant to terms of the loan documentation, prepay amounts of the loan from time to time. There is no assurance that a Fund will be able to reinvest the proceeds of any loan prepayment at the same interest rate or on the same terms as those of the original loan.
Corporate loans in which a Fund may purchase a loan assignment are made generally to finance internal growth, mergers, acquisitions, recapitalizations, stock repurchases, leveraged buy-outs, dividend payments to sponsors and other corporate activities. The highly leveraged capital structure of certain borrowers may make such loans especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. The Fund may hold investments in loans for a very short period of time when opportunities to resell the investments that a Fund’s Portfolio Manager believes are attractive arise.
Certain of the loans acquired by a Fund may involve revolving credit facilities under which a borrower may from time to time borrow and repay amounts up to the maximum amount of the facility. In such cases, the Fund would have an obligation to advance its portion of such additional borrowings upon the terms specified in the loan assignment. To the extent that the Fund is committed to make additional loans under such an assignment, it will at all times designate cash or securities in an amount sufficient to meet such commitments.
Notwithstanding its intention in certain situations to not receive material, non-public information with respect to its management of investments in floating rate loans, the Investment Manager may from time to time come into possession of material, non-public information about the issuers of loans that may be held in a Fund’s portfolio. Possession of such information may in some instances occur despite the Investment Manager’s efforts to avoid such possession, but in other instances the Investment Manager may choose to receive such information (for example, in connection with participation in a creditors’ committee with respect to a financially distressed issuer). As, and to the extent, required by applicable law, the Investment Manager’s ability to trade in these loans for the account of the Fund could potentially be limited by its possession of such information. Such limitations on the Investment Manager’s ability to trade could have an adverse effect on the Fund by, for example, preventing the Fund from selling a loan that is experiencing a material decline in value. In some instances, these trading restrictions could continue in effect for a substantial period of time.
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In some instances, other accounts managed by the Investment Manager may hold other securities issued by borrowers whose floating rate loans may be held in a Fund’s portfolio. These other securities may include, for example, debt securities that are subordinate to the floating rate loans held in the Fund’s portfolio, convertible debt or common or preferred equity securities.
In certain circumstances, such as if the credit quality of the issuer deteriorates, the interests of holders of these other securities may conflict with the interests of the holders of the issuer’s floating rate loans. In such cases, the Investment Manager may owe conflicting fiduciary duties to the Fund and other client accounts. The Investment Manager will endeavor to carry out its obligations to all of its clients to the fullest extent possible, recognizing that in some cases certain clients may achieve a lower economic return, as a result of these conflicting client interests, than if the Investment Manager’s client accounts collectively held only a single category of the issuer’s securities.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with variable- or floating-rate obligations include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Liquidity Risk and Prepayment and Extension Risk.
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 do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. Warrants may be considered to have more speculative characteristics than certain other types of investments. In addition, the value of a warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date, if any.
The potential exercise price of warrants or rights may exceed their market price, such as when there is no movement in the market price or the market price of the common stock declines.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with warrants and rights include: Convertible Securities Risk, Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Issuer Risk and Market Risk.
Information Regarding Risks
The following is a summary of risks of investing in the Funds and the risk characteristics associated with the various investment instruments available to the Funds for investment. A Fund’s risk profile is largely defined by the Fund’s primary portfolio holdings and principal investment strategies (for the description of a Fund’s principal investment strategies and principal risks, please see that Fund’s prospectus). However, the Funds are allowed to use securities, instruments, other assets and investments, strategies and techniques other than those described in the Fund’s principal investment strategies, subjecting the Fund to the risks associated with these securities, instruments, other assets and investments, strategies and techniques.
An investment in the Funds is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. One or more of the following risks may be associated with an investment in a Fund at any time:
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that will achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Activist Strategies Risk. The Fund may purchase securities of a company that is the subject of a proxy contest or which activist investors are attempting to influence, in the expectation that new management or a change in business strategies will cause the price of the company’s securities to increase. If the proxy contest, or the new management, is not successful, the market price of the company’s securities will typically fall.
In addition, where an acquisition or restructuring transaction or proxy fight is opposed by the subject company’s management, the transaction often becomes the subject of litigation. Such litigation involves substantial uncertainties and may impose substantial cost and expense on the Fund.
Allocation Risk. For any Fund that uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
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Alternative Strategies Investment Risk. An investment in alternative investment strategies (Alternative Strategies), whether through direct investment or through one or more underlying funds that use Alternative Strategies, involves risks, which may be significant. Alternative Strategies may include strategies, instruments or other assets, such as derivatives, that seek investment returns uncorrelated with the broad equity and fixed income/debt markets, as well as those providing exposure to other markets (such as commodity markets), including but not limited to absolute (positive) return strategies. Alternative Strategies may fail to achieve their desired performance, market or other exposure, or their returns (or lack thereof) may be more correlated with the broad equity and/or fixed income/debt markets than was anticipated, and the Fund may lose money. Some Alternative Strategies may be considered speculative.
Arbitrage Strategies Risk. The Fund may purchase securities at prices only slightly below the anticipated value to be paid or exchanged for such securities in a merger, exchange offer or cash tender offer, and substantially above the prices at which such securities traded immediately prior to announcement of the transaction. If there is a perception that the proposed transaction will not be consummated or will be delayed, the market price of the security may decline sharply, which would result in a loss to the Fund. In addition, if the manager determines that the offer is likely to be increased, either by the original bidder or by another party, the Fund may purchase securities above the offer price; such purchases are subject to a high degree of risk.
The consummation of mergers and tender and exchange offers can be prevented or delayed by a variety of factors, including opposition by the management or shareholders of the target company, private litigation or litigation involving regulatory agencies, and approval or non-action of regulatory agencies. The likelihood of occurrence of these and other factors, and their impact on an investment, can be very difficult to evaluate.
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 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, resulting in valuations that are volatile and sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Bankruptcy Process and Trade Claims Risk. The Fund may purchase bankruptcy claims. There are a number of significant risks inherent in the bankruptcy process. The effect of a bankruptcy filing on a company may adversely and permanently affect the company and cause it to be incapable of restoring itself as a viable business. Many events in a bankruptcy are the product of contested matters and adversarial proceedings. The duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is difficult to predict and a creditor’s return on investment can be adversely affected by delays while the plan of reorganization is being finalized. The administrative costs in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding are frequently high and are paid out of the debtor’s estate before any return to creditors. The Fund may also purchase trade claims against companies, including companies in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings, which include claims of suppliers for unpaid goods delivered, claims for unpaid services rendered, claims for contract rejection damages and claims related to litigation. An investment in trade claims is very speculative, illiquid, and carries a high degree of risk. The markets in trade claims are generally not regulated by U.S. federal securities laws or the SEC.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The amount of the distributions the Fund pays will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Closed-End Investment Company Risk. Closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their NAV, which may affect whether the Fund will realize gain or loss upon its sale of the closed-end investment company’s shares. Closed-end investment companies may employ leverage, which also subjects the closed-end investment company to increased risks such as increased volatility.
Commodity-related Investment Risk. The value of commodities investments will generally be affected by overall market movements and factors specific to a particular industry or commodity, which may include demand for the commodity, weather, embargoes, tariffs, and economic health, political, international, regulatory and other developments. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for commodities, which may, in turn, reduce market prices and cause the value of Fund shares to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes cannot be predicted. Exposure to commodities and commodities markets may subject the value of the Fund's investments to greater volatility than other types of investments. No, or limited, active trading market may exist for certain commodities investments, which may impair the ability to sell or to realize the full value of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such investments. In addition, adverse market conditions
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may impair the liquidity of actively traded commodities investments. Certain types of commodities instruments are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument. The Fund may make commodity-related investments through, and may invest in one or more underlying funds that make commodity-related investments through, one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries organized outside the U.S. that are generally not subject to U.S. laws (including securities laws) and their protections. However, any such subsidiary is wholly owned and controlled by the Fund and any underlying fund subsidiary is wholly-owned and controlled by the underlying fund, making it unlikely that the subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund or the underlying fund and their shareholders. Further, any such subsidiaries will be subject to the laws of a foreign jurisdiction, and can be adversely affected by developments in that jurisdiction.
Concentration Risk. To the extent that the Fund concentrates its investment in particular issuers, countries, geographic regions, industries or sectors, the Fund may be subject to greater risks of adverse developments in such areas of focus than a fund that invests in a wider variety of issuers, countries, geographic regions, industries, sectors or investments.
Confidential Information Access Risk. In many instances, issuers of floating rate loans offer to furnish material, non-public information (Confidential Information) to prospective purchasers or holders of the issuer’s floating rate loans to help potential investors assess the value of the loan. Portfolio managers may avoid the receipt of Confidential Information about the issuers of floating rate loans being considered for acquisition by the Fund, or held in the Fund. A decision not to receive Confidential Information from these issuers may disadvantage the Fund as compared to other floating rate loan investors, and may adversely affect the price the Fund pays for the loans it purchases, or the price at which the Fund sells the loans. Further, in situations when holders of floating rate loans are asked, for example, to grant consents, waivers or amendments, the ability to assess the desirability of such consents, waivers or amendments may be compromised. For these and other reasons, it is possible that the decision not to receive Confidential Information could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk (the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates) and credit risk (the risk that the issuer of a debt instrument will default or otherwise become unable, or be perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor a financial obligation, such as making payments to the Fund when due). Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk (the risk that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise). Because the value of a convertible security can be influenced by both interest rates and the common stock's market movements, a convertible security generally is not as sensitive to interest rates as a similar debt instrument, and generally will not vary in value in response to other factors to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities would typically be paid before the company's common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. The Fund may be forced to convert a convertible security before it otherwise would choose to do so, which may decrease the Fund's return.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, including making payments to the Fund. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Debt instruments 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 instruments 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. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or debt instruments, or if the ratings of such instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan.
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Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Cybersecurity Breaches and Technology and Related Systems Failure Risk. The Funds and their service providers, including but not limited to the Investment Manager (in its role as investment adviser and/or administrator to the Funds), Ameriprise Financial (the Investment Manager’s parent company), any investment subadvisers, the Distributor, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian, and other service providers, as well as their underlying service providers (collectively, the Service Providers), are heavily dependent on proprietary and third-party technology and infrastructure and related operational and information systems, networks, computers, devices, programs, applications, data and functions (collectively, Systems) to perform necessary business activities. The Systems that the Funds and the Service Providers (referred to herein as we, us and our) rely upon may be vulnerable to many threats, breaches and failures, some of which may be outside of our control, including significant damage and disruption arising from Systems failures or cybersecurity breaches. Systems failures include malfunctions, user error, conduct (or misconduct) of or arising from employees and agents, and failures arising from cybersecurity breaches, natural disasters, or other actions or events (whether foreseeable or unforeseeable). Cybersecurity breaches include intentional (e.g., cyber-attacks, hacking, phishing scams, unauthorized payment requests) and unintentional events or activity (e.g., user errors arising from or caused by us or our agents). Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches may result in (i) proprietary or confidential information or data being lost, withheld for ransom, misused, destroyed, stolen, released, corrupted or rendered unavailable, including personal investor information (and that of beneficial owners of investors), (ii) unauthorized access to Systems and loss of operational capacity, including from, for example, denial-of-service attacks (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users), and (iii) the misappropriation of Fund or investor assets or sensitive information. Any such events could negatively impact our Systems and may have significant adverse impacts on the Funds and their shareholders.
Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches may cause delays or mistakes in materials provided to shareholders and may also interfere with or negatively impact the processing of Fund investor transactions, pricing of Fund investments, calculating Fund NAVs, and trading within a Fund’s portfolio, while causing or subjecting us to reputational damage, violations of law, legal claims, regulatory fines, penalties, financial losses and reimbursement, expenses or other compensation and remediation costs, as well as additional compliance, legal, and operational costs. Such events could negatively impact the Fund, its shareholders and affect our business, financial condition and performance or results of operations.
The trend toward broad consumer and general public notification of Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches could exacerbate the harm to the Fund, its shareholders and our business, financial condition and performance or results of operations. Even if we successfully protect our Systems from failures or cybersecurity breaches, we may incur significant expenses in connection with our responses to any such events, as well as the need for adoption, implementation and maintenance of appropriate security measures. We could also suffer harm to our business and reputation if attempted or actual cybersecurity breaches are publicized. We cannot be certain that evolving threats from cyber-criminals and other cyber-threat actors, exploitation of new vulnerabilities in our Systems, or other developments, or data thefts, System break-ins or inappropriate access will not compromise or breach the technology or other security measures protecting our Systems.
To date, we have not experienced any material Systems failures or cybersecurity breaches, however, we routinely encounter and address such threats. For example, in 2015 the then-available Columbia ETFs were for a period unable to price their portfolios due to a technology issue impacting the ETFs’ third-party administrator. In another case, in 2014, Ameriprise Financial and other financial institutions experienced distributed denial-of-service attacks intended to disrupt clients’ online access. While Ameriprise Financial was able to detect and respond to this incident without loss of client assets or information, Ameriprise Financial has since enhanced its security capabilities and will continue to assess its ability to monitor and respond to such threats. In addition to the foregoing, the experiences of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates with Systems failures, cybersecurity breaches and technology threats have included, as examples, phishing scams, introductions of malware, attempts at electronic break-ins, and unauthorized payment requests. Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches may be difficult to detect, may go undetected for long periods or may never be detected. The impact of such events may be compounded over time. Although the Funds and the Service Providers evaluate the materiality of Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches that it detects, the Funds and the Service Providers may conclude that some such events are not material and may choose not to address them. Such conclusions may not prove to be correct.
Although we have established business continuity/disaster recovery plans and systems (Continuity and Recovery Plans) designed to prevent or mitigate the effects of Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches, there are inherent limitations in Continuity and Recovery Plans. These limitations include the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that Continuity and
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Recovery Plans might not – despite testing and monitoring – operate as designed, be sufficient to stop or mitigate losses or otherwise be unable to achieve their objectives. The Funds and their shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result. In addition, the Fund cannot control the Continuity and Recovery Plans of the Service Providers. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Funds will not suffer losses relating to Systems failures or cybersecurity breaches affecting us in the future, particularly third-party service providers, as the Funds cannot control any Continuity and Recovery Plans or cybersecurity defenses implemented by such parties.
Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches may necessitate significant investment to repair or replace impacted Systems. In addition, we, including the Funds, may incur substantial costs for Systems failure risk management and cybersecurity risk management in order to attempt to prevent any such events or incidents in the future.
Insurance and other traditional risk-shifting tools may be held by or available to us in order to manage or mitigate the risks associated with Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches, but they are subject to terms and limitations such as deductibles, coinsurance, limits and policy exclusions, as well as risk of counterparty denial of coverage, default or insolvency. While Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates maintain cyber liability insurance that provides both third-party liability and first-party liability coverages, this insurance does not cover the Funds and, with regard to covered entities, may not be sufficient to protect us against all losses. In addition, contractual remedies may not be available with respect to Service Providers or may prove inadequate if available (e.g., because of limits on the liability of the Service Providers) to protect the Funds against all losses.
Stock and other market exchanges, financial intermediaries and issuers of, and counterparties to, the Funds’ investments and, in the case of ETFs, market makers and authorized participants, also may be adversely impacted by Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches in their own businesses, subjecting them to the risks described herein, as well as other additional or enhanced risks particular to their businesses, which could result in losses to the Funds and their shareholders. Issuers of securities or other instruments in which the Funds invest may also experience Systems failures or cybersecurity breaches, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause the Funds’ investment in such issuers to lose money.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in its currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, depositary receipt holders may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded typical company stockholders in the event of a corporate action such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor depositary receipts, or that the depositary receipts will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of the Fund's portfolio. A potential conflict of interest exists to the extent that the Fund invests in ADRs for which the Fund's custodian serves as depository bank.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying references do not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment
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fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). The effectiveness of any currency hedging strategy by a Fund may be reduced by the Fund’s inability to precisely match forward contract amounts and the value of securities involved. Forward foreign currency contracts used for hedging may also limit any potential gain that might result from an increase or decrease in the value of the currency. The Fund may use these instruments to gain leveraged exposure to currencies, which is a speculative investment practice that increases the Fund's risk exposure and the possibility of losses. Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
A forward interest rate agreement is a derivative whereby the buyer locks in an interest rate at a future settlement date. If the interest rate on the settlement date exceeds the lock rate, the buyer pays the seller the difference between the two rates (based on the notional value of the agreement). If the lock rate exceeds the interest rate on the settlement date, the seller pays the buyer the difference between the two rates (based on the notional value of the agreement). The Fund may act as a buyer or a seller.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk
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exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A bond (or debt instrument) future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a bond or other debt instrument, a basket of bonds or other debt instrument, or the bonds or other debt instruments in an index on a specified date at a predetermined price. The buyer (long position) of a bond future is obliged to buy the underlying reference at the agreed price on expiry of the future.
A commodity-linked future is a derivative that is an agreement to buy or sell one or more commodities (such as crude oil, gasoline and natural gas), basket of commodities or indices of commodity futures at a specific date in the future at a specific price.
A currency future , also an FX future or foreign exchange future, is a derivative that is an agreement to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at a price (exchange rate) that is fixed on the purchase date.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Inverse Floaters Risk. Inverse variable or floating rate obligations, sometimes referred to as inverse floaters, are a type of over-the-counter derivative debt instrument with a variable or floating coupon rate that moves in the opposite direction of an underlying reference, typically short-term interest rates. As short-term interest rates go down, the holders of the inverse floaters receive more income and, as short-term interest rates go up, the holders of the inverse floaters receive less income. Variable rate securities provide for a specified periodic adjustment in the coupon rate, while floating rate securities have a coupon rate that changes whenever there is a change in a designated benchmark index or the issuer’s credit rating. While inverse floaters tend to provide more income than similar term and credit quality fixed-rate bonds, they also exhibit greater volatility in price movement, which could result in significant losses for the Fund. An inverse floater may have the effect of investment leverage to the extent that its coupon rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index or reference rate of interest, which could result in increased losses for the Fund. There is a risk that the current interest rate on variable and floating rate instruments may not accurately reflect current market interest rates or adequately compensate the holder for the current creditworthiness of the issuer. Some inverse floaters are structured with liquidity features and may include market-dependent liquidity features that may expose the Fund to greater liquidity risk. Inverse floaters can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Structured Investments Risk. Structured investments are over-the-counter derivatives that provide principal and/or interest payments based on the value of an underlying reference(s). Structured investments typically provide interest income, thereby offering a potential yield advantage over investing directly in an underlying reference. Structured investments may lack a liquid secondary market and their prices or value can be volatile which could result in significant losses for the Fund. In some cases, depending on its terms, a structured investment may provide that principal and/or interest payments may be adjusted below zero resulting in a potential loss of principal and/or interest payments. Additionally, the particular terms of a structured investment may create economic leverage by requiring payment by the issuer of an amount that is a multiple of the
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price change of the underlying reference. Economic leverage will increase the volatility of structured investment prices, and could result in increased losses for the Fund. The Fund’s use of structured instruments may not work as intended. If structured investments are used to reduce the duration of the Fund’s portfolio, this may limit the Fund’s return when having a longer duration would be beneficial (for instance, when interest rates decline). Structured investments can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Structured investments include collateralized debt obligations which are debt instruments that are collateralized by the underlying cash flows of a pool of financial assets or receivables.
A commodity-linked structured note is a derivative (structured investment) that has principal and/or interest payments based on the market price of one or more particular commodities (such as crude oil, gasoline and natural gas), a basket of commodities, indices of commodity futures or other economic variable. If payment of interest on a commodity-linked structured note is linked to the value of a particular commodity, basket of commodities, commodity index or other economic variable, the Fund might receive lower interest payments (or not receive any of the interest due) on its investments if there is a loss of value in the underlying reference. Further, to the extent that the amount of principal to be repaid upon maturity is linked to the value of a particular commodity, basket of commodities, commodity index or other economic variable, the Fund might not receive a portion (or any) of the principal at maturity of the investment or upon earlier exchange. At any time, the risk of loss associated with a particular structured note in the Fund’s portfolio may be significantly higher than the value of the note. A liquid secondary market may not exist for the commodity-linked structured notes held in the Fund’s portfolio, which may make it difficult for the notes to be sold at a price acceptable to the portfolio manager(s) or for the Fund to accurately value them.
An equity-linked note (ELN) is a derivative (structured investment) that has principal and/or interest payments based on the value of a single equity security, a basket of equity securities or an index of equity securities, and generally have risks similar to these underlying equity securities. An ELN typically provides interest income, thereby offering a yield advantage over investing directly in an underlying equity. The Fund may purchase ELNs that trade on a securities exchange or those that trade on the over-the-counter markets, as well as in privately negotiated transactions with the issuer of the ELN. Investments in ELNs are also subject to liquidity risk, which may make ELNs difficult to sell and value. The liquidity of unlisted ELNs is normally determined by the willingness of the issuer to make a market in the ELN. While the Fund will seek to purchase ELNs only from issuers that it believes to be willing to, and capable of, repurchasing the ELN at a reasonable price, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to sell at such a price. Furthermore, such inability to sell may impair the Fund’s ability to enter into other transactions at a time when doing so might be advantageous. The Fund’s investments in ELNs have the potential to lead to significant losses, including the amount the Fund invested in the ELN, because ELNs are subject to the market and volatility risks associated with their underlying equity. In addition, because ELNs often take the form of unsecured notes of the issuer, the Fund would be subject to the risk that the issuer may default on its obligations under the ELN, thereby subjecting the Fund to the further risk of being too concentrated in the securities (including ELNs) of that issuer. However, the Fund typically considers ELNs alongside other securities of the issuer in its assessment of issuer concentration risk. In addition, ELNs may exhibit price behavior that does not correlate with the underlying securities. The Fund may or may not hold an ELN until its maturity. ELNs also include participation notes.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A commodity-linked swap is a derivative (swap) that is an agreement where the underlying reference is the market price of one or more particular commodities (such as crude oil, gasoline and natural gas), basket of commodities or indices of commodity futures.
Contracts for differences are swap arrangements in which the parties agree that their return (or loss) will be based on the relative performance of two different groups or baskets of securities or other instruments. Often, one or both baskets will be an established securities index. The Fund’s return will be based on changes in value of theoretical long futures positions in the securities comprising one basket (with an aggregate face value equal to the notional amount of the contract for differences)
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  and theoretical short futures positions in the securities comprising the other basket. The Fund also may use actual long and short futures positions and achieve similar market exposure by netting the payment obligations of the two contracts. If the short basket outperforms the long basket, the Fund will realize a loss – even in circumstances when the securities in both the long and short baskets appreciate in value.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
An inflation rate swap is a derivative typically used to transfer inflation risk from one party to another through an exchange of cash flows. In an inflation rate swap, one party pays a fixed rate on a notional principal amount, while the other party pays a floating rate linked to an inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
An interest rate swap is a derivative in which two parties agree to exchange interest rate cash flows, based on a specified notional amount from a fixed rate to a floating rate (or vice versa) or from one floating rate to another. Interest rate swaps can be based on various measures of interest rates, including LIBOR, swap rates, treasury rates and foreign interest rates.
Portfolio and total return swaps are derivative swap transactions in which one party agrees to pay the other party an amount equal to the total return of a defined underlying reference during a specified period of time. In return, the other party would make periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or on the total return of a different underlying reference.
Derivatives Risk – Swaptions Risk. A swaption is an options contract on a swap agreement. These transactions give a party the right (but not the obligation) to enter into new swap agreements or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement at some designated future time on specified terms, in return for payment of the purchase price (the “premium”) of the option. A Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions to the same extent it may make use of standard options on securities or other instruments. The writer of the contract receives the premium and bears the risk of unfavorable changes in the market value on the underlying swap agreement. Swaptions can be bundled and sold as a package. These are commonly called interest rate caps, floors and collars.
Distressed Securities Risk. The Fund may purchase distressed securities of business enterprises involved in workouts, liquidations, reorganizations, bankruptcies and similar situations. Since there is typically substantial uncertainty concerning the outcome of transactions involving business enterprises in these situations, there is a high degree of risk of loss, including loss of the entire investment.
In bankruptcy, there can be considerable delay in reaching accord on a restructuring plan acceptable to a bankrupt company’s lenders, bondholders and other creditors and then obtaining the approval of the bankruptcy court. Such delays could result in substantial losses to the investments in such company’s securities or obligations. Moreover, there is no assurance that a plan favorable to the class of securities held by the Fund will be adopted or that the subject company might not eventually be liquidated rather than reorganized.
In liquidations (both in and out of bankruptcy) and other forms of corporate reorganization, there exists the risk that the reorganization either will be unsuccessful, will be delayed or will result in a distribution of cash or a new security, the value of which will be less than the purchase price of the security in respect of which such distribution is received. It may be difficult to obtain accurate information concerning a company in financial distress, with the result that the analysis and valuation are especially difficult. The market for securities of such companies tends to be illiquid and sales may be possible only at substantial discounts.
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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 repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and may result in higher transactions costs for the Fund. 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).
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Operational and Settlement Risks of Securities in Emerging Markets. In addition to having less developed securities markets, banks in emerging markets that are eligible foreign sub-custodians may be recently organized, lack extensive operating experience or lack effective government oversight or regulation. In addition, there may be legal restrictions or limitations on the ability of the Fund to recover assets held in custody by a foreign sub-custodian in the event of the bankruptcy of the sub-custodian. Because settlement systems may be less organized than in developed markets and because delivery versus payment settlement may not be possible or reliable, there may be a greater risk that settlement may be delayed and that cash or securities of the Fund may be lost because of failures of or defects in the system, including fraud or corruption. Settlement systems in emerging markets also have a higher risk of failed trades.
Risks Related to Currencies and Corporate Actions in Emerging Markets. Risks related to currencies and corporate actions are also greater in emerging market countries than in developed countries. 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 have an active trading market internationally, or countries may have varying exchange rates. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience sustained periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates which can have negative effects on a country’s economy and securities markets. Corporate action procedures in emerging market countries may be less reliable and have limited or no involvement by the depositories and central banks. Lack of standard practices and payment systems can lead to significant delays in payment.
Risks Related to Corporate and Securities Laws in Emerging Markets. Securities laws in emerging markets may be relatively new and unsettled and, consequently, there is a risk of rapid and unpredictable change in laws regarding foreign investment, securities regulation, title to securities and shareholder rights. Accordingly, foreign investors may be adversely affected by new or amended laws and regulations. In addition, the systems of corporate governance to which issuers in certain emerging markets are subject may be less advanced than the systems to which issuers located in more developed countries are subject, and therefore, shareholders of such issuers may not receive many of the protections available to shareholders of issuers located in more developed countries. These risks may be heightened in China and Russia.
China Stock Connect Risk. The risks noted here are in addition to the risks described under Emerging Market Securities Risk . A Fund may, directly or indirectly (through, for example, participation notes or other types of equity-linked notes), purchase shares in mainland China-based companies that trade on Chinese stock exchanges such as the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (China A-Shares) through the Shanghai and Shenzhen – Hong Kong Stock Connect (Stock Connect), a mutual market access program designed to, among other things, enable foreign investment in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) via brokers in Hong Kong. There are significant risks inherent in investing in China A-Shares through Stock Connect. The underdeveloped state of PRC’s investment and banking systems subjects the settlement, clearing, and registration of China A-Shares transactions to heightened risks. Stock Connect can only operate when both PRC and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banking services are available in both markets on the corresponding settlement days. As such, if either or both markets are closed on a U.S. trading day, a Fund may not be able to dispose of its China A-Shares in a timely manner, which could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. Additionally, Stock Connect is subject to daily quota limitations on purchases of China A-Shares. Once the daily quota is reached, orders to purchase additional China A-Shares through Stock Connect will be rejected. A Fund’s investment in China A-Shares may only be traded through Stock Connect and is not otherwise transferable. Stock Connect utilizes an omnibus clearing structure, and the Fund’s shares will be registered in its custodian’s name on the Central Clearing and Settlement System. This may limit the ability of the Investment Manager (and/or any subadviser, as the
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case may be) to effectively manage a Fund, and may expose the Fund to the credit risk of its custodian or to greater risk of expropriation. Investment in China A-Shares through Stock Connect may be available only through a single broker that is an affiliate of the Fund’s custodian, which may affect the quality of execution provided by such broker. Stock Connect restrictions could also limit the ability of a Fund to sell its China A-Shares in a timely manner, or to sell them at all. Further, different fees, costs and taxes are imposed on foreign investors acquiring China A-Shares acquired through Stock Connect, and these fees, costs and taxes may be higher than comparable fees, costs and taxes imposed on owners of other securities providing similar investment exposure.
EuroZone-Related Risk. A number of countries in the European Union (EU) have experienced, and may continue to experience, severe economic and financial difficulties. Additional EU member countries may also fall subject to such difficulties. These events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments in euro-denominated securities and derivatives contracts, securities of issuers located in the EU or with significant exposure to EU issuers or countries. If the euro is dissolved entirely, the legal and contractual consequences for holders of euro-denominated obligations and derivative contracts would be determined by laws in effect at such time. Such investments may continue to be held, or purchased, to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and permitted under applicable law. These potential developments, or market perceptions concerning these and related issues, could adversely affect the value of Fund shares.
Certain countries in the EU have had to accept assistance from supra-governmental agencies such as the International Monetary Fund, the European Stability Mechanism (the ESM) or other supra-governmental agencies. The European Central Bank has also been intervening to purchase Eurozone debt in an attempt to stabilize markets and reduce borrowing costs.
There can be no assurance that these agencies will continue to intervene or provide further assistance and markets may react adversely to any expected reduction in the financial support provided by these agencies. Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro and/or withdraw from the EU. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, could be significant and far-reaching.
Event-Driven Trading Risk. The Fund may seek to profit from the occurrence of specific corporate or other events. A delay in the timing of these events, or the failure of these events to occur at all, may have a significant negative effect on the Fund’s performance.
Event-driven investing requires the relevant manager to make predictions about (i) the likelihood that an event will occur and (ii) the impact such event will have on the value of a company’s securities. If the event fails to occur or it does not have the effect foreseen, losses can result. For example, the adoption of new business strategies, a meaningful change in management or the sale of a division or other significant assets by a company may not be valued as highly by the market as the manager had anticipated, resulting in losses. In addition, a company may announce a plan of restructuring which promises to enhance value and fail to implement it, resulting in losses to investors.
Event-Linked Instruments Risk. The Fund may seek to profit from investment in debt securities whose performance is linked to the occurrence of specific “trigger” events, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or other physical or weather-related phenomena. If a trigger event causes losses exceeding a specific amount in the geographic region and time period specified in a bond, the Fund may lose a portion or all of its principal invested in the bond or suffer a reduction in credited interest. Some event-linked bonds have features that delay the return of capital upon the occurrence of a specified event; in these cases, whether or not there is loss of capital or interest, the return on the investment may be significantly lower during the extension period. Bonds commonly referred to as “catastrophe bonds” are a type of event-linked instrument in which the Fund may invest. Catastrophe bonds may be issued by government agencies, insurance companies, reinsurers, special purpose corporations or other on-shore or off-shore entities (such special purpose entities are created to accomplish a narrow and well-defined objective, such as the issuance of a note in connection with a reinsurance transaction). The return on these securities is tied primarily to property insurance risk and is analogous to underwriting insurance in certain circumstances. By isolating insurance risk, these securities are largely uncorrelated to other more traditional investments. Risks associated with investment in catastrophe bonds would include, for example, a major hurricane or similar catastrophe striking a heavily populated area of the East Coast of the United States or a major earthquake with an epicenter in an urban area on the West Coast of the United States. In addition to specified trigger events, catastrophe bonds may expose the Fund to other risks, such as credit risk, counterparty risk, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations, adverse tax consequences, liquidity risk, and foreign exchange risk. Event-linked exposure often provides for an extension of maturity to process and audit loss claims where a trigger event has, or possibly has, occurred. An extension of maturity may increase volatility. From time to time, the volume of catastrophe bonds available in the market may be insufficient to enable the Fund to invest as great a percentage of its assets in catastrophe bonds as it would like.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs ( i.e. , they do not track a particular benchmark),
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which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and similar expenses incurred through ownership of the ETF.
The Fund generally expects to purchase shares of ETFs through broker-dealers in transactions on a securities exchange, and in such cases the Fund will pay customary brokerage commissions for each purchase and sale. Shares of an ETF may also be acquired by depositing a specified portfolio of the ETF’s underlying securities, as well as a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends of the securities (net of expenses) up to the time of deposit, with the ETF’s custodian, in exchange for which the ETF will issue a quantity of new shares sometimes referred to as a “creation unit.” Similarly, shares of an ETF purchased on an exchange may be accumulated until they represent a creation unit, and the creation unit may be redeemed in kind for a portfolio of the underlying securities (based on the ETF’s NAV) together with a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends as of the date of redemption. The Funds may redeem creation units for the underlying securities (and any applicable cash), and may assemble a portfolio of the underlying securities (and any required cash) to purchase creation units. The Funds’ ability to redeem creation units may be limited by the 1940 Act, which provides that ETFs, the shares of which are purchased in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, will not be obligated to redeem such shares in an amount exceeding one percent of their total outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days.
Exchange-Traded Notes Risk. Exchange-traded notes (ETNs) are unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities that expose the Fund to the risk that an ETN’s issuer may be unable to pay, which means that the Fund is subject to issuer credit risk, including that the value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s credit rating, despite the underlying benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. ETNs do not typically offer principal protection, so the Fund may lose some or all of its investment. The returns of ETNs are usually linked to the performance of a market benchmark or strategy, less investor fees and expenses. The Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the ETN, which may cause the Fund’s returns to be lower. The return on ETNs will typically be lower than the total return on a direct investment in the components of the underlying index or strategy because of the ETN’s investor fees and expenses. The value of an ETN may also be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in the underlying market, changes in the applicable interest rates, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced underlying benchmark or strategy.
Foreign Currency Risk. The performance of the Fund may be materially affected positively or negatively by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa. Restrictions on currency trading may be imposed by foreign countries, which may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Even though the currencies of some countries may be pegged to the U.S. dollar, the conversion rate may be controlled by government regulation or intervention at levels significantly different than what would prevail in a free market. Significant revaluations of the U.S. dollar exchange rate of these currencies could cause substantial reductions in the Fund’s NAV.
Foreign Currency-Related Tax Risk. As a regulated investment company (RIC), the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from sources treated as “qualifying income” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Fund may gain exposure to local currency markets through forward currency contracts. Although foreign currency gains currently constitute “qualifying income,” the Internal Revenue Service has the authority to issue regulations excluding from the definition of “qualifying income” a RIC’s foreign currency gains not “directly related” to its “principal business” of investing in stock or securities (or options and futures with respect thereto). Such regulations might treat gains from some of the Fund’s foreign currency-denominated positions as not qualifying income and there is a possibility that such regulations might be applied retroactively, in which case, the Fund might not qualify as a RIC for one or more years. In the event the Internal Revenue Service issues such regulations, the Fund’s Board may authorize a significant change in investment strategy or the Fund’s liquidation.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs 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 withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of
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economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Operational and Settlement Risks of Foreign Securities. The Fund’s foreign securities are generally held outside the United States in the primary market for the securities in the custody of certain eligible foreign banks and trust companies (“foreign sub-custodians”), as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act). Settlement practices for foreign securities may differ from those in the United States. Some countries have limited governmental oversight and regulation of industry practices, stock exchanges, depositories, registrars, brokers and listed companies, which increases the risk of corruption and fraud and the possibility of losses to the Fund. In particular, under certain circumstances, foreign securities may settle on a delayed delivery basis, meaning that the Fund may be required to make payment for securities before the Fund has actually received delivery of the securities or deliver securities prior to the receipt of payment. Typically, in these cases, the Fund will receive evidence of ownership in accordance with the generally accepted settlement practices in the local market entitling the Fund to delivery or payment at a future date, but there is a risk that the security will not be delivered to the Fund or that payment will not be received, although the Fund and its foreign sub-custodians take reasonable precautions to mitigate this risk. Losses can also result from lost, stolen or counterfeit securities; defaults by brokers and banks; failures or defects of the settlement system; or poor and improper record keeping by registrars and issuers.
Share Blocking. Share blocking refers to a practice in certain foreign markets under which an issuer’s securities are blocked from trading at the custodian or sub-custodian level for a specified number of days before and, in certain instances, after a shareholder meeting where a vote of shareholders takes place. The blocking period can last up to several weeks. Share blocking may prevent the Fund from buying or selling securities during this period, because during the time shares are blocked, trades in such securities will not settle. It may be difficult or impossible to lift blocking restrictions, with the particular requirements varying widely by country. As a consequence of these restrictions, the Investment Manager, on behalf of the Fund, may abstain from voting proxies in markets that require share blocking.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which 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 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). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frontier Market Risk. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies and even less developed capital markets than typical emerging market countries (which themselves have increased investment risk relative to more developed market countries) and, as a result, the Fund’s exposure to risks associated with investing in emerging market countries are magnified when the Fund invests in frontier market countries. The increased risks include: the potential for extreme price volatility and
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illiquidity in frontier market countries; government ownership or control of parts of the private sector and of certain companies; trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which frontier market countries trade; and the relatively new and unsettled securities laws in many frontier market countries. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in frontier market countries are even more likely than emerging markets securities to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk .
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The selected underlying funds’ performance may be lower than the performance of the asset class they were selected to represent or may be lower than the performance of alternative underlying funds that could have been selected to represent the asset class. The Fund also is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objectives. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for an underlying fund. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of an underlying fund. The Investment Manager may have potential conflicts of interest in selecting affiliated funds over unaffiliated funds for investment by the Fund, and may also face potential conflicts of interest in selecting affiliated funds, because the fees the Investment Manager receives from some underlying funds may be higher than the fees paid by other underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) does not present itself in a timely manner or at all.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. Currency devaluations could occur in countries that have not yet experienced currency devaluation to date, or could continue to occur in countries that have already experienced such devaluations. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Global Economic Risk. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibility that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region or across the globe. For instance, a significant slowdown in China’s economy is adversely affecting worldwide commodity prices and the economies of many countries, especially those that depend heavily on commodity production and/or trade with China. The severity or duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations. The imposition of sanctions by the United States or another government on a country could cause disruptions to the country’s financial system and economy, which could negatively impact the value of securities.
At a referendum in June 2016, the United Kingdom (the UK) voted to leave the European Union (EU), thereby initiating the British exit from the EU (commonly known as “Brexit”). In March 2017, the UK formally invoked Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon to begin the process under which the UK shall withdraw from the EU in due course. Upon invoking Article 50, the UK triggered a two-year period for negotiation of the terms of the withdrawal from the EU. However, there remains a significant degree of uncertainty about how negotiations relating to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and new trade agreements will be conducted, as well as the potential consequences and precise timeframe for Brexit. During the negotiating period and beyond, the impact of Brexit on the UK and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in the UK, Europe and globally, which may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments.
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The UK has one of the largest economies in Europe, and member countries of the EU are substantial trading partners of the UK. The City of London’s economy is dominated by financial services, some of which may have to move outside of the UK post-referendum (e.g., currency trading, international settlement). Under the terms of Brexit, banks may be forced to move staff and comply with two separate sets of rules or lose business to banks in Europe. Furthermore, Brexit creates the potential for decreased trade, the possibility of capital outflows from the UK, devaluation of the pound sterling, the cost of higher corporate bond spreads due to uncertainty, and the risk that all the above could damage business and consumer spending as well as foreign direct investment. As a result of Brexit, the British economy and its currency may be negatively impacted by changes to its economic and political relations with the EU and other countries. Any further exits from the EU, or the possibility of such exits, would likely cause additional market disruption globally and introduce new legal and regulatory uncertainties.
The impact of Brexit in the near- and long-term is still unknown and could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets, currencies and asset valuations around the world. Any attempt by the Fund to hedge against or otherwise protect its portfolio or to profit from such circumstances may fail and, accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Hedging Transactions Risk. The Fund may invest in securities and utilize financial instruments for a variety of hedging purposes. Hedging transactions may limit the opportunity for gain if the value of the portfolio position should increase. There can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in hedging transactions at any given time, even under volatile market conditions, or that any hedging transactions the Fund engages in will be successful. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to enter into a hedging transaction at a price sufficient to protect its assets. The Fund may not anticipate a particular risk so as to hedge against it.
Hedging against a decline in the value of a portfolio position does not eliminate fluctuations in the values of portfolio positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions decline, but establishes other positions designed to gain from those same developments, thus moderating the decline in the portfolio positions’ value. Such hedging transactions also limit the opportunity for gain if the value of the portfolio position should increase. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to hedge against an exchange rate, interest rate or security price fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to enter into a hedging transaction at a price sufficient to protect its assets from the decline in value of the portfolio positions anticipated as a result of such fluctuations.
The Fund is not required to attempt to hedge portfolio positions and, for various reasons, may determine not to do so. Furthermore, the Fund may not anticipate a particular risk so as to hedge against it. While the Fund may enter into hedging transactions to seek to reduce risk, such transactions may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if the Fund had not engaged in any such hedging transaction. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio position being hedged may vary. For a variety of reasons, the Fund may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Such imperfect correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose the Fund to risk of loss. The successful utilization of hedging and risk management transactions requires skills complementary to those needed in the selection of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. Moreover, it should be noted that a portfolio will always be exposed to certain risks that cannot be hedged, such as credit risk (relating both to particular securities and counterparties) and liquidity risk.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
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Highly Leveraged Transactions Risk. The loans or other debt instruments in which the Fund invests may consist of transactions involving refinancings, recapitalizations, mergers and acquisitions and other financings for general corporate purposes. The Fund’s investments also may include senior obligations of a borrower issued in connection with a restructuring pursuant to Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (commonly known as “debtor-in-possession” financings), provided that such senior obligations are determined by the Fund’s portfolio managers to be a suitable investment for the Fund. In such highly leveraged transactions, the borrower assumes large amounts of debt in order to have the financial resources to attempt to achieve its business objectives. Such business objectives may include but are not limited to: management’s taking over control of a company (leveraged buy-out); reorganizing the assets and liabilities of a company (leveraged recapitalization); or acquiring another company. Loans or other debt instruments that are part of highly leveraged transactions involve a greater risk (including default and bankruptcy) than other investments.
Impairment of Collateral Risk. The value of collateral, if any, securing a loan can decline, and may be insufficient to meet the borrower’s obligations or difficult or costly to liquidate. In addition, the Fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, certain floating rate and other loans may not be fully collateralized and may decline in value.
Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the uncertainty over the future real value (after inflation) of an investment. Inflation rates may change frequently and drastically as a result of various factors, including unexpected shifts in the domestic or global economy, and the Fund’s investments may not keep pace with inflation, which may result in losses to Fund investors.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates can be described as nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation. In general, the price of an inflation-protected debt security falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on inflation-protected debt securities will vary as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments. Income earned by a shareholder depends on the amount of principal invested, and that principal will not grow with inflation unless the shareholder reinvests the portion of Fund distributions that comes from inflation adjustments. A Fund’s investment in certain inflation-protected debt securities may generate taxable income in excess of the interest they pay to the Fund, which may cause the Fund to sell investments to obtain cash to make income distributions to shareholders, including at times when it may not be advantageous to do so.
IPO Risk. IPOs are subject to many of the same risks as investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. To the extent the Fund determines to invest in IPOs, it may not be able to invest to the extent desired, because, for example, only a small portion (if any) of the securities being offered in an IPO are available to the Fund. The investment performance of the Fund during periods when it is unable to invest significantly or at all in IPOs may be lower than during periods when the Fund is able to do so. In addition, as the Fund increases in size, the impact of IPOs on the Fund’s performance will generally decrease. IPOs sold within 12 months of purchase may result in increased short-term capital gains, which will be taxable to the Fund’s shareholders as ordinary income.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates (which are currently near historic lows) rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of the Fund's shares. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Investing in Other Funds Risk. The Fund’s investment in other funds (affiliated and/or unaffiliated funds, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) subjects the Fund to the investment performance (positive or negative) and risks of the underlying funds in direct proportion to the Fund’s investment therein. In addition, investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. The performance of the underlying funds could be adversely affected if other investors in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of an underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other
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investors in the underlying funds could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the underlying funds. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the underlying funds. The Investment Manager may have potential conflicts of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds for investment by the Fund because the fees paid to it by some underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other underlying funds, as well as a potential conflict in selecting affiliated funds over unaffiliated funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in other underlying funds, including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if an appropriate alternate underlying fund does not present itself in a timely manner or at all.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which would negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors. The market capitalization of an issuer may also impact its risk profile. Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Large Fund Investor Risk. The Fund may from time to time sell a substantial amount of its shares to relatively few investors or a single investor, including other funds advised by the Investment Manager, or third parties. Sales to and redemptions from large investors may be very substantial relative to the size of the Fund and carry potentially adverse effects. While it is not possible to predict the overall effect of such sales and redemptions, such transactions may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is required to invest cash received in connection with a sale or to sell a substantial amount of its portfolio securities to facilitate a redemption, in either case, a time when the Fund would otherwise prefer not to invest or sell, such as in an up market or down market, respectively. Such transactions may also increase the Fund’s transaction costs, which would also detract from Fund performance, while also having potentially negative tax consequences to investors. The Fund, because of a large redemption, may be forced to sell its liquid or more liquid positions, resulting in the Fund holding a higher percentage of less liquid or illiquid securities (securities that may be unable to sell at a favorite time or price). Because the expenses and costs of the Fund are shared by its investors, large redemptions in the Fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for non-redeeming Fund shareholders. In addition, in the event of a Fund proxy proposal, a large investor(s) could dictate with its/their vote the results of the proposal, which may have a less favorable impact on minority-stake shareholders.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, short sales, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Because short sales involve borrowing securities and then selling them, the Fund’s short sales effectively leverage the Fund’s assets. The Fund’s assets that are used as collateral to secure the Fund’s obligations to return the securities sold short may decrease in value while the short positions are outstanding, which may force the Fund to use its other assets to increase the collateral. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled.
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As a result, the Fund, when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold, or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Certain types of investments, such as structured notes and non-investment grade debt instruments, as an example, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Floating rate loans also generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale and may trade infrequently on the secondary market. The value of the loan to the Fund may be impaired in the event that the Fund needs to liquidate such loans. The inability to purchase or sell floating rate loans and other debt instruments at a fair price may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in Fund redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Governments and their regulatory agencies and self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund or the Investment Manager or any Fund subadviser, as the case may be, are regulated or supervised. Such legislation or regulation could affect or preclude a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Governments and their regulatory agencies and self-regulatory organizations may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of a Fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the Funds to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the Funds.
While the Investment Manager and any subadvisers can endeavor to take various preventative measures to address liquidity risk, including conducting periodic portfolio risk analysis/management and stress-testing, such measures may not be successful and may not have fully accounted for the specific circumstances that ultimately impact a Fund and its holdings.
Listed Private Equity Fund Investment Risk. Private equity funds include financial institutions or vehicles whose principal business is to invest in and lend capital to privately held companies. The Fund is subject to the underlying risks that affect private equity funds in which it invests, which may include increased liquidity risk, valuation risk, sector risk and credit risk. Limited or incomplete information about the companies in which private equity funds invest, and relatively concentrated investment portfolios of private equity funds, may expose the Fund to greater volatility and risk of loss. Fund investment in private equity funds subjects Fund shareholders indirectly to the fees and expenses incurred by private equity funds.
Loan Assignment/Loan Participation Risk. If a bank loan is acquired through an assignment, the Fund may not be able to unilaterally enforce all rights and remedies under the loan and with regard to any associated collateral. If a bank loan is acquired through a participation, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, and the Fund may not benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation.
Loan Interests Risk. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. Loan interests generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and the Fund may be unable to sell loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them only at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Loan interests may be difficult to value and typically have extended settlement periods (generally greater than 7 days), which expose the Fund to the risk that the receipt of principal and interest payments may be delayed until the loan interest settles. Extended settlement periods during significant Fund redemption activity could potentially cause short-term liquidity demands within the Fund. In seeking to meet liquidity demands, the Fund could be forced to sell investments at unfavorable prices, or borrow money or effect short settlements when possible (at a cost to the Fund), in an effort to generate
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sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. The Fund’s actions in this regard may not be successful. Interests in loans made to finance highly leveraged companies or transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions.
Interests in secured loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets, although many covenants may be waived or modified with the consent of a certain percentage of the holders of the loans even if the Fund does not consent. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In most loan agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan, including the Fund. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower. In the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders. The remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. In addition, if a secured loan is foreclosed, the Fund would likely bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. The collateral may be difficult to sell and the Fund would bear the risk that the collateral may decline in value while the Fund is holding it. From time to time, disagreements may arise amongst the holders of loans and debt in the capital structure of an issuer, which may give rise to litigation risks, including the risk that a court could take action adverse to the holders of the loan, which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance.
The Fund may acquire a loan interest by obtaining an assignment of all or a portion of the interests in a particular loan that are held by an original lender or a prior assignee. As an assignee, the Fund normally will succeed to all rights and obligations of its assignor with respect to the portion of the loan that is being assigned. However, the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of a loan assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the original lenders or the assignor. Alternatively, the Fund may acquire a participation interest in a loan that is held by another party. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interest, and the Fund normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower. As a participant, the Fund also would be subject to the risk that the party selling the participation interest would not remit the Fund’s pro rata share of loan payments to the Fund. It may also be difficult for the Fund to obtain an accurate picture of a lending bank’s financial condition.
Macro Strategy Risk. The profitability of any macro program depends primarily on the ability of its manager to predict derivative contract price movements to implement investment ideas regarding macroeconomic trends. Price movements for commodity interests are influenced by, among other things: changes in interest rates; governmental, agricultural, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies; weather and climate conditions; natural disasters, such as hurricanes; changing supply and demand relationships; changes in balances of payments and trade; U.S. and international rates of inflation and deflation; currency devaluations and revaluations; U.S. and international political and economic events; and changes in philosophies and emotions of market participants. The manager’s trading methods may not take all of these factors into account.
The global macro programs to which the Fund’s investments are exposed typically use derivative financial instruments that are actively traded using a variety of strategies and investment techniques that involve significant risks. The derivative financial instruments traded include commodities, currencies, futures, options and forward contracts and other derivative instruments that have inherent leverage and price volatility that result in greater risk than instruments used by typical mutual funds, and the systematic programs used to trade them may rely on proprietary investment strategies that are not fully disclosed, which may in turn result in risks that are not anticipated.
Market Risk. Market risk refers to the possibility that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., an unfavorable earnings report), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors. In addition, as the share of assets invested in passive index-based strategies increases, price correlations among the securities included in an index may increase and the market value of securities, including those included in one or more market indices, may become less correlated with their underlying values. Because index-based strategies
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generally buy or sell securities based solely on their inclusion in an index, securities prices may rise or fall based on whether money is flowing into or out of these strategies rather than based on an analysis of the securities’ underlying values. This valuation disparity could lead to increased price volatility for individual securities, and the market as a whole, which may result in Fund losses.
Master Limited Partnership Risk. Investments in securities (units) of master limited partnerships involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock. Holders of these units have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership. These units may be subject to cash flow and dilution risks. There are also certain tax risks associated with such an investment. In particular, the Fund’s investment in master limited partnerships can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and can limit the Fund’s ability to so qualify. In addition, conflicts of interest may exist between common unit holders, subordinated unit holders and the general partner of a master limited partnership, including a conflict arising as a result of incentive distribution payments. In addition, there are risks related to the general partner’s right to require unit holders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price.
Mid-Cap Company Securities Risk. Securities of mid-capitalization companies (mid-cap companies) can, in certain circumstances, have more risk than securities of larger capitalization companies (larger companies). For example, mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be difficult and result in Fund investment losses. In addition, some mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Model and Technology Risk. Investment strategies or programs that are fundamentally dependent on proprietary or licensed technology, such as, among other things, hardware, software, model-based strategies, data gathering systems, order execution, and trade allocation systems, and/or risk management systems may not be successful on an ongoing basis or could contain errors, omissions, imperfections, or malfunctions. Any such errors, imperfections or limitations in a model could affect the ability of the manager to implement strategies. Despite testing, monitoring and independent safeguards, these errors may result in, among other things, execution and allocation failures and failures to properly gather, organize and analyze amounts of data from third parties and other external sources. More specifically, as it is not possible or practicable for a manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions, managers (and/or affiliated licensors of such data) will use their discretion to determine what data to gather with respect to an investment strategy and what subset of that data the models will take into account to produce forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions, all of which may have a negative effect on the Fund.
Errors are often extremely difficult to detect and some may go undetected for long periods of time and some may never be detected. The adverse impact caused by these errors can compound over time. A manager (and/or the licensor of the models or technology) may detect certain errors that it chooses, in its sole discretion, not to address or fix. By necessity, models make simplifying assumptions that limit their efficacy. Models that appear to explain prior market data can fail to predict future market events. Moreover, an increasing number of market participants may rely on models that are similar to those used by a manager (or an affiliate of a manager), which may result in a substantial number of market participants taking the same action with respect to an investment. Should one or more of these other market participants begin to divest themselves of one or more portfolio investments, the Fund could suffer losses. Additionally, shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a manager that uses quantitative techniques will use any specific data or type of data in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be (i) the most accurate data available or (ii) free from errors.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any
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other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Because a decision to impose or not impose such liquidity fees and/or redemption gates on an affiliated money market fund may negatively impact any Funds that invest in it, all to which the Investment Manager and Board may also owe a fiduciary duty, any recommendation by the Investment Manager or decision by the Board with respect to such fees or gates on the affiliated money market fund may present potential conflicts of interest to the Investment Manager and the Board. The Board of the affiliated money market fund, for example, could be conflicted by a determination to not impose such fees and/or gates at a time when, if implemented, the other Columbia Funds could potentially experience negative impacts, while not imposing such fees and/or gates could potentially result in a negative impact to the affiliated money market fund. Any decisions by the Board to favor such fees and/or gates could result in reduced or limited investments in the affiliated money market fund by the other Columbia Funds, which may lead to increased affiliated money market fund expenses (which would be borne by the remaining Fund investors).
If a liquidity fee or redemption gate is imposed, an investing Columbia Fund may have to sell other investments at less than opportune times rather than using the cash invested in the money market fund to meet shareholder redemptions. The Investment Manager, as a result of any such fees and/or gates on an affiliated money market fund (or the potential imposition thereof, recognizing that the Investment Manager will be aware of the affiliated money market fund’s liquid assets position), may determine to not invest the other Columbia Funds’ assets in the affiliated money market fund, and potentially be forced to invest in more expensive, lower-performing investments.
Money Market Fund Risk. Although government money market funds (such as Government Money Market Fund) may seek to preserve the value of shareholders’ investment at $1.00 per share, the NAVs of such money market fund shares can fall, and in infrequent cases in the past have fallen, below $1.00 per share, potentially causing shareholders who redeem their shares at such NAVs to lose money from their original investment.
At times of (i) significant redemption activity by shareholders, including, for example, when a single investor or a few large investors make a significant redemption of Fund shares, (ii) insufficient levels of cash in the Fund's portfolio to satisfy redemption activity, and (iii) disruption in the normal operation of the markets in which the Fund buys and sells portfolio securities, the Fund could be forced to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices in order to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. Sales of portfolio securities at such times could result in losses to the Fund and cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. Additionally, in some cases, the default of a single portfolio security could cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. In addition, neither the Investment Manager nor any of its affiliates has a legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that they or any person will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. The Fund may suspend redemptions or the payment of redemption proceeds when permitted by applicable regulations.
It is possible that, during periods of low prevailing interest rates or otherwise, the income from portfolio securities may be less than the amount needed to pay ongoing Fund operating expenses and may prevent payment of any dividends or distributions to Fund shareholders or cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. In such cases, the Fund may reduce or eliminate the payment of such dividends or distributions or seek to reduce certain of its operating expenses. There is no guarantee that such actions would enable the Fund to maintain a constant NAV of $1.00 per share.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund 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 or other assets; 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. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to prepayment risk, which is the possibility that the underlying mortgage or other asset 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
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of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other 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 mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. 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.
Multi-Strategy Risk. The multi-strategy approach employed by the Fund involves special risks, which include the risk that investment decisions, at the Fund or the underlying fund level, may conflict with each other; for example, at any particular time, one manager may be purchasing shares of an issuer whose shares are being sold by another manager. Consequently, the Fund could indirectly incur transaction costs without accomplishing any net investment result. Also, managers may use proprietary or licensed investment strategies that are based on considerations and factors that are not fully disclosed to the Fund or other investors.
Moreover, consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, these proprietary or licensed investment strategies, which may include quantitative mathematical models or systems, may be changed or refined over time. A manager (or the licensor of the strategies used by the manager) may make certain changes to the strategies the manager has previously used, may not use such strategies at all (or the manager’s license may be revoked), or may use additional strategies, where such changes or discretionary decisions, and the reasons for such changes or decisions, are also not disclosed to the Fund or other investors. These strategies may involve risks under some market conditions that are not anticipated by the Investment Manager or the Fund.
Municipal Securities Risk. Municipal securities are debt obligations generally issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including general financing for state and local governments, or financing for a specific project or public facility, and include obligations of the governments of the U.S. territories, commonwealths and possessions such as Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to the extent such obligations are exempt from state and U.S. federal income taxes. Municipal securities can be significantly affected by political and legislative changes at the state or federal level. Municipal securities may be fully or partially backed by the taxing authority of the local government, by the credit of a private issuer, by the current or anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets or by domestic or foreign entities providing credit support, such as letters of credit, guarantees or insurance, and are generally classified into general obligation bonds and special revenue obligations. General obligation bonds are backed by an issuer's taxing authority and may be vulnerable to limits on a government's power or ability to raise revenue or increase taxes. They may also depend for payment on legislative appropriation and/or funding or other support from other governmental bodies. Revenue obligations are payable from revenues generated by a particular project or other revenue source, and are typically subject to greater risk of default than general obligation bonds because investors can look only to the revenue generated by the project or other revenue source backing the project, rather than to the general taxing authority of the state or local government issuer of the obligations. Because many municipal securities are issued to finance projects in sectors such as education, health care, transportation and utilities, conditions in those sectors can affect the overall municipal market. The amount of publicly available information for municipal issuers is generally less than for corporate issuers.
Issuers in a state, territory, commonwealth or possession in which the Fund invests may experience significant financial difficulties. Such financial difficulties may lead to credit rating downgrade(s) of such issuers which, in turn, could affect the market values and marketability of many or all municipal obligations of issuers in such state, territory, commonwealth or possession. The value of the Fund’s shares will be negatively impacted to the extent it invests in such securities. Securities issued by Puerto Rico and its agencies and instrumentalities have been subject to multiple credit downgrades as a result of Puerto Rico's ongoing fiscal challenges and uncertainty about its ability to make full repayment on these obligations. More recently, certain issuers of Puerto Rican municipal securities have failed to make payments on obligations that have come due, and additional missed payments or defaults may be likely to occur in the future. In May 2017, Puerto Rico filed in U.S. federal court to commence a debt restructuring process similar to that of a traditional municipal bankruptcy under a new federal law for insolvent U.S. territories, called Promesa. However, Puerto Rico's case will be the first ever heard under Promesa for which there is no existing body of court precedent. Accordingly, Puerto Rico's debt restructuring process could take significantly longer than recent municipal bankruptcy proceedings adjudicated pursuant to Chapter 9 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. It is not clear whether a debt restructuring process will ultimately be approved or, if so, the extent to which it will apply to Puerto Rico municipal securities sold by an issuer other than the Commonwealth. A debt restructuring could reduce the principal amount due, the interest rate, the maturity and other terms of Puerto Rico municipal securities, which could adversely affect the value of
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Puerto Rico municipal securities. To the extent a Fund invests in these securities, such developments could adversely impact the Fund's performance. The Fund’s annual and semiannual reports show the Fund’s investment exposures at a point in time. The risk of investing in the Fund is directly correlated to the Fund’s investment exposures.
The Fund’s investments in municipal securities may include securities of issuers in the health care sector, which subjects the Fund’s investments to the risks associated with that sector, including the risk of regulatory action or policy changes by numerous governmental agencies and bodies, including federal, state, and local governmental agencies, as well as requirements imposed by private entities, such as insurance companies. A major source of revenue for the health care industry is payments from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. As a result, the industry is sensitive to legislative changes and reductions in governmental spending for such programs. Numerous other factors may affect the industry, such as general and local economic conditions, demand for services, expenses (including, among others, malpractice insurance premiums) and competition among health care providers. Additional factors also may adversely affect health care facility operations, such as adoption of legislation proposing a national health insurance program, other state or local health care reform measures, medical and technological advances that alter the need for or cost of health services or the way in which such services are delivered, changes in medical coverage that alter the traditional fee-for-service revenue stream, and efforts by employers, insurers, and governmental agencies to reduce the costs of health insurance and health care services.
Opportunistic Investing Risk. Undervalued securities involve the risk that they may never reach their expected full market value, either because the market fails to recognize the security's intrinsic worth or the expected value was misgauged. Undervalued securities also may decline in price even though the Investment Manager believes they are already undervalued. Turnaround companies may never improve their fundamentals, may take much longer than expected to improve, or may improve much less than expected. Development stage companies could fail to develop and deplete their assets, resulting in large percentage losses.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a loan, bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine what data to gather with respect to an investment strategy and what data the models will take into account to produce forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by
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borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Redemption Risk. The Fund may need to sell portfolio securities to meet redemption requests. The Fund could experience a loss when selling portfolio securities to meet redemption requests if there is (i) significant redemption activity by shareholders, including, for example, when a single investor or few large investors make a significant redemption of Fund shares, (ii) a disruption in the normal operation of the markets in which the Fund buys and sells portfolio securities or (iii) the inability of the Fund to sell portfolio securities because such securities are illiquid. In such events, the Fund could be forced to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices in an effort to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. The Fund may suspend redemptions or the payment of redemption proceeds when permitted by applicable regulations.
Regulatory Risk — Alternative Investments. Legal, tax, and regulatory developments may adversely affect the Fund and its investments. The regulatory environment for the Fund and certain of its investments is evolving, and changes in the regulation of investment funds, their managers, and their trading activities and capital markets, or a regulator’s disagreement with the Fund’s or others’ interpretation of the application of certain regulations, may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategy, its ability to obtain leverage and financing, and the value of investments held by the Fund. There has been an increase in governmental, as well as self-regulatory, scrutiny of the investment industry in general and the alternative investment industry in particular. It is impossible to predict what, if any, changes in regulations may occur, but any regulation that restricts the ability of the Fund or any underlying funds or other investments to trade in securities or other instruments or the ability of the Fund or underlying funds to employ, or brokers and other counterparties to extend, credit in their trading (as well as other regulatory changes that result) could have a material adverse impact on the Fund’s performance.
Shareholders should understand that the Fund’s business is dynamic and is expected to change over time. Therefore, the Fund and its underlying investments may be subject to new or additional regulatory constraints in the future. Such regulations may have a significant impact on shareholders or the operations of the Fund, including, without limitation, restricting the types of investments the Fund may make, preventing the Fund from exercising its voting rights with regard to certain financial instruments, requiring the Fund to disclose the identity of its investors or otherwise. To the extent the Fund or its underlying investments are subject to such regulation, such regulations may have a detrimental effect on one or more shareholders. Prospective investors are encouraged to consult their own advisors regarding an investment in the Fund.
Regulatory Risk — Money Market Funds. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that the Fund will not be able to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Repurchase Agreements Risk. Repurchase agreements are agreements in which the seller of a security to the Fund agrees to repurchase that security from the Fund at a mutually agreed upon price and time. Repurchase agreements carry the risk that the counterparty may not fulfill its obligations under the agreement. This could cause the Fund's income and the value of your investment in the Fund to decline.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk. Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements in which a Fund sells a security to a counterparty, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that security at a mutually agreed upon price and time. Reverse repurchase agreements carry the risk that the market value of the security sold by the Fund may decline below the price at which the Fund must repurchase the security. Reverse repurchase agreements also may be viewed as a form of borrowing, and borrowed assets used for investment creates leverage risk. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that this strategy will be successful.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if
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eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. The Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Additionally, the purchase price and subsequent valuation of private placements typically reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a more liquid market exists. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business in a related group of industries within a sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Sector Risk — Consumer Discretionary/Staples Sector Investments. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in the consumer discretionary and staples sectors, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in that sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary and staples sectors are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, currency exchange rates, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes. Companies in these sectors may be subject to competitive forces (including competition brought by an influx of foreign brands), which may also have an adverse impact on their profitability. These sectors may be strongly affected by fads, marketing campaigns, changes in demographics and consumer preferences, and other economic or social factors affecting consumer demand. Governmental regulation, including price controls and regulations on packaging, labeling, competition, and certification, may affect the profitability of certain companies invested in by the Fund. Companies operating in these sectors may also be adversely affected by government and private litigation.
Sector Risk — Energy Sector Investments. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in the energy sector, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in that sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the energy sector are subject to certain risks, including legislative or regulatory changes, adverse market conditions and increased competition. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, among others, fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, local and international politics, and events occurring in nature. For instance, natural events (such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires in prime natural resources areas) and political events (such as government instability or military confrontations) can affect the value of companies involved in business activities in the energy sector. Other risks may include liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The energy sector may also be affected by economic cycles, rising interest rates, high inflation, technical progress, labor relations, legislative or regulatory changes, local and international politics, and adverse market conditions.
Sector Risk — Financial Services Sector Investments. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in the financial services sector, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in that sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses ( e.g. , subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Sector Risk — Health Care Sector Investments. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in the health care sector, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in that sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the health care sector are subject to certain risks, including restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, government approval of medical products and services, competitive pricing pressures, and the rising cost of medical products and services (especially for companies dependent upon a relatively limited number of products or services). Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, government regulation, obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so), product liability and other similar litigation as well as product obsolescence.
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Sector Risk — Industrials Sector Investments. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in the industrials sector, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in that sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events and economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Sector Risk — Materials Investments. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in the materials sector, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the materials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the materials sector are subject to certain risks, including that many materials companies are significantly affected by the level and volatility of commodity prices, exchange rates, import controls, increased competition, environmental policies, consumer demand, and events occurring in nature. For instance, natural events (such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires in prime natural resource areas) and political events (such as government instability or military confrontations) can affect the value of companies involved in business activities in the materials sector. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, among others, that at times worldwide production of industrial materials has exceeded demand as a result of over-building or economic downturns, leading to poor investment returns or losses. Other risks may include liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The materials sector may also be affected by economic cycles, rising interest rates, high inflation, technical progress, labor relations, legislative or regulatory changes, local and international politics, and adverse market conditions. In addition, prices of, and thus the Fund’s investments in, precious metals are considered speculative and are affected by a variety of worldwide and economic, financial and political factors. Prices of precious metals may fluctuate sharply.
Sector Risk — Technology and Technology-Related Sector Investment Risk. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in technology and technology related sectors, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in those sectors, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Short Positions Risk. A Fund that establishes short positions introduces more risk to the Fund than a fund that only takes long positions (where the Fund owns the instrument or other asset) because the maximum sustainable loss on an instrument or other asset purchased (held long) is limited to the amount paid for the instrument or other asset plus the transaction costs, whereas there is no maximum price of the shorted instrument or other asset when purchased in the open market. Therefore, in theory, short positions have unlimited risk. The Fund’s use of short positions in effect “leverages” the Fund. Leverage potentially exposes the Fund to greater risks of loss due to unanticipated market movements, which may magnify losses and increase the volatility of returns. To the extent the Fund takes a short position in a derivative instrument or other asset, this involves the risk of a potentially unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument or other asset.
Small- and Mid-Cap Company Securities Risk. Securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies (small- and mid-cap companies) can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger, more established companies (larger companies) but may also have more risk. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in losses to the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
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Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
With respect to sovereign debt of emerging market issuers, investors should be aware that certain emerging market countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. At times, certain emerging market countries have declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt. Certain emerging market countries have experienced difficulty in servicing their sovereign debt on a timely basis and that has led to defaults and the restructuring of certain indebtedness to the detriment of debtholders. Sovereign debt risk is increased for emerging market issuers.
Special Situations Risk. Securities of companies that are involved in an initial public offering or a major corporate event, such as a business consolidation or restructuring, may be exposed to heightened risk because of the high degree of uncertainty that can be associated with such events. Securities issued in initial public offerings often are issued by companies that are in the early stages of development, have a history of little or no revenues and may operate at a loss following the offering. It is possible that there will be no active trading market for the securities after the offering, and that the market price of the securities may be subject to significant and unpredictable fluctuations. Initial public offerings are subject to many of the same risks as investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. To the extent the Fund determines to invest in initial public offerings, it may not be able to invest to the extent desired, because, for example, only a small portion (if any) of the securities being offered in an initial public offering are available to the Fund. The investment performance of the Fund during periods when it is unable to invest significantly or at all in initial public offerings may be lower than during periods when the Fund is able to do so. Securities purchased in initial public offerings which are sold within 12 months after purchase may result in increased short-term capital gains, which will be taxable to the Fund’s shareholders as ordinary income. Certain “special situation” investments are investments in securities or other instruments that are determined to be illiquid or lacking a readily ascertainable fair value. Certain special situation investments prevent ownership interests therein from being withdrawn until the special situation investment, or a portion thereof, is realized or deemed realized, which may negatively impact Fund performance. Investing in special situations may have a magnified effect on the performance of funds with small amounts of assets.
Stripped Securities Risk. Stripped securities are the separate income or principal components of debt securities. These securities are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, and therefore subject to greater fluctuations in price than typical interest bearing debt securities. For example, stripped mortgage-backed securities have greater interest rate risk than mortgage-backed securities with like maturities, and stripped treasury securities have greater interest rate risk than traditional government securities with identical credit ratings.
Systems and Technology Risk. The Investment Manager and, as the case may be, any Fund subadvisers, use various technology in managing the Fund, consistent with its investment objective and strategy described in the Fund’s prospectus. For example, proprietary and third-party data and systems may be utilized to support decision making for the Fund. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems, which may negatively affect Fund performance.
Terrorism, War, Natural Disaster and Epidemic Risk. Terrorism, war, military confrontations and related geopolitical events (and their aftermath) have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and environmental disasters, such as, for example, earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and weather-related phenomena generally, as well as widespread disease and virus epidemics, can be highly disruptive to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies, sectors, industries, markets, currencies, interest and inflation rates, credit ratings, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of the Funds’ investments.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by 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, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Valuation Risk. The sales price the Fund (or an underlying fund or other investment vehicle) could receive for any particular investment may differ from the Fund’s (or an underlying fund’s or other investment vehicle’s) valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology that produces an estimate of the fair value of the security/instrument, which may prove to be inaccurate. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund
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shares on days when the Fund is holding securities or other instruments (or holding shares of underlying funds or other investment vehicles that have fair-valued securities or other instruments in their portfolios) may receive fewer or more shares or lower or higher redemption proceeds than they would have received if the Fund (or underlying fund or other investment vehicle) had not fair-valued the security or instrument or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed-income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the market on which they are valued, but before the Fund determines its NAV.
Warrants and Rights Risk. Warrants are securities giving the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy the stock of an issuer at a given price (generally higher than the value of the stock at the time of issuance) during a specified period or perpetually. Warrants may be acquired separately or in connection with the acquisition of securities. Warrants do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. Warrants are subject to the risks associated with the security underlying the warrant, including market risk. Warrants may expire unexercised and subject the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price), which may result in Fund losses. Rights are available to existing shareholders of an issuer to enable them to maintain proportionate ownership in the issuer by being able to buy newly issued shares. Rights allow shareholders to buy the shares below the current market price. Rights are typically short-term instruments that are valued separately and trade in the secondary market during a subscription (or offering) period. Holders can exercise the rights and purchase the stock, sell the rights or let them expire. Their value, and their risk of investment loss, is a function of that of the underlying security.
Zero-Coupon Bonds Risk. Zero-coupon bonds are bonds that do not pay interest in cash on a current basis, but instead accrue interest over the life of the bond. As a result, these securities are issued at a discount and their values may fluctuate more than the values of similar securities that pay interest periodically. Although these securities pay no interest to holders prior to maturity, interest accrued on these securities is reported as income to the Fund and affects the amounts distributed to its shareholders, which may cause the Fund to sell investments to obtain cash to make income distributions to shareholders, including at times when it may not be advantageous to do so.
Auditor Independence Risk. The Fund prepares financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and has engaged PwC to serve as the independent accountant to the Fund. As the Fund’s independent accountant, PwC must meet regulatory requirements relating to independence, including the SEC’s auditor independence rules which prohibit accounting firms from having certain financial relationships with their audit clients and affiliated entities. Specifically, as interpreted by SEC staff, under Rule 2-01(c)(1)(ii)(A) of Regulation S-X (the Loan Rule), an accounting firm would not be considered independent if it receives a loan from a lender or an affiliate of a lender that is a “record or beneficial owner of more than ten percent of the audit client’s equity securities.” PwC has advised the Audit Committee of the Board that PwC and certain of its affiliates have loans from lenders who are also record owners of more than 10% of the shares issued by several funds in the Columbia Funds Complex or certain other entities within the Ameriprise Financial investment company complex.
On June 20, 2016, the SEC staff issued a “no-action” letter (the Loan Rule No-Action Letter) confirming that it would not recommend that the SEC commence enforcement action against a fund that continues to fulfill its regulatory requirements under the federal securities laws by using audit services performed by an audit firm that is not in compliance with the Loan Rule, provided that: (1) the audit firm has complied with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Rule 3526(b)(1) and 3526(b)(2) or, with respect to any fund or entity to which Rule 3526 does not apply, has provided substantially equivalent communications; (2) the audit firm’s non-compliance under the Loan Rule is limited to certain lending relationships; and (3) notwithstanding such non-compliance, the audit firm has concluded that it is objective and impartial with respect to the issues encompassed within its engagement. Although the Loan Rule No-Action Letter was issued to one fund complex, it is generally available to other fund complexes. The SEC staff stated that the relief under the Loan Rule No-Action Letter is temporary and will expire 18 months after the issuance of the letter.
After evaluating the facts and circumstances related to the Loan Rule and PwC’s lending relationships, PwC advised the Audit Committee of the Board that (1) PwC is independent with respect to the Fund, within the meaning of PCAOB Rule 3520, (2) PwC has concluded that it is objective and impartial with respect to the issues encompassed within its engagement, including the audit of the Fund’s financial statements, and (3) PwC believes that it can continue to serve as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. It is the Fund’s understanding that issues under the Loan Rule affect other major accounting firms and many mutual fund complexes. It is anticipated that an ultimate resolution of the issues under the Loan Rule will be achieved; however, if PwC were determined not to be independent or the Fund were unable to rely on the Loan Rule No-Action Letter or some form of exemptive relief, among other things, the financial statements audited by PwC may have to be audited by another independent registered public accounting firm and the Fund could incur additional expense and other burdens on its operations.
Certain of the risks described above in this SAI may also apply, directly or indirectly, to the Investment Manager and any investment subadviser and their affiliates, which may negatively impact their respective abilities to provide services to the Funds, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund or other consequences.
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Borrowings
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 Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has entered into a revolving credit facility agreement (the Credit Agreement) with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citibank N.A. and HSBC Bank USA, N.A. whereby the Funds may borrow for the temporary funding of shareholder redemptions or for other temporary or emergency purposes. Pursuant to a December 8, 2015 amendment, the Credit Agreement, which is a collective agreement between the Funds and certain other funds managed by the Investment Manager (collectively, the Participating Funds), severally and not jointly, permits the Participating Funds to borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $1 billion (the Commitment Limit) at any time outstanding, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Credit Agreement. A Fund may borrow up to the maximum amount allowable under its current Prospectus and this SAI, subject to various other legal, regulatory or contractual limits. Borrowing results in interest expense and other fees and expenses for a Fund that may impact that Fund’s expenses, including any net expense ratios. The costs of borrowing may reduce a Fund's return. If a Fund borrows pursuant to the Credit Agreement, that Fund is charged interest at a variable rate. Each Fund also pays a commitment fee equal to its pro rata share of the amount of the credit facility. The availability of assets under the Credit Agreement can be affected by other Participating Funds’ borrowings under the agreement. As such, a Fund may be unable to borrow (or borrow further) under the Credit Agreement if the Commitment Limit has been reached.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
To generate additional income, a Fund may lend up to 33%, or such lower percentage specified by the Fund or Investment Manager, of the value of its total assets (including securities out on loan) to broker-dealers, banks or other institutional borrowers of securities. JPMorgan serves as lending agent (the Lending Agent) to the Funds pursuant to a securities lending agreement (the Securities Lending Agreement) approved by the Board. Under the Securities Lending Agreement, the Lending Agent loans Fund securities to approved borrowers pursuant to borrower agreements in exchange for collateral at least equal in value to the loaned securities, marked to market daily. Collateral may consist of cash, securities issued by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities (collectively, “U.S. Government securities”) or such other collateral as may be approved by the Board. For loans secured by cash, the Fund retains the interest earned on cash collateral, but the Fund is required to pay the borrower a rebate for the use of the cash collateral. For loans secured by U.S. Government securities, the borrower pays a borrower fee to the Lending Agent on behalf of the Fund.
If the market value of the loaned securities goes up, the Fund will require additional collateral from the borrower. If the market value of the loaned securities goes down, the borrower may request that some collateral be returned. During the existence of the loan, the Fund will receive from the borrower amounts equivalent to any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities, as well as interest on such amounts.
Loans are subject to termination by a Fund or a borrower at any time. A Fund may choose to terminate a loan in order to vote in a proxy solicitation, as described in this SAI under Investment Management and Other Services – Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures – General.
Securities lending involves counterparty risk, including the risk that a borrower may not provide sufficient or any collateral when required or may not return the loaned securities, timely or at all. Counterparty risk also includes a potential loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower or the Lending Agent defaults or fails financially. This risk is increased if a Fund’s loans are concentrated with a single borrower or limited number of borrowers. There are no limits on the number of borrowers a Fund may use and a Fund may lend securities to only one or a small group of borrowers. Funds participating in securities lending also bear the risk of loss in connection with investments of cash collateral received from the borrowers. Cash collateral is invested in accordance with investment guidelines contained in the Securities Lending Agreement and approved by the Board. Some or all of the cash collateral received in connection with the securities lending program may be invested in one or more pooled investment vehicles, including, among other vehicles, money market funds managed by the Lending Agent (or its affiliates). The Lending Agent shares in any income resulting from the investment of such cash collateral, and an affiliate of the Lending Agent may receive asset-based fees for the management of such pooled investment vehicles, which may create a conflict of interest between the Lending Agent (or its affiliates) and the Fund with respect to the management of such cash collateral. To the extent that the value or return of a Fund’s investments of the cash collateral declines below the amount owed to a borrower, a Fund may incur losses that exceed the amount it earned on lending the security. The Lending Agent will indemnify a fund from losses resulting from a borrower’s failure to return a loaned security when due, but such indemnification does not extend to losses associated with declines in the value of cash collateral investments. The Investment Manager is not responsible for any loss incurred by the Funds in connection with the securities lending program.
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The Funds currently do not participate in the securities lending program, but the Board may determine to renew participation in the future.
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INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES
The Investment Manager and Subadvisers
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, is the investment manager of the Funds as well as for other funds in the Columbia Fund Family. The Investment Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, which is located at 1099 Ameriprise Financial Center, Minneapolis, MN 55474. Ameriprise Financial is a holding company, which primarily conducts business through its subsidiaries to provide financial planning, products and services that are designed to be utilized as solutions for clients’ cash and liquidity, asset accumulation, income, protection and estate and wealth transfer needs.
The Investment Manager and its investment advisory affiliates (Participating Affiliates) around the world may coordinate in providing services to their clients. Such coordination may include functional leadership of the business (the “Global” business). From time to time the Investment Manager (or any affiliated investment subadviser to the Funds, as the case may be) may engage its Participating Affiliates to provide a variety of services such as investment research, investment monitoring, trading, and discretionary investment management (including portfolio management) to certain accounts managed by the Investment Manager, including the Funds. These Participating Affiliates will provide services to the Investment Manager (or any affiliated investment subadviser to the Funds as the case may be) either pursuant to subadvisory agreements, personnel-sharing agreements or similar inter-company arrangements and the Funds will pay no additional fees and expenses as a result of any such arrangements. These Participating Affiliates, like the Investment Manager, are direct or indirect subsidiaries of Ameriprise Financial and are registered with the appropriate respective regulators in their home jurisdictions and, where required, the SEC and the CFTC in the United States.
Pursuant to some of these arrangements, certain employees of these Participating Affiliates may serve as “associated persons” of the Investment Manager and, in this capacity, subject to the oversight and supervision of the Investment Manager and consistent with the investment objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Funds' prospectuses and this SAI may provide such services to the Funds on behalf of the Investment Manager.
Services Provided
Each Fund has entered into the Management Agreement with the Investment Manager, effective as of the date set forth in the Management Agreement Fee Schedule table in the Management Agreement Fee Rates section below (the Management Agreement Effective Date). Under the Management Agreement, the Investment Manager has contracted to, subject to general oversight by the Board, manage and supervise the day-to-day operations and business affairs of the Funds. In this role, the Investment Manager furnishes each such Fund with investment research and advice and all of the services 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 the Fund or (b) required to be provided by any person pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement with the Fund. Under the Management Agreement, any liability of the Investment Manager to the Trusts, a Fund and/or its shareholders is limited to situations involving the Investment Manager’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence in the performance of its duties or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties.
The Management Agreement may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time on 60 days’ written notice by the Investment Manager or by the Board or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. The Management Agreement will automatically terminate upon any assignment thereof, will continue in effect for two years from its initial effective date 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 Board 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 Investment Manager or the Trusts, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
The Investment Manager pays all compensation of the Trustees and officers of the Trusts who are employees of the Investment Manager or its affiliates. Except to the extent expressly assumed by the Investment Manager and except to the extent required by law to be paid or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager does not have a duty to pay any Fund operating expenses incurred in the organization and operation of a Fund, including, but not limited to, auditing, legal, custodial, investor servicing and shareholder reporting expenses. The Fund pays the cost of printing and mailing Fund prospectuses to shareholders.
The Investment Manager, at its own expense, provides office space, facilities and supplies, equipment and personnel for the performance of its functions under each Fund’s Management Agreement.
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Management Agreement Fee Rates
Each Fund set forth in the table below, unless otherwise noted, pays the Investment Manager an annual fee for its management services, as set forth in the Management Agreement and the table below, as of the date specified in the Management Agreement Effective Date column. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of each Fund and is paid monthly. The Investment Manager and/or its affiliates may from time to time waive fees and/or reimburse certain Fund expenses. See the Funds’ prospectuses for more information.
Management Agreement Fee Schedule
Fund Assets
(millions)
Annual rate at
each asset level
Management Agreement
Effective Date
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund $0-$500 0.970% 3/1/2016
  >$500-$1,000 0.965%  
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.935%  
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.910%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.875%  
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.850%  
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.835%  
  >$9,000-$10,000 0.830%  
  >$10,000-$12,000 0.820%  
  >$12,000-$15,000 0.810%  
  >$15,000-$20,000 0.800%  
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.790%  
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.770%  
  >$50,000 0.750%  
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund $0-$250 0.470% 9/1/2015
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund >$250-$500 0.465% 9/1/2015
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund >$500-$1,000 0.415% 9/1/2015
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund >$1,000-$1,500 0.380% 9/1/2015
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund >$1,500-$3,000 0.350% 9/1/2015
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund >$3,000-$6,000 0.330% 9/1/2015
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.320%  
  >$12,000 0.310%  
Diversified Equity Income Fund $0-$500 0.720% 10/1/2015
Dividend Opportunity Fund >$500-$1,000 0.670% 10/1/2015
Global Equity Value Fund >$1,000-$1,500 0.620% 7/1/2015
Global Opportunities Fund (b) >$1,500-$3,000 0.570% 12/1/2015
MM Value Strategies Fund >$3,000-$6,000 0.550% 10/1/2015
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.530%  
  >$12,000 0.520%  
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund $0-$250 0.880% 3/1/2016
European Equity Fund >$250-$500 0.855% 3/1/2016
Select Global Equity Fund >$500-$750 0.825% 3/1/2016
  >$750-$1,000 0.800%  
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.770%  
  >$1,500-$3,000 0.720%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.700%  
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.680%  
  >$12,000-$20,000 0.670%  
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.660%  
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.650%  
  >$50,000 0.620%  
Commodity Strategy Fund (c) $0-$500 0.630% 10/1/2015
  >$500-$1,000 0.580%  
  >$1,000-$3,000 0.550%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.520%  
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.500%  
  >$12,000 0.490%  
Convertible Securities Fund $0-$500 0.820% 7/1/2015
  >$500-$1,000 0.770%  
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.720%  
  >$1,500 0.670%  
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 88

 

Fund Assets
(millions)
Annual rate at
each asset level
Management Agreement
Effective Date
Disciplined Core Fund $0-$500 0.750% 12/1/2015
Disciplined Growth Fund >$500-$1,000 0.700% 12/1/2015
Disciplined Value Fund >$1,000-$1,500 0.650% 12/1/2015
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund >$1,500-$3,000 0.600% 7/1/2015
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.580%  
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.560%  
  >$12,000 0.550%  
Emerging Markets Bond Fund $0-$500 0.600% 3/1/2016
  >$500-$1,000 0.590%  
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.575%  
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.555%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.530%  
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.505%  
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.490%  
  >$9,000-$10,000 0.481%  
  >$10,000-$12,000 0.469%  
  >$12,000-$15,000 0.459%  
  >$15,000-$20,000 0.449%  
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.433%  
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.414%  
  >$50,000 0.393%  
Flexible Capital Income Fund $0-$500 0.650% 10/1/2015
  >$500-$1,000 0.630%  
  >$1,000-$3,000 0.610%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.570%  
  >$6,000 0.540%  
Floating Rate Fund $0-$250 0.660% 12/1/2015
High Yield Bond Fund >$250-$500 0.645% 10/1/2015
Income Opportunities Fund >$500-$750 0.635% 12/1/2015
  >$750-$1,000 0.625%  
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.610%  
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.600%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.565%  
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.540%  
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.525%  
  >$9,000-$10,000 0.500%  
  >$10,000-$12,000 0.485%  
  >$12,000-$15,000 0.475%  
  >$15,000-$20,000 0.465%  
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.440%  
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.425%  
  >$50,000 0.400%  
Global Bond Fund $0-$500 0.650% 3/1/2016
  >$500-$1,000 0.645%  
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.595%  
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.590%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.575%  
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.570%  
  >$7,500-$12,000 0.560%  
  >$12,000-$20,000 0.540%  
  >$20,000-$50,000 0.530%  
  >$50,000 0.520%  
Global Infrastructure Fund $0-$500 0.710% 9/1/2015
  >$500-$1,000 0.705%  
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.650%  
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.600%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.590%  
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.540%  
  >$12,000 0.530%  
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 89

 

Fund Assets
(millions)
Annual rate at
each asset level
Management Agreement
Effective Date
Government Money Market Fund $0-$500 0.390% 12/1/2015
  >$500-$1,000 0.385%  
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.363%  
  >$1,500-$2,000 0.345%  
  >$2,000-$2,500 0.328%  
  >$2,500-$3,000 0.310%  
  >$3,000-$5,000 0.300%  
  >$5,000-$6,000 0.280%  
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.260%  
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.255%  
  >$9,000-$10,000 0.230%  
  >$10,000-$12,000 0.220%  
  >$12,000-$15,000 0.210%  
  >$15,000-$20,000 0.200%  
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.190%  
  >$24,000 0.180%  
Inflation Protected Securities Fund $0-$500 0.510% 12/1/2015
  >$500-$1,000 0.505%  
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.475%  
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.450%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.415%  
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.390%  
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.375%  
  >$9,000-$10,000 0.370%  
  >$10,000-$12,000 0.360%  
  >$12,000-$15,000 0.350%  
  >$15,000-$20,000 0.340%  
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.330%  
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.310%  
  >$50,000 0.290%  
Large Cap Growth Fund III $0-$500 0.770% 7/1/2015
Select Large Cap Equity Fund >$500-$1,000 0.720% 7/1/2015
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.670%  
  >$1,500-$3,000 0.620%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.600%  
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.580%  
  >$12,000 0.570%  
Large Cap Index Fund (a)
Mid Cap Index Fund
Small Cap Index Fund (a)
All assets
0.200%
7/1/2015
7/1/2015
7/1/2015
Limited Duration Credit Fund $0-$500 0.430% 12/1/2015
Short Term Bond Fund >$500-$1,000 0.425% 8/1/2015
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund >$1,000-$2,000 0.415% 9/1/2015
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.410%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.395%  
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.380%  
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.365%  
  >$9,000-$10,000 0.360%  
  >$10,000-$12,000 0.350%  
  >$12,000-$15,000 0.340%  
  >$15,000-$20,000 0.330%  
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.320%  
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.300%  
  >$50,000 0.280%  
Mid Cap Value Fund $0-$500 0.820% 7/1/2015
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund >$500-$1,000 0.770% 10/1/2015
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.720%  
  >$1,500-$3,000 0.670%  
  >$3,000-$12,000 0.660%  
  >$12,000 0.650%  
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 90

 

Fund Assets
(millions)
Annual rate at
each asset level
Management Agreement
Effective Date
MN Tax-Exempt Fund $0-$250 0.470% 12/1/2015
  >$250-$500 0.465%  
  >$500-$1,000 0.415%  
  >$1,000-$3,000 0.380%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.340%  
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.330%  
  >$7,500-$12,000 0.320%  
  >$12,000 0.310%  
Mortgage Opportunities Fund $0-$500 0.650% 10/1/2015
  >$500-$1,000 0.645%  
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.630%  
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.620%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.595%  
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.580%  
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.565%  
  >$9,000-$10,000 0.555%  
  >$10,000-$12,000 0.545%  
  >$12,000 0.535%  
Overseas Value Fund $0-$500 0.870% 7/1/2015
Select Global Growth Fund >$500-$1,000 0.820% 7/1/2015
Select International Equity Fund >$1,000-$1,500 0.770% 7/1/2015
  >$1,500-$3,000 0.720%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.700%  
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.680%  
  >$12,000 0.670%  
Select Large-Cap Value Fund $0-$500 0.770% 10/1/2015
  >$500-$1,000 0.715%  
  >$1,000-$3,000 0.615%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.600%  
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.580%  
  >$12,000 0.570%  
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund $0-$500 0.870% 10/1/2015
Small Cap Value Fund II >$500-$1,000 0.820% 7/1/2015
  >$1,000-$3,000 0.770%  
  >$3,000-$12,000 0.760%  
  >$12,000 0.750%  
Seligman Communications and Information Fund $0-$500 0.915% 10/1/2015
Seligman Global Technology Fund >$500-$1,000 0.910% 3/1/2016
  >$1,000-$3,000 0.905%  
  >$3,000-$4,000 0.865%  
  >$4,000-$6,000 0.815%  
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.765%  
  >$12,000 0.755%  
Strategic Municipal Income Fund $0-$500 0.480% 12/1/2015
  >$500-$1,000 0.475%  
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.445%  
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.420%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.385%  
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.360%  
  >$7,500-$10,000 0.350%  
  >$10,000-$12,000 0.340%  
  >$12,000-$15,000 0.330%  
  >$15,000-$24,000 0.320%  
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.300%  
  >$50,000 0.290%  
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 91

 

Fund Assets
(millions)
Annual rate at
each asset level
Management Agreement
Effective Date
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund $0-$500 0.500% 10/1/2015
  >$500-$1,000 0.495%  
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.480%  
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.460%  
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.450%  
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.430%  
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.415%  
  >$9,000-$12,000 0.410%  
  >$12,000-$20,000 0.390%  
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.380%  
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.360%  
  >$50,000 0.340%  
(a) The Investment Manager, from the management services fee it receives from the Fund, pays all operating expenses of the Fund, with the exception of brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of Trustees who are not officers, directors or employees of the Investment Manager or its affiliates, distribution (Rule 12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing fees and any extraordinary non-recurring expenses that may arise, including litigation expenses.
(b) This fee applies to assets invested in securities, other than underlying funds (including any exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) that pay a management services fee (or an investment advisory services fee, as applicable) to the Investment Manager, including other funds advised by the Investment Manager that do not pay a management services fee (or an investment advisory services fee, as applicable), derivatives and individual securities. The Fund does not pay a management services fee on assets that are invested in underlying funds, including any ETFs, that pay a management services fee (or an investment advisory services fee, as applicable) to the Investment Manager.
(c) When calculating asset levels for purposes of determining fee breakpoints, asset levels are based on net assets of the Fund, including assets invested in any wholly-owned subsidiary advised by the Investment Manager (“Subsidiaries”). Fees payable by the Fund under this agreement shall be reduced by any management services fees paid to the Investment Manager by any Subsidiaries under separate management agreements with the Subsidiaries.
Capital Allocation Portfolios and Global Strategic Equity Fund. The Investment Manager has implemented a schedule for the Capital Allocation Portfolios’ and Global Strategic Equity Fund’s management services fees whereby each of the Funds pay (i) 0.02% on net assets invested in funds advised by the Investment Manager (excluding any underlying funds that do not pay a management services fee (or investment advisory services fee, as applicable) to the Investment Manager), (ii) 0.12% on net assets invested in non-exchange-traded third-party advised mutual funds and (iii) 0.57% on net assets invested in securities, other than third-party advised mutual funds, and in the Investment Manager’s proprietary funds that do not pay a management services fee (or investment advisory services fee, as applicable) (including exchange-traded funds, derivatives and individual securities).
Income Builder Fund. Effective June 1, 2016, the Investment Manager implemented a schedule for Income Builder Fund’s management services fee whereby the Fund pays 0.02% on all net assets.
Under the Management Agreement, each Fund also pays taxes, brokerage commissions and nonadvisory expenses, which include custodian fees and charges; fidelity bond premiums; certain legal fees; registration fees for shares; consultants’ fees; compensation of Board members, officers and employees not employed by the Investment Manager or its affiliates; corporate filing fees; organizational expenses; expenses incurred in connection with lending securities; interest and fee expense related to a Fund’s participation in inverse floater structures; and expenses properly payable by a Fund, approved by the Board.
Management Services Fees Paid. The table below shows the total management services fees paid by each Fund, as applicable, under the Management Agreement for the last three fiscal periods (net of management services fee waivers). Amounts shown for the first period that management services fees were paid for each Fund are for the period from the Fund’s Management Agreement Effective Date through the applicable fiscal year end. The table is organized by fiscal year end. For more information about fees waived or Fund expenses reimbursed by the Investment Manager, see Expense Limitations .
Management Services Fees
  Management Services Fees
  2017 2016 2015
For Funds with fiscal period ending January 31
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio $311,820 N/A N/A
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio 171,139 N/A N/A
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio 1,246,595 N/A N/A
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio 342,957 N/A N/A
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio 566,230 N/A N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 92

 

  Management Services Fees
  2017 2016 2015
Global Strategic Equity Fund $304,984 N/A N/A
Income Builder Fund 163,112 N/A N/A
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29
Convertible Securities Fund 5,551,577 $5,972,086 N/A
Global Equity Value Fund 5,677,091 4,248,921 N/A
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund 3,134,413 2,365,143 N/A
Large Cap Growth Fund III 7,391,898 4,396,858 N/A
Large Cap Index Fund 7,076,399 4,590,574 N/A
Mid Cap Index Fund 7,665,983 4,777,939 N/A
Mid Cap Value Fund 19,546,167 14,287,231 N/A
Overseas Value Fund 5,921,257 3,577,195 N/A
Select Global Growth Fund 530,300 400,424 N/A
Select International Equity Fund 3,705,800 3,063,926 N/A
Select Large Cap Equity Fund 4,290,986 2,709,619 N/A
Small Cap Index Fund 6,522,513 4,017,529 N/A
Small Cap Value Fund II 12,974,319 8,180,417 N/A
For Funds with fiscal period ending March 31
Short Term Bond Fund 7,941,686 5,575,272 N/A
For Funds with fiscal period ending April 30
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 2,106,368 1,309,349 N/A
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 356,944 240,970 N/A
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 426,149 276,125 N/A
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 1,037,000 627,858 N/A
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 648,545 424,784 N/A
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 1,000,226 680,257 N/A
Global Infrastructure Fund 1,493,551 1,178,822 N/A
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund 7,003,233 5,076,291 N/A
  2016 2015 2014
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31
Commodity Strategy Fund 195,028 N/A N/A
Diversified Equity Income Fund 9,865,401 N/A N/A
Dividend Opportunity Fund 18,083,150 N/A N/A
Flexible Capital Income Fund 2,230,150 N/A N/A
High Yield Bond Fund 7,902,289 N/A N/A
MM Value Strategies Fund 7,754,741 N/A N/A
Mortgage Opportunities Fund 980,392 N/A N/A
Select Large-Cap Value Fund 4,067,063 N/A N/A
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund 2,688,711 N/A N/A
Seligman Communications and Information Fund 23,179,334 N/A N/A
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund 4,739,461 N/A N/A
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 6,533,862 N/A N/A
For Funds with fiscal period ending July 31
Disciplined Core Fund 16,625,979 N/A N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 93

 

  Management Services Fees
  2016 2015 2014
Disciplined Growth Fund $2,485,526 N/A N/A
Disciplined Value Fund 4,383,841 N/A N/A
Floating Rate Fund 3,424,387 N/A N/A
Global Opportunities Fund 2,803,671 N/A N/A
Government Money Market Fund 3,882,166 N/A N/A
Income Opportunities Fund 11,054,310 N/A N/A
Inflation Protected Securities Fund 554,045 N/A N/A
Limited Duration Credit Fund 2,403,458 N/A N/A
MN Tax-Exempt Fund 1,622,216 N/A N/A
Strategic Municipal Income Fund 2,253,125 N/A N/A
For Funds with fiscal period ending October 31
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund 431,649 N/A N/A
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund 219,365 N/A N/A
Emerging Markets Bond Fund 1,753,043 N/A N/A
European Equity Fund 2,782,742 N/A N/A
Global Bond Fund 367,631 N/A N/A
Select Global Equity Fund 2,381,227 N/A N/A
Seligman Global Technology Fund 3,916,986 N/A N/A
Investment Management Services Agreement
Prior to the Management Agreement Effective Date listed for each Fund in the Management Agreement Fee Rates section above, each Fund, unless otherwise noted, was party to the Investment Management Services Agreement and the Administrative Services Agreement with the Investment Manager for advisory and administrative services, respectively. Each Fund party to these agreements paid the Investment Manager an annual fee for advisory services, as set forth in the Investment Management Services Agreement, and a separate fee for administrative services under the Administrative Services Agreement. See Investment Management and Other Services – The Administrator for information with respect to the Administrative Services Agreement. As of the Management Agreement Effective Date listed for each Fund, these services have been combined under the Management Agreement as described above.
Services Provided Under the Investment Management Services Agreement
Under the Investment Management Services Agreement, the Investment Manager was contracted to furnish each Fund with investment research and advice. For these services, unless otherwise noted, each Fund paid a monthly fee to the Investment Manager based on the daily closing value of the total net assets of a Fund. Under the Investment Management Services Agreement, any liability of the Investment Manager to the Trusts, a Fund and/or its shareholders is limited to situations involving the Investment Manager’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence in the performance of its duties or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties.
Investment Advisory Services Fee
Prior to the Management Agreement Effective Date, the investment advisory services fee was calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of each Fund and was paid monthly at the annual rates set forth in the Investment Management Services Agreement.
Investment Advisory Services Fees Paid. The table below shows the total investment advisory services fees paid by each Fund under the Investment Management Services Agreement for the last three fiscal periods (net of investment advisory services fee waivers). Beginning with the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016, amounts shown are for the period from the first day of the applicable fiscal year through the Fund's Management Agreement Effective Date (see Management Agreement Fee Schedule ). As of each Fund's Management Agreement Effective Date, the Fund no longer paid these fees. The table is organized by fiscal year end. For more information about fees waived or Fund expenses reimbursed by the Investment Manager, see Expense Limitations .
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 94

 

Investment Advisory Services Fees
  Investment Advisory Services Fees
Fund      
For Funds with fiscal period ending January 31 2017 2016 2015
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio $118,623 $401,992 $426,438
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio $55,598 $154,823 $196,172
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio $488,858 $1,571,091 $1,471,771
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio $103,979 $347,094 $367,285
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio $175,134 $793,979 $843,399
Global Strategic Equity Fund $133,498 $227,275 $1,655
Income Builder Fund $0 $0 $0
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29 2017 2016 2015
Convertible Securities Fund N/A $3,355,564 $8,505,776
Global Equity Value Fund N/A $2,205,910 $6,781,114
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund N/A $1,032,142 $2,073,563
Large Cap Growth Fund III N/A $2,426,665 $7,353,958
Large Cap Index Fund N/A $1,247,854 $3,376,904
Mid Cap Index Fund N/A $1,355,862 $3,796,538
Mid Cap Value Fund N/A $8,110,237 $25,209,623
Overseas Value Fund N/A $1,812,605 $5,794,788
Select Global Growth Fund N/A $162,765 $386,626
Select International Equity Fund N/A $1,683,225 $4,803,237
Select Large Cap Equity Fund N/A $1,176,823 $3,624,989
Small Cap Index Fund N/A $1,120,310 $2,955,890
Small Cap Value Fund II N/A $4,226,817 $13,008,314
For Funds with fiscal period ending March 31 2017 2016 2015
Short Term Bond Fund N/A $2,586,348 $8,903,586
For Funds with fiscal period ending April 30 2017 2016 2015
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund N/A $529,540 $1,351,276
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund N/A $104,676 $312,006
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund N/A $120,101 $356,411
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund N/A $247,175 $712,383
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund N/A $179,119 $499,365
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund N/A $298,140 $906,282
Global Infrastructure Fund N/A $774,298 $2,846,913
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund N/A $2,278,923 $7,245,916
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31 2016 2015 2014
Commodity Strategy Fund $87,216 $212,324 $329,377
Diversified Equity Income Fund $4,988,283 $15,589,838 $16,132,596
Dividend Opportunity Fund $9,681,220 $33,119,141 $32,346,334
Flexible Capital Income Fund $1,392,346 $3,544,285 $1,167,007
High Yield Bond Fund $3,647,195 $11,242,538 $10,875,206
MM Value Strategies Fund $3,555,830 $10,689,157 $7,259,435
Mortgage Opportunities Fund $427,931 $924,415 $43,165 (a)
Select Large-Cap Value Fund $2,246,081 $6,698,053 $4,879,253
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 95

 

  Investment Advisory Services Fees
Fund      
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund $1,312,061 $3,800,160 $3,684,668
Seligman Communications and Information Fund $11,444,815 $31,947,356 $28,396,766
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund $2,643,727 $9,292,293 $11,588,133
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund $2,760,910 $7,898,784 $8,269,387
For Funds with fiscal period ending July 31 2016 2015 2014
Disciplined Core Fund $7,974,794 $24,409,533 $22,537,250
Disciplined Growth Fund $1,371,566 $4,427,170 $3,631,799
Disciplined Value Fund $2,135,743 $6,327,050 $4,021,684
Floating Rate Fund $1,763,604 $5,574,076 $6,369,286
Global Opportunities Fund $1,378,722 $4,648,782 $5,142,134
Government Money Market Fund $1,710,367 $5,435,872 $5,912,176
Income Opportunities Fund $5,456,672 $17,817,834 $17,488,842
Inflation Protected Securities Fund $260,455 $1,038,993 $1,192,132
Limited Duration Credit Fund $1,268,257 $4,186,864 $3,924,329
MN Tax-Exempt Fund $634,080 $1,815,243 $1,690,284
Strategic Municipal Income Fund $854,785 $2,435,643 $2,283,062
For Funds with fiscal period ending October 31 2016 2015 2014
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund $183,044 $449,640 $481,124
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund $147,642 $7,913,996 $5,197,521
Emerging Markets Bond Fund $762,653 $3,059,414 $4,022,583
European Equity Fund $1,383,075 $4,364,342 $4,572,257
Global Bond Fund $169,200 $644,858 $843,306
Select Global Equity Fund $1,066,294 $3,069,683 $3,159,681
Seligman Global Technology Fund $1,667,188 $4,860,066 $4,017,147
(a) For the period from April 30, 2014 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
Manager of Managers Exemption
The SEC has issued an order that permits the Investment Manager, 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 such subadvisers from time to time without the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the change.
In order for Seligman Communications and Information Fund to rely on the order, holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities would first need to approve operating the Fund in this manner. There is no assurance shareholder approval, if sought, will be received, and no changes will be made without shareholder approval until that time.
The Investment Manager 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 Investment Manager discloses to the Board the nature of any such material relationships .
Subadvisory Agreements
The assets of certain Funds are managed by subadvisers that have been selected by the Investment Manager, subject to the review and approval of the Board. Generally, the Investment Manager recommends a subadviser to the Board based upon its assessment of the skills of the subadvisers in managing other assets in accordance with objectives and investment strategies substantially similar to those of the applicable Fund. Among other responsibilities, the Investment Manager (i) monitors on a daily basis the compliance of the subadviser with the investment objectives and related policies of the Fund, (ii) assesses changes to the subadvisers' business brought to the Investment Manager’s attention by subadviser or otherwise publicly announced, (iii) performs due diligence reviews of the subadviser, (iv) monitors the performance of each subadviser and (v) regularly
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 96

 

provides reports on such performance to the Board. However, short-term investment performance is not the only factor in selecting or terminating a subadviser, and the Investment Manager does not expect to make frequent changes of subadvisers. Subadvisers affiliated with the Investment Manager must be approved by shareholders.
The Investment Manager allocates the assets of a Fund with multiple subadvisers among the subadvisers. Each subadviser has discretion, subject to oversight by the Board and the Investment Manager, to purchase and sell portfolio assets, consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions. Generally, the services that a subadviser provides to the Fund are limited to asset management and related recordkeeping services.
The Investment Manager has entered into a subadvisory agreement with each subadviser under which the subadviser provides investment advisory and portfolio management assistance to some or all of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, subject to the oversight by the Investment Manager. A subadviser may also serve as a discretionary or non-discretionary investment adviser to management or advisory accounts that are unrelated in any manner to the Investment Manager or its affiliates.
The following table shows the subadvisory fee schedules for fees paid by the Investment Manager to subadvisers for Funds that have subadvisers. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of the applicable Fund (or portion thereof subadvised by the applicable subadviser), subject to any exceptions as noted in the table below, and is paid monthly. The table is organized by fiscal year end.
Subadvisers and Subadvisory Agreement Fee Schedules
Fund Subadviser Parent
Company/Other
Information
Fee Schedule
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29
Select International Equity Fund Threadneedle
(effective April 11, 2011)
A 0.35% on the first $150 million declining to 0.20% as assets increase
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31
Commodity Strategy Fund Threadneedle
(effective July 28, 2011)
A 0.25% on all assets
MM Value Strategies Fund DFA
(effective December 11, 2013)
B 0.20% on the first $100 million, reducing to 0.10% as assets increase
Diamond Hill
(effective October 1, 2016)
C 0.30% on the first $100 million, reducing to 0.25% as assets increase
For Funds with fiscal period ending October 31
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund Threadneedle
(effective July 15, 2009)
A 0.45% on all assets
European Equity Fund Threadneedle
(effective July 9, 2004)
A 0.35% on all assets
Select Global Equity Fund Threadneedle
(effective July 9, 2004)
A 0.35% on all as assets
A – Threadneedle is a direct subsidiary of Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings Limited and an affiliate of the Investment Manager, and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. Threadneedle and Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings Limited are located at Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG, United Kingdom.
B – Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, located at 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, Texas 78746, is controlled and operated by its general partner, Dimensional Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation.
C – Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc., located at 325 John H. McConnell Boulevard, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43215, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc., an Ohio corporation.
The following table shows the subadvisory fees paid by the Investment Manager to subadvisers in the last three fiscal periods or, if shorter, since the Fund’s commencement of operations. The table is organized by fiscal year end.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 97

 

    Subadvisory Fees Paid
Fund Subadviser 2017 2016 2015
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29
Large Cap Growth Fund III Former subadviser: Marsico Capital (through November 20, 2015) N/A $2,692,856 (a) $3,182,091
Select Global Growth Fund Former subadviser: Marsico Capital (through November 20, 2015) N/A 152,297 (a) 144,680
Select International Equity Fund Threadneedle $1,316,516 1,559,218 1,307,322
Fund Subadviser 2016 2015 2014
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31
Commodity Strategy Fund Threadneedle 116,536 96,596 149,993
MM Value Strategies Fund DFA 1,148,135 1,031,416 343,068 (b)
Diamond Hill (c) N/A N/A N/A
For Funds with fiscal period ending October 31
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund Threadneedle 193,781 4,745,849 3,005,644
European Equity Fund Threadneedle 1,730,940 1,953,925 2,046,253
Select Global Equity Fund Threadneedle 1,424,788 1,361,961 1,398,229
(a) For the period from March 1, 2015 to November 20, 2015.
(b) For the period from December 11, 2013 to May 31, 2014.
(c) The subadviser began managing the Fund after its last fiscal year end; therefore there are no fees to report.
Portfolio Managers. The following table provides information about the portfolio managers of each Fund (other than Government Money Market Fund) . The references in the Potential Conflicts of Interest and the Structure of Compensation columns in the table below refer, respectively, to the descriptions in the Potential Conflicts of Interest and Structure of Compensation subsections immediately following the table. The table is organized by fiscal year end.
    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund) Ownership
of Fund
Shares
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure
of
Compensation
Fund Portfolio Manager Number
and Type
of Account *
Approximate
Total Net
Assets
Performance-
Based
Accounts **
For Funds with fiscal year ending January 31 – Information is as of January 31, 2017, unless otherwise noted
Capital Allocation
Aggressive Portfolio
Jeffrey Knight 26 RICs
2 PIVs
6 other accounts
$67.93 billion
$16.31 million
$16.09 million
None None Columbia Management
- FoF
Columbia Management
Anwiti Bahuguna 22 RICs
22 PIVs
16 other accounts
$65.62 billion
$2.43 billion
$97.77 million
None None
Joshua Kutin 12 RICs
4 PIVs
8 other accounts
$7.65 billion
$0.47 million
$47.36 million
None None
Dan Boncarosky 10 RICs
2 other accounts
$5.34 billion
$0.19 million
None None
Capital Allocation
Conservative Portfolio
Jeffrey Knight 26 RICs
2 PIVs
6 other accounts
$68.34 billion
$16.31 million
$16.09 million
None None Columbia Management
- FoF
Columbia Management
Anwiti Bahuguna 22 RICs
22 PIVs
16 other accounts
$66.03 billion
$2.43 billion
$97.77 million
None None
Joshua Kutin 12 RICs
4 PIVs
8 other accounts
$8.06 billion
$0.47 million
$47.36 million
None None
Dan Boncarosky 10 RICs
2 other accounts
$5.75 billion
$0.19 million
None None
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 98

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund) Ownership
of Fund
Shares
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure
of
Compensation
Fund Portfolio Manager Number
and Type
of Account *
Approximate
Total Net
Assets
Performance-
Based
Accounts **
Capital Allocation
Moderate Aggressive
Portfolio
Jeffrey Knight 26 RICs
2 PIVs
6 other accounts
$66.48 billion
$16.31 million
$16.09 million
None None Columbia Management
- FoF
Columbia Management
Anwiti Bahuguna 22 RICs
22 PIVs
16 other accounts
$64.17 billion
$2.43 billion
$97.77 million
None $1-
$10,000 (b)
Joshua Kutin 12 RICs
4 PIVs
8 other accounts
$6.20 billion
$0.47 million
$47.36 million
None None
Dan Boncarosky 10 RICs
2 other accounts
$3.89 billion
$0.19 million
None $1-
$10,000 (a)
Capital Allocation
Moderate Conservative
Portfolio
Jeffrey Knight 26 RICs
2 PIVs
6 other accounts
$67.99 billion
$16.31 million
$16.09 million
None None Columbia Management
- FoF
Columbia Management
Anwiti Bahuguna 22 RICs
22 PIVs
16 other accounts
$65.68 billion
$2.43 billion
$97.77 million
None $1-
$10,000 (b)
Joshua Kutin 12 RICs
4 PIVs
8 other accounts
$7.71 billion
$0.47 million
$47.36 million
None None
Dan Boncarosky 10 RICs
2 other accounts
$5.40 billion
$0.19 million
None None
Capital Allocation
Moderate Portfolio
Jeffrey Knight 26 RICs
2 PIVs
6 other accounts
$67.08 billion
$16.31 million
$16.09 million
None None Columbia Management
- FoF
Columbia Management
Anwiti Bahuguna 22 RICs
22 PIVs
16 other accounts
$64.76 billion
$2.43 billion
$97.77 million
None None
Joshua Kutin 12 RICs
4 PIVs
8 other accounts
$6.80 billion
$0.47 million
$47.36 million
None None
Dan Boncarosky 10 RICs
2 other accounts
$4.49 billion
$0.19 million
None None
Global Strategic Equity Fund Melda Mergen 2 RICs
12 other accounts
$1.38 billion
$365.89 million
None None Columbia Management
- FoF
Columbia Management
Mark Burgess 3 PIVs
11 other accounts
$3.07 billion
$22.74 billion
None None (c) Threadneedle Threadneedle
Income Builder Fund Colin Lundgren 2 RICs
91 other accounts
$3.40 billion
$1.16 billion
None Over
$1,000,000 (a)
$100,001-
$500,000 (b)
Columbia Management
– IB
Columbia Management
Gene Tannuzzo 6 RICs
1 PIV
98 other accounts
$3.63 billion
$0.40 million
$1.20 billion
None $100,001-
$500,000 (a)
For Funds with fiscal year ending February 28/29 – Information is as of February 28, 2017, unless otherwise noted
Convertible Securities
Fund
David L. King 3 RICs
6 other accounts
$2.02 billion
$24.07 million
None Over
$1,000,000 (a)
$100,001-
$500,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Yan Jin 3 RICs
7 other accounts
$2.02 billion
$2.52 million
None $100,001-
$500,000 (a)
$10,001-
$50,000 (b)
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 99

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund) Ownership
of Fund
Shares
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure
of
Compensation
Fund Portfolio Manager Number
and Type
of Account *
Approximate
Total Net
Assets
Performance-
Based
Accounts **
Global Equity
Value Fund
Fred Copper 3 RICs
1 PIV
6 other accounts
$813.67 million
$111.55 million
$24.68 million
None $10,001-
$50,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Melda Mergen 2 RICs
12 other accounts
$1.24 billion
$380.96 million
None None
Peter Santoro 5 RICs
2 PIVs
64 other accounts
$11.87 billion
$773.18 million
$1.75 billion
None None
Peter Schroeder 1 RIC
7 other accounts
$0.00
$0.64 million
None $10,001-
$50,000 (b)
Large Cap
Enhanced Core
Fund
Brian M. Condon 20 RICs
4 PIVs
48 other accounts
$13.19 billion
$135.28 million
$6.00 billion
None $100,001-
$500,000 (a)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Peter Albanese 8 RICs
3 PIVs
43 other accounts
$13.06 billion
$135.21 million
$6.00 billion
None None
Large Cap Growth Fund III Peter Deininger 2 RICs
8 other accounts
$4.96 billion
$264.70 million
None None Columbia Management Columbia Management
John Wilson 2 RICs
10 other accounts
$4.96 billion
$278.21 million
None None
Tchintcia S. Barros 2 RICs
7 other accounts
$4.96 billion
$264.28 million
None None
Large Cap
Index
Fund
Christopher Lo 15 RICs
1 PIV
57 other accounts
$9.67 billion
$224.27 million
$847.45 million
None $50,001-
$100,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Vadim Shteyn 3 RICs
1 PIV
296 other accounts
$8.69 billion
$224.27 million
$635.28 million
None None
Mid Cap Index
Fund
Christopher Lo 15 RICs
1 PIV
57 other accounts
$8.92 billion
$224.27 million
$847.45 million
None $10,001-
$50,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Vadim Shteyn 3 RICs
1 PIV
296 other accounts
$7.94 billion
$224.27 million
$635.28 million
None None
Mid Cap Value
Fund
David Hoffman 3 RICs
2 PIVs
7 other accounts
$1.41 billion
$242.59 million
$60.02 million
None $500,001-
$1,000,000 (a)
$50,001
$100,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Jonas Patrikson 1 RIC
2 PIVs
7 other accounts
$285.77 million
$242.59 million
$14.95 million
None $50,001-
$100,000 (b)
Diane Sobin 1 RIC
2 PIVs
16 other accounts
$285.77 million
$242.59 million
$9.96 billion
None None
Nicolas Janvier 1 RIC
2 PIVs
2 other account
$285.77 million
$242.59 million
$1.13 billion
None None (c) Threadneedle Threadneedle
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 100

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund) Ownership
of Fund
Shares
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure
of
Compensation
Fund Portfolio Manager Number
and Type
of Account *
Approximate
Total Net
Assets
Performance-
Based
Accounts **
Overseas Value
Fund
Fred Copper 3 RICs
1 PIV
6 other accounts
$927.47 million
$111.55 million
$24.68 million
None $100,001-
$500,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Daisuke Nomoto 2 RICs
1 PIV
3 other accounts
$272.47 million
$111.55 million
$0.89 million
None None
Select Global Growth Fund Thomas Galvin 6 RICs
3 PIVs
1,356 other accounts
$6.08 billion
$489.96 million
$4.24 billion
3 other
accounts
($868.38 M)
Over
$1,000,000 (a)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Richard Carter 6 RICs
3 PIVs
1,357 other accounts
$6.08 billion
$489.96 million
$4.23 billion
3 other
accounts
($868.38 M)
$10,001-
$50,000 (b)
Todd Herget 6 RICs
3 PIVs
1,360 other accounts
$6.08 billion
$489.96 million
$4.23 billion
3 other
accounts
($868.38 M)
$100,001-
$500,000 (b)


Select
International Equity
Fund
Threadneedle:
Simon Haines

1 RIC
1 PIV
1 other account

$352.75 million
$1.38 billion
$268.62 million

None

None (c)

Threadneedle

Threadneedle
William Davies 1 RIC
1 PIV
1 other account
$332.86 million
$546.25 million
$52.02 million
None None (c)
David Dudding 1 RIC
3 PIVs
2 other accounts
$386.34 million
$3.91 billion
$902.26 million
None None (c)
Select Large
Cap Equity
Fund
Peter Santoro 5 RICs
2 PIVs
64 other accounts
$12.07 billion
$773.18 million
$1.75 billion
None $100,001-
$500,000 (a)
$100,001-
$500,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Melda Mergen 2 RICs
12 other accounts
$1.44 billion
$380.96 million
None $100,001-
$500,000 (a)
$50,001-
$100,000 (b)
Small Cap
Index Fund
Christopher Lo 15 RICs
1 PIV
57 other accounts
$9.61 billion
$224.27 million
$847.45 million
None $1-
$10,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Vadim Shteyn 3 RICs
1 PIV
296 other accounts
$8.63 billion
$224.27 million
$635.28 million
None None
Small Cap
Value Fund II
Christian K.
Stadlinger
4 RICs
22 other accounts
$1.56 billion
$117.13 million
None $500,001-
$1,000,000 (a)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Jarl Ginsberg 4 RICs
28 other accounts
$1.56 billion
$112.82 million
None $1-
$10,000 (a)
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 101

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund) Ownership
of Fund
Shares
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure
of
Compensation
Fund Portfolio Manager Number
and Type
of Account *
Approximate
Total Net
Assets
Performance-
Based
Accounts **
For Funds with fiscal year ending March 31 – Information is as of March 31, 2017, unless otherwise noted
Short Term
Bond Fund
Leonard Aplet 6 RICs
15 PIVs
66 other accounts
$18.88 billion
$2.23 billion
$6.27 billion
None Over
$1,000,000 (a)
$50,001-
$100,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Gregory Liechty 3 RICs
13 PIVs
45 other accounts
$4.68 billion
$2.23 billion
$5.18 billion
None $1-
$10,000 (b)
Ronald Stahl 3 RICs
13 PIVs
49 other accounts
$4.68 billion
$2.23 billion
$5.14 billion
None $1-
$10,000 (b)
For Funds with fiscal year ending April 30 – Information is as of April 30, 2017, unless otherwise noted
AMT-Free CA
Intermediate
Muni Bond Fund
Brian M.
McGreevy
11 RICs
7 other accounts
$3.76 billion
$232.56 million
None None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Paul Fuchs 11 RICs
6 other accounts
$3.76 billion
$1.55 million
None None
AMT-Free GA
Intermediate
Muni Bond Fund
Brian M.
McGreevy
11 RICs
7 other accounts
$4.11 billion
$232.56 million
None None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Paul Fuchs 11 RICs
6 other accounts
$4.11 billion
$1.55 million
None None
AMT-Free MD
Intermediate
Muni Bond Fund
Brian M.
McGreevy
11 RICs
7 other accounts
$4.11 billion
$232.56 million
None None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Paul Fuchs 11 RICs
6 other accounts
$4.11 billion
$1.55 million
None None
AMT-Free NC
Intermediate
Muni Bond Fund
Brian M.
McGreevy
11 RICs
7 other accounts
$4.00 billion
$232.56 million
None None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Paul Fuchs 11 RICs
6 other accounts
$4.00 billion
$1.55 million
None None
AMT-Free SC
Intermediate
Muni Bond Fund
Brian M.
McGreevy
11 RICs
7 other accounts
$4.06 billion
$232.56 million
None None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Paul Fuchs 11 RICs
6 other accounts
$4.06 billion
$1.55 million
None None
AMT-Free VA
Intermediate
Muni Bond Fund
Brian M.
McGreevy
11 RICs
7 other accounts
$3.99 billion
$232.56 million
None None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Paul Fuchs 11 RICs
6 other accounts
$3.99 billion
$1.55 million
None None
Global Infrastructure
Fund
Peter Santoro 5 RICs
2 PIVs
61 other accounts
$12.38 billion
$741.50 million
$1.75 billion
None $100,001-
$500,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Craig Leopold 7 other accounts $3.16 million None $50,001-
$100,000 (a)
$10,001-
$50,000 (b)
Tiffany Wade (f) 4 other accounts $0.30 million None $1-
$10,000 (b)
Kirk Moore 2 other accounts $1.75 million None $10,001-
$50,000 (b)
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 102

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund) Ownership
of Fund
Shares
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure
of
Compensation
Fund Portfolio Manager Number
and Type
of Account *
Approximate
Total Net
Assets
Performance-
Based
Accounts **
Short Term
Municipal Bond
Fund
Catherine
Stienstra
5 RICs
2 PIVs
3 other accounts
$3.03 billion
$1.74 billion
$0.72 million
None None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Anders Myhran 3 RICs
1 PIVs
3 other accounts
$1.32 billion
$1.69 billion
$4.41 million
None $1-
$10,000 (b)
For Funds with fiscal year ending May 31 – Information is as of May 31, 2016, unless otherwise noted
Commodity
Strategy Fund
Threadneedle:
David Donora

1 RIC
2 PIVs

$57.70 million
$447.60 million

2 PIVs
($447.60 M)

None (c)

Threadneedle

Threadneedle
Nicolas Robin None (c)
Diversified Equity
Income Fund
Hugh H. Mullin 5 other accounts $3.01 million None $10,001 –
$50,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Dividend
Opportunity Fund
Steve Schroll 3 RICs
1 PIV
12 other accounts
$2.76 billion
$6.09 million
$90.80 million
None $500,001 –
$1,000,000 (a)
$100,001 –
$500,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Paul Stocking 3 RICs
1 PIV
15 other accounts
$2.76 billion
$6.09 million
$99.84 million
None $500,001 –
$1,000,000 (a)
$100,001 –
$500,000 (b)
Dean Ramos 3 RICs
1 PIV
10 other accounts
$2.76 billion
$6.09 million
$89.10 million
None $10,001-
$50,000 (a)(e) $10,001-
$50,000 (b)
Flexible Capital
Income Fund
David King 3 RICs
6 other accounts
$2.08 billion
$5.04 million
None Over
$1,000,000 (a)
$100,001 –
$500,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Yan Jin 3 RICs
4 other accounts
$2.08 billion
$1.54 million
None $100,001-
$500,000 (a)
$10,001-$50,000 (b)
High Yield Bond
Fund
Jennifer Ponce
de Leon
3 RICs
3 PIVs
38 other accounts
$480.67 million
$679.32 million
$7.39 billion
None Over
$1,000,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Brian Lavin 13 RICs
1 PIV
5 other accounts
$18.22 billion
$55.76 million
$3.75 million
None None
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 103

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund) Ownership
of Fund
Shares
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure
of
Compensation
Fund Portfolio Manager Number
and Type
of Account *
Approximate
Total Net
Assets
Performance-
Based
Accounts **
MM Value Strategies Fund Columbia Management:
Scott Davis


2 RICs
2 PIVs
75 other accounts


$9.10 billion
$933.66 million
$1.23 billion


None


None


Columbia Management


Columbia Management
Michael Barclay 2 RICs
2 PIVs
73 other accounts
$9.10 billion
$933.66 million
$1.16 billion
None None
Peter Santoro 5 RICs
2 PIVs
67 other accounts
$10.69 billion
$933.66 million
$1.54 billion
None None
DFA:
Joseph Chi

111 RICs
21 PIVs
83 other accounts

$275.23 billion
$12.10 billion
$23.21 billion

1 PIV
($192.56 M);
6 other
accounts
($2.39 B)

None

DFA

DFA
Jed Fogdall 111 RICs
21 PIVs
83 other accounts
$275.23 billion
$12.10 billion
$23.21 billion
1 PIV
($192.56 M);
6 other
accounts
($2.39 B)
None
Lukas Smart 11 RICs
1 PIV
5 other accounts
$29.60 billion
$73.90 million
$3.74 billion
1 other
account
($23.15 M)
None
Diamond Hill:
Charles Bath (d)

2 RICs
2 PIVs
418 other accounts

$8.08 billion
$86.37 million
$4.08 billion

4 other
accounts
($572.23 M)

None

Diamond
Hill

Diamond
Hill
Austin Hawley (d) 4 RICs
3 PIVs
437 other accounts
$4.06 billion
$285.37 million
$4.19 billion
5 other
accounts
($581.70 M)
None
Christopher Welch (d) 6 RICs
2 PIVs
447 other accounts
$8.00 billion
$86.37 million
$4.68 billion
5 other
accounts
($580.55 M)
None
Mortgage
Opportunities Fund
Jason Callan 8 RICs
7 PIVs
4 other accounts
$15.81 billion
$15.36 billion
$0.93 million
None $500,001 –
$1,000,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Tom Heuer 3 RICs
5 other accounts
$3.51 billion
$1.67 million
None $50,001-
$100,000 (a)
$100,001-$500,000 (b)
Select Large-Cap
Value Fund
Richard Rosen 3 RICs
1 PIV
772 other accounts
$1.69 billion
$43.08 million
$2.78 billion
None $10,001-
$50,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Kari Montanus 3 RICs
1 PIV
768 other accounts
$1.69 billion
$43.08 million
$2.78 billion
None $10,001-
$50,000 (b)
Richard Taft (d) 4 other accounts $1.34 million None None
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 104

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund) Ownership
of Fund
Shares
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure
of
Compensation
Fund Portfolio Manager Number
and Type
of Account *
Approximate
Total Net
Assets
Performance-
Based
Accounts **
Select Smaller-Cap
Value Fund
Richard Rosen 3 RICs
1 PIV
772 other accounts
$1.74 billion
$43.08 million
$2.78 billion
None $10,001-
$50,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Kari Montanus 3 RICs
1 PIV
768 other accounts
$1.74 billion
$43.08 million
$2.78 billion
None $10,001 –
$50,000 (b)
Richard Taft (d) 4 other accounts $1.34 million None None

Seligman Communications
and Information
Fund
Paul Wick 4 RICs
2 PIVs
5 other accounts
$983.28 million
$565.39 million
$14.45 million
1 PIV
($538.90 M)
Over
$1,000,000 (a)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
– Tech Team
Sanjay Devgan 3 RICs
2 other accounts
$728.52 million
$0.33 million
None None
Shekhar
Pramanick
3 RICs
5 other accounts
$728.52 million
$1.95 million
None $100,001 –
$500,000 (a)
Jeetil
Patel
4 RICs
5 other accounts
$983.28 million
$2.80 million
None None
Christopher Boova 4 RICs
8 other accounts
$983.28 million
$5.18 million
None None
Small/
Mid Cap
Value Fund
Jarl Ginsberg 4 RICs
15 other accounts
$2.22 billion
$68.57 million
None $100,001-
$500,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Christian
Stadlinger
4 RICs
8 other accounts
$2.22 billion
$71.90 million
None None
David Hoffman 3 RICs
2 PIVs
7 other accounts
$3.22 billion
$236.87 million
$55.90 million
None $50,001-
$100,000 (b)

U.S. Government
Mortgage Fund
Jason J. Callan 8 RICs
7 PIVs
4 other accounts
$13.93 billion
$15.36 billion
$0.93 million
None None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Tom Heuer 3 RICs
5 other accounts
$1.63 billion
$1.67 million
None $10,001 –
$50,000 (a)
$10,001 –
$50,000 (b)
For Funds with fiscal year ending July 31 – Information is as of July 31, 2016, unless otherwise noted
Disciplined Core Fund Brian M. Condon 19 RICs
4 PIVs
39 other accounts
$9.33 billion
$186.51 million
$5.46 billion
None $50,001 –
$100,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Peter Albanese 6 RICs
3 PIVs
27 other accounts
$8.33 billion
$181.10 million
$5.32 billion
None $10,001 –
$50,000 (b)
Disciplined Growth Fund Brian M. Condon 19 RICs
4 PIVs
39 other accounts
$12.88 billion
$186.51 million
$5.46 billion
None $50,001 –
$100,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Peter Albanese 6 RICs
3 PIVs
27 other accounts
$11.87 billion
$181.10 million
$5.32 billion
None $10,001 –
$50,000 (b)
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 105

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund) Ownership
of Fund
Shares
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure
of
Compensation
Fund Portfolio Manager Number
and Type
of Account *
Approximate
Total Net
Assets
Performance-
Based
Accounts **
Disciplined Value Fund Brian M. Condon 19 RICs
4 PIVs
39 other accounts
$12.42 billion
$186.51 million
$5.46 billion
None $50,001 –
$100,000 (a)
$50,001 –
$100,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Peter Albanese 6 RICs
3 PIVs
27 other accounts
$11.41 billion
$181.10 million
$5.32 billion
None $10,001 –
$50,000 (b)
Floating Rate
Fund
Lynn Hopton 23 PIVs
8 other accounts
$21.85 billion
$4.08 million
None None Columbia Management Columbia Management
– Floating Rate
Yvonne Stevens 23 PIVs
12 other accounts
$21.85 billion
$12.32 million
None None
Steve Staver 2 other accounts $1.01 million None None
Ronald
Launsbach
7 other accounts $2.03 million None None
Global Opportunities
Fund
Anwiti Bahuguna 18 RICs
22 PIVs
16 other accounts
$66.48 billion
$2.83 billion
$111.71 million
1 PIV
($517 M)
$1 –
$10,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Jeffrey Knight 23 RICs
3 PIVs
5 other accounts
$67.97 billion
$538.55 million
$12.07 million
1 PIV
($517 M)
$100,001 –
$500,000 (b)
Joshua Kutin (f) 5 RICs
4 PIVs
10 other accounts
$2.31 billion
$0.49 million
$37.29 million
None None
Dan Boncarosky (f) 3 RICs
2 other accounts
$133.01 million
$0.18 million
None None
Income Opportunities Fund Brian Lavin 13 RICs
1 PIV
5 other accounts
$24.24 billion
$58.44 million
$3.63 million
None $100,001 –
$500,000 (a)
$100,001 –
$500,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Inflation Protected
Securities Fund
David Kennedy 19 other accounts $231.29 million None None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Limited Duration
Credit Fund
Tom Murphy 12 RICs
29 PIVs
34 other accounts
$2.46 billion
$35.72 billion
$4.97 billion
None Over
$1,000,000 (a)
$500,001 –
$1,000,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Timothy J. Doubek 10 RICs
1 PIV
32 other accounts
$2.43 billion
$95.09 million
$4.70 billion
None $10,001 –
$50,000 (b)
Royce Wilson 1 RIC
2 other accounts
$920.96 million
$574,053.48
None $10,001 –
$50,000 (a)
$10,001 –
$50,000 (b)
MN Tax-Exempt
Fund
Catherine
Stienstra
4 RICs
2 PIVs
4 other accounts
$3.36 billion
$1.78 billion
$14.40 million
None None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Anders Myhran 1 RIC
1 PIV
2 other accounts
$1.74 billion
$1.09 billion
$1.31 million
None $100,001 –
$500,000 (a)
Strategic Municipal Income Fund Catherine
Stienstra
4 RICs
2 PIVs
4 other accounts
$3.12 billion
$1.78 billion
$14.40 million
None $100,001 –
$500,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Chad Farrington 2 RICs
12 other accounts
$983.93 million
$173.77 million
None $10,001 –
$50,000 (b)
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 106

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund) Ownership
of Fund
Shares
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure
of
Compensation
Fund Portfolio Manager Number
and Type
of Account *
Approximate
Total Net
Assets
Performance-
Based
Accounts **
For Funds with fiscal year ending October 31 – Information is as of October 31, 2016, unless otherwise noted
Absolute Return
Currency and
Income Fund
Nicholas Pifer 3 RICs
9 other
accounts
$10.66 million
$3.61 million
None $100,001 –
$500,000 (a)
$10,001 –
$50,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Tim Flanagan 3 RICs
2 other
accounts
$10.66 million
$276,883.49
None None
Asia Pacific
ex-Japan Fund
Threadneedle:
Vanessa
Donegan

3 PIVs
3 other accounts

$823.1 million
$519.7 million

None

None (c)

Threadneedle

Threadneedle
George Gosden 1 PIV
1 other account
$37.7 million
$448.2 million
None None (c)
Emerging Markets
Bond Fund
Jim Carlen 3 RICs
14 PIVs
7 other accounts
$157.69 million
$17.52 billion
$56.68 million
None $100,001 –
$500,000 (a)
$10,001 –
$50,000 (b)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
Christopher Cooke (h) None None None None (c) Threadneedle Threadneedle
European Equity
Fund
Threadneedle:
Dan Ison

1 PIV
4 other accounts

$104.1 million
$3.01 billion

None

None (c)

Threadneedle

Threadneedle
Ann Steele 1 PIV
8 other accounts
$460.8 million
$1.52 billion
None None (c)
Global Bond
Fund
Gene Tannuzzo 4 RICs
1 PIV
94 other accounts
$4.70 billion
$111.47 million
$1.22 billion
None None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Jim Cielinski 5 RICs
3 PIVs
3 other accounts
$305.72 million
$850.47 million
$873.69 million
None None
Adrian Hilton (g) 5 PIVs
$856.2 million None None (c) Threadneedle Threadneedle
Select Global Equity
Fund
Threadneedle:
David Dudding

2 RICs
4 PIVs
2 other accounts

$1.35 billion
$4.29 billion
$851.00 million

None

None (c)

Threadneedle

Threadneedle
Pauline Grange 1 PIV $39.40 million None None (c)
Seligman Global
Technology Fund
Paul Wick 4 RICs
2 PIVs
5 other
accounts
$4.63 billion
$675.05 million
$18.76 million
1 PIV
($618.6 M)
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
– Tech Team
Shekhar
Pramanick
3 RICs
5 other accounts
$4.36 billion
$2.00 million
None None
Sanjay Devgan 3 RICs
3 other accounts
$4.36 billion
$647,552.82
None None
Jeetil
Patel
4 RICs
6 other accounts
$4.63 billion
$3.41 million
None None
Christopher Boova 4 RICs
8 other accounts
$4.63 billion
$5.20 million
None None
Rahul Narang 5 RICs
7 other accounts
$1.07 billion
$736,967.25
None None Columbia Management Columbia Management
* RIC refers to a Registered Investment Company; PIV refers to a Pooled Investment Vehicle.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 107

 

** Number and type of accounts for which the advisory fee paid is based in part or wholly on performance and the aggregate net assets in those accounts.
(a) Excludes any notional investments.
(b) Notional investments through a deferred compensation account.
(c) The Fund is available for sale only in the U.S. The portfolio managers do not reside in the U.S. and therefore do not hold any shares of the Fund.
(d) The portfolio manager began managing the Fund after its last fiscal year end; reporting information is provided as of July 31, 2016.
(e) The portfolio manager’s ownership information (excluding any notional investments) is provided as of November 8, 2016. As of May 31, 2016, the portfolio manager’s ownership (excluding any notional investments) was $0.
(f) The portfolio manager began managing the Fund after its last fiscal year end; reporting information is provided as of December 31, 2016.
(g) The portfolio manager began managing the Fund after its last fiscal year end; reporting information is provided as of February 28, 2017.
(h) The portfolio manager began managing the Fund after its last fiscal year end; reporting information is provided as of March 31, 2017.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
  Columbia Management: 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 Investment Manager 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 Investment Manager’s Code of Ethics and certain limited exceptions, the Investment Manager’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 Investment Manager’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. The Investment Manager and its Participating Affiliates (including Threadneedle) may coordinate their trading operations for certain types of securities and transactions pursuant to personnel-sharing agreements or similar intercompany arrangements. However, typically the Investment Manager does not coordinate trading activities with a Participating Affiliate with respect to accounts of that Participating Affiliate unless such Participating Affiliate is also providing trading services for accounts managed by the Investment Manager. Similarly, a Participating Affiliate typically does not coordinate trading activities with the Investment Manager with respect to accounts of the Investment Manager unless the Investment Manager is also providing trading services for accounts managed by such Participating Affiliate. As a result, it is possible that the Investment Manager and its Participating Affiliates may trade in the same instruments at the same time, in the same or opposite direction or in different sequence, which could negatively impact the prices paid by the Fund on such instruments. Additionally, in circumstances where trading services are being provided on a coordinated basis for the Investment Manager’s accounts (including the Funds) and the accounts of one or more Participating Affiliates in accordance with applicable law, it is possible that the allocation opportunities available to the Funds may be decreased, especially for less actively traded securities, or orders may take longer to execute, which may negatively impact Fund performance.
  “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 than an independent third party would pay. The Investment Manager and the Funds have adopted compliance procedures that provide that any transactions between a Fund and another account managed by the Investment Manager are to be made at a current market price, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 108

 

  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.
  To the extent a Fund invests in underlying funds, a portfolio manager will be subject to the potential conflicts of interest described in Potential Conflicts of Interest – Columbia Management – FOF (Fund-of-Funds) below.
  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 Investment Manager’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 Investment Manager and its affiliates.
  Columbia Management – FoF (Fund-of-Funds): Management of funds-of-funds differs from that of the other Funds. The portfolio management process is set forth generally below and in more detail in the Funds’ prospectus.
  Portfolio managers of the fund-of-funds may be involved in determining each funds-of-fund’s allocation among the three main asset classes (equity, fixed income and cash) and the allocation among investment categories within each asset class, as well as each funds-of-fund’s allocation among the underlying funds.
Because of the structure of the funds-of-funds, the potential conflicts of interest for the portfolio managers may be different than the potential conflicts of interest for portfolio managers who manage other Funds.
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may receive higher compensation as a result of allocations to underlying funds with higher fees.
In addition to the accounts above, portfolio managers may manage accounts in a personal capacity that may include holdings that are similar to, or the same as, those of the Fund. The Investment Manager has in place a Code of Ethics that is designed to address conflicts and that, among other things, imposes restrictions on the ability of the portfolio managers and other “investment access persons” to invest in securities that may be recommended or traded in the Fund and other client accounts.
To the extent a fund-of-funds invest in securities and instruments other than other Funds, the portfolio manager is subject to the potential conflicts of interest described in Potential Conflicts of Interest – Columbia Management above.
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 Investment Manager’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 Investment Manager and its affiliates.
Columbia Management – IB: Management of the Income Builder Fund-of-Funds differs from that of the other funds. The portfolio management process is set forth generally below and in more detail in the Fund’s prospectus.
The Investment Manager uses quantitative models combined with qualitative factors to determine the Funds’ allocations to the underlying funds. Using these methodologies, a group of the Investment Manager’s investment professionals allocates the Fund’s assets within and across different asset classes in an effort to achieve the Fund’s objective of providing a high level of current income and growth of capital. The Fund will typically be rebalanced monthly in an effort to maximize the level of income and capital growth, incorporating various measures of relative value subject to constraints that set minimum or maximum exposure within asset classes, as set forth in the prospectus. Within the equity and fixed income asset classes, the Investment Manager establishes allocations for the Funds, seeking to achieve each Fund’s objective by investing in defined investment categories. The target allocation range constraints are intended, in part, to promote diversification within the asset classes.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 109

 

Because of the structure of funds-of-funds, the potential conflicts of interest for the portfolio managers may be different than the potential conflicts of interest for portfolio managers who manage other funds. These potential conflicts of interest include:
In certain cases, the portfolio managers of the underlying funds are the same as the portfolio managers of the Income Builder Fund-of-Funds, and could influence the allocation of fund-of-funds assets to or away from the underlying funds that they manage.
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may receive higher compensation as a result of allocations to underlying funds with higher fees.
The Investment Manager monitors the performance of the underlying funds and may, from time to time, recommend to the Board of Trustees of the funds a change in portfolio management or fund strategy or the closure or merger of an underlying fund. In addition, the Investment Manager may believe that certain funds may benefit from additional assets or could be harmed by redemptions. All of these factors may also influence decisions in connection with the allocation of funds-of-funds assets to or away from certain underlying funds.
In addition to the accounts above, portfolio managers may manage accounts in a personal capacity that may include holdings that are similar to, or the same as, those of the Fund. The Investment Manager has in place a Code of Ethics that is designed to address conflicts and that, among other things, imposes restrictions on the ability of the portfolio managers and other “investment access persons” to invest in securities that may be recommended or traded in the Fund and other client accounts.
DFA: Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has the primary day-to-day responsibilities with respect to a mutual fund and other accounts. Other accounts include registered mutual funds (including proprietary mutual funds advised by DFA or its affiliates), other unregistered pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals (“Accounts”). An Account may have similar investment objectives to the Fund, or may purchase, sell or hold securities that are eligible to be purchased, sold or held by the Fund. Actual or apparent conflicts of interest include:
Time Management. The management of the Fund and other Accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of the Fund and/or Accounts. DFA seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Accounts managed by a portfolio manager within an investment discipline may be managed using the same investment approach.
Investment Opportunities. It is possible that at times identical securities will be held by the Fund and one or more Accounts. However, positions in the same security may vary and the length of time that the Fund may hold investments in the same security may likewise vary. If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for the Fund and one or more Accounts, the Fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible Accounts. To address these situations, DFA has adopted procedures for allocating portfolio transactions across multiple Accounts.
Broker Selection. With respect to securities transactions for the Fund, DFA determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain Accounts (such as separately managed accounts), DFA may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, DFA or its affiliates may place separate, non-simultaneous, transactions for the Fund and another Account that may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of the Fund or the Account.
Performance-Based Fees. For some Accounts, DFA may be compensated based on the profitability of the Account, such as by a performance-based management fee. These incentive compensation structures may create a conflict of interest for DFA with regard to Accounts where DFA is paid based on a percentage of assets because the portfolio manager may have an incentive to allocate securities preferentially to the Accounts where DFA might share in investment gains.
Investment in an Account. A portfolio manager or his/her relatives may invest in an Account that he or she manages and a conflict may arise where he or she may therefore have an incentive to treat the Account in which the portfolio manager or his/her relatives invest preferentially as compared to other Accounts for which he or she has portfolio management responsibilities.
DFA has adopted certain compliance procedures that are reasonably designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect every situation in which a conflict arises.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 110

 

Diamond Hill: The portfolio managers are also responsible for managing other account portfolios in addition to the respective Fund that they manage. Management of other accounts in addition to the Fund can present certain conflicts of interest, including those associated with different fee structures, various trading practices, and the amount of time the portfolio managers may spend on other accounts versus the respective fund they manage. Diamond Hill has implemented specific policies and procedures to address any potential conflicts.
Performance Based Fees
Diamond Hill manages certain accounts, including private investment funds (a.k.a. “Hedge Funds”), for which part of its fee is based on the performance of the account/fund (“Performance Fee Accounts”). As a result of the performance-based fee component, Diamond Hill may receive additional revenue related to the Performance Fee Accounts. None of the portfolio managers receive any direct incentive compensation related to their management of the Performance Fee Accounts; however, revenues from Performance Fee Accounts management will impact the resources available to compensate portfolio managers and all staff.
Side-by-Side Management
Diamond Hill has a potential conflict of interest, as an adviser to both long-only accounts and accounts that execute short sales. Diamond Hill could sell short securities in a long-short account while holding the same security long in a long-only account. In this case, Diamond Hill could harm the performance of the long-only accounts for the benefit of accounts that execute short sales, which may include Performance Fee Accounts. For example, continually selling a position short may depress the stock price, potentially harming a long-only account if it holds the same security. To manage this conflict, Diamond Hill has a specific policy that prohibits a long position from being held as a short position in any actively managed client account. However, client investment mandates that generally include all securities in a broad-based market index may hold a long position, while another client account holds that same security as a short position.
Trade Allocation
Diamond Hill manages numerous accounts in addition to the Fund. When the Fund and another of Diamond Hill’s clients seek to purchase or sell the same security at or about the same time, Diamond Hill may execute the transactions with the same broker on a combined or “blocked” basis. Blocked transactions can produce better execution for the Fund because of increased volume of the transaction. However, when another Diamond Hill client specifies that trades be executed with a specific broker (“Directed Brokerage Accounts”), a potential conflict of interest exists related to the order in which those trades are executed and allocated. As a result, Diamond Hill has adopted a trade allocation policy in which all trade orders occurring simultaneously among the Fund and one or more other accounts where Diamond Hill has the discretion to choose the execution broker are blocked and executed first. After the blocked trades have been completed, the remaining trades for the Directed Brokerage Accounts are then executed in random order, through our portfolio management software. When a trade is partially filled, the number of filled shares is allocated on a pro-rata basis to the appropriate client accounts. Trades are not segmented by investment product.
Unified Managed Account (“UMA”) Programs
Diamond Hill provides its strategy model portfolio to sponsors of UMA programs. In these cases, the program sponsor has investment discretion and is responsible for execution of client transactions. Diamond Hill is not aware of when the program sponsor executes transactions as a result of the model provided to it by Diamond Hill. As a result, both Diamond Hill and the program sponsors may be executing trades in the same security at the same time. Therefore, Diamond Hill’s provision of model portfolios to UMA programs may create a potential conflict because Diamond Hill clients and clients of the UMA sponsor may be competing to purchase the same securities.
Personal Security Trading by the Portfolio Managers
Diamond Hill has adopted a Code of Ethics designed to: (1) demonstrate Diamond Hill’s duty at all times to place the interest of clients and Fund shareholders first; (2) align the interests of the portfolio managers with clients and Fund shareholders, and (3) mitigate inherent conflicts of interest associated with personal securities transactions. The Code of Ethics prohibits all employees of Diamond Hill, including the portfolio managers, from purchasing any individual equity or fixed income securities that are eligible to be purchased by the Funds. The Code of Ethics also prohibits the purchase of certain third party mutual funds that invest primarily in U.S. equity or corporate bond securities.
  Threadneedle: Threadneedle portfolio managers may manage one or more mutual funds as well as other types of accounts, including proprietary accounts, separate accounts for institutions, and other pooled investment vehicles. Portfolio managers make investment decisions for an account or portfolio based on its investment objectives and policies, and other relevant investment considerations. A portfolio manager may manage a separate account or other pooled investment vehicle whose fees may be materially greater than the management fees paid by the Fund and may include a performance-based fee. Management of multiple funds and accounts may create potential conflicts of interest relating to the allocation of investment opportunities, and the aggregation and allocation of trades. In addition, a portfolio manager’s responsibilities at
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 111

 

  Threadneedle include working as a securities analyst. This dual role may give rise to conflicts with respect to making investment decisions for accounts that he/she manages versus communicating his/her analyses to other portfolio managers concerning securities that he/she follows as an analyst.
  Threadneedle has a fiduciary responsibility to all of the clients for which it manages accounts. Threadneedle seeks to provide best execution of all securities transactions and to aggregate securities transactions and then allocate securities to client accounts in a fair and timely manner. Threadneedle has developed policies and procedures, including brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, designed to mitigate and manage the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from the management of multiple types of accounts for multiple clients.
Structure of Compensation
Columbia Management : Portfolio manager direct compensation is typically comprised of a base salary, and an annual incentive award that is paid either in the form of a cash bonus if the size of the award is under a specified threshold, or, if the size of the award is over a specified threshold, the award is paid in a combination of a cash bonus, an equity incentive award, and deferred compensation. Equity incentive awards are made in the form of Ameriprise Financial restricted stock, or for more senior employees both Ameriprise Financial restricted stock and stock options. The investment return credited on deferred compensation is based on the performance of specified Columbia Funds, in most cases including the Columbia Funds the portfolio manager manages.
Base salary is typically determined based on market data relevant to the employee’s position, as well as other factors including internal equity. Base salaries are reviewed annually, and increases are typically given as promotional increases, internal equity adjustments, or market adjustments.
Annual incentive awards are variable and are based on (1) an evaluation of the employee’s investment performance and (2) the results of a peer and/or management review of the employee, which takes into account skills and attributes such as team participation, investment process, communication, and professionalism. Scorecards are used to measure performance of Columbia Funds and other accounts managed by the employee versus benchmarks and/or peer groups. Performance versus benchmark and peer group is generally weighted for the rolling one, three, and five year periods. One year performance is weighted 10%, three year performance is weighted 60%, and five year performance is weighted 30%. Relative asset size is a key determinant for fund weighting on a scorecard. Typically, weighting would be proportional to actual assets. Consideration may also be given to performance in managing client assets in sectors and industries assigned to the employee as part of his/her investment team responsibilities, where applicable. For leaders who also have group management responsibilities, another factor in their evaluation is an assessment of the group’s overall investment performance.
Equity incentive awards are designed to align participants’ interests with those of the shareholders of Ameriprise Financial. Equity incentive awards vest over multiple years, so they help retain employees.
Deferred compensation awards are designed to align participants’ interests with the investors in the Columbia Funds and other accounts they manage. The value of the deferral account is based on the performance of Columbia Funds. Employees have the option of selecting from various Columbia Funds for their deferral account, however portfolio managers must allocate a minimum of 25% of their incentive awarded through the deferral program to the Columbia Fund(s) they manage. Deferrals vest over multiple years, so they help retain employees.
Exceptions to this general approach to bonuses exist for certain teams and individuals. Funding for the bonus pool is determined by management and depends on, among other factors, the levels of compensation generally in the investment management industry taking into account investment performance (based on market compensation data) and both Ameriprise Financial and Columbia Management profitability for the year, which is largely determined by assets under management.
For all employees the benefit programs generally are the same, and are competitive within the financial services industry. Employees participate in a wide variety of plans, including options in Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Care and Dependent Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, 401(k), and a cash balance pension plan.
Columbia Management – Floating Rate: Portfolio manager compensation is typically comprised of (i) a base salary, and (ii) an annual cash bonus. The annual cash bonus is paid from team bonus pools. Funding for two of the bonus pools is based upon a percentage of profits or revenue generated by the institutional portfolios they manage. The portfolio managers may also be paid from a separate bonus pool based upon the performance of the mutual fund(s) they manage. Funding for this bonus pool is determined by a percentage of the aggregate assets under management in the mutual fund(s) they manage, and by the one, three and five year performance of the mutual fund(s) in relation to the relevant peer group universe.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 112

 

Senior management of Columbia Management has the discretion to increase or decrease the size of the bonus pool related to mutual funds 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. Senior management of Columbia Management does not have discretion over the size of the bonus pool related to institutional portfolios.
For all employees the benefit programs generally are the same, and are competitive within the financial services industry. Employees participate in a wide variety of plans, including options in Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Care and Dependent Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, 401(k), and a cash balance pension plan.
Columbia Management – Tech Team: Portfolio manager compensation is typically comprised of (i) a base salary and (ii) an annual cash bonus. The annual cash bonus, and in some instances the base salary, are paid from a team bonus pool that is based on fees and performance of the accounts managed by the portfolio management team, which might include mutual funds, wrap accounts, institutional portfolios and hedge funds.
The percentage of management fees on mutual funds and long-only institutional portfolios that fund the bonus pool is based on the short term (typically one-year) and long-term (typically three-year and five-year) performance of those accounts in relation to the relevant peer group universe.
A fixed percentage of management fees on hedge funds and separately managed accounts that follow a hedge fund mandate fund the bonus pool.
The percentage of performance fees on hedge funds and separately managed accounts that follow a hedge fund mandate that fund the bonus pool is based on the absolute level of each hedge fund’s current year investment return.
For all employees the benefit programs generally are the same, and are competitive within the financial services industry. Employees participate in a wide variety of plans, including options in Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Care and Dependent Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, 401(k), and a cash balance pension plan.
DFA: Portfolio managers receive a base salary and bonus. Compensation of a portfolio manager is determined at the discretion of DFA and is based on a portfolio manager’s experience, responsibilities, the perception of the quality of his or her work efforts and other subjective factors. The compensation of portfolio managers is not directly based upon the performance of the mutual funds or other accounts that the portfolio managers manage. DFA reviews the compensation of each portfolio manager annually and may make modifications in compensation as it deems necessary to reflect changes in the market. Each portfolio manager’s compensation consists of the following:
Base salary. Each portfolio manager is paid a base salary. DFA considers the factors described above to determine each portfolio manager’s base salary.
Semi-Annual Bonus. Each portfolio manager may receive a semi-annual bonus. The amount of the bonus paid to each portfolio manager is based upon the factors described above.
Portfolio managers may be awarded the right to purchase restricted shares of the stock of DFA as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of DFA or its delegees. Portfolio managers also participate in benefit and retirement plans and other programs available generally to all employees.
In addition, portfolio managers may be given the option of participating in DFA’s Long Term Incentive Plan. The level of participation for eligible employees may be dependent on overall level of compensation, among other considerations. Participation in this program is not based on or related to the performance of any individual strategies or any particular client accounts.
Diamond Hill: Diamond Hill portfolio managers are paid a competitive base salary based on experience, external market comparisons to similar positions, and other business factors. To align their interests with those of clients and shareholders, all portfolio managers also participate in an annual cash and equity incentive compensation program that is based on:
The long-term pre-tax investment performance of the fund(s) that they manage,
Diamond Hill’s assessment of the investment contribution they make to strategies they do not manage,
Diamond Hill’s assessment of each portfolio manager’s overall contribution to the development of the investment team through ongoing discussion, interaction, feedback and collaboration, and
Diamond Hill’s assessment of each portfolio manager’s contribution to client service, marketing to prospective clients and investment communication activities.
Long-term performance is defined as the trailing five years (performance of less than five years is judged on a subjective basis). Investment performance is measured against an absolute return target for each strategy, the respective strategy’s benchmark and its Morningstar or Lipper peer group.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 113

 

Incentive compensation is paid annually from an incentive pool that is determined based on several factors including investment results in client portfolios, revenues, employee performance, and industry operating margins. Portfolio Manager compensation is not directly tied to product asset growth or revenue, however, both of these factors influence the size of the incentive pool and therefore indirectly contribute to portfolio manager compensation. Incentive compensation is subject to review and oversight by the compensation committee of Diamond Hill’s parent firm, Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. The compensation committee is comprised of independent outside members of the board of directors. The portfolio managers are also eligible to participate in the Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. 401(k) plan and related company match. Diamond Hill also offers a Deferred Compensation Plan, whereby each portfolio manager may voluntarily elect to defer a portion of their incentive compensation. Any deferral of incentive compensation must be invested in Diamond Hill Funds for the entire duration of the deferral.
  Threadneedle: Direct compensation is typically comprised of a base salary, and an annual incentive award that is paid either in the form of a cash bonus if the size of the award is under a specified threshold, or, if the size of the award is over a specified threshold, the award is paid in a combination of a cash bonus, an equity incentive award, and deferred compensation. Equity incentive awards are made in the form of Ameriprise Financial restricted stock, or for more senior employees both Ameriprise Financial restricted stock and stock options. The investment return credited on deferred compensation is based on the performance of specified Threadneedle funds, in most cases including the funds the portfolio manager manages.
  Base salary is typically determined based on market data relevant to the employee’s position, as well as other factors including internal equity. Base salaries are reviewed annually, and increases are typically given as promotional increases, internal equity adjustments, or market adjustments.
  Annual incentive awards and pool funding are variable and are designed to reward:
Investment performance, both at the individual and team levels
Client requirements, in particular the alignment with clients through a mandatory deferral into the company’s own products
Team cooperation and Values
Scorecards are used to measure performance of Threadneedle funds and other accounts managed by the employee. Prior to 2016, the primary measurement of performance was return versus the relevant benchmark on a 1- and 3-year basis, with a bias towards 3-year performance in order to incentivize delivery of longer-term performance. In order to provide an integrated global compensation framework to investment employees across all locations, in 2016 performance will be measured versus peer performance wherever appropriate, in addition to return versus benchmark. In addition, longer-term performance will be incorporated, using 1-year, 3-year, and 4-year performance in 2016, and 1-year, 3-year, 5-year performance from 2017 onwards, both weighted 10% on the 1-year, 60% on the 3-year, and 30% on the 4 or 5-year. Consideration may also be given to performance in managing client assets in sectors and industries assigned to the employee as part of his/her investment team responsibilities, where applicable.
Equity incentive awards are designed to align participants’ interests with those of the shareholders of Ameriprise Financial. Equity incentive awards vest over multiple years, so they help retain employees.
Deferred compensation awards are designed to align participants’ interests with the investors in the funds and other accounts they manage. The value of the deferral account is based on the performance of those funds. Employees have the option of selecting from various internal funds for their deferral account. Deferrals vest over multiple years, so they help to retain employees and to align their longer-term interests with those of the investor.
Exceptions to this general approach to bonuses exist for certain teams and individuals. Funding for the bonus pool is determined by management and overseen by the EMEA Remuneration Committee, and depends on, among other factors, the levels of compensation generally in the investment management industry taking into account investment performance (based on market compensation data) and both Ameriprise Financial and the asset management business profitability for the year, which is largely determined by assets under management.
For all employees the benefit programs generally are the same, and are competitive within the Financial Services Industry. Employees participate in a wide variety of plans, including options in Medical, Health Care, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, and retirement savings plans.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 114

 

The Administrator
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (which is also the Investment Manager) serves as administrator of the Funds.
Administrative Services Agreement
Prior to the Management Agreement Effective Date listed for each Fund in the Investment Management and Other Services – The Investment Manager and Subadvisers – Management Agreement Fee Rates section, each Fund, unless otherwise noted, was party to the Investment Management Services Agreement and the Administrative Services Agreement with the Investment Manager for advisory and administrative services, respectively. Each Fund party to these agreements paid the Investment Manager an annual fee for advisory services, as set forth in the Investment Management Services Agreement, and a separate fee for administrative services under the Administrative Services Agreement. See Investment Management and Other Services – The Investment Manager and Subadvisers – Investment Management Services Agreement for information with respect to the Investment Management Services Agreement. As of the Management Agreement Effective Date for each Fund, these services have been combined under the Management Agreement as described in the Investment Management and Other Services – The Investment Manager and Subadvisers section.
Services Provided Under the Administrative Services Agreement
Pursuant to the terms of the Administrative Services Agreement, the Investment Manager has agreed to provide all of the services 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 the Fund or (b) required to be provided by any person pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement with the Fund.
Administrative Services Fee
Prior to the Management Agreement Effective Date, the administrative services fee was calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of each Fund and was paid monthly at the annual rates as set forth in the Administrative Services Agreement.
Administrative Services Fees Paid. The table below shows the total administrative services fees paid by each Fund under the Administrative Services Agreement for the last three fiscal periods. Beginning with the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016, amounts shown are for the period from the first day of the applicable fiscal year through the Fund's Management Agreement Effective Date (see Management Agreement Fee Schedule ). As of each Fund's Management Agreement Effective Date, the Fund no longer paid these fees. The table is organized by fiscal year end.
Administrative Services Fees
  Administrative Services Fees
  2017 2016 2015
For Funds with fiscal period ending January 31
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio $43,727 $135,323 $133,066
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio 18,281 58,025 62,651
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio 142,763 457,297 473,854
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio 42,256 132,333 138,522
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio 102,783 325,491 338,662
Global Strategic Equity Fund 43,306 152,348 165,097
Income Builder Fund 80,447 262,998 266,133
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29
Convertible Securities Fund N/A 258,714 659,319
Global Equity Value Fund N/A 198,822 610,580
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund N/A 96,763 198,742
Large Cap Growth Fund III N/A 202,628 613,569
Large Cap Index Fund N/A 1,247,854 3,376,904
Mid Cap Index Fund N/A 1,355,862 3,796,538
Mid Cap Value Fund N/A 618,630 1,908,716
Overseas Value Fund N/A 183,269 585,710
Select Global Growth Fund N/A 16,483 39,152
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 115

 

  Administrative Services Fees
  2017 2016 2015
Select International Equity Fund N/A $170,244 $485,890
Select Large Cap Equity Fund N/A 99,434 306,109
Small Cap Index Fund N/A 1,120,310 2,955,890
Small Cap Value Fund II N/A 425,209 1,308,311
For Funds with fiscal period ending March 31
Short Term Bond Fund N/A 459,847 1,575,615
For Funds with fiscal period ending April 30
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund N/A 90,263 232,082
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund N/A 18,318 54,601
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund N/A 21,018 62,372
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund N/A 43,256 124,667
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund N/A 31,346 87,389
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund N/A 52,175 158,599
Global Infrastructure Fund N/A 71,474 262,792
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund N/A 407,596 1,291,573
  2016 2015 2014
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31
Commodity Strategy Fund $12,686 30,884 47,910
Diversified Equity Income Fund 458,573 1,437,174 1,488,857
Dividend Opportunity Fund 840,746 2,839,743 2,777,270
Flexible Capital Income Fund 139,237 356,044 118,679
High Yield Bond Fund 414,567 1,275,724 1,235,345
MM Value Strategies Fund 320,837 965,954 654,474
Mortgage Opportunities Fund 60,061 129,742 6,058 (a)
Select Large-Cap Value Fund 188,674 562,728 410,760
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund 132,861 384,818 373,131
Seligman Communications and Information Fund 668,142 1,879,754 1,707,269
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund 205,625 718,042 894,822
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 415,042 1,188,946 1,243,886
For Funds with fiscal period ending July 31
Disciplined Core Fund 673,359 2,055,336 1,916,648
Disciplined Growth Fund 118,898 383,325 315,368
Disciplined Value Fund 184,061 545,298 348,109
Floating Rate Fund 207,726 655,573 743,819
Global Opportunities Fund 124,931 420,623 464,744
Government Money Market Fund 290,034 921,758 1,002,488
Income Opportunities Fund 614,797 1,989,596 1,957,561
Inflation Protected Securities Fund 41,436 165,294 189,657
Limited Duration Credit Fund 236,597 774,188 729,816
MN Tax-Exempt Fund 107,216 307,477 287,171
Strategic Municipal Income Fund 143,871 411,139 386,949
For Funds with fiscal period ending October 31
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund 16,453 40,417 43,247
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 116

 

  Administrative Services Fees
  2016 2015 2014
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund $14,764 $802,067 $526,126
Emerging Markets Bond Fund 100,728 400,535 519,939
European Equity Fund 140,369 442,667 463,460
Global Bond Fund 23,747 90,506 118,359
Select Global Equity Fund 107,916 310,437 319,709
Seligman Global Technology Fund 115,591 337,564 281,879
(a) For the period from April 30, 2014 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
The Distributor
Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor), 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial and an affiliate of the Investment Manager, 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 reasonable efforts to find purchasers for the shares of the Funds.
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 Trusts or the Transfer Agent, or their designated agents. Additionally, the Distributor has agreed to use reasonable 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 as it deems reasonable and 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 Trusts pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. See Investment Management and Other Services – Distribution and/or Servicing Plans for more information about the share classes for which the Trusts have adopted a Distribution Plan.
See Investment Management 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 Investment Manager 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 Trusts (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 received commissions and other compensation for its services as reflected in the following charts, which show amounts paid to the Distributor, as well as amounts the Distributor retained, after paying commissions, for the three most recently completed fiscal years.
Sales Charges Paid to, and Retained by, Distributor
  Sales Charges Paid to Distributor Amount Retained by Distributor
After Paying Commissions
Fund 2017 2016 2015 2017 2016 2015
For Funds with fiscal period ending January 31
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio $1,038,147 $1,231,226 $1,251,527 $152,907 $183,377 $191,319
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio 201,726 236,675 232,662 35,918 40,374 40,467
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio 1,936,479 2,445,860 2,774,382 291,794 368,391 425,008
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio 512,428 571,496 633,768 80,919 89,155 101,691
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio 1,531,414 2,044,056 2,394,670 235,851 313,092 376,421
Global Strategic Equity Fund 427,552 596,170 760,289 65,299 89,626 117,816
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 117

 

  Sales Charges Paid to Distributor Amount Retained by Distributor
After Paying Commissions
Fund 2017 2016 2015 2017 2016 2015
Income Builder Fund $1,093,677 $1,157,299 $1,813,825 $190,293 $199,061 $308,695
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29
Convertible Securities Fund 163,692 638,840 597,387 31,872 122,742 91,832
Global Equity Value Fund 136,551 186,142 225,103 20,182 28,645 36,247
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund 0 0 0 0 0 0
Large Cap Growth Fund III 65,521 164,315 176,881 13,336 27,037 30,962
Large Cap Index Fund 7 116 0 7 116 0
Mid Cap Index Fund 0 1 0 0 1 0
Mid Cap Value Fund 230,671 299,542 530,859 36,480 46,426 78,822
Overseas Value Fund 161,483 182,933 116,875 23,748 27,745 18,622
Select Global Growth Fund 41,972 193,332 153,868 7,610 29,742 22,854
Select International Equity Fund 58,284 73,074 77,136 8,549 11,441 12,480
Select Large Cap Equity Fund 48,640 62,100 35,837 7,290 9,194 5,905
Small Cap Index Fund 508 376 990 508 376 990
Small Cap Value Fund II 5,762 5,271 5,053 806 758 1,399
For Funds with fiscal period ending March 31
Short Term Bond Fund 123,558 90,304 107,718 41,734 26,640 39,406
For Funds with fiscal period ending April 30
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 39,538 29,517 74,559 17,145 11,890 25,505
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 8,948 3,381 7,401 1,831 1,447 1,167
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 8,804 22,821 16,836 1,503 4,140 2,827
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 13,069 13,172 18,812 2,501 2,645 2,780
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 47,756 29,289 48,795 7,501 4,613 6,895
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 6,174 6,484 20,647 1,377 1,402 3,308
Global Infrastructure Fund 197,828 79,259 258,854 28,732 16,297 46,858
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund 26,444 34,853 36,287 9,001 18,928 21,506
  2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31
Commodity Strategy Fund 13,811 19,788 4,927 2,068 2,840 700
Diversified Equity Income Fund 909,129 1,221,109 1,362,341 134,347 185,997 214,889
Dividend Opportunity Fund 1,700,429 2,989,496 4,164,771 281,811 499,994 653,429
Flexible Capital Income Fund 382,932 2,138,279 636,096 90,314 338,211 91,734
High Yield Bond Fund 613,591 658,433 890,213 101,395 109,844 152,649
MM Value Strategies Fund 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mortgage Opportunities Fund 22,928 3,202 0 (a) 5,322 537 0 (a)
Select Large-Cap Value Fund 107,161 418,169 480,587 21,366 68,792 70,498
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund 216,535 189,052 211,623 35,683 28,452 31,197
Seligman Communications and Information Fund 1,939,763 1,412,778 755,972 292,834 214,197 147,978
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund 282,557 301,838 447,309 43,008 49,215 71,068
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 366,020 252,555 295,618 59,850 41,793 87,063
For Funds with fiscal period ending July 31
Disciplined Core Fund 1,331,334 1,678,963 1,414,908 195,542 248,353 218,072
Disciplined Growth Fund 249,475 159,176 60,744 37,550 24,435 8,870
Disciplined Value Fund 98,164 345,446 85,224 16,626 51,174 12,385
Floating Rate Fund 210,695 283,396 712,818 42,436 70,885 161,909
Global Opportunities Fund 303,614 404,059 550,066 45,961 62,652 85,411
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 118

 

  Sales Charges Paid to Distributor Amount Retained by Distributor
After Paying Commissions
  2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014
Government Money Market Fund $6,867 $7,497 $18,434 $6,867 $7,497 $18,434
Income Opportunities Fund 422,906 354,290 394,249 68,204 60,969 78,924
Inflation Protected Securities Fund 16,774 37,397 60,697 2,803 7,546 9,967
Limited Duration Credit Fund 136,727 272,173 339,388 25,273 54,801 77,697
Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund 496,864 392,198 372,153 78,656 58,396 61,917
Strategic Municipal Income Fund 421,956 344,257 284,174 67,660 54,274 50,406
For Funds with fiscal period ending October 31
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund 25,534 21,659 2,864 4,900 3,573 811
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund 978 5,544 735 156 769 103
Emerging Markets Bond Fund 70,258 121,452 270,936 16,250 26,085 62,031
European Equity Fund 128,038 394,465 586,471 22,259 73,891 89,908
Global Bond Fund 14,947 22,140 57,856 2,233 3,709 9,447
Select Global Equity Fund 109,872 119,818 182,484 16,112 18,365 27,624
Seligman Global Technology Fund 440,341 413,638 201,212 67,381 61,197 32,025
(a) For the period from April 30, 2014 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
Part of the sales charge may be paid to selling dealers who have agreements with the Distributor. The Distributor will retain the balance of the sales charge. At times the entire sales charge may be paid to selling dealers. See the prospectus for amounts retained by financial intermediaries as a percentage of the offering price.
Distribution and/or Servicing Plans
The Trustees have adopted distribution and/or shareholder servicing plans for certain share classes. See the cover of this SAI for the share classes offered by the Funds.
The table below shows the 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. The Trust is not aware as to what amount, if any, of the distribution and service fees paid to the 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.
  Distribution Fee Service Fee Combined Total
Class A (Series of CFST) 0.25% (a)
Class A (Series of CFST II) up to 0.25% up to 0.25% 0.25% (b)
Class C 0.75% (c) 0.25% 1.00% (b)
Class K None None (d) None
Class R (Series of CFST) 0.50% (e) 0.50%
Class R (Series of CFST II) up to 0.50% (b) up to 0.25% 0.50% (e)
Class R4 None None None
Class R5 None None None
Class T up to 0.25% up to 0.25% 0.25% (b)
Class V None 0.50% (f) 0.50% (f)
Class Y None None None
Class Z None None None
(a) Series of CFST pay a combined distribution and service fee pursuant to their combined shareholder servicing and distribution plan for Class A shares.
(b) Fee amounts noted apply to all Funds other than Government Money Market Fund, which, for each of Class A and Class T shares, pays distribution and service fees of 0.10%, and for Class C shares pays distribution fees of 0.75%. The Distributor has currently agreed not to be reimbursed by the Fund for 0.25% of the 0.50% fee for Class R shares of Columbia Government Money Market Fund. The Distributor has voluntarily agreed to waive the 12b-1 fees it receives from Class A, Class C, Class R and Class T shares of Government Money Market Fund. Compensation paid to financial intermediaries may be suspended to the extent of the Distributor’s waiver of the 12b-1 fees on these specific share classes of these Funds.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 119

 

(c) For Short Term Bond Fund, the Distributor has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the distribution fee for Class C shares so that the distribution fee does not exceed 0.60% annually.
(d) Under a Plan Administration Services Agreement, the Funds’ Class K shares pay for plan administration services. These fees for Class K shares are not paid pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan. See Investment Management and Other Services – Other Services Provided – Plan Administration Services for more information.
(e) Class R shares of series of CFST pay a distribution fee pursuant to a Fund’s distribution (Rule 12b-1) plan for Class R shares and do not have a shareholder service plan for Class R shares. Series of CFST II have a distribution and shareholder service plan for Class R shares pursuant to which the maximum fee under the plan reimbursed for distribution expenses is equal on an annual basis to 0.50% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares of the Funds, of which amount, up to 0.25% may be reimbursed for shareholder service expense.
(f) The shareholder servicing fees for Class V shares are up to 0.50% of average daily net assets attributable to Class V shares for equity Funds and 0.40% for fixed income Funds. In general, the Funds currently limit such fees to a maximum of 0.25% for equity Funds and 0.15% for fixed income Funds. These fees for Class V shares are not paid pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan. See Class V Shares Shareholder Service Fees below for more information.
If you maintain shares of a Fund directly with the Fund, without working directly with a financial advisor or financial intermediary, distribution and service fees, as applicable, are retained by the Distributor as payment or reimbursement for incurring certain distribution and shareholder service related expenses.
Over time, these distribution and/or shareholder service fees will reduce the return on your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. The Fund will pay these fees to the Distributor and/or to eligible financial intermediaries for as long as the distribution and/or shareholder servicing plans continue in effect. The Fund may reduce or discontinue payments at any time. Your financial intermediary may also charge you other additional fees for providing services to your account, which may be different from those described here.
Plans for Series of CFST. The shareholder servicing plans permit the Funds to compensate or reimburse financial intermediaries for the shareholder services they have provided. The Distribution Plans permit the Funds to compensate or reimburse the Distributor and/or financial intermediaries 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 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.
The Trustees believe the Distribution Plans 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 Plans 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 Plans 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 Plans must be approved by the Trustees in the manner provided in the foregoing sentence. The Distribution Plans 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.
Plans for Series of CFST II . The distribution and/or shareholder service fees for Class A, Class C, Class R and Class T shares, as applicable, are to reimburse the Distributor for certain expenses it incurs in connection with distributing the Fund’s shares or directly or indirectly providing services to Fund shareholders. These payments or expenses include providing distribution and/or shareholder service fees to financial intermediaries that sell shares of the Fund or provide services to Fund shareholders. The Distributor may retain these fees otherwise payable to financial intermediaries if the amounts due are below an amount determined by the Distributor in its discretion. The maximum fee for services under the plan for series of CFST II is the lesser of the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement (including any unreimbursed expenses) and the rate set forth in the table above. If the flat rate exceeds the expenses eligible for reimbursement, then the maximum 12b-1 fee amount accrued for such share class is applied on a going forward basis to reflect the actual amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement for the prior quarter. Similarly, if the flat rate is less than expenses eligible for reimbursement, then the flat rate will be the maximum 12b-1 fee amount on a going forward basis. This determination and calculation is re-applied each subsequent quarter. Class C shares of Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund have suspended distribution payments but may initiate such payments in the event this share class has expenses eligible for reimbursement in the future.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 120

 

Class V Shares Shareholder Service Fees
The Funds that offer Class V shares have adopted a shareholder services plan that permits them to pay for certain services provided to Class V shareholders by their financial intermediaries. Equity Funds 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 V 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 V 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 0.25% for equity Funds and not more than 0.15% for fixed income Funds. These fees for Class V shares are not paid pursuant to a 12b-1 plan. With respect to those Funds that declare dividends on a daily basis, the shareholder servicing fee shall be waived by the financial intermediaries 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. If you maintain shares of a Fund directly with the Fund, without working directly with a financial advisor or other intermediary, shareholder services fees may be retained by the Distributor as payment or reimbursement for incurring certain shareholder service related expenses.
Fees Paid
The table below shows the distribution and/or servicing fees paid by each Fund during the Fund's last fiscal year (or period). The table is organized by fiscal year end.
12b-1 Fees
Fund Class A Class C Class R Class T Class V
For Funds with fiscal period ending January 31
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio $1,441,355 $721,988 $6,482 N/A N/A
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio 556,010 452,793 2,660 N/A N/A
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio 4,228,768 2,154,752 16,939 N/A $218,972
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio 1,280,609 889,069 14,301 N/A N/A
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio 3,322,481 1,868,681 9,566 N/A N/A
Global Strategic Equity Fund 1,327,357 787,887 5,073 N/A N/A
Income Builder Fund 2,337,589 2,314,697 7,480 $23 N/A
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29
Convertible Securities Fund 710,600 434,351 14,591 205 N/A
Global Equity Value Fund 1,718,701 212,589 4,468 19 N/A
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund 201,984 N/A 169,570 N/A N/A
Large Cap Growth Fund III 1,287,980 2,402,933 45,634 3 N/A
Large Cap Index Fund 2,671,665 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mid Cap Index Fund 3,226,581 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mid Cap Value Fund 2,201,620 1,022,656 275,340 707 N/A
Overseas Value Fund 556,832 166,560 2,584 218,210 N/A
Select Global Growth Fund 100,986 127,654 2,966 N/A N/A
Select International Equity Fund 573,169 133,222 5,413 239,410 N/A
Select Large Cap Equity Fund 322,329 50,712 N/A 6 N/A
Small Cap Index Fund 3,453,254 N/A N/A 138,945 N/A
Small Cap Value Fund II 490,986 119,128 50,045 N/A N/A
For Funds with fiscal period ending March 31
Short Term Bond Fund 881,358 569,520 18,781 14,031 N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 121

 

Fund Class A Class C Class R Class T Class V
For Funds with fiscal period ending April 30
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund $113,470 $154,683 N/A N/A N/A
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 52,858 45,925 N/A N/A N/A
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 43,003 27,554 N/A N/A N/A
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 59,380 75,448 N/A N/A N/A
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 58,223 146,772 N/A N/A N/A
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 97,586 51,476 N/A N/A N/A
Global Infrastructure Fund 333,363 0 $3,897 N/A N/A
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund 294,110 169,256 N/A N/A N/A
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31
Commodity Strategy Fund 6,527 2,686 478 $4 N/A
Diversified Equity Income Fund 5,541,637 659,197 30,728 6 N/A
Dividend Opportunity Fund 7,829,995 4,176,498 177,048 223 N/A
Flexible Capital Income Fund 759,572 1,394,537 4,534 19 N/A
High Yield Bond Fund 2,856,168 773,525 102,425 35,107 N/A
MM Value Strategies Fund 4,438,941 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mortgage Opportunities Fund 14,519 5,482 N/A 25 N/A
Select Large-Cap Value Fund 661,093 779,627 109,629 77,740 N/A
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund 903,829 383,489 52,988 N/A N/A
Seligman Communications and Information Fund 6,788,255 7,478,122 246,291 N/A N/A
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund 1,900,198 320,261 42,385 5 N/A
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 1,579,788 413,529 13 40,813 N/A
For Funds with fiscal period ending July 31
Disciplined Core Fund 8,468,263 566,931 26,095 167,001 N/A
Disciplined Growth Fund 445,052 153,270 783 233,601 N/A
Disciplined Value Fund 242,179 161,032 12,635 536,514 $192,498
Floating Rate Fund 1,205,777 940,528 27,538 6 N/A
Global Opportunities Fund 1,509,853 271,099 235 6 N/A
Government Money Market Fund 0 0 0 0 N/A
Income Opportunities Fund 3,691,683 963,644 5,443 13,290 N/A
Inflation Protected Securities Fund 149,715 78,496 26,676 731 N/A
Limited Duration Credit Fund 1,128,638 572,868 N/A 126,526 N/A
MN Tax-Exempt Fund 1,078,187 575,918 N/A N/A N/A
Strategic Municipal Income Fund 1,500,596 203,885 N/A N/A N/A
For Funds with fiscal period ending October 31
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund 54,477 30,215 N/A 188 N/A
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund 1,673 3,434 1,434 N/A N/A
Emerging Markets Bond Fund 316,427 265,986 78,890 18,946 N/A
European Equity Fund 389,711 236,132 N/A 5 N/A
Global Bond Fund 201,709 26,035 212 119 N/A
Select Global Equity Fund 787,941 146,240 929 6 N/A
Seligman Global Technology Fund 1,185,724 937,991 44,528 N/A N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 122

 

For Series of CFST II Funds with Class C shares:
The following table provides the amount of distribution expenses, as a dollar amount and as a percentage of net assets, incurred by the Distributor and not yet reimbursed (“unreimbursed expense”) for Class C shares of series of CFST II. These amounts are based on the most recent information available as of June 30, 2017 and may be recovered from future payments under the distribution plan or CDSC. To the extent the unreimbursed expense has been fully recovered, the distribution fee is reduced.
Unreimbursed Distribution Expenses
Fund Class C Percentage
of Class C
net assets
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund $23,000 0.71%
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund 2,000 0.51%
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio 295,000 0.37%
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio 267,000 0.68%
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio 1,601,000 0.86%
Commodity Strategy Fund 3,000 1.02%
Disciplined Core Fund 1,238,000 2.20%
Disciplined Growth Fund 75,000 0.33%
Disciplined Value Fund 47,000 0.34%
Diversified Equity Income Fund 632,000 0.96%
Dividend Opportunity Fund 1,105,000 0.29%
Emerging Markets Bond Fund 328,000 1.60%
European Equity Fund 159,000 1.14%
Flexible Capital Income Fund 756,000 0.57%
Floating Rate Fund 784,000 0.79%
Global Bond Fund 69,000 3.61%
Global Equity Value Fund 53,000 0.28%
Global Infrastructure Fund 434,000 1.64%
Global Opportunities Fund 421,000 1.62%
Government Money Market Fund 1,031,000 5.56%
High Yield Bond Fund 7,821,000 9.38%
Income Builder Fund 1,233,000 0.53%
Income Opportunities Fund 1,027,000 1.15%
Inflation Protected Securities Fund 165,000 2.28%
Limited Duration Credit Fund 623,000 1.40%
Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund 400,000 0.55%
Mortgage Opportunities 15,000 0.74%
Select Global Equity Fund 1,346,000 10.92%
Select Large-Cap Value Fund 2,942,000 4.54%
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund 2,528,000 7.12%
Seligman Communications and Information Fund 17,583,000 2.09%
Seligman Global Technology Fund 4,340,000 3.51%
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund 318,000 1.13%
Strategic Municipal Income Fund 210,000 0.44%
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 275,000 0.65%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 123

 

Other Services Provided
The Transfer Agent
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. is the transfer agent for the Funds. The Transfer Agent is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. Under the Transfer Agency Agreement, the Transfer Agent provides transfer agency, dividend disbursing and shareholder services to the Funds, for which the Funds pay transfer agency fees based on the cost of servicing the Funds and a target profit margin. The Funds pay the Transfer Agent an annual fee payable monthly that varies by account type (on a per account or asset-based basis). With respect to Class Y shares, the annual rate for transfer agency fees is currently capped at 0.02%. As described below under Other Practices – Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments , transfer agency fees for Class K and Class R5 shares are also subject to an expense limitation.
In addition to the fees above, the Funds pay a fee for shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries who maintain shares through omnibus or networked accounts. See Other Practices – Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments for more information.
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. Transfer agency costs for each Fund are calculated separately for each of (i) Class K and Class R5 shares, (ii) Class Y shares, and (iii) all other share classes.
The fees paid to the Transfer Agent may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.
The Transfer Agent retains BFDS/DST, 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, MA 02169 as the Funds’ sub-transfer agent. BFDS/DST assists the Transfer Agent in carrying out its duties.
Plan Administration Services
The Funds that offer Class K shares have a Plan Administration Services Agreement with the Transfer Agent. Under the agreement, the Funds pay an annual plan administration services fee for the provision of various administrative, recordkeeping, communication and educational 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 K shares. These fees for Class K shares are not paid pursuant to a 12b-1 plan.
The Custodian
The Funds' securities and cash are held pursuant to a custodian agreement with JPMorgan, 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10005. JPMorgan is responsible for safeguarding the Funds' cash and securities, receiving and delivering securities and collecting the Funds' interest and dividends. The custodian is permitted to deposit some or all of its securities in central depository systems as allowed by federal law. For its services, each Fund pays its custodian a maintenance charge and a charge per transaction in addition to reimbursing the custodian’s out-of-pocket expenses.
As part of this arrangement, securities purchased outside the United States are maintained in the custody of various foreign branches of JPMorgan or in other financial institutions as permitted by law and by the Funds' custodian agreement.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PwC, which is located at 45 South Seventh Street, Suite 3400, Minneapolis, MN 55402, is the Funds' independent registered public accounting firm. The financial statements for series of CFST II for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012 or later, and for the series of CFST for the last five fiscal periods contained in each Fund’s Annual Report were audited by PwC. The financial statements for the series of CFST II for fiscal periods ended on or before July 31, 2012 were audited by the Funds’ former independent registered public accounting firm. The Board has selected PwC as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Funds' books and review their tax returns for their respective fiscal years.
The Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and the audited financial statements are included in the annual report to shareholders of each Fund, and are incorporated herein by reference. No other parts of the annual or semi-annual reports to shareholders are incorporated by reference herein. The audited 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.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 124

 

Counsel
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP serves as counsel to the Independent Trustees of the Trusts. Its address is 1177 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036. Goodwin Procter LLP serves as legal counsel to the Trusts. Its address is 901 New York Avenue N.W., Washington, DC, 20001.
Board Services Corporation
Prior to April 2017, the Funds engaged Board Services as an agent for purposes of administering the payment of compensation to each Independent Trustee, to provide office space for use by the Funds and their Board, and other requested services to the Board or the Independent Trustees.
Expense Limitations
The Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse certain expenses, subject to certain exclusions described in a Fund’s prospectus, so that certain Funds’ net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed specified rates for specified time periods, also as described in a Fund’s prospectus.
The table below shows the total Fund level expenses reimbursed by the Investment Manager and its affiliates for the last three fiscal periods. The table is organized by fiscal year end.
Expenses Reimbursed
  Amounts Reimbursed
  2017 2016 2015
For Funds with fiscal period ending January 31
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio $0 $0 $0
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio 0 0 0
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio 0 0 0
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio 0 0 0
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio 0 0 0
Global Strategic Equity Fund 0 0 0
Income Builder Fund 0 0 0
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29
Convertible Securities Fund 834,088 1,457,434 2,214,261
Global Equity Value Fund 29,250 0 0
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund 1,426,994 1,585,278 995,829
Large Cap Growth Fund III 54,911 130,998 53,706
Large Cap Index Fund 95,053 88,551 77,734
Mid Cap Index Fund 5,774,688 7,142,608 7,188,619
Mid Cap Value Fund 0 0 0
Overseas Value Fund 0 288 0
Select Global Growth Fund 109,338 67,388 101,593
Select International Equity Fund 428,181 121,134 69,562
Select Large Cap Equity Fund 191,327 275,109 279,840
Small Cap Index Fund 87,038 81,848 70,146
Small Cap Value Fund II 0 0 0
For Funds with fiscal period ending March 31
Short Term Bond Fund 1,335,975 1,718,552 1,925,395
For Funds with fiscal period ending April 30
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 798,915 837,581 711,618
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 163,717 180,727 196,116
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 182,646 201,269 207,608
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 125

 

  Amounts Reimbursed
  2017 2016 2015
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund $326,612 $321,931 $308,313
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 234,631 242,847 239,755
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 307,843 336,395 355,377
Global Infrastructure Fund 0 0 0
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund 2,644,451 3,096,375 3,264,887
  2016 2015 2014
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31
Commodity Strategy Fund 3,738 85,471 104,298
Diversified Equity Income Fund 0 1 156,136
Dividend Opportunity Fund 0 0 0
Flexible Capital Income Fund 0 80,230 227,197
High Yield Bond Fund 1,274 147,188 0
MM Value Strategies Fund 328,042 293,476 1,386,107
Mortgage Opportunities Fund 315,924 348,741 42,035 (a)
Select Large-Cap Value Fund 156,775 189,566 402,411
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund 0 0 52,609
Seligman Communications and Information Fund 0 0 0
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund 8,402 0 59,768
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 1,075,707 1,130,943 1,244,781
For Funds with fiscal period ending July 31
Disciplined Core Fund 0 0 0
Disciplined Growth Fund 192,638 0 1,070
Disciplined Value Fund 97,869 65,160 146,833
Floating Rate Fund 354,608 162,326 97,497
Global Opportunities Fund 0 0 0
Government Money Market Fund 2,354,423 10,270,185 12,790,488
Income Opportunities Fund 1,424,515 1,138,782 1,157,436
Inflation Protected Securities Fund 393,548 799,875 729,928
Limited Duration Credit Fund 460,042 295,544 288,780
MN Tax-Exempt Fund 0 0 0
Strategic Municipal Income Fund 251,237 207,506 191,952
For Funds with fiscal period ending October 31
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund 0 31,864 42,771
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund 116,660 108,290 0
Emerging Markets Bond Fund 0 0 0
European Equity Fund 0 0 0
Global Bond Fund 306,001 319,808 412,555
Select Global Equity Fund 0 0 1
Seligman Global Technology Fund 0 0 0
(a) For the period from April 30, 2014 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
The table below shows the total fees waived by the Investment Manager and its affiliates for the last three fiscal periods. If a Fund is not shown, there were no fees waived for the relevant fiscal periods. The table is organized by fiscal year end.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 126

 

Fees Waived
  Fees Waived
  2017 2016 2015
For Funds with fiscal period ending January 31
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio $0 $0 $25,362
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund 0 80,416 211,973
For Funds with fiscal period ending March 31
Short Term Bond Fund 105,827 116,748 226,913
  2016 2015 2014
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31
High Yield Bond Fund 0 47,055 141,329
Seligman Communications and Information Fund 0 0 238,977
For Funds with fiscal period ending July 31
Government Money Market Fund 3,213,551 0 0
Income Opportunities Fund 0 0 62,997
Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and Its Affiliates —
Certain Conflicts of Interest
As described above in the Investment Management and Other Services section of this SAI, and in the More Information About the Fund – Primary Service Providers section of each Fund's prospectus, the Investment Manager, 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 Investment Manager 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. As the size of the Funds' assets under management grows, so does the amount of compensation paid to the Investment Manager and, as the case may be, other Ameriprise Financial affiliates for providing services to the Funds. This relationship between Fund assets and any 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. Many of 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, Parts 1A and 2A of the Investment Manager’s Form ADV, which it must file with the SEC as an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, provide information about the Investment Manager’s business, assets under management, affiliates and potential conflicts of interest. Parts 1A and 2A of the Investment Manager’s Form ADV are 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. Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates are engaged in a wide range of financial activities beyond the fund-related activities of the Investment Manager, 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 Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial 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
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 127

 

Funds. The Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial’s other investment adviser affiliates (including, for example, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC) will give investment advice to and make investment decisions for 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 Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial 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 Investment Manager or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may differ from, or may conflict with, advice given to and/or investment decisions made by the Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates 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 Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates. Similarly, a position taken by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, 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 Investment Manager, 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.
Investment transactions made on behalf of other funds or accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial 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 Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, including the other Columbia Funds and accounts of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, 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 Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may create conflicts of interest especially where, for example, limited investment availability is involved. The Investment Manager has adopted policies and procedures designed to address the allocation of investment opportunities among the Funds and other funds and accounts advised by the Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial and other affiliates of Ameriprise Financial. For more information, see Investment Management and Other Services – The Investment Manager and Subadvisers – Portfolio Managers – Potential Conflicts of Interest .
Sharing of Information among Advised/Managed Accounts
Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, 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 Investment Manager, 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 Investment Manager 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 Management and Other Services – The Investment Manager and Subadvisers – Portfolio Managers – Potential Conflicts of Interest .
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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 Investment Manager 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, including the Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent, 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 Investment Manager, 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 Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent and other Ameriprise 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 Investment Manager 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
The Investment Manager 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 Investment Manager and/or its affiliates, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Although the Investment Manager 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 Investment Manager’s proxy voting decisions with respect to a Fund’s portfolio securities may or may not benefit other advised/managed funds and accounts, and/or clients, of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. For more information about the Funds' proxy voting policies and procedures, see Investment Management 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 Investment Manager and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics that addresses such personal investment activities. For more information, see Investment Management 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, certain securities may be subject to ownership limitations due to regulatory limits on investments in certain industries (such as, for example, banking and insurance) and markets (such as emerging or international markets), or certain transactions (such as those involving certain derivatives or other instruments) or mechanisms imposed by certain issuers (such as, among others, poison pills). Certain of these restrictions may impose limits on the aggregate amount of investments that may be made by affiliated investors in the
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aggregate or in individual issuers. In these circumstances, the Investment Manager 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 Investment Manager has policies and procedures designed to monitor and interpret these limits. Nonetheless, given the complexity of these limits, the Investment Manager and/or 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. In addition, aggregate ownership limitations could cause performance dispersion among funds and accounts managed by the Investment Manager with similar investment objectives and strategies and portfolio management teams. For example, if further purchases in an issuer are restricted due to regulatory or other reasons, a portfolio manager would not be able to acquire securities or other assets of an issuer for a new Fund that may already be held by other funds and accounts with the same/similar investment objectives and strategies that are managed by the same portfolio management team. The Investment Manager may also choose to limit purchases in an issuer to a certain threshold for risk management purposes. If the holdings of the Investment Manager’s affiliates are included in that limitation, a Fund may be more limited in its ability to purchase a particular security or other asset than if the holdings of the Investment Manager’s affiliates had been excluded from the limitation. 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. In any of these scenarios, a Fund’s inability to participate (or participate further) in a particular investment, despite a portfolio manager’s desire to so participate, may negatively impact Fund performance. 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 Fund 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 Investment Manager 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 Investment Manager.
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 Investment Manager, may, subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements, 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, if any. 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 Investment Manager 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 Other Practices – Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments and Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries for more information.
Actual or Potential Conflicts of Interest Related to Affiliated Indexes
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Columbia Management and its affiliates may develop, own and operate stock market and other indexes (each, an Affiliated Index) based on investment and trading strategies developed by Columbia Management and/or its affiliates (Affiliated Index Strategies). Some of the ETFs for which Columbia Management acts as investment adviser (the Affiliated Index ETFs) seek to track the performance of the Affiliated Indexes. Columbia Management and/or its affiliates may, from time to time, manage other funds or accounts that invest in these Affiliated Index ETFs. In the future, Columbia Management and/or its affiliates may manage client accounts that track the same Affiliated Indexes used by the Affiliated Index ETFs or which are based on the same, or substantially similar, Affiliated Index Strategies that are used in the operation of the Affiliated Indexes and the Affiliated Index ETFs. The operation of the Affiliated Indexes, the Affiliated Index ETFs and other accounts managed in this manner may give rise to potential conflicts of interest.
For example, any accounts managed by Columbia Management and/or its affiliates that seek to track the same Affiliated Indexes may engage in purchases and sales of securities at different times. These differences may result in certain accounts having more favorable performance relative to that of the Affiliated Index or other accounts that seek to track the Affiliated Index. Other potential conflicts include (i) the potential for unauthorized access to Affiliated Index information, allowing Affiliated Index changes that benefit Columbia Management and/or its affiliates or other accounts managed by Columbia Management and/or its affiliates and not the clients in the accounts seeking to track the Affiliated Index, and (ii) the manipulation of Affiliated Index pricing to present the performance of accounts seeking to track the Affiliated Index, or the firm’s tracking ability, in a preferential light.
Columbia Management has adopted policies and procedures that are designed to address potential conflicts that may arise in connection with the operation of the Affiliated Indexes, the Affiliated Index ETFs and other accounts.
To the extent it is intended that an account managed by Columbia Management and/or its affiliates seeks to track an Affiliated Index, the account may not match (performance or holdings), and may vary substantially from, such index for any period of time. An account that seeks to track an index may purchase, hold and sell securities at times when another client would not do so. Columbia Management and its affiliates do not guarantee that any tracking error targets will be achieved. Accounts managed by Columbia Management and/or its affiliates that seek to track an index may be negatively impacted by errors in the index, either as a result of calculation errors, inaccurate data sources or otherwise. Columbia Management and its affiliates do not guarantee the timeliness, accuracy and/or completeness of an index and are not responsible for errors, omissions or interruptions in the index (including when Columbia Management or an affiliate acts as the index provider) or the calculation thereof (including when Columbia Management or an affiliate acts as the calculation agent).
Columbia Management and its affiliates are not obligated to license the Affiliated Indexes to clients or other third-parties.
Codes of Ethics
The Funds, the Investment Manager, the subadvisers 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.
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
General. The Funds have delegated to the Investment Manager the responsibility to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Funds, including Funds managed by subadvisers.
The Investment Manager votes proxies relating to portfolio securities in accordance with a proxy voting policy and pre-determined proxy voting guidelines adopted by the Board. The Funds endeavor to vote all proxies of which they become aware prior to the vote deadline; provided, however, that in certain circumstances the Funds may refrain from voting securities. For instance, the Funds may refrain from voting foreign securities if the costs of voting outweigh the expected benefits of voting and typically will not vote securities if voting would impose trading restrictions.
Board Oversight and Retention of Proxy Voting Authority. The Board may, in its discretion, vote proxies for the Funds. For instance, the Board may determine to vote on matters that may present a material conflict of interest to the Investment Manager.
The Board reviews on an annual basis, or more frequently as determined appropriate, the Investment Manager’s administration of the proxy voting process and its adherence to the approved guidelines.
Voting Guidelines. The Investment Manager and Board will generally vote in accordance with pre-determined voting guidelines adopted by the Board. The voting guidelines indicate whether to vote for, against or abstain from particular proposals, or whether the matter should be considered on a case-by-case basis. A committee within the Investment Manager (the Proxy Voting
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Committee), which is composed of representatives of the Investment Manager’s equity investments, equity research, compliance, legal and operations functions, may determine to vote differently from the guidelines on particular proposals in the event it determines that doing so is in the clients’ best economic interests. The Board may also determine to vote differently from the guidelines on particular proposals in the event it determines that doing so is appropriate and in the Funds’ interests. The Investment Manager and the Board may also consider the voting recommendations of analysts, portfolio managers, subadvisers and information obtained from outside resources, including one or more third party research providers. When proposals are not covered by the voting guidelines or a voting determination must be made on a case-by-case basis, a portfolio manager, subadviser or analyst will make the voting determination based on his or her determination of the clients’ best economic interests; provided, however, for securities held in funds managed in traditional index strategies and not in any other fund or account managed by the Investment Manager, proxies will generally be voted in accordance with the recommendation of a third party research provider if the proposal is not covered by the voting guidelines or a voting determination must be made on a case-by-case basis. In addition, the Proxy Voting Committee or Board may determine proxy votes when proposals require special consideration.
On an annual basis, or more frequently as determined necessary, the Board reviews recommendations to revise the existing guidelines or add new guidelines. Recommendations are based on, among other things, industry trends and the frequency that similar proposals appear on company ballots.
Addressing Conflicts of Interest. If the Investment Manager is subject to a potential material conflict of interest with respect to a proxy vote, the Board will vote the proxy by administering the guidelines or determining the vote on a case-by-case basis. If the Board determines that its members may be subject to a potential material conflict of interest with respect to a proxy vote, the member is asked to recuse himself or herself from the determination.
Voting Proxies of Affiliated Underlying Funds. Certain Funds may invest in shares of other Columbia Funds (referred to in this context as “underlying funds”) and may own substantial portions of these underlying funds. If such Funds are in a master-feeder structure, the feeder fund will either seek instructions from its shareholders with regard to the voting of proxies with respect to the master fund’s shares and vote such proxies in accordance with such instructions or vote the shares held by it in the same proportion as the vote of all other master fund shareholders. With respect to Funds that hold shares of underlying funds other than in a master-feeder structure, the proxy policy of the Funds is, in general, to ensure that direct public shareholders of underlying funds control the outcome of any shareholder vote. To help manage this potential conflict of interest, the policy of the Funds is to vote proxies of the underlying funds in the same proportion as the vote of the direct public shareholders; provided, however, that if there are no direct public shareholders of an underlying fund or if direct public shareholders represent only a minority interest in an underlying fund, the Fund may cast votes in accordance with instructions from the independent members of the Board.
Proxy Voting Agents. The Investment Manager has retained Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., a third party vendor, as its proxy voting administrator to implement the Funds’ proxy voting process and to provide recordkeeping and vote disclosure services. The Investment Manager has retained both Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. and Glass-Lewis & Co. to provide proxy research services.
Additional Information. 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.columbiathreadneedle.com/us and/or (ii) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. For a copy of the voting guidelines in effect on the date of this SAI, see Appendix B to this SAI.
Organization and Management of Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries
Commodity Strategy Fund (for purposes of this section, referred to as a “Fund”) may invest a portion of its assets, within the limitations of Subchapter M and Section 817(h) of the Code, as applicable, in one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiaries (previously defined collectively as the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, whose registered office is located at P.O. Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman Islands.
The Subsidiary is overseen by its own board of directors and is not registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund, as the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary, does not have all of the protections offered by the 1940 Act to shareholders of investment companies registered under the 1940 Act. However, the Fund’s Board maintains oversight responsibility for investment activities
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of the Subsidiary as if the Subsidiary’s investments were held directly by the Fund. The Investment Manager and the Fund’s subadvisers are responsible for the Subsidiary’s day-to-day business pursuant to their separate agreements with, or in respect of, the Subsidiary. The following individuals serve as a director of the Subsidiary:
Name, address, year of birth Position held with Subsidiary
and length of service
Principal occupation during past five years
Anthony P. Haugen
807 Ameriprise
Financial Center,
Minneapolis, MN 55474-2405
Born 1964
Director since
November 2013
Vice President – Finance, Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
since June 2004
Amy K. Johnson
5228 Ameriprise
Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN 55474-2405
Born 1965
Director since
November 2013
See Fund Governance – Fund Officers .
Christopher O. Petersen
5228 Ameriprise
Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN 55474-2405
Born 1970
Director since
January 2015
See Fund Governance – Fund Officers .
The Subsidiary has entered into a separate management agreement for the provision of advisory and administrative services with the Investment Manager. Under this agreement, the Investment Manager provides the Subsidiary with the same type of management services, under the same terms, as are provided to the Fund. The Subsidiary pays the Investment Manager an annual fee for its management services, as set forth in the management agreement and the table below.
Management Agreement Fee Schedule
Subsidiary Assets
(millions)
Annual rate at
each asset level (a)
CCSF Offshore Fund, Ltd.
(Subsidiary of Commodity Strategy Fund)
$0 - $500 0.630%
>$500 - $1,000 0.580%
>$1,000 - $3,000 0.550%
>$3,000 - $6,000 0.520%
>$6,000 - $12,000 0.500%
>$12,000 0.490%
(a) When calculating asset levels for purposes of determining fee rate breakpoints, asset levels are based on aggregate net assets of the Fund and the Parent Fund. When calculating the fee payable under this agreement, the annual rates are based on a percentage of the daily net assets of the Fund.
The Subsidiary has entered into a separate contract for the provision of custody services with the same service providers who provide those services to the Fund. Threadneedle selects the Subsidiary’s investments pursuant to an addendum to the subadvisory agreement with the Investment Manager. The Subsidiary has also entered into arrangements with PwC to serve as the Subsidiary’s independent registered public accounting firm. Financial statements prior to August 31, 2012 were audited by the Subsidiary’s former independent registered public accounting firm. The Subsidiary will bear the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the services that it receives pursuant to each of these separate agreements and arrangements. The Fund expects that the expenses borne by the Subsidiary will not be material in relation of the value of the Fund’s assets.
For purposes of adhering to the Fund’s compliance policies and procedures, the Investment Manager will treat the assets of the Subsidiary as if the assets were held directly by the Fund. The Chief Compliance Officer makes periodic reports to the Fund’s Board regarding the management and operations of the Subsidiary.
The financial information of the Subsidiary is consolidated into the Fund’s financial statements, as contained within the Fund’s annual and semiannual reports provided to shareholders.
Please refer to the section titled “ Taxation – The Subsidiary ” for information about certain tax considerations relating to the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary.
By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The derivatives and other investments held by the Subsidiary are subject to the same risks that would apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund. The Subsidiary is subject to the same principal risks to which the Fund is subject (as described in the Fund’s prospectus). There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act and, except as otherwise noted, is not subject to the investor protections of the 1940 Act.
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However, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Subsidiary are both managed by the Investment Manager, making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Fund’s Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. In managing the Subsidiary’s investment portfolio, the Investment Manager will manage the Subsidiary’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions.
The Investment Manager and any subadviser, if applicable, as it relates to the Subsidiary, complies with provisions of the 1940 Act relating to investment advisory contracts under Section 15 as an investment adviser to the Fund under Section 2(a)(20) of the 1940 Act. The Fund complies with the provisions of the 1940 Act, including those relating to investment policies (Section 8) and capital structure and leverage (Section 18) on an aggregate basis with the Subsidiary, and the Subsidiary complies with the provisions relating to affiliated transactions and custody (Section 17).
Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and the Subsidiary, respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in the applicable prospectus and this SAI and could adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders. For example, the Cayman Islands laws currently do not impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax on the Subsidiary. If Cayman Islands law were changed and the Subsidiary was required to pay Cayman Islands taxes, the investment returns of the Fund would likely decrease.
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FUND GOVERNANCE
Board of Trustees and Officers
Shareholders elect the Board that oversees the Funds' operations. The Board appoints officers who are responsible for day-to-day business decisions based on policies set by the Board. The following table provides basic biographical information about the Funds' Trustees as of the date of this SAI, including their principal occupations during the past five years, although specific titles for individuals may have varied over the period. Under current Board policy, Trustees not affiliated with the Investment Manager generally may serve through the end of the calendar year in which they reach either the mandatory retirement age established by the Board or the fifteenth anniversary of the first Columbia Funds board meeting they attended as a member of the Board.
Trustees
Independent Trustees
Name, Address,
Year of Birth
Position Held
with the Trusts and Length of Service
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia Funds Complex
Overseen
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five Years Committee
Assignments
George S. Batejan
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1953
Trustee since 1/17 Executive Vice President, Global Head of Technology and Operations, Janus Capital Group, Inc., 2010-2016 120 Advisory Board Member, University of Colorado Business School (Executive Committee, Nominating Committee and Governance Committee) since November 2015; former Chairman of the Board, NICSA (National Investment Company Services Association), 2014-2016; former Director, Intech Investment Management, 2011-2016; former Board Member, Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, 2015-2016 Compliance, Contracts, Investment Review
Kathleen Blatz
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1954
Trustee since 1/06 for RiverSource Funds and since 6/11 for Nations Funds Attorney, specializing in arbitration and mediation; Chief Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court, 1998-2006; Associate Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court, 1996-1998; Fourth Judicial District Court Judge, Hennepin County, 1994-1996; Attorney in private practice and public service, 1984-1993; State Representative, Minnesota House of Representatives, 1979-1993, which included service on the Tax and Financial Institutions and Insurance Committees; Member of the Board of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority since 2017 122 Trustee, BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota (Chair of the Business Development Committee) since 2009; Chair of the Robina Foundation since August 2013 Board Governance, Compliance, Contracts, Executive, Investment Review
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 135

 

Name, Address,
Year of Birth
Position Held
with the Trusts and Length of Service
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia Funds Complex
Overseen
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five Years Committee
Assignments
Edward J. Boudreau, Jr.
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1944
Trustee since 6/11 for RiverSource Funds and since 1/05 for Nations Funds Managing Director, E.J. Boudreau & Associates (consulting) since 2000; FINRA Industry Arbitrator, 2002 – present; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock Investments (asset management), Chairman and Interested Trustee for open-end and closed-end funds offered by John Hancock, 1989-2000; John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, including Senior Vice President and Treasurer and Senior Vice President Information Technology, 1968-1988 120 Former Trustee, Boston Museum of Science (Chair of Finance Committee), 1985-2013; former Trustee, BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds), 2005-2011 Audit, Board Governance, Contracts, Investment Review
Pamela G. Carlton
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1954
Trustee since 7/07 for RiverSource Funds and since 6/11 for Nations Funds President, Springboard- Partners in Cross Cultural Leadership (consulting company) since 2003; Managing Director of US Equity Research, JP Morgan Chase, 1999-2003; Director of US Equity Research, Chase Asset Management, 1996- 1999; Co-Director Latin America Research, 1993-1996, COO Global Research, 1992-1996, Co-Director of US Research, 1991-1992, Investment Banker, Morgan Stanley, 1982-1991 122 Trustee, New York Presbyterian Hospital Board (Executive Committee and Chair of Human Resources Committee) since 1996 Audit, Board Governance, Contracts, Executive, Investment Review
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 136

 

Name, Address,
Year of Birth
Position Held
with the Trusts and Length of Service
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia Funds Complex
Overseen
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five Years Committee
Assignments
William P. Carmichael
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1943
Trustee since 6/11 for RiverSource Funds and since 2003 for Nations Funds Retired; Co-founder, The Succession Fund (provides exit strategies to owners of privately held companies), 1998-2007; Adjunct Professor of Finance, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, 1993-2007; Senior Vice President, Sara Lee Corporation, 1991-1993; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Beatrice Foods Company, 1984-1990; Vice President, Esmark, Inc., 1973-1984; Associate, Price Waterhouse, 1968-1972 122 Director, The Finish Line (athletic shoes and apparel) since July 2003; Director, hhgregg since May, 2015; former Director, Cobra Electronics Corporation (electronic equipment manufacturer), 1994-August 2014; former Director, Spectrum Brands, Inc. (consumer products), 2002-2009; former Director, Simmons Company (bedding), 2004-2010; former Trustee, BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds) 2003-2011; former Director, McMoRan Exploration Company (oil and gas exploration and development) 2010-2013; former Director, International Textile Corp., 2012-2016 Compliance, Contracts, Executive, Investment Review
Patricia M. Flynn
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1950
Trustee since 11/04 for RiverSource Funds and since 6/11 for Nations Funds Trustee Professor of Economics and Management, Bentley University since 1976 (also teaches and conducts research on corporate governance); Dean, McCallum Graduate School of Business, Bentley University, 1992-2002 122 Trustee, MA Taxpayers Foundation since 1997; Board of Governors, Innovation Institute, MA Technology Collaborative since 2010 Audit, Contracts, Investment Review
William A. Hawkins
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1942
Chair of the Board since 11/15; Trustee since 6/11 for RiverSource Funds and since 1/05 for Nations Funds Managing Director, Overton Partners (financial consulting), since August 2010; President and Chief Executive Officer, California General Bank, N.A., January 2008-August 2010; Operation Hope, COO, 2004-2007; IndyMac Bancorp, President, CBG, 1999-2003; American General Bank, President, 1997-1999; Griffin Financial Services, CEO, 1981-1997; The Griffin Funds, CEO, 1992-1998 122 Former Trustee, BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds) 2005-2015 Audit, Board Governance, Contracts, Executive, Investment Review
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 137

 

Name, Address,
Year of Birth
Position Held
with the Trusts and Length of Service
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia Funds Complex
Overseen
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five Years Committee
Assignments
Catherine James Paglia
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1952
Trustee since 11/04 for RiverSource Funds and since 6/11 for Nations Funds Director, Enterprise Asset Management, Inc. (private real estate and asset management company) since September 1998; Managing Director and Partner, Interlaken Capital, Inc., 1989-1997; Managing Director, Morgan Stanley, 1982-1989; Vice President, Investment Banking, 1980-1982, Associate, Investment Banking, 1976-1980, Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc. 122 Director, Valmont Industries, Inc. (irrigation systems manufacturer) since 2012; Trustee, Carleton College (on the Investment Committee); Trustee, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (on the Investment Committee) Board Governance, Compliance, Contracts, Executive, Investment Review
Minor M. Shaw
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1947
Trustee since 6/11 for RiverSource Funds and since 2003 for Nations Funds President, Micco LLC (private investments) since 2011; President, Micco Corp. (family investment business), 1998-2011 122 Director, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina since April 2008; Advisory Board member, Duke Energy Corp. since October 2016; Chair of the Duke Endowment; Director, National Association of Corporate Directors, Carolinas Chapter, since 2013; Chair of Greenville – Spartanburg Airport Commission; former Trustee, BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds), 2003-2011; former Director, Piedmont Natural Gas, 2004-2016 Compliance, Contracts, Investment Review
John G. Taft
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1955
Trustee since 1/17 Chief Executive Officer, RBC Wealth Management (a division of RBC Capital Markets LLC), 2005-2016 120 Trustee, Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts (Finance Committee) since 2014; former Director, RBC Global Asset Management – U.S., 2001-2016 Audit, Contracts, Investment Review
Alison Taunton-Rigby
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1944
Trustee since 11/02 for RiverSource Funds and since 6/11 for Nations Funds President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director, RiboNovix, Inc., 2003-2010; President and CEO, CMT Inc., 2001-2003; President and CEO, Aquila Biopharmaceuticals Inc., 1997-2000; President and CEO, Cambridge Biotechnology Corporation, 1995-1997; President and CEO, Mitotix Inc., 1993-1994 122 Director, Boston Children’s Hospital since 2002; Director, ICI Mutual Insurance Company, since 2011; Director, Blumont/IRD since 2016; Director, Mount Ida College since 2016; former Director, Abt Associates (government contractor), 2001-2016; former Director, Healthways, Inc. (health and well-being solutions), 2005-2016 Audit, Board Governance, Contracts, Investment Review
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 138

 

Interested Trustee Not Affiliated with Investment Manager*
Name, Address,
Year of Birth
Position Held
with the Trusts and Length of Service
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia Funds Complex
Overseen
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five Years Committee
Assignments
Anthony M. Santomero
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1946
Trustee since 6/11 for RiverSource Funds and since 1/08 for Nations Funds Richard K. Mellon Professor Emeritus of Finance, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, since 2002; Senior Advisor, McKinsey & Company (consulting), 2006-2008; President, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, 2000-2006; Professor of Finance, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1972-2002 120 Trustee, Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company since March 2008; Director, Renaissance Reinsurance Ltd. since May 2008; Director, Citigroup Inc. since 2009; Director, Citibank, N.A. since 2009; former Trustee, BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds), 2008-2011 Compliance, Contracts, Executive, Investment Review
* Dr. Santomero is not an affiliated person of the Investment Manager or Ameriprise Financial. However, he is currently deemed by the Funds to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds because he serves as a Director of Citigroup Inc. and Citibank, N.A., companies that may directly or through subsidiaries and affiliates engage from time-to-time in brokerage execution, principal transactions and lending relationships with the Funds or accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager.
Interested Trustee Affiliated with Investment Manager*
Name, Address,
Year of Birth
Position Held
with the Trusts and Length of Service
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia Funds Complex
Overseen
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five Years Committee
Assignments
William F. Truscott
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin St.
Boston, MA 02110
1960
Trustee since 11/01 for RiverSource Funds and since 6/11 for Nations Funds; Senior Vice President since 2002 for RiverSource Funds and since 5/10 for Nations Funds Chairman of the Board and President, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010 and February 2012, respectively; Chief Executive Officer, Global Asset Management, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since September 2012 (previously Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Asset Management & President, Annuities, May 2010 - September 2012); Director and Chief Executive Officer, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. since May 2010 and February 2012, respectively; Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, RiverSource Distributors, Inc. since 2006; Director, Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings, SARL since 2014; President and Chief Executive Officer, Ameriprise Certificate Company, 2006 - August 2012. 179 Chairman of the Board, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010; Director, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. since May 2010; Former Director, Ameriprise Certificate Company, 2006 - January 2013 None
* Interested person (as defined under the 1940 Act) by reason of being an officer, director, security holder and/or employee of the Investment Manager or Ameriprise Financial.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 139

 

The Officers
The Board has appointed officers who are responsible for day-to-day business decisions based on policies it has established. The officers serve at the pleasure of the Board. The following table provides basic information about the Officers of the Trusts as of the date of this SAI, including principal occupations during the past five years, although their specific titles may have varied over the period. In addition to Mr. Truscott, who is Senior Vice President, the Funds' other officers are:
Fund Officers
Name, Address
and Year of Birth
Position and Year
First Appointed to
Position for any Fund in the
Columbia Funds Complex
or a Predecessor Thereof
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
Christopher O. Petersen
5228 Ameriprise Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN 55474
Born 1970
President and Principal Executive Officer (2015) Vice President and Lead Chief Counsel, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since January 2015 (previously, Vice President and Chief Counsel January 2010 – December 2014); officer of Columbia Funds and affiliated funds since 2007.
Michael G. Clarke
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Born 1969
Treasurer (2011), Chief Financial Officer (2009) and Chief Accounting Officer (2015) Vice President – Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, since May 2010; senior officer of Columbia Funds and affiliated funds since 2002.
Paul B. Goucher
100 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Born 1968
Senior Vice President (2011) and Assistant Secretary (2008) Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since January 2017 (previously Vice President and Lead Chief Counsel, November 2008 – January 2017 and January 2013 – January 2017, respectively; and Chief Counsel, January 2010 - January 2013); Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Assistant Secretary, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010.
Thomas P. McGuire
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Born 1972
Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2012) Vice President – Asset Management Compliance, Ameriprise Financial, Inc., since May 2010; Chief Compliance Officer, Ameriprise Certificate Company since September 2010.
Colin Moore
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Born 1958
Senior Vice President (2010) Executive Vice President and Global Chief Investment Officer, Ameriprise Financial, Inc., since July 2013; Executive Vice President and Global Chief Investment Officer, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since July 2013 (previously Director and Global Chief Investment Officer, 2010 – 2013).
Ryan C. Larrenaga
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Born 1970
Senior Vice President (2017), Chief Legal Officer (2017) and Secretary (2015) Vice President and Group Counsel, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since August 2011; officer of Columbia Funds and affiliated funds since 2005.
Michael E. DeFao
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Born 1968
Vice President (2011) and Assistant Secretary (2010) Vice President and Chief Counsel, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since May 2010.
Amy Johnson
5228 Ameriprise Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN 55474
Born 1965
Vice President (2006) Managing Director and Global Head of Operations, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since April 2016 (previously Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, 2010 – 2016).
Lyn Kephart-Strong
5228 Ameriprise Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN 55474
Born 1960
Vice President (2015) President, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. since October 2014; Vice President & Resolution Officer, Ameriprise Trust Company since August 2009.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 140

 

Responsibilities of Board with respect to Fund management
The Board is chaired by an Independent Trustee who has significant additional responsibilities compared to the other Board members, including, among other things: setting the agenda for Board meetings, communicating and meeting regularly with Board members between Board and committee meetings on Fund-related matters, with the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), counsel to the Independent Trustees, and representatives of the Funds' service providers and overseeing Board Services.
The Board initially approves an investment management services agreement and other contracts with the Investment Manager and its affiliates, and other service providers. Once the contracts are approved, the Board monitors the level and quality of services including commitments of service providers to achieve expected levels of investment performance and shareholder services. Annually, the Board evaluates the services received under the contracts by reviewing, among other things, reports covering investment performance, shareholder services, marketing, and the Investment Manager’s profitability in order to determine whether to continue existing contracts or negotiate new contracts. The Investment Manager is responsible for day-to-day management and administration of the Funds and management of the risks that arise from the Funds' investments and operations. The Board’s oversight of the Investment Manager and other service providers in the operation of the Funds includes oversight with respect to various risk management functions. The Funds are subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance, operational, and valuation risks, among others. Day-to-day risk management functions are subsumed within the responsibilities of the Investment Manager, the subadvisers and other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk) who carry out the Funds' investment management and business affairs. Each of the Investment Manager, the subadvisers and other service providers has its own, independent interest in risk management, and its policies and methods of carrying out risk management functions will depend, in part, on its analysis of the risks, functions and business models.
Risk oversight forms part of the Board’s general oversight of the Funds and is addressed as part of various Board and Committee activities. As part of its regular oversight of the trusts, the Board, directly or through a committee, interacts with and reviews reports from, among others, the Investment Manager, subadvisers, if applicable, the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds, and internal auditors for the Investment Manager or its affiliates, as appropriate, regarding risks faced by the Funds and relevant risk functions. The Board also meets periodically with the Funds' CCO, to receive reports regarding the compliance of the Funds and their principal service providers with the federal securities laws and their internal compliance policies and procedures. The Board, with the assistance of the Investment Review Committee, reviews investment policies in connection with its review of the Funds' performance, and meets periodically with the portfolio managers of the Funds to receive reports regarding the management of the Funds, including various investment risks. As part of the Board’s periodic review of the Funds' advisory, subadvisory, if applicable, and other service provider agreements, as applicable, the Board may consider risk management aspects of their operations and the functions for which they are responsible. In addition, the Board oversees processes that are in place to assure compliance with applicable rules, regulations and investment policies and addresses possible conflicts of interest.
The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Funds can be identified in advance; that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks; that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as various investment-related risks) in seeking to achieve the Funds' investment objectives; and that the processes and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations.
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 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 were a significant factor in the determination that, in light of the business and structure of the Funds, the individual should serve as a Trustee. Following is a summary of each Trustee’s particular professional experience and additional considerations that contributed to or support the Board’s conclusion that an individual should serve as a Trustee:
George S. Batejan — Mr. Batejan has over 40 years’ experience in the financial services industry, including service as a former Executive Vice President and Global Head of Technology and Operations of Janus Capital Group, Inc. He has also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Evergreen Investments, Inc., Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of OppenheimerFunds, Inc., and Head of Global Operations and Systems/Senior Vice President of
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 141

 

American International Group. Mr. Batejan is a 18-year veteran of Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. where he progressed to the Private Banking Vice President and Division Executive of the Americas' Service Delivery Group. He has also served on numerous corporate and non-profit boards.
Kathleen Blatz – Ms. Blatz has had a successful legal and judicial career, including serving for eight years as Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Prior to being a judge, she practiced law and also served in the Minnesota House of Representatives having been elected to eight terms. While in the legislature she served on various committees, including the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee and the Tax Committee. Since retiring from the Bench, she has been appointed as an arbitrator on many cases involving business to business disputes, including some pertaining to shareholder rights issues. She also has been appointed to two Special Litigation Committees by boards of Fortune 500 Companies to investigate issues relating to cyber-security and stock options, and has been appointed to the board of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority. She serves on the boards of directors of BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota as well as several non-profit organizations.
Edward J. Boudreau, Jr. – Prior to the establishment of E. J. Boudreau & Associates, Mr. Boudreau left a successful 32-year career at John Hancock Financial Services, the last 11 years of which he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of John Hancock Investments. He spent the first 18 years of his career at John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company in its treasury and financial management areas, progressing to Senior Vice President and Treasurer. For the following three years he worked on special assignments for the Chairman, including acting as temporary head of the Information Technology Department for two years. During his time as CEO of John Hancock Investments, Mr. Boudreau also served on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors. He also has experience on other boards of directors of other companies. He is currently a member of the Advisory Board to the Mutual Fund Directors Forum and serves as a FINRA Industry Arbitrator.
Pamela G. Carlton – Ms. Carlton has over 20 years’ experience in the investment banking industry, as a former Managing Director of JP Morgan Chase and a 14-year veteran of Morgan Stanley Investment Banking and Equity Research. She is currently the President of Springboard Partners in Cross Cultural Leadership, a consulting firm that she founded. She also has experience on other boards of directors of non-profit organizations, including the Board of Trustees of New York Presbyterian Hospital where she is on the Executive Committee and Chair of the Human Resources Committee.
William P. Carmichael – Prior to forming The Succession Fund more than 15 years ago, Mr. Carmichael, a Certified Public Accountant and attorney, had 4 years of experience with Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) and 21 years of experience in various financial positions with global consumer product companies, including: Senior Vice President of Sara Lee Corporation and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Beatrice Foods Company. He has been Treasurer and Chairman of the Investment Committee for the Indiana University Foundation, and has been an adjunct professor of finance for the I.U. Kelley School of Business. Mr. Carmichael has also been a member of the board and the Investment Committee of the Virginia Law School Foundation, and has served on numerous public company boards. His experience covers strategic planning, corporate governance and multiple financial functions, including investments.
Patricia M. Flynn – Dr. Flynn is a Trustee Professor of Economics and Management at Bentley University, where she previously served as Dean of the McCallum Graduate School of Business. Her research and teaching focus on technology-based economic development, corporate governance and women in business, which she has also written on extensively. She has served on numerous corporate and non-profit boards, including Boston Fed Bancorp Inc., U.S. Trust and The Federal Savings Bank.
William A. Hawkins – Mr. Hawkins has been a Managing Director of Overton Partners, a financial consulting firm for over 15 years. He has over thirty years of executive level experience in the banking and financial services industry, including serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of California General Bank, N.A., President of IndyMac Bancorp and President and Chief Operating Officer of American General Bank, FSB. He also served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Griffin Financial Services of America Inc., an asset management firm. He also has experience on other boards of directors, including boards of other investment companies. He is a Certified Financial Planner and a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter.
Catherine James Paglia – Ms. Paglia has been a Director of Enterprise Asset Management, Inc., a real estate and asset management company, for over 15 years. She previously spent eight years as a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, 10 years as a Managing Director of Interlaken Capital and served as Chief Financial Officer of two public companies. She also has experience on other boards of directors of public and non-profit organizations.
Anthony M. Santomero – Dr. Santomero is the former President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. He holds the title of Richard K. Mellon Professor Emeritus of Finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and serves on the boards of several public companies, including the Board of Citigroup, Inc., Citibank N.A., Renaissance Reinsurance Company Ltd and the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. He previously served as Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Company and was the Richard K. Mellon Professor of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. During his 30-year tenure at Wharton, he held a number of academic and managerial positions, including Deputy Dean of the School. He has written approximately 150 articles, books and monographs on financial sector regulation and economic performance. The Board has concluded that, despite his lack of technical independence (as an “interested person”) of the Funds under the 1940 Act arising
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 142

 

solely due to his board service for Citigroup, Inc. and Citibank N.A., he could serve with “substantive independence” primarily since he has no financial interest or relationship with the Investment Manager or Ameriprise Financial. The Board also took into account Dr. Santomero’s broad array of experiences from management consulting to academia to public service, which complements the mix of experiences represented by the other Board members.
Minor M. Shaw – Ms. Shaw is President of Micco, LLC, a private investment company, and past president of Micco Corporation and Mickel Investment Group. She is chairman of the Daniel-Mickel Foundation and The Duke Endowment. She currently serves as chairman of the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Commission. She holds numerous civic and business board memberships and is a past chair of Wofford College Board of Trustees. Ms. Shaw serves on the board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina and on the advisory board of Duke Energy Corp. She has also served on the boards of Citizens & Southern Bank of SC, Interstate Johnson Lane and Piedmont Natural Gas.
John G. Taft — Mr. Taft has over 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry, including service as a former CEO of RBC Wealth Management (a division of RBC Capital Markets LLC). He has also served as President, CEO and Executive Director of Dougherty Summit Securities, LLC, Chairman, President and CEO of Voyageur Fund Managers, Inc., and Managing Director of Piper, Jaffray & Hopwood. Additionally, Mr. Taft has experience on other boards of directors of non-profit organizations, including the Board of Trustees of the Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts.
Alison Taunton-Rigby – Dr. Taunton-Rigby has been a senior executive in the healthcare industry for over 30 years. She was Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of RiboNovix, Inc. and President and Chief Executive Officer of Aquila Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge Biotech Corporation and Mitotix Inc. Prior to this, she served in senior management positions at Genzyme Corporation, Arthur D. Little Inc., Vivotech Inc., Biogen, Inc. and Collaborative Research, Inc. She has been awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II for her work as a leader in the research, development and promotion of biotechnology. She currently serves as a director of ICI Mutual Insurance Company, Blumont/IRD, Mount Ida College and Boston Children’s Hospital, and serves on a number of Advisory Boards.
William F. Truscott – Mr. Truscott has served on the Board of Trustees of various Columbia Funds since 2001. He has served as Chairman of the Board of the Investment Manager since May 2010 and since February 2012 has served as its President. From 2001 to April 2010, Mr. Truscott served as the President, Chairman of the Board and Chief Investment Officer of the Investment Manager. He has served as Director of the Distributor since May 2010 and since February 2012 has served as its Chief Executive Officer. The Board has concluded that having a senior member of the Investment Manager serve on the Board can facilitate increased access to information regarding the Funds’ Investment Manager for the Independent Trustees, which is the Funds’ most significant service provider.
Committees of the Board
For purposes of this section, the term Independent Trustees includes Interested Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Investment Manager or Ameriprise Financial.
The Board has organized the following standing committees to facilitate its work: Board Governance Committee, Compliance Committee, Contracts Committee, Executive Committee, Investment Review Committee and Audit Committee. These Committees are comprised solely of Independent Trustees. The table above describing each Trustee also includes their respective committee assignments. The duties of these committees are described below.
Mr. Hawkins, as Chair of the Board, acts as a point of contact between the Independent Trustees and the Investment Manager between Board meetings in respect of general matters.
Board Governance Committee. Recommends to the Board the size, structure and composition of the Board and its committees; the compensation to be paid to members of the Board; and a process for evaluating the Board’s performance. The committee also reviews candidates for Board membership, including candidates recommended by shareholders. The committee also makes recommendations to the Board regarding responsibilities and duties of the Board, oversees proxy voting and supports the work of the Board Chair in relation to furthering the interests of the Funds and other funds in the Columbia Family of Funds overseen by the Board and their shareholders on external matters.
To be considered as a candidate for Trustee, recommendations must include a curriculum vitae and be mailed to William A. Hawkins, Chair of the Board, Columbia Family of Funds, 225 Franklin Street, Mail Drop BX32 05228, Boston, MA 02110. To be timely for consideration by the committee, the submission, including all required information, must be submitted in writing not less than 120 days before the date of the proxy statement for the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders, if such a meeting is held. The committee will consider only one candidate submitted by such a shareholder or group for nomination for election at a meeting of shareholders. The committee will not consider self-nominated candidates or candidates nominated by members of a candidate’s family, including such candidate’s spouse, children, parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents, nieces and nephews.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 143

 

The committee will consider and evaluate candidates submitted by the nominating shareholder or group on the basis of the same criteria as those used to consider and evaluate candidates submitted from other sources. The committee may take into account a wide variety of factors in considering trustee candidates, including (but not limited to): (i) the candidate’s knowledge in matters relating to the investment company industry; (ii) any experience possessed by the candidate as a director or senior officer of other public or private companies; (iii) the candidate’s educational background; (iv) the candidate’s reputation for high ethical standards and personal and professional integrity; (v) any specific financial, technical or other expertise possessed by the candidate, and the extent to which such expertise would complement the Board’s existing mix of skills and qualifications; (vi) the candidate’s perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board, including the candidate’s ability and commitment to attend meetings regularly, work collaboratively with other members of the Board and carry out his or her duties in the best interests of the Funds; (vii) the candidate’s ability to qualify as an independent trustee; and (viii) such other criteria as the committee determines to be relevant in light of the existing composition of the Board and any anticipated vacancies or other factors.
Members of the committee (and/or the Board) also meet personally with each nominee to evaluate the candidate’s ability to work effectively with other members of the Board, while also exercising independent judgment. Although the Board does not have a formal diversity policy, the Board endeavors to comprise itself of members with a broad mix of professional and personal backgrounds. Thus, the committee and the Board accorded particular weight to the individual professional background of each Independent Trustee.
Compliance Committee. Supports the Funds' maintenance of a strong compliance program by providing a forum for Independent Trustees to consider compliance matters impacting the Funds or their key service providers; developing and implementing, in coordination with the CCO, a process for the review and consideration of compliance reports that are provided to the Board; and providing a designated forum for the Funds' CCO to meet with Independent Trustees on a regular basis to discuss compliance matters.
Contracts Committee. Reviews and oversees the contractual relationships with service providers. Receives and analyzes reports covering the level and quality of services provided under contracts with the Funds and advises the Board regarding actions taken on these contracts during the annual review process. Reviews and considers, on behalf of all Trustees, the Funds' investment advisory, subadvisory (if any), administrative services and principal underwriting contracts to assists the Trustees in fulfilling their responsibilities relating to the Board’s evaluation and consideration of these arrangements.
Executive Committee. Acts, as needed, for the Board between meetings of the Board.
Investment Review Committee. Reviews and oversees the management of the Funds' assets. Considers investment management policies and strategies; investment performance; risk management techniques; and securities trading practices and reports areas of concern to the Board.
Audit Committee. Oversees the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Funds and internal controls over financial reporting. Oversees the quality and integrity of the Funds' financial statements and independent audits as well as the Funds' compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relating to the Funds' accounting and financial reporting, internal controls over financial reporting and independent audits. The committee also makes recommendations regarding the selection of the Funds' independent registered public accounting firm ( i.e. , independent auditors) and reviews and evaluates the qualifications, independence and performance of the auditor. The committee oversees the Funds' risks by, among other things, meeting with the Funds' internal auditors, establishing procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns about accounting or audit matters, and overseeing the Funds' Disclosure Controls and Procedures. This committee acts as a liaison between the independent auditors and the full Board and must prepare an audit committee report.
The table below shows the number of times each committee met during the indicated fiscal years. The Table is organized by fiscal year end.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 144

 

Committee Meetings
Fiscal Period Audit
Committee
Compliance
Committee
Contracts
Committee
Executive
Committee
Governance
Committee
Investment
Review
Committee
For the fiscal year
ending January 31, 2017
7 5 6 0 10 5
For the fiscal year
ending February 28, 2017
8 5 6 0 11 5
For the fiscal year
ending March 31, 2017
8 5 6 0 11 5
For the fiscal year
ending April 30, 2017
8 5 6 0 11 5
For the fiscal year
ending May 31, 2016
5 5 6 0 7 5
For the fiscal year
ending July 31, 2016
6 5 6 0 7 5
For the fiscal year
ending October 31, 2016
7 5 6 0 10 5
Beneficial Equity Ownership
The tables below show, 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 all Funds in the Columbia Funds Complex overseen by the Trustee, including notional amounts through the Deferred Compensation Plan, where noted, 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. The information is provided as of December 31, 2016.
The tables only include ownership of Columbia Funds overseen by the Trustees; the Trustees and Officers may own shares of other Columbia Funds they do not oversee.
Independent Trustee Ownership
  Batejan Blatz Boudreau Carlton Carmichael Flynn Hawkins Paglia Shaw Taft Taunton-
Rigby
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund A A A A E (a) A A C A A A
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio A A C (a) A A A A A A A A
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio A A A A A A A A A A A
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio A A A A A A A A A A A
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio A A E (a) A A A A A A A A
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio A A D (a) A A A A A A A A
Commodity Strategy Fund A A A A E (a) A A A A A A
Convertible Securities Fund A A C (a) A E (a) A A A C (b) A A
Disciplined Core Fund A A D (a) E (a) A A A A A A A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 145

 

  Batejan Blatz Boudreau Carlton Carmichael Flynn Hawkins Paglia Shaw Taft Taunton-
Rigby
Disciplined Growth Fund A A D (a) A A A A A A A A
Disciplined Value Fund A A A A A E (a) A A D (b) A D
Diversified Equity Income Fund A A A D E (a) A C A A A A
Dividend Opportunity Fund A E A C A A A A E (a) A A
Emerging Markets Bond Fund A A A A A A A A C (b) A A
European Equity Fund A A A C (a) A A A A C (b) A A
Flexible Capital Income Fund A A A A A A A E (a) A A A
Floating Rate Fund A A A A E (a) E (a) A A A A A
Global Bond Fund A A A A E (a) A A A A A A
Global Equity Value Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
Global Infrastructure Fund A C A A A A A A A A A
Global Opportunities Fund A A A C (a) A C A A A A A
Global Strategic Equity Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
Government Money Market Fund A A C (a) C (a) B (a) C (a) C (a) D (a) C (a) A D (a)
High Yield Bond Fund A A A C E (a) E (a) A A A A A
Income Builder Fund A A A A E (a) A A A A A A
Income Opportunities Fund A A A A A A C A C (b) A A
Inflation Protected Securities Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund A A C (a) D A E (a) A A A A A
Large Cap Growth Fund III A A A A A A A A E (a) A A
Large Cap Index Fund A A A C (a) A A C (a) A E (b) A E (a)
Limited Duration Credit Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
Mid Cap Index Fund A A A A A A E (a) A E (a)(b) A E (a)
Mid Cap Value Fund A A A C E (a) A A A A A D
MM Value Strategies Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
MN Tax-Exempt Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
Overseas Value Fund A A A C (a) E A E (a) A A A A
Select Global Equity Fund A E A C (a) A A A A A A A
Select Global Growth Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
Select International Equity Fund A E A C (a) A A A A A A A
Select Large Cap Equity Fund A A E (a) A A A A A A A A
Select Large-Cap Value Fund A A A E (a) A A A A A A A
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund A A A A E (a) A A E (a) A A A
Seligman Communications and Information Fund A D A A A A A A A A A
Seligman Global Technology Fund A B A A A A A A A A A
Short Term Bond Fund A A E (a) D A A A A A A A
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
Small Cap Index Fund A A A A A A A A E (a)(b) A E (a)
Small Cap Value Fund II A A A A A A A A A A A
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
Strategic Municipal Income Fund A A A A A A A A A A A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 146

 

  Batejan Blatz Boudreau Carlton Carmichael Flynn Hawkins Paglia Shaw Taft Taunton-
Rigby
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund A C A A A A A A C (b) A A
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Funds in the Columbia Funds Complex Overseen by the Trustee A E E (a) E (a) E (a) E (a) E (a) E (a) E (a)(b) A E (a)
(a) Includes the value of compensation payable under a 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 Complex overseen by the Trustee as specified by the Trustee.
(b) Ms. Shaw invests in a Section 529 Plan managed by the Investment Manager that allocates assets to various open-end funds, including Columbia Funds. The amount shown in the table includes the value of her interest in this plan determined as if her investment in the plan were invested directly in the Columbia Fund pursuant to the plan’s target allocations.
Interested Trustee Ownership
  Santomero Truscott
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund A A
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A A
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A A
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A A
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A A
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A A
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund A A
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund A A
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio A A
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio A A
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio A A
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio A A
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio A A
Commodity Strategy Fund A E
Convertible Securities Fund A A
Disciplined Core Fund A C
Disciplined Growth Fund A D
Disciplined Value Fund A E
Diversified Equity Income Fund A A
Dividend Opportunity Fund A A
Emerging Markets Bond Fund A A
European Equity Fund A E
Flexible Capital Income Fund A E
Floating Rate Fund A E
Global Bond Fund A A
Global Equity Value Fund A A
Global Infrastructure Fund A A
Global Opportunities Fund A E
Global Strategic Equity Fund A A
Government Money Market Fund B (a) A
High Yield Bond Fund A A
Income Builder Fund A E (b)
Income Opportunities Fund A A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 147

 

  Santomero Truscott
Inflation Protected Securities Fund A A
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund A A
Large Cap Growth Fund III A A
Large Cap Index Fund A E
Limited Duration Credit Fund E (a) E
Mid Cap Index Fund A A
Mid Cap Value Fund A D
MM Value Strategies Fund A A
MN Tax-Exempt Fund A A
Overseas Value Fund A D
Select Global Equity Fund A C
Select Global Growth Fund A A
Select International Equity Fund A D
Select Large-Cap Value Fund A E
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund A A
Seligman Communications and Information Fund A A
Seligman Global Technology Fund A D
Short Term Bond Fund E (a) A
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund A A
Small Cap Index Fund A C
Small Cap Value Fund II A A
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund A A
Strategic Municipal Income Fund A A
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund A C
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Funds in the
Columbia Funds Complex Overseen by the Trustee
E (a) E (b)
(a) Includes the value of compensation payable under a 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 Complex overseen by the Trustee as specified by the Trustee.
(b) Includes notional investments through a deferred compensation account. Mr. Truscott’s deferred compensation plan is separate from that of the Independent Trustees (for these purposes, including Interested Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Investment Manager or Ameriprise Financial).
Compensation
For purposes of this section, the term Independent Trustees includes Interested Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Investment Manager or Ameriprise Financial.
Total compensation. The following table shows the total compensation paid to Independent Trustees for their services from all the Funds in the Columbia Funds Complex overseen by the Trustee for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2017.
Mr. Truscott is not compensated for his services on the Board.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 148

 

Trustees (a) Total Cash Compensation
from the Columbia
Funds
Complex
Paid to Trustee (b)
Amount Deferred
from Total
Compensation (c)
George Batejan (f) $100,833 $0
Kathleen Blatz $320,000 $0
Edward Boudreau $302,500 $136,125
Pamela Carlton $320,000 $10,333
William Carmichael $292,500 $0
Patricia Flynn $292,500 $292,500
William Hawkins $415,000 $103,750
R. Glenn Hilliard (d) $137,500 $0
Catherine Paglia $320,000 $185,833
Leroy Richie (e) $186,667 $0
Anthony Santomero $297,500 $10,083
Minor Shaw $287,500 $143,750
John Taft (f) $100,833 $0
Alison Taunton-Rigby $305,000 $201,667
(a) Trustee compensation is paid by the Funds and is comprised of a combination of a base fee and meeting fees, with the exception of the Chair of the Board, who receives a base annual compensation. Payment of compensation is administered by a company providing limited administrative services to the Funds and to the Board.
(b) Includes any portion of cash compensation Trustees elected to defer during the fiscal period.
(c) The Trustees may elect to defer a portion of the total cash compensation payable. Additional information regarding the Deferred Compensation Plan is described below.
(d) Mr. Hilliard served as Trustee until October 28, 2016, and stopped receiving compensation from the Funds and the Columbia Funds Complex as of such date.
(e) Mr. Richie served as Trustee until December 31, 2016, and stopped receiving compensation from the Funds and the Columbia Funds Complex as of such date.
(f) Mr. Batejan and Mr. Taft each became a Trustee effective January 1, 2017, and as such have received no compensation from the Funds or the Columbia Funds Complex prior to such date.
In addition to the above compensation, all Independent 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.
Independent Trustees did not accrue any pension or retirement benefits as part of Fund expenses, nor will they receive any annual benefits upon retirement.
Deferred Compensation Plan . The Independent Trustees may elect to defer payment of up to 100% of the compensation they receive in accordance with a Deferred Compensation Plan (the Deferred Plan). Under the Deferred Plan, a Trustee may elect to have his or her deferred compensation treated as if it had been invested in shares of one or more funds in the Columbia Funds Complex, and the amount paid to the Trustee under the Deferred Plan will be determined based on the performance of such investments. Distributions may be taken in a lump sum or over a period of years. The Deferred Plan will remain unfunded for federal income tax purposes under the Code, and all amounts payable under the Deferred Plan constitute a general unsecured obligation of the Funds. It is anticipated that deferral of Trustee compensation in accordance with the Deferred Plan will have, at most, a negligible impact on Fund assets and liabilities.
The Independent Trustees have a policy that each Trustee invests in shares of one or more of the Funds (including the Columbia closed-end funds) overseen by the Trustee (including shares held in the Deferred Compensation Plan) in an aggregate amount that is at least equal to the annual total compensation received by the Trustee from the Columbia Fund Complex. All Independent Trustees meet this standard.
Compensation from each Fund . The following table shows the compensation paid to Independent Trustees from each Fund during its last fiscal year (or period), as well as the amount deferred from each Fund, which is included in the total. The table is organized by fiscal year end.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 149

 

Fund Aggregate Compensation from Fund
Independent Trustees
Batejan (a) Blatz Boudreau Carlton Carmichael Flynn Hawkins Hilliard (b) Paglia Richie (c) Santomero Shaw Taft (a) Taunton-Rigby
For Funds with fiscal period ending January 31
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio $86 $1,597 $1,560 $1,597 $1,468 $1,443 $2,074 $1,159 $1,611 $1,357 $1,547 $1,468 $86 $1,519
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $702 $9 $0 $1,443 $494 $0 $820 $0 $9 $734 $0 $1,432
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio $62 $1,166 $1,139 $1,166 $1,072 $1,053 $1,514 $847 $1,176 $991 $1,130 $1,072 $62 $1,108
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $513 $6 $0 $1,053 $360 $0 $599 $0 $6 $536 $0 $1,046
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio $174 $3,255 $3,178 $3,255 $2,993 $2,940 $4,222 $2,366 $3,281 $2,766 $3,152 $2,993 $174 $3,095
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,430 $17 $0 $2,940 $1,005 $0 $1,671 $0 $17 $1,496 $0 $2,921
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio $84 $1,570 $1,533 $1,570 $1,443 $1,418 $2,037 $1,140 $1,583 $1,334 $1,520 $1,443 $84 $1,492
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $690 $8 $0 $1,418 $485 $0 $806 $0 $8 $721 $0 $1,408
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio $139 $2,588 $2,527 $2,588 $2,380 $2,338 $3,357 $1,880 $2,609 $2,199 $2,506 $2,380 $139 $2,461
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,137 $14 $0 $2,338 $799 $0 $1,329 $0 $14 $1,190 $0 $2,323
Global Strategic Equity Fund $83 $1,581 $1,543 $1,581 $1,453 $1,428 $2,050 $1,151 $1,594 $1,344 $1,531 $1,453 $83 $1,503
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $695 $8 $0 $1,428 $488 $0 $811 $0 $8 $727 $0 $1,419
Income Builder Fund $120 $2,217 $2,165 $2,217 $2,040 $2,004 $2,877 $1,608 $2,236 $1,884 $2,148 $2,040 $120 $2,109
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $974 $12 $0 $2,004 $685 $0 $1,139 $0 $12 $1,020 $0 $1,990
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29
Convertible Securities Fund $255 $1,631 $1,593 $1,631 $1,501 $1,474 $2,115 $1,020 $1,644 $1,219 $1,580 $1,501 $255 $1,551
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $717 $26 $0 $1,474 $506 $0 $879 $0 $26 $750 $0 $1,296
Global Equity Value Fund $272 $1,772 $1,731 $1,772 $1,630 $1,601 $2,297 $1,114 $1,787 $1,329 $1,717 $1,630 $272 $1,685
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $779 $27 $0 $1,601 $549 $0 $954 $0 $27 $815 $0 $1,413
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund $201 $1,335 $1,304 $1,335 $1,228 $1,206 $1,731 $843 $1,346 $1,005 $1,294 $1,228 $201 $1,269
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $587 $20 $0 $1,206 $414 $0 $718 $0 $20 $614 $0 $1,068
Large Cap Growth Fund III $443 $2,067 $2,005 $2,067 $1,906 $1,880 $2,816 $1,171 $2,080 $1,437 $1,982 $1,906 $443 $1,990
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $902 $44 $0 $1,880 $676 $0 $1,144 $0 $44 $953 $0 $1,547
Large Cap Index Fund $759 $4,796 $4,681 $4,796 $4,410 $4,335 $6,221 $2,980 $4,835 $3,576 $4,642 $4,410 $759 $4,563
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $2,106 $76 $0 $4,335 $1,488 $0 $2,588 $0 $76 $2,205 $0 $3,804
Mid Cap Index Fund $868 $5,054 $4,934 $5,054 $4,651 $4,577 $6,560 $3,059 $5,094 $3,709 $4,892 $4,651 $868 $4,814
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $2,220 $87 $0 $4,577 $1,571 $0 $2,744 $0 $87 $2,326 $0 $3,946
Mid Cap Value Fund $605 $3,876 $3,786 $3,876 $3,567 $3,505 $5,025 $2,433 $3,908 $2,900 $3,755 $3,567 $605 $3,687
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,704 $61 $0 $3,505 $1,202 $0 $2,089 $0 $61 $1,783 $0 $3,082
Overseas Value Fund $265 $1,621 $1,582 $1,621 $1,490 $1,465 $2,106 $988 $1,634 $1,200 $1,569 $1,490 $265 $1,542
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $712 $27 $0 $1,465 $504 $0 $877 $0 $27 $745 $0 $1,277
Select Global Growth Fund $142 $928 $907 $928 $853 $839 $1,204 $583 $936 $697 $900 $853 $142 $882
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $408 $14 $0 $839 $288 $0 $500 $0 $14 $427 $0 $741
Select International Equity Fund $200 $1,352 $1,321 $1,352 $1,241 $1,219 $1,750 $856 $1,364 $1,018 $1,311 $1,241 $200 $1,282
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $595 $20 $0 $1,219 $418 $0 $726 $0 $20 $620 $0 $1,082
Select Large Cap Equity Fund $234 $1,480 $1,445 $1,480 $1,360 $1,337 $1,919 $917 $1,492 $1,103 $1,433 $1,360 $234 $1,407
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $650 $23 $0 $1,337 $459 $0 $799 $0 $23 $680 $0 $1,172
Small Cap Index Fund $778 $4,413 $4,308 $4,413 $4,063 $3,999 $5,737 $2,638 $4,447 $3,221 $4,271 $4,063 $778 $4,205
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,939 $78 $0 $3,999 $1,374 $0 $2,401 $0 $78 $2,031 $0 $3,427
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 150

 

Fund Aggregate Compensation from Fund
Independent Trustees
Batejan (a) Blatz Boudreau Carlton Carmichael Flynn Hawkins Hilliard (b) Paglia Richie (c) Santomero Shaw Taft (a) Taunton-Rigby
Small Cap Value Fund II $425 $2,612 $2,549 $2,612 $2,400 $2,360 $3,391 $1,612 $2,633 $1,936 $2,528 $2,400 $425 $2,483
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,147 $42 $0 $2,360 $811 $0 $1,412 $0 $42 $1,200 $0 $2,059
For Funds with fiscal period ending March 31
Short Term Bond Fund $639 $2,939 $2,869 $2,939 $2,676 $2,676 $3,862 $1,624 $2,964 $1,870 $2,822 $2,676 $639 $2,792
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,291 $66 $0 $2,676 $928 $0 $1,635 $0 $64 $1,338 $0 $2,131
For Funds with fiscal period ending April 30
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund $420 $1,351 $1,318 $1,351 $1,229 $1,229 $1,774 $614 $1,362 $738 $1,297 $1,229 $420 $1,283
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $593 $43 $0 $1,229 $428 $0 $783 $0 $42 $614 $0 $852
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund $297 $935 $913 $935 $851 $851 $1,228 $422 $943 $511 $898 $851 $297 $888
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $411 $30 $0 $851 $296 $0 $543 $0 $30 $426 $0 $584
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund $300 $952 $929 $952 $866 $866 $1,251 $432 $960 $522 $914 $866 $300 $904
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $418 $31 $0 $866 $302 $0 $553 $0 $30 $433 $0 $597
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund $342 $1,097 $1,071 $1,097 $998 $998 $1,442 $500 $1,107 $602 $1,054 $998 $342 $1,042
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $482 $35 $0 $998 $348 $0 $636 $0 $34 $499 $0 $691
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund $316 $1,005 $981 $1,005 $914 $914 $1,320 $456 $1,013 $551 $965 $914 $316 $954
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $441 $32 $0 $914 $318 $0 $583 $0 $32 $457 $0 $630
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund $342 $1,088 $1,062 $1,088 $990 $990 $1,429 $493 $1,097 $595 $1,045 $990 $342 $1,033
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $478 $35 $0 $990 $345 $0 $631 $0 $34 $495 $0 $682
Global Infrastructure Fund $347 $1,083 $1,058 $1,083 $986 $986 $1,423 $489 $1,092 $588 $1,041 $986 $347 $1,029
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $476 $36 $0 $986 $343 $0 $630 $0 $35 $493 $0 $674
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund $831 $2,710 $2,645 $2,710 $2,464 $2,464 $3,559 $1,247 $2,733 $1,478 $2,602 $2,464 $831 $2,571
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,190 $85 $0 $2,464 $858 $0 $1,568 $0 $83 $1,232 $0 $1,719
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31
Commodity Strategy Fund N/A $878 $857 $821 $956 $799 $1,023 $779 $864 $799 $829 $821 N/A $821
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $309 $71 $0 $799 $271 $0 $432 $0 $0 $411 N/A $821
Diversified Equity Income Fund N/A $3,457 $3,372 $3,229 $3,768 $3,146 $4,005 $3,060 $3,401 $3,146 $3,259 $3,229 N/A $3,229
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $1,210 $286 $0 $3,146 $1,064 $0 $1,700 $0 $0 $1,614 N/A $3,229
Dividend Opportunity Fund N/A $6,147 $5,994 $5,721 $6,702 $5,576 $7,080 $5,420 $6,043 $5,576 $5,795 $5,721 N/A $5,721
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $2,139 $517 $0 $5,576 $1,888 $0 $3,021 $0 $0 $2,860 N/A $5,721
Flexible Capital Income Fund N/A $1,482 $1,445 $1,379 $1,620 $1,345 $1,705 $1,304 $1,457 $1,345 $1,396 $1,379 N/A $1,379
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $514 $126 $0 $1,345 $455 $0 $728 $0 $0 $690 N/A $1,379
High Yield Bond Fund N/A $2,870 $2,801 $2,686 $3,123 $2,616 $3,344 $2,550 $2,824 $2,616 $2,710 $2,686 N/A $2,686
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $1,011 $232 $0 $2,616 $886 $0 $1,412 $0 $0 $1,343 N/A $2,686
MM Value Strategies Fund N/A $2,734 $2,669 $2,556 $2,966 $2,488 $3,190 $2,432 $2,691 $2,488 $2,583 $2,556 N/A $2,556
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $965 $219 $0 $2,488 $844 $0 $1,345 $0 $0 $1,278 N/A $2,556
Mortgage Opportunities Fund N/A $1,071 $1,045 $1,002 $1,165 $976 $1,248 $951 $1,054 $976 $1,011 $1,002 N/A $1,002
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 151

 

Fund Aggregate Compensation from Fund
Independent Trustees
Batejan (a) Blatz Boudreau Carlton Carmichael Flynn Hawkins Hilliard (b) Paglia Richie (c) Santomero Shaw Taft (a) Taunton-Rigby
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $378 $86 $0 $976 $331 $0 $527 $0 $0 $501 N/A $1,002
Select Large-Cap Value Fund N/A $1,789 $1,744 $1,668 $1,952 $1,626 $2,068 $1,579 $1,759 $1,626 $1,686 $1,668 N/A $1,668
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $624 $149 $0 $1,626 $550 $0 $879 $0 $0 $834 N/A $1,668
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund N/A $1,334 $1,302 $1,247 $1,454 $1,215 $1,552 $1,183 $1,313 $1,215 $1,259 $1,247 N/A $1,247
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $469 $109 $0 $1,215 $412 $0 $656 $0 $0 $624 N/A $1,247
Seligman Communications and Information Fund N/A $5,063 $4,940 $4,733 $5,505 $4,609 $5,903 $4,496 $4,982 $4,609 $4,777 $4,733 N/A $4,733
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $1,783 $409 $0 $4,609 $1,564 $0 $2,491 $0 $0 $2,366 N/A $4,733
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund N/A $1,880 $1,833 $1,753 $2,052 $1,709 $2,172 $1,660 $1,848 $1,709 $1,772 $1,753 N/A $1,753
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $655 $158 $0 $1,709 $578 $0 $924 $0 $0 $876 N/A $1,753
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund N/A $2,939 $2,870 $2,759 $3,193 $2,684 $3,435 $2,620 $2,894 $2,684 $2,776 $2,759 N/A $2,759
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $1,042 $233 $0 $2,684 $908 $0 $1,447 $0 $0 $1,379 N/A $2,759
For Funds with fiscal period ending July 31
Disciplined Core Fund N/A $5,272 $5,144 $5,187 $5,475 $4,801 $6,110 $4,678 $5,231 $4,801 $4,973 $4,929 N/A $4,929
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $2,024 $297 $0 $4,801 $1,555 $0 $2,594 $0 $0 $2,464 N/A $4,929
Disciplined Growth Fund N/A $1,438 $1,402 $1,414 $1,501 $1,311 $1,663 $1,273 $1,426 $1,311 $1,355 $1,344 N/A $1,344
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $549 $83 $0 $1,311 $424 $0 $707 $0 $0 $672 N/A $1,344
Disciplined Value Fund N/A $1,865 $1,820 $1,835 $1,935 $1,696 $2,157 $1,651 $1,851 $1,696 $1,760 $1,740 N/A $1,740
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $716 $105 $0 $1,696 $549 $0 $918 $0 $0 $870 N/A $1,740
Floating Rate Fund N/A $1,778 $1,734 $1,749 $1,856 $1,620 $2,053 $1,574 $1,763 $1,620 $1,676 $1,663 N/A $1,663
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $680 $103 $0 $1,620 $524 $0 $874 $0 $0 $831 N/A $1,663
Global Opportunities Fund N/A $1,564 $1,527 $1,539 $1,626 $1,424 $1,810 $1,387 $1,552 $1,424 $1,477 $1,462 N/A $1,462
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $601 $88 $0 $1,424 $461 $0 $770 $0 $0 $731 N/A $1,462
Government Money Market Fund N/A $2,571 $2,510 $2,531 $2,672 $2,341 $2,977 $2,282 $2,552 $2,341 $2,429 $2,405 N/A $2,405
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $990 $143 $0 $2,341 $757 $0 $1,265 $0 $0 $1,202 N/A $2,405
Income Opportunities Fund N/A $3,924 $3,827 $3,859 $4,101 $3,575 $4,528 $3,473 $3,891 $3,575 $3,698 $3,669 N/A $3,669
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $1,501 $226 $0 $3,575 $1,155 $0 $1,929 $0 $0 $1,834 N/A $3,669
Inflation Protected Securities Fund N/A $1,032 $1,007 $1,015 $1,072 $939 $1,195 $914 $1,024 $939 $974 $964 N/A $964
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $397 $57 $0 $939 $304 $0 $508 $0 $0 $482 N/A $964
Limited Duration Credit Fund N/A $1,876 $1,828 $1,843 $1,970 $1,713 $2,164 $1,663 $1,858 $1,713 $1,764 $1,759 N/A $1,759
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $714 $111 $0 $1,713 $553 $0 $922 $0 $0 $879 N/A $1,759
MN Tax-Exempt Fund N/A $1,401 $1,369 $1,380 $1,446 $1,273 $1,625 $1,243 $1,392 $1,273 $1,326 $1,307 N/A $1,307
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $543 $75 $0 $1,273 $412 $0 $690 $0 $0 $653 N/A $1,307
Strategic Municipal Income Fund N/A $1,586 $1,551 $1,563 $1,634 $1,440 $1,840 $1,407 $1,577 $1,440 $1,503 $1,478 N/A $1,478
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $615 $84 $0 $1,440 $466 $0 $781 $0 $0 $739 N/A $1,478
For Funds with fiscal period ending October 31
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund N/A $924 $896 $924 $843 $834 $1,176 $878 $932 $834 $881 $857 N/A $878
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $381 $23 $0 $834 $286 $0 $462 $0 $0 $428 N/A $878
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund N/A $906 $878 $906 $826 $818 $1,151 $861 $913 $818 $863 $840 N/A $861
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $372 $24 $0 $818 $280 $0 $453 $0 $0 $420 N/A $861
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 152

 

Fund Aggregate Compensation from Fund
Independent Trustees
Batejan (a) Blatz Boudreau Carlton Carmichael Flynn Hawkins Hilliard (b) Paglia Richie (c) Santomero Shaw Taft (a) Taunton-Rigby
Emerging Markets Bond Fund N/A $1,340 $1,298 $1,340 $1,221 $1,210 $1,703 $1,274 $1,351 $1,210 $1,277 $1,242 N/A $1,274
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $551 $35 $0 $1,210 $414 $0 $670 $0 $0 $621 N/A $1,274
European Equity Fund N/A $1,418 $1,374 $1,418 $1,294 $1,282 $1,801 $1,349 $1,430 $1,282 $1,351 $1,317 N/A $1,349
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $583 $38 $0 $1,282 $438 $0 $709 $0 $0 $658 N/A $1,349
Global Bond Fund N/A $951 $922 $951 $867 $859 $1,209 $904 $959 $859 $907 $882 N/A $904
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $391 $24 $0 $859 $294 $0 $476 $0 $0 $441 N/A $904
Select Global Equity Fund N/A $1,308 $1,266 $1,308 $1,192 $1,181 $1,663 $1,243 $1,319 $1,181 $1,246 $1,212 N/A $1,243
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $538 $34 $0 $1,181 $404 $0 $654 $0 $0 $606 N/A $1,243
Seligman Global Technology Fund N/A $1,533 $1,484 $1,533 $1,396 $1,383 $1,953 $1,457 $1,546 $1,383 $1,460 $1,419 N/A $1,457
Amount Deferred N/A $0 $631 $39 $0 $1,383 $474 $0 $767 $0 $0 $710 N/A $1,457
(a) Mr. Batejan and Mr. Taft each became a Trustee effective January 1, 2017, and as such have received no compensation from the Funds or the Columbia Funds Complex prior to such date.
(b) Mr. Hilliard served as Trustee until October 28, 2016, and stopped receiving compensation from the Funds and the Columbia Funds Complex as of such date.
(c) Mr. Richie served as Trustee until December 31, 2016, and stopped receiving compensation from the Funds and the Columbia Funds Complex as of such date.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 153

 

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND RELATED PRACTICES
General Brokerage Policy, Brokerage Transactions and Broker Selection
Subject to policies established by the Board, as well as the terms of the Investment Management Services Agreement, Management Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement, as applicable, the Investment Manager (and/or the investment subadviser(s) who makes the day-to-day investment decisions for all or a portion of a Fund’s net assets) is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities and other instruments and assets for a Fund, for the selection of broker-dealers, for the execution of a Fund’s transactions and for the allocation of brokerage commissions in connection with such transactions. The Investment Manager effects transactions for the Fund consistent with its duty to seek best execution of client (including Fund) orders under the circumstances of the particular transaction. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through broker-dealers who charge negotiated commissions for their services. Orders may be directed to any broker-dealer to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law and by the policies and procedures of the Investment Manager and/or any investment subadvisers.
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.
The Investment Manager effects security transactions for the Funds consistent with its duty to seek best execution of client (including the Funds) orders under the circumstances of the particular transaction. In seeking such execution, the Investment Manager 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 or other instrument or asset, 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 Investment Manager’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 other instruments and assets and information concerning prices of same; and information supplied by specialized services to the Investment Manager and to the Board with respect to the performance, investment activities and fees and expenses of other funds. Such information may be communicated electronically, orally or in written form.
Broker-dealers may, from time to time, arrange meetings with management of companies and provide access to consultants who supply research information. The outside research is useful to the Investment Manager since, in certain instances, the broker-dealers utilized by the Investment Manager may follow a different universe of issuers and other matters than those that the Investment Manager’s staff follow. In addition, this research provides the Investment Manager with a different perspective on investment matters, even if the securities research obtained relates to issuers followed by the Investment Manager.
Research services that are provided to the Investment Manager by broker-dealers are available for the benefit of all accounts managed or advised by the Investment Manager. 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. Broker-dealer research typically supplements rather than replaces the Investment Manager’s own research, tending to improve the quality of its investment advice. However, to the extent that the Investment Manager would have bought any such research services had such services not been provided by broker-dealers, the expenses of such services to the Investment Manager could be considered to have been reduced accordingly. Certain research services furnished by broker-dealers may be useful to the clients of the Investment Manager other than the Funds. Conversely, any research services received by the Investment Manager through the placement of transactions of other clients may be of value to the Investment Manager in fulfilling its obligations to the Funds. The Investment Manager is of the opinion that this material is beneficial in supplementing its research and analysis; and, therefore, it may benefit the Funds by improving the quality of the Investment Manager’s investment advice. The advisory fees paid by the Funds are not reduced because the Investment Manager receives such services.
Under Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, the Investment Manager 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 Investment Manager 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
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 154

 

as to which he exercises investment discretion.” Accordingly, the price to a Fund 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 Investment Manager’s clients, including the Funds.
The Investment Manager does not consider sales of shares of the Funds as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers through which to execute securities transactions on behalf of the Funds. On a periodic basis, the Investment Manager makes a comprehensive review of the broker-dealers and the overall reasonableness of their commissions, which evaluates execution, operational efficiency, and research services. Certain limited reviews are also conducted by an independent third-party evaluator.
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 Investment Manager, 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.
The Investment Manager or a subadviser, if applicable, may use step-out transactions. A “step-out” is an arrangement in which the Investment Manager or subadviser executes a trade through one broker-dealer but instructs that broker-dealer to step-out all or a part of the trade to another broker-dealer. The second broker-dealer will clear and settle, and receive commissions for, the stepped-out portion. The Investment Manager or subadviser may receive research products and services in connection with step-out transactions.
Use of Fund commissions may create potential conflicts of interest between the Investment Manager or subadviser and a Fund. However, the Investment Manager and each subadviser has policies and procedures in place intended to mitigate these conflicts and ensure that the use of fund commissions falls within the “safe harbor” of Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act. Some products and services may be used for both investment decision-making and non-investment decision-making purposes (“mixed use” items). The Investment Manager and each subadviser, to the extent it has mixed use items, has procedures in place to assure that Fund commissions pay only for the investment decision-making portion of a mixed-use item.
Some broker-dealers with whom the Investment Manager’s Fixed Income Department executes trades provide the Fixed Income Department with proprietary research products and services, though the Fixed Income Department does not put in place any client commission arrangements with such broker-dealers. However, such research may be considered by the Fixed Income Department when determining which broker-dealers to include on its approved broker-dealer list. It is the Investment Manager’s policy not to execute a fixed income trade with a broker-dealer at a lower bid/higher offer than that provided by another broker-dealer in consideration of the value of research products and services received by the Fixed Income Department.
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 Investment Manager. Investment decisions for the Funds and for the Investment Manager’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 Investment Manager operates several separate trading desks in different geographic locations in the United States. The trading desks support different portfolio management teams managing a variety of accounts and products. Nevertheless, the equity desks are functionally and operationally integrated so as to operate as one virtual desk. The fixed income desks, however, function and operate separately but can provide support to each other to assure the continuation of services if necessary. By operating the fixed income trading desks in this manner, the Funds may forego certain opportunities including the aggregation of trades across accounts that trade on different trading desks, which could result in one trading desk competing with another in the market for similar trades. In addition, it is possible that the separate fixed income trading desks may be on opposite sides of a trade at the same time. While the trading desks operate in several locations, the desks do have linkages in oversight and reporting lines and are generally conducted under similar policies and procedures. In addition, certain fixed income portfolio managers currently have the authority to execute trades themselves.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 155

 

As the Investment Manager seeks to enhance its investment capabilities and services to its clients, including the Funds, the Investment Manager may engage certain of its investment advisory affiliates (Participating Affiliates) around the world to provide a variety of services. For example, the Investment Manager may engage Participating Affiliates and their personnel to provide (jointly or in coordination with the Investment Manager) services relating to client relations, investment monitoring, account administration, trading and discretionary investment management (including portfolio management and risk management) to certain accounts the Investment Manager manages, including the Funds, other pooled vehicles and separately managed accounts. In some circumstances, a Participating Affiliate may delegate responsibility for providing those services to another Participating Affiliate. In addition, the Investment Manager may provide certain similar services to its Participating Affiliates for accounts they manage.
The Investment Manager believes that harnessing the collective expertise of the firm and its Participating Affiliates will benefit its clients. In this regard, the Investment Manager has certain portfolio management and client servicing teams at both the firm and at Participating Affiliates (through subadvisory or other intercompany arrangements) operating jointly to provide a better client experience. These joint teams use expanded and shared capabilities that the Investment Manager and its Participating Affiliates provide, including the sharing of research and other information by investment personnel ( e.g. , portfolio managers and analysts) across the firm and at its Participating Affiliates relating to economic perspectives, market analysis and equity and fixed income securities analysis.
Participating Affiliates may provide certain advisory and trading-related services to certain of the Investment Manager’s accounts, including the Funds. The Investment Manager may also provide similar services to certain accounts of Participating Affiliates. The Investment Manager believes that local trading in certain local markets will benefit its clients, including the Funds. However, such services may result in potential conflicts of interest to such accounts.
The Investment Manager has portfolio management teams in its multiple geographic locations that may share research information regarding leveraged loans. The Investment Manager operates separate and independent trading desks in these locations for the purpose of purchasing and selling leveraged loans. As a result, the Investment Manager does not aggregate orders in leveraged loans across portfolio management teams. For example, funds and other client accounts being managed by these portfolio management teams may purchase and sell the same leveraged loan in the secondary market on the same day at different times and at different prices. There is also the potential for a particular account or group of accounts, including a Fund, to forego an opportunity or to receive a different allocation (either larger or smaller) than might otherwise be obtained if the Investment Manager were to aggregate trades in leveraged loans across the portfolio management teams. Although the Investment Manager does not aggregate orders in leveraged loans across its portfolio management teams in the multiple geographic locations, it operates in this structure subject to its duty to seek best execution.
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 Investment Manager, in its sole discretion, believes such practice to be otherwise in such Fund’s interests.
The Funds will not execute portfolio transactions through, or buy or sell portfolio securities from or to the Investment Manager and its affiliates acting as principal (including repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements), except to the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or order. However, the Investment Manager 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 the transaction is effected in accordance with the Funds’ Rule 17e-1 procedures, which require: (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 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 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 Funds have adopted procedures pursuant to Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act, and intend to comply with the requirements of Rule 10f-3, in connection with any purchases of securities that may be subject to Rule 10f-3.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 156

 

Given the breadth of the Investment Manager’s investment management activities, investment decisions for the Funds are not always made independently from those other investment companies and accounts advised or managed by the Investment Manager. To the extent permitted by law, when a purchase or sale of the same security is made at substantially the same time on behalf of one or more of the Funds and another investment portfolio, investment company or account, the Investment Manager may aggregate the securities to be sold or bought for the Funds with those to be sold or bought for other investment portfolios, investment companies or accounts in executing transactions, and such transactions will be averaged as to price and available investments allocated as to amount in a manner which the Investment Manager believes to be equitable to the Funds and such other 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.
See Investment Management 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. 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 chart reflects the aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds for the three most recently completed fiscal years. 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. The table is organized by fiscal year end.
Total Brokerage Commissions
  Total Brokerage Commissions
Fund 2017 2016 2015
For Funds with fiscal period ending January 31
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio $43,196 $81,810 $15,275
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio 14,626 31,835 10,514
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio 124,712 257,660 126,734
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio 31,168 106,439 29,332
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio 89,450 259,720 73,686
Global Strategic Equity Fund 214,031 111,720 0
Income Builder Fund 0 0 0
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29
Convertible Securities Fund 59,787 50,209 105,952
Global Equity Value Fund 564,661 1,702,510 1,067,198
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund 281,680 374,605 161,985
Large Cap Growth Fund III 350,175 763,283 437,297
Large Cap Index Fund 40,009 64,864 33,530
Mid Cap Index Fund 82,253 77,274 105,163
Mid Cap Value Fund 1,755,839 2,502,535 1,435,664
Overseas Value Fund 1,151,141 811,428 1,317,080
Select Global Growth Fund 44,478 106,481 65,069
Select International Equity Fund 691,211 1,581,643 1,843,097
Select Large Cap Equity Fund 297,715 421,649 864,717
Small Cap Index Fund 151,667 104,818 160,181
Small Cap Value Fund II 2,410,619 1,939,036 1,828,228
For Funds with fiscal period ending March 31
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 157

 

  Total Brokerage Commissions
Fund 2017 2016 2015
Short Term Bond Fund $13,117 $6,180 $26,279
For Funds with fiscal period ending April 30
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0 0 0
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0 0 0
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0 0 0
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0 0 0
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0 0 0
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0 0 0
Global Infrastructure Fund 145,990 319,634 318,292
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund 463 0 0
Fund 2016 2015 2014
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31
Commodity Strategy Fund 0 0 0
Diversified Equity Income Fund 1,304,955 1,476,755 2,617,037
Dividend Opportunity Fund 4,643,851 4,730,277 4,891,708
Flexible Capital Income Fund 278,619 313,300 119,064
High Yield Bond Fund 4,931 2,626 1,571
MM Value Strategies Fund 1,897,862 1,765,744 1,483,445
Mortgage Opportunities Fund 87,801 240,318 0 (a)
Select Large-Cap Value Fund 310,097 525,703 205,143
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund 339,767 0 346,290
Seligman Communications and Information Fund 2,776,342 4,035,260 3,165,386
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund 1,633,040 1,616,600 3,773,751
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 203,550 375,293 86,591
For Funds with fiscal period ending July 31
Disciplined Core Fund 2,109,841 1,189,786 1,973,260
Disciplined Growth Fund 352,378 514,195 246,044
Disciplined Value Fund 723,310 831,852 377,759
Floating Rate Fund 1,340 28,166 33,087
Global Opportunities Fund 1,272,120 1,572,579 1,628,742
Government Money Market Fund 0 0 0
Income Opportunities Fund 6,948 6,042 8,271
Inflation Protected Securities Fund 16,879 65,209 32,547
Limited Duration Credit Fund 53,368 43,400 22,382
MN Tax-Exempt Fund 993 0 0
Strategic Municipal Income Fund 3,408 0 0
For Funds with fiscal period ending October 31
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund 0 0 0
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund 72,428 2,061,817 1,074,549
Emerging Markets Bond Fund 832 7,551 6,239
European Equity Fund 594,925 578,874 834,231
Global Bond Fund 19,217 11,042 33,637
Select Global Equity Fund 571,796 634,101 581,437
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 158

 

  Total Brokerage Commissions
Fund 2016 2015 2014
Seligman Global Technology Fund $521,091 $643,771 $749,468
(a) For the period from April 30, 2014 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
Brokerage Commissions Paid to Brokers Affiliated with the Investment Manager
Affiliates of the Investment Manager may engage in brokerage and other securities transactions on behalf of a Fund according to procedures adopted by the Board and to the extent consistent with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. Subject to approval by the Board, the same conditions apply to transactions with broker-dealer affiliates of any Fund subadviser. The Investment Manager will use an affiliate only if (i) the Investment Manager determines that the Fund will receive prices and executions at least as favorable as those offered by qualified independent brokers performing similar brokerage and other services for the Fund and (ii) the affiliate charges the Fund commission rates consistent with those the affiliate charges comparable unaffiliated customers in similar transactions and if such use is consistent with terms of the Investment Management Services Agreement or Management Agreement, as applicable.
No brokerage commissions were paid by the Funds in the last three fiscal periods to brokers affiliated with the Funds' Investment Manager or any subadvisers, unless otherwise shown in the following table. The table is organized by fiscal year end.
  Broker Nature of
Affiliation
Aggregate
dollar
amount of
commissions
paid to
broker
Percent of
aggregate
brokerage
commissions
Percent of
aggregate
dollar
amount of
transactions
involving
payment of
commissions
Aggregate
dollar
amount of
commissions
paid to
broker
Aggregate
dollar
amount of
commissions
paid to
broker
Fund 2017 2016 2015
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29
Convertible Securities Fund Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner Smith (MLPFS) (1) $0 0% 4% $0 $2,076
Fund 2016 2015 2014
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31
Flexible Capital Income Fund MLPFS (1) $0 0% 0% $0 $1,695
For Funds with fiscal period ending July 31
Global Opportunities Fund MLPFS (1) $0 0% 1% $0 $47
(1) Prior to May 1, 2010, MLPFS (as of January 1, 2009) and other broker-dealers affiliated with BANA were affiliated broker-dealers of the Fund by virtue of being under common control with the Previous Adviser. The affiliation created by this relationship ended on May 1, 2010, when the investment advisory agreement with the Previous Adviser was terminated and the Fund entered into a new investment management services agreement with the Investment Manager. However, BANA, on behalf of its fiduciary accounts, continues to have investments in certain of the Columbia Funds. The amounts shown include any brokerage commissions paid to MLPFS after May 1, 2010.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 159

 

Directed Brokerage
The Funds or the Investment Manager, 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 Investment Manager.
Reported numbers include third party soft dollar commissions and portfolio manager directed commissions directed for research. The Investment Manager also receives proprietary research from brokers, but these amounts have not been included in the table.
During each Fund’s last fiscal year (or period), the Funds directed certain brokerage transactions and paid related commissions in the amounts as follows:
Brokerage Directed for Research
  Brokerage directed for research
Fund Amount of Transactions Amount of Commissions Imputed or Paid
For Funds with fiscal period ending January 31
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio $4,807,292 (a) $5,405 (a)
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio 1,251,300 (a) 1,429 (a)
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio 8,660,217 (a) 9,594 (a)
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio 2,023,810 (a) 2,309 (a)
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio 8,491,715 (a) 9,458 (a)
Global Strategic Equity Fund 17,997,780 (a) 21,136 (a)
Income Builder Fund 0 (a) 0 (a)
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29
Convertible Securities Fund 25,610,295 9,270
Global Equity Value Fund 340,403,926 234,258
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund 198,993,081 79,977
Large Cap Growth Fund III 422,101,412 146,949
Large Cap Index Fund 31 0
Mid Cap Index Fund 10 0
Mid Cap Value Fund 812,533,944 578,196
Overseas Value Fund 148,111,208 218,452
Select Global Growth Fund 16,870,397 14,161
Select International Equity Fund 238,765,040 337,021
Select Large Cap Equity Fund 430,346,552 180,568
Small Cap Index Fund 2,924,816 1,885
Small Cap Value Fund II 664,504,280 732,904
For Funds with fiscal period ending March 31
Short Term Bond Fund 0 0
For Funds with fiscal period ending April 30
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0 0
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0 0
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0 0
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0 0
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0 0
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0 0
Global Infrastructure Fund 154,842,156 90,827
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 160

 

  Brokerage directed for research
Fund Amount of Transactions Amount of Commissions Imputed or Paid
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund $0 $0
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31
Commodity Strategy Fund 0 0
Diversified Equity Income Fund 870,621,938 497,546
Dividend Opportunity Fund 3,570,976,556 2,185,544
Flexible Capital Income Fund 119,726,381 79,142
High Yield Bond Fund 0 0
MM Value Strategies Fund 660,957,068 403,017
Mortgage Opportunities Fund 0 0
Select Large-Cap Value Fund 0 0
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund 137,146 127
Seligman Communications and Information Fund 236,377,259 228,621
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund 384,732,890 398,616
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 0 0
For Funds with fiscal period ending July 31
Disciplined Core Fund 1,513,703,337 638,794
Disciplined Growth Fund 370,398,618 131,112
Disciplined Value Fund 559,811,561 283,335
Floating Rate Fund 0 0
Global Opportunities Fund 222,480,110 148,260
Government Money Market Fund 0 0
Income Opportunities Fund 0 0
Inflation Protected Securities Fund 0 0
Limited Duration Credit Fund 0 0
MN Tax-Exempt Fund 0 0
Strategic Municipal Income Fund 0 0
For Funds with fiscal period ending October 31
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund 0 0
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund 21,668,050 47,737
Emerging Markets Bond Fund 0 0
European Equity Fund 276,853,307 383,143
Global Bond Fund 0 0
Select Global Equity Fund 231,708,188 378,669
Seligman Global Technology Fund 36,706,118 45,792
(a) The underlying funds may have directed transactions to firms in exchange for research services.
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 Investment Manager uses to transact brokerage for the Funds.
As of each Fund’s last fiscal year (or period) 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:
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 161

 

Investments in Securities of Regular Brokers or Dealers
Fund Issuer Value of securities owned
at end of fiscal period
For Funds with fiscal period ending January 31, 2017
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio Piper Jaffray Companies $77,550
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio Piper Jaffray Companies $19,106
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio Piper Jaffray Companies $174,487
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio Piper Jaffray Companies $31,725
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio Piper Jaffray Companies $157,215
Global Strategic Equity Fund None N/A
Income Builder Fund None N/A
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29, 2017
Convertible Securities Fund None N/A
Global Equity Value Fund Citigroup, Inc. $22,674,449
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $22,808,238
Morgan Stanley $15,831,049
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund Citigroup, Inc. $6,513,309
JPMorgan Chase $6,687,756
Large Cap Growth Fund III The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $29,359,141
The Charles Schwab Corp. $8,597,712
Large Cap Index Fund Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. $1,649,073
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. $3,724,606
Citigroup, Inc. $30,545,685
E*TRADE Financial Corp. $1,692,888
Franklin Resources, Inc. $2,676,141
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $16,441,417
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $58,112,431
Morgan Stanley $11,802,955
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.(The) $11,092,929
The Charles Schwab Corp. $8,736,440
Mid Cap Index Fund Eaton Vance Corp. $13,382,903
Legg Mason, Inc. $8,579,791
Primerica, Inc. $9,357,714
Raymond James Financial, Inc. (subsidiary) $25,116,103
Stifel Financial Corp. $9,045,854
Mid Cap Value Fund E*TRADE Financial Corp. $41,386,117
Overseas Value Fund None N/A
Select Global Growth Fund None N/A
Select International Equity Fund None N/A
Select Large Cap Equity Fund Citigroup, Inc. $17,483,061
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $17,949,194
Morgan Stanley $13,245,670
Small Cap Index Fund Investment Technology Group, Inc. $3,102,559
Piper Jaffray Companies $5,040,089
Small Cap Value Fund II Stifel Financial Corp. $14,299,400
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 162

 

Fund Issuer Value of securities owned
at end of fiscal period
For Funds with fiscal period ending March 31, 2017
Short Term Bond Fund The Bear Stearns Companies LLC $10,451,230
Citigroup, Inc. $11,047,003
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates $1,948,825
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $10,134,400
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust $549,102
JPMorgan Resecuritization Trust $1,151,435
Morgan Stanley $11,513,502
PNC Bank NA $8,089,783
For Funds with fiscal period ending April 30, 2017
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund None N/A
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund None N/A
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund None N/A
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund None N/A
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund None N/A
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund None N/A
Global Infrastructure Fund None N/A
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund None N/A
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31, 2016
Commodity Strategy Fund None N/A
Diversified Equity Income Fund Citigroup, Inc. $56,090,351
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $79,670,781
Morgan Stanley $29,163,556
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.(The) $34,659,742
The Charles Schwab Corp. $23,175,023
Dividend Opportunity Fund Goldman, Sachs & Co. $16,509,412
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $19,673,161
JPMorgan Chase Bank $22,260,180
Flexible Capital Income Fund Citigroup Capital XIII $4,562,250
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $4,732,075
High Yield Bond Fund E*TRADE Financial Corp. $8,739,887
MM Value Strategies Fund Citigroup, Inc. $18,338,055
E*TRADE Financial Corp. $950,184
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) $10,105,291
Goldman Sachs International $3,429,315
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $39,828,015
JPMorgan Chase Bank $5,144,239
Legg Mason, Inc. (subsidiary) $349,071
Morgan Stanley $4,277,630
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.(The) $5,560,111
Raymond James Financial, Inc. (subsidiary) $468,409
Mortgage Opportunities Fund Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. $16,703,963
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates $13,905,263
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC $5,128,650
GS Mortgage Securities Trust $1,905,217
Jefferies Resecuritization Trust $1,453,609
JPMorgan Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust $5,978,505
Banc of America Merrill Lynch Re-Remic Trust $5,663,430
Morgan Stanley Re-Remic Trust $7,382,757
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 163

 

Fund Issuer Value of securities owned
at end of fiscal period
Select Large-Cap Value Fund Citigroup, Inc. $23,285,000
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $21,539,100
Morgan Stanley $21,211,750
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund None N/A
Seligman Communications and Information Fund None N/A
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund E*TRADE Financial Corp. $9,761,500
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. $19,013,731
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates $48,082,595
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC $21,456,177
GS Mortgage Securities Trust $9,716,609
Jefferies Resecuritization Trust $2,977,897
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust $1,992,835
Merrill Lynch Private Investment Public Equity $2,397
Banc of America Merrill Lynch Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust $6,858,720
Banc of America Merrill Lynch Re-Remic Trust $11,897,178
Morgan Stanley Re-Remic Trust $4,549,919
For Funds with fiscal period ending July 31, 2016
Disciplined Core Fund Citigroup, Inc. $84,246,630
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $57,125,210
Disciplined Growth Fund None N/A
Disciplined Value Fund Citigroup, Inc. $25,528,087
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $37,083,409
Floating Rate Fund Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund $380,090
Global Opportunities Fund Citigroup, Inc. $4,021,281
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. $309,293
E*TRADE Financial Corp. $377,160
Arlington Asset Investment Corp. $103,291
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $1,544,517
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $3,630,681
Morgan Stanley $1,759,712
Piper Jaffray Companies $21,704
Government Money Market Fund None N/A
Income Opportunities Fund E*TRADE Financial Corp. $14,548,675
Inflation Protected Securities Fund Citigroup, Inc. $1,019,287
Limited Duration Credit Fund The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $4,459,909
Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund None N/A
Strategic Municipal Income Fund None N/A
For Funds with fiscal period ending October 31, 2016
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund None N/A
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund None N/A
Emerging Markets Bond Fund None N/A
European Equity Fund None N/A
Global Bond Fund Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. $542,915
E*TRADE Financial Corp. $47,471
Select Global Equity Fund Charles Schwab $4,304,765
Seligman Global Technology Fund None N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 164

 

OTHER PRACTICES
Performance Disclosure
Effective beginning with performance reporting for the December 31, 2011 year end, in presenting performance information for newer share classes, if any, of a Fund, the Fund typically includes, for periods prior to the offering of such share classes, the performance of the Fund’s oldest share class (except as otherwise disclosed), adjusted to reflect any higher class-related operating expenses of the newer share classes, as applicable, based on the expense ratios of those share classes for the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year for which data was available at December 31, 2011 or, for Funds and classes first offered after January 1, 2011, the expected expense differential at the time the newer share class is first offered. Actual expense differentials across classes will vary over time. The performance of the Fund’s newer share classes would have been substantially similar to the performance of the Fund’s oldest share class because all share classes of a Fund are invested in the same portfolio of securities, and would have differed only to the extent that the classes do not have the same sales charges and/or expenses (and any differences in expenses between share classes may change over time).
Prior to December 31, 2011, in presenting performance information for a newer share class of a Fund, series of CFST would typically include, for periods prior to the offering of such newer share class, the performance of an older share class, the class-related operating expense structure of which was most similar to that of the newer share class, and for periods prior to the initial offering of such older share class, would include the performance of successively older share classes with successively less similar expense structures. Such performance information was not restated to reflect any differences in expenses between share classes and if such differences had been reflected, the performance shown might have been lower. Because, prior to December 31, 2011, series of CFST used a different methodology for presenting performance information for a newer share class, such performance information published before December 31, 2011 may differ from corresponding performance information published after December 31, 2011.
Disclosure of Financial Support for Columbia Government Money Market Fund
Disclosure of Financial Support. Effective on October 1, 2016, the Fund is required to disclose any occasions on which an affiliated person, promoter or principal underwriter of the Fund, or an affiliated person of such person, provided any form of financial support to the Fund. For these purposes, the term ‘‘financial support’’ includes any capital contribution, purchase of a security from the Fund in reliance on Rule 17a–9 under the 1940 Act, purchase of any defaulted or devalued security at par, execution of letter of credit or letter of indemnity, capital support agreement (whether or not the Fund ultimately received support), performance guarantee, or any other similar action reasonably intended to increase or stabilize the value or liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio; excluding, however, any routine waiver of fees or reimbursement of Fund expenses, routine inter-fund lending, routine inter-fund purchases of Fund shares, or any action that would qualify as financial support as defined above, that the Board has otherwise determined not to be reasonably intended to increase or stabilize the value or liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund is required to disclose additional information about the receipt of any such financial support on Form N-CR and to file this form with the SEC. Any Form N-CR filing submitted by the Fund is available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov.
Portfolio Turnover
A change in the securities held by a Fund is known as “portfolio turnover.” High portfolio turnover 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, among other factors, economic, market and other conditions.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings Information
The Board and the Investment Manager believe that the investment ideas of the Investment Manager and any subadviser with respect to portfolio management of a Fund should seek to benefit the Fund and its shareholders, and do not want to afford speculators an opportunity to profit by anticipating Fund trading strategies. However, the Board also believes that selective disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio holdings can, under appropriate circumstances, be made for purposes beneficial to the Fund and its shareholders or for other purposes under conditions that are designed to protect the interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
The Board has therefore adopted policies and procedures relating to disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio securities. These policies and procedures are intended to protect the confidentiality of Fund portfolio holdings information and generally prohibit the release of such information until such information is made available to the general public, unless such persons have been
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 165

 

authorized to receive such information on a selective basis, as described below. It is the policy of the Fund not to provide or permit others to provide portfolio holdings on a selective basis, and the Investment Manager does not intend to selectively disclose portfolio holdings or expect that such holdings information will be selectively disclosed, except where necessary for the Fund’s operation or where there are other legitimate business purposes for doing so and, in any case, where conditions are met that are designed to protect the interests of the Funds and their shareholders.
Although the Investment Manager seeks to limit the selective disclosure of portfolio holdings information and such selective disclosure is monitored under the Fund’s compliance program for conformity with the policies and procedures, there can be no assurance that these policies will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information. Under no circumstances may the Investment Manager, its affiliates or any employee thereof receive any consideration or compensation for disclosing such holdings information.
Public Disclosures
The Funds’ portfolio holdings are currently disclosed to the public through filings with the SEC and postings on the Funds’ website. The information is available on the Funds’ website as described below.
For equity, alternative and flexible funds (other than the equity funds identified below) and funds-of-funds (equity and fixed income), a complete list of Fund portfolio holdings as of month-end is posted approximately, but no earlier than, 15 calendar days after such month-end.
For Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Small Company Growth Fund, a complete list of Fund portfolio holdings as of month-end is posted approximately, but no earlier than, 30 calendar days after such month-end.
For fixed-income Funds (other than money market funds), a complete list of Fund portfolio holdings as of 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 is posted no later than five business days after such month-end. Such month-end holdings are 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. Money market Fund portfolio holdings information posted on the website, at minimum, includes 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 value. The money market Funds will also disclose on the website its overall weighted average maturity, weighted average life maturity, percentage of daily liquid assets, percentage of weekly liquid assets and daily inflows and outflows.
Portfolio holdings of Funds owned solely by the Investment Manager or its affiliates are not disclosed on the website. A complete schedule of each Fund’s portfolio holdings is available semiannually and annually in shareholder reports filed on Form N-CSR and, after the first and third fiscal quarters, in regulatory filings on Form N-Q. These shareholder reports and regulatory filings are filed with the SEC in accordance with federal securities laws. Shareholders may obtain each Fund’s Form N-CSR and N-Q filings on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, each 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.
In addition, the Investment Manager makes publicly available information regarding certain Fund’s largest five to fifteen holdings, as a percentage of the market value of the Funds’ portfolios as of a month-end. This holdings information is made publicly available through the website columbiathreadneedle.com/us, approximately 15 calendar days following the month-end. The scope of the information that is made available on the Funds’ websites pursuant to the Funds’ policies may change from time to time without prior notice. Certain fund marketing material, such as fund fact sheets, containing the largest five to fifteen holdings may be made available earlier than 15 days following month end. This information may not be available on the website for all Funds included in this SAI.
The Investment Manager may also disclose more current portfolio holdings information as of specified dates on the Funds’ website.
The Funds, the Investment Manager 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 when the information is disclosed publicly on the funds’ website or no earlier than the time a fund files such information in a publicly available SEC filing required to include such information.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 166

 

Other Disclosures
The Funds’ policies and procedures provide that no disclosures of the Funds’ portfolio holdings may be made prior to the portfolio holdings information being made available to the general public unless (i) the Funds have a legitimate business purpose for making such disclosure, (ii) the Funds or their authorized agents authorize 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.
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 Investment Manager; (ii) any conflicts of interest between the interests of Fund shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Investment Manager, the Funds’ Distributor or any affiliated person of a Fund, the Investment Manager or Distributor on the other; and (iii) any prior disclosure to a third party, although subject to a confidentiality agreement, would not make conduct lawful that is otherwise unlawful.
Fund complete portfolio holdings may be disclosed between and among the following persons (collectively, Affiliates and Agents) for legitimate business purposes within the scope of their official duties and responsibilities, subject to Fund policies and procedures designed to prevent the misuse of inside information, by agreement, or under applicable laws, rules, and regulations: (1) persons who are subject to the Code of Ethics or policies and procedures designed to prevent the misuse of inside information; (2) an investment adviser, distributor, administrator, transfer agent, or custodian to the Fund; (3) an accounting firm, an auditing firm, or outside legal counsel retained by the Investment Manager or its affiliates, or the Fund; (4) an investment adviser to whom complete portfolio holdings are disclosed for due diligence purposes when the adviser is in merger or acquisition talks with a the Investment Manager or its parent company; and (5) a newly hired subadviser to whom complete portfolio holdings are disclosed prior to the time it commences its duties.
The frequency with which complete portfolio holdings may be disclosed between and among Affiliates and Agents, and the length of the lag, if any, between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed between and among the Affiliates and Agents, is determined by such Affiliates and Agents based on the facts and circumstances, including, without limitation, the nature of the portfolio holdings information to be disclosed, the risk of harm to the Funds and their shareholders, and the legitimate business purposes served by such disclosure. The frequency of disclosure between and among Affiliates and Agents varies and may be as frequent as daily, with no lag. Any disclosure of Fund complete portfolio holdings to any Affiliates and Agents as previously described may also include a list of the other investment positions that make up the Fund, such as cash investments and derivatives.
The Funds also disclose portfolio holdings information as required by federal, state or international securities laws, and may disclose portfolio holdings information in response to requests by governmental authorities, or in connection with litigation or potential litigation, a restructuring of a holding, where such disclosure is necessary to participate or explore participation in a restructuring of the holding ( e.g. , as part of a bondholder group), or to the issuer of a holding, pursuant to a request of the issuer or any other party who is duly authorized by the issuer.
In certain limited situations, the Funds may provide portfolio holdings to an institutional client (or its custodian or other agent) when the client is effecting a redemption in-kind from a Fund and the Investment Manager believes that such disclosure will not be harmful to the Fund. In these situations, the Investment Manager makes it clear through non-disclosure agreements or other means that the recipient must ensure that the confidential information is used only as necessary to effect the redemption-in-kind and will maintain the information in a manner designed to protect against unauthorized access or misuse.
The Board has adopted policies to ensure that the Fund’s portfolio holdings information is only disclosed in accordance with these policies. Before any selective disclosure of portfolio 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, which is chaired by the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer, is comprised of members from the Investment Manager’s legal department and compliance department, and the Funds’ President. The PHC is authorized by the 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 Manager, 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 may be authorized. Before portfolio holdings may be selectively disclosed, requests approved by the PHC must also be authorized by the Funds’ President, Chief Compliance Officer or General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer 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
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 167

 

information and to prohibit their release to individual investors, institutional investors, intermediaries that distribute the Fund’s 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.
Ongoing Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Arrangements:
The 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 in accordance with the policy. No compensation or consideration is received in exchange for this information. In addition to the daily information provided to a Fund’s custodians, subcustodians, Investment Manager and subadvisers, the following disclosure arrangements are in place:
Identity of Recipient   Conditions/restrictions on use of information   Frequency of
Disclosure
Recipients under arrangements with the Funds or Investment Manager:    
Accudelta   Used to report returns and analytics to client facing materials.   Monthly
Barclays Capital   Used for analytics including risk and attribution assessment.   Daily
BlackRock   Used for fixed income trading and decision support.   Daily
Bloomberg   Used for portfolio analytics, statistical analysis and independent research.   Daily, Monthly and Quarterly
Bolger, Inc.   Used for commercial printing.   As Needed
Boston Investors Communications Group, LLC (BICG)   Used for writing services that require disclosing portfolio holdings in advance of their dissemination to the general public.   Monthly
Capital Markets Services (CMS) Group   Used for intraday post-trade information when equity exposures (either via futures or options trades) are modified beyond certain limits for VP – Managed Volatility Funds.   As Needed
Catapult   Used for commercial printing.   As Needed
Citigroup   Used for mortgage decision support.   Daily
Donnelley Financial Solutions   Used to provide Edgar filing and typesetting services, and printing of prospectuses, factsheets, annual and semi-annual reports. Used for commercial printing.   As Needed
Elevation Exhibits & Events   Used for trade show exhibits.   As Needed
Equifax, Inc.   Used to ensure that Columbia Management does not violate the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanction requirements.   Daily
Ernst & Young, LLP   Used to analyze PFIC investments.   Monthly
Eva Dimensions   Used as a research service for small cap stock.   As Needed
Eze Software Group   Used to facilitate the evaluation of commission rates and to provide flexible commission reporting.   Daily
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.   Used for provision of quantitative analytics, charting and fundamental data and for portfolio analytics. Used to cover product and marketing developments related to index funds, ETFs, index derivatives, and other sophisticated investment strategies.   Daily or Monthly
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 168

 

Identity of Recipient   Conditions/restrictions on use of information   Frequency of
Disclosure
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.   Used as portfolio accounting system.   Daily
Harte-Hanks   Used for printing of prospectuses, factsheets, annual and semi-annual reports.   As Needed
Imagine Print Solutions   Used for commercial printing.   Daily, Monthly and Quarterly
Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS)   Used for proxy voting administration and research on proxy matters.   Daily
Intex Solutions Inc.   Used to provide mortgage analytics.   Periodic
Investment Technology Group, Inc.   Used to evaluate and assess trading activity, execution and practices.   Quarterly
Investor Tools   Used for municipal bond analytics, research and decision support.   As Needed
JDP Marketing Services   Used to write or edit Columbia Fund shareholder reports, quarterly fund commentaries, and communications, including shareholder letters and management’s discussion of Columbia Fund performance.   Monthly, as needed
John Roberts, Inc.   Used for commercial printing.   Daily, Monthly and Quarterly
Kendall Press   Used for commercial printing.   As Needed
Kynex   Used to provide portfolio attribution reports for the Columbia Convertible Securities Fund. Used also for portfolio analytics.   Daily
Malaspina Communications   Used to facilitate writing management’s discussion of Columbia Fund performance for Columbia Fund shareholder reports and periodic marketing communications.   Monthly
Markit   Used for an asset database for analytics and investor reporting. Used to reconcile client commission trades with broker-dealers.   As Needed and Monthly
Merrill Corporation   Used for printing of prospectuses, factsheets, annual and semi-annual reports.   As Needed
Morningstar   Used for independent research and ranking of funds. Used also for statistical analysis.   Monthly, Quarterly or As Needed
MSCI Inc.   Used as a hosted portfolio management platform designed for research, reporting, strategy development, portfolio construction and performance and risk attribution, and used for risk analysis and reporting.   Daily
Print Craft   Used to assemble kits and mailing that include the fact sheets.   As Needed
RegEd, Inc.   Used to review external and certain internal communications prior to dissemination.   Daily
SEI Investment Company   Used for trading wrap accounts and to reconcile wrap accounts.   Daily
SS&C Technologies, Inc.   Used to translate account positions for reconciliations.   Daily
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 169

 

Identity of Recipient   Conditions/restrictions on use of information   Frequency of
Disclosure
Sustainalytics US Inc.   Used to affirm and validate social scoring methodology of Columbia U.S. Social Bond Fund’s investment strategy.   Quarterly
S.W.I.F.T. Scrl.   Used to send trade messages via SWIFT to custodians.   Daily
Thomson Reuters   Used for statistical analysis.   Monthly
Threadneedle Investments   Used by portfolio managers and research analysts in supporting certain management strategies, and by shared support partners (legal, operations, compliance, risk, etc.) to provide Fund maintenance and development.   As Needed
Universal Wilde   Used to provide printing and mailing services for prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, and supplements.   As Needed
Visions, Inc.   Used for commercial printing.   Daily, Monthly and Quarterly
Wilshire Associates, Inc.   Used to provide daily performance attribution reporting based on daily holdings to the investment and investment analytics teams.   Daily
Wolters Kluwer   Used to perform tax calculations specific to wash sales and used to analyze tax straddles (diminution of risk).   Monthly
    
Identity of Recipient   Conditions/restrictions on use of information   Frequency of
Disclosure
Recipients under arrangements with subadvisers:    
Advent Software Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for portfolio accounting.   Daily
Ashland Partners & Co. LLP   Used by certain subadvisers for performance evaluation.   Annually
Eze Castle Software, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for order management and compliance.   Daily
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for analytics security master data.   Daily
In addition, portfolio holdings information may be provided from time to time to the Funds’ counsel, counsel to the independent trustees and the Funds’ independent auditors in connection with the services they provide to the Funds or the trustees. Portfolio holdings information may also be provided to affiliates of the Investment Manager to monitor risks and various holdings limitations that must be aggregated with affiliated funds and accounts, among other purposes. The Investment Manager and the subadvisers use a variety of broker-dealers and other agents to effect securities transactions on behalf of the Funds. These broker-dealers may become aware of the Funds’ intentions, transactions and positions in performing their functions.
Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments
The Funds, along with the Transfer Agent, the Distributor and the Investment Manager, may pay significant amounts to financial intermediaries, including other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for providing shareholder services, including the types of services that would otherwise be provided directly by a mutual fund’s transfer agent. The level of payments made to financial intermediaries may vary by financial intermediary and according to distribution channel. 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 services may include sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, shareholder or participant transaction processing, maintaining shareholder records, preparing account statements and/or the provision of call center support and other customer services.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 170

 

Effective October 1, 2016, the Board authorized each Fund to pay up to the lesser of the amount charged by the financial intermediary for such services or such fees up to a channel-specific cap established by the Board from time to time. For certain distribution channels, the reimbursement is set at a per account amount for accounts of intermediaries that charge a per account fee. The amounts in excess of the amount reimbursed by a Fund are borne by the Transfer Agent, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates. These payments are in addition to the annual transfer agency fees paid by a Fund to the Transfer Agent, as described in the Investment Management and Other Services – Other Services Provided – The Transfer Agent section above, and may include payments to financial intermediaries that charge networking fees for certain services provided in connection with the maintenance of shareholder accounts through the NSCC. With respect to Class K and Class R5 shares, the annual rate for transfer agency fees and reimbursement of fees for additional shareholder services is currently capped at 0.07%. With respect to Class Y shares, the Transfer Agent does not currently pay financial intermediaries for shareholder services and the Fund does not currently pay the Transfer Agent for any shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries. Payments for these additional shareholder services are made by a Fund to the Transfer Agent who in turn makes payments to the financial intermediary for the provision of such services. The Funds’ Transfer Agent, Distributor and/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.
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. A significant portion of these networking account fees are paid to financial intermediaries affiliated with Ameriprise Financial.
In addition, the Transfer Agent, the Distributor and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may make lump sum payments to selected financial intermediaries receiving shareholder servicing payments as compensation for the costs of printing 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 April 2017, the Transfer Agent and/or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates had agreed to make shareholder servicing payments with respect to the Funds to the financial intermediaries or their affiliates shown below.
Recipients of Shareholder Servicing Payments Relating to the Funds from the Transfer Agent and/or other Ameriprise Financial Affiliates
ADP Broker-Dealer, Inc.
American Enterprise Investment Services Inc.*
American United Life Insurance Co.
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.*
Ascensus, Inc.
AXA Advisors
AXA Equitable Life Insurance
Bank of America, N.A.
Benefit Plan Administrators
Benefit Trust
BMO Harris Bank (f/k/a Marshall & Illsley Trust Company)
BNY Mellon, N.A.
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Charles Schwab Trust Co.
Davenport & Company
Daily Access Concepts, Inc.
Digital Retirement Solutions
Edward D. Jones & Co., LP
ExpertPlan
Fidelity Brokerage Services, Inc.
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Co.
First Mercantile Trust Co.
Guardian Insurance and Annuity Company Inc.
Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company
Genworth Life Insurance Co. of New York
Goldman Sachs & Co.
GWFS Equities, Inc.
Hartford Life Insurance Company
HD Vest
Hewitt Associates LLC
ICMA Retirement Corporation
Janney Montgomery Scott, Inc.
JJB Hilliard Lyons
JP Morgan Chase Bank
John Hancock Life Insurance Company (USA)
John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York
John Hancock Trust Company
Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York
Lincoln National Life Insurance Company
Lincoln Retirement Services
LPL Financial Corporation
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
Mercer HR Services, LLC
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation
Minnesota Life Insurance Co.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
MSCS Financial Services Division of Broadridge Business Process Outsourcing LLC
National Financial Services
Nationwide Investment Services
Newport Retirement Services, Inc.
New York State Deferred Compensation Plan
Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.
Plan Administrators, Inc.
PNC Bank
Principal Life Insurance Company of America
 
 
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Prudential Insurance Company of America
Prudential Retirement Insurance & Annuity Company
Pershing LLC
Raymond James & Associates
RBC Capital Markets
Reliance Trust
Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc.
Sammons Retirement Solutions
SEI Private Trust Company
Standard Insurance Company
Stifel Nicolaus & Co.
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.
TD Ameritrade Trust Company
The Retirement Plan Company
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America
Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company
Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company of New York
Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
UBS Financial Services, Inc.
Unified Trust Company, N.A.
Upromise Investments, Inc.
US Bank NA
Vanguard Group, Inc.
VALIC Retirement Services Company
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company
Voya Institutional Plan Services, LLP
Voya Investments Distributors, LLC
Voya Financial Partners, LLC
Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
Wells Fargo Advisors
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Wilmington Trust Retirement & Institutional Services Company
Xerox HR Solutions

* Ameriprise Financial affiliate
The Transfer Agent, the Distributor, the Investment Manager and/or their 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 Payments to Financial Intermediaries
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 shareholder servicing payments to retirement plan administrators and other institutions in amounts described above under Other Practices – Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments.
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 lump sum payments described above under Other Practices – Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments. Such 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 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 Fund share, or 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, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates 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 and data analytics. Not all financial intermediaries receive marketing support payments. These payments are generally based upon one or more of the following factors: average net assets
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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, compensation for 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 0.40% on an annual basis for payments based on average net assets of the 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 Funds attributable to the financial intermediary. The Distributor, the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates make payments with respect to a Fund or the Columbia Funds 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 April 2017, the Distributor, the Investment Manager or their affiliates had agreed to make marketing support payments relating to the Funds to the following financial intermediaries or their affiliates.
Recipients of Marketing Support Payments Relating to the Funds from the Distributor and/or other Ameriprise Financial Affiliates
AIG Advisor Group
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.*
AXA Advisors, LLC
Bank of America, N.A.
Cetera Financial Group, Inc.
Citigroup Global Markets Inc./Citibank
Commonwealth Financial Network
J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc.
Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.
LPL Financial Corporation
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC
Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.
PNC Investments
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.
RBC Capital Markets
UBS Financial Services Inc.
Unified Trust Company, N.A.
US Bancorp Investments, Inc.
Vanguard Marketing Corp.
Voya Financial Advisors, LLC
Wells Fargo Advisors
Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC
Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
 
 
* Ameriprise Financial affiliate
The Distributor, the Investment Manager and/or their 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.
Other Payments
From time to time, the Distributor, from its own resources and not as an expense of the Fund, typically provides 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 includes 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, including the Funds, or a particular share class over other funds or share classes. See Investment Management 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 Trusts' Shares
The Trusts may 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. Most of the Funds are authorized to issue multiple classes of shares. Such classes are designated as Class A, Class C, Class K, Class R, Class R4, Class R5, Class T, Class V, Class Y and Class Z. A Fund offers only those classes of shares listed on the cover of its prospectuses. 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.
Subject to certain limited exceptions discussed in each Fund’s prospectuses and in this SAI, a Fund may no longer be accepting new investments from current shareholders or prospective investors in general or with respect to one or more classes of shares. The Funds, however, may at any time and without notice, accept new investments in general or with respect to one or more previously closed classes of shares.
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 or the relevant class. The Funds or any class of shares of 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 and classes will continue indefinitely.
Shareholder Liability
CFST. The Trust is organized under Delaware law. The Declaration of Trust of the Trust disclaims liability of the shareholders or the officers of the Trust for acts or obligations of the Trust which are binding only on the assets and property of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of a Fund’s property for all loss and expense of a Fund’s shareholders being held personally liable solely by reason of his or her being or having been a shareholder and not because of his or her acts or omissions or for some other reason. The risk of a Trust shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which a Fund itself would not be able to meet the Trust’s obligations and this risk should be considered remote. 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.
CFST II. The Trust is organized as a business trust under Massachusetts law. 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 the Funds with respect to distributions. Distributions will be made from the assets of the Funds, and will be paid pro rata to all shareholders of each Fund (or class) according to the number of shares of each Fund (or class) held by shareholders on the record date. The amount of income dividends per share may vary between separate share classes of the Funds based upon differences in the way that expenses are allocated between share classes pursuant to a multiple class plan.
Voting Rights and Shareholder Meetings
Shareholders have the power to vote only as expressly granted under the 1940 Act or under Delaware statutory trust law (in the case of CFST) or Massachusetts business trust law (in the case of CFST II). Each whole share (or fractional share) outstanding on the record date shall be entitled to (for CFST) one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote, and each fractional
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share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote; and (for CFST II) 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).
Shareholders have no independent right to vote on any matter, including the creation, operation, dissolution or termination of the Trust. Shareholders have the right to vote on other matters only as the Board authorizes. Currently, the 1940 Act requires that shareholders have the right to vote, under certain circumstances, to: (i) elect Trustees; (ii) approve investment advisory agreements; (iii) approve a change in subclassification of a Fund; (iv) approve any change in fundamental investment policies; (v) approve a distribution plan under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; and (vi) to terminate the independent accountant. With respect to matters that affect one class but not another, shareholders vote as a class; for example, the approval of a distribution plan applicable to that class is voted on by holders of that class of shares. Subject to the foregoing, all shares of a Trust have equal voting rights and will be voted in the aggregate, and not by Fund, except where voting by Fund is required by law or where the matter involved only affects one Fund. For example, a change in a Fund’s fundamental investment policy affects only one Fund and would be voted upon only by shareholders of the Fund involved. Additionally, approval of an investment advisory agreement or, if shareholder approval is required under exemptive relief, investment subadvisory agreement, since it only affects one Fund, is a matter to be determined separately by each Fund. Approval by the shareholders of one Fund is effective as to that Fund whether or not sufficient votes are received from the shareholders of the other series to approve the proposal as to those Funds. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each whole share held and a proportional fractional vote for each fractional vote held, on matters on which they are entitled to vote. Fund shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights. The Trust is not required to hold, and has no present intention of holding, annual meetings of shareholders. Special meetings may be called for certain purposes.
Previously, CFST had voluntarily undertaken to adhere to certain governance measures contemplated by an SEC settlement order with respect to CFST’s prior investment adviser in 2005. Over the past several years, the SEC has adopted many rules under the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to strengthen fund governance and compliance oversight of funds and their investment advisers. Accordingly, although CFST may continue to follow certain governance practices noted in the 2005 settlement order, it will do so as the Board deems appropriate and not pursuant to any voluntary undertakings. In this regard, the Board has determined that it is unnecessary to commit to holding a meeting of shareholders to elect trustees at least every five years. Instead, the Board will convene meetings of shareholders to elect trustees as required by the 1940 Act or as deemed appropriate by the Board.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the Trust or a Fund, all shares have equal rights and shareholders of a Fund are entitled to a proportionate share of the assets of the Fund that are available for distribution and to a distribution of any general assets not attributable to a particular Fund 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
Conversion features and exchange privileges, if applicable, are described in the Funds’ prospectuses and Appendix S to this SAI.
Redemptions
Each Fund’s dividend, distribution and redemption policies can be found in its prospectuses. 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 its Trust.
Conduct of the Trusts' Business
Forum Selection. Each Trust’s Declaration of Trust or Bylaws, as applicable, provide that the sole and exclusive forums for any shareholder (including a beneficial owner of shares) to bring (i) any action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Trust, (ii) any action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any Trustee, officer or employee, if any, of the Trust to the Trust or the Trust’s shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Trust or any of its Trustees, officers or employees arising
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pursuant to any provision of the statutory or common law of the state in which the Trust is organized or any federal securities law, in each case as amended from time to time, or the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be within the federal or state courts in the state in which the Trust is organized.
This forum selection provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that the shareholder finds favorable for disputes with a Trust and/or any of its Trustees, officers, employees or service providers. If a court were to find the forum selection provision contained in the Declaration of Trust or Bylaws, as applicable, to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, the Trust may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.
Derivative and Direct Claims of Shareholders. Each Trust’s Declaration of Trust or Bylaws, as applicable, contain provisions regarding derivative and direct claims of shareholders. As used in the Declaration of Trust or Bylaws, a “direct” shareholder claim refers to (i) a claim based upon alleged violations of a shareholder’s individual rights independent of any harm to the Trust, including a shareholder’s voting rights under the Declaration of Trust or Bylaws; rights to receive a dividend payment as may be declared from time to time; rights to inspect books and records; or other similar rights personal to the shareholder and independent of any harm to the Trust; and (ii) a claim for which a direct shareholder action is expressly provided under the U.S. federal securities laws. Any other claim asserted by a shareholder, including without limitation any claims purporting to be brought on behalf of the Trust or involving any alleged harm to the Trust, is considered a “derivative” claim as used in the Declaration of Trust or Bylaws.
A shareholder may not bring or maintain any court action or other proceeding asserting a derivative claim or any claim asserted on behalf of the Trust or involving any alleged harm to the Trust without first making demand on the Trustees requesting the Trustees to bring or maintain such action, proceeding or claim. Such demand shall not be excused under any circumstances, including claims of alleged interest on the part of the Trustees, unless the shareholder makes a specific showing that irreparable nonmonetary injury to the Trust would otherwise result.
The Trustees of each Trust shall consider any demand or request within 90 days of its receipt by the Trust or inform claimants within such time that further review and consideration is required, in which case the Trustees shall have an additional 120 days to respond. In their sole discretion, the Trustees may submit the matter to a vote of shareholders of the Trust or of any series or class of shares, as appropriate. Any decision by the Trustees to settle or to authorize (or not to settle or to authorize) such court action, proceeding or claim, or to submit the matter to a vote of shareholders, shall be binding upon the shareholder seeking authorization.
Any person purchasing or otherwise holding any interest in shares of beneficial interest of the Trust will be deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provisions. These provisions may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim against the Trustees, officers or other employees of the Trust and/or its service providers.
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Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares
Purchase and Redemption
An investor may buy, sell and transfer 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.
Purchases of shares of the Funds may be effected on a Business Day. Each Trust and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any purchase order. The issuance of shares is recorded on the books of the Trust, and share certificates are not issued. Purchase orders for shares in the Funds that are received by the Distributor or by the Transfer Agent before the end of the Business Day (typically 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) are priced according to the net asset value determined on that day but are not executed until 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Business Day on which immediately available funds in payment of the purchase price are received by the Fund’s Custodian.
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.
Should a Fund stop selling shares, the Board may make a deduction from the value of the assets held by the Fund to cover the cost of future liquidations of the assets so as to distribute these costs fairly among all shareholders.
The Trusts 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 Trusts have 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. Although redemptions in excess of this limitation would normally be paid in cash, the Fund reserves the right to make these payments in whole or in part in securities or other assets in case of an emergency, or if the payment of a redemption in cash would be detrimental to the existing shareholders of the Fund as determined by the Board. In these circumstances, the securities distributed would be valued as set forth in this SAI. Should a Fund distribute securities, a shareholder may incur brokerage fees or other transaction costs in converting the securities to cash.
The timing and magnitude of cash inflows from investors buying Fund shares could prevent a 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 a Fund’s performance.
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.
Pay-out Plans
You can use any of several pay-out plans to redeem your investment in regular installments. If you redeem shares, you may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge as discussed in the prospectus. While the plans differ on how the pay-out is figured, they all are based on the redemption of your investment. Net investment income dividends and any capital gain distributions will
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automatically be reinvested, unless you elect to receive them in cash. If you redeem an IRA or a qualified retirement account, certain restrictions, federal tax penalties, and special federal income tax reporting requirements may apply. You should consult your tax advisor about this complex area of the tax law.
Applications for a systematic investment in a class of a Fund subject to a sales charge normally will not be accepted while a pay-out plan for any of those Funds is in effect. Occasional investments, however, may be accepted.
To start any of these plans, please consult your financial intermediary. Your authorization must be received at least five days before the date you want your payments to begin. Payments will be made on a monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis. Your choice is effective until you change or cancel it.
Offering Price
The share price of each Fund is based on each Fund’s net asset value (NAV) per share, which is calculated separately for each class of shares as of the end of the Business Day.
For Funds Other than Money Market Funds. The value of each Fund’s portfolio securities is determined in accordance with the Trust’s valuation procedures, which are approved by the Board. Except as described below under “Fair Valuation of Portfolio Securities,” the Fund’s portfolio securities are typically valued using the following methodologies:
Equity Securities. Equity securities (including common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants and ETFs) listed on an exchange are valued at the closing price on their primary exchange (which, in the case of foreign securities, may be a foreign exchange) or, if a closing price is not readily available, at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. Over-the-counter equity securities not listed on any national exchange but included in the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price or, if the official closing price is not readily available, at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices. Equity securities and ETFs that are not listed on any national exchange and are not included in the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices. Shares of other open-end investment companies (other than ETFs) are valued at the latest net asset value reported by those companies as of the valuation time.
Fixed Income Securities. Debt securities with remaining maturities in excess of 60 days are valued at market value based on an evaluated bid, which may be obtained from a pricing service. If pricing information is unavailable from a pricing service or is not believed to be reflective of market value, then a security may be valued at a bid quote from a broker-dealer, or, if a bid quote from a broker-dealer is not available, at fair value. Debt securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at their amortized cost value if such value is approximately the same as market value. If the amortized cost value of such securities is not reflective of market value, then the valuation process for debt securities with remaining maturities in excess of 60 days will be applied. Amortized cost is determined by systematically increasing the carrying value of a security if acquired at a discount, or reducing the carrying value if acquired at a premium, so that the carrying value is equal to maturity value on the maturity date. Short-term variable rate demand notes are typically valued at par value. Newly issued debt securities may be valued at purchase price for up to two days following purchase or at fair value if the purchase price is not believed to be reflective of market value.
Futures, Options and Other Derivatives. Futures and options on futures are valued based on the settle price at the close of regular trading on their principal exchange or, in the absence of transactions, they are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices closest to the last reported sale price. Listed options are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. If market quotations are not readily available, futures and options are valued using quotations from broker-dealers. Customized derivative products are valued at a price provided by a pricing service or, if such a price is unavailable, a broker quote or at a price derived from an internal valuation model.
Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements are generally valued at a price equal to the amount of cash invested in the repurchase agreement, or borrowed in the reverse repurchase agreement, respectively, at the time of valuation.
Bank Loans. Bank loans purchased in the primary market are typically valued at acquisition cost for up to two days, and are then valued using a market quotation from a pricing service or quote from a broker-dealer, or if such quotes are unavailable, fair value. For bank loans trading in the secondary market, prices are obtained from a pricing service and are based upon the average of one or more indicative bids from broker-dealers. ​
Private Placement Securities. Private placement securities requiring fair valuation are typically valued utilizing prices from broker-dealers or using internal analysis and any issuer-provided financial information.
Foreign Currencies. Foreign currencies, securities denominated in foreign currencies and payables/receivables denominated in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars utilizing spot exchange rates at the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Forward foreign currency contracts are valued in U.S. dollars utilizing the applicable forward currency exchange rate as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE.
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For Money Market Funds. In accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, the securities in the portfolio of a money market fund are generally valued at amortized cost if such value is approximately the same as market value or at market value (based on market-based prices); or, if market value is not available, fair value. The amortized cost method of valuation is an approximation of market value determined by systematically increasing the carrying value of a security if acquired at a discount, or reducing the carrying value if acquired at a premium, so that the carrying value is equal to maturity value on the maturity date. Amortized cost does not take into consideration unrealized capital gains or losses.
The Board has established procedures designed to stabilize the Fund’s price per share for purposes of sales and redemptions at $1.00, to the extent that it is reasonably possible to do so. These procedures include review of the Fund’s securities by the Board, at intervals deemed appropriate by it, to determine whether the Fund’s net asset value per share computed by using available market quotations deviates from a share value of $1.00 as computed using the amortized cost method. Deviations are reported to the Board periodically and, if any such deviation exceeds 0.5%, the Board must determine what action, if any, needs to be taken. If the Board determines that a deviation exists that may result in a material dilution or other unfair results for shareholders or investors, the Board must cause the Fund to undertake such remedial action as the Board deems appropriate to eliminate or reduce to the extent reasonably practicable such dilution or unfair results.
Such action may include withholding dividends, calculating net asset value per share for purposes of sales and redemptions using available market quotations, making redemptions in kind, and/or selling securities before maturity in order to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten average portfolio maturity.
While the amortized cost method provides certainty and consistency in portfolio valuation, it may result in valuations of securities that are either somewhat higher or lower than the prices at which the securities could be sold. This means that during times of declining interest rates the yield on the Fund’s shares may be higher than if valuations of securities were made based on actual market prices and estimates of market prices. Accordingly, if using the amortized cost method were to result in a lower portfolio value, a prospective investor in the Fund would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield than the investor would receive if portfolio valuations were based on actual market values. Existing shareholders, on the other hand, would receive a somewhat lower yield than they would otherwise receive. The opposite would happen during a period of rising interest rates.
Fair Valuation of Portfolio Securities. In the event that (i) market quotations or valuations from other sources are not readily available, such as when trading is halted or securities are not actively traded; (ii) market quotations or valuations from other sources are not reflective of market value (i.e., such prices or values are deemed unreliable in the judgment of the Investment Manager); or (iii) a significant event has been recognized in relation to a security or class of securities that is not reflected in market quotations or valuations from other sources, such as when an event impacting a foreign security occurs after the closing of the security’s foreign exchange but before the closing of the NYSE, a fair value for each such security is determined in accordance with valuation procedures approved by the Board. The fair value of a security is likely to be different from the quoted or published price and fair value determinations often require significant judgment.
In general, any relevant factors may be taken into account in determining fair value, including but not limited to the following, among others: 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, exchanges, or among dealers; changes in interest rates; observations from financial institutions; government 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; the relative size of the position in the portfolio; internal models; and other relevant information.
With respect to securities traded on foreign markets, relevant factors may include, but not be limited to, the following: the value of foreign securities traded on other foreign markets; ADR and/or GDR trading; closed-end fund trading; foreign currency exchange activity and prices; and the trading of financial products that are tied to baskets of foreign securities, such as certain exchange-traded index funds. A systematic independent fair value pricing service assists in the fair valuation process for foreign securities in order to adjust for possible changes in value that may occur between the close of the foreign exchange and the time at which a Fund’s NAV is determined. Although the use of this service is intended to decrease opportunities for time zone arbitrage transactions, there can be no assurance that it will successfully decrease arbitrage opportunities.
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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 U.S. 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. The Funds may or may not invest in all of the securities or other instruments described in this Taxation section. Please see the Funds' prospectuses for information about a Fund's investments, as well as each Fund’s semiannual and annual shareholder reports.
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, variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance contracts), 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 Trusts have 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 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 a 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 under the Code, 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 (generally, 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, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its gross income from the qualifying income described in clause (i) above) will be treated as qualifying income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes if they meet the passive income requirement under Section 7704(c)(2) of the Code. Certain of a Fund’s investments in master limited partnerships ("MLPs") and ETFs, if any, may 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) other 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 is invested in, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, the securities of any one issuer
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(other than those described in clause (i)(A)), the securities (other than securities of other regulated investment companies) 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 and certain commodity-linked ETFs.
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. 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 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 or net capital gain retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates.
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 mailed within 60 days of the close of the Fund’s taxable year 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, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend (as defined below), its taxable income, and its earnings and profits, a regulated investment company generally may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as any net capital loss attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31 or, if there is no such loss, the net long-term capital loss or net short-term capital loss attributable to such portion, if any, of the taxable year) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, the sum of its (i) net ordinary loss from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31 and its (ii) other net ordinary loss attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.
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 in January of the following calendar year, however, the Fund and its shareholders will be treated as if the Fund paid the distribution on December 31 of the earlier year.
If a Fund were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution tests described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure including by paying a fund-level tax or interest, making additional distributions, or disposing of certain assets. If the Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any year, or were otherwise to fail to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a regulated investment company accorded special tax treatment under the Code, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation without any deduction for its distributions to shareholders. In this case, 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 would 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 98.2% 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
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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, ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of property that would be properly taken into account after October 31 of a calendar year (or November 30 if the Fund makes the election described above) are generally treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year; in the case of a Fund with a December 31 year end that makes the election described above, no such gains or losses will be so treated. For purposes of the excise tax, 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, a 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 Carryovers
Capital losses in excess of capital gains (“net capital losses”) are not permitted to be deducted against a Fund’s net investment income. Instead, potentially subject to certain limitations, a Fund is able to carry forward a net capital loss from any taxable year to offset its capital gains, if any, realized during a subsequent taxable year.
If a Fund incurs or has incurred net capital losses in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 (“post-2010 losses”), those losses will be carried forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration; any such carryover losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. If a Fund incurred net capital losses in a taxable year beginning on or before December 22, 2010 (“pre-2011 losses”), the Fund is permitted to carry such losses forward for eight taxable years; in the year to which they are carried over, such losses are treated as short-term capital losses that first offset short-term capital gains, and then offset any long-term capital gains. The Fund must use any post-2010 losses, which will not expire, before it uses any pre-2011 losses. This increases the likelihood that pre-2011 losses will expire unused at the conclusion of the eight-year carryover period.
Capital gains that are offset by carried forward capital losses 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 capital gains so offset. The Funds cannot carry back or carry forward any net operating losses (defined as deductions and ordinary losses in excess of ordinary income).
The total capital loss carryovers below include post-October capital losses, if applicable.
Capital Loss Carryovers
Fund Total
Capital Loss
Carryovers
Amount Expiring in   Amount not Expiring
2017 2018 2019   Short-term Long-term
For Funds with fiscal period ending January 31
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio $869,431 $0 $0 $0   $574,410 $295,021
Global Strategic Equity Fund $20,718,902 $0 $0 $0   $8,569,884 $12,149,018
Income Builder Fund $4,301,940 $0 $0 $0   $6,196 $4,295,744
For Funds with fiscal period ending February 28/29
Convertible Securities Fund $42,281,502 $0 $0 $0   $35,611,938 $6,669,564
Global Equity Value Fund $43,188,020 $0 $0 $0   $40,136,792 $3,051,228
Large Cap Growth Fund III $516,032 $0 $0 $0   $516,032 $0
Overseas Value Fund $286,974,638 $0 $3,000,399 $0   $885,178 $283,089,061
Select Global Growth Fund $1,427,460 $0 $0 $0   $1,427,460 $0
Select International Equity Fund $686,053,704 $0 $618,054,845 $0   $38,579,051 $29,419,808
For Funds with fiscal period ending March 31
Short Term Bond Fund $1,578,250 $0 $0 $0   $0 $1,578,250
For Funds with fiscal period ending April 30
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund $5,052,129 $0 $0 $0   $4,862,928 $189,201
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund $841,380 $0 $0 $0   $841,380 $0
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund $292,352 $0 $0 $0   $292,352 $0
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund $1,623,482 $0 $602,849 $0   $645,924 $374,709
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Fund Total
Capital Loss
Carryovers
Amount Expiring in   Amount not Expiring
2017 2018 2019   Short-term Long-term
For Funds with fiscal period ending May 31
Dividend Opportunity Fund $71,653,262 $0 $0 $0   $71,653,262 $0
High Yield Bond Fund $216,826,902 $99,997,350 $55,132,247 $0   $35,225,952 $26,471,353
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund $4,093,908 $4,093,908 $0 $0   $0 $0
For Funds with fiscal period ending July 31
Disciplined Core Fund $220,453,838 $4,464,312 $197,409,986 $18,579,540   $0 $0
Disciplined Value Fund $34,287,766 $19,956,215 $0 $0   $14,331,551 $0
Floating Rate Fund $72,164,344 $28,593,376 $35,398,330 $0   $210,206 $7,962,432
Global Opportunities Fund $148,828,928 $0 $127,620,906 $21,208,022   $0 $0
Income Opportunities Fund $109,247,073 $0 $0 $0   $51,225,121 $58,021,952
Inflation Protected Securities Fund $9,463,636 $0 $0 $0   $1,916,481 $7,547,155
Limited Duration Credit Fund $36,494,916 $0 $0 $0   $12,882,695 $23,612,221
For Funds with fiscal period ending October 31
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund $95,247,351 $0 $0 $0   $95,247,351 $0
Emerging Markets Bond Fund $25,946,211 $0 $0 $0   $753,667 $25,192,544
European Equity Fund $29,846,533 $0 $0 $0   $14,698,182 $15,148,351
Global Bond Fund $2,273,847 $0 $0 $0   $68,487 $2,205,360
Select Global Equity Fund $22,298,113 $12,171,974 $0 $10,126,139   $0 $0
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.
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, and depending on market conditions and the credit quality of the bond, might not ever receive cash for such discount. OID on tax-exempt bonds is generally not subject to U.S. federal income tax (but may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax or "AMT," as that term is defined below).
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 include 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, and depending on market conditions and the credit quality of the bond, might not ever be received. 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
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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: (1) whether a Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation and, if so, (2) the amount of market discount the Fund should recognize, (3) when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, (4) when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities and (5) 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 and eligibility for treatment as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
Very generally, when a Fund purchases a bond at a price that exceeds the redemption price at maturity – that is, at a premium – the premium is amortizable over the remaining term of the bond. In the case of a taxable bond, if a Fund makes an election applicable to all such bonds it purchases, which election is irrevocable without consent of the IRS, the Fund reduces the current interest taxable income from the bond by the amortized premium and reduces its tax basis in the bond by the amount of such offset; upon the disposition or maturity of such bonds acquired on or after January 4, 2013, a Fund is permitted to deduct any remaining premium allocable to a prior period. In the case of a tax-exempt bond, tax rules require a Fund to reduce its tax basis and the tax-exempt interest available for exempt-interest dividends to shareholders by the amount of the amortized premium.
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, unless the option is subject to Section 1256 of the Code, described below. 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 granted 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 entirely 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 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 U.S. 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 carryover 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
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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 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 U.S. 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 the Funds make 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 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 for treatment 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 and certain commodity-linked investments, 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
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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 or commodity-linked transactions.
Certain of the Funds employ a multi-manager approach in which the Investment Manager and one or more investment subadvisers each provide day-to-day portfolio management for a portion (or “sleeve”) of the Fund’s assets. Due to this multi-manager approach, certain of these Funds’ investments may be more likely to be subject to one or more special tax rules (including, but not limited to, wash sale, constructive sale, short sale, and straddle rules) that may affect the timing, character and/or amount of a Fund’s distributions to shareholders.
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. Dividends received by a 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 U.S. 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, in later periods, 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), 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.
As noted above, certain of the ETFs and MLPs in which a Fund may invest qualify as qualified publicly traded partnerships. In such cases, the net income derived from such investments will constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described earlier for qualification as a regulated investment company. If, however, such a vehicle were to fail to qualify as a qualified publicly traded partnership in a particular year, a Fund’s investment in that vehicle would be treated as an investment in a publicly traded partnership subject to taxation as a corporation, which would reduce the amount of income available for distribution by the vehicle to the Fund, and could adversely affect the Fund’s qualification for the asset diversification test, and thus could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to qualify as a regulated investment company for a particular year. In addition, as described above, the diversification requirement for regulated investment company qualification will limit a Fund’s investments in one or more vehicles that are qualified publicly traded partnerships to 25% of the Fund’s total assets as of the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year.
“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 or are held for the production of 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.
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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, 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.
A U.S. person, including a Fund, who owns (directly or indirectly) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of a foreign corporation is a “U.S. Shareholder” for purposes of the controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) provisions of the Code. Generally, a CFC is a foreign corporation that is owned (directly, indirectly, or constructively) more than 50% (measured by voting power or value) by U.S. Shareholders.
Each Subsidiary of Commodity Strategy Fund is expected to be a CFC in which the Fund owning the Subsidiary will be a U.S. Shareholder. As a U.S. Shareholder, such a Fund is required to include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes all of a CFC’s “subpart F income,” whether or not such income is actually distributed by the CFC. Subpart F income generally includes net gains from the disposition of stocks or securities, receipts with respect to securities loans, net gains from transactions (including futures, forward, and similar transactions) in commodities, and net payments received with respect to equity swaps and similar derivatives. Subpart F income is treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the CFC’s underlying income. Net losses incurred by a CFC during a tax year do not flow through to the Fund and thus will not be available to offset income or capital gain generated from the Fund’s other investments. In addition, net losses incurred by a CFC during a tax year generally cannot be carried forward by the CFC to offset gains realized by it in subsequent taxable years. The Fund will take steps to ensure that the Fund’s income in respect of the Subsidiary will constitute qualifying income. The Subsidiary may be required to sell investments in order to make cash payments to the Fund, including at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. Please refer to the section entitled Taxation – The Subsidiary for further information.
In addition, if any income earned by a Subsidiary were treated as “effectively connected” with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (“effectively connected income” or “ECI”), such income would be subject to both a so-called “branch profits tax” of 30% and a federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. corporations, at the entity level. If, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a Subsidiary were to earn ECI in connection with its direct investment activities, a portion or all of the Subsidiary’s income would be subject to these U.S. taxes. The Fund expects that, in general, the activities of the Subsidiary will be conducted in such a manner that it will not be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business, but there can be no assurance that the entity will not recognize any effectively connected income. The imposition of U.S. taxes on ECI could significantly reduce shareholders’ returns on their investments in the Fund. The Fund does not expect that income from any Subsidiary will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. In addition, the Fund does not expect that distributions from any Subsidiary will be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.
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
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purposes, a Fund’s earnings and profits, described above, are determined at the end of the Fund’s taxable 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 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 and qualified dividend income, each 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 reported 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 report Capital Gain Dividends, if any, in written statements furnished to its shareholders.
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
Generally, 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 incurs a sales charge in acquiring Fund shares and sells or exchanges those 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. This sales charge basis deferral rule shall apply only when a shareholder makes such new acquisition of Fund shares or shares of a different regulated investment company during the period beginning on the date the original Fund shares are disposed of and ending on January 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year the original Fund shares are disposed of. If a shareholder realizes a loss on a disposition of Fund shares, the loss generally will be disallowed under the “wash sale” rules to the extent that he or she purchases (including through the reinvestment of dividends) 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 Fund shares are sold at a loss after being held for six months or less, the loss will generally be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends (defined below) received on those shares. However, this loss disallowance does not apply with respect to redemptions of Fund shares with a holding period beginning after December 22, 2010 if such Fund declares substantially all of its net tax-exempt income as exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis, and pays such dividends on at least a monthly basis (as would typically be the case for tax-exempt money market funds).
Cost Basis Reporting
Each Fund, other than Government Money Market Fund, generally is required to report to shareholders and the IRS gross proceeds on the sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares. In addition, for shares purchased, including shares purchased through dividend reinvestment, on or after January 1, 2012, the Funds (or the shareholder’s financial intermediary, if Fund shares are held through a financial intermediary) generally are required to provide the shareholders and the IRS, upon the sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares, with cost basis information about those shares as well as information about whether any gain or loss is short- or long-term and whether any loss is disallowed under the “wash sale” rules. This reporting is not required for Fund shares held in a retirement or other tax-advantaged account and is not required for shares of Government Money Market Fund. With respect to Fund shares in accounts held directly with a Fund, each Fund will calculate and report cost basis
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using the Fund’s default method of average cost, unless the shareholder instructs the Fund to use a different calculation method. A Fund will not report cost basis for shares whose cost basis is uncertain or unknown to the Fund. Please visit the Columbia Funds’ website at www.columbiathreadneedle.com/us or contact the Funds at 800.345.6611 for more information regarding average cost basis reporting and other available methods for cost basis reporting and how to select or change a particular method or to choose specific shares to sell, redeem or exchange. If a shareholder retains Fund shares through a financial intermediary, he or she should contact such financial intermediary to learn about the Fund’s cost basis reporting default method and the reporting elections available to his or her account. The Funds do not recommend any particular method of determining cost basis. The shareholder should consult a tax advisor to determine which available cost basis method is best. When completing U.S. federal and state income tax returns, shareholders should carefully review the cost basis and other information provided and make any additional basis, holding period or other adjustments that may be required. Shareholders of Government Money Market Fund should keep records sufficient to determine gains and losses on their Fund 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 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. In some cases, a Fund may also be eligible to pass through to its shareholders the foreign taxes paid by underlying funds (as defined below) in which it invests that themselves elected to pass through such taxes to their shareholders, see Special Tax Considerations Pertaining to Funds-of-Funds below.

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 in written statements 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. Shareholders that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax, and those who invest in the Fund through tax-exempt accounts (including those who invest through IRAs or other tax-advantaged retirement plans), generally will receive no benefit from any tax credit or deduction passed through by the Fund.
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 (each such qualifying Fund, a “Tax-Exempt Fund”). In some cases, a Fund may also be eligible to pass through to its shareholders the tax-exempt character of any exempt-interest dividends it receives from underlying funds (as defined below) in which it invests, see Special Tax Considerations Pertaining to Funds-of-Funds below.
Distributions by a Tax-Exempt Fund, other than those attributable to interest on the Tax-Exempt Fund’s tax-exempt obligations and properly reported as exempt-interest dividends, will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain or, in some cases, could constitute a return of capital to shareholders. See Taxation of Distributions above. Each Tax-Exempt Fund will notify its shareholders in written statements of the portion of the distributions for the taxable year that constitutes exempt-interest dividends. The percentage of a shareholder’s income reported as tax-exempt for any particular distribution may be substantially different from the percentage of the Tax-Exempt Fund’s income that was tax-exempt during the period covered by the distribution. 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
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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).
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 the 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 U.S. federal taxation of such benefits. Exempt-interest dividends are included in income for purposes of determining the amount of benefits that are taxable.
Special Tax Considerations Pertaining to Funds-of-Funds
Certain Funds (each such fund, a Fund-of-Funds) invest their assets primarily in shares of other mutual funds, ETFs or other companies that are regulated investment companies (collectively, underlying funds). Consequently, their income and gains will normally consist primarily of distributions from underlying funds and gains and losses on the disposition of shares of underlying funds. To the extent that an underlying fund realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, a Fund-of-Funds will not be able to benefit from those losses until (i) the underlying fund realizes gains that it can reduce by those losses, or (ii) the Fund-of-Funds recognizes its share of those losses (so as to offset distributions of capital gains from other underlying funds) when it disposes of shares of the underlying fund. Moreover, even when a Fund-of-Funds does make such a disposition, a portion of its loss may be recognized as a long-term capital loss, which will not be treated as favorably for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a short-term capital loss or an ordinary deduction. In particular, a Fund-of-Funds will not be able to offset any capital losses from its dispositions of underlying fund shares against its ordinary income (including distributions of any net short-term capital gains realized by an underlying fund).
In addition, in certain circumstances, the “wash sale” rules may apply to sales of underlying fund shares by a Fund-of-Funds. As discussed above, a wash sale occurs if shares of an underlying fund are sold by a Fund-of-Funds at a loss and the Fund-of-Funds acquires additional shares of that same underlying fund within the period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of the sale. The rules could defer losses of a Fund-of-Funds on sales of underlying fund shares (to the extent such sales are wash sales) for extended (and, in certain cases, potentially indefinite) periods of time.
As a result of the foregoing rules, and certain other special rules, it is possible that the amounts of net investment income and net capital gain that a Fund-of-Funds will be required to distribute to shareholders will be greater than such amounts would have been had the Fund-of-Funds invested directly in the securities held by the underlying funds, rather than investing in shares of the underlying funds. For similar reasons, the character of distributions from a Fund-of-Funds ( e.g., long-term capital gain, exempt interest, eligibility for dividends-received deduction) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund-of-Funds invested directly in the securities held by the underlying funds.
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Depending on the percentage ownership of a Fund-of-Funds in an underlying fund before and after a redemption of underlying fund shares, the redemption of shares by the Fund-of-Funds of such underlying fund may cause the Fund-of-Funds to be treated as receiving a dividend in the full amount of the redemption proceeds instead of receiving a capital gain or loss on the redemption of shares of the underlying fund. This could be the case where a Fund-of-Funds holds a significant interest in an underlying fund that is not “publicly offered” (as defined in the Code) and redeems only a small portion of such interest. Dividend treatment of a redemption by a Fund-of-Funds would affect the amount and character of income required to be distributed by both the Fund-of-Funds and the underlying fund for the year in which the redemption occurred. It is possible that such a dividend would qualify as “qualified dividend income”; otherwise, it would be taxable as ordinary income and could cause shareholders of a Fund-of-Funds to recognize higher amounts of ordinary income than if the shareholders had held shares of the underlying fund directly.
If a Fund-of-Funds receives dividends from an underlying fund, and the underlying fund reports such dividends as “qualified dividend income,” as discussed below, then the Fund-of-Funds is permitted, in turn, to report a portion of its distributions as “qualified dividend income,” provided the Fund-of-Funds meets the holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying fund. If a Fund-of-Funds receives dividends from an underlying fund, and the underlying fund reports such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, then the Fund-of-Funds is permitted, in turn, to report a portion of its distributions as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, provided the Fund-of-Funds meets the holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying fund.
If a Fund-of-Funds is a “qualified fund-of-funds” (a regulated investment company that invests at least 50% of its total assets in other regulated investment companies at the close of each quarter of its taxable year), it will be able to distribute exempt-interest dividends and thereby pass through to its shareholders the tax-exempt character of any interest received on tax-exempt obligations in which it directly invests or any exempt-interest dividends it receives from underlying funds in which it invests. For further considerations pertaining to exempt-interest dividends, see Special Tax Considerations Pertaining to Tax-Exempt Funds above.
Further, if a Fund-of-Funds is a qualified fund-of-funds, it will be able to elect to pass through to its shareholders any foreign income and other similar taxes paid by the Fund-of-Funds or paid by an underlying fund in which the Fund-of-Funds invests that itself elected to pass such taxes through to shareholders, so that shareholders of the Fund-of-Funds will be eligible to claim a tax credit or deduction for such taxes, subject to applicable limitations. However, even if a Fund-of-Funds qualifies to make the election for any year, it may determine not to do so. For further considerations pertaining to foreign taxes paid by a Fund, see Foreign Taxes above.
Finally, a Fund-of-Funds generally must look through its 20 percent voting interest in a corporation, including an underlying fund, to the underlying assets thereof for purposes of the diversification test; special rules potentially provide limited relief from the application of this rule where the Fund-of-Funds is a qualified fund-of-funds.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Rates
The maximum stated U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to individuals generally is 39.6% for ordinary income and 20% for net long-term capital gain (in each case, not including the 3.8% net investment income tax described below).
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 gross income is attributable to qualified dividend income, then only the portion of the Fund’s distributions that is attributable to qualified dividend income and reported as such in a timely manner will be so treated in the hands of individual shareholders who meet the aforementioned holding period requirements. Qualified dividend income is taxable to individual shareholders at tax rates applicable to long-term capital gain. 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.
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The maximum stated corporate U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income and net capital gain currently 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 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.
The Code generally imposes a 3.8% net investment income tax on certain high-income individuals, trusts and estates. For individuals, the 3.8% tax applies to the lesser of (1) the amount (if any) by which the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts or (2) the taxpayer’s “net investment income.” For this purpose, “net investment income” generally includes, among other things, (i) distributions paid by a Fund of net investment income and capital gains (other than exempt-interest dividends)as described above, and (ii) any net gain recognized on the sale, redemption, exchange or other taxable disposition of Fund shares. Certain details of the implementation of the tax remain subject to future guidance. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in a Fund.
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. Proceeds from redemptions of Government Money Market Fund shares are not subject to backup withholding. These backup withholding rules may also apply to distributions that are properly reported as exempt-interest dividends (defined above). 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.
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. For information regarding eligibility for the dividends-received deduction of dividend income derived by an underlying fund in which a Fund-of-Funds invests, see Special Tax Considerations Pertaining to Funds-of-Funds above. 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.
Distributions by a Fund made to foreign shareholders that are not “U.S. persons” within the meaning of the Code properly reported by a Fund as (1) Capital Gain Dividends, (2) short-term capital gain dividends, (3) interest-related dividends or (4) exempt-interest dividends, each as defined above or below, generally are not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax. In general, the Code defines (1) “short-term capital gain dividends” as distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses and (2) “interest-related dividends” as distributions from 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 each case to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders. The exceptions to withholding for Capital Gain Dividends and short-term capital gain dividends do not apply to (A) distributions to an individual
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foreign shareholder who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (B) distributions attributable to gain that is treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States under special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests as described below. The exception to withholding for interest-related dividends does not apply to distributions to a foreign shareholder (A) that has not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (B) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign shareholder is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (C) that is within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (D) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign shareholder and the foreign shareholder is a controlled foreign corporation.
If a Fund invests in a RIC that pays Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends, exempt-interest dividends, or interest-related dividends to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to foreign shareholders (provided, in the case of exempt-interest dividends, that the Fund and the underlying RIC meet the requirements discussed in Special Tax Considerations Pertaining to Funds-of-Funds above).
A Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as interest-related and/or short-term capital gain dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as a short-term capital gain or interest-related dividend. Foreign shareholders should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.
Distributions by a Fund to foreign shareholders other than Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends, exempt-interest dividends, and interest-related dividends (e.g., dividends attributable to foreign-source dividend and interest income, or to short-term capital gains or U.S. source interest income to which the exception from withholding description above does not apply) are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax withheld at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate).
In general, a foreign shareholder is not subject to U.S. federal income tax and withholding on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the disposition of shares of a Fund unless: (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States, (ii) in the case of a foreign shareholder that is an individual, the shareholder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of disposition and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) apply to the foreign shareholder’s sale of shares of the Fund (as described below).
Special rules apply if a Fund were a qualified investment entity (“QIE”) because it is either a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition of USRPIs described below.
Generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs 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 trade or business assets.
USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or, very generally, an entity that has been a USRPHC in the last five years. A Fund that holds, directly or indirectly, significant interests in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), may be a USRPHC. Interests in: (i) domestically controlled QIEs, including REITs and RICs that are QIEs, (ii) not-greater-than 10% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs, and (iii) not-greater-than-5% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in RICs, generally are not USRPIs, but these exceptions do not apply for purposes of determining whether a Fund is a QIE.
If an interest in a Fund were a USRPI, the Fund would be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.
Moreover, if a Fund were a USRPHC or, very generally, had been one in the last five years, it would be required to withhold on amounts distributed to a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder to the extent such amounts would not be treated as a dividend, i.e., are in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated “earnings and profits” for the applicable tax year. Such withholding generally is not required if the Fund is a domestically controlled QIE.
If a Fund is a QIE, under a special “look through” rule, any distributions by the Fund to a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder (including, in certain cases, distributions made by the Fund in redemption of its shares) that are attributable directly or indirectly to (i) distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier RIC or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands and (ii) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the Fund will retain their character as gains realized from USRPIs in the hands of the Fund’s foreign shareholders and will be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. income tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S.
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federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholder’s current and past ownership of a Fund.
Foreign shareholders of a Fund may also be subject to “wash sale” rules to prevent the avoidance of the foregoing tax-filing and payment obligations discussed above through the sale and repurchase of Fund shares.
Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisors and, if holding shares through intermediaries, their intermediaries, concerning the application of these rules to their investment in a Fund.
Foreign shareholders with respect to whom income from a Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the foreign shareholder within the United States will in general be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income derived from the Fund at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents or domestic corporations, whether such income is received in cash or reinvested in shares of a Fund and, in the case of a foreign corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax. If a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisors.
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, W-8BEN-E 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.
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
Each Fund serves to “block” (that is, prevent the attribution to shareholders of) unrelated business taxable income (“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 Section 514(b) of the Code.
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 real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (“TMPs”). Furthermore, any investment in residual interests of a collateralized mortgage obligation ("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.
Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations
Under U.S. 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 IRS Form 8886. Direct holders 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
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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 with their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Shareholder Reporting Obligations With Respect to Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts
Shareholders that are U.S. persons and own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of a Fund could be required to report annually their “financial interest” in the Fund’s “foreign financial accounts,” if any, on FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (“FBAR”). Shareholders should consult a tax advisor, and persons investing in the Fund through an intermediary should contact their intermediary, regarding the applicability to them of this reporting requirement.
Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements
Sections 1471-1474 of the Code, and the U.S. Treasury Regulations and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “FATCA”), generally require a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders under FATCA or under an applicable intergovernmental agreement (an “IGA”) between the United States and a foreign government, as described more fully below. If a shareholder of a Fund fails to provide the requested information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA or an IGA, the Fund is generally required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on ordinary dividends it pays, and on or after January 1, 2019, 30% of certain Capital Gain Dividends and gross proceeds of the sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares it pays. If a payment by a Fund is subject to FATCA withholding, the Fund is required to withhold even if such payment would otherwise be exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to foreign shareholders described above (e.g., Capital Gain Dividends, exempt-interest dividends, short-term capital gain dividends and interest-related dividends).
Payments to a shareholder will generally not be subject to FATCA withholding, provided the shareholder provides a Fund with such certifications, waivers or other documentation or information as the Fund requires, including, to the extent required, with regard to such shareholder’s direct and indirect owners, to establish the shareholder’s FATCA status and otherwise to comply with these rules. In order to avoid withholding, a shareholder that is a “foreign financial institution” (“FFI”) must either (i) become a “participating FFI” by entering into a valid U.S. tax compliance agreement with the IRS, (ii) qualify for an exception from the requirement to enter into such an agreement, for example by becoming a “deemed-compliant FFI,” or (iii) be covered by an applicable IGA between the United States and a non-U.S. government to implement FATCA and improve international tax compliance. In any of these cases, the investing FFI generally will be required to provide its Fund with appropriate identifiers, certifications or documentation concerning its status.
A Fund may disclose the information that it receives from (or concerning) its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with applicable IGAs or other applicable law or regulation.
Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investor’s own situation, including investments through an intermediary.
Special Tax Considerations Pertaining to State Tax-Exempt Funds
The following summaries of certain tax considerations relating to the state tax-exempt funds set forth below are only intended as general overviews of these tax considerations. They are not intended as detailed explanations of any state’s income tax treatment of any state tax-exempt fund or its shareholders. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the consequences of your investment in a state tax-exempt fund.
AMT-Free California Intermediate Muni Bond Fund. If, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the total assets of a regulated investment company consists of obligations, which, when held by an individual, the interest therefrom is exempt from income taxation by California (California Exempt Securities), then the regulated investment company will be qualified to make distributions that are exempt from California state individual income tax (California exempt-interest distributions). For this purpose, California Exempt Securities generally are limited to California municipal securities and certain U.S. Government and U.S. Territory obligations. The AMT-Free California Intermediate Muni Bond Fund intends to qualify under the above requirements so that it can pay California exempt-interest distributions.
Within sixty days after the close of its taxable year, the Fund will notify its shareholders of the portion of the distributions paid by the Fund that is exempt from California state individual income tax. The total amount of California exempt-interest distributions paid by the Fund with respect to any taxable year cannot exceed the excess of the amount of interest received by the Fund for such year on California Exempt Securities over any amounts that, if the Fund were treated as an individual, would be considered expenses related to tax exempt income or amortizable bond premium that would not be deductible under California state individual income or federal income tax law.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 195

 

Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued by a shareholder in a taxable year to purchase or carry shares of the AMT-Free California Intermediate Muni Bond Fund is not deductible for California state individual income tax purposes if the Fund distributes California exempt-interest distributions during the shareholder’s taxable year.
The portion of any of the Fund’s distributions constituting California exempt-interest distributions is excludable from income for California state individual income tax purposes only. Any distributions paid to shareholders subject to California state franchise tax or California state corporate income tax may be taxable for such purposes. Accordingly, potential investors in the Fund, including, in particular, corporate investors which may be subject to either California franchise tax or California corporate income tax, should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application of such taxes to the receipt of the Fund’s distributions and as to their own California state tax situation, in general.
AMT-Free Georgia Intermediate Muni Bond Fund. The portion of the Fund’s exempt-interest distributions paid to residents of Georgia attributable to interest received by the Georgia Funds on tax-exempt obligations of the State of Georgia or its political subdivision or authorities and other Fund distributions attributable to interest received from obligations issued by the U.S. Government or an authority, commission, instrumentality, possession, or territory thereof will be exempt from Georgia individual and corporate income taxes. There is no Georgia intangibles tax or other personal property tax applicable to the shares of the Georgia Funds owned by investors residing in Georgia. Distributions attributable to capital gains realized from the sale of Georgia municipal bonds and U.S. Government obligations will be subject to the State of Georgia short-term or long-term capital gains tax, which follow the federal income tax treatment. Interest received by a Georgia resident from non-Georgia municipal state bonds and distributions received from mutual funds that derive income from non-Georgia municipal or state bonds will be subject to Georgia income tax.
AMT-Free Maryland Intermediate Muni Bond Fund. The portion of the AMT-Free Maryland Intermediate Muni Bond Fund’s exempt-interest distributions attributable to interest received by the Fund on tax-exempt obligations of the state of Maryland or its political subdivisions or authorities, or obligations issued by the U.S. Government or an authority, commission, instrumentality, possession, or territory thereof and distributions attributable to gains from the disposition thereof will be exempt from Maryland individual and corporate income taxes; any other Fund distributions will be subject to Maryland income tax. Fund shareholders will be informed annually regarding the portion of the AMT-Free Maryland Intermediate Muni Bond Fund’s distributions that constitutes income exempt from Maryland income taxes. Maryland presently includes in Maryland taxable income a portion of certain items of tax preference as defined in the Code. Interest paid on certain private activity bonds constitutes such a tax preference if the bonds are not tax-exempt obligations of the state of Maryland, a political subdivision or authority of the state of Maryland, or of any other entity authorized under Maryland law to issue obligations the interest on which is excluded from gross income under Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, up to 50% of any distributions from the AMT-Free Maryland Intermediate Muni Bond Fund attributable to interest on such private activity bonds may not be exempt from Maryland state and local individual income taxes. Shares of the AMT-Free Maryland Intermediate Muni Bond Fund will not be subject to the Maryland personal property tax.
AMT-Free North Carolina Intermediate Muni Bond Fund. The portion of the AMT-Free North Carolina Intermediate Muni Bond Fund’s exempt-interest distributions attributable to interest received by the Fund on tax-exempt obligations of the State of North Carolina or its political subdivisions, commissions, authorities, agencies or non-profit educational institutions organized or chartered under the laws of North Carolina, or obligations issued by the United States or its possessions will be exempt from North Carolina individual and corporate income taxes. Although capital gain distributions generally are subject to tax in North Carolina, individual shareholders of the AMT-Free North Carolina Intermediate Muni Bond Fund may deduct the amount of capital gain distributions (if any) attributable to the sale of certain obligations issued before July 1, 1995 for purposes of determining their North Carolina taxable income.
AMT-Free South Carolina Intermediate Muni Bond Fund. The portion of the AMT-Free South Carolina Intermediate Muni Bond Fund’s exempt-interest distributions attributable to interest received by the Fund on tax-exempt obligations of the State of South Carolina, its political subdivisions or exempt interest upon obligations of the United States will be exempt from South Carolina individual and corporate income taxes. Distributions of capital gains or income not attributable to interest from tax-exempt obligations of the State of South Carolina, its political subdivisions or exempt interest on obligations of the United States may be subject to South Carolina income taxes.
Although distributions of capital gains and the gain recognized with respect to the sale or exchange of shares of the Fund may be subject to the South Carolina state income tax, individuals, estates and trusts are entitled to a deduction for South Carolina taxable income purposes equal to 44% of the net capital gain recognized in South Carolina during a taxable year. The definition of net capital gain for federal income tax purposes is utilized for purposes of this deduction. In the case of estates or trusts, the deduction is applicable only to income taxed to the estate or trust or individual beneficiaries and not income passed through to non-individual beneficiaries.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 196

 

AMT-Free Virginia Intermediate Muni Bond Fund. The portion of the AMT-Free Virginia Intermediate Muni Bond Fund’s distributions attributable to interest on (i) obligations of Virginia or any political subdivisions or instrumentality of Virginia, and (ii) obligations of the United States and any authority, commission or instrumentality of the United States, that are, in each case, backed by the full faith and credit of the borrowing government, will be exempt from Virginia individual and corporate income tax. Furthermore, any of the AMT-Free Virginia Intermediate Muni Bond Fund’s distributions that are attributable to realized gains from dispositions of the foregoing debt obligations may also be exempt from Virginia income tax.
Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund. The portion of the Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund’s exempt-interest distributions attributable to interest received by the Fund on tax-exempt obligations of the State of Minnesota, its political or governmental subdivisions, municipalities, governmental agencies or instrumentalities will be exempt from Minnesota personal income tax for shareholders of the Fund who are individuals, estates or trusts so long as the portion of the exempt-interest distributions from Minnesota that are paid equals or exceeds 95% of all exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund. In addition, distributions with respect to interest derived from obligations of any authority, commission, or instrumentality of the United States will not be subject to the Minnesota personal income tax for shareholders who are individuals, estates or trusts. Distributions of income not attributable to distributions described in the preceding sentence or capital gains may be subject to Minnesota personal income taxes. In addition, distributions to a corporation will generally be subject to the Minnesota income tax.
Distributions
Net investment income dividends (other than qualified dividend income) received and distributions from the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses should be treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to a deduction equal to 70% of that portion of a fund’s dividend that is attributable to dividends the fund received from domestic (U.S.) securities. If there is debt-financed portfolio stock, that is, bank financing is used to purchase long securities, the 70% dividends received deduction would be reduced by the average amount of portfolio indebtedness divided by the average adjusted basis in the stock. This does not impact the qualified dividend income available to individual shareholders. For the last fiscal year (or period), net investment income dividends qualified for the corporate deduction are shown in the following table.
Only certain dividends will be QDI eligible for the 20% maximum tax rate. QDI is dividends earned from domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations. Qualified foreign corporations are corporations incorporated in a U.S. possession, corporations whose stock is readily tradable on an established U.S. securities market (ADRs), and certain other corporations eligible for relief under an income tax treaty with the U.S. that includes an exchange of information agreement. PFICs are excluded from this treatment. Holding periods for shares must also be met to be eligible for QDI treatment (more than 60 days for common stock and more than 90 days for certain preferred’s dividends).
Dividends declared in October, November or December, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and paid in the following January will be treated as having been paid by a Fund and received by each shareholder in December. Under this rule, therefore, shareholders may be taxed in one year on dividends or distributions actually received in January of the following year.
The QDI for individuals for the last fiscal year (or period) is shown in the table below. The table is organized by fiscal year end.
Corporate Deduction and Qualified Dividend Income
Fund Percent of dividends
qualifying for
corporate deduction
Qualified dividend
income for individuals
For Funds with fiscal years ending January 31 – Information is for the period ending January 31, 2017
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio 61.79% 84.89%
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio 12.18 19.70
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio 39.11 55.11
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio 20.60 32.98
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio 24.72 35.51
Global Strategic Equity Fund 100.00 100.00
Income Builder Fund 16.11 21.14
For Funds with fiscal years ending February 28/29 – Information is for the period ending February 28, 2017
Convertible Securities Fund 20.20 31.45
Global Equity Value Fund 63.26 100.00
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund 100.00 100.00
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Fund Percent of dividends
qualifying for
corporate deduction
Qualified dividend
income for individuals
Large Cap Growth Fund III 0.00% 0.00%
Large Cap Index Fund 100.00 100.00
Mid Cap Index Fund 89.59 90.40
Mid Cap Value Fund 100.00 100.00
Overseas Value Fund 0.00 100.00
Select Global Growth Fund 0.00 0.00
Select International Equity Fund 0.00 100.00
Select Large Cap Equity Fund 100.00 100.00
Small Cap Index Fund 56.63 56.70
Small Cap Value Fund II 100.00 100.00
For Funds with fiscal years ending March 31 – Information is for the period ending March 31, 2017
Short Term Bond Fund 0.00 0.00
For Funds with fiscal years ending April 30 – Information is for the period ending April 30, 2017
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0.00 0.00
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0.00 0.00
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0.00 0.00
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0.00 0.00
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0.00 0.00
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund 0.00 0.00
Global Infrastructure Fund 58.28 100.00
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund 0.00 0.00
For Funds with fiscal years ending May 31 – Information is for the period ending May 31, 2016
Commodity Strategy Fund 0.00 0.00
Diversified Equity Income Fund 73.25 84.63
Dividend Opportunity Fund 76.99 100.00
Flexible Capital Income Fund 33.73 39.00
High Yield Bond Fund 0.00 0.00
MM Value Strategies Fund 92.92 99.66
Mortgage Opportunities Fund 0.00 0.00
Select Large-Cap Value Fund 100.00 100.00
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund 0.00 0.00
Seligman Communications and Information Fund 49.93 52.30
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund 0.00 0.00
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 0.00 0.00
For Funds with fiscal years ending July 31 – Information is for the period ending July 31, 2016
Disciplined Core Fund 100.00 100.00
Disciplined Growth Fund 74.30 76.30
Disciplined Value Fund 80.23 81.46
Floating Rate Fund 0.22 1.08
Global Opportunities Fund 0.00 0.00
Government Money Market Fund 0.00 0.00
Income Opportunities Fund 0.00 0.00
Inflation Protected Securities Fund 0.00 0.00
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Fund Percent of dividends
qualifying for
corporate deduction
Qualified dividend
income for individuals
Limited Duration Credit Fund 0.00% 0.00%
MN Tax-Exempt Fund 0.00 0.00
Strategic Municipal Income Fund 0.00 0.00
For Funds with fiscal years ending October 31 – Information is for the period ending October 31, 2016
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund 0.00 0.00
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund 0.00 100.00
Emerging Markets Bond Fund 0.00 0.00
European Equity Fund 0.00 100.00
Global Bond Fund 0.00 0.00
Select Global Equity Fund 0.00 0.00
Seligman Global Technology Fund 31.45 38.87
The Subsidiary
Commodity Strategy Fund (for purposes of this section, the “Fund”) intends to invest a portion of its assets in one or more Subsidiaries, each of which will be classified as a corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes. Foreign corporations, such as the Subsidiary, will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless it is deemed to be engaged in a United States trade or business. The Subsidiary intends to conduct its activities in a manner that is expected to meet the requirements of a safe harbor under Section 864(b)(2) of the Code under which the Subsidiary may engage in trading in stocks or securities or certain commodities for its own account without being deemed to be engaged in a United States trade or business. However, if certain of the Subsidiary’s activities were deemed not to be of the type described in the safe harbor, the activities of the Subsidiary might constitute a United States trade or business.
Even if the Subsidiary is not engaged in a United States trade or business, it will potentially be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% on all or a portion of its United States source gross income that is not effectively connected with a United States trade or business.
The Subsidiary will be treated as a CFC. The Fund will be treated as a “U.S. Shareholder” of the Subsidiary. As a result, the Fund will be required to include in its gross income all of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F income”. It is expected that all of the Subsidiary’s income will be “subpart F income”. “Subpart F income” is generally treated as ordinary income. Under proposed regulations, the annual net income, if any, realized by the Subsidiary and treated as received by the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute qualifying income for purposes of the Fund’s qualification as a RIC under the Code only to the extent such net income is currently and timely distributed to the Fund. The Fund and the Subsidiary currently take steps, and will continue to take steps to ensure that the Fund’s income in respect of the subsidiary will constitute qualifying income, including but not limited to by causing the Subsidiary to distribute cash to the Fund each year in an amount equal to the Subsidiary’s “subpart F income.” The Subsidiary may be required to sell investments in order to make such cash payments to the Fund, including at a time when it may be not advantageous to do so. Accordingly, any such cash payments may temporarily limit the Subsidiary’s or the Fund’s ability to pursue its respective investment strategy. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary, such loss is not generally available to offset the income of the Fund and generally is not permitted to be carried forward to offset income of the Subsidiary in future years. The recognition by the Fund of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F income” will increase the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary. Distributions by the Subsidiary to the Fund will not be taxable to the extent of its previously undistributed “subpart F income”, and will reduce the Fund’s tax basis in the subsidiary.
In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs under the Code, the Fund must satisfy a 90% gross income requirement and an asset diversification requirement. These requirements are not applicable to the Subsidiary. For purposes of the asset diversification requirement, the Fund will limit its investment in the Subsidiary in the aggregate to 25% or less of the Fund's total assets as of the end of every quarter of its taxable year; the asset diversification requirement applies to the Fund's interest in the Subsidiary but not to the Subsidiary's investments.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 199

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Management Ownership
As of July 31, 2017, the Trustees and Officers of the Trusts, as a group, beneficially owned less than 1% of each class of shares of each Fund, except as set forth in the table below:
Fund Class Percentage of Class
Beneficially Owned
Commodity Strategy Fund Class R5 26.92%
Flexible Capital Income Fund Class R5 6.88%
Principal Shareholders and Control Persons
The tables below identify the names, address and ownership percentage of each person who owns of record or is known by the Trusts to own beneficially 5% or more of any class of a Fund’s outstanding shares (Principal Holders) or 25% or more of a Fund’s outstanding shares (Control Persons). A shareholder who beneficially owns more than 25% of a Fund’s shares is presumed to “control” the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, and may have a significant impact on matters submitted to a shareholder vote. A shareholder who beneficially owns more than 50% of a Fund’s outstanding shares may be able to approve proposals, or prevent approval of proposals, without regard to votes by other Fund shareholders. Additional information about Control Persons, if any, is provided following the tables. The information provided for each Fund is as of a date no more than 30 days prior to the date of filing a post-effective amendment to the applicable Trust’s registration statement with respect to such Fund.
The information provided for each Fund is as of the date indicated in the table below, and certain share classes may have changed since such date as follows. Effective March 27, 2017, Class W shares were renamed and re-designated as Class T shares, which have no relation to, or connection with, Class T shares existing on January 23, 2017 (now known as Class V shares). Also effective March 27, 2017, shares held by Class I shareholders were exchanged for Class Y shares of the same Fund in a tax-free transaction with no impact on the fees and expenses paid by shareholders. Class I shares were only offered to other Columbia Funds, and are no longer offered for sale. Effective July 17, 2017, Class B shares were automatically converted to Class A shares.
Funds with Fiscal Period Ending January 31:
Except as otherwise indicated, the information below is as of April 30, 2017:
Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
79.56% 76.03%
Class B 62.97%
Class C 61.03%
Class Z 59.69%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
8.27% N/A
  GREAT WEST TRUST CO
TRST FBO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class K
96.71% N/A
Class R5 58.05%
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R
13.23% N/A
Class R5 8.40%
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class R
19.31% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
77.74% N/A
Class R5 8.41%
Class Y 42.52%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 200

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  PAI TRUST COMPANY INC
1300 ENTERPRISE DR
DE PERE WI 54115-4934
Class R
34.67% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R5
15.42% N/A
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
6.17% N/A
Class Z 17.78%
  SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY
ATTN: MUTUAL FUND ADMIN.
1 FREEDOM VALLEY DR
OAKS PA 19456-9989
Class Y
56.27% N/A
  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST AS
TRUSTEE AND/OR CUSTODIAN FBO
ADP ACCESS PRODUCT
1 LINCOLN ST
BOSTON MA 02111-2901
Class R4
20.63% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
8.81% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE TRUST COMPANY
PO BOX 17748
DENVER CO 80217-0748
Class R
21.12% N/A
Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
78.54% 75.91%
Class B 72.68%
Class C 75.48%
Class Z 52.15%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
12.95% N/A
  DEBORAH ALEYNE LAPEYRE BARBARA
TOMMIE USDIN FBO
MULBERRY TECHNOLOGIES INC 401 K
17 W JEFFERSON ST STE 207
ROCKVILLE MD 20850-4227
Class K
94.65% N/A
  GREAT WEST TRUST CO
TRST FBO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R5
95.78% N/A
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R4
22.15% N/A
Class Z 10.76%
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
5.14% N/A
Class R 16.52%
Class R4 38.72%
Class Z 5.32%
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
401(K) PROFIT
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
44.36% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
33.96% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 201

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY
ATTN: MUTUAL FUND ADMIN.
1 FREEDOM VALLEY DR
OAKS PA 19456-9989
Class Y
97.98% N/A
  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST AS
TRUSTEE AND/OR CUSTODIAN FBO
ADP ACCESS PRODUCT
1 LINCOLN ST
BOSTON MA 02111-2901
Class Z
5.09% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE TRUST COMPANY
PO BOX 17748
DENVER CO 80217-0748
Class R
25.04% N/A
Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
56.10% 49.79%
Class B 62.51%
Class C 50.29%
Class Z 7.78%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class Y
6.69% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R5
7.36% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB BANK CUST
WOODRIDGE CLINIC SC PS & 401K PLAN
2423 E LINCOLN DR
PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215
Class R
16.10% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class K
100.00% N/A (a)
  GREAT WEST TRUST CO
TRST FBO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R5
56.95% N/A
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R
54.44% N/A
Class R4 22.25%
Class R5 8.25%
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
13.07% N/A
Class C 12.21%
Class R 11.69%
Class R4 38.00%
Class V 17.85%
Class Z 32.28%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
31.44% N/A
Class Y 49.93%
  SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY
ATTN: MUTUAL FUND ADMIN.
1 FREEDOM VALLEY DR
OAKS PA 19456-9989
Class R5
18.66% N/A
Class Y 41.70%
  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST AS
TRUSTEE AND/OR CUSTODIAN FBO
ADP ACCESS PRODUCT
1 LINCOLN ST
BOSTON MA 02111-2901
Class R4
7.91% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 202

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
78.08% 73.76%
Class B 69.09%
Class C 72.06%
Class Z 26.76%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
11.32% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R5
43.49% N/A
  DEBORAH ALEYNE LAPEYRE BARBARA
TOMMIE USDIN FBO
MULBERRY TECHNOLOGIES INC 401 K
17 W JEFFERSON ST STE 207
ROCKVILLE MD 20850-4227
Class K
95.86% N/A
  GREAT WEST TRUST CO
TRST FBO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R5
39.68% N/A
  JOHN HANCOCK TRUST COMPANY LLC
690 CANTON ST STE 100
WESTWOOD MA 02090-2324
Class R4
21.94% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class B
6.29% N/A
Class Z 7.01%
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R
27.54% N/A
Class Y 92.81%
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
7.90% N/A
Class C 6.50%
Class R 13.17%
Class Z 44.17%
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
401(K) PROFIT
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
19.93% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
23.49% N/A
  PAI TRUST COMPANY INC
1300 ENTERPRISE DR
DE PERE WI 54115-4934
Class R
8.71% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
53.59% N/A
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class R
11.65% N/A
  SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY
ATTN: MUTUAL FUND ADMIN.
1 FREEDOM VALLEY DR
OAKS PA 19456-9989
Class R5
11.08% N/A
Class Y 6.63%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 203

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
85.44% 83.54%
Class B 68.68%
Class C 77.24%
Class Z 77.97%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
8.99% N/A
  DEBORAH ALEYNE LAPEYRE BARBARA
TOMMIE USDIN FBO
MULBERRY TECHNOLOGIES INC 401 K
17 W JEFFERSON ST STE 207
ROCKVILLE MD 20850-4227
Class K
94.03% N/A
  GREAT WEST TRUST CO
TRST FBO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R5
92.40% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class Z
5.16% N/A
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R
42.53% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class R
24.51% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
57.81% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
15.98% N/A
  SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY
ATTN: MUTUAL FUND ADMIN.
1 FREEDOM VALLEY DR
OAKS PA 19456-9989
Class Y
98.63% N/A
  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST AS
TRUSTEE AND/OR CUSTODIAN FBO
ADP ACCESS PRODUCT
1 LINCOLN ST
BOSTON MA 02111-2901
Class R4
25.30% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE TRUST COMPANY
PO BOX 17748
DENVER CO 80217-0748
Class R
22.52% N/A
Global Strategic Equity Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
56.09% 49.85%
Class B 60.14%
Class C 25.20%
Class Z 10.92%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class K
97.83% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class Y
100.00% N/A (a)
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 204

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class C
5.47% N/A
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R
48.73% N/A
Class R4 46.40%
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
18.95% N/A
Class C 22.27%
Class R 40.91%
Class R4 45.98%
Class Z 54.30%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class C
5.53% N/A
Class R5 13.19%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R5
33.42% N/A
  SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY
ATTN: MUTUAL FUND ADMIN.
1 FREEDOM VALLEY DR
OAKS PA 19456-9989
Class R5
46.10% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
5.54% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
5.98% N/A
Class Z 10.64%
Income Builder Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
82.46% 78.62%
Class B 76.89%
Class C 70.15%
Class Z 78.36%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
48.94% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class K
100.00% N/A (a)
Class T 100.00%
Class Y 100.00%
  FIIOC FBO
401K PLAN
100 MAGELLAN WAY # KW1C
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class R
7.92% N/A
  GREAT WEST TRUST CO
TRST FBO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R5
10.74% N/A
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R
7.04% N/A
Class R5 16.31%
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class R
18.49% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 205

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
19.82% N/A
Class R5 36.19%
  PAI TRUST COMPANY INC
1300 ENTERPRISE DR
DE PERE WI 54115-4934
Class R
15.31% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
77.06% N/A
Class R5 13.19%
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
15.35% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
5.37% N/A
Funds with Fiscal Period Ending February 28/29:
Except as otherwise indicated, the information below is as of May 31, 2017:
Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
Convertible Securities Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
11.53% N/A
Class B 64.83%
Class C 19.19%
Class T 94.50%
Class Z 20.08%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
5.86% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class B
7.55% N/A
Class R4 10.56%
Class R5 12.55%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class T
5.50% N/A (a)
  FIIOC FBO
100 MAGELLAN WAY (KW1C)
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class R
6.58% N/A
  JPMCB NA AS CUSTODIAN FOR THE SC529
PLAN COLUMBIA GROWTH 529 PORTFOLIO
14201 DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Z
6.40% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA GLOBAL STRATEGIC EQUITY
PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Y
26.02% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA INCOME BUILDER FUND
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Y
72.39% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class Z
5.63% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 206

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
2029 CENTURY PARK E STE 2800
CENTURY CITY CA 90067-3014
Class A
38.86% 27.45%
Class B 21.27%
Class C 14.19%
Class R 75.89%
Class Z 35.03%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
10.99% N/A
Class Z 6.66%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
10.27% N/A
Class R4 61.72%
Class R5 31.67%
  NATIONWIDE TRUST COMPANY/FSB
C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING
PO BOX 182029
COLUMBUS OH 43218-2029
Class R5
10.74% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class C
10.20% N/A
Class R4 25.15%
Class R5 21.31%
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCT FIRM
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
9.61% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE TRUST COMPANY
ATTN HOUSE
PO BOX 17748
DENVER CO 80217-0748
Class R5
18.76% N/A
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
6.97% N/A
Class Z 6.92%
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class A
5.68% N/A
Class C 13.06%
Class Z 8.23%
Global Equity Value Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
47.29% 42.06%
Class B 72.80%
Class C 17.56%
Class T 68.68%
Class Z 11.53%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R5
47.69% N/A
Class Z 14.42%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class T
31.32% N/A (a)
Class Y 18.84%
  COMMUNITY BANK NA AS CUST
FBO SIMED 1165(E) RETIREMENT PLAN
6 RHOADS DR STE 7
UTICA NY 13502-6317
Class R
46.51% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 207

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  DCGT AS TTEE AND/OR CUST
FBO PLIC VARIOUS RETIREMENT PLANS
OMNIBUS
ATTN NPIO TRADE DESK
711 HIGH ST
DES MOINES IA 50392-0001
Class R
16.33% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class C
5.51% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
2029 CENTURY PARK E STE 2800
CENTURY CITY CA 90067-3014
Class A
7.24% N/A
Class R 10.58%
Class Z 15.17%
  MG TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class K
99.25% N/A
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
7.12% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
6.76% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class C
7.15% N/A
Class R4 38.71%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
10.23% N/A
Class R5 13.13%
Class Y 81.16%
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCT FIRM
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class R
9.23% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
38.39% N/A
  WELLS FARGO BANK FBO
1525 W W T HARRIS BLVD
CHARLOTTE NC 28262-8522
Class R4
49.93% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
7.37% N/A
Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
12.03% N/A
Class Z 5.22%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R4
26.31% N/A
  COLUMBIA THERMOSTAT FUND
ATTN STEVEN SWINHART
225 FRANKLIN ST FL 25
BOSTON MA 02110-2888
Class Y
79.53% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 208

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  FIIOC FBO
100 MAGELLAN WAY (KW1C)
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class A
5.78% N/A
  GREAT-WEST TRUST COMPANY LLC TTEE F
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS 401K
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R5
6.91% N/A
Class Y 5.36%
  HARTFORD LIFE INS. CO.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT
ATTN UIT OPERATIONS
PO BOX 2999
HARTFORD CT 06104-2999
Class Y
5.34% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class A
5.89% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
2029 CENTURY PARK E STE 2800
CENTURY CITY CA 90067-3014
Class A
16.44% 54.01%
Class R 46.62%
Class Z 72.37%
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
28.16% N/A
Class R5 6.82%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
13.86% N/A
Class R4 13.34%
Class R5 75.77%
Class Z 6.05%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class A
13.06% N/A
Class R4 19.10%
Class R5 6.34%
  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST AS
TRUSTEE AND/OR CUSTODIAN FBO
ADP ACCESS PRODUCT
1 LINCOLN ST
BOSTON MA 02111-2901
Class R4
40.23% N/A
Large Cap Growth Fund III AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
5.66% N/A
Class B 14.04%
Class Z 15.53%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
9.97% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class B
23.88% N/A
Class R5 25.90%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class T
100.00% N/A (a)
Class Y 100.00%
  FIIOC FBO
100 MAGELLAN WAY (KW1C)
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class R5
9.79% N/A
  HARTFORD LIFE INS. CO.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT
ATTN UIT OPERATIONS
PO BOX 2999
HARTFORD CT 06104-2999
Class R
39.89% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class B
17.34% N/A
Class C 8.61%
Class Z 9.81%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 209

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
2029 CENTURY PARK E STE 2800
CENTURY CITY CA 90067-3014
Class A
37.51% 25.49%
Class B 15.34%
Class C 13.54%
Class R 6.72%
Class Z 17.83%
  MG TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R
9.88% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class B
5.65% N/A
Class C 20.00%
Class Z 8.26%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
7.53% N/A
Class C 6.40%
Class R4 23.78%
Class R5 37.78%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class A
5.31% N/A
Class B 8.35%
Class C 5.56%
Class R4 69.14%
Class R5 9.88%
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCT FIRM
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
9.35% N/A
  RELIANCE TRUST CO CUST
PO BOX 48529
ATLANTA GA 30362-1529
Class R
15.39% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
15.39% N/A
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
9.24% N/A
Class Z 15.18%
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class A
5.41% N/A
Class C 10.20%
Class Z 7.13%
Large Cap Index Fund CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class B
97.14% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class Y
100.00% N/A (a)
  FIIOC FBO
100 MAGELLAN WAY (KW1C)
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class A
6.02% N/A
Class R5 6.12%
  GREAT-WEST TRUST COMPANY LLC TTEE F
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS 401K
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class A
10.74% N/A
Class R5 7.68%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 210

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JOHN HANCOCK TRUST COMPANY LLC
690 CANTON ST STE 100
WESTWOOD MA 02090-2344
Class R5
9.58% N/A
Class Z 5.90%
  JPMCB NA AS CUSTODIAN FOR THE SC529
PLAN COLUMBIA GROWTH 529 PORTFOLIO
14201 DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Z
20.26% N/A
  LINCOLN RETIREMENT SERVICES COMPANY
PO BOX 7876
FORT WAYNE IN 46801-7876
Class A
6.84% N/A
Class Z 5.75%
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
2029 CENTURY PARK E STE 2800
CENTURY CITY CA 90067-3014
Class A
7.71% N/A
Class Z 17.02%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
17.69% N/A
Class R5 5.62%
  RELIANCE TRUST CO CUST
PO BOX 48529
ATLANTA GA 30362-1529
Class A
8.18% N/A
  SUNTRUST BANK FBO
VARIOUS SUNTRUST OMNIBUS ACCOUNTS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R5
7.54% N/A
  TAYNIK & CO
C/O INVESTORS BANK & TRUST CO
1200 CROWN COLONY DR
QUINCY MA 02169-0938
Class R5
6.94% N/A
  UNIFIED TRUST COMPANY TTEE FBO
2353 ALEXANDRIA DRIVE SUITE 100
MFO 001
LEXINGTON KY 40504-3208
Class Z
9.96% N/A
  VRSCO
2727A ALLEN PKWY # 4-D1
HOUSTON TX 77019-2107
Class R5
35.43% N/A
Mid Cap Index Fund AUL AMERICAN UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST
ATTN SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
PO BOX 368
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46206-0368
Class A
8.27% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R5
6.12% N/A
Class Z 11.32%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class Y
100.00% N/A (a)
  FIIOC FBO
100 MAGELLAN WAY (KW1C)
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class A
6.44% N/A
Class R5 6.97%
  GREAT-WEST TRUST COMPANY LLC TTEE F
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS 401K
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class A
5.12% N/A
Class R5 5.65%
  JPMCB NA AS CUSTODIAN FOR THE SC529
PLAN COLUMBIA GROWTH 529 PORTFOLIO
14201 DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Z
11.38% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 211

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
2029 CENTURY PARK E STE 2800
CENTURY CITY CA 90067-3014
Class A
16.54% N/A
Class R5 8.13%
Class Z 27.90%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
5.98% N/A
Class R5 8.86%
Class Z 6.96%
  STANDARD INSURANCE COMPANY
1100 SW 6TH AVE
ATTN: SEP ACCT
PORTLAND OR 97204-1093
Class R5
30.97% N/A
  TAYNIK & CO
C/O INVESTORS BANK & TRUST CO
1200 CROWN COLONY DR
QUINCY MA 02169-0938
Class A
6.71% N/A
  TIAA-CREF TRUST CO CUST/TTEE FBO
RETIREMENT PLANS FOR WHICH
TIAA ACTS AS RECORDKEEPER
ATTN TRUST OPERATIONS
211 N BROADWAY STE 1000
SAINT LOUIS MO 63102-2748
Class R5
7.42% N/A
  UNIFIED TRUST COMPANY TTEE FBO
2353 ALEXANDRIA DRIVE SUITE 100
MFO 001
LEXINGTON KY 40504-3208
Class Z
5.59% N/A
Mid Cap Value Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
7.40% N/A
Class B 36.49%
Class C 8.20%
Class T 99.01%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R5
23.06% N/A
  CAPITAL BANK & TRUST COMPANY TTEE F
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R5
6.20% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class K
57.36% N/A
Class R5 32.90%
Class Z 7.84%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class K
42.64% N/A (a)
  DCGT AS TTEE AND/OR CUST
FBO PLIC VARIOUS RETIREMENT PLANS
OMNIBUS
ATTN NPIO TRADE DESK
711 HIGH ST
DES MOINES IA 50392-0001
Class R
6.69% N/A
  EDWARD D JONES & CO
FOR THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
12555 MANCHESTER RD
SAINT LOUIS MO 63131-3729
Class A
5.69% N/A
Class Z 22.88%
  GREAT WEST LIFE & ANNUITY
C/O FASCORE LLC
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R
11.50% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 212

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  GREAT-WEST TRUST COMPANY LLC TTEE F
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS 401K
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R4
5.81% N/A
  HARTFORD LIFE INS. CO.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT
ATTN UIT OPERATIONS
PO BOX 2999
HARTFORD CT 06104-2999
Class R
23.04% N/A
  LINCOLN RETIREMENT SERVICES COMPANY
PO BOX 7876
FORT WAYNE IN 46801-7876
Class Y
5.91% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class B
11.14% N/A
Class C 7.89%
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY, FBO
CITY NATIONAL CORPORATION PS PLAN
PO BOX 52129
PHOENIX AZ 85072-2129
Class Y
12.10% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
2029 CENTURY PARK E STE 2800
CENTURY CITY CA 90067-3014
Class A
7.42% N/A
Class C 6.46%
Class R 6.29%
Class Z 14.13%
  MG TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R
7.13% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
12.54% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
13.33% N/A
Class C 6.69%
Class R4 29.15%
Class Y 22.00%
Class Z 5.43%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class A
5.30% N/A
Class B 11.96%
Class C 7.86%
Class R4 13.49%
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCT FIRM
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
7.16% N/A
  RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
MUTUAL FUND OMNIBUS PROCESSING
OMNIBUS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND OPS MANAGER
510 MARQUETTE AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-1110
Class C
6.43% N/A
  RELIANCE TRUST CO CUST
PO BOX 48529
ATLANTA GA 30362-1529
Class R
10.42% N/A
Class Y 5.23%
  STANDARD INSURANCE COMPANY
1100 SW 6TH AVE
ATTN: SEP ACCT
PORTLAND OR 97204-1093
Class R4
35.54% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 213

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST AS
TRUSTEE AND/OR CUSTODIAN FBO
ADP ACCESS PRODUCT
1 LINCOLN ST
BOSTON MA 02111-2901
Class Y
5.33% N/A
  TAYNIK & CO
C/O INVESTORS BANK & TRUST CO
1200 CROWN COLONY DR
QUINCY MA 02169-0938
Class R5
9.91% N/A
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
5.29% N/A
  VANGUARD FIDUCIARY TRUST CO
PO BOX 2600 VM
ATTN: OUTSIDE FUNDS
VALLEY FORGE PA 19482-2600
Class Y
13.63% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
14.62% N/A
Overseas Value Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
64.29% 28.81%
Class B 64.30%
Class C 24.01%
Class T 99.83%
Class Z 39.33%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class K
62.80% N/A
Class R5 17.79%
Class Z 7.62%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
N/A
N/A 36.69% (a)
  FIIOC FBO
100 MAGELLAN WAY (KW1C)
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class R5
6.18% N/A
  GREAT-WEST TRUST COMPANY LLC TTEE F
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS 401K
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R
9.45% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Y
12.41% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Y
34.70% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Y
7.44% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 214

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Y
18.43% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA GLOBAL STRATEGIC EQUITY
PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Y
20.09% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class Z
10.43% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
2029 CENTURY PARK E STE 2800
CENTURY CITY CA 90067-3014
Class A
8.05% N/A
Class C 5.09%
Class R 30.55%
Class Z 11.12%
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
13.23% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
10.58% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
8.59% N/A
Class R5 30.09%
Class Z 5.51%
  PAI TRUST COMPANY INC
POPLAR BLUFF REHABILITATION 401 K
1300 ENTERPRISE DR
DE PERE WI 54115-4934
Class R
6.95% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class C
6.18% N/A
Class R 17.46%
Class R4 88.66%
  PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT
AS NOMINEE FOR THE TTEE/CUST
LEASE PLAN U.S.A., INC. 401(K)
1165 SANCTUARY PKWY
ALPHARETTA GA 30009-4738
Class R5
14.48% N/A
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCT FIRM
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
10.00% N/A
  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST AS
TRUSTEE AND/OR CUSTODIAN FBO
ADP ACCESS PRODUCT
1 LINCOLN ST
BOSTON MA 02111-2901
Class R
5.18% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
25.46% N/A
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
8.36% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 215

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
11.90% N/A
Class K 35.11%
Select Global Growth Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
55.94% 51.79%
Class C 43.21%
Class Z 59.95%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
60.16% N/A
  BEAU BALTZELL SHERRY GILBERT TTEE F
GLADWIN A READ COMPANY 401K
C/O FASCORE LLC
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R
8.13% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class Y
100.00% N/A (a)
  EDWARD D JONES & CO
FOR THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
12555 MANCHESTER RD
SAINT LOUIS MO 63131-3729
Class Z
19.34% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
2029 CENTURY PARK E STE 2800
CENTURY CITY CA 90067-3014
Class A
5.82% N/A
Class C 6.43%
Class Z 10.02%
  MG TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R
9.61% N/A
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
16.10% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
8.96% N/A
Class C 5.11%
Class R4 90.87%
Class R5 39.74%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class A
6.44% N/A
Class C 5.56%
Class R4 8.98%
Class R5 8.67%
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCT FIRM
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
19.92% N/A
  SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY
C/O STATE STREET BANK
1 FREEDOM VALLEY DR
OAKS PA 19456-9989
Class R5
5.29% N/A
  TAYNIK & CO
C/O INVESTORS BANK & TRUST CO
1200 CROWN COLONY DR
QUINCY MA 02169-0938
Class R5
33.69% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
5.49% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 216

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class A
5.35% N/A
Class C 6.75%
Select International Equity Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
47.32% 39.13%
Class B 62.50%
Class C 15.46%
Class T 99.83%
Class Z 26.79%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class C
9.29% N/A
Class R 41.78%
  BNY MELLON CUST
FBO EVERSOURCE NON UNION
MEDICAL TRUST
107 SELDEN ST
BERLIN CT 06037-1616
Class Y
99.97% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class K
44.44% N/A
Class Z 10.18%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class K
7.26% N/A (a)
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
2029 CENTURY PARK E STE 2800
CENTURY CITY CA 90067-3014
Class A
7.94% N/A
Class R 5.23%
Class Z 10.21%
  MG TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R
19.49% N/A
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
7.65% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
11.04% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class C
8.72% N/A
Class K 12.62%
Class R4 37.76%
Class R5 16.80%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
50.89% N/A
  RELIANCE TRUST CO CUST
PO BOX 48529
ATLANTA GA 30362-1529
Class R
14.82% N/A
  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST AS
TRUSTEE AND/OR CUSTODIAN FBO
ADP ACCESS PRODUCT
1 LINCOLN ST
BOSTON MA 02111-2901
Class R4
9.39% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
74.59% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 217

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
5.56% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
11.39% N/A
Class K 35.68%
Select Large Cap Equity Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class B
84.48% N/A
Class C 23.61%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R5
28.67% N/A
Class Z 17.10%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class T
100.00% 46.47% (a)
  COLUMBIA THERMOSTAT FUND
ATTN STEVEN SWINHART
225 FRANKLIN ST FL 25
BOSTON MA 02110-2888
Class Y
7.45% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Y
14.97% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Y
29.51% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Y
7.54% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Y
18.76% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA GLOBAL STRATEGIC EQUITY
PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Y
19.44% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
2029 CENTURY PARK E STE 2800
CENTURY CITY CA 90067-3014
Class A
73.68% 25.75%
Class B 10.51%
Class C 9.65%
Class Z 40.70%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
23.13% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 218

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class C
5.44% N/A
Class R5 13.18%
Class Z 6.18%
  SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY
C/O STATE STREET BANK
1 FREEDOM VALLEY DR
OAKS PA 19456-9989
Class R5
55.57% N/A
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
13.32% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
7.47% N/A
Small Cap Index Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
23.28% N/A
Class B 68.74%
Class T 99.52%
Class Z 5.92%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class A
5.05% N/A
Class K 6.39%
Class R5 11.25%
Class Z 6.55%
  FIIOC FBO
100 MAGELLAN WAY (KW1C)
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class A
6.11% N/A
Class R5 9.27%
  GREAT-WEST TRUST COMPANY LLC TTEE F
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS 401K
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class K
8.96% N/A
Class R5 8.15%
  JOHN HANCOCK TRUST COMPANY LLC
690 CANTON ST STE 100
WESTWOOD MA 02090-2344
Class R5
7.75% N/A
  JPMCB NA AS CUSTODIAN FOR THE SC529
PLAN COLUMBIA GROWTH 529 PORTFOLIO
14201 DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Z
7.27% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
2029 CENTURY PARK E STE 2800
CENTURY CITY CA 90067-3014
Class A
13.46% N/A
Class R5 6.03%
Class Z 27.17%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
5.91% N/A
Class R5 18.10%
Class Z 8.34%
  NATIONWIDE TRUST COMPANY/FSB
C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING
PO BOX 182029
COLUMBUS OH 43218-2029
Class K
46.46% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class Y
97.33% N/A
  TAYNIK & CO
C/O INVESTORS BANK & TRUST CO
1200 CROWN COLONY DR
QUINCY MA 02169-0938
Class K
29.43% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 219

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  WELLS FARGO BANK FBO
1525 W W T HARRIS BLVD
CHARLOTTE NC 28262-8522
Class R5
5.44% N/A
Small Cap Value Fund II ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
8.45% N/A
  CAPITAL BANK & TRUST COMPANY TTEE F
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R
10.51% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R5
18.45% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class B
11.15% N/A (a)
  DCGT AS TTEE AND/OR CUST
FBO PLIC VARIOUS RETIREMENT PLANS
OMNIBUS
ATTN NPIO TRADE DESK
711 HIGH ST
DES MOINES IA 50392-0001
Class A
5.40% N/A
Class R 21.88%
Class R4 7.42%
  EDWARD D JONES & CO
FOR THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
12555 MANCHESTER RD
SAINT LOUIS MO 63131-3729
Class Z
20.76% N/A
  GREAT-WEST TRUST COMPANY LLC TTEE F
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS 401K
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R4
18.95% N/A
Class R5 36.07%
Class Y 26.64%
  HARTFORD LIFE INS. CO.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT
ATTN UIT OPERATIONS
PO BOX 2999
HARTFORD CT 06104-2999
Class R
23.60% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class C
7.71% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
2029 CENTURY PARK E STE 2800
CENTURY CITY CA 90067-3014
Class A
5.31% N/A
Class C 9.31%
Class R4 8.16%
Class Z 16.84%
  MG TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R
11.21% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
5.73% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
5.94% 26.59%
Class C 7.54%
Class R4 9.97%
Class R5 18.55%
Class Y 35.27%
Class Z 30.69%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class B
86.24% N/A
Class C 6.24%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 220

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT
AS NOMINEE FOR THE TTEE/CUST
WAYNE COUNTY
28 W ADAMS AVE STE 1900
DETROIT MI 48226-1610
Class R4
23.36% N/A
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCT FIRM
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
17.64% N/A
  RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
MUTUAL FUND OMNIBUS PROCESSING
OMNIBUS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND OPS MANAGER
510 MARQUETTE AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-1110
Class C
8.96% N/A
  RELIANCE TRUST CO CUST
PO BOX 48529
ATLANTA GA 30362-1529
Class R
18.12% N/A
Class R4 11.07%
  SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME TRUST FUND
PO BOX 8338
BOSTON MA 02266-8338
Class A
28.63% N/A
  T ROWE PRICE TRUST CO TTEE
FBO RETIREMENT PLAN CLIENTS
PO BOX 17215
BALTIMORE MD 21297-1215
Class Y
5.40% N/A
  THOMAS EVANS TTEE FBO
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R4
9.05% N/A
  VANGUARD FIDUCIARY TRUST CO
PO BOX 2600 VM
ATTN: OUTSIDE FUNDS
VALLEY FORGE PA 19482-2600
Class Y
8.65% N/A
  VRSCO
2727A ALLEN PKWY # 4-D1
HOUSTON TX 77019-2107
Class A
8.15% N/A
  WELLS FARGO BANK FBO
1525 W W T HARRIS BLVD
CHARLOTTE NC 28262-8522
Class R5
6.96% N/A
Class Z 5.31%
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
15.73% N/A
  WILMINGTON TRUST RISC TTEE FBO
AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICERS 401(K)
PLAN
PO BOX 52129
PHOENIX AZ 85072-2129
Class A
6.49% N/A
Funds with Fiscal Period Ending March 31:
Except as otherwise indicated, the information below is as of June 30, 2017:
Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
Short Term Bond Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
64.32% N/A
Class B 11.97%
Class C 18.99%
Class T 97.78%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 221

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
RELIANCE SOLUTIONS 401(K) SAVINGS P
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
31.44% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class K
23.09% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class K
76.91% N/A (a)
  COLUMBIA THERMOSTAT FUND
ATTN STEVEN SWINHART
225 FRANKLIN ST FL 25
BOSTON MA 02110-2888
Class Y
93.01% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF IT CUSTOMER
4800 DEER LAKE DR E
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
9.54% 46.45%
Class B 77.74%
Class C 20.85%
Class R 55.10%
Class Z 77.88%
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
5.64% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
86.16% N/A
Class R5 75.91%
Class Y 5.01%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
13.31% N/A
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCT FIRM
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
19.86% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
18.72% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
8.98% N/A
Funds with Fiscal Period Ending April 30:
Except as otherwise indicated, the information below is as of July 31, 2017:
Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
AMT-Free CA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
21.55% N/A
Class C 19.04%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R5
95.96% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 222

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class B
100.00% N/A (a)
Class Y 100.00%
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
15.45% 72.79%
Class C 23.31%
Class Z 80.58%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
14.83% N/A
Class R4 41.52%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class A
9.63% N/A
Class R4 53.29%
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class A
5.90% N/A
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class A
10.04% N/A
Class C 22.97%
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class A
14.18% N/A
Class C 22.51%
AMT-Free GA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class C
11.48% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class B
100.00% N/A (a)
Class Y 100.00%
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class A
15.26% N/A
Class C 6.26%
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
52.27% 71.33%
Class C 10.61%
Class Z 83.28%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class A
7.38% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class C
9.20% N/A
Class R4 55.88%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
40.04% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 223

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  STIFEL NICOLAUS & CO INC
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
501 N BROADWAY
SAINT LOUIS MO 63102-2188
Class C
5.07% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class A
6.20% N/A
Class C 44.87%
AMT-Free MD Intermediate Muni Bond Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class C
6.84% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class C
7.19% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class B
100.00% N/A (a)
Class R4 5.56%
Class Y 100.00%
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
58.78% 78.39%
Class C 15.96%
Class Z 87.13%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
17.00% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
53.87% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class A
6.01% N/A
Class R4 40.57%
  RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
MUTUAL FUND OMNIBUS PROCESSING
OMNIBUS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND OPS MANAGER
510 MARQUETTE AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-1110
Class C
6.45% N/A
  THOMAS MULE &
BRENDA D MULE JT WROS
232 WATERFALL CIR
LITTLE RIVER SC 29566-7465
Class C
7.21% N/A
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
6.01% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class A
13.39% N/A
Class C 22.92%
AMT-Free NC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class B
100.00% N/A (a)
Class Y 100.00%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 224

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  EDWARD D JONES & CO
FOR THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
12555 MANCHESTER RD
SAINT LOUIS MO 63131-3729
Class A
12.99% N/A
Class C 8.05%
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class C
5.91% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
25.17% 72.77%
Class C 9.23%
Class Z 81.85%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
9.04% N/A
Class C 7.44%
Class R4 57.78%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class A
11.59% N/A
Class R4 20.28%
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
5.07% N/A
  SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY
C/O
1 FREEDOM VALLEY DR
OAKS PA 19456-9989
Class R4
21.56% N/A
  STIFEL NICOLAUS & CO INC
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
501 N BROADWAY
SAINT LOUIS MO 63102-2188
Class C
8.16% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class A
25.61% N/A
Class C 34.16%
Class Z 7.69%
AMT-Free SC Intermediate Muni Bond Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
11.25% N/A
Class C 5.45%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class A
7.49% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class B
100.00% N/A (a)
Class Y 100.00%
  EDWARD D JONES & CO
FOR THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
12555 MANCHESTER RD
SAINT LOUIS MO 63131-3729
Class A
16.26% N/A
Class C 8.13%
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class A
6.65% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 225

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
21.12% 56.22%
Class C 21.15%
Class Z 71.54%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
22.74% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
5.61% N/A
Class R4 34.20%
Class Z 10.00%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
65.00% N/A
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class A
9.07% N/A
Class C 15.58%
  TD AMERITRADE INC FBO
OUR CUSTOMERS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class A
7.61% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
16.57% N/A
AMT-Free VA Intermediate Muni Bond Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
7.24% N/A
Class C 17.50%
Class Z 6.26%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class A
5.68% N/A
Class C 7.90%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class B
100.00% N/A (a)
Class Y 100.00%
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class C
5.56% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
39.48% 73.78%
Class C 16.24%
Class Z 82.31%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
7.38% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
99.34% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 226

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class A
8.73% N/A
  RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
MUTUAL FUND OMNIBUS PROCESSING
OMNIBUS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND OPS MANAGER
510 MARQUETTE AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-1110
Class C
6.39% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class A
8.62% N/A
Class C 26.48%
Global Infrastructure Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
80.98% 67.13%
Class C 70.98%
Class Z 73.82%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
14.22% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class K
96.49% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class B
100.00% N/A (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA GLOBAL STRATEGIC EQUITY
PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Y
99.99% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class Z
13.25% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class R
46.61% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
53.70% N/A
Class R5 20.32%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R
12.12% N/A
Class R4 40.40%
Class R5 5.16%
  TD AMERITRADE INC FBO
OUR CUSTOMERS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
73.05% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 227

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
6.58% N/A
Short Term Municipal Bond Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
14.77% N/A
Class C 9.61%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class A
5.10% N/A
Class R5 10.53%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class B
100.00% N/A (a)
Class Y 100.00%
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
13.77% 83.60%
Class C 39.58%
Class Z 90.63%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class A
5.74% N/A
Class C 5.30%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
16.11% N/A
Class R4 72.58%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
24.17% N/A
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
5.10% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FBO
OUR CUSTOMERS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
85.06% N/A
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class A
24.72% N/A
Class C 8.44%
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class A
6.49% N/A
Class C 14.13%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 228

 

Funds with Fiscal Period Ending May 31:
Except as otherwise indicated, the information below is as of August 31, 2016:
Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
Commodity Strategy Fund ADVANCED SERIES TRUST AST COLUMBIA
ADAPATIVE RISK ALLOCATION PDMQ
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class Z
88.39% N/A
  AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
61.74% N/A
Class C 26.08%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
80.43% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R5
99.68% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class W
100.00% 84.21% (a)
Class Y 100.00%
  EDWARD D JONES & CO
FOR THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
12555 MANCHESTER RD
SAINT LOUIS MO 63131-3729
Class C
5.02% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA ADAPTIVE RISK ALLOCATION
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
53.64% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
5.70% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
16.22% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
10.12% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
5.72% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class C
7.99% N/A
  PAI TRUST COMPANY, INC
STUDIOPOLIS, INC. 401(K) P/S PLAN
1300 ENTERPRISE DR
DE PERE WI 54115-4934
Class R
16.20% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class A
23.25% N/A
Class C 27.49%
Class R4 98.76%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 229

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  STATE STREET BANK & TRUST CUST
FBO HELEN KIM SIMPLE IRA
1183 PINES LAKE DR W
WAYNE NJ 07470-6152
Class C
5.97% N/A
  STATE STREET BANK & TRUST CUST
FBO JAMES CHOE MD SIMPLE IRA
1183 PINES LAKE DR W
WAYNE NJ 07470-6152
Class C
8.74% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class C
15.10% N/A
Diversified Equity Income Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
39.67% 38.06%
Class B 29.06%
Class C 41.11%
Class Z 21.52%
  AMERIPRISE TRUST COMPANY AS TR
OF THE VENTUREDYNE LTD SAL DEF
INVEST PL
990 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0009
Class R5
22.97% N/A
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
5.47% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class I
100.00% N/A (a)
Class W 100.00%
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class Z
9.47% N/A
  GREAT WEST TRUST CO
TRST FBO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class K
8.75% N/A
Class R4 28.31%
Class R5 10.62%
Class Y 66.86%
  GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANN INS CO
8515 E ORCHARD RD 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R4
6.76% N/A
  HARTFORD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
ATTN UIT OPERATIONS
PO BOX 2999
HARTFORD CT 06104-2999
Class K
10.46% N/A
Class R 39.81%
Class R4 15.22%
  ING LIFE INSURANCE & ANNUITY CO
ING FUND OPERATIONS
1 ORANGE WAY
WINDSOR CT 06095-4773
Class K
62.41% N/A
Class R 27.73%
Class R4 17.98%
Class Y 26.88%
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class Z
5.16% N/A
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class Z
15.99% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class Z
9.34% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 230

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
5.97% N/A
Class Y 5.72%
  RELIANCE TRUST CO CUST
PO BOX 48529
ATLANTA GA 30362-1529
Class R
14.90% N/A
  UBS WM USA
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
ATTN: DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class Z
23.08% N/A
  VOYA INSTITUTIONAL TRUST COMPANY
TTEE OR CUST
30 BRAINTREE HILL PARK
BRAINTREE MA 02184-8747
Class R5
51.54% N/A
  WELLS FARGO BANK FBO
1525 W W T HARRIS BLVD
CHARLOTTE NC 28262-8522
Class R4
10.60% N/A
Dividend Opportunity Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
45.64% 31.93%
Class B 42.18%
Class C 26.95%
Class W 97.00%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class K
7.41% N/A
Class R4 7.85%
Class R5 19.16%
Class Z 5.00%
  DCGT AS TTEE AND /OR CUST
OMNIBUS
ATTN NPIO TRADE DESK
711 HIGH ST
DES MOINES IA 50392-0001
Class R
9.50% N/A
  FIIOC FBO
100 MAGELLAN WAY (KW1C)
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class R
7.59% N/A
Class R4 11.43%
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
5.90% N/A
Class Z 8.11%
  GREAT WEST TRUST CO
TRST FBO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R4
6.08% N/A
Class R5 5.22%
  GREAT-WEST TRUST COMPANY LLC TTEE F
RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PLAN
8515 E ORCHARD RD 2T2
GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111-5002
Class R5
6.25% N/A
  JOHN HANCOCK TRUST COMPANY LLC
690 CANTON ST STE 100
WESTWOOD MA 02090-2344
Class Y
20.92% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA INCOME BUILDER FUND
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
100.00% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class Z
6.49% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 231

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  MARIL & CO FBO
11270 W. PARK PLACE – SUITE 400
MILWAUKEE WI 53224-3638
Class R5
9.39% N/A
Class Z 6.94%
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class C
7.96% N/A
Class R 6.78%
Class Z 6.10%
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class Y
47.27% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
6.20% N/A
Class Z 7.00%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
12.13% N/A
Class C 5.56%
Class R4 20.66%
Class R5 18.90%
Class Y 17.21%
Class Z 11.29%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
28.74% N/A
Class R5 7.40%
  PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT
AS NOMINEE FOR THE TTEE
9601 WILSHIRE BLVD
BEVERLY HILLS CA 90210-5213
Class R5
14.81% N/A
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCT FIRM
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
19.98% N/A
Class Z 11.91%
  SAMMONS FINANCIAL NETWORK LLC
4546 CORPORATE DR STE 100
WEST DES MOINES IA 50266-5911
Class R
50.43% N/A
  SEI PRIVATE TRUST CO
C/O JOHNSON BANK
ATTN MUTUAL FUND ADMINISTRATOR
1 FREEDOM VALLEY DR
OAKS PA 19456-9989
Class R4
17.14% N/A
Class R5 6.49%
  UBS WM USA
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
ATTN: DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class Z
8.74% N/A
  VRSCO FBO
ATTN CHRIS BAUMAN
2727-A ALLEN PARKWAY, 4-D1
HOUSTON TX 77019-2107
Class K
90.57% N/A
Flexible Capital Income Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
81.53% 53.82%
Class C 39.12%
Class W 60.40%
Class Z 8.15%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R5
25.73% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 232

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class I
100.00% N/A (a)
Class W 39.60%
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
8.53% N/A
Class Z 17.38%
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class C
5.19% N/A
Class R 7.27%
Class Z 10.60%
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class C
8.66% N/A
Class Z 14.34%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
8.40% N/A
Class Z 26.36%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class C
5.72% N/A
Class R 30.41%
Class R4 12.39%
Class R5 5.72%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class C
5.83% N/A
Class R 11.81%
Class R4 51.20%
Class R5 61.91%
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCT FIRM
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
12.34% N/A
Class R 49.70%
Class Z 6.65%
  SAXON & CO
P O BOX 7780-1888
PHILADELPHIA PA 19182-0001
Class R4
33.61% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
6.59% N/A
  UBS WM USA
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
ATTN: DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class Z
6.72% N/A
High Yield Bond Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
38.53% N/A
Class B 49.85%
Class C 34.26%
Class W 97.19%
Class Z 7.74%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
5.87% N/A
  CAPINCO
C/O US BANK NA
PO BOX 1787
MILWAUKEE WI 53201-1787
Class R5
6.64% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 233

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R5
37.53% N/A
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
8.59% N/A
Class Z 11.52%
  ING LIFE INSURANCE & ANNUITY CO
ING FUND OPERATIONS
1 ORANGE WAY
WINDSOR CT 06095-4773
Class K
72.01% N/A
Class R 51.57%
Class R4 6.59%
Class Y 51.75%
  ING NATIONAL TRUST
ONE ORANGE WAY
WINDSOR CT 06095-4773
Class K
19.08% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
7.17% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
18.97% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA INCOME BUILDER FUND
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
71.05% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class C
6.54% N/A
Class R 21.56%
Class Z 36.57%
  MINNESOTA LIFE INS COMPANY
ATTN KENNETH MONTAGUE
400 ROBERT STREET NORTH
ST PAUL MN 55101-2099
Class R4
17.85% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class Z
9.26% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
8.48% N/A
Class B 6.73%
Class R4 23.93%
Class R5 31.84%
Class Y 21.27%
Class Z 6.73%
  NATIONWIDE TRUST COMPANY FSB
FBO PARTICIPATING RETIREMENT PLANS
C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING
PO BOX 182029
COLUMBUS OH 43218-2029
Class R4
28.98% N/A
  SAMMONS FINANCIAL NETWORK LLC
4546 CORPORATE DR STE 100
WEST DES MOINES IA 50266-5911
Class R
13.07% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 234

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
17.05% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE TRUST COMPANY
ATTN HOUSE
PO BOX 17748
DENVER CO 80217-0748
Class Y
7.80% N/A
MM Value Strategies Fund (b) AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
100.00% 100.00%
Mortgage Opportunities Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
72.44% N/A
Class C 54.67%
Class Z 28.70%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R5
78.73% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class R5
21.27% 87.24% (a)
Class W 100.00%
  JPMCB NA CUST
FOR ACTIVE PORTFOLIOS
MULTI-MANAGER TOTAL RETURN BOND
14201 DALLAS PKWY FL 10
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
29.60% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
7.63% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
10.64% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
9.91% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA INCOME BUILDER FUND
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
34.87% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class A
21.27% N/A
Class C 9.23%
Class Z 9.06%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class C
6.37% N/A
Class R4 7.78%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class C
23.82% N/A
Class R4 91.64%
  ROBERT W BAIRD & CO INC
777 E WISCONSIN AVE
MILWAUKEE WI 53202-5391
Class Z
25.30% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 235

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  UBS WM USA
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
ATTN: DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class Z
29.09% N/A
Select Large-Cap Value Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
20.80% N/A
Class B 28.23%
Class C 5.30%
Class W 99.99%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
7.60% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class A
8.35% N/A
Class K 84.90%
Class R4 20.67%
Class R5 29.41%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class K
15.10% N/A (a)
  FIIOC FBO
100 MAGELLAN WAY (KW1C)
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class R5
6.83% N/A
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class B
19.98% N/A
Class C 12.68%
Class Z 7.77%
  GREAT WEST TRUST CO
TRST FBO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class Y
71.89% N/A
  JOHN HANCOCK TRUST COMPANY LLC
690 CANTON ST STE 100
WESTWOOD MA 02090-2344
Class R4
55.65% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
19.68% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
52.74% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
27.57% N/A
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class Y
25.50% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
18.33% N/A
Class B 17.42%
Class C 29.72%
Class R 68.90%
Class R4 16.15%
Class Z 10.03%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 236

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
7.78% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class B
12.39% N/A
Class C 12.81%
Class Z 62.39%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
6.86% N/A
Class R4 5.34%
Class R5 46.63%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R5
6.99% N/A
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCT FIRM
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
5.08% N/A
Class Z 6.45%
  UBS WM USA
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
ATTN: DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
7.44% N/A
Class Z 7.85%
Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
34.90% 27.68%
Class B 23.73%
Class C 16.32%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
9.63% N/A
  AUL
AMERICAN GROUP RETIREMENT ANNUITY
ATTN SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
PO BOX 368
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46206-0368
Class R4
23.94% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R5
9.41% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class Y
100.00% N/A (a)
  DCGT AS TTEE AND /OR CUST
OMNIBUS
ATTN NPIO TRADE DESK
711 HIGH ST
DES MOINES IA 50392-0001
Class R
8.66% N/A
  FIIOC FBO
100 MAGELLAN WAY (KW1C)
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class R4
19.45% N/A
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
8.79% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 237

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
54.44% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
45.52% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class C
9.21% N/A
Class R 54.42%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class Z
7.38% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class C
5.26% N/A
Class R4 6.80%
Class R5 5.82%
  NATIONWIDE TRUST COMPANY FSB
FBO PARTICIPATING RETIREMENT PLANS
C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING
PO BOX 182029
COLUMBUS OH 43218-2029
Class R5
5.15% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class C
5.75% N/A
Class R4 7.13%
Class R5 10.29%
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCT FIRM
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
6.58% N/A
  RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
MUTUAL FUND OMNIBUS PROCESSING
OMNIBUS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND OPS MANAGER
510 MARQUETTE AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-1110
Class Z
7.34% N/A
  T ROWE PRICE TRUST CO TTEE
FBO RETIREMENT PLAN CLIENTS
PO BOX 17215
BALTIMORE MD 21297-1215
Class R5
22.88% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
8.20% N/A
  THE TRUST COMPANY OF KNOXILLE 1
4823 OLD KINGSTON PIKE STE 100
KNOXVILLE TN 37919-6499
Class R4
6.09% N/A
  VRSCO FBO
ATTN CHRIS BAUMAN
2727-A ALLEN PARKWAY, 4-D1
HOUSTON TX 77019-2107
Class R4
27.97% N/A
Class R5 20.48%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 238

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  WELLS FARGO BANK FBO
1525 W W T HARRIS BLVD
CHARLOTTE NC 28262-8522
Class K
92.40% N/A
Class R5 11.08%
Class Z 70.28%
Seligman Communications and Information Fund (b) AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
8.83% N/A
Class B 20.21%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
7.15% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class A
7.79% N/A
Class K 6.81%
Class R4 5.72%
Class R5 18.11%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class I
100.00% N/A (a)
Class K 18.81%
  GREAT-WEST TRUST CO LLC
FBO RECORDKEEPING FOR VARIOUS BENEF
8525 E ORCHARD RD
C/O MUTUAL FUND TRADING
GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111-5002
Class K
74.38% N/A
Class R5 7.19%
  HARTFORD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
ATTN UIT OPERATIONS
PO BOX 2999
HARTFORD CT 06104-2999
Class R
22.47% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
7.91% N/A
Class B 16.21%
Class C 14.05%
Class R 13.60%
Class R4 34.23%
Class Z 22.41%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class A
7.16% N/A
Class C 11.52%
Class Z 13.03%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
8.85% N/A
Class B 7.42%
Class C 7.73%
Class R4 33.10%
Class R5 20.17%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class A
6.04% N/A
Class B 7.80%
Class C 6.46%
Class R4 16.61%
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class B
9.29% N/A
Class C 8.90%
Class Z 8.92%
  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST AS
TRUSTEE AND/OR CUSTODIAN FBO
ADP ACCESS PRODUCT
1 LINCOLN ST
BOSTON MA 02111-2901
Class R
32.78% N/A
  T ROWE PRICE TRUST CO TTEE
FBO RETIREMENT PLAN CLIENTS
PO BOX 17215
BALTIMORE MD 21297-1215
Class R5
9.48% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 239

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  UBS FINANCIAL SVCS
FBO SCOTT S HOLMES IRA
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6727
Class C
7.95% N/A
Class Z 16.04%
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class A
8.61% N/A
Class B 11.91%
Class C 11.89%
Class Z 19.95%
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
46.14% 38.63%
Class B 27.92%
Class C 32.92%
Class Z 6.16%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
8.83% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R5
5.14% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class I
100.00% N/A (a)
Class W 100.00%
  EDWARD D JONES & CO
FOR THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
12555 MANCHESTER RD
SAINT LOUIS MO 63131-3729
Class Z
7.23% N/A
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
10.58% N/A
Class Z 33.00%
  HARTFORD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
ATTN UIT OPERATIONS
PO BOX 2999
HARTFORD CT 06104-2999
Class R
40.33% N/A
Class R4 19.56%
  ING LIFE INSURANCE & ANNUITY CO
ING FUND OPERATIONS
1 ORANGE WAY
WINDSOR CT 06095-4773
Class K
21.05% N/A
Class R 14.29%
  ING NATIONAL TRUST
ONE ORANGE WAY
WINDSOR CT 06095-4773
Class K
6.67% N/A
Class R4 6.00%
Class R5 9.51%
  JOHN HANCOCK TRUST COMPANY LLC
690 CANTON ST STE 100
WESTWOOD MA 02090-2344
Class R4
8.59% N/A
  MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INS CO
1295 STATE ST
SPRINGFIELD MA 01111-0002
Class R
6.30% N/A
Class R4 7.69%
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class R
8.07% N/A
Class R5 15.68%
Class Z 21.44%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class Z
7.69% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 240

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class K
53.10% N/A
Class R4 17.77%
Class R5 36.34%
  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST AS
TRUSTEE AND/OR CUSTODIAN FBO
ADP ACCESS PRODUCT
1 LINCOLN ST
BOSTON MA 02111-2901
Class R4
21.34% N/A
  STATE STREET BK & TR CO AS CUST
FOR MML FBO ITS CLIENTS
1200 CROWN COLONY DR
QUINCY MA 02169-0938
Class Y
48.29% N/A
  TAYNIK & CO
C/O STATE STREET BANK & TRUST
1200 CROWN COLONY DR
QUINCY MA 02169-0938
Class R
6.34% N/A
  UBS WM USA
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
ATTN: DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class Z
10.07% N/A
  WELLS FARGO BANK FBO
1525 W W T HARRIS BLVD
CHARLOTTE NC 28262-8522
Class R5
28.84% N/A
Class Y 48.05%
U.S. Government Mortgage Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
24.24% N/A
Class B 30.27%
Class C 30.33%
Class W 99.55%
Class Z 6.60%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
CUST A/C FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT
ATTENTION MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class A
6.56% N/A
Class K 8.69%
Class R5 26.85%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class R
25.62% 29.40% (a)
  COLUMBIA THERMOSTAT FUND
C/O PAULA RYAN
227 W MONROE ST STE 3000
CHICAGO IL 60606-5018
Class I
22.41% N/A
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
5.94% N/A
  JOHN HANCOCK TRUST COMPANY LLC
690 CANTON ST STE 100
WESTWOOD MA 02090-2344
Class K
89.54% N/A
  JPMCB NA AS CUST FOR THE SC529 PLAN
COLUMBIA MODERATE GROWTH
529 PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PARKWAY
FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Z
9.81% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 241

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
5.21% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
18.20% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
10.75% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
11.99% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA INCOME BUILDER FUND
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
28.63% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class C
11.06% N/A
Class Z 23.21%
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class Y
62.03% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
13.09% N/A
Class B 17.33%
Class C 11.20%
Class R4 14.49%
Class Z 42.56%
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
74.27% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
7.92% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
6.01% N/A
Class R4 33.15%
Class R5 14.48%
Class Y 5.31%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class A
5.12% N/A
Class C 6.30%
Class R4 21.76%
Class R5 18.40%
  RELIANCE TRUST CO CUST
PO BOX 48529
ATLANTA GA 30362-1529
Class Y
6.81% N/A
  TAYNIK & CO
C/O STATE STREET BANK & TRUST
1200 CROWN COLONY DR
QUINCY MA 02169-0938
Class R4
13.03% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 242

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
8.74% N/A
  UBS WM USA
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
ATTN: DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class B
6.15% N/A
Class C 5.16%
  WELLS FARGO BANK FBO
1525 W W T HARRIS BLVD
CHARLOTTE NC 28262-8522
Class Y
13.08% N/A
Funds with Fiscal Period Ending July 31:
Except as otherwise indicated, the information below is as of October 31, 2016:
Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
Disciplined Core Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
22.55% N/A
Class B 13.88%
Class C 30.81%
Class W 99.99%
  ASCENSUS TRUST CO FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
18.33% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R4
21.81% N/A
  FIIOC FBO
401K PROFIT SHARING PLAN
100 MAGELLAN WAY (KW1C)
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class R
7.94% N/A
Class R4 32.63%
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class Z
43.31% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
14.02% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
44.38% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
8.94% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
22.56% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 243

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA VP-ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
14201 N DALLAS PKWAY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
7.44% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class Z
8.55% N/A
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY AS CUST FBO
PO BOX 52129
PHOENIX AZ 85072-2129
Class Y
99.75% N/A
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY AS CUST FBO
PO BOX 52129
PHOENIX AZ 85072-2129
Class R
5.58% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER &
SMITH INC
FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF IT S CUSTOM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class C
8.40% N/A
Class R 49.11%
Class Z 13.39%
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
PROFIT SHARING PLAN
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
5.76% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
6.96% N/A
Class Z 7.27%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
11.33% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
14.76% N/A
  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST AS
TRUSTEE AND/OR CUSTODIAN FBO
ADP ACCESS PRODUCT
1 LINCOLN ST
BOSTON MA 02111-2901
Class R
10.66% N/A
Class R4 19.39%
  VOYA INSTITUTIONAL TRUST COMPANY
TTEE OR CUST FBO MERCEDES-BENZ
INTER INC RET SAVINGS PLAN
30 BRAINTREE HILL PARK
BRAINTREE MA 02184-8747
Class R5
78.41% N/A
  WELLS FARGO BANK FBO
1525 W W T HARRIS BLVD
CHARLOTTE NC 28262-8522
Class K
98.52% N/A
Class R5 8.23%
Disciplined Growth Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
49.47% 32.95%
Class B 32.06%
Class C 32.36%
Class W 100.00%
Class Z 7.00%
  ASCENSUS TRUST CO FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
7.30% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class K
100.00% 42.04% (a)
Class Y 33.31%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 244

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  FIIOC FBO
401K PROFIT SHARING PLAN
100 MAGELLAN WAY (KW1C)
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class R5
5.30% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
19.46% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
38.78% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
9.18% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
28.92% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class C
5.89% N/A
Class Z 8.30%
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY AS CUST FBO
PO BOX 52129
PHOENIX AZ 85072-2129
Class R5
52.41% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER &
SMITH INC
FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF IT S CUSTOM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class C
19.91% N/A
Class R 74.85%
Class Z 20.88%
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
PROFIT SHARING PLAN
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
17.35% N/A
Class Y 66.69%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class Z
42.10% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
8.14% N/A
Class R4 28.95%
Class R5 15.21%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R5
26.75% N/A
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCT FIRM
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
8.49% N/A
  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST AS
TRUSTEE AND/OR CUSTODIAN FBO
ADP ACCESS PRODUCT
1 LINCOLN ST
BOSTON MA 02111-2901
Class R4
68.75% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 245

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  UBS WM USA
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
ATTN: DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
5.12% N/A
Class Z 11.74%
Disciplined Value Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INV SVCS, INC
ATTN: MFIS CUSTOMER
2003 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0020
Class B
13.71% N/A
  AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
39.42% 25.03%
Class B 50.29%
Class C 17.10%
Class W 100.00%
  ASCENSUS TRUST CO FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
15.91% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class K
100.00% 52.32% (a)
Class R5 24.83%
  FIIOC FBO
401K PROFIT SHARING PLAN
100 MAGELLAN WAY (KW1C)
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class R
13.10% N/A
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
10.66% N/A
  JPMCB NA AS CUSTO FOR THE SC529 PL
COLUMBIA AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 529 PORT
14201 DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Z
54.40% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
14.77% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
38.42% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
8.26% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
21.86% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA GLOBAL STRATEGIC EQUITY
PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
14.75% N/A
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY AS CUST FBO
PO BOX 52129
PHOENIX AZ 85072-2129
Class R
20.75% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 246

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER &
SMITH INC
FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF IT S CUSTOM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
14.38% N/A
Class B 7.45%
Class C 25.41%
Class R 27.03%
Class V 12.90%
Class Z 25.87%
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
PROFIT SHARING PLAN
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
11.36% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
7.70% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
79.48% N/A
  PAI TRUST COMPANY, INC.
PRIMACQ GROUP, INC.
1300 ENTERPRISE DR
DE PERE WI 54115-4934
Class Y
12.47% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class A
5.06% N/A
Class C 5.24%
Class R4 20.44%
Class R5 75.17%
  UBS WM USA
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
ATTN: DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
7.40% N/A
Class Y 87.33%
Floating Rate Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
55.37% 31.19%
Class B 52.24%
Class C 29.99%
  CBNA AS CUSTODIAN FBO
FRINGE BENEFITS DESIGN RETIREMENT P
6 RHOADS DR STE 7
UTICA NY 13502-6317
Class R
17.42% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class K
85.24% N/A
Class R4 34.20%
Class R5 35.15%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class K
14.44% N/A (a)
Class W 99.69%
Class Y 100.00%
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
5.65% N/A
Class Z 13.49%
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA INCOME BUILDER FUND
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
99.35% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 247

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER &
SMITH INC
FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF IT S CUSTOM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class C
8.68% N/A
Class R 67.89%
Class Z 17.71%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
14.23% N/A
Class Z 14.85%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class B
5.96% N/A
Class C 6.00%
Class R4 22.61%
Class R5 38.18%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
39.37% N/A
Class R5 10.37%
  RELIANCE TRUST CO CUST
PO BOX 48529
ATLANTA GA 30362-1529
Class R5
5.58% N/A
  SAXON & CO.
P.O. BOX 7780-1888
PHILADELPHIA PA 19182-0001
Class Z
33.01% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
6.24% N/A
  UBS WM USA
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
ATTN: DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class Z
7.50% N/A
Global Opportunities Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
46.65% 46.31%
Class B 39.49%
Class C 46.72%
Class Z 23.91%
  ASCENSUS TRUST CO FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
15.03% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class K
82.76% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class R4
5.07% N/A (a)
Class W 100.00%
  DONNA C KNIGHT & JEFFREY L KNIGHT
TTEES DONNA C KNIGHT LIVING TRUST
U/A 07/24/1998
15 SYLVAN LN
WESTON MA 02493-1027
Class Z
38.29% N/A
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class K
16.03% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 248

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER &
SMITH INC
FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF IT S CUSTOM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class R
60.88% N/A
Class Z 21.18%
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
PROFIT SHARING PLAN
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
23.42% N/A
Class R5 26.26%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
75.43% N/A
Class R5 21.55%
  NATIONWIDE TRUST COMPANY/FSB
C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING
PO BOX 182029
COLUMBUS OH 43218-2029
Class R5
19.55% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
19.50% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
30.68% N/A
Government Money Market Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
6.57% N/A
Class B 13.97%
Class C 10.83%
Class W 88.38%
  ASCENSUS TRUST CO FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class C
22.12% N/A
Class R 30.37%
  BANK OF AMERICA NA
FBO CGSC CAPITAL, INC MFO
PO BOX 843869
DALLAS TX 75284-3869
Class Z
5.11% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class W
11.62% N/A (a)
  COUNSEL TRUST DBA MATC FBO
AMBULATORY HEALTH CARE SERVICE
401(K) PROFIT SHARING PLAN & TRUST
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
7.43% N/A
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
7.45% N/A
  JPMCB NA AS CUSTO FOR THE SC529 PL
COLUMBIA AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 529 PORT
14201 DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class Z
52.08% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA INCOME BUILDER FUND
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
98.49% N/A
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY AS CUST FBO
PO BOX 52129
PHOENIX AZ 85072-2129
Class R
8.15% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 249

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER &
SMITH INC
FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF IT S CUSTOM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class B
6.60% N/A
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
PROFIT SHARING PLAN
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
47.13% N/A
Class R5 93.49%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class B
6.57% N/A
  RONALD BIELINIS FBO
JAVLYN INC 401K PSP
& TRUST
3136 WINTON RD S STE 102
ROCHESTER NY 14623-2928
Class R
6.78% N/A
Income Opportunities Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
76.03% 43.07%
Class B 36.27%
Class C 40.50%
Class W 99.25%
  ASCENSUS TRUST CO FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
11.19% N/A
Class Y 6.98%
  BNY MELLON N A
PO BOX 534005
PITTSBURGH PA 15253-4005
Class R5
6.52% N/A
  CAPITAL BANK & TRUST COMPANY TTEE F
FINSILVER/FRIEDMAN MANAGEMENT CORP
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R
5.14% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class C
5.98% N/A
Class K 15.18%
  COLUMBIA THERMOSTAT FUND
C/O PAULA RYAN
227 W MONROE ST STE 3000
CHICAGO IL 60606-5018
Class I
26.74% N/A
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class B
11.78% N/A
Class C 6.54%
  GREAT WEST TRUST CO
TRST FBO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class K
82.54% N/A
Class Y 9.64%
  GREENLEAF TRUST FBO
SMITH HAUGHEY RICE & ROEGGE PS
211 S ROSE ST
KALAMAZOO MI 49007-4713
Class Y
13.89% N/A
  ING LIFE INSURANCE & ANNUITY CO
ING FUND OPERATIONS
1 ORANGE WAY
WINDSOR CT 06095-4773
Class Y
6.09% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 250

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
29.76% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
6.91% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
29.95% N/A
  MATRIX TRUST COMPANY AS CUST FBO
PO BOX 52129
PHOENIX AZ 85072-2129
Class R
12.59% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER &
SMITH INC
FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF IT S CUSTOM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class B
15.09% N/A
Class C 8.73%
Class R 8.86%
Class Z 58.32%
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
PROFIT SHARING PLAN
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
31.67% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
6.52% N/A
Class C 6.90%
Class R4 76.23%
Class R5 50.56%
Class Y 31.33%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class B
6.95% N/A
Class R4 18.22%
  SAXON & CO.
P.O. BOX 7780-1888
PHILADELPHIA PA 19182-0001
Class Y
7.21% N/A
  SMC CONSULTING ENGINEERS P C TTEE
SMC CONSULTING ENGINEERS P C 401 K
C/O FASCORE LLC
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R
6.22% N/A
  STATE STREET BANK & TRUST
AS CUSTODIAN FBO BARR & BARR INC
200 NEWPORT AVENUE EXT # JQB513
NORTH QUINCY MA 02171-2145
Class Y
22.15% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
37.21% N/A
  UBS WM USA
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
ATTN: DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class R
10.79% N/A
Inflation Protected Securities Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INV SVCS, INC
ATTN: MFIS CUSTOMER
2003 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0020
Class B
11.23% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 251

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INV SVCS, INC
ATTN: MFIS CUSTOMER
2003 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0020
Class B
5.21% N/A
  AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
47.49% N/A
Class B 30.07%
Class C 25.97%
Class W 95.65%
  ASCENSUS TRUST CO FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class C
10.74% N/A
Class K 73.55%
Class R 7.92%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class B
11.13% 50.29% (a)
Class K 23.68%
Class R5 16.36%
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
7.10% N/A
Class Z 68.54%
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
12.86% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
12.30% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
14.93% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
18.13% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA INCOME BUILDER FUND
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
41.44% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class Z
17.98% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER &
SMITH INC
FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF IT S CUSTOM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class C
19.55% N/A
Class R 84.26%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
8.99% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class B
5.31% N/A
Class R5 67.58%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 252

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class B
5.73% N/A
Class R5 14.59%
Limited Duration Credit Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
64.81% 34.75%
Class B 52.76%
Class C 43.48%
Class W 98.46%
Class Z 6.20%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPT
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class K
90.89% N/A
Class R5 93.44%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class K
9.00% N/A (a)
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
6.82% N/A
Class Z 6.48%
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
9.24% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
10.06% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
23.16% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA INCOME BUILDER FUND
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
57.39% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class Z
10.56% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER &
SMITH INC
FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF IT S CUSTOM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class C
7.97% N/A
Class Z 43.63%
  MINNESOTA LIFE INS COMPANY
ATTN KENNETH MONTAGUE
400 ROBERT STREET NORTH
ST PAUL MN 55101-2099
Class R4
85.35% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class Z
10.49% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
8.57% N/A
Class Y 98.54%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 253

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
5.69% N/A
  UBS WM USA
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
ATTN: DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
8.30% N/A
Class Z 7.99%
MN Tax-Exempt Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INV SVCS, INC
ATTN: MFIS CUSTOMER
2003 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0020
Class B
7.88% N/A
Class B 6.65%
Class B 5.86%
  AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
28.48% 30.02%
Class B 48.96%
Class C 50.24%
Class Z 12.74%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class B
5.35% N/A (a)
  EDWARD D JONES & CO
FOR THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
12555 MANCHESTER RD
SAINT LOUIS MO 63131-3729
Class B
7.96% N/A
  FIRST CLEARING LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class Z
6.89% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class Z
22.77% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER &
SMITH INC
FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF IT S CUSTOM
4800 DEER LAKE DR E
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class Z
7.47% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class Z
8.46% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
81.12% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
18.41% N/A
Class R5 98.22%
  UBS WM USA
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
ATTN: DEPARTMENT MANAGER
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class Z
23.51% N/A
Strategic Municipal Income Fund (b) AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
80.69% 65.93%
Class B 60.73%
Class C 49.47%
Class Z 17.60%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class B
6.45% N/A (a)
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 254

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  EDWARD D JONES & CO
FOR THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
12555 MANCHESTER RD
SAINT LOUIS MO 63131-3729
Class B
8.86% N/A
Class Z 5.58%
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class C
7.09% N/A
Class Z 14.37%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
8.55% N/A
Class Z 14.95%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 5TH FL
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
Class R4
58.77% N/A
Class R5 63.65%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
40.19% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
34.27% N/A
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
6.99% N/A
Class Z 28.89%
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class B
19.96% N/A
Class C 11.39%
Class Z 7.26%
Funds with Fiscal Period Ending October 31:
Except as otherwise indicated, the information below is as of January 31, 2017:
Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
70.09% 25.50%
Class C 40.35%
Class W 83.35%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class B
100.00% 40.98% (a)
Class W 16.65%
Class Y 100.00%
  EDWARD D JONES & CO
FOR THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
12555 MANCHESTER RD
SAINT LOUIS MO 63131-3729
Class Z
5.72% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
7.59% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
47.64% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 255

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
7.81% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
34.49% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class Z
10.25% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class C
5.23% N/A
Class Z 37.43%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
12.96% N/A
Class Z 5.13%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
13.50% N/A
Class C 19.53%
Class R4 65.57%
Class R5 98.40%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class C
5.77% N/A
Class R4 32.89%
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class Z
5.40% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class Z
31.79% N/A
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund ACTION FABRICATORS INC TTEE FBO
ACTION FABRICATORS INC PSP 401K
C/O FASCORE LLC
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R
52.68% N/A
  ALAN J PINNICK &
MARILYN K PINNICK JTTEN
3031 BECKENHAM WAY
GREENWOOD IN 46143-7648
Class C
5.60% N/A
  AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
58.60% N/A
Class C 5.11%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FBO
CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class R5
46.07% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVEST ADVISERS LLC
NOMINEE FOR VARIOUS COLUMBIA FUNDS
ATTN STEVEN SWINHART FBO RLD
225 FRANKLIN ST FL 25
BOSTON MA 02110-2888
Class Z
13.72% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 256

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  DEMETRIOS ZIOZIS TTEE FBO
C/O FASCORE LLC
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R
8.14% N/A
  ELIZABETH L WHEELER &
THOMAS G WHEELER JTWROS
1402 CHERRY GARDEN RD
BALTIMORE MD 21221-6304
Class Z
8.32% N/A
  JOHN C BANNISTER &
KATHLEEN BANNISTER JT WROS
420 E 55TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46220-3005
Class C
21.59% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA GLOBAL STRATEGIC EQUITY
PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
99.99% N/A
  KERRI KOESSLER &
CHRISTOPHE KOESSLER JT WROS
1071 LONGFELLOW AVE
CAMPBELL CA 95008-7110
Class C
5.04% N/A
  LOAN COLLATERAL ACCOUNT
FIRST SENTINEL BANK
HOLLY A SANDERS &
JONATHAN R SANDERS & JT WROS
575 GAMMON RD
KINGSPORT TN 37663-4119
Class A
6.01% N/A
  MG TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R
29.10% N/A
  PAI TRUST COMPANY, INC
STUDIOPOLIS, INC. 401(K) P/S PLAN
1300 ENTERPRISE DR
DE PERE WI 54115-4934
Class R
8.05% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class A
19.38% N/A
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
6.53% N/A
Class Z 14.72%
  STATE STREET BK & TR IRA
FBO MARLENE WOOD
9700 ENCHANTO RD
ATASCADERO CA 93422-7111
Class C
12.81% N/A
  STATE STREET BK & TR IRA
PATRICIA M DALY
426 GREAT FALLS ST
FALLS CHURCH VA 22046-2608
Class Z
38.90% N/A
  STATE STREET BK & TR IRA
ROSEMARIE KATO
17218 ALFRED AVE
CERRITOS CA 90703-1112
Class C
11.17% N/A
  STATE STREET BK & TR IRA
YUKIKO KAWAHARA
567 N 17TH ST
SAN JOSE CA 95112-1735
Class C
5.60% N/A
  STATE STREET BK & TR ROTH IRA
DAVID ABRAHAM
4125 W 97TH PL APT 108
OAK LAWN IL 60453-3425
Class Z
9.86% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 257

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  STRAFE & CO
FBO
PO BOX 6924
NEWARK DE 19714-6924
Class R5
38.43% N/A
Emerging Markets Bond Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
63.06% N/A
Class B 82.66%
Class C 14.89%
Class W 99.83%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class Y
14.31% N/A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FBO
CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class K
50.35% N/A
Class R5 7.91%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class K
27.51% 39.50% (a)
  COUNSEL TRUST DBA MATC FBO
SAVINGS INCENTIVE & PS PLAN FOR
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class Y
17.98% N/A
  ING FUND OPERATIONS TTEE
FBO ING LIFE INSURANCE & ANNUITY CO
1 ORANGE WAY
WINDSOR CT 06095-4773
Class Y
13.08% N/A
  ING FUND OPERATIONS TTEE
FBO ING NATIONAL TRUST
1 ORANGE WAY
WINDSOR CT 06095-4773
Class Y
10.52% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
15.96% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
7.98% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
16.40% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA INCOME BUILDER FUND
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
55.40% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR SC529 PLAN
COLUMBIA AGGRESSIVE GROWTH
529 PORTFOLIO
14201N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254
Class Z
18.21% N/A
  LPL FINANCIAL
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
Class Z
7.46% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 258

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class C
10.43% N/A
Class R 15.70%
Class Z 5.10%
  MG TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R5
29.49% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
9.76% N/A
Class Z 6.38%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
9.03% N/A
Class R4 67.76%
Class R5 48.27%
Class Z 7.66%
  NATIONWIDE TRUST COMPANY/FSB
C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING
PO BOX 182029
COLUMBUS OH 43218-2029
Class R5
8.90% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class C
6.25% N/A
Class R4 26.87%
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
17.95% N/A
Class Z 14.40%
  SAMMONS FINANCIAL NETWORK LLC
4546 CORPORATE DR STE 100
WEST DES MOINES IA 50266-5911
Class R
80.56% N/A
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
6.54% N/A
Class Z 8.60%
  WELLS FARGO BANK FBO
1525 WEST WT HARRIS BLVD
CHARLOTTE NC 28288-1076
Class Y
41.39% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
16.00% N/A
Class K 22.14%
Class Z 17.10%
European Equity Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
79.49% N/A
Class B 82.65%
Class C 45.12%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FBO
CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class K
37.49% N/A
Class R5 53.93%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class K
62.51% 66.20% (a)
Class W 100.00%
Class Y 100.00%
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 259

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
9.99% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
33.02% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
7.51% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA CAPITAL ALLOCATION
MODERATE PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
24.13% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA GLOBAL STRATEGIC EQUITY
PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
24.64% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR SC529 PLAN
COLUMBIA AGGRESSIVE GROWTH
529 PORTFOLIO
14201N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254
Class Z
83.56% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class C
7.45% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
17.52% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R4
38.77% N/A
Class R5 34.01%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R4
60.17% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
6.20% N/A
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
5.65% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
7.89% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 260

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
Global Bond Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
87.47% 83.02%
Class B 55.03%
Class C 54.86%
Class W 77.32%
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FBO
CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class B
10.00% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class I
100.00% N/A (a)
Class K 13.15%
Class R 26.13%
Class W 22.68%
Class Y 100.00%
  EDWARD D JONES & CO
FOR THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
12555 MANCHESTER RD
SAINT LOUIS MO 63131-3729
Class Z
11.32% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class B
5.15% N/A
Class C 6.73%
  MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
401 K PROFIT SHARING
PLAN & TRUST
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
20.93% N/A
  NANCY MANN FBO
MANNS JEWELERS INC 401(K) PROFIT
SHARING PLAN & TRUST
2945 MONROE AVE
ROCHESTER NY 14618-4601
Class K
80.27% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class C
6.84% N/A
Class Z 74.19%
  PPS RECORDKEEPER IN CARE OF
JENKINS FUELS 401 K PLAN
24 H L DOW HIGHWAY
ELIOT ME 03903
Class R
37.30% N/A
  PPS RECORDKEEPER IN CARE OF
JOHNSON GRANITE INC 401 K PLAN
PO BOX 511
MOUNT AIRY NC 27030-0511
Class R
5.49% N/A
  PPS RECORDKEEPER IN CARE OF
LAW OFFICES OF ROBERT A MCCARTY JR
4046 CHESTNUT ST
RIVERSIDE CA 92501-3537
Class R
8.55% N/A
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class B
7.25% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class K
6.58% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 261

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
Select Global Equity Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
75.81% 60.27%
Class B 77.80%
Class C 35.67%
Class Z 20.69%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
15.40% N/A
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class W
100.00% N/A (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
COLUMBIA GLOBAL STRATEGIC EQUITY
PORTFOLIO
14201 N DALLAS PKWY FL 13
DALLAS TX 75254-2916
Class I
100.00% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class C
11.37% N/A
Class R 59.72%
Class Z 13.16%
  MG TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
Class R
23.78% N/A
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class Z
8.61% N/A
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class R5
91.43% N/A
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class R5
7.37% N/A
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class Z
16.91% N/A
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class Z
15.17% N/A
  WELLS FARGO BANK FBO
1525 WEST WT HARRIS BLVD
CHARLOTTE NC 28288-1076
Class K
99.61% N/A
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class C
5.28% N/A
Class Z 6.97%
Seligman Global Technology Fund AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
Class A
38.38% 30.90%
Class B 58.86%
Class C 14.45%
Class Z 8.06%
  ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
Class R
5.54% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 262

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FBO
CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
Class K
78.09% N/A
Class R5 13.56%
  COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0508
Class I
100.00% N/A (a)
  COUNSEL TRUST DBA MATC FBO
SAVINGS INCENTIVE & PS PLAN FOR
1251 WATERFRONT PL STE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
Class R
12.19% N/A
  FIIOC FBO
100 MAGELLAN WAY # KW1C
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
Class R
10.43% N/A
Class R5 7.87%
  GREAT-WEST TRUST COMPANY LLC TTEE F
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class R5
5.36% N/A
  HARTFORD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
ATTN UIT OPERATIONS
PO BOX 2999
HARTFORD CT 06104-2999
Class R
36.85% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
& SMITH INC FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTENTION SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
Class A
6.52% N/A
Class C 14.76%
Class R 11.58%
Class Z 10.36%
  MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY
HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER
PLAZA 2, 3RD FLOOR
JERSEY CITY NJ 07311
Class C
8.68% N/A
Class Z 7.91%
  NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FEBO CUSTOMERS
MUTUAL FUNDS
200 LIBERTY STREET 1WFC
NEW YORK NY 10281-1003
Class A
7.23% N/A
Class C 5.16%
Class R4 8.69%
Class R5 6.22%
  PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002
Class C
6.57% N/A
Class R4 64.24%
Class R5 18.33%
  RAYMOND JAMES
FBO OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
ATTN: COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
Class C
5.94% N/A
Class Z 6.27%
  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST AS
TRUSTEE AND/OR CUSTODIAN FBO
ADP ACCESS PRODUCT
1 LINCOLN ST
BOSTON MA 02111-2901
Class R5
32.58% N/A
  STRAFE & CO
FBO
PO BOX 6924
NEWARK DE 19714-6924
Class A
5.39% N/A
  TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
Class R5
9.92% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 263

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  TD AMERITRADE TRUST COMPANY
ATTN HOUSE
PO BOX 17748
DENVER CO 80217-0748
Class R4
15.81% N/A
  UBS WM USA
SPEC CDY A/C EXCL BEN CUST
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
Class C
6.28% N/A
Class Z 34.96%
  WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523
Class B
6.23% N/A
Class C 7.86%
Class K 19.95%
Class Z 17.87%
(a) Combination of all share classes of Columbia Management initial capital and/or affiliated funds-of-funds’ investments.
(b) Information provided for MM Value Strategies Fund is as of November 30, 2016. Information provided for Seligman Communications and Information Fund and Strategic Municipal Income Fund is as of February 28, 2017.
American Enterprise Investment Services Inc., a Minnesota corporation, is a subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, are subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.
National Financial Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is wholly owned by Fidelity Global Brokerage Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of FMR LLC.
The Investment Manager, a Minnesota limited liability company, is a subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Other Columbia Funds managed by the Investment Manager may hold more than 25% of a Fund.
Strafe & Co, an Ohio corporation, is a subsidiary of JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 264

 

INFORMATION REGARDING PENDING AND SETTLED LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
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 quarterly (10-Q), annual (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.
Additionally, for Columbia Floating Rate Fund:
Columbia Floating Rate Fund (the Fund) is one of several defendants to an adversary bankruptcy proceeding captioned Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of TOUSA, Inc., et al. v. Citicorp North America, Inc., et al. (the Lawsuit), (In re TOUSA, Inc., et al.), pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida (the Bankruptcy Court). The Fund and several other defendants (together the Senior Transeastern Defendants) were lenders to parties involved in a joint venture with TOUSA, Inc. (TOUSA) on a $450 million Credit Agreement dated as of August 1, 2005 (the Credit Agreement). In 2006, the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement brought claims against TOUSA alleging that certain events of default had occurred under the Credit Agreement thus triggering the guaranties (the Transeastern Litigation). On July 31, 2007, TOUSA and the Senior Transeastern Defendants reached a settlement in the Transeastern Litigation pursuant to which the Fund (as well as the other Senior Transeastern Defendants) released its claims and was paid $1,052,271. To fund the settlement, TOUSA entered into a $500 million credit facility with new lenders secured by liens on the assets of certain of TOUSA's subsidiaries. On January 29, 2008, TOUSA and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. In August 2008, the Committee of Unsecured Creditors of TOUSA (Committee) filed the Lawsuit, seeking as to the Fund and the other Senior Transeastern Defendants a return of the money the Senior Transeastern Defendants received as part of the Transeastern Litigation settlement. The Lawsuit went to trial in July 2009, and the Bankruptcy Court ordered the Fund and the other Senior Transeastern Defendants to disgorge the money they received in settlement of the Transeastern Litigation. The Senior Transeastern Defendants, including the Fund, appealed the Bankruptcy Court's decision to the District Court for the Southern District of Florida (the District Court). To stay execution of the judgment against the Fund pending appeal, the Fund deposited $1,327,620 with the Bankruptcy Court clerk of court. On February 11, 2011, the District Court entered an opinion and order quashing the Bankruptcy Court's decision as it relates to the liability of the Senior Transeastern Defendants and ordering that "[t]he Bankruptcy Court's imposition of remedies as to the [Senior Transeastern Defendants] is null and void." On March 8, 2011, the Committee appealed the District Court's order to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. On May 15, 2012, the Eleventh Circuit reversed the decision of the District Court. A petition for rehearing by the entire panel of the Eleventh Circuit was filed and denied. As next steps, several appellate issues related to the appropriateness of the remedies initially ordered by the Bankruptcy Court remain to be resolved. On appeal to the District Court, on March 8, 2017, the District Court entered an order affirming the Bankruptcy Court’s remedial scheme. The Senior Transeastern Defendants have further appealed to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Briefing on the appeal is complete, and a mediation has been scheduled for October 17, 2017.
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THE PROSPECTUS OR IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WHICH THE PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THE PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR PRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE TRUST(S). THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY THE TRUST(S) IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH AN OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 265

 

APPENDIX A — DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
The ratings of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch represent their opinions as to quality. These ratings are not absolute standards of quality and are not recommendations to purchase, sell or hold a security. Issuers and issues are subject to risks that are not evaluated by the rating agencies. When a security is not rated by one of these agencies, it is designated as Not Rated. Securities designated as Not Rated do not necessarily indicate low credit quality, and for such securities the Investment Manager evaluates the credit quality.
S&P’s Debt Ratings
Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings
An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ‘CC’ rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but S&P expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
An obligation rated 'C' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher.
An obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
‘NR’ indicates that no rating has been requested, or that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings
Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days – including commercial paper.
A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
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A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation's rating is lowered to 'D' if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings
SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
Moody’s Long-Term Debt Ratings
Global Long-Term Rating Scale
Aaa – Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.
Aa – Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A – Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa – Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba – Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B – Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa – Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca – Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C – Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Global Short-Term Rating Scale
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 (P-1) have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 (P-2) have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 (P-3) have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime (NP) do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
US Municipal Short-Term Debt and Demand Obligation Ratings
While the global short-term ‘prime’ rating scale is applied to U.S. municipal tax-exempt commercial paper, these programs are typically backed by external letters of credit or liquidity facilities and their short-term prime ratings usually map to the long-term rating of the enhancing bank or financial institution and not to the municipality’s rating. Other short-term municipal obligations, which generally have different funding sources for repayment, are rated using two additional short-term rating scales ( i.e. , the MIG and VMIG scales discussed below).
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The Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) scale is used to rate US municipal bond anticipation notes of up to three years maturity. Municipal notes rated on the MIG scale may be secured by either pledged revenues or proceeds of a take-out financing received prior to note maturity. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation, and the issuer’s long-term rating is only one consideration in assigning the MIG rating. MIG ratings are divided into three levels — MIG 1 through MIG 3 — while speculative grade short-term obligations are designated SG.
The MIG 1 designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
The MIG 2 designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
The MIG 3 designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
The SG designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned: a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”). The second element uses a rating from a variation of the MIG scale called the Variable Municipal Investment Grade (VMIG) scale. The rating transitions on the VMIG scale, as shown in the diagram below, differ from those on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support generally will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade.
The VMIG 1 designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
The VMIG 2 designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
The VMIG 3 designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
The SG designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
Fitch’s Ratings
Corporate Finance Obligations – Long-Term Rating Scales
AAA: Highest credit quality.
‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA: Very high credit quality.
‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A: High credit quality.
‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB: Good credit quality.
‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
BB: Speculative.
‘BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.
B: Highly speculative.
‘B’ ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.
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CCC: Substantial credit risk.
‘CCC’ ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present.
CC: Very high levels of credit risk.
‘CC’ ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk.
C: Exceptionally high levels of credit risk.
‘C’ indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.
Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned ‘RD’ or ‘D’ ratings, but are instead rated in the ‘B’ to ‘C’ rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. This approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.
Short-Term Ratings Assigned to Issuers or Obligations in Corporate, Public and Structured Finance
F1: Highest short-term credit quality.
Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2: Good short-term credit quality.
Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
F3: Fair short-term credit quality.
The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
B: Speculative short-term credit quality.
Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C: High short-term default risk.
Default is a real possibility.
RD: Restricted default.
Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.
D: Default.
Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.
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APPENDIX B — PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
Effective December 1, 2016
Set forth on the following pages are guidelines (the Guidelines) adopted and used by the Columbia Funds Board of Directors (the Board, We, Us or Our) and Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) in voting proxies for the Columbia Funds overseen by the Board. The Guidelines are organized by issue and present certain factors that may be considered in making proxy voting determinations. In accordance with the Fund’s Proxy Voting Policy, the Board has delegated proxy voting authority to the Investment Manager in most circumstances. The Investment Manager has engaged a third party firm to provide proxy research services (the third party research provider) to assist it in this function. The Board or the Investment Manager may, in exercising its fiduciary discretion, determine to vote any proxy in a manner contrary to these Guidelines.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle Group of Companies.
Directors, Boards, Committees
Elect Directors
In a routine election of directors, the Funds generally will vote FOR the slate nominated by the nominating committee of independent directors, who are in the best position to know what qualifications are needed for each director to contribute to an effective board. The Funds generally will WITHHOLD support from a nominee who fails to meet one or more of the following criteria:
Independence — A nominee who is deemed an affiliate of the company by virtue of a material business, familial or other relationship with the company but is otherwise not an employee, and who sits on a key committee (audit, compensation, nominating or governance).
Attendance — A nominee who failed to attend at least 75% of the board’s meetings.
Over Boarding — A nominee who serves on more than five total public company boards or an employee director nominee who serves on more than two total public company boards.
Committee Membership — A nominee who has been assigned to a key committee if that nominee is not independent of management, or if the nominee does not meet the specific independence and experience requirements for such committees.
Audit Committee Chair — A nominee who serves as audit committee chair where the committee failed to put forth shareholder proposals for ratification of auditors.
Board Independence — A nominee of a company whose board as proposed to be constituted would have more than one-third of its members from management.
Interlocking Directorship — A nominee who is an executive officer of another company on whose board one of the company’s executive officers sits.
Poor Governance — A nominee involved with, among other things, options backdating, financial restatements or material weakness in controls, approving egregious compensation, or who has consistently disregarded the interests of shareholders.
The Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on any director nominee who meets the aforementioned criteria but whose candidacy has otherwise been identified by the third party research provider as needing further consideration for any reason not identified above.
In the case of contested elections, the Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, taking into consideration the above criteria and other factors such as the background of the proxy contest, the performance of the company, current board and management, and qualifications of nominees on both slates.
Shareholder Nominations for Director
The Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis for shareholder-nominated candidates for director, taking into account various factors including, but not limited to: company performance, the circumstances compelling the nomination by the shareholder, composition of the incumbent board, and the criteria listed above used to evaluate nominees.
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Shareholder Nominations for Director — Special Criteria
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider, which are typically based on the view that board nominating committees are responsible for establishing and implementing policies regarding the composition of the board and are therefore in the best position to make determinations with respect to special nominating criteria.
Director Independence and Committees
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals that require all members of a board’s key committees (audit, compensation, nominating or governance) be independent from management.
Independent Board Chair/Lead Director
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals supporting an independent board chair or lead director and FOR the separation of the board chair and CEO roles, as independent board leaders foster the effectiveness of the independent directors and ensure appropriate oversight of management.
Removal of Directors
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals that amend governing documents to grant or restore shareholder ability to remove directors with cause, and AGAINST proposals that provide directors may be removed only by supermajority vote. The Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on proposals calling for removal of specific directors.
Board Vacancies
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider in the case of vacancies filled by continuing directors, taking into account factors including whether the proposal is in connection with a proxy contest or takeover situation.
Cumulative Voting
In the absence of proxy access rights or majority voting, the Funds generally will vote FOR the restoration or provision for cumulative voting and AGAINST its elimination.
Majority Voting
The Funds generally will vote FOR amendments to governing documents that provide that nominees standing for election to the board must receive a majority of votes cast in order to be elected to the board.
Number of Directors
The Funds generally will vote FOR amendments to governing documents that provide directors the authority to adjust the size of the board to adapt to needs that may arise.
Term Limits
The Funds generally will vote AGAINST proposals seeking to establish a limit on director terms or mandatory retirement.
General Corporate Governance
Right to Call a Special Meeting
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider, which typically recommends votes FOR adoption, considering factors such as proposed ownership threshold, company size, and shareholder ownership, but will not support proposals allowing for investors with less than 10% ownership to call a special meeting.
Eliminate or Restrict Right to Call Special Meeting
The Funds generally will vote AGAINST proposals to eliminate the right of shareholders to call special meetings.
Lead Independent Director Right to Call Special Meeting
The Funds generally will vote FOR 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.
Adjourn Meeting
The Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on adjournment proposals and generally in the same direction as the primary proposal ( i.e. , if supporting the primary proposal, favor adjournment; if not supporting the primary proposal, oppose adjournment).
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Other Business
The Funds generally will vote AGAINST proposals seeking to give management the authority to conduct or vote on other business at shareholder meetings on the grounds that shareholders not present at the meeting would be unfairly excluded from such deliberations.
Eliminate or Restrict Action by Written Consent
The Funds generally will vote AGAINST proposals to eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent since it may be appropriate to take such action in some instances.
Vote Unmarked Proxies
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals prohibiting voting of unmarked proxies in favor of management.
Proxy Contest Advance Notice
The Funds generally will vote AGAINST proposals to amend governing documents that require advance notice for shareholder proposals or director nominees beyond notice that allows for sufficient time for company response, SEC review, and analysis by other shareholders.
Minimum Stock Ownership
The Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on proposals regarding minimum stock ownership levels.
Director and Officer Indemnification
The Funds generally will vote FOR the provision of a maximum dollar amount that can be obtained through the course of legal action from a director or officer who acts in good faith and does not benefit from a transaction.
Confidential Voting
The Funds generally will vote FOR actions that ensure all proxies, ballots, and voting tabulations which identify shareholders be kept confidential, except where disclosure is mandated by law. The Funds support the proposal to minimize pressure on shareholders, particularly employee shareholders.
Miscellaneous Governing Document Amendments
The Funds generally will vote FOR bylaw or charter changes that are of a housekeeping nature ( e.g. , updates or corrections).
Change Company Name
The Funds generally will vote FOR routine business matters such as changing the company’s name.
Approve Minutes
The Funds generally will vote FOR routine procedural matters such as approving the minutes of a prior meeting.
Change Date/Time/Location of Annual Meeting
The Funds will vote in accordance with the recommendation of the third-party research provider on proposals to change the date, time or location of the company’s annual meeting of shareholders.
Approve Annual, Financial and Statutory Reports
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals to approve the annual reports and accounts, financial and statutory reports, provided companies required to comply with U.S. securities laws have included the certifications required by the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
Compensation
Approve or Amend Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider, which typically recommends votes FOR adoption or amendments to omnibus (general) equity compensation plans for employees or non-employee directors if they are reasonable and consistent with industry and country standards, and AGAINST compensation plans that substantially dilute ownership interest in a company, provide participants with excessive awards, or have objectionable structural features.
Approve or Amend Stock Option Plan
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider, which are typically based on factors including cost, size, and pattern of grants in comparison to peer groups, history of repricing, and grants to senior executives and non-employee directors.
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Approve or Amend Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider, which are typically based on factors including the plan’s cost to shareholders, whether those costs are in line with the company’s peer’s plans, and whether the plan requires shareholder approval within five years.
Approve or Amend Performance-Based 162(m) Compensation Plan
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider, which are typically based on factors that consider the goal of the plan and in particular the linkage between potential payments to senior executives and the attainment of preset performance-based metrics.
Approve or Amend Restricted Stock Plan
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider, which considers such factors as the balance of all equity grants and awards, the term and other restrictions in place for restricted stock.
Stock Option Repricing or Exchanges
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider on matters relating to the repricing of stock options, which are typically based on factors such as whether the amending terms lead to a reduction in shareholder rights, allow the plan to be amended without shareholder approval, or change the terms to the detriment of employee incentives such as excluding a certain class or group of employees. The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals to put stock option repricings to a shareholder vote.
Performance-Based Stock Options
The Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis regarding proposals urging that stock options be performance-based rather than tied to the vagaries of the stock market.
Ban Future Stock Option Grants
The Funds generally will vote AGAINST proposals seeking to ban or eliminate stock options in equity compensation plans as such an action would preclude the company from offering a balanced compensation program.
Require Stock Retention Period
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requiring senior executives to hold stock obtained by way of a stock option plan for a minimum of three years.
Require Approval of Extraordinary Benefits
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals specifying that companies disclose any extraordinary benefits paid or payable to current or retired senior executives and generally will vote AGAINST proposals requiring shareholder approval of any such extraordinary benefits.
Pay for Performance
The Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis regarding proposals seeking to align executive compensation with shareholders’ interests.
Say on Pay
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider, taking into consideration the company’s pay for performance results, compensation design and structure, and certain elements of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis disclosure.
Executive Severance Agreements
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider on these proposals regarding approval of specific executive severance arrangements in the event of change in control of a company or due to other circumstances.
Approve or Amend Deferred Compensation Plans for Directors
The Funds generally will vote FOR approval or amendments to deferred compensation plans for non-employee directors, so that they may defer compensation earned until retirement.
Set Director Compensation
The Funds generally will vote AGAINST proposals that seek to limit director compensation or mandate that compensation be paid solely in shares of stock.
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Director Retirement Plans
The Funds generally will vote AGAINST the adoption or amendment of director retirement plans on the basis that directors should be appropriately compensated while serving and should not view service on a board as a long-term continuing relationship with a company.
Business Entity and Capitalization
Common or Preferred Stock — Increase in Authorized Shares or Classes
The Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis regarding proposals to increase authorized shares of common stock or to add a class of common stock, taking into consideration the company’s capital goals that may include stock splits, stock dividends, or financing for acquisitions or general operations. With respect to proposals seeking to increase authorized shares of preferred stock, to add a class of preferred stock, to authorize the directors to set the terms of the preferred stock or to amend the number of votes per share of preferred stock, the Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on the grounds that such actions may be connected to a shareholder rights’ plan that the Funds also will consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Common or Preferred Stock – Decrease in Authorized Shares or Classes
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals seeking to decrease authorized shares of common or preferred stock or the elimination of a class of common or preferred stock.
Common Stock — Change in Par Value
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals to change the par value of the common stock, provided that the changes do not cause a diminution in shareholder rights.
Authorize Share Repurchase Program
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals to institute or renew open market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms.
Stock Splits
The Funds generally will vote FOR stock split proposals on the grounds that they intended to encourage stock ownership of a company.
Private Placements, Conversion of Securities, Issuance of Warrants or Convertible Debentures
The Funds generally will vote FOR the issuance of shares for private placements, the conversion of securities from one class to another, and the issuance of warrants or convertible debentures on the grounds that such issuances may be necessary and beneficial for the financial health of the company and may be a low cost source of equity capital. The Funds generally will vote AGAINST any such issuance or related action if the proposal would in any way result in new equity holders having superior voting rights, would result in warrants or debentures, when exercised, holding in excess of 20 percent of the currently outstanding voting rights, or if the proposal would in any way diminish the rights of existing shareholders.
Issuance of Equity or Equity-Linked Securities without Subscription Rights (Preemptive Rights)
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals that seek shareholder approval of the issuance of equity, convertible bonds or other equity-linked debt instruments, or to issue shares to satisfy the exercise of such securities that are free of subscription (preemptive) rights on the grounds that companies must retain the ability to issue such securities for purposes of raising capital. The Funds generally will vote AGAINST any proposal where dilution exceeds 20 percent of the company’s outstanding capital.
Recapitalization
The Funds generally will vote FOR recapitalization plans that combine two or more classes of stock into one class, or that authorize the company to issue new common or preferred stock for such plans. The Funds generally will vote AGAINST recapitalization plans that would result in the diminution of rights for existing shareholders.
Merger Agreement
The Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on proposals seeking approval of a merger or merger agreement and all proposals related to such primary proposals, taking into consideration the particular facts and circumstances of the proposed merger and its potential benefits to existing shareholders.
Going Private
The Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on proposals that allow listed companies to de-list and terminate registration of their common stock, taking into consideration the cash-out value to shareholders, and weighing the value in continuing as a publicly traded entity.
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Reincorporation
The Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on reincorporation proposals, taking into consideration 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. The Funds generally will vote AGAINST the proposal unless the long-term business reasons for doing so are valid. The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals to consider reincorporating in the United States if a company left the country for the purpose of avoiding taxes.
Bundled Proposals
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider on “bundled” or otherwise conditioned proposals, which are determined depending on the overall economic effects to shareholders.
Defense Mechanisms
Shareholder Rights’ Plan (Poison Pill)
The Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis regarding management proposals seeking ratification of a shareholder rights’ plan, including a net operating loss (NOL) shareholder rights’ plan, or stockholder proposals seeking modification or elimination of any existing shareholder rights’ plan.
Supermajority Voting
The Funds generally will vote FOR the elimination or material diminution of provisions in company governing documents that require the affirmative vote of a supermajority of shareholders for approval of certain actions, and generally will vote AGAINST the adoption of any supermajority voting clause.
Control Share Acquisition Provisions
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals to opt out of control share acquisition statutes and generally will vote AGAINST proposals seeking approval of control share acquisition provisions in company governing documents on the grounds that such provisions may harm long-term share value by effectively entrenching management. The ability to buy shares should not be constrained by requirements to secure approval of the purchase from other shareholders.
Anti-Greenmail
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals to adopt anti-greenmail governing document amendments or to otherwise restrict a company’s ability to make greenmail payments.
Classification of Board of Directors
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals to declassify a board and AGAINST proposals to classify a board, absent special circumstances that would indicate that shareholder interests are better served by voting to the contrary.
Auditors
Ratify or Appoint Auditors
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider, which typically recommends votes FOR ratification or appointment except in situations where there are questions about the relative qualification of the auditors, conflicts of interest, auditor involvement in significant financial restatements, option backdating, material weaknesses in controls, or situations where independence has been compromised.
Prohibit or Limit Auditor’s Non-Audit Services
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider, which typically recommends votes AGAINST these proposals since it may be necessary or appropriate for auditors to provide a service related to the business of a company and that service will not compromise the auditors’ independence. In addition, Sarbanes-Oxley legislation spells out the types of services that need pre-approval or would compromise independence.
Indemnification of External Auditor
The Funds generally will vote AGAINST proposals to indemnify external auditors on the grounds that indemnification agreements may limit pursuit of legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.
Indemnification of Internal Auditor
The Funds generally will vote FOR the indemnification of internal auditors, unless the costs associated with the approval are not disclosed.
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Environmental and Social
Disclose Environmental or Social Agenda
Proposals that seek disclosure, often in the form of a report, on items such as military contracts or sales, environmental or conservation initiatives, business relationships with foreign countries, or animal welfare or other environmental and social issues, will be reviewed and, if after considering the proposal the Investment Manager believes the matter may bear on the long-term value creation or sustainability of the company, a vote FOR or AGAINST may be cast, otherwise the Funds generally will ABSTAIN from voting.
Socially Responsible Investing
Proposals that seek to have a company take a position on social or environmental issues will be reviewed and, if after considering the proposal the Investment Manager believes the matter may bear on the long-term value creation or sustainability of the company, a vote FOR or AGAINST may be cast, otherwise the Funds generally will ABSTAIN from voting.
Prohibit or Disclose Contributions and Lobbying Expenses
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider, which typically considers the proposal in the context of the company’s current disclosures, Federal and state laws, and whether the proposal is in shareholders’ best interests.
Disclose Prior Government Service
Proposals seeking a company to furnish a list of high-ranking employees who served in any governmental capacity over the last five years will be reviewed and, if after considering the proposal the Investment Manager believes the matter may bear on the long-term value creation or sustainability of the company, a vote FOR or AGAINST may be cast, otherwise the Funds generally will ABSTAIN from voting.
Change in Operations or Products Manufactured or Sold
Proposals seeking to change the way a company operates (e.g., protect human rights, sexual orientation, stop selling tobacco products, move manufacturing operations to another country, etc.) will be reviewed and, if after considering the proposal the Investment Manager believes the matter may bear on the long-term value creation or sustainability of the company, a vote FOR or AGAINST may be cast, otherwise the Funds generally will ABSTAIN from voting.
Sustainability Reporting
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider, which takes into account the risk to the long-term value creation or sustainability of the company from its practices and/or regulation, the extent of any sustainability concerns or controversies, the industry in which the company operates, and the current level of disclosure by the company and its peers.
Climate Change Strategic Risk Assessment and Reporting
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider, which takes into account the risk to the long-term value creation or sustainability of the company by assessing the company’s consideration of strategic and operational risks stemming from climate change and/or regulatory responses, and the current level of disclosure by the company and its peers.
Foreign Issues – Directors, Boards and Committees
Approve Discharge of Management (Supervisory) Board
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider, which typically recommends votes FOR approval of the board, based on factors including whether there is an unresolved investigation or whether the board has participated in wrongdoing. This is a standard request in Germany and discharge is generally granted unless a shareholder states a specific reason for withholding discharge and intends to take legal action.
Announce Vacancies on Management (Supervisory) Board
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholder approval to announce vacancies on the board, as is required under Dutch law.
Approve Director Fees
The Funds generally will vote in accordance with recommendations made by the third party research provider on proposals seeking approval of director fees.
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Foreign Issues — General Corporate Governance
Digitalization of Certificates
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals seeking shareholder approval to amend a company’s articles of incorporation to eliminate references to share certificates and beneficial owners, and to make other related changes to bring the articles in line with recent regulatory changes for Japanese companies.
Authorize Filing of Required Documents and Other Formalities
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholders authorize the holder of a copy of the minutes of the general assembly to accomplish any formalities required by law, as is required in France.
Propose Publications Media
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholders approve the designation of a newspaper as the medium to publish the company’s meeting notice, as is common in Chile and other countries.
Clarify Articles of Association or Incorporation
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals seeking shareholder approval of routine housekeeping of the company’s articles, including clarifying items and deleting obsolete items.
Update Articles of Association or Incorporation with Proxy Results
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholders approve changes to the company’s articles of association or incorporation to reflect the results of a proxy vote by shareholders, which is a routine proposal in certain country’s proxies.
Conform Articles of Association or Incorporation to Law or Stock Exchange
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholder approval to amend the articles of association or incorporation to conform to new requirements in local or national law or rules established by a stock exchange on which its stock is listed.
Authorize Board to Ratify and Execute Approved Resolutions
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholder approval to authorize the board to ratify and execute any resolutions approved at the meeting.
Prepare and Approve List of Shareholders
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholder approval for the preparation and approval of the list of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting, which is a routine formality in European countries.
Authorize Company to Engage in Transactions with Related Parties
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholder approval for the company, its subsidiaries, and target associated companies to enter into certain transactions with persons who are considered “interested parties” as defined in Chapter 9A of the Listing Manual of the Stock Exchange of Singapore (SES), as the SES related-party transaction rules are fairly comprehensive and provide shareholders with substantial protection against insider trading abuses.
Amend Articles to Lower Quorum Requirement for Special Business
The Funds generally will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on proposals seeking to amend the articles to lower the quorum requirement to one-third for special business resolutions at a shareholder meeting, which is common when certain material transactions such as mergers or acquisitions are to be considered by shareholders.
Change Date/Location of Annual Meeting
The Funds will vote in accordance with the recommendation of the third-party research provider on proposals to change the date, time or location of the company’s annual meeting of shareholders.
Elect Chairman of the Meeting
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholder approval to elect the chairman of the meeting, which is a routine meeting formality in certain European countries.
Authorize New Product Lines
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholder approval to amend the company’s articles to allow the company to expand into new lines of business.
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Approve Financial Statements, Directors’ Reports and Auditors’ Reports
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals that request shareholder approval of the financial statements, directors’ reports, and auditors’ reports.
Foreign Issues — Compensation
Approve Retirement Bonuses for Directors/Statutory Auditors
The Funds generally will ABSTAIN from voting on proposals requesting shareholder approval for the payment of retirement bonuses to retiring directors and/or statutory auditors, which is a standard request in Japan, because information to justify the proposal is typically insufficient.
Approve Payment to Deceased Director’s/Statutory Auditor’s Family
The Funds generally will ABSTAIN from voting on proposals requesting shareholder approval for the payment of a retirement bonus to the family of a deceased director or statutory auditor, which is a standard request in Japan, because information to justify the proposal is typically insufficient.
Foreign Issues — Business Entity, Capitalization
Set or Approve the Dividend
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholders approve the dividend rate set by management.
Approve Allocation of Income and Dividends
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholders approve a board’s allocation of income for the current fiscal year, as well as the dividend rate.
Approve Scrip (Stock) Dividend Alternative
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholders authorize dividend payments in the form of either cash or shares at the discretion of each shareholder, provided the options are financially equal. The Funds generally will vote AGAINST proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value.
Authorize Issuance of Equity or Equity-Linked Securities
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholder approval to permit the board to authorize the company to issue convertible bonds or other equity-linked debt instruments or to issue shares to satisfy the exercise of such securities.
Authorize Issuance of Bonds
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholder approval granting the authority to the board to issue bonds or subordinated bonds.
Authorize Capitalization of Reserves for Bonus Issue or Increase in Par Value
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholder approval to increase authorized stock by capitalizing various reserves or retained earnings, which allows shareholders to receive either new shares or a boost in the par value of their shares at no cost.
Increase Issued Capital for Rights Issue
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholder approval to increase issued capital in order to offer a rights issue to current registered shareholders, which provides shareholders the option of purchasing additional shares of the company’s stock, often at a discount to market value, and the company will use the proceeds from the issue to provide additional financing.
Board Authority to Repurchase Shares
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting that a board be given the authority to repurchase shares of the company on the open market, with such authority continuing until the next annual meeting.
Authorize Reissuance of Repurchased Shares
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholder approval to reissue shares of the company’s stock that had been repurchased by the company at an earlier date.
Approve Payment of Corporate Income Tax
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals seeking approval for the use by a company of its reserves in order to pay corporate taxes, which is common practice in Europe.
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Cancel Pre-Approved Capital Issuance Authority
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholders cancel a previously approved authority to issue capital, which may be necessary in Denmark as companies there do not have authorized but unissued capital that they may issue as needed like their counterparts in other countries.
Allotment of Unissued Shares
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting that shareholders give the board the authority to allot or issue unissued shares.
Authority to Allot Shares for Cash
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting that shareholders give the board the ability to allot a set number of authorized but unissued shares for the purpose of employee share schemes and to allot equity securities for cash to persons other than existing shareholders up to a limited aggregate nominal amount (a percentage of the issued share capital of the company).
Foreign Issues – Defense Mechanisms
Authorize Board to Use All Outstanding Capital
The Funds will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on proposals requesting shareholders authorize the board, for one year, to use all outstanding capital authorizations in the event that a hostile public tender or exchange offer is made for the company, which is a common anti-takeover measure in France similar to the way U.S. companies use preferred stock.
Foreign Issues — Auditors
Approve Special Auditors’ Report
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals that present shareholders of French companies, as required by French law, with a special auditor’s report that confirms the presence or absence of any outstanding related party transactions. At a minimum, such transactions (with directors or similar parties) must be previously authorized by the board. This part of the French commercial code provides shareholders with a mechanism to ensure an annual review of any outstanding related party transactions.
Appoint Statutory Auditor
The Funds generally will vote FOR proposals requesting shareholder approval to appoint the internal statutory auditor, designated as independent internal auditor as required by the revised Japanese Commercial Code.
Foreign Issues — Environmental and Social
Authorize Company to Make EU Political Organization Donations
The Funds generally will ABSTAIN from voting on proposals that seek authorization for the company to make EU political organization donations and to incur EU political expenditures.
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APPENDIX C — DESCRIPTION OF STATE RISK FACTORS
The state tax-exempt and state municipal bond Funds invest primarily in municipal securities issued by a single state and political sub-divisions of that state. Each state tax-exempt and state municipal bond Fund will be particularly affected by political and economic conditions and developments in the state in which it invests. This exposure 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 in a given state, 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 Investment Manager 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 among others, 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 be particularly sensitive to local conditions, including political and economic changes, adverse conditions to an industry significant to the area, and other further 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 investments within a particular sector in a state. 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 sector. 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.
State Specific Information
The following discussion regarding certain economic, financial and legal matters pertaining to the states, U.S. territories and possessions referenced below, and their political subdivisions is drawn from the documents indicated below and does not purport to be a complete description or a complete listing of all relevant factors. More information about state specific risks may be available from other official state resources. The information has not been updated nor will it be updated during the year. The Funds have not independently verified any of the information contained in such documents and are not expressing any opinion regarding the completeness or materiality of such information. The information is subject to change at any time. Any such change may adversely affect the financial condition of the applicable state, U.S. territory or possession.
Estimates and projections, if any, contained in the following summaries should not be construed as statements of fact; such estimates and projections 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. Discussions regarding the financial condition of a particular state or U.S. territory or possession may not be relevant to Municipal Obligations issued by political subdivisions of that state or U.S. territory or possession. Moreover, the general economic conditions discussed may or may not affect issuers of the obligations of these states, U.S. territories or possessions.
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California
Unless otherwise noted, the following information has been obtained from the Official Statement, dated April 20, 2017, for the following bonds: $1,248,070,000 State of California Federally Taxable General Obligation High-Speed Passenger Train Bonds; $648,070,000 Series 2017A Bonds, $300,000,000 Series 2017B Bonds and $300,000,000 Series 2017C Bonds (collectively, the “California 2017 Bonds”).
Current Economic Condition.
The State of California (California) has the largest economy among the 50 states and one of the largest in the world and has major components in high technology, trade, entertainment, government, manufacturing, tourism, construction and services. The makeup of California’s economy generally mirrors that of the national economy. The California economy continues to benefit from broad-based growth.
California is by far the most populous state in the nation, nearly 50% larger than the second-ranked state according to the 2010 U.S. Census. The estimate of California’s population as of July 2016 was 39.4 million residents, which is 12% of the total United States population.
California, along with the United States as a whole, completed its seventh year of economic recovery as the state ended its fiscal year on June 30, 2016. California’s economy demonstrated continued economic growth throughout the 2015-2016 fiscal year. Employment opportunities in California continued to improve during the first several months of the 2016-17 fiscal year. By December 2016, total employment was nearly 18.4 million jobs, reflecting a year-to-year increase of 500,000 jobs compared to December 2015. California’s unemployment rate largely held steady during the first half of fiscal year 2016-17, and by December, it had receded slightly to 5.2%.
California’s personal income growth continued to outpace the nation during the beginning of the 2016-17 fiscal year, with total personal income for the third quarter of 2016 4.8% above the level observed in the same period in 2015, compared with an increase of 3.6% nationally. As personal income grew, consumer spending also increased, as demonstrated by a 2.8% increase in California’s new vehicle registrations in the 2015-2016 fiscal year and a $1.2 billion (5.1%) increase in sales and use tax revenue.
California’s real GDP increased by 4.1 percent in 2015, and totaled $2.46 trillion at current prices, making California the sixth largest economy in the world. California has continued to add jobs at a faster rate than the nation since 2012, and the economy is expected to continue to grow throughout the forecast period. Despite the increase in the minimum wage from $9 to $10 per hour on January 1, 2016, lower-wage sectors such a leisure and hospitality, and educational and health services continued to grow in 2016. The stronger-than-expected growth in these lower wage sectors led to greater labor force participation, but also led to slower overall wage and personal income growth than expected in 2016. However, housing permits were essentially the same in 2016 compared to 2015, falling well below population or job growth. Continued lack of housing growth is a risk for California’s economy.
State Budget.
California’s 2016-17 Budget Act was enacted on June 27, 2016. The Budget Act appropriated $170.9 billion: $122.5 billion from the General Fund, $44.6 billion from special funds, and $3.8 billion from bond funds. The General Fund’s budgeted expenditures increased $6.9 billion (6.0%) over the previous year’s General Fund budget. The General Fund’s revenues were projected to be $120.3 billion, after a projected $3.3 billion transfer to the Budget Stabilization Account (Rainy Day Fund). General Fund revenue comes predominantly from taxes, with personal income taxes expected to provide 67.5% of total revenue. California’s major taxes (personal income, sales and use, and corporation taxes) are projected to supply approximately 98.1% of the General Fund’s resources in the 2016-17 fiscal year.
The majority of the spending plan for the 2016-17 fiscal year included funding that maintains existing state policies or is based on spending allocations driven by constitutional funding requirements, such as the Proposition 98 guaranteed minimum funding levels for K12 schools and community colleges and the Proposition 2 required minimum transfers to the BSA and minimum annual debt reduction payments. The discretionary portion of the 2016-17 spending plan allocated $2.6 billion toward additional General Fund reserves—an additional $2.0 billion transfer to the BSA and $600 million to the SFEU; funding for one-time activities, such as $1.5 billion for repairing and replacing aged infrastructure, $500 million for building affordable housing, and $200 million for drought-related activities; and ongoing funding augmentations for specific programs, including $400 million to the University of California and California State Universities.
Despite the recent significant budgetary improvements, there remain a number of budget risks that threaten the financial condition of California’s General Fund, including the threat of recession, potential changes to federal fiscal policies, and the significant unfunded liabilities of the two main retirement systems managed by state entities, the California Public Employees’
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Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS). In recent years, California has committed to significant increases in annual payments to these systems to reduce the unfunded liabilities. California also has a significant unfunded liability with respect to other post-employment benefits.
There can be no assurances that California will not face fiscal stress and cash pressures again, or that other changes in the state or national economies will not materially adversely affect the financial condition of the state.
Real Estate and Housing.
California’s real estate market showed mixed signs of continued strength during the fiscal year. As of June 2016, prices for existing single-family homes were 6.1% higher and sales were essentially flat (down by 0.1%) compared to the prior year. Homebuilding had largely leveled off in California, with permits issued during the 2015-16 fiscal year increasing by approximately 1.7% to nearly 97,000 units. Nonresidential construction increased by 15.9%, with the value of nonresidential permits increasing to $28.1 billion.
Long-Term Debt.
As of February 1, 2017, California had approximately $83.1 billion of outstanding general obligation bonds and lease revenue bonds payable principally from the state’s General Fund or from lease payments paid from the operating budget of the respective lessees, which operating budgets are primarily, but not exclusively, derived from the General Fund. As of February 1, 2017, there were approximately $35.6 billion of authorized and unissued long-term voter-approved general obligation bonds which, when issued, will be payable principally from the General Fund and approximately $3.4 billion of authorized and unissued lease-revenue bonds.
Certain state agencies and authorities issue revenue obligations for which the General Fund has no liability. These revenue obligations are either payable from state revenue-producing enterprises and projects, and not payable from the General Fund, or are conduit obligations payable only from revenues paid by local governments or private users of facilities financed by the revenue obligations. California has always paid when due the principal of and interest on its general obligation bonds, general obligation commercial paper notes, lease-revenue obligations and short-term obligations, including revenue anticipation notes and revenue anticipation warrants.
Bond Ratings.
Three major credit rating agencies, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”), and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), assigned ratings to the California 2017 Bonds, as follows: Moody’s assigned a rating of “Aa3,” S&P assigned a rating of “AA-,” and Fitch assigned a rating of “AA-.” It is not possible to determine whether, or the extent to which, Moody’s, S&P, or Fitch will change its respective rating in the future. In addition, ratings assigned to individual Municipal Obligations vary.
Georgia
Unless otherwise noted, the following information has been obtained from disclosure contained in the Official Statement, dated June 21, 2017 (the “Georgia Official Statement”), for the $1,389,645,000 State of Georgia General Obligation Bonds, 2017A, 2017B (Federally Taxable), and 2017C (Refunding) (collectively, the “Georgia 2017 Bonds”).
Current Economic Condition.
Georgia is the eighth largest state with an estimated population of 10 million people. Georgia has an economic base that is diverse with major port facilities on the coast, agricultural resources throughout the state, manufacturing and services industries, and is a major transportation center with one of the busiest airports in the nation. Many factors indicate that Georgia’s economy is continuing to recover from the Great Recession. Some of these indicators include job growth, personal income growth, lower initial unemployment claims and the recovery of home prices.
Non-farm employment in the State of Georgia (Georgia) has grown at a healthy pace over the last year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, non-farm employment grew by over 113,000 jobs from April 2016 to April 2017; a growth rate of 2.6% which exceeds the U.S. non-farm employment growth rate of 1.6% for the same period.
Georgia’s employment growth has been well diversified across sectors. On a year over year, three month moving average basis, the leisure and hospitality sector has experienced the largest percentage growth at 5.0%, followed by construction at 4.7%, professional and business services at 4.5%, finance at 4.2%, and education and health at 3.0% growth. The weakest performing sector over this period was the ‘other services’ sector which reported no change in employment for the period.
On a regional basis, Georgia’s employment growth also has been well diversified across metro areas. Of the fourteen metro areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only Columbus and Dalton experienced net job growth on a year over year three month moving average basis less than 0.5% as of April 2017. In contrast, five metro areas experienced job growth on a year over year month moving average basis greater than 2.5% as of April 2017.
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Georgia’s unemployment rate continues to track above that of the U.S. As of April 2017, Georgia’s unemployment rate was 5.0% as compared to the U.S. rate of 4.4%. Since April 2016, Georgia’s unemployment rate has declined from 5.4% to 5.0% currently. During this period, Georgia’s labor force has grown by 3.0% and household employment has grown by 3.4%.
Personal income growth in Georgia is moderate. Growth on a year over year basis equals 4.4% as of the 4th quarter of 2016. This compares to growth in U.S. personal income of 3.7% for the same quarter. Income from wages and salaries in Georgia has grown more quickly than total personal income over the last two years. Income from wages and salaries grew at 4.9% year over year in 4th quarter 2016.
The Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for manufacturing in Georgia in May 2017 is 63.8, which is far above both the neutral level of 50 and the US ISM index reading of 54.9. The Georgia PMI index indicates that the Georgia manufacturing sector is expanding rapidly.
State Budget.
Georgia’s amended fiscal year 2016-17 budget (the Amended FY 2017 Budget) anticipates state general fund revenues growth of 3.0% over the fiscal year 2015-16 state general fund revenue collections and total tax revenue growth of 3.2% over the fiscal year 2015-16 tax revenue collections. The Amended FY 2017 budget was increased over the original fiscal year 2016-17 budget by $606.2 million, which includes both the mid-year K-12 adjustment and an additional $108.7 million in revenue resulting from H.B. 170. For both the original FY 2017 budget and the Amended FY 2017 budget, state agencies were not required to submit budget reductions. New revenues are projected to be sufficient to cover growth needs in core spending areas in addition to funding select one-time budget needs. The required contributions for state retirement systems were fully funded in the original FY 2017 budget with no additional funding required in the Amended FY 2017 budget.
The Amended FY 2017 budget funds growth needs in education and human services and provides additional resources for transportation. The Amended FY 2017 budget includes $109 million for mid-term growth in the Quality Basic Education funding formula for K-12 education and $15 million for the Forestland Protection Grant program, a portion of which goes directly to local school systems whose property tax digests have been impacted by dedicated forestland. The Amended FY 2017 budget also includes $16.8 million for growth in the Move on When Ready program, which allows high school students to earn college credits while completing their high school diploma. The budget also includes $28.6 million to meet an anticipated increase in needs for services in Georgia’s child welfare program and an additional $108.7 million in revenues generated from H.B. 170 which is dedicated in full to maintaining and enhancing Georgia’s road and bridge transportation network.
Georgia’s fiscal year 2017-18 budget (the “FY 2018 Budget”) revenue estimate assumes tax revenue growth of 3.6% and state general fund revenues growth in the range of 3.5% compared to Amended FY 2017 budget revenue estimates. As in fiscal year 2017, no reductions to agency budgets were necessary in fiscal year 2018, and anticipated revenue growth is sufficient meet expected growth in K-12 education, higher education, and the state’s child welfare programs. H.B. 170 is expected to generate an additional $162.6 million for transportation for the state over the original FY 2017 budget. The FY 2018 budget also includes the authorization of an additional $100 million in general obligation bonds for rehabilitation of the state’s bridges to continue to address transportation infrastructure needs.
The FY 2018 Budget includes an additional $516.3 million for K-12 education to allow local school systems to increase instructional days, eliminate teacher furloughs, or enhance teacher and non-certified employee salaries. These funds will meet enrollment growth needs in the system as well as continue to restore funding reduced from the K-12 budget during the economic recession. As in the Amended FY 2017 budget, the FY 2018 budget also includes additional funds of $21.0 million for the Move on When Ready program. The budget also fully funds the enrollment growth in higher education by providing an additional $79.4 million for the University System of Georgia. As in prior years, health and human services continues to require additional investments from the state each year. The FY 2018 budget includes more than $96 million to meet anticipated additional needs for child welfare services and more than $55.5 million for the Department of Behavioral health and developmental disabilities.
Real Estate and Housing.
The housing sector in Georgia and nationally is continuing to recover. Home prices have been rising on a year over year basis since late 2012. The S&P Case Shiller Home Price Index for the Atlanta metropolitan area is up 5.4% as of March 2017 compared to March 2016. This growth is slightly slower than that posted by the composite index for 20 metro areas nationwide, which came in at 5.8%.
Home sales have moved erratically month to month with large increases and decreases from the prior month. On a year over year basis as of April 2017, existing home sales are up 4.2% while new home sales are up 11.9%. U.S. and Georgia housing starts are trending up.
While mortgage credit quality continues to improve, foreclosure rates and mortgage delinquency rates in Georgia remain above the U.S. averages, which is the historical norm.
Long-Term Debt.
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As of June 30, 2017, Georgia’s outstanding general obligation bond indebtedness was $8,863,705,000. Georgia projected that, subsequent to the issuance of the Georgia 2017 Bonds, Georgia’s general obligation bonds outstanding would equal $9,512,780,000.
Bond Ratings.
Three major credit rating agencies, Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch, assigned ratings to the Georgia 2017 Bonds, as follows: Moody’s assigned a rating of “Aaa,” S&P assigned a rating of “AAA,” and Fitch assigned a rating of “AAA.” It is not possible to determine whether, or the extent to which, Moody’s, S&P, or Fitch will change its respective rating in the future. In addition, ratings assigned to individual Municipal Obligations may vary.
Maryland
Unless otherwise noted, the following information has been obtained from disclosures contained in the Official Statement, dated March 8, 2017, for the $1,140,685,000 State of Maryland General Obligation Bonds, State and Local Facilities Loan of 2017, First Series (the “Maryland 2017 Bonds”).
Current Economic Condition.
Maryland’s population in 2016 is estimated to have been 6,016,447 on July 1st of that year. Maryland is more reliant on the service and government sectors than the nation as a whole, while the manufacturing sector is much less significant than it is nationwide. Between 2010 and 2015, total personal income in Maryland has grown 3.1% annually, compared to a national growth rate of 4.4%. During this period, wage and salary income, roughly half of total personal income, has grown at a lower rate in Maryland than it has nationally, while supplements to wages and salaries – essentially nonwage benefits – have grown at similar rates. Additionally, investment income (income derived from dividends, interest, and rent) growth did not keep pace with the nation as a whole. The nation’s proprietors’ income outpaced Maryland’s, growing at annual rates of 6.3% and 2.7%, respectively. The disparity in growth of the residence adjustment income earned by residents who work outside of Maryland or the nation is not as meaningful as it might appear, because the residence adjustment is roughly 6.9% of Maryland personal income, but less three basis points of national personal income.
The government, retail trade, and service sectors (notably professional and business, and educational and health) are the leading areas of employment in Maryland. The unemployment rates in December 2016 for Maryland and the nation were 4.2% and 4.7%, respectively. In Maryland, employment and personal income declined at a lesser rate during the depths of the global recession of 2009; for example, national wages and salaries fell 4.4% in 2009 relative to a 0.8% decline for Maryland. The slower post-recession trajectory for Maryland’s principal income measures may be partially a function of the lesser rate of decline; coming out of a deeper trough, the nation as a whole would require higher income and employment growth than Maryland in order to recover to pre-recession levels. Maryland’s slower post-recession trajectory may also be reflective of the economic hurdles faced during that time frame. Relative to the nation as a whole, Maryland’s economy has been disproportionately affected by federal budget uncertainty, federal budget sequestration, and higher income tax rates.
State Budget.
Maryland’s General Assembly enacted the fiscal year 2017 Budget (the “2017 Budget”) on April 12, 2016. The 2017 Budget includes $17,153.1 million in General Fund spending for, among other things: (1) $7,391.0 million in aid to local governments from general funds; (2) $4,408.3 million to support public health services in the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, including $2,935.0 million for the Medicaid Program; (3) $175.4 million for the State Reserve Fund; and (4) funds for Maryland’s retirement and pension systems. The Maryland General Assembly also restricted $87.4 million in general funds for certain purposes described by the General Assembly. If the funds go unspent, they will revert to the General Fund at the end of the fiscal year 2017.
The 2017 Budget funds debt service on Maryland’s general obligation bonds with $283.0 million in general funds, $892.6 million in special funds, primarily from state property tax revenues, and $11.5 million in federal funds reflecting the interest subsidy on current outstanding ARRA Bonds (this number reflects estimated sequester reductions of 7.2% for federal fiscal year 2016).
Real Estate and Housing.
Following several years of declining activity and values, the residential real estate market continues to expand. Since the housing price trough in 2011, prices have increased for five consecutive years. Notably, the median price in 2016 was 12.7% less than its 2006 peak and sales volume in 2016 was 20.1% below its 2005 peak. Of course, a return to prior peaks would not be expected in the short run in the absence of an unsustainable housing bubble. As a result of the housing bubble bursting, the percentage of loans in the foreclosure process increased substantially in both Maryland and the nation. Since mid-2012 the percentage of loans in foreclosure has been higher in Maryland than the nation as a whole; this elevated number of foreclosures was expected as
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Maryland employs a judicial foreclosure process. As of the third quarter of 2015, the most recent quarter for which date is available, the percentage of loans in foreclosure in Maryland dropped below 2.0%, equivalent to levels observed in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Long-Term Debt.
Maryland had $12,427.5 million of net state tax-supported debt outstanding as of December 31, 2016. General obligation bonds accounted for $8,939.2 million of that amount. In fiscal year 2017, debt service on general obligation bonds is paid primarily from state property tax receipts. Department of Transportation bonds outstanding account for another $2,466.8 million in state tax-supported debt as of December 31, 2016. The debt service on those bonds is payable from taxes and fees received from activities related to motor vehicles and motor vehicle fuel. Debt obligations issued by the Maryland Stadium Authority in the form of lease-backed revenue bonds and equipment lease financing account for $116.6 million of state tax-supported debt outstanding as of December 31, 2016. Maryland has also financed construction and acquisition of various other facilities and equipment through lease-type financing in the amount of $323.5 million. There was $279.8 million of Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle bonds outstanding as of December 31, 2016. Debt service is paid from a portion of Maryland’s federal highway aid. As of the same period, the Water Quality Financing Administration of the Maryland Department of Environment had Bay Restoration Revenue Bonds outstand in the amount of $301.6 million. As of December 31, 2016, Maryland had $2.0 billion of authorized but unissued debt.
Bond Ratings.
Three major credit rating agencies, Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch, assigned ratings to the Maryland 2017 Bonds, as follows: Moody’s assigned a rating of “Aaa,” S&P assigned a rating of “AAA,” and Fitch assigned a rating of “AAA.” It is not possible to determine whether, or the extent to which, Moody’s, S&P, or Fitch will change its respective rating in the future. In addition, ratings assigned to individual Municipal Obligations may vary.
Minnesota
Unless otherwise noted, the following information is based on disclosure contained in the Official Statement, dated August 3, 2017, for the $1,870,000 State of Minnesota General Obligation Facilities Maintenance Bonds, Series 2017A (the “Minnesota 2017 Bonds”), and the February 2017 Budget & Economic Forecast, published by the Minnesota Management and Budget Department (the “Forecast”).
Current Economic Condition.
According to the Forecast, the latest news on Minnesota’s labor market remains encouraging, as steady job creation continues to keep the unemployment rate low. In December, Minnesota’s unemployment rate stood at 3.9%, 0.8% below the U.S. rate. Other leading indicators, such job vacancies, average hours worked, and temporary help employment are also at levels consistent with a firming labor market. Claims for unemployment benefits have gradually increased over the last nine months, and rose in December to 19,055. However, claims remain 5 percent lower than last December.
According to the Forecast, unlike last year where cheap gas prices meant big savings for Minnesotans and freed up disposable income, crude oil prices have recently drifted higher and are stuck in a holding pattern due to bouncing global demand and restrictions in supply. The increase in prices could lead to renewed growth in U.S. oil production and growth in mining structures in 2017, including drilling rigs in the neighboring state of North Dakota. This could attract Minnesota job seekers. However, for Minnesotans, the main impact of higher oil prices is higher expenditures on gasoline and other petroleum products, which tightens household budget constraints, reducing disposable income for spending on other goods and services.
Still, according to the Forecast, Minnesota’s economy continues on its moderate growth path. The state continues to add jobs at a steady rate, keeping the unemployment rate low. In the 12 months ending in December the state added more than 37,000 jobs, a 1.3 percent rate of growth, slightly below the U.S. rate of 1.4 percent over the same period. A robust demand for workers together with low unemployment has created a tight labor market, which when combined with confidence in the economy that leads businesses to expand, puts upward pressure on wages. Statewide, there are about as many job vacancies as there are job seekers, and recent months have seen increases in both the average number of weekly hours worked by private sector employees and their average hourly earnings.
State Budget.
Minnesota’s biennial budget appropriation process relies on revenue and expenditure forecasting as the basis for establishing aggregate revenue and expenditure levels. The “Current Biennium” began on July 1, 2017 and will end on June 30, 2019.
According to the Forecast, Minnesota’s budget outlook for the 2018-19 biennium has improved. An increased revenue forecast of $321 million (0.7 percent) is partially offset by $156 million (0.4 percent) in higher spending estimates. The forecast gain from the previous biennium adds $88 million to the bottom line in FY 2018-19.
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According to the Forecast, Minnesota’s forecast for FY 2018-19 revenues is $321 million (0.7 percent) more than the November forecast adjusted for law changes. Total tax revenues for the biennium are forecast to be $339 million (0.8 percent) above the prior estimate. Higher forecast individual income, general sales, and corporate tax revenues offset lower forecasts for state general property and other tax revenues.
Real Estate and Housing.
According to the Forecast, Minnesota’s housing market just finished another encouraging year in 2016. Closed sales of homes in Minnesota ended 2016 with an increase of 5.5 percent to 86,694 units compared to last year, reaching an 11-year high. As the labor market continues to tighten and wages continue to grow, more people will be looking for long-term stable housing, increasing household formations. Annual household formation is forecast to have picked up to 26,000 in 2016, consistent with continued employment growth and improving headship rates among young adults. In 2017 and 2018, annual net new formations are forecast to be 22,000 and 21,000, respectively.
Bond Ratings.
S&P’s Global Ratings Underlying Rating and S&P’s Global Ratings Minnesota Credit Enhancement Program assigned ratings of A+ and AA+, respectively, to the Minnesota 2017 Bonds. It is not possible to determine whether, or the extent to which, S& will change its rating in the future. In addition, ratings assigned to individual Municipal Obligations may vary.
North Carolina
Unless otherwise noted, the following information has been obtained from disclosure contained in the Official Statement, dated July 13, 2017, for the $106,145,000 State of North Carolina General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2017A (the “North Carolina 2017 Bonds”).
Current Economic Condition.
North Carolina’s estimated population as of July 1, 2015 was 10,158,475 ranking it 9th in the nation. During the period from 2010 to 2015, the state’s population increased by an estimated 590,000 or 6.1% (the 3rd largest increase among the top 10 most populous states on a percentage basis).
North Carolina’s major industry sectors are services, agriculture, trade, manufacturing, exports and tourism, but the military’s presence and residential construction are also important economic drivers. During the period from 2006 to 2016, per capita personal income in the state grew from $33,775 to $42,250. North Carolina is recovering from a period of high unemployment and modest job growth in the wake of the national recession. North Carolina’s March 2017 seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9%. At 4.9%, North Carolina’s unemployment rate was 0.4 of a percentage point above the nation as a whole (4.5%). Based on March 2017 preliminary employment estimates, North Carolina’s economy has gained 546,200 jobs since the low in February 2010.
State Budget.
The total North Carolina state budget is supported from four primary sources of funds: (1) General Fund tax and non-tax revenue (43.17%); (2) Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund tax and non-tax revenue (5.81%); (3) federal funds and (4) other receipts, generally referred to as departmental receipts. Federal funds comprise approximately 31.43% of the total state budget for fiscal year 2016-17. North Carolina’s Single Audit Report dated March 16, 2017, with respect to the state’s compliance with major federal programs during fiscal year 2016, indicates that in that fiscal year, 66.1% of federal program expenditures was directed to the Department of Health and Human Services, 13.0% was directed to the University of North Carolina system and its institutions, 7.4% was directed to the Department of Public Instruction, 5.9% was directed to the Department of Transportation, 3.1% was directed to North Carolina community colleges and the remained (4.5%) was directed to other portions of North Carolina government.
Departmental receipts are revenues that are received directly by a department but have not been designated as tax or non-tax revenue by the General Assembly. Departmental receipts consist of tuition at the universities and community colleges, patient receipts at the hospitals and institutions, sales of goods and services, grants, and various other receipts. These receipts represent approximately 19.6% of the total state budget.
North Carolina’s appropriates operating and capital funds on a biennial, or two-year budget cycle. The operating and capital budgets for the second year of a biennium were adjusted in a “short” legislation session, including the session which adjourned on July 1, 2016. Additionally, the Governor issued a Proclamation of an Extra Session, calling the General Assembly into an emergency session on December 13, 2016, to appropriate funding for Hurricane Matthew and the western North Carolina wildfires. The Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2016, Session Law 2016-94, as ratified by the General Assembly on July 1, 2016, and signed by the Governor on July 14, 2016 and the Disaster Recovery Act of 2016, Session Law 2016-124, as ratified by the General Assembly on December 14, 2016, and signed by the Governor on December 15, 2016 (together as the Acts). Together the Acts bring the total fiscal year 2016-14 General Fund budget to $22.32 billion.
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The consensus revenue forecast for the 2016-17 fiscal year reflects a steadily improving economy with modest revenue growth expectations. After accounting for adjustments to availability enacted during the 2016 Session of the General Assembly, General Fund revenue is forecast to grow 2.5% in fiscal year 2016-17.
Real Estate and Housing.
In 2016, North Carolina witnessed a 10.6% increase from the previous year in building permits of new housing units compared to a 2.0% increase nationwide. In 2015, the state witnessed a 9.7% increase from the previous year in building permits of new housing units compared to a 12.4% increase nationwide. North Carolina’s housing construction remains strong compared to other states. During 2015 and 2016, North Carolina ranked among the top five states in the nation in building permits for housing units.
Long-Term Debt.
As of June 30, 2016, North Carolina had total long-term debt outstanding (bonds, special indebtedness, and notes payable) of $7.26 billion, a decrease of 8.14% from the previous fiscal year-end. The state issued $329.36 million in refunding bonds to refinance previously outstanding general obligation bonds reported in governmental activities. The refinancing was done to take advantage of lower interest rates and will save the state approximately $55 million in debt service costs.
Bond Ratings.
Three major credit rating agencies, Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, assigned ratings to the North Carolina 2017 Bonds, as follows: Moody’s assigned a rating of “Aaa”, S&P assigned a rating of “AAA”, and Fitch assigned a rating of “AAA”. It is not possible to determine whether, or the extent to which, Moody’s, S&P, or Fitch will change its rating in the future. In addition, ratings assigned to individual Municipal Obligations may vary.
South Carolina
Unless otherwise noted, the following information has been obtained from disclosure contained in the Official Statement, dated as of August 3, 2017, for the $120,885,000 General Obligations State Institution Bonds (Issued on Behalf of Clemson University), Series 2017A, and the $49,450,000 General Obligations State Institution Bonds (Issued on Behalf of the University of South Carolina), series 2017B of the state of South Carolina (collectively, the “South Carolina 2017 Bonds”).
Current Economic Condition.
South Carolina ranks twenty-fourth in population among the fifty states with a population estimated at December 2016 as over 4.7 million citizens. South Carolina has a diversified economic base, including manufacturing, trade, health care services, and leisure/hospitality. Businesses have relocated to the state from all over the world taking advantage of the state’s skilled labor force, competitive wages, lower-priced land, excellent port facilities and accessibility to markets, and, in recent years, substantial tax and other economic incentives. During the year ended June 30, 2016, total non-farm employment in the state increased by 52,100 to 2,050,600. Industry sectors reflecting gains were Education and Health Services (+9,000); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+8,400); Professional and Business Services (+7,500); Manufacturing (+7,000); Government (+5,500); Construction (+5,400); Financial Activities (+4,900); Leisure and Hospitality (+2,300); and Mining, Logging, Information, and Other Services (+1,700).
South Carolina’s unemployment rate was 5.4% in June 2016, which was below the June 2015 rate of 6.6%. It had improved to 4.9% in September 2016. In comparison, the U.S. unemployment rate for June 2016 was 4.9% (and 5.0% in September 2016).
State Budget.
The revenue estimate adopted by the Board of Economic Advisors for South Carolina’s budgetary General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017 was $8,186.0 million, and the Appropriations Act estimate as enacted by the General Assembly, net of transfers and legislative adjustments, was $7,579.5. Both the General Reserve Fund and the Capital Reserve Fund are estimated to be fully funded for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017 at the constitutionally required amounts of $348.0 million and $145.4 million, respectively.
The revenue estimate for South Carolina’s budgetary General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018 adopted by the Board of Economic Advisors on February 15, 2017 is $8,518.4 million, and the Appropriations Act estimated to be enacted by the General Assembly, net of transfers and legislative adjustments, is $7,946.7 million.
Real Estate and Housing.
The number of real estate closings in June 2016, up 9.9% compared to a year ago, and the declining number of foreclosures in the state, down 11.1% in June 2016 compared to June 2015, have reduced the supply of available homes on the market. As inventory tightens, real estate values in South Carolina have gained ground. Residential building permits compared to a year ago are up 22.3% in volume and 10.8% in valuation. The South Carolina housing market continued to improve, with the Charleston and Myrtle Beach housing markets experiencing strong home sales in the first half of calendar year 2016. This growth was also complemented by median home prices of homes sold increasing 4.1% when comparing June 2016 to June 2015.
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Long-Term Debt.
At June 30, 2016, South Carolina had $2.854 billion in bonds and notes outstanding, a decrease of $250.138 million (8.1%) from last year. The reduction of principal on outstanding debt exceeded the issuance of debt resulting in a decrease in debt outstanding for governmental activities of $249.978 million. Activity in the debt reported by the government activities included the issuance of $44.560 million in economic development general obligation bonds and $65.915 million in research university general obligation bonds.
Rather than directly limiting the amount of outstanding general obligation debt, South Carolina law imposes a limitation on annual debt service expenditures. The legal annual debt service margin at June 30, 2016, was $44.564 million for highway bonds, $305.8.7 million for general obligation bonds (excluding institution and highway bonds), $11.978 million for economic development bonds, and $15.374 million for research university infrastructure bonds. South Carolina institutional bonds of $463.365 million were outstanding at June 30, 2016.
Bond Ratings.
Three major credit rating agencies, Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, assigned ratings to the South Carolina 2017 Bonds, as follows: Moody’s assigned a rating of “Aaa”, S&P assigned a rating of “AA+”, and Fitch assigned a rating of “AAA”. It is not possible to determine whether, or the extent to which, Moody’s, S&P, or Fitch will change its rating in the future. In addition, ratings assigned to individual Municipal Obligations may vary.
Commonwealth of Virginia
Unless otherwise noted, the following information has been obtained from disclosure contained in the Report of the Comptroller to the Governor of Virginia – A Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2016, dated December 15, 2016 (the “Report”), and disclosure contained in the Official statement dated June 28, 2017, for the $260,670,000 Commonwealth of Virginia Transportation Capital Projects Revenue Bonds, Series 2017 (the “Commonwealth 2017 Bonds”).
Current Economic Condition.
According to the Report, while some of the conditions left by the financial and economic downturn experienced between 2008 and 2010 are still visible in certain sectors, the economy saw significant improvement in the Commonwealth of Virginia (Virginia or the Commonwealth). Data regarding the primary economic indicators – jobs and new housing units – saw improvement and the state performed better than the nation as a whole. The unemployment rate has continued to decrease from the previous fiscal year and has approached what is considered full-employment while housing indicators continue to improve with home sales accelerating, price appreciation picking up, and building permit issuance growing. During fiscal year 2016, the two General Fund revenue sources most closely tied to current economic activity – individual income taxes and retail sales taxes – experienced increases when compared to the 2015 collections by $227.0 million (1.8%) and $60.4 million (1.9%), respectively. The individual income tax collections and retail sales taxes were less than the estimated revenue by $267.4 million (2.1%) and $71.9 million (2.1%), respectively.
According to the Commonwealth 2017 Bonds, as of November 2016, up to 4.2 million residents of the Commonwealth were in the civilian labor force, which includes agricultural and nonagricultural employment, the unemployed, the self-employed and residents who commute to jobs in other states. Virginia is a right-to-work state with diverse sources of income. In part because of its proximity to Washington DC, Virginia has a larger share of federal and military employees than most states. More than ten percent of Virginia’s workers are federal employees or active military. According to information from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis (the “BEA”) (December 2016), the major sources of personal income in Virginia were the service industry (48.1%), state and local government (11.2%), the wholesale and retail trade industry (8.6%), civilian federal government (8.2%), the manufacturing industry (5.6%), the construction industry (5.4%), the finance and insurance industry (5.2%), and the military federal government (4.0%). The BEA also reports per capita personal income was estimated to be $52,052 in 2015. Taxable retail sales in Virginia for 2015 totaled $100.2 billion (up from $96.2 billion in 2014 and $94.6 billion in 2013). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Virginia’s estimated 2016 population was 8.41 million, an increase of approximately 9.6% from 2007 estimates, which compares favorably to the 7.6% rate of increase for the United States over the same period. From 2006 through 2016, the unemployment rate in Virginia has regularly been less than the national unemployment rate. Based on data from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (November 2016), the estimated unemployment rate in Virginia was 4.2% compared to 4.6% nationally.
State Budget.
According to the Commonwealth Bonds, the General Fund balance decreased by $280.7 million in fiscal year 2016, an decrease of 16.0% from fiscal year 2015. Overall tax revenues increased by 1.5% from fiscal year 2015 to fiscal year 2016. Individual and Fiduciary Income tax revenues increased by 1.8%. Corporation Income tax collections decreased by 8.0% from fiscal year 2015 to fiscal year 2016. Other tax collections, which includes Deeds, Contracts, Wills and Suits; Alcoholic Beverage Sales;
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Tobacco Products; Estate and Other Taxes overall increased by 4.5% from fiscal year 2015 to fiscal year 2016. Tax revenue increases occurred in the form of a 12.8% increase in Premiums of Insurance Companies tax collections and a 1.8% increase in Sales and Uses tax collections. Tax revenue decreases occurred in the form of a 6.0% decrease in Public Service Corporation tax collections and a 2.5% decrease in Communications Sales and Use tax collections. Overall revenue increased by 2.0% and non-tax revenues increased by 14.2%. Overall expenditures increased by 5.1% in fiscal year 2016, compared to a 2.9% increase in fiscal year 2015. Individual and family service expenditures increased by $473.4.6 million, or 8.2%, and education expenditures increased by $166.6 million, or 2.1%. General government expenditures increased $223.2 million or 9.8%.
According to the Commonwealth Bonds, of the $1.48 billion fund balance as of June 30, 2016, $235.5 million was restricted as the Revenue Stabilization Fund (the “Fund”). During fiscal year 2016, a withdrawal of $235.5 million was made from the Fund. The Fund is segregated from the General Fund and can be used only for constitutionally authorized purposes. Virginia law directs that the Fund be included as a component of the General Fund only for financial reporting purposes.
Real Estate and Housing.
According to the Report, economic indicators show that during fiscal year 2016, the housing market in the Commonwealth continued to gradually recover. Sales increased 7.6% in fiscal year 2016 compared to a 5.5% increase in fiscal year 2015 and 3.0% increase in fiscal year 2014. Additionally, housing prices in the Commonwealth again showed a positive change for fiscal year 2016, with an increase of approximately 3.6 percent, compared to a 5.8% percent at the national level.
Long-Term Debt.
According to the Report, the Commonwealth is prohibited from issuing general obligation bonds for operating purposes. The Commonwealth’s total debt rose during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 to $42.8 billion. During the fiscal year, the Commonwealth issued new debt in the amount of $4.2 billion for various projects. Of this debt, $409.0 million was for the primary government and $3.8 billion for the component units.
Bond Ratings.
Three major credit rating agencies, Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, assigned ratings to the Commonwealth 2017 Bonds, as follows: Moody’s assigned a rating of “Aa1”, S&P assigned a rating of “AA+”, and Fitch assigned a rating of “AA+”. It is not possible to determine whether, or the extent to which, Moody’s, S&P, or Fitch will change its rating in the future. In addition, ratings assigned to individual Municipal Obligations may vary.
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APPENDIX D — SERIES OF CFST, CFST I AND CFST II
Below are the series of CFST, CFST I and CFST II. In prospectuses dated prior to June 25, 2014, series of CFST and CFST I are referred to as “Legacy Columbia Funds” and series of CFST II are referred to as “Legacy RiverSource Funds”.
Columbia Funds Series Trust
Columbia AMT-Free California Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia AMT-Free Georgia Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia AMT-Free Maryland Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia AMT-Free North Carolina Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia AMT-Free South Carolina Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia AMT-Free Virginia Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio
Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio
Columbia Convertible Securities Fund
Columbia Global Strategic Equity Fund
Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund
Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund III
Columbia Large Cap Index Fund
Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund
Columbia Mid Cap Value Fund
Columbia Overseas Value Fund
Columbia Select Global Growth Fund
Columbia Select International Equity Fund
Columbia Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Columbia Short Term Bond Fund
Columbia Short Term Municipal Bond Fund
Columbia Small Cap Index Fund
Columbia Small Cap Value Fund II
Columbia Funds Series Trust I
CMG Ultra Short Term Bond Fund
Columbia Adaptive Risk Allocation Fund
Columbia Alternative Beta Fund
Columbia AMT-Free Connecticut Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia AMT-Free Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia AMT-Free Massachusetts Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia AMT-Free New York Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia AMT-Free Oregon Intermediate Muni Bond Fund
Columbia Balanced Fund
Columbia Bond Fund
Columbia California Tax-Exempt Fund
Columbia Contrarian Core Fund
Columbia Corporate Income Fund
Columbia Disciplined Small Core Fund
Columbia Diversified Absolute Return Fund
Columbia Diversified Real Return Fund
Columbia Dividend Income Fund
Columbia Emerging Markets Fund
Columbia Global Dividend Opportunity Fund
Columbia Global Energy and Natural Resources Fund
Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund
Columbia Greater China Fund
Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund
Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund
Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund
Columbia Multi-Asset Income Fund
Columbia New York Tax-Exempt Fund
Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund
Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund
Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund
Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I
Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I
Columbia Strategic Income Fund
Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund
Columbia Total Return Bond Fund
Columbia U.S. Social Bond Fund
Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund
Multi-Manager Alternative Strategies Fund
Multi-Manager Directional Alternative Strategies Fund
Multi-Manager Growth Strategies Fund
Multi-Manager Small Cap Equity Strategies Fund
Multi-Manager Total Return Bond Strategies Fund
Columbia Funds Series Trust II
Columbia Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund
Columbia Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund
Columbia Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio
Columbia Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio
Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio
Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund
Columbia Disciplined Core Fund
Columbia Disciplined Growth Fund
Columbia Disciplined Value Fund
Columbia Diversified Equity Income Fund
Columbia Dividend Opportunity Fund
Columbia Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Columbia European Equity Fund
Columbia Flexible Capital Income Fund
Columbia Floating Rate Fund
Columbia Global Bond Fund
Columbia Global Equity Value Fund
Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund
Columbia Global Opportunities Fund
Columbia Government Money Market Fund
Columbia High Yield Bond Fund
Columbia Income Builder Fund
Columbia Income Opportunities Fund
Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund
Columbia Limited Duration Credit Fund
Columbia Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund
Columbia Mortgage Opportunities Fund
Columbia Select Global Equity Fund
Columbia Select Large-Cap Value Fund
 
 
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Columbia Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund
Columbia Seligman Communications and Information Fund
Columbia Seligman Global Technology Fund
Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund
Columbia Small/Mid Cap Value Fund
Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund
Columbia U.S. Government Mortgage Fund
Multi-Manager Value Strategies Fund
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APPENDIX S — MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS
The Fund’s prospectus contains information relative to choosing a share class. The information in this Appendix S should be read in conjunction with the information contained in the prospectus. With regard to any sales charge waivers and discounts described in this Appendix S and the prospectus, it is your obligation to advise your financial intermediary or (in the case of Direct-at-Fund Accounts, as defined in the prospectus) the Transfer Agent that you qualify for any waiver or reduced sales charge and be prepared to provide proof thereof.
Class Y — Historical Changes to Share Class Eligibility
Current Class Y eligibility is disclosed in the Fund’s prospectus, as supplemented (as the case may be). The following is certain historical information with respect to Class Y shares:
Prior to November 8, 2012, Class Y shares were offered only to certain former shareholders of series of the former Columbia Funds Institutional Trust (together, Former CFIT Shareholders). Former CFIT Shareholders who opened and funded a Class Y account with a Fund as of the close of business on November 7, 2012 may continue to make additional purchases of Class Y shares even if they do not satisfy the current eligibility requirements but may not establish new Class Y shares accounts and will not be eligible to exchange Class Y shares of a Fund into Class Y shares of other Funds. Former CFIT Shareholders may exchange Class Y shares of a Fund for Class Z shares of the same Fund or Class Z shares of another Fund, subject to applicable minimum investments.
Certain Historical Changes to Share Class Names
Effective October 25, 2012, Class R4 shares were renamed Class K shares. Effective October 31, 2012, Class R3 shares were renamed Class R4 shares. Prior to September 3, 2010, any Class R shares of a series of CFST II were known as Class R2 shares. Class T shares existing on January 23, 2017 were renamed as Class V shares on January 24, 2017. Effective March 27, 2017, Class W shares were renamed as Class T shares.
Sales Charge Waivers
Front-End Sales Charge Waivers
The following information is in addition to the description in the Fund’s prospectus of front-end sales charge waivers applicable to Class A, Class E and Class V shares. The following categories of investors may buy Class A, Class E (a) and Class V shares at net asset value, without payment of any front-end sales charge that would otherwise apply:
Current or retired fund Board members, officers or employees of the funds or Columbia Management or its affiliates (b) ;
Current or retired Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial Services) financial advisors and employees of such financial advisors (b) ;
Registered representatives and other employees of affiliated or unaffiliated financial intermediaries (and their immediate family members and related trusts or other entities owned by the foregoing) having a selling agreement with the Distributor (b) ;
Registered broker-dealer firms that have entered into a dealer agreement with the Distributor may buy Class A shares without paying a front-end sales charge for their investment account only;
Portfolio managers employed by subadvisers of the funds (b) ;
Partners and employees of outside legal counsel to the funds or to the funds’ directors or trustees who regularly provide advice and services to the funds, or to their directors or trustees;
Direct rollovers ( i.e. , rollovers of fund shares and not reinvestments of redemption proceeds) from qualified employee benefit plans, provided that the rollover involves a transfer to Class A shares in the same fund;
Employees of Bank of America, its affiliates and subsidiaries;
Employees or partners of Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (or their successors);
For Class V shares only: Shareholders who (i) bought Galaxy fund Retail A shares at net asset value and received Class V shares (formerly known as Class T shares, as stated above, which have no relation to, or connection with, Class T shares in effect on March 10, 2017) 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;
Separate accounts established and maintained by an insurance company which are exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(11);
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At a fund’s discretion, front-end sales charges may be waived for shares issued in plans of reorganization, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and exchange offers, to which the fund is a party;
Purchases by registered representatives and employees (and their immediate family members and related trusts or other entities owned by the foregoing (referred to as “Related Persons”)) of Ameriprise Financial Services and its affiliates; provided that with respect to employees (and their Related Persons) of an affiliate of Ameriprise Financial, such persons must make purchases through an account held at Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates.
The following categories of investors may buy Class A shares of any eligible series of CFST II at net asset value, without payment of any front-end sales charge that would otherwise apply:
Participants of “eligible employee benefit plans” including 403(b) plans for which Ameriprise Financial Services serves as broker-dealer, and the school district or group received a written proposal from Ameriprise Financial Services between November 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008 (each a Qualifying 403(b) Plan). In order for participants in one of these 403(b) plans to receive this waiver, at least one participant account of the 403(b) plan must have been funded at Ameriprise Financial Services prior to December 31, 2009. This waiver may be discontinued for any Qualifying 403(b) Plan, in the sole discretion of the Distributor.
Purchases of Class A and Class V shares may be made at net asset value if they are made as follows:
Through or under a wrap fee product or other investment product sponsored by a financial intermediary that charges an account management fee or other managed agency/asset allocation accounts or programs involving fee-based compensation arrangements that have or that clear trades through a financial intermediary that has a selling agreement with the Distributor;
Through state sponsored college savings plans established under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code;
Through banks, trust companies and thrift institutions, acting as fiduciaries; or
Through “employee benefit plans” created under Section 401(a), 401(k), 457 and 403(b), and qualified deferred compensation plans, that have a plan level or omnibus account maintained with the Fund or the Transfer Agent and transact directly with the Fund or the Transfer Agent through a third party administrator or third party recordkeeper.

(a) The Funds no longer accept investments from new or existing investors in Class E shares, except by existing Class E and former Class F shareholders who opened and funded their account prior to September 22, 2006 that may continue to invest in Class E shares (Class F shares automatically converted to Class E shares on July 17, 2017). See the prospectus offering Class E shares of Large Cap Growth Fund (a series of CFST I) for details.
(b) Including their spouses or domestic partners, children or step-children, parents, step-parents or legal guardians, and their spouse’s or domestic partner’s parents, step-parents, or legal guardians.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers (Class A, Class C, Class E and Class V Shares)
For purposes of calculating a CDSC, the start of the holding period is generally the first day of the month in which your purchase was made.
Shareholders won’t pay a CDSC on redemption of Class A, Class C, Class E and Class V shares:
In the event of the shareholder’s death;
For which no sales commission or transaction fee was paid to an authorized financial intermediary at the time of purchase;
Purchased through reinvestment of dividend and capital gain distributions;
In an account that has been closed because it falls below the minimum account balance;
That result from required minimum distributions taken from retirement accounts upon the shareholder’s attainment of age 70½;
That result from returns of excess contributions made to retirement plans or individual retirement accounts, so long as the financial intermediary returns the applicable portion of any commission paid by the Distributor;
Of Class A shares of a fund initially purchased by an employee benefit plan;
Other than Class A shares of a fund initially purchased by an employee benefit plan that are not connected with a plan level termination;
In connection with the fund’s Small Account Policy (as described in the prospectus); and
At a fund’s discretion, issued in connection with plans of reorganization, including but not limited to mergers, asset acquisitions and exchange offers, to which the fund is a party.
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.
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 S-2

 

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Class Z Shares Additional Eligible Investors
In addition to the categories of Class Z investors described in the Fund’s prospectus (other than for the Multi-Manager Strategies Funds), the minimum initial investments in Class Z shares for the following categories of eligible investors is $2,000 ($1,000 for IRAs, as applicable):
Any client of Bank of America or one of its subsidiaries buying shares through an asset management company, trust, fiduciary, retirement plan administration or similar arrangement with Bank of America or the subsidiary.
Any employee (or family member of an employee) of Bank of America or one of its subsidiaries.
Any investor buying shares through a Columbia Management state tuition plan organized under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Any trustee or director (or family member of a trustee or director) of a fund distributed by the Distributor.
As described in the prospectuses, any shareholder (as well as any family member of a shareholder or person listed on an account registration for any account of the shareholder) of another fund distributed by the Distributor who holds Class Z shares is eligible to purchase Class Z shares subject to a minimum initial investment of $2,000. If the account in which the shareholder holds Class Z shares is not eligible to purchase additional Class Z shares, the shareholder may purchase Class Z shares in an account maintained directly with the Transfer Agent, subject to the $2,000 minimum for such direct account.
Shares of Multi-Manager Strategies Funds
The Multi-Manager Strategies Funds offer Class A shares and Class Z shares that are available only through certain wrap fee programs sponsored and/or managed by Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates. The minimum initial investment for Class A shares and Class Z shares of the Multi-Manager Strategies Funds is $100, and each share class has no minimum additional investment. Shares of the Multi-Manager Strategies Funds are not subject to any front-end sales charge or CDSC. See the Fund’s prospectus for additional information.
Fund Reorganizations
Class A shares may be issued without any initial sales charge in connection with the acquisition of cash and securities owned by other investment companies. Any CDSC will be waived in connection with the redemption of shares of the fund if the fund is combined with another fund or in connection with a similar reorganization transaction.
Rejection of Purchases
Each fund and the distributor of the funds reserve the right to reject any offer to purchase shares, in their sole discretion.
Restrictions and Changes in Terms and Conditions
Restrictions may apply to certain accounts and certain transactions. The Funds and/or the Distributor may change or cancel these terms and conditions at any time. Unless you provide your financial intermediary with information in writing about all of the factors that may count toward available reductions or waivers of an applicable sales charge, there can be no assurance that you will receive all of the reductions and waivers for which you may be eligible. To the extent your Fund account is held directly with the Fund, you should provide this information to the Fund when placing your purchase or redemption order. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for more information about sales charge reductions and waivers.
SAI915_00_039_(09/17)
Statement of Additional Information – September 1, 2017 S-3


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PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28. Exhibits

 

(a)(1)   Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective January 27, 2006, is incorporated by reference to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)), filed on February 8, 2006.
(a)(2)   Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated September 11, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(2)), filed on October 2, 2007.
(a)(3)   Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated January 8, 2009, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(3)), filed on January 27, 2009.
(a)(4)   Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated August 9, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(4)), filed on March 4, 2011.
(a)(5)   Amendment No. 4 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated January 13, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(5)), filed on March 4, 2011.
(a)(6)   Amendment No. 5 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated April 14, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(6)), filed on July 29, 2011.
(a)(7)   Amendment No. 6 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated January 12, 2012, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(7)), filed on February 24, 2012.
(a)(8)   Amendment No. 7 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated December 12, 2012, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(8)), filed on May 30, 2013.
(a)(9)   Amendment No. 8 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated November 20, 2013, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(9)), filed on November 27, 2013.
(a)(10)   Amendment No. 9 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated April 11, 2014, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 107 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(10)), filed on April 23, 2014.
(a)(11)   Amendment No. 10 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated June 17, 2014, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(11)), filed on June 27, 2014.
(a)(12)   Amendment No. 11 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated September 15, 2014, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(12)), filed on September 26, 2014.
(a)(13)   Amendment No. 12 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated January 28, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(13)), filed on February 27, 2015.


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(a)(14)   Amendment No. 13 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated April 14, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(14)), filed on May 28, 2015.
(a)(15)   Amendment No. 14 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated December 15, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(15)), filed on December 21, 2015.
(a)(16)   Amendment No. 15 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated April 19, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(16)), filed on May 27, 2016.
(a)(17)   Amendment No. 16 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated June 14, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 145 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(17)), filed on June 27, 2016.
(a)(18)   Amendment No. 17 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated November 14, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 154 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(18)), filed on November 23, 2016.
(a)(19)   Amendment No. 18 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated March 13, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(19)), filed on March 30, 2017.
(b)   By-laws as amended February 10, 2016, are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (b)), filed on May 27, 2016.
(c)   Stock Certificate: Not Applicable.
(d)(1)   Management Agreement (amended and restated), dated April 25, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(1)), filed on April 28, 2016.
(d)(2)   Schedule A and Schedule B, effective July 1, 2017, to the Management Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, effective April 25, 2016, are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 164 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(2)), filed on June 27, 2017.
(d)(3)   Management Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and CCSF Offshore Fund, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund, a series of the Registrant, effective October 1, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(6)), filed on September 28, 2015.
(d)(4)   Subadvisory Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc., dated September 14, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 150 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(4)), filed on September 28, 2016.
(d)(5)   Subadvisory Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P., dated September 23, 2011, last amended December 5, 2013, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(9)), filed on May 15, 2014.


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(d)(6)   Amendment No. 2, as of June 5, 2014, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 23, 2011, amended December 5, 2013, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(10)), filed on August 20, 2014.
(d)(7)   Amended and Restated Subadvisory Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Threadneedle International Limited, dated June 11, 2008, last amended January 16, 2013, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(27)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(e)(1)   Distribution Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. and the Registrant, dated March 1, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (e)(1)), filed on May 27, 2016.
(e)(2)   Schedule I, as of March 1, 2016, and Schedule II, as of September 7, 2010, to the Distribution Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. and the Registrant, dated March 1, 2016, are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (e)(2)), filed on May 27, 2016.
(e)(3)   Form of Mutual Fund Sales Agreement is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 293 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (e)(2)), filed on March 29, 2017.
(f)   Deferred Compensation Plan, adopted as of December 31, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (f)), filed on February 24, 2012.
(g)(1)   Second Amended and Restated Master Global Custody Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., dated March 7, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (g)(1)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(g)(2)   Addendum (related to Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund), dated July 15, 2011, Addendum (related to Columbia Flexible Capital Income Fund), dated July 15, 2011, Addendum (related to Multi-Manager Value Strategies Fund, formerly known as Active Portfolios ® Multi-Manager Value Fund and Columbia Active Portfolios – Diversified Equity Income Fund), dated March 9, 2012, and Addendum (related to Columbia Mortgage Opportunities Fund), dated March 7, 2014, to the Second Amended and Restated Master Global Custody Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., dated March 7, 2011, are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (g)(2)), filed on May 30, 2014.
(g)(3)   Side letter (related to the China Connect Service on behalf of Columbia Global Opportunities Fund), dated December 19, 2014, to the Second Amended and Restated Master Global Custody Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., dated March 7, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (g)(3)), filed on February 27, 2015.
(g)(4)   Addendum, effective April 4, 2016, to the Second Amended and Restated Master Global Custody Agreement with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., dated March 7, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 297 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (g)(7)), filed on May 30, 2017.


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(h)(1)   Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. and the Registrant, dated March 1, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 162 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(1)), filed on May 30, 2017.
(h)(2)   Schedule A and Schedule B, effective August 1, 2017, to the Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. and the Registrant, dated March 1, 2016, are filed herewith as Exhibit (h)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 166 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(h)(3)   Plan Administration Services Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. and the Registrant, dated December 1, 2006, amended and restated September 13, 2012, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 107 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(5)), filed on April 23, 2014.
(h)(4)   Exhibit A, as of June 21, 2017, to the Plan Administration Services Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. and the Registrant, dated December 1, 2006, amended and restated September 13, 2012, is filed herewith as Exhibit (h)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 166 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(h)(5)   Amended and Restated Fee Waiver and Expense Cap Agreement, effective July 1, 2016, by and among Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 145 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(5)), filed on June 27, 2016.
(h)(6)   Schedule A, as of May 1, 2017, to the Amended and Restated Fee Waiver and Expense Cap Agreement, effective July 1, 2016, by and among Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(4)), filed on April 27, 2017.
(h)(7)   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated December 20, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(9)), filed on April 29, 2011.
(h)(8)   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated October 9, 2012, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(6)), filed on May 30, 2013.
(h)(9)   Agreement and Plan of Redomiciling, dated December 20, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(10)), filed on April 29, 2011.
(h)(10)   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated December 17, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Registration Statement No. 333-208706 of Columbia Funds Series Trust on Form N-14 (Exhibit (4)), filed on December 22, 2015.
(h)(11)   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as of December 9, 2014, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 225 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(14)), filed on April 16, 2015.


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(h)(12)   Restated Credit Agreement, as of December 8, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(9)(i)), filed on April 11, 2016.
(h)(13)   Restated Credit Agreement, as of December 6, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 297 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(8)(ii)), filed on May 30, 2017.
(h)(14)   Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated April 25, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 297 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(8)(iii)), filed on May 30, 2017.
(i)(1)   Opinion and consent of counsel as to the legality of the securities being registered is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (i)), filed on August 28, 2013.
(i)(2)   Opinion and consent of counsel as to the legality of the securities being registered for Columbia Mortgage Opportunities Fund is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 107 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (i)), filed on April 23, 2014.
(j)   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is filed herewith as Exhibit (j) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 166 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(k)   Omitted Financial Statements: Not Applicable.
(l)   Initial Capital Agreement: Not Applicable.
(m)(1)   Plan of Distribution and Amended and Restated Agreement of Distribution between Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. and the Registrant, dated November 7, 2008, amended and restated September 27, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 107 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (m)(1)), filed on April 23, 2014.
(m)(2)   Schedule A, dated July 18, 2017, to the Plan of Distribution and Amended and Restated Agreement of Distribution between Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. and the Registrant, dated November 7, 2008, amended and restated September 27, 2010, is filed herewith as Exhibit (m)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 166 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(m)(3)   Shareholder Services Plan (Class V (formerly known as Class T) Shares) is filed herewith as Exhibit (m)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 166 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(m)(4)   Shareholder Servicing Plan Implementation Agreement (Class V (formerly known as Class T) Shares) is filed herewith as Exhibit (m)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 166 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(m)(5)   Schedule I, effective December 1, 2014, amended and restated July 18, 2017, to Shareholder Servicing Plan Implementation Agreement (Class V (formerly known as Class T) Shares) is filed herewith as Exhibit (m)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 166 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(n)   Rule 18f – 3 Multi-Class Plan, amended and restated as of June 21, 2017, is filed herewith as Exhibit (n) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 164 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(o)   Reserved.


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(p)(1)   Columbia Funds Family Code of Ethics, effective April 14, 2014, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(1)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(p)(2)   Ameriprise Global Asset Management Personal Trading Account Dealing and Code of Ethics Policy, effective December 15, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(2)), filed on February 7, 2017.
(p)(3)   Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. Code of Ethics, effective December 31, 2013, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 150 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(3)), filed on September 28, 2016.
(p)(4)   Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. Code of Ethics, effective January 1, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(9)), filed on April 27, 2017.
(q)(1)   Trustees’ Power of Attorney to sign Amendments to this Registration Statement, dated February 2, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 158 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(1)), filed on February 27, 2017.
(q)(2)   Power of Attorney for Michael G. Clarke, dated May 23, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(2)), filed on May 27, 2016.
(q)(3)   Power of Attorney for Christopher O. Petersen, dated February 16, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(4)), filed on February 27, 2015.
(q)(4)   Power of Attorney for Amy K. Johnson, dated May 11, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 150 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(4)), filed on September 28, 2016.
(q)(5)   Power of Attorney for Anthony P. Haugen, dated May 11, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 150 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(5)), filed on September 28, 2016.

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the investment manager or Columbia Management), as sponsor of the Columbia funds, may make initial capital investments in Columbia funds (seed accounts). Columbia Management also serves as investment manager of certain Columbia funds-of-funds that invest primarily in shares of affiliated funds (the underlying funds). Columbia Management does not make initial capital investments or invest in underlying funds for the purpose of exercising control. However, since these ownership interests may be significant, in excess of 25%, such that Columbia Management may be deemed to control certain Columbia funds, procedures have been put in place to assure that public shareholders determine the outcome of all actions taken at shareholder meetings. Specifically, Columbia Management (which votes proxies for the seed accounts) and the Boards of Trustees of the affiliated funds-of-funds (which votes proxies for the affiliated funds-of-funds) vote on each proposal in the same proportion as the vote of the direct public shareholders vote; provided, however, that if there are no direct public shareholders of an underlying fund or if direct public shareholders represent only a minority interest in an underlying fund, the Fund may cast votes in accordance with instructions from the independent members of the Board.


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Item 30. Indemnification

Article VII of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended, provides that no trustee or officer of the Registrant shall be subject to any liability to any person in connection with Registrant property or the affairs of the Registrant, and no trustee shall be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Registrant or for the act or omission of any other trustee, all as more fully set forth in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which is filed as an exhibit to this registration statement. Article X of the Registrant’s Bylaws provides that each person made or threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any actual or threatened proceeding by reason of the former or present capacity as a trustee or officer of the Registrant or who, while a trustee or officer, is or was serving at the request of the Registrant or whose duties as a trustee or officer involve or involved service as a director, officer, partner, trustee or agent of another organization or employee benefit plan whether the basis of any proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity or in any capacity while serving as a director, officer, partner, trustee or agent, shall be indemnified by the Registrant, under specified circumstances, all as more fully set forth in the Bylaws, which are filed as an exhibit to the registration statement.

Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) provides that no 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 or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

The Registrant’s Declaration of Trust provides that nothing in the Declaration of Trust shall protect any trustee or officer against any liabilities to the Registrant or its shareholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office or position with or on behalf of the Registrant and the Registrant’s Bylaws provides that no indemnification will be made in violation of the provisions of the 1940 Act.

Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. agrees to indemnify the Registrant, its officers and trustees against claims, demands, liabilities and expenses under specified circumstances, all as more fully set forth in the Registrant’s Distribution Agreement, which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement.

The Registrant may be party to other contracts that include indemnification provisions for the benefit of the Registrant’s trustees and officers.

The trustees and officers of the Registrant and the personnel of the Registrant’s investment adviser and principal underwriter are insured under an errors and omissions liability insurance policy. 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.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act) may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Registrant’s organizational instruments or otherwise, the Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and, therefore, is unenforceable.

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser

To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management), the Registrant’s investment adviser, or any subadviser to a series of the Registrant, 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.


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(a) Columbia Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., performs investment advisory services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Columbia Management and the directors and principal officers of Columbia Management is also included in the Form ADV filed by Columbia Management 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 Columbia Management, certain directors and officers of Columbia Management also hold various positions with, and engage in business for, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. or its other subsidiaries.

 

(b) Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. is set forth in the Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-32176), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(c) Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. is set forth in the Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. and the directors and principal executive officers of Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-16283), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(d) Threadneedle International Limited performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Threadneedle International Limited is set forth in the Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Threadneedle International Limited and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Threadneedle International Limited and the directors and principal executive officers of Threadneedle International Limited is also included in the Form ADV filed by Threadneedle International Limited with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-63196), which is incorporated herein by reference.

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 Series Trust II; Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust.

 

(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. Truscott    Chief Executive Officer    Board Member, Senior Vice President
Joseph Kringdon    President and Head of Intermediary Distribution    None
Jeffrey F. Peters    Managing Director and Head of Global Institutional Distribution    None


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Jeffrey J. Scherman    Chief Financial Officer    None
Michael E. DeFao    Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Assistant Secretary    Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Stephen O. Buff    Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer    None
James Bumpus    Vice President – National Sales Manager    None
Thomas A. Jones    Vice President and Head of Strategic Relations    None
Gary Rawdon    Vice President – Sales Governance and Administration    None
Leslie A. Walstrom    Vice President and U.S. Head of Marketing    None
Daniel J. Beckman    Vice President and Head of U.S. Retail Product    None
Marc Zeitoun    Vice President, Head of Strategic Beta and Head of Private Client Accounts    None
Thomas R. Moore    Secretary    None
Paul B. Goucher    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Tara W. Tilbury    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    Assistant Secretary
Nancy W. LeDonne    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    None
Ryan C. Larrenaga    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Joseph L. D’Alessandro    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    Assistant Secretary
Christopher O. Petersen    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    President and Principal Executive Officer
Shweta J. Jhanji    Treasurer    None
Michael Tempesta    Anti-Money Laundering Officer and Identity Theft Prevention Officer    None
Kevin Wasp        Ombudsman    None
Kristin Weisser    Conflicts Officer    None

 

* The principal business address of Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. is 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110.

(c) Not Applicable.

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

Persons 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, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA, 02110;

 

    Registrant’s investment adviser and administrator, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110;

 

    Registrant’s subadviser, Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc., 325 John H. McConnell Boulevard, Suite 200, Columbus, OH 43215;


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    Registrant’s subadviser, Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P., 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746;

 

    Registrant’s subadviser, Threadneedle International Limited, Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG, UK;

 

    Former subadviser, Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC, 2200 Ross Avenue, 31 st Floor, Dallas, TX 75201;

 

    Former subadviser, Donald Smith & Co., Inc., 152 West 57 th Street, 22 nd Floor, New York, NY 10019;

 

    Former subadviser, Marsico Capital Management, LLC, 1200 17 th Street, Suite 1600, Denver, CO 80202;

 

    Former subadviser, Metropolitan West Capital Management, LLC, 610 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1000, Newport Beach, CA 92660;

 

    Former subadviser, Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC, 540 West Madison Street, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60661-2551;

 

    Former subadviser, Turner Investments, L.P., 1205 Westlakes Drive, Suite 100, Berwyn, PA 19312;

 

    Registrant’s principal underwriter, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110;

 

    Registrant’s transfer agent, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110; and

 

    Registrant’s custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, NY 10005.

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 II, certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to its Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, and The State of Minnesota on the 25 th day of August, 2017.

 

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST II
By:  

/s/ Christopher O. Petersen

  Christopher O. Petersen President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 25 th day of August, 2017.

 

Signature    Capacity    Signature    Capacity

/s/ Christopher O. Petersen

Christopher O. Petersen

  

President

(Principal Executive Officer)

  

/s/ Patricia M. Flynn*

Patricia M. Flynn

   Trustee

/s/ Michael G. Clarke*

Michael G. Clarke

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

  

/s/ Catherine James Paglia*

Catherine James Paglia

   Trustee

/s/ William A. Hawkins*

William A. Hawkins

   Chair of the Board   

/s/ Anthony M. Santomero*

Anthony M. Santomero

   Trustee

/s/ George S. Batejan*

George S. Batejan

   Trustee   

/s/ Minor M. Shaw*

Minor M. Shaw

   Trustee

/s/ Kathleen A. Blatz*

Kathleen A. Blatz

   Trustee   

/s/ John G. Taft*

John G. Taft

   Trustee

/s/ Edward J. Boudreau, Jr.*

Edward J. Boudreau, Jr.

   Trustee   

/s/ Alison Taunton-Rigby*

Alison Taunton-Rigby

   Trustee

/s/ Pamela G. Carlton*

Pamela G. Carlton

   Trustee   

/s/ William F. Truscott*

William F. Truscott

   Trustee

/s/ William P. Carmichael*

William P. Carmichael

   Trustee      

 

*   By:  

/s/ Joseph D’Alessandro

  Name:   Joseph D’Alessandro**
    Attorney-in-fact

 

** Executed by Joseph D’Alessandro on behalf of Michael G. Clarke pursuant to a Power of Attorney, dated May 23, 2016, and incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(2)), filed with the Commission on May 27, 2016, and on behalf of each of the Trustees pursuant to a Trustees’ Power of Attorney, dated February 2, 2017 and incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 158 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(1)), filed with the Commission on February 27, 2017.


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Exhibit Index

 

(h)(2)   Schedule A and Schedule B, effective August 1, 2017, to the Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. and the Registrant, dated March 1, 2016.
(h)(4)   Exhibit A, as of June 21, 2017, to the Plan Administration Services Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. and the Registrant, dated December 1, 2006, amended and restated September 13, 2012.
(j)   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
(m)(2)   Schedule A, dated July 18, 2017, to the Plan of Distribution and Amended and Restated Agreement of Distribution between Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. and the Registrant, dated November 7, 2008, amended and restated September 27, 2010.
(m)(3)   Shareholder Services Plan (Class V (formerly known as Class T) Shares).
(m)(4)   Shareholder Servicing Plan Implementation Agreement (Class V (formerly known as Class T) Shares).
(m)(5)   Schedule I, effective December 1, 2014, amended and restated June 21, 2017, to Shareholder Servicing Plan Implementation Agreement (Class V (formerly known as Class T) Shares).
(n)   Rule 18f – 3 Multi-Class Plan, amended and restated as of July 18, 2017.

TA Schedule – CFST II

 

SCHEDULE A

Effective August 1, 2017

Columbia Funds Series Trust II

Columbia Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund

Columbia Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio

Columbia Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio

Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio

Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund

Columbia Disciplined Core Fund

Columbia Disciplined Growth Fund

Columbia Disciplined Value Fund

Columbia Diversified Equity Income Fund

Columbia Dividend Opportunity Fund

Columbia Emerging Markets Bond Fund

Columbia European Equity Fund

Columbia Flexible Capital Income Fund

Columbia Floating Rate Fund

Columbia Global Bond Fund

Columbia Global Equity Value Fund

Columbia Global Opportunities Fund

Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund

Columbia Government Money Market Fund

Columbia High Yield Bond Fund

Columbia Income Builder Fund

Columbia Income Opportunities Fund

Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund

Columbia Limited Duration Credit Fund

Columbia Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund

Columbia Mortgage Opportunities Fund

Columbia Select Global Equity Fund

Columbia Select Large-Cap Value Fund

Columbia Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund

Columbia Seligman Communications and Information Fund

Columbia Seligman Global Technology Fund

Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund

Columbia Small/Mid Cap Value Fund

Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund

Columbia U.S. Government Mortgage Fund

Multi-Manager Value Strategies Fund


TA Schedule – CFST II

 

SCHEDULE B

Effective August 1, 2017

Payments under the Agreement are payable to CMISC monthly.

Transfer agency costs are calculated separately for each of (i) Class Y shares, (ii) Class K and R5 shares, and (iii) all other classes of shares.

Each Fund shall pay to CMISC for the services to be provided by CMISC under the Agreement an amount equal to the sum of the following:

(a) (i) Base transfer agency fee paid monthly of:

 

  1. an annual per account fee equal to the Direct Account Fee for accounts established directly with the Fund (direct accounts); and

 

  2. an annual rate equal to the Intermediary Controlled Account Rate on the daily value of accounts of intermediaries established with the Fund, including accounts established or maintained pursuant to the National Securities Clearing Corporation’s networking system (network accounts and, together with omnibus accounts, intermediary controlled accounts); PLUS

 

  (ii) The Fund’s Allocated Share of CMISC Reimbursable Out-of-Pocket Expenses; PLUS

 

  (iii) Sub-transfer agency fees (generally intended to offset amounts paid by CMISC to intermediaries for services they provide), subject to the limits set forth below

 

  1. For all classes other than Class  K, R5 or Y: the amount charged by an intermediary up to the following sub-transfer agency fee limits, which vary among distribution channels as follows:

 

Distribution Channel

  

Sub-Transfer Agency Fee Limit

Retirement Channel – Intermediary platforms that primarily service retirement accounts, including accounts of retirement plans qualified under sections 401(a), 401(k), 457 or 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), non-qualified deferred compensation plans governed by section 409A of the Code and individual retirement plans    (i) 0.25% of Fund assets held by Retirement Channel intermediaries or platforms charging an asset-based fee or (ii) $20 per account held by Retirement Channel intermediaries charging a per account fee
Supermarket Transaction Fee (TF) Channel – Accounts in mutual fund platforms of the type commonly referred to as “fund supermarkets” that charge participants a transaction fee    (i) 0.12% of Fund assets held by Supermarket TF Channel intermediaries or platforms charging an asset-based fee or (ii) $20 per Supermarket TF Account held for intermediaries charging a per account fee


TA Schedule – CFST II

 

Distribution Channel

  

Sub-Transfer Agency Fee Limit

Supermarket No-Transaction Fee (NTF) Channel – Accounts in mutual fund platforms of the type commonly referred to as “fund supermarkets” that do not charge participants a transaction fee    (i) 0.25% of Fund assets held by Supermarket NTF Channel intermediaries or platforms charging an asset based fee or (ii) $20 per account held by Supermarket NTF Channel intermediaries or platforms charging a per account fee
Bank Channel – Accounts maintained by banks offering financial and banking services to high net worth clients (commonly referred to as private bank accounts)    (i) 0.20% of Fund assets held by Private Bank Channel intermediaries or platforms or (ii) $20 per account held by Bank Channel intermediaries or platforms charging a per account fee
Section 529 Plan Assets – Accounts of portfolios of college saving plans authorized under section 529 of the Code (commonly referred to as Section 529 plans) (529 Plan Accounts)    0.20% on Fund assets held in 529 Plan Accounts
Broker-Dealer Channel – Intermediary platforms offering mutual funds in brokerage accounts or through advisory programs, including independent, regional and wirehouses firms    (i) 0.15% of Fund assets held by Broker-Dealer Channel intermediaries or platforms charging an asset-based fee or (ii) $20 per account held by Broker-Dealer Channel intermediaries or platforms charging a per account fee

The sub-transfer agency fee limit is applied by intermediary (or by platforms within an intermediary, where applicable), by Fund and by share class and not in the aggregate by distribution channel. For avoidance of doubt, per account limits applicable to certain channels are applied at the level of the underlying accounts serviced by the intermediary, not at the level of the omnibus account maintained by CMISC.

 

  2. For Class  K and Class  R5 shares: 0.05% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares maintained in omnibus accounts (subject to paragraph (b) below).

 

  3. For Class  Y Shares: Class Y shares do not pay sub-transfer agency fees set forth in paragraph (a)(iii).

 

  (b) For Class K and Class R5 shares, the annual rate for the fees set forth in paragraphs (a)(i) – (a)(iii)(2) shall not exceed 0.070%.

 

  (c) For Class Y shares, the annual rate for the fees set forth in paragraphs (a)(i) – (a)(ii) shall not exceed 0.020%.

In addition, CMISC shall be entitled to retain as additional compensation/reimbursement for its services all CMISC revenues for fees for wire, telephone, and redemption orders, IRA trustee agent fees and account transcripts due CMISC from shareholders of the Fund and interest (net of bank charges) earned with respect to balances in the accounts referred to in paragraph 2 of the Agreement. All determinations hereunder shall be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and subject to audit by the Funds’ independent accountants.


TA Schedule – CFST II

 

Definitions

Allocated Share ” for any month means that percentage of CMISC Reimbursable Out-of-Pocket Expenses which would be allocated to a Fund for such month in accordance with the methodology described below under the heading “Methodology of Allocating CMISC Reimbursable Out-of-Pocket Expenses.”

CMISC Reimbursable Out-of-Pocket Expenses ” means (i) networking account fees paid to dealer firms by CMISC on shareholder accounts established or maintained pursuant to the National Securities Clearing Corporation’s networking system, subject to a maximum annual rate of up to 0.20% of the month end value of the Fund’s shares maintained in networked accounts of each dealer firm, and (ii) out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Funds by CMISC for stationery, forms, postage and similar items and those expenses identified as “Out-of-Pocket Expenses” below.

Direct Account Fee ” means $38.50 for the period from July 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and $40.50 for the period from January 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018.

Intermediary Controlled Account Rate ” means 0.0088% for the period from July 1, 2017 through July 31, 2017, and thereafter shall be the rate equal to (x) the amount approved or ratified by the Board to approximate the projected expenses of servicing intermediary controlled accounts (including an agreed-upon margin), divided by (y) the net assets of intermediary controlled accounts invested in funds within the Columbia Fund complex for which CMISC serves as transfer agent (excluding any variable portfolio funds). For any given month, CMISC shall calculate the Intermediary Controlled Account Rate based on net assets of applicable Columbia Funds as of the 15 th day of the month preceding such month (or the next succeeding business day if the 15 th day of the preceding month is not a business day). For example, the Intermediary Controlled Account Rate effective September 1, 2017 shall be calculated based on net assets as of August 15, 2017.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses ” also include, but are not limited to, the following items:

  * Printing, storage and programming costs associated with, but not limited to envelopes, checks, confirmations and stationery

 

  * Postage bulk, pre-sort, ZIP+4, barcoding, first class

 

  * Telephone and telecommunication costs, including all lease, maintenance and line costs

 

  * Proxy solicitations, mailings and tabulations

 

  * Daily & Distributions advice mailings

 

  * Implementing, monitoring or processing any Stop Orders

 

  * Shipping, Certified and Overnight mail and insurance

 

  * Year-end forms and mailings

 

  * Duplicating services

 

  * Courier services


TA Schedule – CFST II

 

  * National Securities Clearing Corporation charges related to fund transactions

 

  * Record retention costs including but not limited to the storage, movement, destruction, retrieval and handling charges

 

  * Data processing and storage for anti-market timing omnibus monitoring

 

  * Creation and maintenance of on-line records including reports, shareholder and dealer statements, year-end forms, and regulatory mailings

 

  * Third party quality control assessments

 

  * Compliance items including, but not limited to, lost shareholder review, lost certificate filings and compliance programs

 

  * Electronic website linkages to third party account management applications

 

  * Regulatory mailings inclusive of costs related to electronic delivery of such documents.

 

  * At the request, or with the consent of the Trust, such other miscellaneous expenses reasonably incurred by CMISC in performing its duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.

The Funds agree that postage and mailing expenses will be paid on the day of or prior to mailing as agreed with CMISC. In addition, the Funds will promptly reimburse CMISC for any other unscheduled expenses incurred by CMISC whenever the Funds and CMISC mutually agree that such expenses are not otherwise properly borne by CMISC as part of its duties under the Agreement.

Methodology of Allocating CMISC Reimbursable Out-of-Pocket Expenses

CMISC Reimbursable Out-of-Pocket Expenses are allocated to the Funds as follows:

 

  A.    Identifiable    Based on actual services performed and invoiced to a Fund.
  B.    Unidentifiable   

Allocation will be based on three evenly weighted factors.

 

- number of shareholder accounts

 

- Number of transactions

 

- Average assets


TA Schedule – CFST II

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the forgoing Schedule A to be duly executed as of August 1, 2017.

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST II ,

on behalf of their respective series listed on Schedule A

 

By:  

/s/ Christopher O. Petersen

  Name: Christopher O. Petersen
  Title: President

COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT SERVICES CORP.

 

By:  

/s/ Lyn Kephart-Strong

  Name: Lyn Kephart-Strong
  Title: President

Plan Admin – CFST II

 

As of June 21, 2017

Columbia Funds Series Trust II is a Massachusetts business trust:

EXHIBIT A

 

Funds    Class  

Columbia Funds Series Trust II

  

Columbia Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund

     K  

Columbia Asia Pacific-ex Japan Fund

     K  

Columbia Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio

     K  

Columbia Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio

     K  

Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio

     K  

Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund

     K  

Columbia Disciplined Core Fund

     K  

Columbia Disciplined Growth Fund

     K  

Columbia Disciplined Value Fund

     K  

Columbia Diversified Equity Income Fund

     K  

Columbia Dividend Opportunity Fund

     K  

Columbia Emerging Markets Bond Fund

     K  

Columbia European Equity Fund

     K  

Columbia Flexible Capital Income Fund

     K  

Columbia Floating Rate Fund

     K  

Columbia Global Bond Fund

     K  

Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund

     K  

Columbia Global Opportunities Fund

     K  

Columbia Government Money Market Fund

     K  

Columbia High Yield Bond Fund

     K  

Columbia Income Builder Fund

     K  

Columbia Income Opportunities Fund

     K  

Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund

     K  

Columbia Limited Duration Credit Fund

     K  

Columbia Select Equity Value Fund

     K  

Columbia Select Global Equity Fund

     K  

Columbia Small/Mid Cap Value Fund

     K  

Columbia Select Large-Cap Value Fund

     K  

Columbia Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund

     K  

Columbia Seligman Communications and Information Fund

     K  

Columbia Seligman Global Technology Fund

     K  

Columbia U.S. Government Mortgage Fund

     K  


Plan Admin – CFST II

 

IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties hereto have executed the foregoing Exhibit A as of June 21, 2017.

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST II

 

By:  

/s/ Christopher O. Petersen

  Christopher O. Petersen
  President

COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT SERVICES CORP.

 

By:  

/s/ Lyn Kephart-Strong

  Lyn Kephart-Strong
  President


Plan Admin – CFST II

 

EXHIBIT B

PLAN ADMINISTRATION SERVICES

In exchange for the Plan Administration Fee payable on the share classes of the Funds, as set forth on Exhibit C, CMIS shall enter into agreements with third party administrators to provide Plan Administration Services that may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Plan Implementation and Conversion Services such as:

Design, provide, prepare or amend plan documents

Collect historical data

Set-up plan on recordkeeping system

Coordinate transfer of assets

Prepare and submit plan Internal Revenue Service filings

Prepare summary plan description and summaries of material modification

Prepare participant enrollment kits

Conduct plan education and enrollment meetings

Recordkeeping Services such as:

Administer participant contributions

Administer employer contributions

Administer participant forfeitures

Administer participant withdrawals

Administer dividends, capital gains and interest payments

Administer investment net asset value fluctuations

Administer investment allocations

Balance or reconcile transactions

Administer vesting schedules

Plan Maintenance Services such as

Review employee and participant data

Conduct or administer discrimination testing

Conduct or administer top heavy testing

Monitor section 402(g) compliance

Monitor section 415 compliance

Prepare or provide data for annual reports and Form 5500s

Conduct compliance consulting

Plan and Participant Reports such as:

Periodic participant statements

Participant activity reports

Periodic plan or trust statements

Administrative Services such as:

Provide distribution options

Provide and administer forms

Administer qualified domestic relations orders


Plan Admin – CFST II

 

Administer loans

Administer rollovers

Withhold taxes

Prepare and transmit tax forms

Issue checks

Administer asset transfers

Education Activities such as:

Create or make available plan education material

Develop or provide programs designed to increase plan participation

Help participants consider investment/retirement goals

Provide general or customized plan education programs

Provide retirement readiness education material

Provide personalized statements

Support retirement education software, such as Morningstar Clear Future

Offer face to face education seminars

Create or distribute participant educational newsletters

Create or provide plan signage or posters

Plan Sponsor Education Services such as:

Provide plan or investment option information to plan sponsors

Website and Inter-active Voice Response (IVR) System Maintenance Services such as:

Establish, maintain or improve plan website and IVR systems    


Plan Admin – CFST II

 

As of November 1, 2012

EXHIBIT C

 

SHARE CLASS    FEE  

Class K

     0.25

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Columbia Fund Series Trust II of our report dated June 21, 2017, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights, which appears in Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund’s Annual Report on Form N-CSR for the year ended April 30, 2017. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Financial Highlights”, “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Organization and Management of Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries” in such Registration Statement.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
August 24, 2017

12b-1 Plan and Agreement – CFST II

 

Schedule A

As of July 18, 2017

FOR FUNDS OTHER THAN COLUMBIA MONEY MARKET FUND:

Columbia Funds Series Trust II is a Massachusetts business trust:

 

Funds

   Classes  
     A      C      R      T*  

Columbia Funds Series Trust II

           

Columbia Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund

     A        C        —          T  

Columbia Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund

     A        C        R        —    

Columbia Capital Allocation Aggressive

     A        C        R        —    

Columbia Capital Allocation Conservative

     A        C        R        —    

Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate

     A        C        R        —    

Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Disciplined Core Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Disciplined Growth Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Disciplined Value Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Diversified Equity Income Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Dividend Opportunity Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Emerging Markets Bond Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia European Equity Fund

     A        C        —          T  

Columbia Flexible Capital Income Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Floating Rate Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Global Bond Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Global Equity Value Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund

     A        C        R        —    

Columbia Global Opportunities Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia High Yield Bond Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Income Builder Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Income Opportunities Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Limited Duration Credit Fund

     A        C        —          T  

Columbia Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund

     A        C        —          —    

Columbia Mortgage Opportunities Fund

     A        C        —          T  

Columbia Select Global Equity Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Select Large-Cap Value Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund

     A        C        R        —    

Columbia Seligman Communications and Information Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Seligman Global Technology Fund

     A        C        R        —    

Columbia Small/Mid Cap Value Fund

     A        C        R        T  

Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund

     A        C        —          T  

Columbia U.S. Government Mortgage Fund

     A        C        —          T  

Multi-Manager Value Strategies Fund

     A        —          —          —    

 

*   Class W Shares were re-designated as Class T Shares on March 27, 2017.


12b-1 Plan and Agreement – CFST II

 

Fee Schedule

The maximum fee for services under this Plan and Agreement shall be the lesser of the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement (including any unreimbursed expenses) or a rate equal on an annual basis to the percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to the applicable class as set forth in the table below (the “Lesser of Methodology”). The Lesser of Methodology shall be determined and applied on a quarterly basis by computing the amount of actual fees and expenses accrued during the prior quarter (for each share class of each Fund) that were eligible to be paid under Section 3 of the Plan (i.e., the “expenses eligible for reimbursement”) and comparing that amount to the flat rate for the applicable Class. If the flat rate exceeds the expenses eligible for reimbursement, then, based on the Lesser of Methodology, the maximum 12b-1 fee amount accrued for such Class is applied on a going forward basis to reflect the actual amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement for the prior quarter. This determination and calculation is re-applied each subsequent quarter. The frequency of application of the methodology (currently, quarterly) may be revised by the Distributor at any time, after consultation with the Board.

 

Class

   Fee  

A

     0.25

C

     1.00

R

     0.50

T

     0.25

For Class A shares, the fee shall be paid to the Distributor in cash within five (5) business days after the last day of each month.

For Class C shares, the maximum fee under this Plan and Agreement will be equal on an annual basis to 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Funds attributable to Class C share, respectively. Of that amount, up to 0.75% shall be reimbursed for distribution expenses. The fee shall be paid to the Distributor in cash within five (5) business days after the last day of each month. Up to an additional 0.25% shall be reimbursed for shareholder servicing expenses. The fee shall be paid to the Distributor in cash within five (5) business days after the last day of each month.

For Class R, the maximum fee under this Plan and Agreement, which shall be reimbursed for distribution expenses, will be equal on an annual basis of 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Funds attributable to Class R shares. Of that amount, for Class R, up to 0.25% may be reimbursed for shareholder servicing expenses.    The fee shall be paid to the Distributor in cash within five (5) business days after the last day of each month.

For Class T shares, the maximum fee under this Plan and Agreement will be equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Funds attributable to Class T shares. Of that amount, up to 0.25% shall be reimbursed for distribution expenses and/or shareholder servicing expenses. The fee shall be paid to the Distributor in cash within five (5) business days after the last day of each month.


12b-1 Plan and Agreement – CFST II

 

FOR COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND:

Columbia Funds Series Trust II is a Massachusetts business trust:

 

     Classes  
     A      C      R      T*  

Columbia Funds Series Trust II

           

Columbia Government Money Market Fund

     A        C        R        T  

 

*   Class W Shares were re-designated as Class T Shares on March 27, 2017.

Fee Schedule

The maximum fee for services under this Plan and Agreement shall be the lesser of the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement (including any unreimbursed expenses) or a rate equal on an annual basis to the percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to the applicable class as set forth in the table below (the “Lesser of Methodology”). The Lesser of Methodology shall be determined and applied on a quarterly basis by computing the amount of actual fees and expenses accrued during the prior quarter (for each share class of each Fund) that were eligible to be paid under Section 3 of the Plan (i.e., the “expenses eligible for reimbursement”) and comparing that amount to the flat rate for the applicable Class. If the flat rate exceeds the expenses eligible for reimbursement, then, based on the Lesser of Methodology, the maximum 12b-1 fee amount accrued for such Class is applied on a going forward basis to reflect the actual amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement for the prior quarter. This determination and calculation is re-applied each subsequent quarter. The frequency of application of the methodology (currently, quarterly) may be revised by the Distributor at any time, after consultation with the Board.

 

Class

   Fee  

A

     0.10

C

     0.75

R

     0.50

T

     0.10

For Class A shares, the fee shall be paid to the Distributor in cash within five (5) business days after the last day of each month.

For Class C shares, the maximum fee under this Agreement will be equal on an annual basis to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Funds attributable to Class C shares for distribution expenses. The fee shall be paid to the Distributor in cash within five (5) business days after the last day of each month.

For Class R, the maximum fee under this Plan and Agreement, which shall be reimbursed for distribution expenses, will be equal on an annual basis of 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Class R shares. Of that amount, for Class R, up to 0.25% may be reimbursed for shareholder servicing expenses.    The fee shall be paid to the Distributor in cash within five (5) business days after the last day of each month.

For Class T shares, the maximum fee under this Plan and Agreement will be equal on an annual basis to 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Funds attributable to Class T shares. Of that amount, up to 0.10% shall be reimbursed for distribution expenses and/or shareholder servicing expenses. The fee shall be paid to the Distributor in cash within five (5) business days after the last day of each month.


12b-1 Plan and Agreement – CFST II

 

IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties hereto have executed the foregoing Schedule A as of July 18, 2017.

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST II

 

By:  

/s/ Christopher O. Petersen

Name: Christopher O. Petersen
Title: President

COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

 

By:  

/s/ Jeffrey F. Peters

Name: Jeffrey F. Peters

Title: Managing Director and Head of

          Global Institutional Distribution

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN

CLASS V SHARES

(Formerly known as Class T Shares)

Amended and Restated

Section 1.

(a) Upon the recommendation of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the “Administrator”), the administrator of series of the registrants (each a “Trust” and, together, the “Trusts”) listed on Schedule I hereto (each a “Fund”), any officer of the Trust is authorized to execute and deliver, written agreements (“Class V Servicing Agreements”) in any form approved by the Board of Directors/Trustees (the “Board”) 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 V shares of each Fund listed on such schedule. Pursuant to said Class V Servicing Agreements, Service Organizations shall provide administrative support and shareholder liaison services as set forth therein to their customers who beneficially own Class V 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 V Servicing Agreements, at the annual rate of up to 50% in the aggregate of the net asset value of the Class V shares beneficially owned by such customers. All expenses incurred by a Fund with respect to Class V 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 V 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 V 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 applicable 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, 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 and that there is no diminution in the scope and quality of services provided thereunder.

Section  2. The Administrator shall monitor the arrangements pertaining to each Fund’s Class V 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 V 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, and the Trustees/Directors 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, including a majority of the Trustees/Directors 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, 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/Directors 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 Plan has been adopted by each Trust as of September 7, 2010.

Restated to update Funds’ Administrator: June 17, 2015

Restated to update Class T re-designation as Class V: June 21, 2017


SCHEDULE I

FUNDS AND TRUSTS

 

Equity Funds

  

Trust

Columbia Disciplined Value Fund    Columbia Funds Series Trust II

 

Bond Funds

  

Trust

N/A    N/A

FEE RATE

With respect to Equity Funds above, the fee with respect to Class V 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 V 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

CFST II

 

SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT

CLASS V SHARES

(Formerly Class V)

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 administrative support and shareholder liaison services to their clients (“Customers”) who may from time to time beneficially own Class V shares of one or more of the portfolios (collectively, the “Funds”) of the registrants set forth on Schedule I hereto (each a “Trust” and, together, the “Trusts”) that has a Board approved shareholder servicing plan (the “Plan”). The Class V shares of the Funds are collectively referred to herein as “Class V 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 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 V 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 V 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 for 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/Directors concerning this Agreement and the monies paid or payable by us pursuant

 

1


CFST II

 

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 June 21, 2017 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/Directors, 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: 225 Federal Street, Massachusetts, 02110, 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, 225 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110, 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.

 

2


CFST II

 

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 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.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank.]

 

3


CFST II

 

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: 225 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

Very truly yours,

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST II

On behalf of its respective series set forth on Schedule I,

 

By:  

/s/ Christopher O. Petersen

Name:   Christopher O. Petersen
Title:   President

Accepted and Agreed to:

COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

 

By:  

/s/ Jeffrey F. Peters

Name:   Jeffrey F. Peters
Title:   Managing Director and Head of Global Institutional Distribution

 

4

CFST II

 

SCHEDULE I

Effective December 1, 2014

Amended and Restated June 21, 2017

COMPENSATION

FUNDS AND TRUSTS

 

Equity Funds

  

Trust

Columbia Disciplined Value Fund    Columbia Funds Series Trust II

 

Bond Funds

  

Trust

N/A    N/A

FEE RATE

With respect to each Equity Fund above, the fee with respect to Class T (Formerly Class V) Shares shall be an aggregate annual rate of not more than 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class V Shares for shareholder liaison services and administrative support services.

With respect to each Bond Fund above, the fee with respect to Class V Shares shall be an aggregate annual rate of not more than 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class V Shares for shareholder liaison services and administrative support services.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties hereto have executed the foregoing Schedule I as of June 21, 2017.

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST II

 

By:  

/s/ Christopher O. Petersen

Name:   Christopher O. Petersen
Title:   President

COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

 

By:  

/s/ Jeffrey F. Peters

Name:   Jeffrey F. Peters
Title:   Managing Director and Head of Global Institutional Distribution

 

1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

RULE 18f-3 MULTI-CLASS PLAN

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST II

 

I. Introduction.

Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), this Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan (“Plan”) sets forth the methods for allocating fees and expenses among the classes of shares (“Shares”) in the investment portfolios (the “Funds”) of the Columbia Funds Series Trust II (“Registrant”) listed in Schedule A. Among other things, this Plan identifies expenses that may be allocated to a particular class of Shares to the extent that they are actually incurred in a different amount by the class or relate to a different kind or degree of services provided to the class. In addition, this Plan sets forth the maximum initial sales charges (or “loads”), contingent deferred sales charges, maximum distribution fees, maximum shareholder servicing fees, maximum shareholder administration fees, conversion features, exchange privileges, other shareholder policies and services and transfer agency fees, if any, applicable or allocated to each class of Shares of the Registrant.

The Registrant is an open-end series investment company registered under the 1940 Act, the Shares of which are registered on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933. The Registrant offers multiple classes of Shares in its Funds pursuant to the provisions of Rule 18f-3 and this Plan.

Each Fund and the classes of Shares representing interests in the Fund it issues are set forth in Schedule A hereto. Schedule A shall be updated by officers of the Registrant from time to time as necessary to reflect the current classes and Funds offered by the Registrant.

 

II. Allocation of Expenses.

1. Except as otherwise set forth herein or as may from time to time be specifically approved by the board of Trustees of the Registrant (the Trustees), all expenses of each Fund shall be allocated proportionately among the classes of such Fund pro rata based on the relative net assets of each class. Pursuant to Rule 18f-3, the Registrant shall allocate to each class of Shares in a Fund any fees and expenses incurred by the Registrant in connection with the distribution and/or the provision of shareholder services to holders of such class of Shares under any distribution plan, shareholder servicing plan and/or plan administration agreement (a “Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Plan”).

2. In addition, pursuant to Rule 18f-3, the Registrant may allocate to a particular class of Shares the following fees and expenses, if any, but only to the extent they relate to (as defined below) the particular class of Shares:

 

  (i) transfer agency fees and expenses identified by the Registrant’s transfer agent or officers as being fees and expenses that relate to such class of Shares (see paragraph 7 below);

 

  (ii) printing and postage expenses of preparing and distributing materials such as shareholder reports, prospectuses, reports and proxies to current shareholders of such class of Shares or to regulatory agencies that relate to such class of Shares;


  (iii) blue sky registration or qualification fees that relate to such class of Shares;

 

  (iv) Securities and Exchange Commission registration fees that relate to such class of Shares;

 

  (v) expenses of administrative personnel and services (including, but not limited to, those of a portfolio accountant, custodian or dividend paying agent charged with calculating net asset values and determining or paying distributions) as required to support the shareholders of such class of Shares;

 

  (vi) litigation or other legal expenses that relate to such class of Shares;

 

  (vii) fees of the Trustees of the Registrant incurred as a result of issues that relate to such class of Shares;

 

  (viii) independent accountants’ fees that relate to such class of Shares; and

 

  (ix) any other fees and expenses that relate to such class of Shares.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Registrant may not allocate advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of a Fund’s assets to a particular class, except that the Registrant may cause a class to pay a different advisory fee to the extent that any difference in amount paid is the result of the application of the same performance fee provisions, if any, in the advisory contract of the Fund to the different investment performance of each class.

3. For all purposes under this Plan, fees and expenses that “relate to” a class of Shares are those fees and expenses that are actually incurred in a different amount by the class or that relate to a different kind or degree of services provided to the class. The officers of the Registrant shall have the authority to determine, to the extent permitted by applicable law or regulation and/or U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission guidance, whether any or all of the fees and expenses described in paragraph 2 above should be allocated to a particular class of Shares. The Treasurer, any Deputy or Assistant Treasurer, or another appropriate officer of the Registrant shall periodically or as frequently as requested by the independent Trustees report to the Board of Trustees regarding any such allocations.

4. For all purposes under this Plan, “Daily Dividend Fund” means any Fund that has a policy of declaring distributions of net investment income daily, including any money market fund that determines net asset value using the amortized cost method permitted by Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

5. Income and any expenses of Daily Dividend Funds that are not allocated to a particular class of any such Fund pursuant to this Plan shall be allocated to each class of the Fund on the basis of the net assets of that class in relation to the net assets of the Fund, excluding the value of subscriptions receivable (the “Settled Shares Method”).


Realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of Daily Dividend Funds that are not allocated to a particular class of any such Fund pursuant to this Plan shall be allocated to each class of the Fund on the basis of the net assets of that class in relation to the net assets of the Fund (the “Relative Net Assets Method”).

6. Income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, and any expenses of Funds that are not Daily Dividend Funds that are not allocated to a particular class of any such Fund pursuant to this Plan shall be allocated to each class of the Fund on the basis of the Relative Net Assets Method.

7. Transfer agency costs vary among classes, and are calculated separately for each of (a) Class Y Shares, (b) Class K and R5 Shares, and (c) all other classes of Shares. Shares of each Class pay an annual fee set forth in the transfer agency agreement in effect from time to time and an allocable share of reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses, with the allocation among the classes based on the number of open accounts. Shares of each Class (other than Y shares) pay sub-transfer agency fees as set forth in the transfer agency agreement in effect from time to time.

8. In certain cases, a Fund service provider may waive or reimburse all or a portion of the expenses of a specific class of Shares of the Fund. The applicable service provider shall report to the Board of Trustees regarding any such waivers or reimbursements, including why they are consistent with the fair and equitable treatment of shareholders of all classes.

 

III. Class Arrangements.

The following summarizes the maximum initial sales charges, contingent deferred sales charges, maximum distribution fees, maximum shareholder servicing fees, maximum plan administration and/or shareholder administration fees, if any, conversion features, exchange privileges and other shareholder service fees, if any, applicable or allocated to each class of Shares of the Registrant. Additional details regarding such fees and services are set forth in the relevant Fund’s (or Funds’) current prospectus(es) and statement of additional information.

1. Class A Shares

 

  A. Maximum Initial Sales Charge:

 

  (i) Equity Funds (including certain asset allocation and balanced Funds as set forth in a Fund’s then-current prospectus(es)): maximum of 5.75%.

 

  (ii) Fixed income Funds (including certain asset allocation Funds as set forth in a Fund’s then-current prospectus(es) (other than fixed income Funds listed below): maximum of 4.75%.


  (iii) Columbia Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund, Columbia Floating Rate Fund, Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund, Columbia Limited Duration Credit Fund, Columbia Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund, Columbia Mortgage Opportunities Fund, Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund and Columbia U.S. Government Mortgage Fund: 3.00%.

 

  B. Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge :

 

  (i) 1.00% for equity and fixed income Funds (other than fixed income Funds listed below).

 

  (ii) 0.75% for Columbia Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund and Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund (For Class A shares of these Funds purchased prior to February 19, 2015, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%.)

 

  C. Maximum Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees : Pursuant to a Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Plan, Class A Shares of each Fund may pay a distribution fee of up to 0.10% and/or a service fee of up to 0.25%, as set forth in the applicable Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Plan; providing, however, that certain Funds pay a distribution and/or servicing fee of up to 0.25%.

 

  D. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges : Class A Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund. Class A Shares of a Fund may generally be exchanged for Class A Shares of other Funds or funds in the same fund family (“Affiliated Funds”), subject to exceptions described in the then-current prospectuses of the Fund and Affiliated Fund.

 

  E. Other Shareholder Services : Class A Shares of a Fund shall have such arrangements for shareholder services as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund.

2. Class C Shares

 

  A. Maximum Initial Sales Charge : None


  B. Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of the lower of the original purchase price or redemption proceeds) : 1.00% if redeemed within one year of purchase and eliminated thereafter.

 

  C. Maximum Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees : Pursuant to a Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Plan, Class C Shares of each Fund may pay distribution fees of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of such Shares and shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such Shares.

 

  D. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges : Class C Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund. Class C Shares of a Fund may generally be exchanged for Class C Shares of Affiliated Funds, subject to exceptions described in the then-current prospectuses of the Fund and Affiliated Fund.

 

  E. Other Shareholder Services : Class C Shares of a Fund shall have such arrangements for shareholder services as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund.

3. Class K Shares*

 

  A. Initial Sales Charge : None

 

  B. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge : None

 

  C. Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees : None

 

  D. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges : Class K Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund. Class K Shares of a Fund may generally be exchanged for Class K Shares of Affiliated Funds, subject to exceptions described in the then-current prospectuses of the Fund and Affiliated Fund.

 

  E. Other Shareholder Services : Class K Shares of a Fund shall have such arrangements for shareholder services as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund.

 

  F. Plan Administration Services Fee : Class K Shares pay an annual plan administration services fee for the provision of various administrative, recordkeeping, communication and educational services. The fee for Class K Shares is equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of average daily net assets attributable to such Shares.

 

* Class K shares were known as Class R4 shares prior to October 25, 2012.


4. Class R Shares

 

  A. Initial Sales Charge : None

 

  B. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge : None

 

  C. Maximum Distribution Fees : Pursuant to a Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Plan, Class R Shares of each Fund may pay distribution fees of up to 0.50% of the average daily net assets of such Shares.

 

  D. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges : Class R Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund. Class R Shares of a Fund may generally be exchanged for Class R Shares of Affiliated Funds, subject to exceptions described in the then-current prospectuses of the Fund and Affiliated Fund.

 

  E. Other Shareholder Services : Class R Shares of a Fund shall have such arrangements for shareholder services as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund.

5. Class R4 Shares

 

  A. Initial Sales Charge : None

 

  B. Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge : None

 

  C. Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees : None

 

  D. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges : Class R4 Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund. Class R4 Shares of a Fund may generally be exchanged for Class R4 Shares of Affiliated Funds, subject to exceptions described in the then-current prospectuses of the Fund and Affiliated Fund.

 

  E. Other Shareholder Services : Class R4 Shares of a Fund shall have such arrangements for shareholder services as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund.


6. Class R5 Shares

 

  A. Initial Sales Charge : None

 

  B. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge : None

 

  C. Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees : None

 

  D. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges : Class R5 Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund. Class R5 Shares of a Fund may generally be exchanged for Class R5 Shares of Affiliated Funds, subject to exceptions described in the then-current prospectuses of the Fund and Affiliated Fund.

 

  E. Other Shareholder Services : Class R5 Shares of a Fund shall have such arrangements for shareholder services as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund.

7. Class T Shares*

 

  A. Maximum Initial Sales Charge Per Transaction : 2.50%

 

  B. Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge : None

 

  C. Maximum Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees : Pursuant to a Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Plan, Class T Shares may pay distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such Shares.

 

  D. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges : Class T Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund.

 

  E. Other Shareholder Services : Class T Shares of a Fund shall have such arrangements for shareholder services as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund.

 

* Prior to March 27, 2017, Class T Shares were designated Class W Shares.


8. Class V Shares*

 

  A. Maximum Initial Sales Charge :

(a) For equity Funds: 5.75%

(b) For fixed-income Funds: 4.75%

 

  B. Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge : 1.00%

 

  C. Maximum Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees : Pursuant to a Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Plan, Class V Shares of each Fund may pay servicing fees of up to 0.50% for equity Funds and 0.40% for fixed income Funds of the average daily net assets of such Shares.

 

  D. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges : Class V Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund. Class V Shares of a Fund may generally be exchanged for Class V Shares of Affiliated Funds, subject to exceptions described in the then-current prospectuses of the Fund and Affiliated Fund.

 

  E. Other Shareholder Services : Class V Shares of a Fund shall have such arrangements for shareholder services as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund.

 

* Prior to February 24, 2017, Class V Shares were designated Class T Shares.

9. Class Y Shares*

 

  A. Initial Sales Charge : None

 

  B. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge : None

 

  C. Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees : None

 

  D. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges : Class Y Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund. Class Y Shares of a Fund may generally be exchanged for Class Y Shares of Affiliated Funds, subject to exceptions described in the then-current prospectuses of the Fund and Affiliated Fund.

 

  E. Other Shareholder Services : Class Y Shares of a Fund shall have such arrangements for shareholder services as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund.

 

* On March 27, 2017, Class I Shares were exchanged for Class Y Shares in a tax free transaction.


10. Class Z Shares.

 

  A. Initial Sales Charge : None

 

  B. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge : None

 

  C. Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees : None

 

  D. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges : Class Z Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund. Class Z Shares of a Fund may generally be exchanged for Class Z Shares of Affiliated Funds, subject to exceptions described in the then-current prospectuses of the Fund and Affiliated Fund.

 

  E. Other Shareholder Services : Class Z Shares of a Fund shall have such arrangements for shareholder services as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant and described in the then-current prospectus for such Shares of such Fund.

 

IV. Board Review.

The Board of Trustees of the Registrant shall review this Plan, including the application of the Relative Net Assets Method and the Settled Shares Method to the Funds, as frequently as it deems necessary. Prior to any material amendment(s) to this Plan, the Board of Trustees of the Registrant, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Registrant, shall find that the Plan, as proposed to be amended (including any proposed amendments to the method of allocating class and/or Fund expenses), is in the best interests of each class of Shares of the Fund individually and the Fund as a whole. In considering whether to approve any proposed amendment(s) to the Plan, the Board of Trustees of the Registrant shall request and evaluate such information as they consider reasonably necessary to evaluate the proposed amendment(s) to the Plan.

 

Adopted:    September 7, 2010
Amended and Restated:    April 17, 2013
Amended and Restated    April 21, 2014
Amended and Restated    November 1, 2014
Amended and Restated    February 19, 2015
Amended and Restated    May 1, 2015
Amended and Restated    March 1, 2016
Amended and Restated    June 1, 2016
Section II amended to reflect changes to   


Transfer agency fees    January 1, 2017
Amended to reflect the re-designation of Class T and Class W Shares, the designation of new Class T Shares and other share class changes    February 15, 2017
Amended and Restated to reflect Class I and Class B changes    June 21, 2017
Amended to remove references to Class B following the conversion of all remaining Class B shares to Class A shares on July 17, 2017    July 18, 2017


Schedule A

As of July 18, 2017

Funds and Authorized Classes of Shares

The Funds are authorized to issue those classes of shares representing interests in the Funds as indicated in the following table:

 

Funds

   A      C      K      R      R4      R5      T*      V**      Y***      Z  

Columbia Funds Series Trust II

                             

Columbia Absolute Return Currency and Income Fund

     A        C              R4        R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund

     A        C           R           R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5              Y        Z  

Columbia Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5              Y        Z  

Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5              Y        Z  

Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund

     A        C           R        R4        R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia Disciplined Core Fund

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia Disciplined Growth Fund

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia Disciplined Value Fund

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5        T        V        Y        Z  

Columbia Diversified Equity Income Fund

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia Dividend Opportunity Fund

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia Emerging Markets Bond Fund

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia European Equity Fund

     A        C        K           R4        R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia Flexible Capital Income Fund

     A        C           R        R4        R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia Floating Rate Fund

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia Global Bond Fund

     A        C        K        R              T           Y        Z  

Columbia Global Equity Value Fund

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5              Y        Z  

Columbia Global Opportunities Fund

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia Government Money Market Fund

     A        C           R           R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia High Yield Bond Fund

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5        T           Y        Z  

Columbia Income Builder Fund

     A        C        K        R        R4        R5        T           Y        Z  


Funds

   A    C    K    R    R4    R5    T*    V**    Y***    Z

Columbia Income Opportunities Fund

   A    C    K    R    R4    R5    T       Y    Z

Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund

   A    C    K    R       R5    T       Y    Z

Columbia Limited Duration Credit Fund

   A    C    K       R4    R5    T       Y    Z

Columbia Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund

   A    C          R4    R5          Y    Z

Columbia Mortgage Opportunities Fund

   A    C          R4    R5    T       Y    Z

Columbia Select Global Equity Fund

   A    C    K    R       R5    T       Y    Z

Columbia Select Large-Cap Value Fund

   A    C    K    R    R4    R5    T       Y    Z

Columbia Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund

   A    C    K    R    R4    R5          Y    Z

Columbia Seligman Communications and Information Fund

   A    C    K    R    R4    R5    T       Y    Z

Columbia Seligman Global Technology Fund

   A    C    K    R    R4    R5    T       Y    Z

Columbia Small/Mid Cap Value Fund

   A    C    K    R    R4    R5    T       Y    Z

Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund

   A    C          R4    R5    T       Y    Z

Columbia U.S. Government Mortgage Fund

   A    C    K    R    R4    R5    T       Y    Z

Multi-Manager Value Strategies Fund

   A                            Z

 

*   Class W Shares are re-designated as Class T Shares effective on or about March 27, 2017.
** Prior to February 24, 2017, Class V Shares were designated Class T Shares.
*** Effective March 27, 2017, Class I Shares are exchanged for Class Y Shares in a tax free conversion.