As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 23, 2019
Securities Act File No. 333-221764
Investment Company Act File No. 811-23312
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | ☒ | |||
Post-effective Amendment No. 8 | ☒ |
AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | ☒ | |||
Amendment No. 11 | ☒ |
Impact Shares Trust I
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
2189 Broken Bend
Frisco, Texas 75034
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(469) 442-8424
(Registrants Telephone Number)
Ethan Powell
2189 Broken Bend
Frisco, Texas 75034
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies of Communications to:
Brian D. McCabe, Esq.
Ropes & Gray LLP
Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02199
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check applicable box):
☐ |
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
☐ |
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) |
☐ |
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
☒ |
on October 28, 2019 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. |
|
[October 28], 2019 |
FUNDS PROSPECTUS
Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF
Ticker: NACP NYSE ARCA
Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF
Ticker: WOMN NYSE ARCA
Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF
Ticker: SDGA NYSE ARCA
[October 28], 2019
Although these securities have been registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the SEC has not approved or disapproved any shares offered in this Prospectus or determined whether this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds website (www.impactetfs.org), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from a Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 844-448-3383 (844-GIVE-ETF). Beginning on January 1, 2019, you may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you invest directly with a Fund, you can call 844-448-3383 (844-GIVE-ETF) to let the Fund know you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Funds held in your account if you invest through your financial intermediary or all Funds held with the fund complex if you invest directly with a Fund.
Not FDIC Insured
May Lose Value
No Bank Guarantee
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Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF
FUND SUMMARY
Investment Objective
The Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF (the Fund) seeks investment results that, before fees and expenses, track the performance of the Morningstar Minority Empowerment Index (the Underlying Index).
Fees and Expenses
The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fee(1)(2) |
0.75 | % | ||
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees |
0.00 | % | ||
Other Expenses |
0.00 | % | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
0.75 | % |
(1) |
The Fund pays for the transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services it requires under a unitary fee structure (the unitary advisory fee). Therefore, the Funds Management Fee includes fees payable to Impact Shares, Corp. (Impact Shares or the Adviser) for advisory services and for the provision by third parties engaged by Impact Shares of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services. Under the Funds Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser bears all expenses of the Fund (including those of the services listed above) with the exception of those described under the section titled Management of the Fund. |
(2) |
Impact Shares is paid a Management Fee at an annual rate of 0.75% on the Average Daily Managed Assets of the Fund. Average Daily Managed Assets is the average daily value of the total assets of the Fund, less all accrued liabilities of the Fund (other than the amount of any outstanding borrowings constituting financial leverage). |
Expense Example
This Example helps you compare the cost of investing in the Fund to the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell or redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Funds operating expenses remain the same. Your actual costs may be higher or lower. Investors in the Fund may pay brokerage commissions on their purchases and sales of Fund shares, which are not included in the examples below.
1 Year |
3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |||
$77 |
$240 | $417 | 930 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Funds performance. For the period from inception on July 17, 2018 through June 30, 2019, the Funds portfolio turnover rate was 19%.
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Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its total assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes (the 80% basket) in component securities of the Underlying Index (Component Securities).
The Fund may invest the remaining 20% of its total assets (the 20% basket) in securities and instruments not included in the Underlying Index, but which the Adviser believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. For example, the Fund may invest in securities that are not components of the Underlying Index to reflect various corporate actions (such as mergers) and other changes in the Underlying Index (such as reconstitutions, additions and deletions). The Fund may invest in securities of any type and of companies of any market capitalization (including small- and mid-capitalization companies), market sector or industry, but expects to invest primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies. The Fund may use the 20% basket to invest in securities issued by other investment companies, including other exchange-traded funds. The Fund also may invest in warrants and may also use derivatives, primarily swaps (including equity, variance and volatility swaps), options and futures contracts on securities, interest rates, non-physical commodities and/or currencies, within the 20% basket to track the Underlying Index and as substitutes for direct investments the Fund can make. The Fund may also use derivatives such as swaps, options (including options on futures), futures, and foreign currency transactions (e.g., foreign currency swaps, futures and forwards) to hedge various investments for risk management and speculative purposes. In addition, the Funds 20% basket may be invested in cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates.
Unlike many investment companies, the Fund does not try to beat the index it tracks. The Fund uses a passive management strategy designed to track the total return performance of the Underlying Index.
The Adviser may use a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. Representative sampling is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Underlying Index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, leverage and price to earnings ratios) and liquidity measures similar to those of the Underlying Index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index. Tracking error is the difference between the performance (return) of the Funds portfolio and that of the Underlying Index. The Adviser expects that, over time, the Funds tracking error will not exceed 5%. Funds that employ a representative sampling strategy may incur tracking error risk to a greater extent than funds that seek to replicate an index.
The Fund concentrates its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent as the Underlying Index is so concentrated.
The Fund is a non-diversified fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), but intends to adhere to the diversification requirements applicable to regulated investment companies (RICs) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program.
The Underlying Index is designed to measure the performance of large and mid- capitalization companies that are empowering to minorities, and to exhibit risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap ® Index, as described below.
The Underlying Index is constructed using a rules based methodology to select companies from the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap ® Index (the Parent Index), a free float market-cap weighted index that constitutes 90% of the total market capitalization of the U.S. market) that have strong minority empowerment practices. Morningstar constructs the Underlying Index using company level indicators, scores, and indicator relevance weighting from Sustainalytics, the Funds ESG research provider, that include certain social criteria identified and compiled by the NAACP (NAACP or the Partner Nonprofit) to measure the strength of minority empowerment practices and products or services for each company within the Parent Index (a companys Minority Empowerment Composite Score). Based on that scoring, excluding those companies with a detrimental score for applicable controversies (as determined by Sustainalytics), the 200 best scoring companies (after applying the optimized weighting methodology discussed below) are selected by Morningstar as the final underlying index components. The Underlying Index is constructed by Morningstar using an optimized weighting methodology. Under this methodology, Morningstar uses a quantitative process that is designed to determine optimal weights
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for securities to maximize exposure of companies with higher rankings as to minority empowerment practices, while maintaining an Underlying Index that exhibits risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Parent Index. The Index Provider determines the weighting of each security in the Underlying Index using the following variables: Minority Empowerment Composite Score, market capitalization, maximum and minimum weightings by security and sector. Underlying Index constituents are subject to a maximum 5% per company weighting.
The Underlying Index is expected to contain approximately 200 securities, but this number may change. If a company in the Underlying Index has acted in a manner inconsistent with the selection criteria of the Underlying Index, Morningstar may, in its discretion, after consulting with Sustainalytics, exclude the company from the Underlying Index between reconstitution periods. Morningstar may also make adjustments in accordance with its internal guidelines to reflect extraordinary corporate events (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, bankruptcies, insolvencies, and liquidations). The Underlying Index is rebalanced quarterly and reconstituted utilizing the rules-based methodology described above annually. Rebalancing refers to the process of adjusting the weights of the constituent securities in the Underlying Index in accordance with its optimized weighting methodology in response to changes in stock value and market capitalization. Reconstitution refers to the process of changing the constituent securities in the Underlying Index so that securities that no longer meet the criteria for the Underlying Index are excluded and new securities that do meet those criteria are included.
The initial composition of the Underlying Index, as well as any ongoing adjustment, is based on the following social screens used in determining the Minority Empowerment Composite Score that narrows the Index Universe. Each of the social screens for the Minority Fund addresses an issue that has a history of NAACP support.
1. Board Diversity This indicator provides an assessment of the diversity of a companys board of directors. Diversity of background can provide fresh perspectives in the boardroom and lead to better board decision-making.
2. Discrimination Policy This indicator provides an assessment of the quality of a companys policy to eliminate discrimination, including racial discrimination, and ensure equal opportunity.
3. Scope of Supplier Social Programs This indicator assesses whether a company has supply chain/contractors social programs including a focus on racial diversity and empowerment, and the scope of such standards.
4. Digital Divide Programs This indicator provides an assessment of the presence of programs that address the digital divide, i.e. the lack of access to modern means of communication/internet. Access to such means is often difficult for certain groups in modern society (e.g., people of color, poor, elderly) or people in certain regions.
5. Freedom of Association Policy This indicator provides an assessment of the quality of a companys freedom of association and collective bargaining policy, including its impact on racial minorities.
6. Diversity Programs This indicator assesses the strength of a companys initiatives to increase the diversity of its workforce, including racial diversity
7. Supply Chain Monitoring This indicator provides an assessment of whether the company has a supply chain monitoring system and/or whether there are other supply chain monitoring activities. Racial minority focused social standards are included within this monitoring.
8. Community Development Programs This indicator assesses the strength of a companys local community development programs. It does not focus on cash donations, but formal programs that promote long-term economic development among communities, including minority communities, directly affected by the companys operations.
9. Minority-Inclusive Health and Safety Management System This indicator assesses the strength of the companys initiatives to manage employee health and safety and prevent accidents and occupational illnesses.
10. Conflict Minerals Programs This indicator measures the strength of a companys initiatives to eliminate conflict minerals from its products and its supply chain.
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Principal Risks
When you sell Fund shares, they may be worth less than what you paid for them. Consequently, you can lose money by investing in the Fund. No assurance can be given that the Fund will achieve its objective, and investment results may vary substantially over time and from period to period. An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors.
Asset Class Risk. Securities in the Underlying Index or in the Funds portfolio may underperform in comparison to the general securities markets or other asset classes.
Commodities Risk. Commodities markets historically have been extremely volatile, and the performance of securities and other instruments that provide exposure to those markets therefore also may be highly volatile. The commodities markets may fluctuate widely based on a variety of factors. These include changes in overall market movements, domestic and foreign political and economic events and policies, war, acts of terrorism, changes in domestic or foreign interest rates and/or investor expectations concerning interest rates, domestic and foreign inflation rates and/or investor expectations concerning inflation rates and investment and trading activities of mutual funds, hedge funds and commodities funds. Commodity-linked derivative instruments have a high degree of price variability and are subject to rapid and substantial price changes. Commodity-linked derivative instruments may employ leverage, which creates the possibility for losses greater than the amount invested. The Funds investments in commodity-linked instruments may bear on or be limited by the Funds intention to qualify as a regulated investment company.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties with which the Fund enters into derivatives contracts, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and other transactions. If a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations, the Fund may be unable to terminate or realize any gain on the investment or transaction, or to recover collateral posted to the counterparty, resulting in a loss to the Fund. If the Fund holds collateral posted by its counterparty, it may be delayed or prevented from realizing on the collateral in the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding relating to the counterparty.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives Risk is a combination of several risks, including the risks that: (1) an investment in a derivative instrument may not correlate well with the performance of the securities or asset class to which the Fund seeks exposure, (2) derivative contracts, including options, may expire worthless and the use of derivatives may result in losses to the Fund, (3) a derivative instrument entailing leverage may result in a loss greater than the principal amount invested, (4) derivatives not traded on an exchange may be subject to credit risk, for example, if the counterparty does not meet its obligations (see also Counterparty Risk), and (5) derivatives not traded on an exchange may be subject to liquidity risk and the related risk that the instrument is difficult or impossible to value accurately. As a general matter, when the Fund establishes certain derivative instrument positions, such as certain futures and options contract positions, it will segregate liquid assets (such as cash, U.S. Treasury bonds or commercial paper) equivalent to the Funds outstanding obligations under the contract or in connection with the position. In addition, recent legislation has called for a new regulatory framework for the derivatives market. The impact of the new regulations are still unknown, but has the potential to increase the costs of using derivatives, may limit the availability of some forms of derivatives or the Funds ability to use derivatives, and may adversely affect the performance of some derivative instruments used by the Fund as well as the Funds ability to pursue its investment objective through the use of such instruments.
Exchange-Traded Funds Risk. The price movement of an exchange-traded fund may not exactly track the underlying index and may result in a loss. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Funds expenses and similar expenses of the underlying investment company when the Fund invests in shares of another investment company.
Equity Investing Risk. The market prices of equity securities owned by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons that may directly relate to the issuer and also may decline due to general industry or market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
Ethnic Diversity Risk. The returns on a portfolio of securities that excludes companies that are not ethnically diverse may trail the returns on a portfolio of securities that includes companies that are not ethnically diverse. Investing only in a portfolio of securities that are ethnically diverse may affect the Funds exposure to certain types of investments and may adversely impact the Funds performance depending on whether such investments are in or out of favor in the market.
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Fee Risk. Because the fees paid by the Fund to Impact Shares are based on the average daily value of the total assets of the Fund, less all accrued liabilities of the Fund (other than the amount of any outstanding borrowings constituting financial leverage), Impact Shares has a financial incentive to cause the Fund to utilize leverage, which creates a conflict of interest between Impact Shares, on the one hand, and the shareholders of the Fund, on the other hand.
Futures Contracts Risk. Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of an underlying asset at a price, date and time specified when the contract is made. A Fund that uses futures contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk of loss caused by unanticipated market movements. In addition, there may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or indexes and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain futures contracts.
Index Performance Risk. The Fund is linked to an index maintained by a third party provider unaffiliated with the Fund or the Adviser. There can be no guarantee or assurance that the methodology used by the third party provider to create the index will result in the Fund achieving high, or even positive, returns. Further, there can be no guarantee that the methodology underlying the index or the daily calculation of the index will be free from error. It is also possible that the value of the index may be subject to intentional manipulation by third-party market participants. The particular index used by the Fund may underperform other asset classes and may underperform other similar indices. Each of these factors could have a negative impact on the performance of the Fund.
Industry Concentration Risk. Because the Fund may invest 25% or more of the value of its assets in an industry or group of industries to the extent that the Underlying Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries, the Funds performance largely depends on the overall condition of such industry or group of industries and the Fund is susceptible to economic, political and regulatory risks or other occurrences associated with that industry or group of industries.
Intellectual Property Risk. The Fund relies on licenses that permit the Adviser to use the Underlying Index and associated trade names, trademarks and service marks, as well as the Partner Nonprofits name and logo (the Intellectual Property) in connection with the investment strategies of the Fund and/or in marketing and other materials for the Fund. Such licenses may be terminated, and, as a result, the Fund may lose its ability to use the Intellectual Property. In the event a license is terminated or the license provider does not have rights to license the Intellectual Property, the operations of the Fund may be adversely affected.
Limited Operating History Risk. The Fund is newly formed and has no operating history for investors to evaluate as of the date of this Prospectus. The Fund may not attract sufficient assets to achieve or maximize investment and operational efficiencies and remain viable. If the Fund fails to achieve sufficient scale, it may be liquidated.
Management Risk. Management risk is the risk associated with the fact that the Fund relies on the Advisers ability to achieve its investment objective. The Adviser may be incorrect in its assessment of the intrinsic value of companies whose securities the Fund holds, which may result in a decline in the value of Fund shares and failure to achieve its investment objective. The Funds portfolio manager uses qualitative analyses and/or models. Any imperfections or limitations in such analyses and models could affect the ability of the portfolio manager to implement strategies. The Adviser has no experience managing an ETF. The relative lack of experience of the Adviser may increase the Funds management risk.
Market Price Variance Risk. Fund shares are listed for trading on NYSE (the Exchange) and can be bought and sold in the secondary market at prevailing market prices. The market prices of shares will fluctuate in response to changes in the NAV and supply and demand for shares. As a result, the trading prices of Shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility. The Adviser cannot predict whether shares will trade above, below or at their NAV. Given the fact that shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units, the Adviser believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of shares should not be sustained in the long-term. In addition, the securities held by the Fund may be traded in markets that close at a different time than NYSE. Liquidity in those securities may be reduced after the applicable closing times. Accordingly, during the time when NYSE is open but after the applicable market closing, fixing or settlement times, bid-ask spreads and the resulting premium or discount to the Shares NAV may widen. Further, secondary markets may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods, which could cause a material decline in the Funds NAV. In times of market stress, market makers and authorized participants may step away from their respective roles in making a market in Fund shares or in executing purchase and redemption orders, which could lead to variances between the market price of Fund shares and the underlying value of those shares. Also, in stressed market
5
conditions, the market for Fund shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity of the Funds portfolio holdings, which could lead to differences between the market price of the Funds shares and the underlying value of those shares. During periods of high market volatility, a Fund share may trade at a significant discount to its NAV, and in these circumstances certain types of brokerage orders may expose an investor to an increased risk of loss. A stop order, sometimes called a stop-loss order, may cause a Fund share to be sold at the next prevailing market price once the stop level is reached, which during a period of high volatility can be at a price that is substantially below NAV. By including a limit criteria with your brokerage order, you may be able to limit the size of the loss resulting from the execution of an ill-timed stop order. The Funds shares may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the U.S. stock exchange where the Funds primary listing is maintained, and may otherwise be made available to non-U.S. investors through funds or structured investment vehicles similar to depositary receipts. There can be no assurance that the Funds shares will continue to trade on any such stock exchange or in any market or that the Funds shares will continue to meet the requirements for listing or trading on any exchange or in any market. The Funds shares may be less actively traded in certain markets than in others, and investors are subject to the execution and settlement risks and market standards of the market where they or their broker direct their trades for execution. Certain information available to investors who trade Fund shares on a U.S. stock exchange during regular U.S. market hours may not be available to investors who trade in other markets, which may result in secondary market prices in such markets being less efficient.
The Funds investment results are measured based upon the daily NAV of the Fund. Investors purchasing and selling shares in the secondary market may not experience investment results consistent with those experienced by those purchasing and redeeming directly with the Fund.
Non-Diversification Risk. As a non-diversified fund for purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest a larger portion of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a diversified fund. The Funds investment in fewer issuers may result in the Funds shares being more sensitive to the economic results of those issuers. An investment in the Fund could fluctuate in value more than an investment in a diversified fund. Although the Fund is non-diversified for purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund intends to comply with the diversification requirements under Subchapter M of the Code in order to be eligible to qualify as a regulated investment company.
Mid-Cap Company Risk. Investing in securities of mid-cap companies may entail greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies. Mid-cap companies tend to have more narrow product lines, more limited financial resources and a more limited trading market for their stocks, as compared with larger companies. As a result, their stock prices may decline significantly as market conditions change.
Operational and Technology Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that affect the Funds service providers, index providers, Authorized Participants (as defined below), market makers, counterparties, market participants, or issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund operations.
Options Risk. Options, such as covered calls and covered puts, are subject to the risk that significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets.
Passive Investment Risk. The Fund is not actively managed and Impact Shares does not attempt to take defensive positions under any market conditions, including during declining markets.
Securities Market Risk. The value of securities owned by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to factors affecting particular companies or the securities markets generally. A general downturn in the securities market may cause multiple asset classes to decline in value simultaneously. Many factors can affect this value and you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Small-Cap Company Risk. Investing in the securities of small-cap companies either directly or indirectly through investments in ETFs, closed-end funds or mutual funds may pose greater market and liquidity risks than larger, more established companies, because of limited product lines and/or operating history, limited financial resources, limited trading markets, and the potential lack of management depth. In addition, the securities of such companies are typically more volatile than securities of larger capitalization companies.
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Swaps Risk. Investments in swaps involve both the risks associated with an investment in the underlying investments or instruments (including equity investments) and counterparty risk. In a standard over-the-counter (OTC) swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns, differentials in rates of return or some other amount calculated based on the notional amount of predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. Swaps can involve greater risks than direct investments in securities, because swaps may be leveraged and OTC swaps are subject to counterparty risk (e.g., the risk of a counterpartys defaulting on the obligation or bankruptcy), credit risk and pricing risk (i.e., swaps may be difficult to value). Swaps may also be considered illiquid. Certain swap transactions, including interest rate swaps and index credit default swaps, may be subject to mandatory clearing and exchange trading, although the swaps in which the Fund will invest are not currently subject to mandatory clearing and exchange trading. The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques, risk analyses and tax planning different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The value of swaps, like many other derivatives, may move in unexpected ways and may result in losses for the Fund.
Tracking Error Risk. The performance of the Fund may diverge from that of the Underlying Index. Because the Fund employs a representative sampling strategy, the Fund may experience tracking error to a greater extent than a fund that seeks to replicate an index. The Adviser may not be able to cause the Funds performance to correlate to that of the Funds benchmark, either on a daily or aggregate basis. Because the Underlying Index rebalances monthly but the Fund is not obligated to do the same, the risk of tracking error may increase following the rebalancing of the Underlying Index.
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. As with any investment company, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal.
Performance
Because the Fund commenced operations on July 17, 2018, total return information is not yet available for a full calendar year. Financial information for the Fund from July 17, 2018 through June 30, 2019 is available in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus. The performance information provided by the Fund in the future will give some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes against those of a broad measure of market performance. As with all mutual funds, the Funds past performance (both before and after taxes) does not predict the Funds future performance. Updated information about the Funds performance can be found by visiting the Funds website at www.impactetfs.org or by calling 844-448-3383 (844-GIVE-ETF).
Portfolio Management
Impact Shares, Corp. serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The portfolio manager for the Fund is Ethan Powell, who has managed the Fund since inception.
Portfolio Manager |
Managed the Fund
|
Title with Adviser |
||
Ethan Powell | July 2018 | President |
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Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund issues and redeems shares only to authorized participants who have entered into agreements with the Funds distributor (Authorized Participants) in exchange for the deposit or delivery of a basket of assets (securities and/or cash) in large blocks, known as creation units, each of which comprises 50,000 shares (Creation Units). Retail investors may only purchase and sell shares on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer. The price of Fund shares is based on market price, and because ETF shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or less than NAV (a discount).
Important Additional Information
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that generally will be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are a tax-exempt investor or otherwise investing in the Fund through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. If you are investing in the Fund through a tax-advantaged arrangement, you may be taxed later upon withdrawals from that account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies 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 salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediarys website for more information.
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Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF
FUND SUMMARY
Investment Objective
The Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF (the Fund) seeks investment results that, before fees and expenses, track the performance of the Morningstar® Womens Empowerment Index (the Underlying Index).
Fees and Expenses
The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fee(1)(2) |
0.75 | % | ||
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees |
0.00 | % | ||
Other Expenses |
0.00 | % | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
0.75 | % |
(1) |
The Fund pays for the transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services it requires under a unitary fee structure (the unitary advisory fee). Therefore, the Funds Management Fee includes fees payable to Impact Shares, Corp. (Impact Shares or the Adviser) for advisory services and for the provision by third parties engaged by Impact Shares of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services. Under the Funds Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser bears all expenses of the Fund (including those of the services listed above) with the exception of those described under the section titled Management of the Fund. |
(2) |
Impact Shares is paid a Management Fee at an annual rate of 0.75% on the Average Daily Managed Assets of the Fund. Average Daily Managed Assets is the average daily value of the total assets of the Fund, less all accrued liabilities of the Fund (other than the amount of any outstanding borrowings constituting financial leverage). |
Expense Example
This Example helps you compare the cost of investing in the Fund to the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell or redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Funds operating expenses remain the same. Your actual costs may be higher or lower. Investors in the Fund may pay brokerage commissions on their purchases and sales of Fund shares, which are not included in the examples below.
1 Year |
3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |||
$77 |
$240 | $417 | $930 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Funds performance. For the period from inception on August 24, 2018 through June 30, 2019, the Funds portfolio turnover rate was 7%.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its total assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (the 80% basket) in component securities of the Underlying Index (Component Securities). The Fund may invest the remaining 20% of its total assets (the 20% basket) in securities or other instruments not included in the Underlying Index, but which the Adviser believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. For example, the Fund may
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invest in securities that are not components of the Underlying Index to reflect various corporate actions (such as mergers) and other changes in the Underlying Index (such as reconstitutions, additions and deletions). The Fund may invest in securities of any type (including equity and debt securities) and of companies of any market capitalization (including small- and mid-capitalization companies), market sector or industry, but expects to invest primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies. The Fund may use the 20% basket to invest in securities issued by other investment companies, including other exchange-traded funds. The Fund also may invest in warrants and may also use derivatives, primarily swaps (including equity, variance and volatility swaps), options and futures contracts on securities, interest rates, non-physical commodities and/or currencies, within the 20% basket to track the Underlying Index and as substitutes for direct investments the Fund can make. The Fund may also use derivatives such as swaps, options (including options on futures), futures, and foreign currency transactions (e.g., foreign currency swaps, futures and forwards) to hedge various investments for risk management and speculative purposes. In addition, the Funds 20% basket may be invested in cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates.
Unlike many investment companies, the Fund does not try to beat the index it tracks. The Fund uses a passive management strategy designed to track the total return performance of the Underlying Index.
The Adviser may use a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. Representative sampling is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Underlying Index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, leverage and price to earnings ratios) and liquidity measures similar to those of the Underlying Index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index. Tracking error is the difference between the performance (return) of the Funds portfolio and that of the Underlying Index. The Adviser expects that, over time, the Funds tracking error will not exceed 5%. Funds that employ a representative sampling strategy may incur tracking error risk to a greater extent than funds that seek to replicate an index.
The Fund concentrates its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent as the Underlying Index is so concentrated.
The Fund is a non-diversified fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), but intends to adhere to the diversification requirements applicable to regulated investment companies (RICs) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program.
The Underlying Index is designed to measure the performance of U.S. large and mid- capitalization companies that are empowering to women, and to exhibit risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap ® Index (the Parent Index), as described below. The Parent Index is a free float market-cap weighted index that constitutes 90% of the total market capitalization of the U.S. market. The Parent Index is an equity benchmark designed to comprehensively represent the performance of the companies incorporated and/or listed in the United States and contains large and mid-capitalization equities and is designed with the following objectives in mind: (1) transparent and objective rules; (2) full investibility; and (3) low turnover.
The Underlying Index is constructed using a rules based methodology to select companies from the Parent Index that have strong womens empowerment practices. Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar or the Index Provider) constructs the Underlying Index using company level indicators, scores, and indicator relevance weighting from Equileap, the Funds ESG research provider. The YWCA USA (YWCA or the Partner Nonprofit) has reviewed and approved the use of Equileaps social screens (through the use of the Underlying Index) to measure the strength of womens empowerment practices and products or services for each company within the Parent Index (a companys Gender Diversity Score). After excluding those companies that Equileap determines are (i) involved in the weapons, gambling, or tobacco industries, (ii) on the Norwegian Ethics Council List1 or (iii) that have experienced an applicable legal controversy, the 200 best scoring companies
1 |
The list of companies that the Council of Ethics for the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global (the Pension Fund) has recommended excluding from the Pension Funds portfolio of investments on the grounds that investment in such companies wouldbe inconsistent with the Pension Funds Ethical Guidelines. |
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(after applying the optimized weighting methodology discussed below) are selected by Morningstar as the final underlying index components. The Underlying Index is constructed by Morningstar using an optimized weighting methodology. Under this methodology, Morningstar uses a quantitative process that is designed to determine optimal weights for securities to maximize exposure to companies with higher rankings as to womens empowerment practices, while maintaining an Underlying Index that exhibits risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Parent Index. Morningstar determines the weighting of each security in the Underlying Index using the following variables: Gender Diversity Score, market capitalization, and maximum and minimum weightings by security and sector. Underlying Index constituents are subject to a maximum 5% per company weighting.
The Underlying Index is expected to contain approximately 200 securities, but this number may change. If a company in the Underlying Index has acted in a manner inconsistent with the selection criteria of the Underlying Index, Morningstar may, in its discretion, after consulting with Equileap, exclude the company from the Underlying Index between reconstitution periods. Morningstar may also make adjustments in accordance with its internal guidelines to reflect extraordinary corporate events (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, bankruptcies, insolvencies, and liquidations). The Underlying Index is rebalanced quarterly and reconstituted utilizing the rules-based methodology described above annually. Rebalancing refers to the process of adjusting the weights of the constituent securities in the Underlying Index in accordance with its optimized weighting methodology in response to changes in stock value and market capitalization. Reconstitution refers to the process of changing the constituent securities in the Underlying Index so that securities that no longer meet the criteria for the Underlying Index are excluded and new securities that do meet those criteria are included.
The initial composition of the Underlying Index, as well as any ongoing adjustment, is based on the following social screens used in determining the Gender Diversity Score that narrows the universe of companies included in the Parent Index. Equileap determines a companys Gender Diversity Score based upon its analysis of publicly available information, as reported by such company in its most recent annual report for its fiscal year end.
Each of the social screens for the Fund addresses an issue that has a history of YWCA support.
CATEGORY A: GENDER BALANCE IN LEADERSHIP & WORKFORCE
1. Non-Executive Board: Percentage of male and female as a proportion of the total number of non-executive Board members, as of the fiscal year end wherever available, otherwise as of the date of the latest filing.
2. Executives: Percentage of male and female executives as a proportion of the total number of executives, as of the fiscal year end wherever available, otherwise as of the date of the latest filing Executives are either defined by the company or represent those individuals that form the company executive committee/ board, management committee/board or equivalent.
3. Senior Management: Percentage of male and female senior management, as a proportion of the total number of senior management, as of the fiscal year end wherever available, otherwise as of the date of the latest filing. Senior management are defined and reported by the company.
4. Workforce: Percentage of male and female employees at the company, as a percentage of total employees.
5. Promotion & Career Development Opportunities: Ratio of male and female employees in management compared to ratio of each gender in total employees.
CATEGORY B: EQUAL COMPENSATION & WORK LIFE BALANCE
6. Fair Remuneration: Demonstrates a commitment to ensure payment of a fair wage to all employees, even in those countries that do not legally require a minimum wage.
7. Equal Pay: Commitment to provide comparable wages, hours, and benefits, including retirement benefits, for all employees for comparable work in country of incorporation.
8. Parental Leave: Paid leave programs for child and dependent care to both women and men (maternity leave, paternity leave, dependent care) in country of incorporation.
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9. Flexible Work Options: Option for employees to control and/or vary the start/end times of the work day and/or vary the location from which employees work in country of incorporation.
CATEGORY C: POLICIES PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY
10. Training and Career Development: Ensures equal access to training and career development.
11. Recruitment Strategy: Commitment to ensure non-discrimination against any type of demographic group. This could be in the form of an equal opportunities policy, as described by the company.
12. Freedom from Violence, Abuse and Sexual Harassment: Prohibit all forms of violence in the workplace, including verbal, physical and sexual harassment.
13. Safety at Work: Commitment to the safety of employees in the workplace, in travel to and from the workplace, and on company related business, and ensure the safety of vendors in the workplace.
14. Human Rights: Commitment to ensure the protection of the rights of all people it works with including employees rights to participate in legal, civic and political affairs.
15. Social Supply Chain: Commitment to reduce social risks in its supply chain such as forbidding business-related activities that condone, support, or otherwise participate in human trafficking, including for labor or sexual exploitation
16. Supplier Diversity: Commitment to ensure diversity in the supply chain, including a focus to ensure female-owned businesses in the supply chain.
17. Employee Protection: Systems and policies for the reporting of internal ethical compliance complaints without retaliation or retribution, including but not limited to access to confidential third-party ethics hotlines or systems for confidential written complaints
CATEGORY D: COMMITMENT, TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY
18. Commitment to Womens EmpowermentRecognition and commitment to ensuring womens empowerment in the workplace.
19. Audit- Undertaken and awarded an independent gender audit certificate by an Equileap recognized body.
Principal Risks
When you sell Fund shares, they may be worth less than what you paid for them. Consequently, you can lose money by investing in the Fund. No assurance can be given that the Fund will achieve its objective, and investment results may vary substantially over time and from period to period. An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors.
Asset Class Risk. Securities in the Underlying Index or in the Funds portfolio may underperform in comparison to the general securities markets or other asset classes.
Commodities Risk. Commodities markets historically have been extremely volatile, and the performance of securities and other instruments that provide exposure to those markets therefore also may be highly volatile. The commodities markets may fluctuate widely based on a variety of factors. These include changes in overall market movements, domestic and foreign political and economic events and policies, war, acts of terrorism, changes in domestic or foreign interest rates and/or investor expectations concerning interest rates, domestic and foreign inflation rates and/or investor expectations concerning inflation rates and investment and trading activities of mutual funds, hedge funds and commodities funds. Commodity-linked derivative instruments have a high degree of price variability and are subject to rapid and substantial price changes. Commodity-linked derivative instruments may employ leverage, which creates the possibility for losses greater than the amount invested. The Funds investments in commodity-linked instruments may bear on or be limited by the Funds intention to qualify as a regulated investment company.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties with which the Fund enters into derivatives contracts, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and other transactions. If a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations, the Fund may be unable to terminate or realize any gain on the investment or transaction, or to recover collateral posted to the counterparty, resulting in a loss to the Fund. If the Fund holds collateral posted by its counterparty, it may be delayed or prevented from realizing on the collateral in the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding relating to the counterparty.
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Derivatives Risk. Derivatives Risk is a combination of several risks, including the risks that: (1) an investment in a derivative instrument may not correlate well with the performance of the securities or asset class to which the Fund seeks exposure, (2) derivative contracts, including options, may expire worthless and the use of derivatives may result in losses to the Fund, (3) a derivative instrument entailing leverage may result in a loss greater than the principal amount invested, (4) derivatives not traded on an exchange may be subject to credit risk, for example, if the counterparty does not meet its obligations (see also Counterparty Risk), and (5) derivatives not traded on an exchange may be subject to liquidity risk and the related risk that the instrument is difficult or impossible to value accurately. As a general matter, when the Fund establishes certain derivative instrument positions, such as certain futures and options contract positions, it will segregate liquid assets (such as cash, U.S. Treasury bonds or commercial paper) equivalent to the Funds outstanding obligations under the contract or in connection with the position. In addition, recent legislation has called for a new regulatory framework for the derivatives market. The impact of the new regulations are still unknown, but has the potential to increase the costs of using derivatives, may limit the availability of some forms of derivatives or the Funds ability to use derivatives, and may adversely affect the performance of some derivative instruments used by the Fund as well as the Funds ability to pursue its investment objective through the use of such instruments.
Exchange-Traded Funds Risk. The price movement of an exchange-traded fund may not exactly track the underlying index and may result in a loss. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Funds expenses and similar expenses of the underlying investment company when the Fund invests in shares of another investment company.
Equity Investing Risk. The market prices of equity securities owned by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons that may directly relate to the issuer and also may decline due to general industry or market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
Fee Risk. Because the fees paid by the Fund to Impact Shares are based on the average daily value of the total assets of the Fund, less all accrued liabilities of the Fund (other than the amount of any outstanding borrowings constituting financial leverage), Impact Shares has a financial incentive to cause the Fund to utilize leverage, which creates a conflict of interest between Impact Shares, on the one hand, and the shareholders of the Fund, on the other hand.
Futures Contracts Risk. Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of an underlying asset at a price, date and time specified when the contract is made. A Fund that uses futures contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk of loss caused by unanticipated market movements. In addition, there may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or indexes and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain futures contracts.
Gender Diversity Risk. The returns on a portfolio of securities that excludes companies that are not gender diverse may trail the returns on a portfolio of securities that includes companies that are not gender diverse. Investing only in a portfolio of securities that are gender diverse may affect the Funds exposure to certain types of investments and may adversely impact the Funds performance depending on whether such investments are in or out of favor in the market.
Index Performance Risk. The Fund is linked to an index maintained by a third party provider unaffiliated with the Fund or the Adviser. There can be no guarantee or assurance that the methodology used by the third party provider to create the index will result in the Fund achieving high, or even positive, returns. Further, there can be no guarantee that the methodology underlying the index or the daily calculation of the index will be free from error. It is also possible that the value of the index may be subject to intentional manipulation by third-party market participants. The particular index used by the Fund may underperform other asset classes and may underperform other similar indices. Each of these factors could have a negative impact on the performance of the Fund.
Industry Concentration Risk. Because the Fund may invest 25% or more of the value of its assets in an industry or group of industries to the extent that the Underlying Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries, the Funds performance may depend to a large extent on the overall condition of such industry or group of industries and the Fund may be susceptible to economic, political and regulatory risks or other occurrences associated with that industry or group of industries.
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Intellectual Property Risk. The Fund relies on licenses that permit the Adviser to use the Underlying Index and associated trade names, trademarks and service marks, as well as the Partner Nonprofits name and logo (the Intellectual Property) in connection with the investment strategies of the Fund and/or in marketing and other materials for the Fund. Such licenses may be terminated, and, as a result, the Fund may lose its ability to use the Intellectual Property. In the event a license is terminated or the license provider does not have rights to license the Intellectual Property, the operations of the Fund may be adversely affected.
Limited Operating History Risk. The Fund is newly formed and has no operating history for investors to evaluate as of the date of this Prospectus. The Fund may not attract sufficient assets to achieve or maximize investment and operational efficiencies and remain viable. If the Fund fails to achieve sufficient scale, it may be liquidated.
Management Risk. Management risk is the risk associated with the fact that the Fund relies on the Advisers ability to achieve its investment objective. The Adviser may be incorrect in its assessment of the intrinsic value of companies whose securities the Fund holds, which may result in a decline in the value of Fund shares and failure to achieve its investment objective. The Funds portfolio manager uses qualitative analyses and/or models. Any imperfections or limitations in such analyses and models could affect the ability of the portfolio manager to implement strategies. The Adviser has no experience managing an ETF. The relative lack of experience of the Adviser may increase the Funds management risk.
Market Price Variance Risk. Fund shares arelisted for trading on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the Exchange) and can be bought and sold in the secondary market at prevailing market prices. The market prices of shares will fluctuate in response to changes in the net asset value (NAV) and supply and demand for shares. As a result, the trading prices of shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility. The Adviser cannot predict whether shares will trade above, below or at their NAV. Given the fact that shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units, the Adviser believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of shares should not be sustained in the long-term. In addition, the securities held by the Fund may be traded in markets that close at a different time than the Exchange. Liquidity in those securities may be reduced after the applicable closing times. Accordingly, during the time when the Exchange is open but after the applicable market closing, fixing or settlement times, bid-ask spreads and the resulting premium or discount to the Shares NAV may widen. Further, secondary markets may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods, which could cause a material decline in the Funds NAV. In times of market stress, market makers and authorized participants may step away from their respective roles in making a market in Fund shares or in executing purchase and redemption orders, which could lead to variances between the market price of Fund shares and the underlying value of those shares. Also, in stressed market conditions, the market for Fund shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity of the Funds portfolio holdings, which could lead to differences between the market price of the Funds shares and the underlying value of those shares. During periods of high market volatility, a Fund share may trade at a significant discount to its NAV, and in these circumstances certain types of brokerage orders may expose an investor to an increased risk of loss. A stop order, sometimes called a stop-loss order, may cause a Fund share to be sold at the next prevailing market price once the stop level is reached, which during a period of high volatility can be at a price that is substantially below NAV. By including a limit criteria with your brokerage order, you may be able to limit the size of the loss resulting from the execution of an ill-timed stop order. The Funds shares may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the U.S. stock exchange where the Funds primary listing is maintained, and may otherwise be made available to non-U.S. investors through funds or structured investment vehicles similar to depositary receipts. There can be no assurance that the Funds shares will continue to trade on any such stock exchange or in any market or that the Funds shares will continue to meet the requirements for listing or trading on any exchange or in any market. The Funds shares may be less actively traded in certain markets than in others, and investors are subject to the execution and settlement risks and market standards of the market where they or their broker direct their trades for execution. Certain information available to investors who trade Fund shares on a U.S. stock exchange during regular U.S. market hours may not be available to investors who trade in other markets, which may result in secondary market prices in such markets being less efficient.
The Funds investment results are measured based upon the daily NAV of the Fund. Investors purchasing and selling shares in the secondary market may not experience investment results consistent with those experienced by those purchasing and redeeming directly with the Fund.
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Mid-Cap Company Risk. Investing in securities of mid-cap companies may entail greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies. Mid-cap companies tend to have more narrow product lines, more limited financial resources and a more limited trading market for their stocks, as compared with larger companies. As a result, their stock prices may decline significantly as market conditions change.
Non-Diversification Risk. As a non-diversified fund for purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest a larger portion of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a diversified fund. The Funds investment in fewer issuers may result in the Funds shares being more sensitive to the economic results of those issuers. An investment in the Fund could fluctuate in value more than an investment in a diversified fund. Although each Fund is non-diversified for purposes of the 1940 Act, each Fund intends to comply with the diversification requirements under Subchapter M of the Code in order to be eligible to qualify as a regulated investment company.
Operational and Technology Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that affect the Funds service providers, index providers, Authorized Participants (as defined below), market makers, counterparties, market participants, or issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund operations.
Options Risk. Options, such as covered calls and covered puts, are subject to the risk that significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets.
Passive Investment Risk. The Fund is not actively managed and Impact Shares does not attempt to take defensive positions under any market conditions, including during declining markets.
Securities Market Risk. The value of securities owned by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to factors affecting particular companies or the securities markets generally. A general downturn in the securities market may cause multiple asset classes to decline in value simultaneously. Many factors can affect this value and you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Small-Cap Company Risk. Investing in the securities of small-cap companies either directly or indirectly through investments in ETFs, closed-end funds or mutual funds may pose greater market and liquidity risks than larger, more established companies, because of limited product lines and/or operating history, limited financial resources, limited trading markets, and the potential lack of management depth. In addition, the securities of such companies are typically more volatile than securities of larger capitalization companies.
Swaps Risk. Investments in swaps involve both the risks associated with an investment in the underlying investments or instruments (including equity investments) and counterparty risk. In a standard over-the-counter (OTC) swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns, differentials in rates of return or some other amount calculated based on the notional amount of predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. Swaps can involve greater risks than direct investments in securities, because swaps may be leveraged and OTC swaps are subject to counterparty risk (e.g., the risk of a counterpartys defaulting on the obligation or bankruptcy), credit risk and pricing risk (i.e., swaps may be difficult to value). Swaps may also be considered illiquid. Certain swap transactions, including interest rate swaps and index credit default swaps, may be subject to mandatory clearing and exchange trading, although the swaps in which the Fund will invest are not currently subject to mandatory clearing and exchange trading. The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques, risk analyses and tax planning different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The value of swaps, like many other derivatives, may move in unexpected ways and may result in losses for the Fund.
Tracking Error Risk. The performance of the Fund may diverge from that of the Underlying Index. Because the Fund employs a representative sampling strategy, the Fund may experience tracking error to a greater extent than a fund that seeks to replicate an index. The Adviser may not be able to cause the Funds performance to correlate to that of the Funds benchmark, either on a daily or aggregate basis. Because the Underlying Index rebalances monthly but the Fund is not obligated to do the same, the risk of tracking error may increase following the rebalancing of the Underlying Index.
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. As with any investment company, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal.
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Performance
Because the Fund commenced operations on August 24, 2018, total return information is not yet available for a full calendar year. Financial information for the Fund from August 24, 2018 through June 30, 2019 is available in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus. The performance information provided by the Fund in the future will give some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes against those of a broad measure of market performance. As with all mutual funds, the Funds past performance (both before and after taxes) does not predict the Funds future performance. Updated information about the Funds performance can be found by visiting the Funds website at www.impactetfs.org or by calling 844-448-3383 (844-GIVE-ETF).
Portfolio Management
Impact Shares, Corp. serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The portfolio manager for the Fund is Ethan Powell, who has managed the Fund since inception.
Portfolio Manager |
Managed the Fund
|
Title with Adviser |
||
Ethan Powell | August 2018 | President |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund issues and redeems shares only to authorized participants who have entered into agreements with the Funds distributor (Authorized Participants) in exchange for the deposit or delivery of a basket of assets (securities and/or cash) in large blocks, known as Creation Units, each of which comprises 50,000 shares. Retail investors may only purchase and sell shares on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer. The price of Fund shares is based on market price, and because ETF shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or less than NAV (a discount).
Important Additional Information
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that generally will be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are a tax-exempt investor or otherwise investing in the Fund through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. If you are investing in the Fund through a tax-advantaged arrangement, you may be taxed later upon withdrawals from that account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies 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 salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediarys website for more information.
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Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF
FUND SUMMARY
Investment Objective
The Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF (the Fund) seeks investment results that, before fees and expenses, track the performance of the Morningstar® Societal Development Index (the Underlying Index).
Fees and Expenses
The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fee(1)(2) |
0.75 | % | ||
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees |
0.00 | % | ||
Other Expenses |
0.00 | % | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
0.75 | % |
(1) |
The Fund pays for the transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services it requires under a unitary fee structure (the unitary advisory fee). Therefore, the Funds Management Fee includes fees payable to Impact Shares, Corp. (Impact Shares or the Adviser) for advisory services and for the provision by third parties engaged by Impact Shares of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services. Under the Funds Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser bears all expenses of the Fund (including those of the services listed above) with the exception of those described under the section titled Management of the Fund. |
(2) |
Impact Shares is paid a Management Fee at an annual rate of 0.75% on the Average Daily Managed Assets of the Fund. Average Daily Managed Assets is the average daily value of the total assets of the Fund, less all accrued liabilities of the Fund (other than the amount of any outstanding borrowings constituting financial leverage). |
Expense Example
This Example helps you compare the cost of investing in the Fund to the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell or redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Funds operating expenses remain the same. Your actual costs may be higher or lower. Investors in the Fund may pay brokerage commissions on their purchases and sales of Fund shares, which are not included in the examples below.
1 Year |
3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |||
$77 |
$240 | $417 | $930 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Funds performance. For the period from inception on September 20, 2018 through June 30, 2019, the Funds portfolio turnover rate was 25%.
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Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its total assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (the 80% basket) in component securities of the Underlying Index (Component Securities). The Fund may invest the remaining 20% of its total assets (the 20% basket) in securities and instruments not included in the Underlying Index, but which the Adviser believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. For example, the Fund may invest in securities that are not components of the Underlying Index to reflect various corporate actions (such as mergers) and other changes in the Underlying Index (such as reconstitutions, additions and deletions). Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest in at least three countries, including the United States, and at least 40% of its net assets will be invested in the securities of non-U.S. companies, which may be in both developed and emerging market countries. The Adviser currently considers a company to be a non-U.S. company if: (i) at least 50% of the companys assets are located outside of the United States; (ii) at least 50% of the companys revenues are generated outside of the United States; (iii) the company is organized or maintains its principal place of business outside of the United States; or (iv) its securities are traded principally outside the United States. A country is considered to be an emerging market country by the Adviser if the country is classified by the World Bank as low income, middle income or upper middle income, or, by the International Monetary Fund as a non-advanced country.
The Fund may invest in securities of any type (including equity and debt securities) and of companies of any market capitalization (including small- and mid-capitalization companies), market sector or industry, but expects to invest primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies and foreign (non-U.S.) companies in both developed and emerging markets. The Fund may use the 20% basket to invest in securities issued by other investment companies, including other exchange-traded funds. The Fund also may invest in warrants and may also use derivatives, primarily swaps (including equity, variance and volatility swaps), options and futures contracts on securities, interest rates, non-physical commodities and/or currencies, within the 20% basket to track the Underlying Index and as substitutes for direct investments the Fund can make. The Fund may also use derivatives such as swaps, options (including options on futures), futures, and foreign currency transactions (e.g., foreign currency swaps, futures and forwards) to hedge various investments for risk management and speculative purposes. In addition, the Funds 20% basket may be invested in cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates.
Unlike many investment companies, the Fund does not try to beat the index it tracks. The Fund uses a passive management strategy designed to track the total return performance of the Underlying Index.
The Adviser may use a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. Representative sampling is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Underlying Index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, leverage and price to earnings ratios) and liquidity measures similar to those of the Underlying Index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index. Tracking error is the difference between the performance (return) of the Funds portfolio and that of the Underlying Index. The Adviser expects that, over time, the Funds tracking error will not exceed 5%. Funds that employ a representative sampling strategy may incur tracking error risk to a greater extent than funds that seek to replicate an index.
The Fund concentrates its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent as the Underlying Index is so concentrated.
The Fund is a non-diversified fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), but intends to adhere to the diversification requirements applicable to regulated investment companies (RICs) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program.
The Underlying Index is designed to measure the performance of large and mid-capitalization companies globally that (i) display a commitment to the UNs Sustainable Development Goals, (ii) adhere to the principles of the UN Global Compact, (iii) display a commitment to reducing poverty and supporting economic development globally and (iv) have exposure to countries with low levels of socioeconomic development. The Underlying Index is intended to exhibit risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Morningstar® Global Markets Large-Mid Index (the Parent Index), as described below.
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The Underlying Index is constructed using a rules based methodology to select companies with specific characteristics (described below) from the Parent Index. The Parent Index is a free-float market-cap weighted index composed of the equity securities of publicly-traded companies encompassing the top 97% of stocks by market capitalization across 46 countries including both developed and emerging markets. To be eligible for inclusion in the Parent Index, companies must meet specific trading frequency, U.S. Dollar trading volume and turnover, and free-float market capitalization requirements. The Underlying Index provides exposure to both developed and emerging markets.
Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar or the Index Provider) constructs the Underlying Index using company level indicators, scores, and indicator relevance weightings from Sustainalytics, the Funds ESG research provider, that include certain social criteria identified by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF or the Partner Nonprofit), to measure (i) commitment to the UNs Sustainable Development Goals2, (ii) adherence to the principles of the UN Global Compact3, (iii) commitment to reducing poverty and supporting economic development globally and (iv) exposure to countries with low levels of socioeconomic development for each company within the Parent Index (a companys Societal Development Score). Morningstar determines a companys exposure to countries with low levels of socioeconomic development using a quantitative scale based on the percentage of a companys revenue identified as coming from countries defined as low income or lower middle income by the World Bank or as a Least Developed Country by the United Nations, excluding countries that are classified as developed or emerging by Morningstar Indexes, and increases the companys Societal Development Score accordingly. In addition to the Societal Development Score, Sustainalytics assigns each company an Overall ESG Score which reflects its assessment of a companys overall ESG preparedness and performance relative to other companies in the same global industry peer group. The Overall ESG Score is comprised of a companys numerical scores for environmental, social and governance criteria as determined according to Sustainalytics proprietary methodology. After excluding those companies that Sustainalytics determines (i) have products involved in the following activities: adult entertainment, alcoholic beverages, controversial weapons, gambling, military contracting weapons, nuclear energy and small arms, or tobacco, (ii) have a detrimental controversy score for incidents related to a company involving one or more of the following matters: business ethics, governance, public policy, employee relations, social supply chain, society and community, operations, or environmental supply chain, (iii) are not compliant with the principles of the UN Global Compact, or (iv) have a below average Overall ESG Score relative to its global industry peers; the 200 highest scoring companies (after applying the optimized weighting methodology discussed below) are selected by Morningstar as the final underlying index components. The Underlying Index is constructed by Morningstar using an optimized free-float market cap weighting methodology. Under this methodology, Morningstar uses a quantitative process that is designed to determine optimal weights for securities to maximize exposure to companies with higher rankings as to global economic development, while maintaining an Underlying Index that exhibits risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Parent Index. Morningstar determines the weighting of each security in the Underlying Index using the following variables: Societal Development Score, market capitalization, maximum and minimum weightings by security, sector and region. Underlying Index constituents are subject to a maximum 5% per company weighting.
The Underlying Index provides exposure to both developed and emerging markets and is expected to contain approximately 200 securities, but this number may change. If a company in the Underlying Index has acted in a manner inconsistent with the selection criteria of the Underlying Index, Morningstar may, in its discretion, after consulting with Sustainalytics, exclude the company from the Underlying Index between reconstitution periods. Morningstar may also make adjustments to the Underlying Index in accordance with its internal guidelines to reflect extraordinary corporate events (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, bankruptcies, insolvencies, and liquidations). The Underlying Index is rebalanced
2 |
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals set by the UN Development Program that calls for integration of economic development, social equity, and environmental protection. Adopted in 2015, the SDGs are intended to stimulate action over the next fifteen years in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet, including: poverty eradication, food security, health, education, gender equality, access to water, sanitation, clean energy, decent jobs, key infrastructure, strong institutions, inequality reduction, sustainable urbanization, responsible production and consumption patterns, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and ecosystem conservation. |
3 |
The UN Global Compact is an arrangement by which companies voluntarily and publicly commit to a set of principles, known as the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, all of which are drawn from key UN Conventions and Declarations, in four areas: (i) human rights; (ii) labor; (iii) environment; and (iv) anti-corruption. |
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quarterly and reconstituted utilizing the rules-based methodology described above annually. Rebalancing refers to the process of adjusting the weights of the constituent securities in the Underlying Index in accordance with its optimized weighting methodology in response to changes in stock value and market capitalization. Reconstitution refers to the process of changing the constituent securities in the Underlying Index so that securities that no longer meet the criteria for the Underlying Index are excluded and new securities that do meet those criteria are included.
The initial composition of the Underlying Index, as well as any ongoing adjustment, is based on thirty-two separate social indicators used in determining the Societal Development Score that narrows the universe of companies included in the Parent Index. Each of these social indicators addresses an issue that has historically been important to the UNCDF and falls within one of the following five groups:
1. |
Business Ethics |
a. |
Bribery & Corruption Policy: Assesses the quality of the companys policy to combat bribery and corruption. |
b. |
Bribery & Corruption Programs: Assesses the quality of the companys programs to combat bribery and corruption. |
c. |
Global Compact Signatory: Denotes whether a company is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact. |
d. |
Human Rights Policy: Assesses the strength of the companys commitment to respect human rights in within its sphere of influence. |
e. |
Renewable Energy Programs: Assesses whether the company has taken initiatives to increase the use of renewable energy. |
2. |
Employment Practices |
a. |
HIV/AIDS Programs: Assesses the quality of a companys programs to address HIV/AIDS among its employees. |
b. |
Collective Bargaining Agreements: Assesses the extent that the companys employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. |
c. |
Freedom of Association Policy: Assesses the quality of a companys freedom of association and collective bargaining policy. |
d. |
Working Conditions Policy: Assesses whether the company has a formal policy on working hours and/or minimum wages. The indicator relates to relevant core labor rights conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO). |
3. |
Contractor and Supply Chain Monitoring |
a. |
Conflict Minerals Policy: Assesses the quality of a companys formal policy commitment to eliminate conflict minerals from its products and its supply chain. |
b. |
Conflict Minerals Programs: Assesses the strength of the companys initiatives to eliminate conflict minerals from its products and its supply chain. |
c. |
EICC Signatory: Denotes whether the company is a member of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC). |
d. |
Fair Trade Products: Assesses the contribution of fair trade products to total company revenues. |
e. |
Quality of Social Supplier Standards: Assesses of the quality of social standards in supply chain code of conducts or policies. |
f. |
Scope of Social Supplier Standards: Assesses whether the company has supply chain/contractor policies and the scope of social standards. |
g. |
Social Supplier Certification: Assesses the percentage of suppliers certified to an external labor/social standard, such as SA 8000 or similar. SA8000 certification is an external verification ensuring that core labor standards are adhered to. |
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h. |
Supply Chain Management: Assesses whether the company has a supply chain management system and how it is applied. |
i. |
Supply Chain Monitoring: Assesses whether the company has a supply chain monitoring system and/or whether there are other supply chain monitoring activities. |
4. |
Community Involvement and Social Development Programs. |
a. |
Access to Basic Services: Assesses the quality of the companys programs that promote access to basic services (energy, electricity, water) to poor or disadvantaged groups and of the quality of its reporting on such programs. |
b. |
Access to Health Care: Assesses the strength of the companys initiatives to promote access to health care equipment and services. |
c. |
Access to Medicine Programs: Assesses the strength of a companys overall policies, strategies and initiatives to improve access to medicine in developing countries as well as for low income groups in developed markets. |
d. |
Community Development Programs: Assesses the strength of the companys local community development programs. It does not focus on cash donations, but formal programs that promote long-term economic development among communities directly affected by the companys operations. |
e. |
Community Involvement Programs: Assesses the companys mechanisms to consult with local communities potentially affected by its operations. |
f. |
Digital Divide Programs: Assesses the presence of programs that address the digital divide. |
g. |
Drug Donations Policy: Assesses whether the company has a policy for drug donations. |
h. |
Equitable Pricing and Availability: Assesses the extent to which the company has developed and implemented drug pricing models that ensure equitable access to medicine for poor countries and poor populations within countries. |
i. |
Indigenous Rights Policy: Assesses the quality of the companys policy on indigenous people and land rights. |
j. |
Neglected Diseases R&D: Assesses the strength of companies research and development (R&D) activities in areas that are under-researched and/or where there is a great societal need. This includes neglected tropical diseases and other diseases that disproportionally affect developing countries. |
k. |
Value of Drug Donations: Assesses the value of drug donations relative to earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT). |
5. |
Financial Inclusion in Access to Products and Services |
a. |
Credit & Loan Standards: Assesses the quality of a companys environmental and social standards in its credit and loan activities. |
b. |
Financial Inclusion: Assesses whether the company has taken initiatives to promote financial inclusion of disadvantaged people. |
c. |
Sustainable Financial Initiatives: Assesses whether the company offers sustainability related financial services. |
Principal Risks
When you sell Fund shares, they may be worth less than what you paid for them. Consequently, you can lose money by investing in the Fund. No assurance can be given that the Fund will achieve its objective, and investment results may vary substantially over time and from period to period. An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors.
Asset Class Risk. Securities in the Underlying Index or in the Funds portfolio may underperform in comparison to the general securities markets or other asset classes.
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Commodities Risk. Commodities markets historically have been extremely volatile, and the performance of securities and other instruments that provide exposure to those markets therefore also may be highly volatile. The commodities markets may fluctuate widely based on a variety of factors. These include changes in overall market movements, domestic and foreign political and economic events and policies, war, acts of terrorism, changes in domestic or foreign interest rates and/or investor expectations concerning interest rates, domestic and foreign inflation rates and/or investor expectations concerning inflation rates and investment and trading activities of mutual funds, hedge funds and commodities funds. Commodity-linked derivative instruments have a high degree of price variability and are subject to rapid and substantial price changes. Commodity-linked derivative instruments may employ leverage, which creates the possibility for losses greater than the amount invested. The Funds investments in commodity-linked instruments may bear on or be limited by the Funds intention to qualify as a regulated investment company.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties with which the Fund enters into derivatives contracts, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and other transactions. If a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations, the Fund may be unable to terminate or realize any gain on the investment or transaction, or to recover collateral posted to the counterparty, resulting in a loss to the Fund. If the Fund holds collateral posted by its counterparty, it may be delayed or prevented from realizing on the collateral in the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding relating to the counterparty.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives Risk is a combination of several risks, including the risks that: (1) an investment in a derivative instrument may not correlate well with the performance of the securities or asset class to which the Fund seeks exposure, (2) derivative contracts, including options, may expire worthless and the use of derivatives may result in losses to the Fund, (3) a derivative instrument entailing leverage may result in a loss greater than the principal amount invested, (4) derivatives not traded on an exchange may be subject to credit risk, for example, if the counterparty does not meet its obligations (see also Counterparty Risk), and (5) derivatives not traded on an exchange may be subject to liquidity risk and the related risk that the instrument is difficult or impossible to value accurately. As a general matter, when the Fund establishes certain derivative instrument positions, such as certain futures and options contract positions, it will segregate liquid assets (such as cash, U.S. Treasury bonds or commercial paper) equivalent to the Funds outstanding obligations under the contract or in connection with the position. In addition, recent legislation has called for a new regulatory framework for the derivatives market. The impact of the new regulations are still unknown, but has the potential to increase the costs of using derivatives, may limit the availability of some forms of derivatives or the Funds ability to use derivatives, and may adversely affect the performance of some derivative instruments used by the Fund as well as the Funds ability to pursue its investment objective through the use of such instruments.
Emerging Markets Risk. Investing in issuers located in or tied economically to emerging markets is subject to the same risks as foreign market investments, generally to a greater extent. The Fund will be subject to these risks to an even greater extent, to the extent the Fund invests in issuers exposed to countries defined as low income or lower middle income by the World Bank or as a Least Developed Country by the United Nations. These countries typically confront severe structural impediments to sustainable development and are highly vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks and have low levels of human assets. Emerging markets may have additional risks including greater fluctuations in market values and currency exchange rates; increased risk of default; greater social, economic, and political uncertainty and instability; increased risk of nationalization, expropriation, or other confiscation of assets of issuers to which the Fund may be exposed; increased risk of embargoes or economic sanctions on a country, sector, or issuer; greater governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation of the securities markets and participants in those markets; controls on non-U.S. investment, capital controls and limitations on repatriation of invested capital, dividends, interest, and other income, and on the Funds ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; lower levels of liquidity; inability to purchase and sell investments or otherwise settle security or derivative transactions; greater risk of issues with share registration and safe custody; unavailability of currency hedging techniques; differences in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards and resulting unavailability of material information about issuers; slower clearance and longer settlement; and difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments.
Exchange-Traded Funds Risk. The price movement of an exchange-traded fund may not exactly track the underlying index and may result in a loss. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Funds expenses and similar expenses of the underlying investment company when the Fund invests in shares of another investment company.
Equity Investing Risk. The market prices of equity securities owned by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons that may directly relate to the issuer and also may decline due to general industry or market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
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Fee Risk. Because the fees paid by the Fund to Impact Shares are based on the average daily value of the total assets of the Fund, less all accrued liabilities of the Fund (other than the amount of any outstanding borrowings constituting financial leverage), Impact Shares has a financial incentive to cause the Fund to utilize leverage, which creates a conflict of interest between Impact Shares, on the one hand, and the shareholders of the Fund, on the other hand.
Futures Contracts Risk. Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of an underlying asset at a price, date and time specified when the contract is made. A Fund that uses futures contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk of loss caused by unanticipated market movements. In addition, there may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or indexes and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain futures contracts.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain risks not involved in domestic investments (for example, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates (for non-U.S. securities not denominated in U.S. dollars); future foreign economic, financial, political and social developments; nationalization; exploration or confiscatory taxation; smaller markets; different trading and settlement practices; less governmental supervision; and different accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping standards and requirements) that may result in the Fund experiencing more rapid and extreme changes in value than a fund that invests exclusively in securities of U.S. companies. These risks are magnified for investments in issuers tied economically to emerging markets, the economies of which tend to be more volatile than the economies of developed markets. In addition, investments by the Fund in non-U.S. securities may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries on dividends, interest, capital gains, or other income or proceeds. Those taxes will reduce the Funds yield on any such securities.
Geographic Risk. To the extent the Funds investments in a single country or a limited number of countries represent a large percentage of the Funds assets, the Fund will be subject to the risk that economic, political and social conditions in those countries will have a significant impact on its investment performance and the Funds shares may be subject to increased price volatility.
Index Performance Risk. The Fund is linked to an index maintained by a third party provider unaffiliated with the Fund or the Adviser. There can be no guarantee or assurance that the methodology used by the third party provider to create the index will result in the Fund achieving high, or even positive, returns. Further, there can be no guarantee that the methodology underlying the index or the daily calculation of the index will be free from error. It is also possible that the value of the index may be subject to intentional manipulation by third-party market participants. The particular index used by the Fund may underperform other asset classes and may underperform other similar indices. Each of these factors could have a negative impact on the performance of the Fund.
Industry Concentration Risk. Because the Fund may invest 25% or more of the value of its assets in an industry or group of industries to the extent that the Underlying Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries, the Funds performance may depend to a large extent on the overall condition of such industry or group of industries and the Fund may be susceptible to economic, political and regulatory risks or other occurrences associated with that industry or group of industries.
Intellectual Property Risk. The Fund relies on licenses that permit the Adviser to use the Underlying Index and associated trade names, trademarks and service marks, as well as the Partner Nonprofits name and logo (the Intellectual Property) in connection with the investment strategies of the Fund and/or in marketing and other materials for the Fund. Such licenses may be terminated, and, as a result, the Fund may lose its ability to use the Intellectual Property. In the event a license is terminated or the license provider does not have rights to license the Intellectual Property, the operations of the Fund may be adversely affected.
Limited Operating History Risk. The Fund is newly formed and has no operating history for investors to evaluate as of the date of this Prospectus. The Fund may not attract sufficient assets to achieve or maximize investment and operational efficiencies and remain viable. If the Fund fails to achieve sufficient scale, it may be liquidated.
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Management Risk. Management risk is the risk associated with the fact that the Fund relies on the Advisers ability to achieve its investment objective. The Adviser may be incorrect in its assessment of the intrinsic value of companies whose securities the Fund holds, which may result in a decline in the value of Fund shares and failure to achieve its investment objective. The Funds portfolio manager uses qualitative analyses and/or models. Any imperfections or limitations in such analyses and models could affect the ability of the portfolio manager to implement strategies. The Adviser has no experience managing an ETF. The relative lack of experience of the Adviser may increase the Funds management risk.
Market Price Variance Risk. Fund shares arelisted for trading on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the Exchange) and can be bought and sold in the secondary market at prevailing market prices. The market prices of shares will fluctuate in response to changes in the net asset value (NAV) and supply and demand for shares. As a result, the trading prices of shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility. The Adviser cannot predict whether shares will trade above, below or at their NAV. Given the fact that shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units, the Adviser believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of shares should not be sustained in the long-term. In addition, the securities held by the Fund may be traded in markets that close at a different time than the Exchange. Liquidity in those securities may be reduced after the applicable closing times. Accordingly, during the time when the Exchange is open but after the applicable market closing, fixing or settlement times, bid-ask spreads and the resulting premium or discount to the Shares NAV may widen. Further, secondary markets may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods, which could cause a material decline in the Funds NAV. In times of market stress, market makers and authorized participants may step away from their respective roles in making a market in Fund shares or in executing purchase and redemption orders, which could lead to variances between the market price of Fund shares and the underlying value of those shares. Also, in stressed market conditions, the market for Fund shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity of the Funds portfolio holdings, which could lead to differences between the market price of the Funds shares and the underlying value of those shares. During periods of high market volatility, a Fund share may trade at a significant discount to its NAV, and in these circumstances certain types of brokerage orders may expose an investor to an increased risk of loss. A stop order, sometimes called a stop-loss order, may cause a Fund share to be sold at the next prevailing market price once the stop level is reached, which during a period of high volatility can be at a price that is substantially below NAV. By including a limit criteria with your brokerage order, you may be able to limit the size of the loss resulting from the execution of an ill-timed stop order. The Funds shares may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the U.S. stock exchange where the Funds primary listing is maintained, and may otherwise be made available to non-U.S. investors through funds or structured investment vehicles similar to depositary receipts. There can be no assurance that the Funds shares will continue to trade on any such stock exchange or in any market or that the Funds shares will continue to meet the requirements for listing or trading on any exchange or in any market. The Funds shares may be less actively traded in certain markets than in others, and investors are subject to the execution and settlement risks and market standards of the market where they or their broker direct their trades for execution. Certain information available to investors who trade Fund shares on a U.S. stock exchange during regular U.S. market hours may not be available to investors who trade in other markets, which may result in secondary market prices in such markets being less efficient.
The Funds investment results are measured based upon the daily NAV of the Fund. Investors purchasing and selling shares in the secondary market may not experience investment results consistent with those experienced by those purchasing and redeeming directly with the Fund.
Mid-Cap Company Risk. Investing in securities of mid-cap companies may entail greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies. Mid-cap companies tend to have more narrow product lines, more limited financial resources and a more limited trading market for their stocks, as compared with larger companies. As a result, their stock prices may decline significantly as market conditions change.
Non-Diversification Risk. As a non-diversified fund for purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest a larger portion of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a diversified fund. The Funds investment in fewer issuers may result in the Funds shares being more sensitive to the economic results of those issuers. An investment in the Fund could fluctuate in value more than an investment in a diversified fund. Although the Fund is non-diversified for purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund intends to comply with the diversification requirements under Subchapter M of the Code in order to be eligible to qualify as a regulated investment company.
Operational and Technology Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that affect the Funds service providers, index providers, Authorized Participants (as defined below), market makers, counterparties, market participants, or issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund operations.
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Options Risk. Options, such as covered calls and covered puts, are subject to the risk that significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets.
Passive Investment Risk. The Fund is not actively managed and Impact Shares does not attempt to take defensive positions under any market conditions, including during declining markets.
Securities Market Risk. The value of securities owned by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to factors affecting particular companies or the securities markets generally. A general downturn in the securities market may cause multiple asset classes to decline in value simultaneously. Many factors can affect this value and you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Small-Cap Company Risk. Investing in the securities of small-cap companies either directly or indirectly through investments in ETFs, closed-end funds or mutual funds may pose greater market and liquidity risks than larger, more established companies, because of limited product lines and/or operating history, limited financial resources, limited trading markets, and the potential lack of management depth. In addition, the securities of such companies are typically more volatile than securities of larger capitalization companies.
Swaps Risk. Investments in swaps involve both the risks associated with an investment in the underlying investments or instruments (including equity investments) and counterparty risk. In a standard over-the-counter (OTC) swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns, differentials in rates of return or some other amount calculated based on the notional amount of predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. Swaps can involve greater risks than direct investments in securities, because swaps may be leveraged and OTC swaps are subject to counterparty risk (e.g., the risk of a counterpartys defaulting on the obligation or bankruptcy), credit risk and pricing risk (i.e., swaps may be difficult to value). Swaps may also be considered illiquid. Certain swap transactions, including interest rate swaps and index credit default swaps, may be subject to mandatory clearing and exchange trading, although the swaps in which the Fund will invest are not currently subject to mandatory clearing and exchange trading. The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques, risk analyses and tax planning different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The value of swaps, like many other derivatives, may move in unexpected ways and may result in losses for the Fund.
Tracking Error Risk. The performance of the Fund may diverge from that of the Underlying Index. Because the Fund employs a representative sampling strategy, the Fund may experience tracking error to a greater extent than a fund that seeks to replicate an index. The Adviser may not be able to cause the Funds performance to correlate to that of the Funds benchmark, either on a daily or aggregate basis. Because the Underlying Index rebalances monthly but the Fund is not obligated to do the same, the risk of tracking error may increase following the rebalancing of the Underlying Index.
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. As with any investment company, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal.
Performance
Because the Fund commenced operations on September 20, 2018, total return information is not yet available for a full calendar year. Financial information for the Fund from September 20, 2018 through June 30, 2019 is available in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus. The performance information provided by the Fund in the future will give some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes against those of a broad measure of market performance. As with all mutual funds, the Funds past performance (both before and after taxes) does not predict the Funds future performance. Updated information about the Funds performance can be found by visiting the Funds website at www.impactetfs.org or by calling 844-448-3383 (844-GIVE-ETF).
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Portfolio Management
Impact Shares, Corp. serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The portfolio manager for the Fund is Ethan Powell, who has managed the Fund since inception.
Portfolio Manager |
Managed the Fund
|
Title with Adviser |
||
Ethan Powell | September 2018 | President |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund issues and redeems shares only to authorized participants who have entered into agreements with the Funds distributor (Authorized Participants) in exchange for the deposit or delivery of a basket of assets (securities and/or cash) in large blocks, known as Creation Units, each of which comprises 50,000 shares. Retail investors may only purchase and sell shares on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer. The price of Fund shares is based on market price, and because ETF shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or less than NAV (a discount).
Important Additional Information
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that generally will be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are a tax-exempt investor or otherwise investing in the Fund through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. If you are investing in the Fund through a tax-advantaged arrangement, you may be taxed later upon withdrawals from that account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies 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 salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediarys website for more information.
DESCRIPTION OF UNDERLYING INDICES
Additional information about each Funds Underlying Index construction is set forth below.
Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF
Morningstar Minority Empowerment Index (for purposes of this section, the Underlying Index)
The Underlying Index is constructed using a rules based methodology to select companies from the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap ® Index (the Parent Index), a free float market-cap weighted index that constitutes 90% of the total market capitalization of the U.S. Market) that have strong minority empowerment practices. Morningstar constructs the Underlying Index using company level indicators, scores, and indicator relevance weighting from Sustainalytics, the Funds ESG research provider, that include certain social criteria identified and compiled by the NAACP (NAACP or the Partner Nonprofit) to measure the strength of minority empowerment practices and products or services for each company within the Parent Index (a companys Minority Empowerment Composite Score). Based on that scoring, excluding those companies with a detrimental score for applicable controversies (as determined by Sustainalytics), the 200 best scoring companies (after applying the optimized weighting methodology discussed below) are selected by Morningstar as the final underlying index components.
The Underlying Index is constructed by Morningstar using an optimized weighting methodology. Under this methodology, Morningstar uses a quantitative process that is designed to determine optimal weights for securities to maximize exposure of companies with higher rankings as to minority empowerment practices, while maintaining an
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Underlying Index that exhibits risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Parent Index. The Index Provider determines the weighting of each security in the Underlying Index using the following variables: Minority Empowerment Composite Score, market capitalization, maximum and minimum weightings by security and sector. Underlying Index constituents are subject to a maximum 5% per company weighting.
The Underlying Index is expected to contain approximately 200 securities, but this number may change. If a company in the Underlying Index has acted in a manner inconsistent with the selection criteria of the Underlying Index, Morningstar may, in its discretion, after consulting with Sustainalytics, exclude the company from the Underlying Index between reconstitution periods. Morningstar may also make adjustments to the Underlying Index in accordance with its internal guidelines to reflect extraordinary corporate events (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, bankruptcies, insolvencies, and liquidations). The Underlying Index is rebalanced quarterly and reconstituted utilizing the rules-based methodology described above annually. Rebalancing refers to the process of adjusting the weights of the constituent securities in the Underlying Index in accordance with its optimized weighting methodology in response to changes in stock value and market capitalization. Reconstitution refers to the process of changing the constituent securities in the Underlying Index so that securities that no longer meet the criteria for the Underlying Index are excluded and new securities that do meet those criteria are included.
The initial composition of the Underlying Index, as well as any ongoing adjustment, is based on the following social screens used in determining the Minority Empowerment Composite Score that narrows the Index Universe. Each of the social screens for the Minority Fund addresses an issue that has a history of NAACP support.
1. Board Diversity This indicator provides an assessment of the diversity of a companys board of directors. Diversity of background can provide fresh perspectives in the boardroom and lead to better board decision-making.
2. Discrimination Policy This indicator provides an assessment of the quality of a companys policy to eliminate discrimination, including racial discrimination, and ensure equal opportunity.
3. Scope of Supplier Social Programs This indicator assesses whether a company has supply chain/contractors social programs including a focus on racial diversity and empowerment, and the scope of such standards.
4. Digital Divide Programs This indicator provides an assessment of the presence of programs that address the digital divide, i.e. the lack of access to modern means of communication/internet. Access to such means is often difficult for certain groups in modern society (e.g., people of color, poor, elderly) or people in certain regions.
5. Freedom of Association Policy This indicator provides an assessment of the quality of a companys freedom of association and collective bargaining policy, including its impact on racial minorities.
6. Diversity Programs This indicator assesses the strength of a companys initiatives to increase the diversity of its workforce, including racial diversity.
7. Supply Chain Monitoring This indicator provides an assessment of whether the company has a supply chain monitoring system and/or whether there are other supply chain monitoring activities. Racial minority focused social standards are included within this monitoring.
8. Community Development Programs This indicator assesses the strength of a companys local community development programs. It does not focus on cash donations, but formal programs that promote long-term economic development among communities, including minority communities, directly affected by the companys operations.
9. Minority-Inclusive Health and Safety Management System This indicator assesses the strength of the companys initiatives to manage employee health and safety and prevent accidents and occupational illnesses.
10. Conflict Minerals Programs This indicator measures the strength of a companys initiatives to eliminate conflict minerals from its products and its supply chain.
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Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF
The Morningstar Womens Empowerment Index (for purposes of this section, the Underlying Index)
The Underlying Index is constructed using a rules based methodology to select companies from the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap ® Index (the Parent Index) that have strong womens empowerment practices. The Parent Index is a free float market-cap weighted index that constitutes 90% of the total market capitalization of the U.S. market. The Parent Index is an equity benchmark designed to comprehensively represent the performance of the companies incorporated and/or listed in the United States and contains large and mid-capitalization equities and is designed with the following objectives in mind: (1) transparent and objective rules; (2) full investibility; and (3) low turnover. Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar or the Index Provider) constructs the Underlying Index using company level indicators, scores, and indicator relevance weighting from Equileap, the Funds ESG research provider4. The YWCA USA (YWCA or the Partner Nonprofit) has reviewed and approved the use of Equileaps social screens (through the use of the Underlying Index) to measure the strength of womens empowerment practices and products or services for each company within the Parent Index (a companys Gender Diversity Score). After excluding those companies that Equileap determines are (i) involved in the weapons, gambling, or tobacco industries, (ii) on the Norwegian Ethics Council List5 or (iii) that have experienced an applicable legal controversy, the 200 best scoring companies (after applying the optimized weighting methodology discussed below) are selected by Morningstar as the final underlying index components. The Underlying Index is constructed by Morningstar using an optimized weighting methodology. Under this methodology, Morningstar uses a quantitative process that is designed to determine optimal weights for securities to maximize exposure to companies with higher rankings as to womens empowerment practices, while maintaining an Underlying Index that exhibits risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Parent Index. Morningstar determines the weighting of each security in the Underlying Index using the following variables: Gender Diversity Score, market capitalization, and maximum and minimum weightings by security and sector. Underlying Index constituents are subject to a maximum 5% per company weighting.
The Underlying Index is expected to contain approximately 200 securities, but this number may change. If a company in the Underlying Index has acted in a manner inconsistent with the selection criteria of the Underlying Index, Morningstar may, in its discretion, after consulting with Equileap, exclude the company from the Underlying Index between reconstitution periods. Morningstar may also make adjustments in accordance with its internal guidelines to reflect extraordinary corporate events (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, bankruptcies, insolvencies, and liquidations). The Underlying Index is
4 |
The Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF (the Fund) is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Equileap. Equileap makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund in particular or the ability of the Morningstar Index to track general stock market performance. Equileaps only relationship to Impact Shares Corp. is the licensing of certain service marks and service names of Equileap. Equileap is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of shares of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of shares of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which shares in the Fund is converted into cash. Equileap has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. |
EQUILEAP DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE DESCRIPTIONOF THE FUND CONTAINED HEREIN OR ANY DATA INCLUDED HEREIN AND EQUILEAP SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS HEREIN. EQUILEAP MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY IMPACT SHARES CORP., OWNERS OR USERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE MORNINGSTAR WOMENS EMPOWERMENT INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. EQUILEAP MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE MORNINGSTAR WOMENS EMPOWERMENT INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL EQUILEAP HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. |
5 |
The list of companies that the Council of Ethics for the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global (the Pension Fund) has recommended excluding from the Pension Funds portfolio of investments on the grounds that investment in such companies would be inconsistent with the Pension Funds Ethical Guidelines. |
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rebalanced quarterly and reconstituted utilizing the rules-based methodology described above annually. Rebalancing refers to the process of adjusting the weights of the constituent securities in the Underlying Index in accordance with its optimized weighting methodology in response to changes in stock value and market capitalization. Reconstitution refers to the process of changing the constituent securities in the Underlying Index so that securities that no longer meet the criteria for the Underlying Index are excluded and new securities that do meet those criteria are included.
The initial composition of the Underlying Index, as well as any ongoing adjustment, is based on the following social screens used in determining the Gender Diversity Score that narrows the universe of companies included in the Parent Index. Equileap determines a companys Gender Diversity Score based upon its analysis of publicly available information, as reported by such company in its most recent annual report for its fiscal year end.
Each of the social screens for the Fund addresses an issue that has a history of YWCA support.
CATEGORY A: GENDER BALANCE IN LEADERSHIP & WORKFORCE
1. Non-Executive Board: Percentage of male and female as a proportion of the total number of non-executive Board members, as of the fiscal year end wherever available, otherwise as of the date of the latest filing.
2. Executives: Percentage of male and female executives as a proportion of the total number of executives, as of the fiscal year end wherever available, otherwise as of the date of the latest filing Executives are either defined by the company or represent those individuals that form the company executive committee/ board, management committee/board or equivalent.
3. Senior Management: Percentage of male and female senior management, as a proportion of the total number of senior management, as of the fiscal year end wherever available, otherwise as of the date of the latest filing. Senior management are defined and reported by the company.
4. Workforce: Percentage of male and female employees at the company, as a percentage of total employees.
5. Promotion & Career Development Opportunities: Ratio of male and female employees in management compared to ratio of each gender in total employees.
CATEGORY B: EQUAL COMPENSATION & WORK LIFE BALANCE
6. Fair Remuneration: Demonstrates a commitment to ensure payment of a fair wage to all employees, even in those countries that do not legally require a minimum wage.
7. Equal Pay: Commitment to provide comparable wages, hours, and benefits, including retirement benefits, for all employees for comparable work in country of incorporation.
8. Parental Leave: Paid leave programs for child and dependent care to both women and men (maternity leave, paternity leave, dependent care) in country of incorporation.
9. Flexible Work Options: Option for employees to control and/or vary the start/end times of the work day and/or vary the location from which employees work in country of incorporation.
CATEGORY C: POLICIES PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY
10. Training and Career Development: Ensures equal access to training and career development.
11. Recruitment Strategy: Commitment to ensure non-discrimination against any type of demographic group. This could be in the form of an equal opportunities policy, as described by the company.
12. Freedom from Violence, Abuse and Sexual Harassment: Prohibit all forms of violence in the workplace, including verbal, physical and sexual harassment.
13. Safety at Work: Commitment to the safety of employees in the workplace, in travel to and from the workplace, and on company related business, and ensure the safety of vendors in the workplace.
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14. Human Rights: Commitment to ensure the protection of the rights of all people it works with including employees rights to participate in legal, civic and political affairs.
15. Social Supply Chain: Commitment to reduce social risks in its supply chain such as forbidding business-related activities that condone, support, or otherwise participate in human trafficking, including for labor or sexual exploitation
16. Supplier Diversity: Commitment to ensure diversity in the supply chain, including a focus to ensure female-owned businesses in the supply chain.
17. Employee Protection: Systems and policies for the reporting of internal ethical compliance complaints without retaliation or retribution, including but not limited to access to confidential third-party ethics hotlines or systems for confidential written complaints
CATEGORY D: COMMITMENT, TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY
18. Commitment to Womens EmpowermentRecognition and commitment to ensuring womens empowerment in the workplace.
19. Audit- Undertaken and awarded an independent gender audit certificate by an Equileap recognized body.
Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF
The Morningstar Societal Development Index (for purposes of this section, the Underlying Index)
The Underlying Index is constructed using a rules based methodology to select companies with specific characteristics (described below) from the Parent Index. The Parent Index is a free-float market-cap weighted index composed of the equity securities of publicly-traded companies encompassing the top 97% of stocks by market capitalization across 46 countries including both developed and emerging markets. To be eligible for inclusion in the Parent Index, companies must meet specific trading frequency, U.S. Dollar trading volume and turnover, and free-float market capitalization requirements. The Underlying Index provides exposure to both developed and emerging markets.
Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar or the Index Provider) constructs the Underlying Index using company level indicators, scores, and indicator relevance weightings from Sustainalytics, the Funds ESG research provider, that include certain social criteria identified by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF or the Partner Nonprofit), to measure (i) commitment to the UNs Sustainable Development Goals6, (ii) adherence to the principles of the UN Global Compact7, (iii) commitment to reducing poverty and supporting economic development globally and (iv) exposure to countries with low levels of socioeconomic development for each company within the Parent Index (a companys Societal Development Score). Morningstar determines a companys exposure to countries with low levels of socioeconomic development using a quantitative scale based on the percentage of a companys revenue identified as coming from countries defined as low income or lower middle income by the World Bank or as a Least Developed Country by the United Nations, excluding countries that are classified as developed or emerging by Morningstar Indexes, and increases the companys Societal Development Score accordingly. In addition to the Societal Development Score, Sustainalytics assigns each company an Overall ESG Score which reflects its assessment of a companys overall ESG preparedness and performance relative to other companies in the same global industry peer group. The Overall ESG Score is comprised of a companys numerical scores for environmental, social and governance criteria as determined according to Sustainalytics proprietary methodology. After excluding those companies that Sustainalytics determines (i) have products involved in the
6 |
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals set by the UN Development Program that calls for integration of economic development, social equity, and environmental protection. Adopted in 2015, the SDGs are intended to stimulate action over the next fifteen years in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet, including: poverty eradication, food security, health, education, gender equality, access to water, sanitation, clean energy, decent jobs, key infrastructure, strong institutions, inequality reduction, sustainable urbanization, responsible production and consumption patterns, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and ecosystem conservation. |
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The UN Global Compact is an arrangement by which companies voluntarily and publicly commit to a set of principles, known as the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, all of which are drawn from key UN Conventions and Declarations, in four areas: (i) human rights; (ii) labor; (iii) environment; and (iv) anti-corruption. |
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following activities: adult entertainment, alcoholic beverages, controversial weapons, gambling, military contracting weapons, nuclear energy and small arms, or tobacco, (ii) have a detrimental controversy score for incidents related to a company involving one or more of the following matters: business ethics, governance, public policy, employee relations, social supply chain, society and community, operations, or environmental supply chain, (iii) are not compliant with the principles of the UN Global Compact, or (iv) have a below average Overall ESG Score relative to its global industry peers; the 200 highest scoring companies (after applying the optimized weighting methodology discussed below) are selected by Morningstar as the final underlying index components. The Underlying Index is constructed by Morningstar using an optimized free-float market cap weighting methodology. Under this methodology, Morningstar uses a quantitative process that is designed to determine optimal weights for securities to maximize exposure to companies with higher rankings as to global economic development, while maintaining an Underlying Index that exhibits risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Parent Index. Morningstar determines the weighting of each security in the Underlying Index using the following variables: Societal Development Score, market capitalization, maximum and minimum weightings by security, sector and region. Underlying Index constituents are subject to a maximum 5% per company weighting.
The Underlying Index provides exposure to both developed and emerging markets and is expected to contain approximately 200 securities, but this number may change. If a company in the Underlying Index has acted in a manner inconsistent with the selection criteria of the Underlying Index, Morningstar may, in its discretion, after consulting with Sustainalytics, exclude the company from the Underlying Index between reconstitution periods. Morningstar may also make adjustments to the Underlying Index in accordance with its internal guidelines to reflect extraordinary corporate events (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, bankruptcies, insolvencies, and liquidations). The Underlying Index is rebalanced quarterly and reconstituted utilizing the rules-based methodology described above annually. Rebalancing refers to the process of adjusting the weights of the constituent securities in the Underlying Index in accordance with its optimized weighting methodology in response to changes in stock value and market capitalization. Reconstitution refers to the process of changing the constituent securities in the Underlying Index so that securities that no longer meet the criteria for the Underlying Index are excluded and new securities that do meet those criteria are included.
The initial composition of the Underlying Index, as well as any ongoing adjustment, is based on thirty-two separate social indicators used in determining the Societal Development Score that narrows the universe of companies included in the Parent Index. Each of these social indicators addresses an issue that has historically been important to the UNCDF and falls within one of the following five groups:
1. |
Business Ethics |
a. |
Bribery & Corruption Policy: Assesses the quality of the companys policy to combat bribery and corruption. |
b. |
Bribery & Corruption Programs: Assesses the quality of the companys programs to combat bribery and corruption. |
c. |
Global Compact Signatory: Denotes whether a company is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact. |
d. |
Human Rights Policy: Assesses the strength of the companys commitment to respect human rights in within its sphere of influence. |
e. |
Renewable Energy Programs: Assesses whether the company has taken initiatives to increase the use of renewable energy. |
2. |
Employment Practices |
a. |
HIV/AIDS Programs: Assesses the quality of a companys programs to address HIV/AIDS among its employees. |
b. |
Collective Bargaining Agreements: Assesses the extent that the companys employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. |
c. |
Freedom of Association Policy: Assesses the quality of a companys freedom of association and collective bargaining policy. |
d. |
Working Conditions Policy: Assesses whether the company has a formal policy on working hours and/or minimum wages. The indicator relates to relevant core labor rights conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO). |
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3. |
Contractor and Supply Chain Monitoring |
a. |
Conflict Minerals Policy: Assesses the quality of a companys formal policy commitment to eliminate conflict minerals from its products and its supply chain. |
b. |
Conflict Minerals Programs: Assesses the strength of the companys initiatives to eliminate conflict minerals from its products and its supply chain. |
c. |
EICC Signatory: Denotes whether the company is a member of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC). |
d. |
Fair Trade Products: Assesses the contribution of fair trade products to total company revenues. |
e. |
Quality of Social Supplier Standards: Assesses of the quality of social standards in supply chain code of conducts or policies. |
f. |
Scope of Social Supplier Standards: Assesses whether the company has supply chain/contractor policies and the scope of social standards. |
g. |
Social Supplier Certification: Assesses the percentage of suppliers certified to an external labor/social standard, such as SA 8000 or similar. SA8000 certification is an external verification ensuring that core labor standards are adhered to. |
h. |
Supply Chain Management: Assesses whether the company has a supply chain management system and how it is applied. |
i. |
Supply Chain Monitoring: Assesses whether the company has a supply chain monitoring system and/or whether there are other supply chain monitoring activities. |
4. |
Community Involvement and Social Development Programs. |
a. |
Access to Basic Services: Assesses the quality of the companys programs that promote access to basic services (energy, electricity, water) to poor or disadvantaged groups and of the quality of its reporting on such programs. |
b. |
Access to Health Care: Assesses the strength of the companys initiatives to promote access to health care equipment and services. |
c. |
Access to Medicine Programs: Assesses the strength of a companys overall policies, strategies and initiatives to improve access to medicine in developing countries as well as for low income groups in developed markets. |
d. |
Community Development Programs: Assesses the strength of the companys local community development programs. It does not focus on cash donations, but formal programs that promote long-term economic development among communities directly affected by the companys operations. |
e. |
Community Involvement Programs: Assesses the companys mechanisms to consult with local communities potentially affected by its operations. |
f. |
Digital Divide Programs: Assesses the presence of programs that address the digital divide. |
g. |
Drug Donations Policy: Assesses whether the company has a policy for drug donations. |
h. |
Equitable Pricing and Availability: Assesses the extent to which the company has developed and implemented drug pricing models that ensure equitable access to medicine for poor countries and poor populations within countries. |
i. |
Indigenous Rights Policy: Assesses the quality of the companys policy on indigenous people and land rights. |
j. |
Neglected Diseases R&D: Assesses the strength of companies research and development (R&D) activities in areas that are under-researched and/or where there is a great societal need. This includes neglected tropical diseases and other diseases that disproportionally affect developing countries. |
k. |
Value of Drug Donations: Assesses the value of drug donations relative to earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT). |
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5. |
Financial Inclusion in Access to Products and Services |
a. |
Credit & Loan Standards: Assesses the quality of a companys environmental and social standards in its credit and loan activities. |
b. |
Financial Inclusion: Assesses whether the company has taken initiatives to promote financial inclusion of disadvantaged people. |
c. |
Sustainable Financial Initiatives: Assesses whether the company offers sustainability related financial services. |
DESCRIPTION OF PRINCIPAL INVESTMENTS
The following is a description of principal investment practices in which each Fund may engage. Any references to investments made by a Fund include those that may be made both directly by the Fund and indirectly by the Fund (e.g., through its investments in derivatives or other pooled investment vehicles). Please see Principal Risks below for the risks associated with each of the principal investment practices.
Please see the Principal Investment Strategies section under Fund Summary above for a complete discussion of each Funds principal investment strategies. The Funds may invest in various types of securities and engage in various investment techniques which are not the principal focus of a Fund and therefore are not described in this Prospectus. These securities, techniques and practices, together with their risks, are described in the Statement of Additional Information (the SAI), which you may obtain free of charge by contacting shareholder services (see the back cover of this Prospectus for the address and phone number). The Adviser seeks to track the performance of each Funds Underlying Index as closely as possible (i.e., obtain a high degree of correlation with the Underlying Index). A number of factors may affect a Funds ability to achieve a high degree of correlation with its Underlying Index, and there can be no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation with its Index. The Adviser will utilize a sampling strategy in managing each Fund. Sampling means that the Adviser uses quantitative analysis to select securities, including securities in each Underlying Index, outside of each Underlying Index and derivatives that have a similar investment profile as each Underlying Index in terms of key risk factors, performance attributes and other economic characteristics. These include industry weightings, market capitalization, and other financial characteristics of securities. The quantity of holdings in a Fund will be based on a number of factors, including asset size of each Fund. In addition, from time to time, securities are added to or removed from each Underlying Index. The Adviser may sell securities that are represented in an Index, or purchase securities that are not yet represented in each Underlying Index, in anticipation of their removal from or addition to an Index. Further, the Adviser may choose to overweight securities in each Underlying Index, purchase or sell securities not in an Index, or utilize various combinations of other available techniques, in seeking to track each Underlying Index. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board) may change a Funds investment strategy, Underlying Index and other policies without shareholder approval, except as otherwise indicated in this Prospectus or in the SAI. The Board may also change a Funds investment objective without shareholder approval.
Additional Information. The foregoing percentage limitations in a Funds investment strategies apply at the time of purchase of securities. The Board may change any of the foregoing investment policies, including the investment objective, the Underlying Index and the 80% investment policy, without shareholder approval. A Fund will provide shareholders with written notice at least 60 days prior to committing less than 80% of its total assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, under normal circumstances, in component securities of a Funds Underlying Index. For example, if a Funds Underlying Index is discontinued by its Index Provider, the license agreement for the Underlying Index is terminated by the Index Provider or the Board determines that it would not be beneficial to shareholders for the Fund to continue operations using the Underlying Index, the Board may change the Underlying Index as described in the Investment Restrictions section of the Funds SAI.
If a Funds shares are delisted, the Board may seek to list its shares on another exchange, merge with another ETF or traditional mutual fund or redeem its shares at NAV.
Borrowing Money. A Fund may borrow money from a bank as permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act), or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund, but only for temporary or emergency
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purposes. A Fund may also invest in reverse repurchase agreements, which are considered borrowings under the 1940 Act. Although the 1940 Act presently allows each Fund to borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (not including temporary borrowings not in excess of 5% of its total assets), and there is no percentage limit on Fund assets that can be used in connection with reverse repurchase agreements, under normal circumstances any borrowings by a Fund will not exceed 10% of such Funds total assets.
Certain Other Investments. A Fund may invest in structured notes (notes on which the amount of principal repayment and interest payments are based on the movement of one or more specified factors such as the movement of a particular security or index), swaps, options and futures contracts. Swaps, options and futures contracts and structured notes may be used by a Fund in seeking performance that corresponds to its Index and in managing cash flows.
Lending of Securities. A Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed one-quarter (25%) of the value of its total assets via a securities lending program through its securities lending agent ( Lending Agent), to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions desiring to borrow securities to complete transactions and for other purposes. A securities lending program allows a Fund to receive a portion of the income generated by lending its securities and investing the respective collateral. A Fund will receive collateral for each loaned security which is at least equal to 102% of the market value of that security, marked to market each trading day. In the securities lending program, the borrower generally has the right to vote the loaned securities; however, the Fund may call loans to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the Funds economic interest in the investment is to be voted upon. Security loans may be terminated at any time by a Fund.
Factors that may affect a Funds portfolio as a whole are called principal risks and are summarized in this section. This summary describes the nature of these principal risks and certain related risks, but is not intended to include every potential risk. The Funds could be subject to additional risks because the types of investments each makes may change over time. The SAI includes more information about the Funds and their investments. The Funds are not intended to be a complete investment program.
Asset Class Risk. The securities in an Underlying Index or in a Funds portfolio may underperform the returns of other securities or indices that track other countries, regions, industries, groups of industries, markets, asset classes or sectors. Various types of securities or indices tend to experience cycles of outperformance and underperformance in comparison to general securities markets.
Brexit (Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF only). In June 2016, the United Kingdom approved a referendum to leave the European Union (commonly known as Brexit). On March 29, 2017, the United Kingdom formally notified the European Council of its intention to leave the European Union; as a result, the United Kingdom will remain a member state, subject to European Union law with privileges to provide services under the single market directives, for at least two years from that date. However, there is a significant degree of uncertainty about how negotiations relating to the UKs withdrawal and new trade agreements will be conducted, as well as the potential consequences and precise timeframe for Brexit. Given the size and importance of the United Kingdoms economy, uncertainty about its legal, political, and economic relationship with the remaining member states of the European Union may continue to be a source of instability. Moreover, other countries may seek to withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the euro, the common currency of the European Union. The ultimate effects of these events and other socio-political or geopolitical issues are not known but could profoundly affect global economies and markets. Whether or not a Fund invests in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries, these events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Funds investments.
Cash Transaction Risk. The Funds can effect creations and redemptions principally for cash, rather than for in-kind securities. ETFs generally are able to make in-kind redemptions and avoid being taxed on gain on the distributed portfolio securities at the fund level. Because the Funds currently can effect redemptions for cash, rather than for in-kind securities, they may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. The Funds may recognize a capital gain on these sales that might not have been incurred if the Funds had made a redemption in-kind, and this may decrease the tax efficiency of the Funds compared to ETFs that utilize an in-kind redemption process.
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Commodities Risk. Commodities markets historically have been extremely volatile, and the performance of securities and other instruments that provide exposure to those markets therefore also may be highly volatile. The commodities markets may fluctuate widely based on a variety of factors. These include changes in overall market movements, domestic and foreign political and economic events and policies, war, acts of terrorism, changes in domestic or foreign interest rates and/or investor expectations concerning interest rates, domestic and foreign inflation rates and/or investor expectations concerning inflation rates and investment and trading activities of mutual funds, hedge funds and commodities funds. Commodity-linked derivative instruments have a high degree of price variability and are subject to rapid and substantial price changes. Commodity-linked derivative instruments may employ leverage, which creates the possibility for losses greater than the amount invested. A Funds investments in commodity-linked instruments may bear on or be limited by each Funds intention to qualify as a regulated investment company.
Counterparty Risk. The Funds may engage in transactions in securities and financial instruments that involve counterparties. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty (the other party to a transaction or an agreement or the party with whom a Fund executes transactions) to a transaction with a Fund may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest, settlement or margin payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the affected Funds income or the value of its assets may decrease. A Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding and a Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. In an attempt to limit the counterparty risk associated with such transactions, the Funds conduct business only with financial institutions judged by the Adviser to present acceptable credit risk.
Derivatives Risk. The Funds may invest in derivatives, which are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of underlying assets, reference rates or indices. Derivatives involve the risk that changes in their value may not move as expected relative to the value of the assets, rates or indices they are designed to track. Derivatives include futures, non-U.S. currency contracts, swap contracts, warrants and options contracts, among other types of contracts. Derivatives may relate to or reference securities, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, inflation rates, commodities and indices. There are many risks associated with derivatives transactions. The use of derivatives involves risks that are in addition to, and potentially greater than, the risks of investing directly in securities and other more traditional assets. A decision as to whether, when and how to use derivatives involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events. The use of derivative transactions may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require a Fund to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation a Fund can realize on an investment or may cause a Fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell. These investments can create investment leverage and may create additional investment risks that may subject the Funds to greater volatility than investments in more traditional securities. Derivative contracts may expire worthless. The Funds may invest in derivatives with a limited number of counterparties, and events affecting the creditworthiness of any of those counterparties may have a pronounced effect on the Funds. Derivatives risk is particularly acute in environments (like those of 2008) in which financial services firms are exposed to systemic risks of the type evidenced by the insolvency of Lehman Brothers and subsequent market disruptions. In addition, during those periods, a Fund may have a greater need for cash to provide collateral for large swings in its mark-to-market obligations under the derivatives in which it has invested. A Funds use of derivatives may not be effective or have the desired results. Moreover, suitable derivatives will not be available in all circumstances. For example, the economic costs of taking some derivative positions may be prohibitive, and if a counterparty or its affiliate is deemed to be an affiliate of the Funds, the Funds will not be permitted to trade with that counterparty. In addition, the Adviser may decide not to use derivatives to hedge or otherwise reduce a Funds risk exposures, potentially resulting in losses for such Fund. Swap contracts and other OTC derivatives are highly susceptible to liquidity risk and counterparty risk (see Counterparty Risk), and are subject to documentation risks. Because many derivatives have a leverage component (i.e., a notional value in excess of the assets needed to establish and/or maintain the derivative position), adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, rate or index may result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. See Leverage Risk below. Derivatives also present other risks described in this section, including market risk, liquidity risk, currency risk, credit risk and counterparty risk. Special tax considerations apply to the Funds use of derivatives. See the Taxation section below. 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 Funds counterparty is a clearing house, rather than a bank or broker. Since the Funds are not members of any 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 cleared derivatives transactions, the Funds will make payments (including margin payments) to and
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receive payments from a clearing house through its accounts at clearing members. Clearing members guarantee performance of their clients obligations to the clearing house. In many ways, cleared derivative arrangements are less favorable to mutual funds than bilateral arrangements. For example, a Fund may be required to provide more margin for cleared derivatives transactions than for bilateral derivatives transactions. Also, in contrast to a bilateral derivatives transaction, following a period of notice to a Fund, a clearing member generally can require termination of an existing cleared derivatives transaction at any time or an increase in margin requirements above the margin that the clearing member required at the beginning of a transaction. Clearing houses also have broad rights to increase margin requirements for existing transactions or to terminate those transactions at any time. Any increase in margin requirements or termination of existing cleared derivatives transactions by the clearing member or the clearing house could interfere with the ability of the Funds to pursue its investment strategy. Further, any increase in margin requirements by a clearing member could expose the Funds to greater credit risk to its clearing member, because (as described under Counterparty Risk) margin for cleared derivatives transactions in excess of a clearing houses margin requirements typically is held by the clearing member. Also, the Funds are subject to risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or that the Adviser expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Funds behalf. In those cases, the transaction might have to be terminated, and the Funds could lose some or all of the benefit of the transaction, including loss of an increase in the value of the transaction and/or loss of hedging protection. In addition, the documentation governing the relationship between the Funds and clearing members is drafted 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 a Fund in favor of the clearing member for losses the clearing member incurs as such Funds clearing member and typically does not provide such Fund any remedies if the clearing member defaults or becomes insolvent. These and other new rules and regulations could, among other things, further restrict a Funds ability to engage in, or increase the cost to a Fund of derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to such 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 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 them 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 exposes the Funds to new kinds of risks and costs. In addition, the SEC recently proposed a rule under the 1940 Act regulating the use by registered investment companies of derivatives and many related instruments. That rule, if adopted as proposed, would, among other things, restrict the Funds ability to engage in derivatives transactions or so increase the cost of derivatives transactions that the Funds would be unable to implement their respective investment strategies.
Emerging Markets Risk (Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF only). Investing in issuers located in or tied economically to emerging markets is subject to the same risks as foreign market investments, generally to a greater extent. The Fund will be subject to these risks to an even greater extent, to the extent the Fund invests in issuers exposed to countries defined as low income or lower middle income by the World Bank or as a Least Developed Country by the United Nations. These countries typically confront severe structural impediments to sustainable development and are highly vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks and have low levels of human assets. Emerging markets may have additional risks including greater fluctuations in market values and currency exchange rates; increased risk of default; greater social, economic, and political uncertainty and instability; increased risk of nationalization, expropriation, or other confiscation of assets of issuers to which the Fund may be exposed; increased risk of embargoes or economic sanctions on a country, sector, or issuer; greater governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation of the securities markets and participants in those markets; controls on non-U.S. investment, capital controls and limitations on repatriation of invested capital, dividends, interest, and other income, and on the Funds ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; lower levels of liquidity; inability to purchase and sell investments or otherwise settle security or derivative transactions; greater risk of issues with share registration and safe custody; unavailability of currency hedging techniques; differences in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards and resulting unavailability of material information about issuers; slower clearance and longer settlement; and difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments.
Exchange-Traded Funds Risk. The value of ETFs can be expected to increase and decrease in value in proportion to increases and decreases in the indices that they are designed to track. The volatility of different index tracking stocks can be expected to vary in proportion to the volatility of the particular index they track. ETFs are traded similarly to stocks of individual companies. Although an ETF is designed to provide investment performance corresponding to its index, it may not be able to exactly replicate the performance of its index because of its operating expenses and other factors. An investment in
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an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional fund (i.e., one that is not exchange-traded) that has the same investment objective, strategies, and policies. The price of an ETF can fluctuate within a wide range, and a Fund could lose money investing in an ETF if the prices of the securities owned by the ETF go down. In addition, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of the ETFs shares may trade at a discount or a premium to their net asset value; (2) an active trading market for an ETFs shares may not develop or be maintained; and (3) trading of an ETFs shares may be halted by the activation of individual or market wide circuit breakers (which halt trading for a specific period of time when the price of a particular security or overall market prices decline by a specified percentage), if the shares are delisted from the Exchange without first being listed on another exchange, or if the listing exchanges officials deem such action appropriate in the interest of a fair and orderly market or to protect investors. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of a Funds expenses and similar expenses of the underlying investment company when such Fund invests in shares of another investment company. Most ETFs are investment companies. Therefore, a Funds purchases of ETF shares generally are subject to the limitations on, and the risks of, such Funds investments in other investment companies.
In June 2018, the SEC proposed a rule that would simplify the process of launching an ETF. The impact that this rule, if adopted, would have on the Funds is not yet fully known.
Equity Investing Risk. The market prices of equity securities owned by a Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons that may directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage, non-compliance with regulatory requirements, and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services. The values of equity securities also may decline due to general industry or market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates, or adverse investor sentiment generally. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
Ethnic Diversity Risk (Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF only). The returns on a portfolio of securities that excludes companies that are not ethnically diverse may trail the returns on a portfolio of securities that includes companies that are not ethnically diverse. Investing only in a portfolio of securities that are ethnically diverse may affect the Funds exposure to certain types of investments and may adversely impact the Funds performance depending on whether such investments are in or out of favor in the market.
Fee Risk. Because the fees paid by a Fund to Impact Shares are based on the average daily value of the total assets of such Fund, less all accrued liabilities of such Fund (other than the amount of any outstanding borrowings constituting financial leverage), Impact Shares has a financial incentive to cause the Funds to utilize leverage, which creates a conflict of interest between Impact Shares, on the one hand, and the shareholders of the Funds, on the other hand.
Foreign Securities Risk (Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF only). Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain risks not involved in domestic investments (for example, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates (for non-U.S. securities not denominated in U.S. dollars); future foreign economic, financial, political and social developments; nationalization; exploration or confiscatory taxation; smaller markets; different trading and settlement practices; less governmental supervision; and different accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping standards and requirements) that may result in the Fund experiencing more rapid and extreme changes in value than a fund that invests exclusively in securities of U.S. companies. These risks are magnified for investments in issuers tied economically to emerging markets, the economies of which tend to be more volatile than the economies of developed markets. In addition, investments by the Fund in non-U.S. securities may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries on dividends, interest, capital gains, or other income or proceeds. Those taxes will reduce the Funds yield on any such securities.
Futures Contracts Risk. Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of an underlying asset at a price, date and time specified when the contract is made. Funds, such as the Funds, that use futures contracts, which are a type of derivative, are subject to the risk of loss caused by unanticipated market movements. In addition, there may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or indexes and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain futures contracts.
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Geographic Risk (Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF only). To the extent the Funds investments in a single country or a limited number of countries represent a large percentage of the Funds assets, the Fund will be subject to the risk that economic, political and social conditions in those countries will have a significant impact on its investment performance and the Funds shares may be subject to increased price volatility.
Gender Diversity Risk (Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF only). The returns on a portfolio of securities that excludes companies that are not gender diverse may trail the returns on a portfolio of securities that includes companies that are not gender diverse. Investing only in a portfolio of securities that are gender diverse may affect the Funds exposure to certain types of investments and may adversely impact the Funds performance depending on whether such investments are in or out of favor in the market.
Illiquid Securities Risk. Illiquid investments may be difficult to resell at approximately the price they are valued in the ordinary course of business within seven days. When investments cannot be sold readily at the desired time or price, a Fund may have to accept a much lower price, may not be able to sell the investment at all or may be forced to forego other investment opportunities, all of which may adversely impact a Funds returns. Illiquid investments also may be subject to valuation risk.
Index Performance Risk. Each Fund is linked to an index maintained by a third party provider unaffiliated with the Funds or the Adviser. There can be no guarantee or assurance that the methodology used by the third party provider to create the index will result in the Funds achieving high, or even positive, returns. Further, there can be no guarantee that the methodology underlying the index or the daily calculation of the index will be free from error. It is also possible that the value of the index may be subject to intentional manipulation by third-party market participants. The particular indices used by the Funds may underperform other asset classes and may underperform other similar indices. Each of these factors could have a negative impact on the performance of the Funds.
Industry Concentration Risk. Because a Fund may invest 25% or more of the value of its assets in an industry or group of industries to the extent that the Underlying Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries, a Funds performance may depend to a large extent on the overall condition of such industry or group of industries and a Fund may be susceptible to economic, political and regulatory risks or other occurrences associated with that industry or group of industries. The performance of a Fund if it invests a significant portion of its assets in a particular sector or industry may be closely tied to the performance of companies in a limited number of sectors or industries. Companies in a single sector often share common characteristics, are faced with the same obstacles, issues and regulatory burdens and their securities may react similarly to adverse market conditions. The price movements of investments in a particular sector or industry may be more volatile than the price movements of more broadly diversified investments.
Intellectual Property Risk. The Funds rely on licenses that permit the Adviser to use the Underlying Indices and associated trade names, trademarks and service marks, as well as the Partner Nonprofits names and logos (the Intellectual Property) in connection with the investment strategies of each respective Fund and/or in marketing and other materials for each Fund. Such licenses may be terminated, and, as a result, the relevant Fund may lose its ability to use the Intellectual Property. In the event a license is terminated or the license provider does not have rights to license the Intellectual Property, the operations of such Fund may be adversely affected.
Limited Operating History Risk. The Funds are newly formed and have no operating history for investors to evaluate as of the date of this Prospectus. The Funds may not attract sufficient assets to achieve or maximize investment and operational efficiencies and remain viable. If a Fund fails to achieve sufficient scale, it may be liquidated.
Management Risk. The Funds do not fully replicate their respective Underlying Indices and may hold securities not included in their respective Underlying Indices. As a result, the Funds are subject to management risk because they rely on the Advisers ability to achieve each Funds investment objective. The Funds run the risk that the Advisers investment techniques will fail to produce desired results and cause the Funds to incur significant losses. The Adviser also may fail to use derivatives effectively, choosing to hedge or not to hedge positions at disadvantageous times. In addition, if one or more key individuals leave, the Adviser may not be able to hire qualified replacements or may require an extended time to do so. This situation could prevent the Funds from achieving their respective investment objectives. Each Funds portfolio manager uses quantitative analyses and/or models. Any imperfections or limitations in such analyses and models could affect the ability of the portfolio manager to implement strategies. By necessity, these analyses and models make simplifying assumptions that limit their efficacy. Models that appear to explain prior market data can fail to predict future market events.
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Further, the data used in models may be inaccurate and/or it may not include the most recent information about a company or a security. The Adviser has no experience managing an ETF. The relative lack of experience of the Adviser may increase the applicable management risks discussed above.
Market Price Variance Risk. Each Funds shares are listed for trading on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the Exchange) and are bought and sold in the secondary market at prevailing market prices. The market prices of shares will fluctuate in response to changes in the NAV of a Fund and supply and demand for shares. As a result, the trading prices of shares may deviate significantly from NAV of a Fund during periods of market volatility. Differences between secondary market prices and the net asset value ( NAV) of a Fund may be due largely to supply and demand forces in the secondary market, which may not be the same forces as those influencing prices for securities held by a Fund at a particular time. The Adviser cannot predict whether shares will trade above, below or at their NAV. Given the fact that shares can be created and redeemed in creation units, the Adviser believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of shares should not be sustained in the long-term. There may be times when the market price of a Funds shares and such Funds NAV vary significantly and you may pay more than such Funds NAV when buying shares on the secondary market, and you may receive less than such Funds NAV when you sell those shares. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that shares normally will trade close to a Funds NAV, disruptions to creations and redemptions may result in trading prices that differ significantly from a Funds NAV. The market price of shares, like the price of any exchange-traded security, includes a bid-ask spread charged by the exchange specialist, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. In addition, the securities held by a Fund may be traded in markets that close at a different time than the Exchange. Liquidity in those securities may be reduced after the applicable closing times. Accordingly, during the time when the Exchange is open but after the applicable market closing, fixing or settlement times, bid-ask spreads and the resulting premium or discount to shares NAV may widen. Further, secondary markets may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods, which could cause a material decline in a Funds NAV. In times of market stress, market makers and authorized participants may step away from their respective roles in making a market in a Funds shares or in executing purchase and redemption orders, which could lead to variances between the market price of such Funds shares and the underlying value of those shares. Also, in stressed market conditions, the market for a Funds shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity of such Funds portfolio holdings, which could lead to differences between the market price of such Funds shares and the underlying value of those shares. During periods of high market volatility, a Fund share may trade at a significant discount to its NAV, and in these circumstances certain types of brokerage orders may expose an investor to an increased risk of loss. A stop order, sometimes called a stop-loss order, may cause a Fund share to be sold at the next prevailing market price once the stop level is reached, which during a period of high volatility can be at a price that is substantially below NAV. By including a limit criteria with your brokerage order, you may be able to limit the size of the loss resulting from the execution of an ill-timed stop order. The Funds shares may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the U.S. stock exchange where the Funds primary listing is maintained, and may otherwise be made available to non-U.S. investors through funds or structured investment vehicles similar to depositary receipts. There can be no assurance that a Funds shares will continue to trade on any such stock exchange or in any market or that a Funds shares will continue to meet the requirements for listing or trading on any exchange or in any market. A Funds shares may be less actively traded in certain markets than in others, and investors are subject to the execution and settlement risks and market standards of the market where they or their broker direct their trades for execution. Certain information available to investors who trade a Funds shares on a U.S. stock exchange during regular U.S. market hours may not be available to investors who trade in other markets, which may result in secondary market prices in such markets being less efficient.
A Funds investment results are measured based upon the daily NAV of such Fund. Investors purchasing and selling shares in the secondary market may not experience investment results consistent with those experienced by those purchasing and redeeming directly with the Fund.
Mid-Cap Company Risk. Investing in securities of mid-cap companies may entail greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies. Mid-cap companies tend to have more narrow product lines, more limited financial resources and a more limited trading market for their stocks, as compared with larger companies. As a result, their stock prices may decline significantly as market conditions change.
Non-Diversification Risk. Due to the nature of the Funds investment strategies and their non-diversified status (for purposes of the 1940 Act), the Funds may invest a greater percentage of their respective assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a diversified fund, and accordingly may be more vulnerable to changes in the value of those issuers securities. Since the Funds invest in the securities of a limited number of issuers, the Funds are particularly exposed to adverse
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developments affecting those issuers, and a decline in the market value of a particular security held by a Fund is likely to affect such Funds performance more than if such Fund invested in the securities of a larger number of issuers. Although the Funds will be non-diversified for purposes of the 1940 Act, the Funds intend to comply with the diversification requirements under Subchapter M of the Code in order to be eligible to qualify as a regulated investment company.
Operational and Technology Risk. The Funds, their service providers, index providers, Authorized Participants, market makers and other market participants increasingly depend on complex information technology and communications systems to conduct business functions. These systems are subject to a number of different threats or risks that could adversely affect the Funds and their shareholders, despite the efforts of the Adviser, the Funds and their service providers to adopt technologies, processes, and practices intended to mitigate these risks. For example, unauthorized third parties may attempt to improperly access, modify, disrupt the operations of, or prevent access to these systems of the Funds, the Funds service providers, counterparties, or other market participants or data within them (a cyber-attack). Power or communications outages, acts of god, information technology equipment malfunctions, operational errors, and inaccuracies within software or data processing systems may also disrupt business operations or impact critical data. Market events also may trigger a volume of transactions that overloads current information technology and communication systems and processes, impacting the ability to conduct the Funds operations. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that affect the Funds service providers or counterparties may adversely affect the Funds and their shareholders, including by causing losses for the Funds or impairing the Funds operations. For example, the Funds or their service providers assets or sensitive or confidential information may be misappropriated, data may be corrupted, and operations may be disrupted (e.g., cyber-attacks or operational failures may cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential Fund information, interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the ability to calculate each Funds NAV, and impede trading). In addition, cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures may cause reputational damage and subject the Funds or their service providers to regulatory fines, litigation costs, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. While the Funds and their service providers may establish business continuity and other plans and processes to address the possibility of cyberattacks, disruptions, or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including that they do not apply to third parties, such as other market participants, as well as the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that unknown threats may emerge in the future. Similar types of operational and technology risks are also present for issuers of the Funds investments, which could have material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause the Funds investments to lose value. In addition, cyber-attacks involving a Funds counterparties could affect such counterpartys ability to meet its obligations to such Fund, which may result in losses to such Fund and its shareholders. Furthermore, as a result of cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures, an exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities or the entire market, which may result in the Funds being, among other things, unable to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments or unable to accurately price its investments. The Funds cannot directly control any cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by their service providers, counterparties, issuers in which the Funds invest, or securities markets and exchanges, and such third parties may have limited indemnification obligations to the Adviser or the Funds, each of whom could be negatively impacted as a result.
Options Risk. The use of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. A transaction in options or securities may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events. When a Fund writes a covered call option, such Fund forgoes, during the options life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the call, but retains the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation and once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price. When a Fund writes a covered put option, such Fund bears the risk of loss if the value of the underlying stock declines below the exercise price minus the put premium. If the option is exercised, such Fund could incur a loss if it is required to purchase the stock underlying the put option at a price greater than the market price of the stock at the time of exercise plus the put premium the Fund received when it wrote the option. While a Funds potential gain in writing a covered put option is limited to distributions earned on the liquid assets securing the put option plus the premium received from the purchaser of the put option, such Fund risks a loss equal to the entire exercise price of the option minus the put premium.
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Passive Investment Risk. The Funds are not actively managed and may be affected by a general decline in market segments included in the applicable Underlying Indices. The Funds invest in securities included in, or representative of, each Funds respective Underlying Index regardless of such securitys investment merits. The Adviser does not attempt to take defensive positions under any market conditions, including during declining markets.
Securities Market Risk. Securities market risk is the risk that the value of securities owned by a Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to factors affecting particular companies or the securities markets generally. The profitability of a Fund substantially depends upon the Adviser correctly assessing the future price movements of stocks, bonds, loans, options on stocks, and other securities and the movements of interest rates. The Adviser cannot guarantee that it will be successful in accurately predicting price movements. The market prices of equities may decline for reasons that directly relate to the issuing company (such as poor management performance or reduced demand for its goods or services), factors that affect a particular industry (such as a decline in demand, labor or raw material shortages, or increased production costs) or general market conditions not specifically related to a company or industry (such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates, or adverse investor sentiment generally). In addition, the increasing popularity of passive index-based investing may have the potential to increase security price correlations and volatility. As passive strategies generally buy or sell securities based simply on inclusion and representation in an index, securities prices will have an increasing tendency to rise or fall based on whether money is flowing into or out of passive strategies rather than based on an analysis of the prospects and valuation of individual securities. This may result in increased market volatility as more money is invested through passive strategies. As a result of the nature of a Funds investment activities, it is possible that such Funds financial performance may fluctuate substantially from period to period. Additionally, at any point in time an investment in a Fund may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
Small-Cap Company Risk. Investing in the securities of small-cap companies either directly or indirectly through investments in ETFs, closed-end funds or mutual funds may pose greater market and liquidity risks than larger, more established companies, because of limited product lines and/or operating history, limited financial resources, limited trading markets, and the potential lack of management depth. In addition, the securities of such companies are typically more volatile than securities of larger capitalization companies.
Swaps Risk. The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques, risk analyses and tax planning different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. These transactions can result in sizeable realized and unrealized capital gains and losses relative to the gains and losses from a Funds direct investments in securities. Transactions in swaps can involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the reference assets directly since, in addition to general market risks, swaps may be leveraged and are also subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk, credit risk and pricing risk. However, certain risks may be reduced (but not eliminated) if a Fund invests in cleared swaps. Regulators also may impose limits on an entitys or group of entities positions in certain swaps. Because bilateral swap agreements are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, these swaps may be considered to be illiquid. Moreover, a Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap counterparty. Many swaps are complex and valued subjectively. Swaps and other derivatives may also be subject to pricing or basis risk, which exists when the price of a particular derivative diverges from the price of corresponding cash market instruments. Under certain market conditions it may not be economically feasible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position in time to avoid a loss or take advantage of an opportunity. If a swap transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result insignificant losses. The value of swaps can be very volatile, and a variance in the degree of volatility or in the direction of securities prices from the Advisers expectations may produce significant losses in a Funds investments in swaps. In addition, a perfect correlation between a swap and a reference asset may be impossible to achieve. As a result, the Advisers use of swaps may not be effective in fulfilling the investment advisers investment strategies and may contribute to losses that would not have been incurred otherwise. Certain separately managed accounts (SMAs) that are designed to track the performance of an index may serve as the underlying reference asset for total return swaps used by the Funds (SMA Total Return Swaps). This investment technique provides a Fund with synthetic long investment exposure to the performance of the index the SMAs seek to track, and thus, any underlying SMAs, through payments made by a swap counterparty to such Fund that reflect the positive total return, net of fees of the SMA, which may be netted against the payment of transaction fees. In exchange, such Fund makes periodic payments to the counterparty under the swap based on certain upfront and/or monthly transaction fees as well as payments reflecting any negative total return on the SMA. The swap generally provides a Fund with the economic equivalent of ownership of the portfolio of the SMA through an entitlement to receive any gains realized by the SMA and an obligation to pay any losses realized by the SMA, which may be netted against the financing expenses of the swap. This investment technique is intended to provide the Funds with exposure to the performance of the SMA and, indirectly, the performance of the index the SMA is
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designed to track. The performance of an SMA Total Return Swap is subject to the performance and the risks of the index the SMA seeks to track, and ultimately, of the underlying SMA and its investment portfolio. If the performance of the SMA underlying the SMA Total Return Swap is negative or is not sufficiently positive to offset the periodic payment due to the counterparty, then the performance of the relevant Funds will be negatively impacted. Additionally, the performance of the underlying SMA may deviate from the performance of the index it is designed to track. To the extent that the SMAs performance deviates from that of the relevant index, the performance of the SMA Total Return Swap, and in, turn, the performance of the relevant Fund, will deviate from the performance of the relevant index as well. The expenses paid by the underlying SMA holder (including fees paid on the basis of the performance of the underlying account manager) reduce the performance returns of the SMAs investments and those expenses are embedded in the returns of the SMA Total Return Swap are based on the net returns of the SMA. The Funds use of SMA Total Return Swaps may also subject the Funds to the risks of leverage, to the extent utilized by the SMAs.
Tracking Error Risk. Imperfect correlation between a Funds portfolio securities and those in the applicable Underlying Indices, rounding of prices, changes to the Underlying Indices and regulatory requirements may cause tracking error, which is the divergence of a Funds performance from that of its Underlying Index. This risk may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or other unusual market conditions. Tracking error also may result because a Fund incurs fees and expenses, while its Underlying Index does not. For example, a Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to its Underlying Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing such Funds securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of its Underlying Index and raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created creation units. Because a Fund bears the costs and risks associated with buying and selling securities while such costs are not factored into the return of its Underlying Index, such Funds returns may deviate significantly from the return of its Underlying Index. Because the Funds each employ a representative sampling strategy, the Funds may experience tracking error to a greater extent than funds that seeks to replicate an index. The Adviser may not be able to cause a Funds performance to correlate to that of such Funds benchmark, either on a daily or aggregate basis. Because the Underlying Index rebalances quarterly but a Fund is not obligated to do the same, the risk of tracking error may increase following the rebalancing of such Funds Underlying Index.
Board of Trustees and Investment Adviser
The Board of Trustees (the Board or Trustees) has overall management responsibility for the Funds. See Management in the SAI for the names of and other information about the Trustees and officers of the Funds.
Impact Shares, Corp. (Impact Shares or the Adviser) serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. The address of the Adviser is 2189 Broken Bend, Frisco, Texas 75034. Impact Shares provides the day-to-day management of each Funds portfolio of securities, which includes buying and selling securities for each Fund and conducting investment research. Additionally, Impact Shares furnishes offices, necessary facilities, equipment and personnel. Organized in February 2014, Impact Shares is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Impact Shares is an ETF sponsor and investment manager that is creating a platform for clients seeking maximum social impact with market returns.
Impact Shares goal is to build a capital markets bridge between leading nonprofits, investors and corporate America to direct capital and social engagement on societal priorities.
The Adviser is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The Adviser intends to make charitable contributions to a Funds relevant Partner Nonprofit equal to the excess, if any, of Impact Shares fees with respect to the Fund over Impact Shares operating expenses and a reserve for working capital. The Advisers intent is to provide financial support to further the causes championed by each Partner Nonprofit. For additional information see Partner Nonprofits, below.
Each Fund has entered into an investment advisory agreement with Impact Shares (the Investment Advisory Agreements), pursuant to which Impact Shares either provides the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio of securities, which includes buying and selling securities for each Fund and conducting investment research, or hires a sub-adviser to do so, subject to Impact Shares general oversight.
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For the services provided to a Fund under its Investment Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser an annual unitary fee, payable monthly, at the rate of 0.75% of such Funds Average Daily Managed Assets (as defined below). Average Daily Managed Assets of a Fund means the average daily value of the total assets of such Fund, less all accrued liabilities of such Fund (other than the aggregate amount of any outstanding borrowings constituting financial leverage). From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee, although it does not currently intend to do so. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreements, the Adviser is responsible for substantially all expenses of each Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services except for distribution and service fees payable pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan, if any; salaries and other compensation or expenses, including travel expenses, of any of each Funds executive officers and employees, if any, who are not officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners or employees of the Adviser or its subsidiaries or affiliates; taxes and governmental fees, if any, levied against a Fund; brokerage fees and commissions, and other portfolio transaction expenses incurred by or for a Fund; expenses of a Funds securities lending (if any), including any securities lending agent fees, as governed by a separate securities lending agreement; costs, including interest expenses, of borrowing money or engaging in other types of leverage financing; fees and expenses of any underlying funds or other pooled vehicles in which a Fund invests; dividend and interest expenses on short positions taken by the Fund; fees and expenses, including travel expenses, and fees and expenses of legal counsel retained for their benefit, of Trustees who are not officers, employees, partners, shareholders or members of the Adviser or its subsidiaries or affiliates; extraordinary expenses, including extraordinary legal expenses, as may arise, including, without limitation, expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings, other claims, contractual arrangements with Partner Nonprofits and the legal obligations of the Funds to indemnify their Trustees, officers, employees, shareholders, distributors, and agents with respect thereto; fees and expenses, including legal, printing and mailing, solicitation and other fees and expenses associated with and incident to shareholder meetings and proxy solicitations involving shareholder proposals or other non-routine matters that are not initiated or proposed by Fund management; organizational and offering expenses of a Fund, including registration (including share registration fees), legal, marketing, printing, accounting and other expenses, associated with organizing a Fund in its state of jurisdiction and in connection with the initial registration of a Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) and the initial registration of its shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) (i.e., through the effectiveness of a Funds initial registration statement on Form N-1A); fees and expenses associated with seeking, applying for and obtaining formal exemptive, no-action and/or other relief from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC); and expenses of a Fund which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The Adviser has agreed to assume the Funds organization and offering costs. The Funds do not have an obligation to reimburse the Adviser for organization and offering costs paid on their behalf.
A discussion regarding the Boards approval of the Investment Advisory Agreements for the Funds will be available in each respective Funds initial report to shareholders. The Investment Advisory Agreements may be terminated by each respective Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each respective Fund, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days nor less than 30 days written notice. In addition, the Investment Advisory Agreements automatically terminate in the event of their assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
Each Fund is a party to contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, the Funds investment adviser, administrator, distributor, and shareholder servicing agent, who provide services to the Funds. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (third-party) beneficiaries of, any such contractual arrangements, and such contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any individual shareholder or group of shareholders any right to enforce them against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of a Fund.
Neither this prospectus, nor the related SAI, is intended, or should be read, to be or to give rise to an agreement or contract between the Trust or a Fund and any investor, or to give rise to any rights in any shareholder or other person other than any rights under federal or state law.
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Management Fees Paid
The following table shows the management fees that the Adviser received from each Fund for the period from inception through June 30, 2019 and the Funds contractual management fee:
Fund |
Inception Date |
Management Fees Paid as a
Percentage of Average Daily Managed Assets for the Period from Inception Through June 30, 2019 |
Contractual Management
Fee as a Percentage of Average Daily Managed Assets for the Period from Inception Through June 30, 2019 |
|||||||
Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF |
July 17, 2018 | 0.75 | % | 0.75 | % | |||||
Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF |
August 24, 2018 | 0.75 | % | 0.75 | % | |||||
Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF |
September 20, 2018 | 0.75 | % | 0.75 | % |
As discussed above, the Adviser intends to make charitable contributions to the Funds partner nonprofits (the Partner Nonprofits) equal to the excess, if any, of Impact Shares fees with respect to the applicable Fund over Impact Shares operating expenses (including the license fee referred to below) and a reserve for working capital. Each Partner Nonprofit, in its sole discretion, may use the license fee and any portion of the Advisers charitable contributions made directly to such Partner Nonprofit to support its own programs or may make its own donations to identified charitable organizations that support such Partner Nonprofits mission.
The Partner Nonprofit for the Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF and the Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF is or will be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code. The Partner Nonprofit for the Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF is a subsidiary organ of the United Nations, an intergovernmental organization established by its member states. Each Partner Nonprofit will enter into a license agreement (a License Agreement) with the Adviser. Pursuant to the relevant License Agreement, each Partner Nonprofit will grant the Adviser a license permitting the applicable Fund to use the applicable Partner Nonprofits name and logo. The Adviser will pay a license fee to the Partner Nonprofit on a quarterly basis out of the applicable Funds unitary fee, calculated as a percentage (expressed in basis points) of the assets under management of such Fund. Each Partner Nonprofit will identify and compile certain social criteria to be incorporated into the applicable Funds social screen criteria that seek to measure corporate performance against a range of social impact benchmarks relevant to each Fund. The Partner Nonprofits will not: (i) select any individual companies for inclusion or exclusion from the Underlying Indices or (ii) have any right to approve or modify the Indices, once constructed. The Partner Nonprofits will not have any influence on the day-to-day operations of the Funds or the Advisers management of the Funds. The Partner Nonprofits will not provide any investment advisory services to the Adviser, the Funds or any potential or current investors in the Funds. The Partner Nonprofits will have no equity ownership or other financial interest in the Adviser. Each Funds right to use the name and logo of its Partner Nonprofit would terminate in the event that such Funds Investment Advisory Agreement is terminated.
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About the NAACP
Founded on February 12, 1909, the NAACP is the nations oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization. Its more than half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, campaigning for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization. The NAACP seeks:
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To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens; |
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To achieve equality of rights and eliminate race prejudice among the citizens of the United States; |
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To remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes; |
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To seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws securing civil rights; |
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To inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and to seek its elimination; and |
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To educate persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful action to secure the exercise thereof, and to take any other lawful action in furtherance of these objectives, consistent with the NAACPs Articles of Incorporation and this Constitution. |
Shares of the Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by NAACP. NAACP makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of this Fund or any member of the public regarding the ability of this Fund to track the performance of its Underlying Index or the ability of its Underlying Index to meet or exceed stock market performance. NAACP has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of shares of this Fund. NAACP is not an investment adviser. Inclusion of a security within this Funds Underlying Index is not a recommendation by NAACP to buy, sell or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice. NAACP does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein.
About YWCA USA
Founded in 1858 as a voice for womens issues, YWCA USA represents 213 YWCA associations in 46 States and the District of Columbia. Each year YWCAs serves over 2 million women and children in over 1200 communities across the United States. For over 160 years YWCA has delivered social impact through its many direct services and community-based programs. YWCA USA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA USA focuses its mission-driven work to achieve three signature outcomes:
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Increasing equal protection and equal opportunities, paying close attention to the intersectionality of race and gender; |
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Increasing economic opportunities for women and girls throughout the US, especially communities of color, recognizing the importance of the race and gender inequities that exist for historically disenfranchised and contemporarily marginalized communities; and |
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Improving the disproportionately negative health and safety outcomes for women and girls by increasing and improving access to high quality health and safety resources and support systems. |
The role of the YWCA is similar to that of an advisory board in that it has no power to determine that any security or other investment shall be purchased or sold by the Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF.
Shares of the Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF (the Fund) are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by YWCA USA, Inc. or any of its affiliates or local associations (YWCA). YWCA makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the ability of the Fund to track the performance of the Morningstar Womens Empowerment Index (Underlying Index) or the ability of the Underlying Index to meet or exceed stock market performance. YWCA has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of shares of the Fund. YWCA is not an investment adviser. Inclusion of a security within the Underlying Index is not a recommendation by YWCA to buy, sell or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice. YWCA does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein
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About the United Nations Capital Development Fund
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is a subsidiary organ of the United Nations, an intergovernmental organization established by its member states, with its headquarters in New York, New York. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers last mile finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access, UNCDF contributes to a number of different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The role of the UNCDF is similar to that of an advisory board in that it has no power to determine that any security or other investment shall be purchased or sold by the Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF.
UNCDF does not endorse and/or recommend any commercial or other products including financial products, goods, or services. UNCDF does not endorse Impact Shares or any other commercial entity. UNCDF makes no representations and gives no warranties of whatever nature in respect of these documents, including but not limited to the accuracy or completeness of any information, facts and/or opinions contained therein. UNCDF does not make any claim, prediction, warranty or representation whatsoever, expressly or impliedly, either as to the result to be obtained from the use of information in the present documents or the fitness or suitability of the referred information for any particular purpose for which they may be put. UNCDF cannot be held financially or legally liable for the use of and reliance of the opinions, estimates, forecasts and findings in these documents. No reference to UNCDF should be considered as an advice or recommendation by UNCDF to investors or potential investors in relation to holding, purchasing or selling securities or financial products or instruments. The UNCDF name and emblem are the exclusive property of UNCDF. They are protected under international law. Unauthorized use is prohibited. They may not be copied or reproduced in any way without the prior written permission of UNCDF. Nothing herein shall constitute or be considered to be a limitation upon or a waiver of, express or implied, the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, including UNCDF, which are specifically reserved.
Portfolio Manager
The portfolio of each Fund is managed by Ethan Powell. Mr. Powell has managed each Fund since its inception.
Ethan Powell. Mr. Powell, has spent over two decades in financial services, primarily in hedge funds and private equity. Most recently Mr. Powell founded Impact Shares. Impact Shares is a collaboration of leading financial service and nonprofit organizations providing single social issue ETFs. Additionally, Mr. Powell serves as the Chairman of the board for a $5 billion mutual fund complex.
Previously, Mr. Powell was the Chief of Product and Strategy at Highland Capital Management Fund Advisors, L.P. In this role he was responsible for evaluating and optimizing the registered product lineup offered by Highland Mr. Powell also served as the portfolio manager of the Highland ETFs and worked with other portfolio managers and wholesalers on the appropriate positioning of strategies in the market place. Prior to joining Highland in April 2007, Mr. Powell spent most of his career with Ernst and Young providing audit and merger and acquisition services. Mr. Powell received an MS in Management Information Systems and a BS in Accounting from Texas A&M University. Mr. Powell has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.
The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager and the portfolio managers ownership of securities issued by the Funds.
Distributor of the Funds
The Funds shares are offered for sale through SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the Distributor), One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in shares of the Funds. The Distributor has no role in determining the policies of the Funds or the securities that are purchased or sold by the Funds.
Distribution (12b-1) Plan
Under a Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan (the Plan) adopted by the Board, the Funds may pay the Distributor and financial intermediaries, such as broker-dealers and investment advisors, up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of each Fund as reimbursement or compensation for distribution related activities and other services with respect to the applicable Fund. Because these fees are paid out of the applicable Funds assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. No payments have yet been authorized by the Board, nor are any such expected to be made by the Fund under the Plan during the current fiscal year.
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Distribution fees paid to the Distributor in the future may be spent on any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of the Funds shares including (but not limited to) to compensate the Distributor, the Funds investment adviser or any of their affiliates, as well as any banks, broker/dealers or other financial institutions for distribution or sales support services rendered, and related expenses incurred, for or on behalf of the Funds. The Distributor may also use any distribution fees paid in the future for the provision of personal services to investors in the shares and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The Plan is considered a compensation type plan, which means that each Fund pays the Distributor the entire fee, if authorized by the Board in the future, regardless of the Distributors expenditures. Even if the Distributors actual expenditures exceed the fee payable under the Plan, if authorized by the Board in the future, at any given time, each Fund will not be obligated to pay more than that fee under the Plan. If the Distributors actual expenditures are less than the fee payable under the Plan, if authorized by the Board in the future, at any given time, the Distributor may realize a profit from the arrangement.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
A description of the Funds policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of a Funds portfolio securities is available (i) in the SAI and (ii) on the Funds website at www.impactetfs.org.
The Funds issue and redeem shares of the Fund only in aggregations of Creation Units. A Creation Unit is comprised of 50,000 shares. The value of such Creation Unit was $1,000,000 at each Funds inception.
See the section of this Prospectus entitled Creation and Redemption of Shares for more information.
Shares of the Funds are exchange traded and available for purchase on the Exchange by any investors (not only members of the Partner Nonprofits) seeking social impact consistent with the goals of the Partner Nonprofit.
Shares of the Funds are listed on the Exchange for trading on any day that the Exchange is open for business. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like shares of other publicly-traded companies. The Funds do not impose any minimum investment for shares of the Funds purchased on an exchange. Buying or selling Funds shares on an exchange involves two types of costs that may apply to all securities transactions. When buying or selling shares of the Funds through a broker, you will likely incur a brokerage commission or other charges determined by your broker. In addition, you may incur the cost of the spread that is, any difference between the bid price and the ask price. The commission is frequently a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell small amounts of shares. The spread varies over time for shares of the Funds based on each Funds trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if the applicable Fund has a lot of trading volume and market liquidity and higher if the applicable Fund has little trading volume and market liquidity. Shares of the Funds trade on NYSE Arca, Inc. The Board has adopted a policy of not monitoring for frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares (frequent trading) that appear to attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of the Funds portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for the Funds portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in each Funds NAV (market timing), because the Funds shares are listed for trading on a national securities exchange.
Because secondary market trades do not involve the Funds directly, it is unlikely those trades would cause many of the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the Funds trading costs and the realization of capital gains.
Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in the Funds beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in SEC rules or in an SEC exemptive order issued to the Trust. In order for a registered investment company to invest in shares of the Funds pursuant to the exemptive relief obtained by the Trust from the limitations of Section 12(d)(1), the company must enter into an agreement with the Trust.
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Shares of the Fund are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (DTC) or its nominee is the record or registered owner of all outstanding shares of the Funds.
Investors owning shares of the Funds are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for shares of the Fund. DTC participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. Beneficial owners of shares are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in their names, and they are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, a beneficial owner must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other securities that a beneficial owner holds in book-entry or street name form.
Creation and Redemption of Shares
The Funds issue and sell Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at NAV plus a transaction fee next determined after receipt of a purchase order, on any day that the Exchange is open for business. Creation units of shares may be purchased only by or through a DTC participant that has entered into an Authorized Participant agreement with the Distributor. Investors who are not Authorized Participants must make appropriate arrangements with an Authorized Participant. The Funds may direct portfolio transactions to certain Authorized Participants or their affiliates in certain circumstances, such as to achieve best execution, but do not direct transactions based on the purchase/sale of Funds shares. Due to the nature of the Funds investments, Authorized Participants may deposit cash, a portfolio of securities constituting a representative sample of the applicable Underlying Index or a combination of cash and a portfolio of securities constituting a representative sample of the applicable Underlying Index in exchange for a specified amount of Creation Units.
Redemptions of Creation Units for securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws, and the Funds reserve the right to redeem Creation Units for cash if the Funds could not lawfully deliver specific Fund securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. This would specifically prohibit delivery of Fund securities that are not registered in reliance upon Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a redeeming investor that is not a qualified institutional buyer, as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming beneficial owner of the shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payments.
Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not be a DTC participant or may not have executed an Authorized Participant agreement, in which case orders to purchase creation units of shares may have to be placed by the investors broker through an Authorized Participant. As a result, purchase orders placed through an Authorized Participant may result in additional charges to such investor. The Fund expects to enter into Authorized Participant agreements with only a small number of DTC participants.
Purchases through and outside the Clearing Process
An Authorized Participant may place an order to purchase (or redeem) creation units (i) through the Continuous Net Settlement clearing processes of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) as such processes have been enhanced to effect purchases (and redemptions) of creation units, such processes being referred to herein as the Clearing Process, or (ii) outside the Clearing Process. To purchase or redeem through the Clearing Process, an Authorized Participant must be a member of NSCC that is eligible to use the Continuous Net Settlement system. For purchase orders placed through the Clearing Process, the Authorized Participant agreement authorizes the Distributor to transmit through the Funds transfer agent (the Transfer Agent) to NSCC, on behalf of an Authorized Participant, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Authorized Participants purchase order.
Pursuant to such trade instructions to NSCC, the Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the requisite deposit securities and the balancing amount to the applicable Fund, together with the Transaction Fee and such additional information as may be required by the Distributor.
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An Authorized Participant that wishes to place an order to purchase Creation Units outside the Clearing Process must state that it is not using the Clearing Process and that the purchase instead will be effected through a transfer of securities and cash directly through DTC. Purchases (and redemptions) of Creation Units settled outside the Clearing Process will be subject to a higher Transaction Fee (as defined below) than those settled through the Clearing Process.
Whether placed through the Clearing Process or outside the Clearing Process, a purchase order must be received by the Distributor by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time if transmitted by telephone, facsimile or other electronic means permitted under the Participant Agreement in order to receive that days closing NAV per share.
The Fund reserves the absolute right to reject a purchase order transmitted to it by the Distributor in respect of the Funds if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the purchaser or group of purchasers, upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of the applicable Fund; (c) the deposit securities delivered are not as specified by the Adviser and the Adviser has not consented to acceptance of an in-kind deposit that varies from the designated deposit securities; (d) acceptance of the purchase transaction order would have certain adverse tax consequences to the applicable Fund; (e) the acceptance of the purchase transaction order would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the purchase order transaction would otherwise, in the discretion of the applicable Fund or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the applicable Fund or the rights of beneficial owners; (g) the value of a cash purchase amount, or the value of the balancing amount to accompany an in-kind deposit, exceeds a purchase authorization limit extended to an Authorized Participant by the custodian and the Authorized Participant has not deposited an amount in excess of such purchase authorization with the custodian prior to the relevant cut-off time for the applicable Fund on the Transmittal Date; or (h) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser make it impractical to process purchase orders. A Fund shall notify a prospective purchaser of its rejection of the order of such person. The Funds and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of purchase transaction orders nor shall either of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
Similarly, shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in good order by the Distributor on any day on that the Exchange is open for business. All redemption requests, whether placed through or outside the Clearing Process, must be received by the Distributor by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time in order to receive that days Closing NAV per Share. The Fund reserves the right to reject any redemption request that is not in good order. Contact Impact Shares you have any questions about your particular circumstances. In general, a purchase order is in good order if: (i) a request in form satisfactory to the applicable Fund is received by the Distributor or its agent from the Authorized Participant on behalf of itself or another redeeming investor within the time periods specified herein; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement are properly followed. The Funds reserve the right to require additional information at any time for a purchase order to be in good order.
The Funds will not redeem shares in amounts less than Creation Units.
Beneficial owners also may sell shares in the secondary market, but must accumulate enough shares to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such shares redeemed by the Funds. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit of shares. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.
The Funds may suspend the right of redemption and postpone payment for more than seven days: (i) during periods when trading on the Exchange is closed on days other than weekdays or holidays; (ii) during periods when trading on the Exchange is restricted; (iii) during any emergency which makes it impractical for the Funds to dispose of its securities or fairly determine the NAV of the Funds; and (iv) during any other period permitted by the SEC for your protection.
Because new shares may be created and issued on an ongoing basis, at any point during the life of the Funds, a distribution, as such term is used in the Securities Act, may be occurring. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a
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distribution in a manner that could render them statutory underwriters and subject to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act. Any determination of whether one is an underwriter must take into account all the relevant facts and circumstances of each particular case.
Broker-dealers should also note that dealers who are not underwriters but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary transactions), and thus dealing with shares that are part of an unsold allotment within the meaning of Section 4 (3)(C) of the Securities Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the Securities Act is available only with respect to transactions on a national securities exchange.
A redemption request received by a Fund will be effected at the NAV per share next determined after such Fund receives the request in good order. While a Fund will generally pay redemptions proceeds wholly or partially in portfolio securities, such Fund may pay your redemption proceeds in cash. In this event, the portfolio of securities a Fund will deliver upon redemption of Fund shares may differ from the portfolio of securities required for purchase of a Creation Unit. You will be exposed to market risk until you convert these portfolio securities into cash, you will likely pay commissions upon any such conversion, and you may recognize taxable gain or loss resulting from fluctuations in value of the portfolio securities between the conversion date and the redemption date. If you receive illiquid securities, you could find it more difficult to sell such securities and may not be able to sell such securities at prices that reflect the Advisers or your assessment of their fair value or the amount paid for them by the Fund. Illiquidity may result from the absence of an established market for such securities as well as legal, contractual or other restrictions on their resale and other factors.
Authorized Participants are charged standard creation and redemption transaction fees (Transaction Fees) to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units. There is a fixed and a variable component to the total Transaction Fee. A fixed Transaction Fee of $500 is applicable to each creation or redemption transaction, regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased or redeemed. Creations and redemptions are also subject to an additional variable charge of up to 1% of the net asset value per Creation Unit, inclusive of the standard transaction fee, for (i) in-kind creations or redemptions effected outside the normal Clearing Process, (ii) in whole or partial cash creations, (iii) in whole or partial cash redemptions or (iv) non-standard orders. The variable component is primarily designed to cover non-standard charges, e.g., brokerage, taxes, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction. In all cases, the Transaction Fee will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the SEC applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. A Fund may determine not to charge the variable portion of a Transaction Fee on certain orders when Impact Shares has determined that doing so is in the best interests of Fund shareholders, e.g., for redemption orders that facilitate the rebalance of a Funds portfolio in a more tax efficient manner than could be achieved without such order. The variable portion of a Transaction Fee may be higher or lower than the trading expenses incurred by a Fund with respect to the transaction.
No redemption fee will exceed 2% of the value of the Creation Unit redeemed.
The NAV per share of the Fund is calculated as of 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on each day that the Exchange is open for business, except on days on which regular trading on the Exchange is scheduled to close before 4:00, when the Fund calculates NAV as of the scheduled close of regular trading. The Exchange is open Monday through Friday, but currently is scheduled to be closed on New Years Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day or on the preceding Friday or subsequent Monday when a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively.
The NAV per share is computed by dividing the value of a Funds net assets (i.e., the value of its securities and other assets less its liabilities, including expenses payable or accrued but excluding capital stock and surplus) attributable to such Fund by the total number of shares of such Fund outstanding at the time the determination is made.
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The Funds portfolio securities are valued in accordance with the Funds valuation policies approved by the Board. The value of a Funds investments is generally determined as follows:
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Portfolio securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at their current market value. |
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Foreign securities listed on foreign exchanges are valued based on quotations from the primary market in which they are traded and are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. Foreign securities may trade on weekends or other days when the Funds does not calculate NAV. As a result, the market value of these investments may change on days when you cannot buy or redeem shares of the Funds. |
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Investments by the Funds in any mutual fund are valued at their respective NAVs as determined by those mutual funds each business day. The prospectuses for those mutual funds explain the circumstances under which those funds will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing. |
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All other portfolio securities, including derivatives and cases where market quotations are not readily available or when the market price is determined to be unreliable, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures established by the Board subject to approval or ratification by the Board at its next regularly scheduled quarterly meeting. Pursuant to the Funds pricing procedures, securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the market price is determined to be unreliable, may include but are not limited to securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, securities for which no or limited trading activity has occurred for a period of time, or securities that are otherwise deemed to be illiquid (i.e., securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days at approximately the price at which the security is currently priced by the Fund which holds the security). Market quotations may also be not readily available if a significant event occurs after the close of the principal exchange on which a portfolio security trades (but before the time for calculation of such Funds NAV) if that event affects or is likely to affect (more than minimally) the NAV per share of such Fund. In determining the fair value price of a security, Impact Shares use a number of other methodologies, including those based on discounted cash flows, multiples, recovery rates, yield to maturity or discounts to public comparables. Fair value pricing involves judgments that are inherently subjective and inexact; as a result, there can be no assurance that fair value pricing will reflect actual market value, and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security will be materially different from the value that actually could be or is realized upon the sale of that asset. |
Valuing the Funds investments using fair value pricing will result in using prices for those investments that may differ from current market valuations. Use of fair value prices and certain current market valuations could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate each Funds NAV and the prices used by each applicable Underlying Index, which, in turn, could result in a difference between a Funds performance and the performance of its Underlying Index.
The trading prices of the Funds shares in the secondary market generally differ from each Funds daily NAV and are affected by market forces such as supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors. Information regarding the intraday value of shares of a Fund, also known as the indicative optimized portfolio value (IOPV), is disseminated every 15 seconds throughout the trading day by the national securities exchange on which the Funds shares are listed or by market data vendors or other information providers. The IOPV is based on the current market value of the securities and/or cash required to be deposited in exchange for a Creation Unit. The IOPV does not reflect operating expenses or other accruals. The IOPV does not necessarily reflect the precise composition of the current portfolio of securities held by a Fund at a particular point in time or the best possible valuation of the current portfolio. Therefore, the IOPV should not be viewed as a real-time update of a Funds NAV, which is computed only once a day. The IOPV is generally determined by using both current market quotations and/or price quotations obtained from broker-dealers that may trade in the portfolio securities held by a Fund. The quotations of certain Fund holdings may not be updated during U.S. trading hours if such holdings do not trade in the U.S. The Funds are not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the IOPV and make no representation or warranty as to its accuracy.
The NAV of each Fund will fluctuate with changes in the market value of each Funds portfolio holdings. The market price of each Fund will fluctuate in accordance with changes in its NAV, as well as market supply and demand. Shareholders may pay more than NAV when they buy a Funds shares and receive less than NAV when they sell those shares, because shares are bought and sold at current Market Prices.
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Premiums or discounts are the differences (expressed as a percentage) between the NAV and market price of a Fund on a given day, generally at the time the NAV is calculated. A premium is the amount that a Fund is trading above the reported NAV, expressed as a percentage of the NAV. A discount is the amount that a Fund is trading below the reported NAV, expressed as a percentage of the NAV. Further information about the premium and discounts for the Fund is available at www.impactetfs.org.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The Funds intend to declare and pay dividends of net investment income quarterly and to pay any capital gain distributions on an annual basis. There is no fixed dividend rate, and there can be no assurance that the Funds will pay any dividends or make any capital gain distributions.
No dividend reinvestment service is provided by the Funds. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by beneficial owners of the Funds for reinvestment of its dividend distributions. Beneficial owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require beneficial owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole shares of the Funds purchased in the secondary market. Dividends and other taxable distributions are taxable to you, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Funds pursuant to DTCs Dividend Reinvestment Service. Shareholders using the Dividend Reinvestment Service should consult their broker-dealer for more information about the specific terms of the service, including potential tax consequences to such shareholders in light of their particular circumstances.
Capitalization Criteria
The Funds are subject to market capitalization criteria, such as policies adopted pursuant to Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act (the so-called names rule), that are tied to specific securities indices (reference indices). When each Funds reference index is periodically rebalanced or reconstituted, the applicable Fund may require a reasonable time period to align its investment portfolio with any new market capitalization criteria that result from changes to the reference index.
The Index Provider shall not be liable (whether in negligence or otherwise) to the parties or any other person for any error in the applicable Underlying Index, and the Index Provider is under no obligation to advise the parties or any person of any error therein. The Index Provider makes no representation whatsoever, whether express or implied, as to the advisability of purchasing or selling the Funds, the ability of the Underlying Indices to track relevant markets performances, or otherwise relating to the Underlying Indices or any transaction or product with respect thereto, or of assuming any risks in connection therewith. The Index Provider has no obligation to take the needs of any party into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Indices. No party purchasing or selling the Funds, nor the Index Provider, shall have any liability to any party for any act or failure to act by the Index Provider in connection with the determination, adjustment, calculation or maintenance of the Underlying Indices. The Index Provider and its affiliates may deal in any obligations that compose the Underlying Indices, and may, where permitted, accept deposits from, make loans or otherwise extend credit to, and generally engage in any kind of commercial or investment banking or other business with the issuers of such obligations or their affiliates, and may act with respect to such business as if the Underlying Indices did not exist, regardless of whether such action might adversely affect the Underlying Indices or the Funds.
Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar) is the Index Provider to the Funds. Morningstar is a provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company offers an extensive line of products and services for individual investors, financial advisors, asset managers, retirement plan providers and sponsors, and institutional investors in the private capital markets. Morningstar provides data and research insights on a wide range of investment offerings, including managed investment products, publicly listed companies, private capital markets, and real-time global market data. Morningstar also offers investment management services through its investment advisory subsidiaries, with more than $200 billion in assets under advisement and management as of December 31, 2017. The company has operations in 27 countries. Morningstar is not affiliated with the Funds, Adviser, or the Distributor. SPDJ is the calculation agent for each Underlying Index. SPDJ is not affiliated with Morningstar, Trust, Adviser, or the Distributor, or any of their respective affiliates.
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The following discussion is a summary of some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to an investment in the Funds. Your investment may have other tax implications. The discussion reflects provisions of the Code, existing Treasury regulations, rulings published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and other applicable authorities, as of the date of this Prospectus. These authorities may be changed, possibly with retroactive effect, or subject to new legislative, administrative or judicial interpretations. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax law concerns affecting the Funds and their shareholders (including shareholders owning large positions in the Funds) or to address all aspects of taxation that may apply to Authorized Participants, individual shareholders or to specific types of shareholders, such as foreign persons, that may qualify for special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws. The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor about foreign, federal, state, local or other tax laws applicable to you. For more information, please see Income Tax Considerations in the SAI.
The Funds intend to elect to be treated and intend to qualify annually as a regulated investment company (RIC) under Subchapter M of the Code including by complying with the applicable qualifying income and diversification requirements. If the Funds so qualify and satisfy certain distribution requirements, the Funds generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income and gains that the Funds distribute to their shareholders in a timely manner in the form of dividends or capital gain dividends (as defined below). As described in Dividends and Other Distributions above, the Funds intend to distribute at least annually all or substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains. The Funds will be subject to a Fund-level income tax at regular corporate income tax rates on any taxable income or gains that they does not timely distribute to their shareholders.
If a Fund were to fail to distribute in a calendar year at least an amount equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year (or November 30 or December 31 of that year if a Fund is permitted to elect and so elects), and (iii) any such amounts retained from the prior year, such Fund would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. For these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year .While the Funds intend to distribute any income and capital gain in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% U.S. federal excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of a Funds taxable income and capital gain will be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the tax. In that event, such Fund will be liable for the excise tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.
Additionally, if for any taxable year a Fund was not to qualify as a RIC and was ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure, all of its taxable income and gain would be subject to a Fund-level tax at regular corporate income tax rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders. This treatment would reduce such Funds net income available for investment or distribution to its shareholders. In addition, all distributions from earnings and profits, including any net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders or to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of individual shareholders. Such Fund also could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.
The tax rules applicable to certain derivative instruments in which the Funds may invest are uncertain under current law, including the provisions applicable to RICs under Subchapter M of the Code. For instance, the timing and character of income or gains arising from certain derivatives can be uncertain, including for Subchapter M purposes. Accordingly, while the Funds intend to account for such transactions in a manner they deem to be appropriate, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to one or more of these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may adversely affect the Funds ability to meet one or more of the relevant requirements to maintain their qualification as RICs, as well as to avoid Fund-level taxes. See the Statement of Additional Information for additional detail regarding the Funds investments in derivatives.
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The Funds investments in foreign securities, if any, may be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes. Tax treaties between the U.S. and other countries may reduce or eliminate such taxes. Foreign taxes paid by the Funds will reduce the return from the Funds investments. Shareholders generally will not be entitled to a claim or deductions for such taxes on their own returns.
Distributions paid to you by a Fund from net capital gain (that is, the excess of any net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, in each case with reference to any loss carryforwards) that such Fund properly reports to you as a capital gain dividend (capital gain dividends) generally are taxable to you as long-term capital gain includible in net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates, regardless of how long you have held your shares. All other dividends paid to you by a Fund (including dividends from short-term capital gain (that is, the excess of any net short-term capital gain over any net long-term capital loss)) from its current or accumulated earnings and profits generally are taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided holding periods and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund level.
A Medicare contribution tax of 3.8% is imposed on the net investment income of certain individuals, estates and trusts to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Net investment income generally includes for this purpose dividends paid by a Fund, including any capital gain dividends, and capital gains recognized on the taxable sale, redemption or exchange of shares of such Fund. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in a Fund.
If, for any taxable year, a Funds total distributions exceed both current earnings and profits and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital up to the amount of your tax basis in the shares. The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce your tax basis in the shares, thereby increasing your potential gain or reducing your potential loss on the subsequent sale of the shares. Any amounts distributed to you in excess of your tax basis in the shares will be taxable to you as capital gain (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset).
Dividends and other taxable distributions are taxable to you, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of a Fund pursuant to DTCs Dividend Reinvestment Service (see Dividends and Other Distributions). Dividends and other distributions paid by a Fund generally are treated as received by you at the time the dividend or distribution is made. If, however, a Fund pays you a dividend in January that was declared in the previous October, November or December and you were a shareholder of record on a specified record date in one of those months, then such dividend will be treated for tax purposes as being paid by such Fund and received by you on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.
The price of shares purchased at any time may reflect the amount of a forthcoming distribution. If you purchase shares just prior to the ex-dividend date for a distribution, you generally will receive a distribution that will be taxable to you even though it represents in part a return of your invested capital.
The Funds (or your broker or other financial intermediary through which you own your shares) will send information after the end of each calendar year setting forth the amount and tax status of any dividends or other distributions paid to you by the Funds. Dividends and other distributions may also be subject to state, local and other taxes.
If you sell or otherwise dispose of any of your shares of a Fund, you will generally recognize a gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between your tax basis in such shares of the Fund and the amount you receive upon disposition of such shares. If you hold your shares as capital assets, any such gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held (or are treated as having held) such shares for more than one year at the time of sale. All or a portion of any loss you realize on a taxable sale or exchange of your shares of a Fund will be disallowed if you acquire other shares of suchFund (whether through the reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after your sale or exchange of the shares. In such case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. In addition, any loss realized upon a taxable sale or exchange of Fund shares held (or deemed held) by you for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (or deemed received) by you with respect to those shares. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gains of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income.
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The Funds (or your broker or other financial intermediary through which you own your shares) may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal backup withholding tax purposes, a portion of the dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds payable to you if: (i) you fail to provide the Funds (or the intermediary) with your correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of an individual, generally, such individuals social security number) or to make the required certification; or (ii) the Funds (or the intermediary) has been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding. Certain shareholders are exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that you furnish the required information to the IRS.
Authorized Participant Taxes Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units
Authorized Participants should consult their tax advisors about the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of purchasing and redeeming Creation Units in the Fund.
THE FOREGOING IS A GENERAL AND ABBREVIATED SUMMARY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE AND THE TREASURY REGULATIONS IN EFFECT AS THEY DIRECTLY GOVERN THE TAXATION OF THE FUNDS AND THEIR SHAREHOLDERS. THESE PROVISIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY LEGISLATIVE OR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, AND ANY SUCH CHANGE MAY BE RETROACTIVE. A MORE COMPLETE DISCUSSION OF THE TAX RULES APPLICABLE TO THE FUNDS AND THEIR SHAREHOLDERS, INCLUDING FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS, CAN BE FOUND IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WHICH IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISERS REGARDING SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AS TO U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN INCOME OR OTHER TAXES.
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The tables that follow present performance information about the shares of each Fund, as applicable. This information is intended to help you understand the financial performance of each Fund during the period of its operations. Because each Fund commenced operations after June 30, 2018, total return information is not yet available for a full calendar year. All per share information reflects financial information for a single Fund share. Total returns in the tables represent the rate that you would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the relevant Fund over the period covered, assuming you reinvested all of your dividends and distributions.
The Financial Highlights have been audited by [ ], Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, whose report, along with each Funds financial statements, including any Notes to Financial Statements referenced in these Financial Highlights, is included in the Funds Annual Report dated June 30, 2019, and is incorporated by reference into the SAI.
When available, you can obtain a copy of the Funds Annual Report, which contain more performance information, at no charge, at the Funds website at www.impactetfs.org or by calling 844-448-3383 (844-GIVE-ETF).
[TABLES TO COME]
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www.impactetfs.org
More information about the Funds is available without charge upon request through the following:
Statement of Additional Information (SAI): The SAI, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, includes more detailed information about the Funds and is available, free of charge, on the Funds website at www.impactetfs.org. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this Prospectus.
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports: Additional information about each Funds investments is available in the Funds annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, which will be available, free of charge, on the Funds website at www.impactetfs.org.
To Obtain More Information:
By Internet:
www.impactetfs.org
By Telephone:
Call 844-448-3383 (844-GIVE-ETF)
By Mail:
Impact Shares Trust I
2189 Broken Bend
Frisco, Texas 75034
From the SEC:
You can also obtain the SAI or the annual and semi-annual reports, as well as other information about the Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SECs website (http://www.sec.gov). You may request documents from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov.
The Trusts Investment Company Act
Registration Number: 811-23312
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IMPACT SHARES TRUST I
Statement of Additional Information Dated [October 28], 2019
FUND |
PRINCIPAL U.S.
LISTING EXCHANGE |
TICKER
SYMBOL |
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Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF |
NYSE Arca, Inc | NACP | ||
Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF |
NYSE Arca, Inc. | WOMN | ||
Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF |
NYSE Arca, Inc. | SDGA |
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. It relates to the prospectus of the Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF (the Minority ETF), Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF (the Womens ETF), and Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF (the Sustainable Development ETF and, together with the Womens ETF and the Minority ETF, the Funds), dated [October 28], 2019 (the Prospectus), and should be read in conjunction therewith. Copies of the Prospectus and the Funds annual report, when available, will be available free of charge by calling the Fund at 844-448-3383 (844-GIVE-ETF), visiting the Funds website (www.impactetfs.org) or writing to the Funds, Impact Shares Trust I 2189 Broken Bend Frisco, Texas 75034. Capitalized terms used in this SAI and not otherwise defined have the meanings given them in the Funds Prospectus. The principal U.S. national stock exchange on which the Funds are listed is NYSE Arca, Inc. (the Exchange).
1 | ||||
1 | ||||
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS FOR THE MINORITY ETF UNDERLYING INDEX |
9 | |||
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS FOR THE WOMENS ETF UNDERLYING INDEX |
11 | |||
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ETF UNDERLYING INDEX |
13 | |||
16 | ||||
16 | ||||
17 | ||||
18 | ||||
18 | ||||
28 | ||||
29 | ||||
32 | ||||
32 | ||||
33 | ||||
33 | ||||
33 | ||||
33 | ||||
34 | ||||
35 | ||||
35 | ||||
39 | ||||
50 | ||||
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Each Fund is a non-diversified series of Impact Shares Trust I (the Trust), an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated May 19, 2016. This SAI relates only to the Funds.
The Funds are exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and shares of the Funds are listed on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the Exchange). The shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices that may differ to some degree from the shares net asset value (NAV). The Funds issue and redeem shares on a continuous basis at NAV in large, specified numbers of shares called Creation Units. Creation Units are issued and redeemed in-kind for securities included in the Funds underlying indices (the Underlying Indices or Index) and/or for cash at the discretion of the Funds. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable securities of the Funds. Retail investors, therefore, generally will not be able to purchase the shares directly from the Funds. Rather, most retail investors will purchase shares in the secondary market with the assistance of a broker.
Exchange Listing and Trading
There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of shares of the Funds will be met. The Exchange may remove the Funds from listing under certain circumstances.
As in the case of all equities traded on the Exchange, brokers commissions on transactions in the Funds will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels for retail customers.
In order to provide current share pricing information, the Exchange, market data vendors or other information providers disseminate an updated Indicative Optimized Portfolio Value (IOPV) for the Funds. The Trust is not involved in, or responsible for, any aspect of the calculation or dissemination of the IOPV and makes no warranty as to the accuracy of the IOPV. The IOPV is expected to be disseminated every 15 seconds during regular trading hours of the Exchange. The Funds IOPV disseminated during the Exchanges trading hours should not be viewed as a real-time update of the Funds NAV, which is calculated only once a day.
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENTS AND RISK FACTORS
The following information supplements the discussion of the investment policies and strategies of the Funds as described in the Prospectus. In pursuing their objectives, the Funds will invest as described in the Prospectus and as described below with respect to the following additional investment policies and strategies.
The Underlying Index for each Fund is rebalanced quarterly. The Index Provider, as defined below, annually reviews the parameters used in the selection of component securities of the Underlying Indices (Component Securities), including the eligibility criteria and the relevant social screen, to ensure that each Underlying Index continues to reflect the underlying market and the social goals referenced in the relevant social screen. The review consists of a qualitative and quantitative assessment of any developments in the market related to the social goals referenced in the social screen or in terms of market size, depth and overall liquidity conditions of the market.
Each Fund may change its benchmark or its Underlying Index at any time without shareholder approval, including if, for example, the Underlying Index becomes unavailable; the Board of Trustees (the Board) believes that the Underlying Index no longer serves the investment needs of a majority of shareholders or that another index may better serve their needs; or if the financial or economic environment makes it difficult for the Funds investment results to correspond sufficiently to its current benchmark or the Underlying Index. The Funds may specify a benchmark index that is leveraged or proprietary. There can be no assurance that the Funds will achieve their investment objectives.
The Funds engage in representative sampling, which is investing in a sample of securities selected by Impact Shares, Corp. (Impact Shares or the Adviser) to have a collective investment profile similar to that of the applicable Underlying Index. Securities selected have aggregate social characteristics (companies advancing the referenced social cause), investment characteristics (based on market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as yield, credit rating, maturity and duration) and liquidity measures similar to those of the applicable Underlying Index. Because the Funds use representative sampling, they may not hold all of the securities that are in its Underlying Index.
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Each Fund generally invests at least 80% of its total assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in Component Securities. The Funds may invest the remainder of their assets in securities not included in their Underlying Index, but which the Adviser believes will help the Funds track the Underlying Index. For example, the Funds may invest in securities that are not components of their Underlying Index to reflect various corporate actions (such as mergers) and other changes in the Underlying Index (such as reconstitutions, additions and deletions). The Funds may invest without limitation in warrants and may also use derivatives, primarily swaps (including equity, variance and volatility swaps), options and futures contracts on securities, interest rates, non-physical commodities and/or currencies, as substitutes for direct investments the Funds can make. The Funds may also use derivatives such as swaps, options (including options on futures), futures, and foreign currency transactions (e.g., foreign currency swaps, futures and forwards) to any extent deemed by the Adviser to be in the best interest of the Funds, and to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), to hedge various investments for risk management and speculative purposes. The Funds may also invest in cash and cash equivalents.
In addition, the Adviser may also invest some of the Funds assets in short-term U.S. government obligations, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and other money market instruments to enable the Funds to make investments quickly and to serve as collateral with respect to certain of its investments. The Funds may purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis. From time to time, in the sole discretion of the Adviser, cash balances of the Funds may be placed in a money market fund or investments may be made in shares of other investment companies, including other ETFs, subject to the applicable limits under the 1940 Act.
Role in Affairs of Portfolio Companies. The Adviser may take an active role in the affairs of the companies in which the Funds have positions, most notably through voting proxies with respect to the Funds portfolio holdings consistent with those desired social outcomes expressed by the funds social objectives. It is the policy of the Funds to take such steps as are necessary to protect their economic interests and advance the referenced social causes. If the opportunity presents itself, the Adviser reserves the option for any of its officers, directors or affiliates to accept a role on the board of directors of any company, regardless of whether the Funds hold any of the companys securities.
Illiquid Securities
Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), securities that are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having a maturity of longer than seven days. Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market.
Open-end investment companies do not typically hold a significant amount of these restricted securities or other illiquid securities because of the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and an investment company might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven days. An investment company might also have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them, which would result in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities. The Funds may not acquire any illiquid securities if, as a result thereof, more than 15% of the market value of a Funds net assets would be in investments that are illiquid or otherwise not readily marketable.
In recent years, however, a large institutional market has developed for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuers ability to honor a demand for repayment. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale of such investments to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of their liquidity.
Rule 144A Securities. The SEC has adopted Rule 144A, which allows a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restriction on their resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a safe harbor from the registration requirements of the Securities Act on resales of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. The Index Provider will monitor the liquidity of Rule 144A securities in the Underlying Index and will re-balance each month as necessary based on the securitys liquidity and other eligibility criteria.
The Funds may purchase securities in the United States that are not registered for sale under federal securities laws but which can be resold to institutions under SEC Rule 144A or under an exemption from such laws. Provided that a dealer or institutional trading market in such securities exists, these restricted securities or Rule 144A securities are treated as exempt from the Funds limit on illiquid securities. The Index Provider will determine the liquidity of restricted securities or Rule 144A securities by looking at factors such as sources quote, frequency of quotes, number of sources with size, bid-offer spreads, average quote size and movers count. If institutional trading in restricted securities or Rule 144A securities were to decline, the Funds illiquidity could increase and the Funds could be adversely affected.
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Section 4(a)(2) Commercial Paper. The Funds may invest in commercial paper issued in reliance on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper is restricted as to disposition under federal securities laws and is generally sold to institutional investors who agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment purposes and not with a view to public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be in an exempt transaction. Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper is normally resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance of the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper, thus providing liquidity. The Adviser believes that Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper and possibly certain other restricted securities that meet the criteria for liquidity established by the Board are quite liquid. The Funds intend therefore, to treat the restricted securities which meet the criteria for liquidity established by the Board, including Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper, as determined by the Adviser, as liquid and not subject to the investment limitation applicable to illiquid securities. In addition, because Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper is liquid, the Funds do not intend to subject such paper to the limitation applicable to restricted securities. The Funds will not invest more than 10% of their total assets in restricted securities (excluding Rule 144A securities).
Borrowing and Lending
Borrowing. The Funds may borrow money from banks (including their custodian banks) or from other lenders to the extent permitted under applicable law. The 1940 Act requires the Funds maintain asset coverage of at least 300% for all such borrowings, and should such asset coverage at any time fall below 300%, the Funds would be required to reduce their borrowings within three days to the extent necessary to meet the requirements of the 1940 Act. The Funds will not make any borrowing that would cause their outstanding borrowings to exceed one-third of the value of their total assets (including the proceeds of such borrowing) immediately following such borrowing. To reduce their borrowings, the Funds might be required to sell securities at a time when it would be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, because interest on money borrowed is an expense that it would not otherwise incur, the Funds may have less net investment income during periods when their borrowings are substantial. The interest paid by the Funds on borrowings may be more or less than the yield on the securities purchased with borrowed funds, depending on prevailing market conditions.
Derivatives
The Funds may invest in various derivatives instruments. Generally, a derivative is a financial arrangement, the value of which is based on, or derived from, a traditional security, asset or market index. There are, in fact, many different types of derivatives and many different ways to use them. There is a range of risks associated with those uses. Futures and options are commonly used for traditional hedging purposes, among other purposes, to attempt to protect the Funds from exposure to changing interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates and as a low-cost method of gaining exposure to a particular securities market without investing directly in those securities. However, some derivatives are used for leverage, which tends to magnify the effects of an instruments price changes as market conditions change. Leverage involves the use of a small amount of money to control a large amount of financial assets, and can in some circumstances lead to significant losses.
In addition, the SEC recently proposed a rule under the 1940 Act regulating the use by registered investment companies of derivatives and many related instruments. That rule, if adopted as proposed, would, among other things, restrict a Funds ability to engage in derivatives transactions or so increase the cost of derivatives transactions that such Fund would be unable to implement its investment strategy.
Options. An option on a security is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the right to buy from (in the case of a call) or sell to (in the case of a put) the writer of the option the security underlying the option at a specified exercise or strike price.
The Funds may write (sell) covered call and put options (covered options) on stocks, securities, futures contracts, non-physical commodities, indices and foreign currencies, among other assets, in an attempt to track the performance of such underlying asset or index. When the Funds write a covered call option, they give the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the underlying security at the price specified in the option (the exercise price) by exercising the option at any time during the option period. If the option expires unexercised, the Funds will realize income in an amount equal to the premium received for writing the option. If the option is exercised, a decision over which the Funds have no control, the Funds must sell the underlying security to the option holder at the exercise price. By writing a covered call option, the Funds forego, in exchange for the premium less the commission (net premium), the opportunity to profit during the option period from an increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise price.
When the Funds write a covered put option, it gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying security to the Funds at the specified exercise price at any time during the option period. If the option expires unexercised, the Funds will realize income in the amount of the premium received for writing the option. If the put option is exercised, a decision
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over which the Funds have no control, the Funds must purchase the underlying security from the option holder at the exercise price. By writing a covered put option, the Funds, in exchange for the premium received, accept the risk of a decline in the market value of the underlying security below the exercise price.
The Funds may terminate their obligation as the writer of a call or put option by purchasing an option with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option previously written. This transaction is called a closing purchase transaction. With respect to writing covered options, the Funds will realize a profit or loss for a closing purchase transaction if the amount paid to purchase an option is less or more, as the case may be, than the amount received from the sale thereof. To close out a position as a purchaser of an option, the Funds may make a closing sale transaction which involves liquidating the Funds position by selling the option previously purchased. Where the Funds cannot effect a closing purchase transaction, they may be forced to incur brokerage commissions or dealer spreads in selling securities they receive or they may be forced to hold underlying securities until an option is exercised or expires.
When the Funds write a call option, they will cover their outstanding obligation by owning and earmarking the underlying security or other assets on the books of the Funds custodian. When the Funds write a put option, they will cover their outstanding obligation by earmarking assets at the Funds custodian.
The Funds may purchase call and put options on any securities in which they may invest. The purchase of a call option would entitle the Funds, in exchange for the premium paid, to purchase a security at a specified price during the option period. The Funds would ordinarily have an economic gain if the value of the securities increased above the exercise price sufficiently to cover the premium and would have an economic loss if the value of the securities remained at or below the exercise price plus the premium during the option period.
The purchase of a put option would entitle the Funds, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell a security, which may or may not be held in the Funds portfolio, at a specified price during the option period. Put options also may be purchased by the Funds for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the price of securities which the Funds do not own. Upon exercise, the Funds would ordinarily realize a gain if the value of the securities decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to cover the premium and would realize a loss if the value of the securities remained at or above the exercise price, less the premium. Gains and losses on the purchase of put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of underlying portfolio securities.
Options on Securities Indices. The Funds may purchase and write put and call options on securities indices listed on domestic and on foreign exchanges. Such options give the holder the right to receive a cash settlement during the term of the option based upon the difference between the exercise price and the value of the index. Options on securities indices entail risks in addition to the risks of options on securities. The absence of a liquid secondary market to close out options positions on securities indices is more likely to occur. Use of options on securities indices also entails the risk that trading in such options may be interrupted if trading in certain securities included in the index is interrupted.
Because options on securities indices require settlement in cash, the Adviser may be forced to liquidate portfolio securities to meet settlement obligations. When the Funds write a put or call option on a securities index, they will cover the position by earmarking assets with the Funds custodian.
Futures Contracts and Related Options. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Funds may invest in futures contracts on, among other things, individual equity securities, securities indices, interest rates, currencies, non-physical commodities, and inflation indices. The sale of a futures contract creates an obligation by the Funds, as sellers, to deliver the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a specified future time for a specified price. At the time a futures contract is purchased or sold, the Funds must allocate cash or securities as a deposit payment (initial margin). It is expected that the initial margin that the Funds will pay may range from approximately 1% to approximately 5% or greater of the value of the specified amount of securities or commodities underlying the contract. In certain circumstances, however, such as periods of high volatility, the Funds may be required by an exchange to increase the level of their initial margin payment. Certain futures contracts are physically settled (i.e., involve the making and taking of delivery of a specified amount of an underlying security or other asset). Some futures contracts, however, are cash settled, which means that the purchase price is subtracted from the current market value of the instrument and the net amount, if positive, is paid to the purchaser by the seller of the futures contract and, if negative, is paid by the purchaser to the seller of the futures contract.
Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities except that an option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put).
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The Funds ability to engage in the futures and options on futures strategies depends on the liquidity of the markets in those instruments. Trading interest in various types of futures and options on futures cannot be predicted. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the Funds will be able to utilize these instruments effectively. In addition, there can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when the Funds seek to close out a futures or option on a futures contract position, and the Funds would remain obligated to meet margin requirements until the position is closed. The liquidity of a secondary market in a futures contract may be adversely affected by daily price fluctuation limits established by commodity exchanges to limit the amount of fluctuation in a futures contract price during a single trading day.
When the Funds purchase or sell a futures contract, they are only required to deposit initial and variation margins as required by relevant regulations, the rules of the contract market and, from time to time, the Funds clearing broker. Because the purchase of a futures contract obligates the Funds to purchase the underlying security or other instrument at a set price on a future date, the Funds net asset value will fluctuate with the value of the security or other instrument as if it were already in the Funds portfolio. Futures transactions have the effect of investment leverage to the extent the Funds do not maintain liquid assets equal to the face amount of the contract. If the Funds combine short and long positions, in addition to possible declines in the values of its investment securities, the Funds will incur losses if the index underlying the long futures position underperforms the index underlying the short futures position.
Other Investment Policies
Swap Agreements. To help enhance the value of its portfolio or manage its exposure to different types of investments, the Funds may enter into credit default swap agreements, interest rate, currency and mortgage swap agreements and may purchase and sell interest rate caps, floors and collars.
In a standard over-the-counter (OTC) swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) on different currencies, securities, baskets of currencies or securities, indices or other instruments or assets, which may also include separately managed accounts, and the returns are calculated based on a notional value, (i.e., the designated reference amount of exposure to the underlying instruments). The Funds intend to enter into swaps primarily on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Funds receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. If the other party to a swap contract entered into on net basis defaults, the Funds risk of loss will consist of the net amount of payments that the Funds are contractually entitled to receive. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Funds obligations over their entitlements will be maintained in a segregated account by the Funds custodian. The Funds will not enter into swap agreements unless the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be an acceptable credit risk to the Funds by the Adviser. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Funds will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. Many swap instruments are not exchange-listed securities and may be traded only in the OTC market.
Interest rate swaps are generally traded on exchanges and cleared through clearinghouses. In a typical interest rate swap agreement, one party agrees to make regular payments to a clearing broker equal to a floating interest rate on a specified amount (the notional principal amount) in return for payments equal to a fixed interest rate on the same amount for a specified period. If a swap agreement provides for payment in different currencies, the parties may also agree to exchange the notional principal amount. Mortgage swap agreements are similar to interest rate swap agreements, except that notional principal amount is tied to a reference pool of mortgages and may not be traded on an exchange or cleared through a clearinghouse. In a cap or floor, one party agrees, usually in return for a fee, to make payments under particular circumstances. For example, the purchaser of an interest rate cap has the right to receive payments to the extent a specified interest rate exceeds an agreed level; the purchaser of an interest rate floor has the right to receive payments to the extent a specified interest rate falls below an agreed level. A collar entitles the purchaser to receive payments to the extent a specified interest rate falls outside an agreed range.
Investments in swaps involve the exchange by the Funds with another party of their respective commitments. Use of swaps subjects the Funds to risk of default by the counterparty. If there is a default by the counterparty to such a transaction, there may be contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction although contractual remedies may not be sufficient in the event the counterparty is insolvent. However, the swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments which are traded in the interbank market.
Swap agreements are sophisticated financial instruments that typically involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of risks assumed. Swaps may involve leverage and can be highly volatile and may have a considerable impact on the Funds performance, as the potential gain or loss on any swap transaction is not necessarily subject to any fixed limit. OTC swap agreements are generally considered as illiquid securities and, therefore, will be limited, along with all of the Funds other illiquid securities, to 15% of the Funds net assets. In certain circumstances, swaps may be considered liquid if the Funds are permitted to early terminate the swap transaction.
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The Funds may enter into exchange-traded and OTC credit default swap agreements. The buyer in a credit default contract is obligated to pay the seller a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default on an underlying reference obligation has occurred. If an event of default occurs, the seller must pay the buyer the par value (generally, the full notional value) of the reference obligation in exchange for the reference obligation. The Funds may be either buyers or sellers in the transaction. If the Funds are buyers and no event of default occurs, the Funds lose their investments and recover nothing. However, if an event of default occurs, the buyer receives full notional value for a reference obligation that may have little or no value. As sellers, the Funds receive income throughout the term of the contract, which typically is between six months and three years, provided that there is no default event.
Credit default swap agreements are subject to greater risk than direct investment in the reference obligation. OTC credit default swaps are subject to liquidity, credit and counterparty risks. A buyer in a credit default swap contract will lose its investment and recover nothing should no event of default occur. If an event of default were to occur, the value of the reference obligation received by the seller, coupled with the 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. In addition, collateral posting requirements for OTC credit default swaps are individually negotiated and there is currently no regulatory requirement that a counterparty post collateral to secure its obligations under a credit default swap.
Furthermore, there is no requirement that a party be informed in advance when a credit default swap agreement is sold. Accordingly, the Funds may have difficulty identifying the party responsible for payment of their claims. The notional value of credit default swaps with respect to a particular investment is often larger than the total par value of such investment outstanding and, in event of a default, there may be difficulties in making the required deliveries of the reference investments, possibly delaying payments.
The market for credit default swaps has become more volatile recently as the creditworthiness of certain counterparties has been questioned and/or downgraded. If a counterpartys credit becomes significantly impaired, multiple requests for collateral posting in a short period of time could increase the risk that the Funds may not receive adequate collateral. The Funds generally may exit their obligations under an OTC credit default swap only by terminating the contract and paying applicable breakage fees, or, in the case of both OTC and exchange-traded credit default swaps, by entering into an offsetting credit default swap position, which may cause the Funds to incur more losses. If the Funds use credit default swaps to leverage their portfolios, they will be exposed to additional risks, including the risk that the Funds use of leverage will magnify the effect of any losses the Funds incur since if an event of default occurs the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the reference obligation.
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments. The Funds may enter into forward commitments for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, including on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis in excess of customary settlement periods for the type of security involved. In some cases, a forward commitment may be conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval and consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt restructuring (i.e., a when, as and if issued security). When such transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time of the commitment, with payment and delivery taking place in the future, generally a month or more after the date of the commitment. While the Funds will only enter into a forward commitment with the intention of actually acquiring the security, the Funds may sell the security before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable.
Securities purchased by the Funds under a forward commitment are subject to market fluctuation, and no interest (or dividends) accrues to the Funds prior to the settlement date. For forward commitments that are cash settled, the Funds will designate or segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to the Funds daily marked-to-market value of such commitments.
Purchases of securities on a forward commitment basis may involve more risk than other types of purchases. Securities purchased on a forward commitment basis and the securities held in the Funds portfolio are subject to changes in value based upon the publics perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes, real or anticipated, in the level of interest rates. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment basis can involve the risk that the yields available in the market when the delivery takes place may actually be higher or lower than those obtained in the transaction itself. On the settlement date of the forward commitment transaction, the Funds will meet their obligations from then available cash flow, sale of securities reserved for payment of the commitment, sale of other securities or, although they would not normally expect to do so, from sale of the forward commitment securities themselves (which may have a value greater or lesser than the Funds payment obligations). The sale of securities to meet such obligations may result in the realization of capital gains or losses. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment basis can also involve the risk of default by the other party on its obligation, delaying or preventing the Funds from recovering the collateral or completing the transaction.
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Euro-Related Risk. The global economic crisis brought several small economies in Europe to the brink of bankruptcy and many other economies into recession and weakened the banking and financial sectors of many European countries. For example, the governments of Greece, Spain, Portugal, and the Republic of Ireland have all experienced large public budget deficits, the effects of which are still yet unknown and may slow the overall recovery of the European economies from the global economic crisis. In addition, due to large public deficits, some European countries may be dependent on assistance from other European governments and institutions or other central banks or supranational agencies such as the International Monetary Fund. Assistance may be dependent on a countrys implementation of reforms or reaching a certain level of performance. Failure to reach those objectives or an insufficient level of assistance could result in a deep economic downturn which could significantly affect the value of the Funds European investments.
The Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union (EMU) is comprised of the European Union members that have adopted the euro currency. By adopting the euro as its currency, a member state relinquishes control of its own monetary policies. As a result, European countries are significantly affected by fiscal and monetary policies implemented by the EMU and European Central Bank. The euro currency may not fully reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the various economies that comprise the EMU and Europe generally.
It is possible that one or more EMU member countries could abandon the euro and return to a national currency and/or that the euro will cease to exist as a single currency in its current form. The effects of such an abandonment or a countrys forced expulsion from the euro on that country, the rest of the EMU, and global markets are impossible to predict, but are likely to be negative. The exit of any country out of the euro may have an extremely destabilizing effect on other eurozone countries and their economies and a negative effect on the global economy as a whole. Such an exit by one country may also increase the possibility that additional countries may exit the euro should they face similar financial difficulties. In addition, in the event of one or more countries exit from the euro, it may be difficult to value investments denominated in euros or in a replacement currency. In June 2016, the United Kingdom approved a referendum to leave the EMU. Significant uncertainty remains in the market regarding the ramifications of that development, and the range and potential implications of possible political, regulatory, economic and market outcomes are difficult to predict.
Money Market Instruments. The Funds may invest in money market instruments. Money market securities are high-quality, dollar- denominated, short-term instruments. They consist of (i) bankers acceptances, certificates of deposit, notes and time deposits of highly- rated U.S. banks and U.S. branches of foreign banks; (ii) U.S. Treasury obligations and obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government; (iii) high-quality commercial paper issued by U.S. foreign corporations; and (iv) debt obligations with a maturity of one year or less issued by corporations with outstanding high-quality commercial paper ratings.
Convertible Securities. Convertible securities may offer higher income than the common stocks into which they are convertible and include fixed-income or zero coupon debt securities, which may be converted or exchanged at a stated or determinable exchange ratio into underlying shares of common stock. Prior to their conversion, convertible securities may have characteristics similar to both non-convertible debt securities and equity securities. While convertible securities generally offer lower yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar quality, their prices may reflect changes in the value of the underlying common stock. Convertible securities entail less credit risk than the issuers common stock.
Asset Coverage. To assure that the Funds use of futures and related options, as well as when issued and delayed-delivery transactions, forward currency contracts and swap transactions, are not used to achieve investment leverage, the Funds will cover such transactions, as required under applicable SEC interpretations, either by owning the underlying securities or by earmarking liquid securities with their custodian in an amount at all times equal to or exceeding the Funds outstanding commitment with respect to these instruments or contracts.
Warrants and Rights. Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at a specified price and are valid for a specific time period. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a short duration and are distributed by the issuer to its shareholders. The Funds may purchase warrants and rights, provided that the Funds presently do not intend to invest more than 20% of their net assets at the time of purchase in warrants and rights other than those that have been acquired in units or attached to other securities.
Equity Securities. Because it may purchase common stocks and other equity securities, the Funds are subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or long periods of time. In addition, common stocks represent a share of ownership in a company, and rank after bonds and preferred stock in their claim on the companys assets in the event of bankruptcy.
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Securities of Other Investment Companies. Such investments are subject to limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act unless an SEC exemption is applicable or as may be permitted by rules under the 1940 Act or SEC staff interpretations thereof. The 1940 Act limitations currently provide, in part, that the Funds may not purchase shares of an investment company if (a) such a purchase would cause a Fund to own in the aggregate more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the investment company; (b) such a purchase would cause a Fund to have more than 5% of their total assets invested in the investment company; or (c) more than 10% of a Funds total assets would be invested in the aggregate in all investment companies. These investment companies typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by the Funds. The Funds purchase of such investment company securities results in the layering of expenses, such that shareholders would indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of such investment companies, including advisory fees, in addition to paying Fund expenses.
Privately-Placed Securities. The Funds may invest in securities that are neither listed on a stock exchange nor traded over-the-counter, including privately placed securities. Investing in such unlisted securities, including investments in new and early stage companies, may involve a high degree of business and financial risk that can result in substantial losses. As a result of the absence of a public trading market for these securities, they may be less liquid than publicly traded securities. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from these sales could be less than those originally paid by the Funds, or less than what may be considered the fair value of such securities. Further, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that might be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. If such securities are required to be registered under the securities laws of one or more jurisdictions before being resold, the Funds may be required to bear the expenses of registration.
Operating Deficits. The expenses of operating the Funds (including the fees payable to the Adviser) may exceed its income, thereby requiring that the difference be paid out of the Funds capital, reducing the Funds investments and potential for profitability.
Accuracy of Public Information. To the extent that the Funds invests any of their assets in securities not included in the Underlying Index, the Adviser selects investments for the Funds, in part, on the basis of information and data filed by issuers with various government regulators or made directly available to the Adviser by the issuers or through sources other than the issuers. Although the Adviser evaluates all such information and data and ordinarily seeks independent corroboration when the Adviser considers it appropriate and when such corroboration is reasonably available, the Adviser is not in a position to confirm the completeness, genuineness or accuracy of such information and data.
Trading Limitations. For all securities listed on a securities exchange, including options listed on a public exchange, the exchange generally has the right to suspend or limit trading under certain circumstances. Such suspensions or limits could render certain strategies difficult to complete or continue and subject the Funds to loss. Also, such a suspension could render it impossible for the Funds to liquidate positions thereby exposing them to potential losses. Finally, to the extent that advisory personnel of the Adviser acquire material non-public information in the course of service on the board of directors or creditors committee of a company, the Funds may be prevented from buying or selling securities of that company.
Tracking and Correlation. While the Funds do not expect that their daily returns will deviate significantly from its daily investment objective, several factors may affect the Funds ability to achieve this correlation. Among these factors are: (1) the Funds expenses, including brokerage (which may be increased by high portfolio turnover) and the cost of the investment techniques employed by the Funds; (2) less than all of the securities in the benchmark index being held by the Funds and securities not included in the benchmark index being held by the Funds; (3) an imperfect correlation between the performance of instruments held by the Funds, such as swaps, futures contracts and other derivatives, and the performance of the underlying securities in the cash market; (4) bid-ask spreads (the effect of which may be increased by portfolio turnover); (5) holding instruments traded in a market that has become illiquid or disrupted; (6) the Funds share prices being rounded to the nearest cent; (7) changes to the benchmark index that are not disseminated in advance; (8) the need to conform the Funds portfolio holdings to comply with investment restrictions or policies or regulatory or tax law requirements; (9) actual purchases and sales of the shares of the Funds may differ from estimated transactions reported prior to the time share prices are calculated; (10) limit up or limit down trading halts on options or futures contracts which may prevent the Funds from purchasing or selling options or futures contracts; and (11) early and unanticipated closings of the markets on which the holdings of the Funds trade, resulting in the inability of the Funds to execute intended portfolio transactions. While a close correlation of the Funds to their benchmark may be achieved on any single trading day, over time the cumulative percentage increase or decrease in the NAV of the shares of the Funds may diverge significantly from the cumulative percentage decrease or increase in the benchmark due to a compounding effect.
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CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS
FOR THE MINORITY ETF UNDERLYING INDEX
The Morningstar Minority Empowerment Index (for purposes of this section, the Underlying Index) is constructed using a rules based methodology to select companies from the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap ® Index (the Parent Index), a free float market-cap weighted index that constitutes 90% of the total market capitalization of the U.S. market) that have strong minority empowerment practices. Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar or the Index Provider) constructs the Underlying Index using company level indicators, scores, and indicator relevance weighting from Sustainalytics, the Funds ESG research provider, that include certain social criteria identified and compiled by the NAACP (NAACP or the Partner Nonprofit) to measure the strength of minority empowerment practices and products or services for each company within the Parent Index (a companys Minority Empowerment Composite Score). Based on that scoring, excluding those companies with a detrimental score for applicable controversies (as determined by Sustainalytics), the 200 best scoring companies (after applying the optimized weighting methodology discussed below) are selected by Morningstar as the final underlying index components.
The Underlying Index is constructed by Morningstar using an optimized weighting methodology. Under this methodology, Morningstar uses a quantitative process that is designed to determine optimal weights for securities to maximize exposure of companies with higher rankings as to minority empowerment practices, while maintaining an Underlying Index that exhibits risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Parent Index. The Index Provider determines the weighting of each security in the Underlying Index using the following variables: Minority Empowerment Composite Score, market capitalization, maximum and minimum weightings by security and sector. Underlying Index constituents are subject to a maximum 5% per company weighting.
The Underlying Index is expected to contain approximately 200 securities, but this number may change. If a company in the Underlying Index has acted in a manner inconsistent with the selection criteria of the Underlying Index, Morningstar may, in its discretion, after consulting with Sustainalytics, exclude the company from the Underlying Index between reconstitution periods. Morningstar may also make adjustments to the Underlying Index in accordance with its internal guidelines to reflect extraordinary corporate events (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, bankruptcies, insolvencies, and liquidations). The Underlying Index is rebalanced quarterly and reconstituted utilizing the rules-based methodology described above annually. Rebalancing refers to the process of adjusting the weights of the constituent securities in the Underlying Index in accordance with its optimized weighting methodology in response to changes in stock value and market capitalization. Reconstitution refers to the process of changing the constituent securities in the Underlying Index so that securities that no longer meet the criteria for the Underlying Index are excluded and new securities that do meet those criteria are included.
The initial composition of the Underlying Index, as well as any ongoing adjustment, is based on the following social screens used in determining the Minority Empowerment Composite Score that narrows the universe of companies included in the Parent Index. Each of the social screens for the Minority Fund addresses an issue that has a history of NAACP support.
1. Board Diversity This indicator provides an assessment of the diversity of a companys board of directors. Diversity of background can provide fresh perspectives in the boardroom and lead to better board decision-making.
2. Discrimination Policy This indicator provides an assessment of the quality of a companys policy to eliminate discrimination, including racial discrimination, and ensure equal opportunity.
3. Scope of Supplier Social Programs This indicator assesses whether a company has supply chain/contractors social programs including a focus on racial diversity and empowerment, and the scope of such standards.
4. Digital Divide Programs This indicator provides an assessment of the presence of programs that address the digital divide, i.e. the lack of access to modern means of communication/internet. Access to such means is often difficult for certain groups in modern society (e.g., people of color, poor, elderly) or people in certain regions.
5. Freedom of Association Policy This indicator provides an assessment of the quality of a companys freedom of association and collective bargaining policy, including its impact on racial minorities.
6. Diversity Programs This indicator assesses the strength of a companys initiatives to increase the diversity of its workforce, including racial diversity.
7. Supply Chain Monitoring This indicator provides an assessment of whether the company has a supply chain monitoring system and/or whether there are other supply chain monitoring activities. Racial minority focused social standards are included within this monitoring.
8. Community Development Programs This indicator assesses the strength of a companys local community development programs. It does not focus on cash donations, but formal programs that promote long-term economic development among communities, including minority communities, directly affected by the companys operations.
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9. Minority-Inclusive Health and Safety Management System This indicator assesses the strength of the companys initiatives to manage employee health and safety and prevent accidents and occupational illnesses.
10. Conflict Minerals Programs This indicator measures the strength of a companys initiatives to eliminate conflict minerals from its products and its supply chain.
The Index Provider will not provide any information relating to changes to the Underlying Indexs methodology for the inclusion of Component Securities, the inclusion or exclusion of specific Component Securities, or methodology for the calculation of the return of Component Securities, in advance of a public announcement of such changes by the Index Provider. In addition, the Index Provider will not provide recommendations to the Fund regarding the purchase or sale of specific securities.
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CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS
FOR THE WOMENS ETF UNDERLYING INDEX
The Morningstar Womens Empowerment Index (for purposes of this section, the Underlying Index) is constructed using a rules based methodology to select companies from the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap ® Index (the Parent Index) that have strong womens empowerment practices. The Parent Index is a free float market-cap weighted index that constitutes 90% of the total market capitalization of the U.S. market. The Parent Index is an equity benchmark designed to comprehensively represent the performance of the companies incorporated and/or listed in the United States and contains large and mid-capitalization equities and is designed with the following objectives in mind: (1) transparent and objective rules; (2) full investibility; and (3) low turnover. Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar or the Index Provider) constructs the Underlying Index using company level indicators, scores, and indicator relevance weighting from Equileap, the Funds ESG research provider. The YWCA USA (YWCA or the Partner Nonprofit) has reviewed and approved the use of Equileaps social screens (through the use of the Underlying Index) to measure the strength of womens empowerment practices and products or services for each company within the Parent Index (a companys Gender Diversity Score). After excluding those companies that Equileap determines are (i) involved in the weapons, gambling, or tobacco industries, (ii) on the Norwegian Ethics Council List1, or (iii) that have experienced an applicable legal controversy, the 200 best scoring companies (after applying the optimized weighting methodology discussed below) are selected by Morningstar as the final underlying index components. The Underlying Index is constructed by Morningstar using an optimized weighting methodology. Under this methodology, Morningstar uses a quantitative process that is designed to determine optimal weights for securities to maximize exposure to companies with higher rankings as to womens empowerment practices, while maintaining an Underlying Index that exhibits risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Parent Index. The Index Provider determines the weighting of each security in the Underlying Index using the following variables: Gender Diversity Score, market capitalization, and maximum and minimum weightings by security and sector. Underlying Index constituents are subject to a maximum 5% per company weighting.
The Underlying Index is expected to contain approximately 200 securities, but this number may change. If a company in the Underlying Index has acted in a manner inconsistent with the selection criteria of the Underlying Index, Morningstar may, in its discretion, after consulting with Equileap, exclude the company from the Underlying Index between reconstitution periods. Morningstar may also make adjustments in accordance with its internal guidelines to reflect extraordinary corporate events (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, bankruptcies, insolvencies, and liquidations). The Underlying Index is rebalanced quarterly and reconstituted utilizing the rules-based methodology described above annually. Rebalancing refers to the process of adjusting the weights of the constituent securities in the Underlying Index in accordance with its optimized weighting methodology in response to changes in stock value and market capitalization. Reconstitution refers to the process of changing the constituent securities in the Underlying Index so that securities that no longer meet the criteria for the Underlying Index are excluded and new securities that do meet those criteria are included.
The initial composition of the Underlying Index, as well as any ongoing adjustment, is based on the following social screens used in determining the Gender Diversity Score that narrows the universe of companies included in the Parent Index. Equileap determines a companys Gender Diversity Score based upon its analysis of publicly available information, as reported by such company in its most recent annual report for its fiscal year end.
Each of the social screens for the Fund addresses an issue that has a history of YWCA support.
CATEGORY A: GENDER BALANCE IN LEADERSHIP & WORKFORCE
1. Non-Executive Board: Percentage of male and female as a proportion of the total number of non-executive Board members, as of the fiscal year end wherever available, otherwise as of the date of the latest filing.
2. Executives: Percentage of male and female executives as a proportion of the total number of executives, as of the fiscal year end wherever available, otherwise as of the date of the latest filing Executives are either defined by the company or represent those individuals that form the company executive committee/ board, management committee/board or equivalent.
1 |
The list of companies that the Council of Ethics for the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global (the Pension Fund) has recommended excluding from the Pension Funds portfolio of investments on the grounds that investment in such companies would be inconsistent with the Pension Funds Ethical Guidelines. |
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3. Senior Management: Percentage of male and female senior management, as a proportion of the total number of senior management, as of the fiscal year end wherever available, otherwise as of the date of the latest filing. Senior management are defined and reported by the company.
4. Workforce: Percentage of male and female employees at the company, as a percentage of total employees.
5. Promotion & Career Development Opportunities: Ratio of male and female employees in management compared to ratio of each gender in total employees.
CATEGORY B: EQUAL COMPENSATION & WORK LIFE BALANCE
6. Fair Remuneration: Demonstrates a commitment to ensure payment of a fair wage to all employees, even in those countries that do not legally require a minimum wage.
7. Equal Pay: Commitment to provide comparable wages, hours, and benefits, including retirement benefits, for all employees for comparable work in country of incorporation.
8. Parental Leave: Paid leave programs for child and dependent care to both women and men (maternity leave, paternity leave, dependent care) in country of incorporation.
9. Flexible Work Options: Option for employees to control and/or vary the start/end times of the work day and/or vary the location from which employees work in country of incorporation.
CATEGORY C: POLICIES PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY
10. Training and Career Development: Ensures equal access to training and career development.
11. Recruitment Strategy: Commitment to ensure non-discrimination against any type of demographic group. This could be in the form of an equal opportunities policy, as described by the company.
12. Freedom from Violence, Abuse and Sexual Harassment: Prohibit all forms of violence in the workplace, including verbal, physical and sexual harassment.
13. Safety at Work: Commitment to the safety of employees in the workplace, in travel to and from the workplace, and on company related business, and ensure the safety of vendors in the workplace.
14. Human Rights: Commitment to ensure the protection of the rights of all people it works with including employees rights to participate in legal, civic and political affairs.
15. Social Supply Chain: Commitment to reduce social risks in its supply chain such as forbidding business-related activities that condone, support, or otherwise participate in human trafficking, including for labor or sexual exploitation
16. Supplier Diversity: Commitment to ensure diversity in the supply chain, including a focus to ensure female-owned businesses in the supply chain.
17. Employee Protection: Systems and policies for the reporting of internal ethical compliance complaints without retaliation or retribution, including but not limited to access to confidential third-party ethics hotlines or systems for confidential written complaints
CATEGORY D: COMMITMENT, TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY
18. Commitment to Womens EmpowermentRecognition and commitment to ensuring womens empowerment in the workplace.
19. Audit- Undertaken and awarded an independent gender audit certificate by an Equileap recognized body.
The Index Provider will not provide any information relating to changes to the Underlying Indexs methodology for the inclusion of Component Securities, the inclusion or exclusion of specific Component Securities, or methodology for the calculation of the return of Component Securities, in advance of a public announcement of such changes by the Index Provider. In addition, the Index Provider will not provide recommendations to the Fund regarding the purchase or sale of specific securities.
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CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS
FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ETF UNDERLYING INDEX
The Morningstar Societal Development Index (for purposes of this section, the Underlying Index) is constructed using a rules based methodology to select companies with specific characteristics (described below) from the Morningstar® Global Markets Large-Mid Index (the Parent Index). The Parent Index is a free-float market-cap weighted index composed of the equity securities of publicly-traded companies encompassing the top 97% of stocks by market capitalization across 46 countries including both developed and emerging markets. To be eligible for inclusion in the Parent Index, companies must meet specific trading frequency, U.S. Dollar trading volume and turnover, and free-float market capitalization requirements. The Underlying Index will provide exposure to both developed and emerging markets.
Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar or the Index Provider) constructs the Underlying Index using company level indicators, scores, and indicator relevance weightings from Sustainalytics, the Funds ESG research provider, that include certain social criteria identified by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF or the Partner Nonprofit), to measure (i) commitment to the UNs Sustainable Development Goals2, (ii) adherence to the principles of the UN Global Compact3, (iii) commitment to reducing poverty and supporting economic development globally and (iv) exposure to countries with low levels of socioeconomic development for each company within the Parent Index (a companys Societal Development Score). Morningstar determines a companys exposure to countries with low levels of socioeconomic development using a quantitative scale based on the percentage of a companys revenue identified as coming from countries defined as low income or lower middle income by the World Bank or as a Least Developed Country by the United Nations, excluding countries that are classified as developed or emerging by Morningstar Indexes, and increases the companys Societal Development Score accordingly. In addition to the Societal Development Score, Sustainalytics assigns each company an Overall ESG Score which reflects its assessment of a companys overall ESG preparedness and performance relative to other companies in the same global industry peer group. The Overall ESG Score is comprised of a companys numerical scores for environmental, social and governance criteria as determined according to Sustainalytics proprietary methodology. After excluding those companies that Sustainalytics determines (i) have products involved in the following activities: adult entertainment, alcoholic beverages, controversial weapons, gambling, military contracting weapons, nuclear energy and small arms, or tobacco, (ii) have a detrimental controversy score for incidents related to a company involving one or more of the following matters: business ethics, governance, public policy, employee relations, social supply chain, society and community, operations, or environmental supply chain, (iii) are not compliant with the principles of the UN Global Compact, or (iv) have a below average Overall ESG Score relative to its global industry peers; the 200 highest scoring companies (after applying the optimized weighting methodology discussed below) are selected by Morningstar as the final underlying index components. The Underlying Index is constructed by Morningstar using an optimized free-float market cap weighting methodology. Under this methodology, Morningstar uses a quantitative process that is designed to determine optimal weights for securities to maximize exposure to companies with higher rankings as to global economic development, while maintaining an Underlying Index that exhibits risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Parent Index. Morningstar determines the weighting of each security in the Underlying Index using the following variables: Societal Development Score, market capitalization, maximum and minimum weightings by security, sector and region. Underlying Index constituents are subject to a maximum 5% per company weighting.
The Underlying Index will provide exposure to both developed and emerging markets and is expected to contain approximately 200 securities, but this number may change. If a company in the Underlying Index has acted in a manner inconsistent with the selection criteria of the Underlying Index, Morningstar may, in its discretion, after consulting with Sustainalytics, exclude the company from the Underlying Index between reconstitution periods. Morningstar may also make adjustments to the Underlying Index in accordance with its internal guidelines to reflect extraordinary corporate events (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs,
2 |
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals set by the UN Development Program that calls for integration of economic development, social equity, and environmental protection. Adopted in 2015, the SDGs are intended to stimulate action over the next fifteen years in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet, including: poverty eradication, food security, health, education, gender equality, access to water, sanitation, clean energy, decent jobs, key infrastructure, strong institutions, inequality reduction, sustainable urbanization, responsible production and consumption patterns, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and ecosystem conservation. |
3 |
The UN Global Compact is an arrangement by which companies voluntarily and publicly commit to a set of principles, known as the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, all of which are drawn from key UN Conventions and Declarations, in four areas: (i) human rights; (ii) labor; (iii) environment; and (iv) anti-corruption. |
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bankruptcies, insolvencies, and liquidations). The Underlying Index is rebalanced quarterly and reconstituted utilizing the rules-based methodology described above annually. Rebalancing refers to the process of adjusting the weights of the constituent securities in the Underlying Index in accordance with its optimized weighting methodology in response to changes in stock value and market capitalization. Reconstitution refers to the process of changing the constituent securities in the Underlying Index so that securities that no longer meet the criteria for the Underlying Index are excluded and new securities that do meet those criteria are included.
The initial composition of the Underlying Index, as well as any ongoing adjustment, is based on thirty-two separate social indicators used in determining the Societal Development Score that narrows the universe of companies included in the Parent Index. Each of these social indicators addresses an issue that has historically been important to the UNCDF and falls within one of the following five groups:
1. |
Business Ethics |
a. |
Bribery & Corruption Policy: Assesses the quality of the companys policy to combat bribery and corruption. |
b. |
Bribery & Corruption Programs: Assesses the quality of the companys programs to combat bribery and corruption. |
c. |
Global Compact Signatory: Denotes whether a company is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact. |
d. |
Human Rights Policy: Assesses the strength of the companys commitment to respect human rights in within its sphere of influence. |
e. |
Renewable Energy Programs: Assesses whether the company has taken initiatives to increase the use of renewable energy. |
2. |
Employment Practices |
a. |
HIV/AIDS Programs: Assesses the quality of a companys programs to address HIV/AIDS among its employees. |
b. |
Collective Bargaining Agreements: Assesses the extent that the companys employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. |
c. |
Freedom of Association Policy: Assesses the quality of a companys freedom of association and collective bargaining policy. |
d. |
Working Conditions Policy: Assesses whether the company has a formal policy on working hours and/or minimum wages. The indicator relates to relevant core labor rights conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO). |
3. |
Contractor and Supply Chain Monitoring |
a. |
Conflict Minerals Policy: Assesses the quality of a companys formal policy commitment to eliminate conflict minerals from its products and its supply chain. |
b. |
Conflict Minerals Programs: Assesses the strength of the companys initiatives to eliminate conflict minerals from its products and its supply chain. |
c. |
EICC Signatory: Denotes whether the company is a member of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC). |
d. |
Fair Trade Products: Assesses the contribution of fair trade products to total company revenues. |
e. |
Quality of Social Supplier Standards: Assesses of the quality of social standards in supply chain code of conducts or policies. |
f. |
Scope of Social Supplier Standards: Assesses whether the company has supply chain/contractor policies and the scope of social standards. |
g. |
Social Supplier Certification: Assesses the percentage of suppliers certified to an external labor/social standard, such as SA 8000 or similar. SA8000 certification is an external verification ensuring that core labor standards are adhered to. |
h. |
Supply Chain Management: Assesses whether the company has a supply chain management system and how it is applied. |
i. |
Supply Chain Monitoring: Assesses whether the company has a supply chain monitoring system and/or whether there are other supply chain monitoring activities. |
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4. |
Community Involvement and Social Development Programs. |
a. |
Access to Basic Services: Assesses the quality of the companys programs that promote access to basic services (energy, electricity, water) to poor or disadvantaged groups and of the quality of its reporting on such programs. |
b. |
Access to Health Care: Assesses the strength of the companys initiatives to promote access to health care equipment and services. |
c. |
Access to Medicine Programs: Assesses the strength of a companys overall policies, strategies and initiatives to improve access to medicine in developing countries as well as for low income groups in developed markets. |
d. |
Community Development Programs: Assesses the strength of the companys local community development programs. It does not focus on cash donations, but formal programs that promote long-term economic development among communities directly affected by the companys operations. |
e. |
Community Involvement Programs: Assesses the companys mechanisms to consult with local communities potentially affected by its operations. |
f. |
Digital Divide Programs: Assesses the presence of programs that address the digital divide. |
g. |
Drug Donations Policy: Assesses whether the company has a policy for drug donations. |
h. |
Equitable Pricing and Availability: Assesses the extent to which the company has developed and implemented drug pricing models that ensure equitable access to medicine for poor countries and poor populations within countries. |
i. |
Indigenous Rights Policy: Assesses the quality of the companys policy on indigenous people and land rights. |
j. |
Neglected Diseases R&D: Assesses the strength of companies research and development (R&D) activities in areas that are under-researched and/or where there is a great societal need. This includes neglected tropical diseases and other diseases that disproportionally affect developing countries. |
k. |
Value of Drug Donations: Assesses the value of drug donations relative to earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT). |
5. |
Financial Inclusion in Access to Products and Services |
a. |
Credit & Loan Standards: Assesses the quality of a companys environmental and social standards in its credit and loan activities. |
b. |
Financial Inclusion: Assesses whether the company has taken initiatives to promote financial inclusion of disadvantaged people. |
c. |
Sustainable Financial Initiatives: Assesses whether the company offers sustainability related financial services. |
The Index Provider will not provide any information relating to changes to the Underlying Indexs methodology for the inclusion of Component Securities, the inclusion or exclusion of specific Component Securities, or methodology for the calculation of the return of Component Securities, in advance of a public announcement of such changes by the Index Provider. In addition, the Index Provider will not provide recommendations to the Fund regarding the purchase or sale of specific securities.
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The frequency and amount of portfolio purchases and sales (known as the turnover rate) will vary from year to year. The portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year and will not be a limiting factor when the Adviser deems portfolio changes appropriate nor will it affect when the Index Provider deems re-balancing of the Underlying Index appropriate. Although the Funds generally do not intend to trade for short-term profits, the securities held by the Funds will be sold whenever the Adviser believes it is appropriate to do so, without regard to the length of time a particular security may have been held. Higher portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater transaction costs, including any brokerage commissions that the Funds will bear directly, and can cause the Funds to recognize more short-term capital gains (which currently are taxable to shareholders at higher rates than long-term capital gains).
The fundamental investment restrictions below may be changed only with the approval of a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds. A vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds means the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the shares at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares. Except for investment restrictions designated as fundamental in the Funds Prospectus or in this SAI, the investment policies described in the Funds Prospectus or this SAI are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.
If a percentage policy set forth in the Prospectus or one of the following percentage investment restrictions is adhered to at the time a security is purchased, later changes in a percentage will not be considered a violation of the policy or restriction unless any excess or deficiency exists immediately after and as a result of such purchase or pertains to the Funds limitations on borrowing and investment in illiquid securities.
Fundamental Investment Restrictions. The following investment restrictions are fundamental policies and, as such, may not be changed without the approval of a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities). Each Fund may not:
1. Purchase any security that would cause the Fund to concentrate (invest 25% or more of its total assets) in securities of issuers primarily engaged in any particular industry or group of industries (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities), except that the Fund will concentrate to approximately the same extent that its Underlying Index concentrates in the securities of such particular industry or group of industries;
2. Issue senior securities or borrow in excess of the amounts permitted by the 1940 Act;
3. Underwrite securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the Fund, in disposing of Fund securities, may be deemed an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act;
4. Purchase or sell real estate, except that the Fund may (a) invest in securities or other instruments directly or indirectly secured by real estate, (b) invest in securities or other instruments issued by issuers that invest in real estate, and (c) hold for prompt sale, real estate or interests in real estate to which it may gain an ownership interest through the forfeiture of collateral securing loans or debt securities held by it;
5. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing, selling and entering into financial futures contracts (including futures contracts on indices of securities, interest rates and currencies), options on financial futures contracts, swaps, forward contracts, foreign currency spot and forward contracts or other derivative instruments that are not related to physical commodities; and
6. Lend any property or make any loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be loaned to other parties (including the value of collateral received for loans of portfolio securities), but this limitation does not apply to the purchase of debt securities in which it is authorized to invest in accordance with its investment objective and policies or to repurchase agreements.4
4 |
With respect to Fundamental Investment Restriction number 6, the Funds have no current intention to engage in reverse repurchase agreements and securities lending, but the Funds may change this intention at any time without shareholder approval. |
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Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions. The Funds are also subject to the following non-fundamental investment restrictions and policies that may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. Each Fund may not:
1. Acquire any illiquid securities if, as a result thereof, more than 15% of the market value of the Funds net assets would be in investments that are illiquid;
2. Acquire securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the 1940 Act (currently under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in the aggregate in shares of other investment companies and up to 5% of its total assets in any one investment company, provided the investment does not represent more than 3% of the voting stock of the acquired investment company at the time such shares are purchased, and may also invest in other investment companies pursuant to exemptions provided in or under the 1940 Act and in accordance with no-action positions of the staff of the SEC);
3. Borrow on margin, notwithstanding fundamental investment restriction number 2, unless such activity is permitted by applicable law; and
4. If the Fund is invested in by another series of the Trust in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G), it may not acquire securities of registered open-end investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1) (G) of the 1940 Act.
Other Information. The following commentary is intended to help investors better understand the meaning of the Funds fundamental policies by briefly describing limitations, if any, imposed by the 1940 Act. References to the 1940 Act below may encompass rules, regulations or orders issued by the SEC and, to the extent deemed appropriate by the Funds, interpretations and guidance provided by the SEC staff. These descriptions are intended as brief summaries of such limitations as of the date of this SAI; they are not comprehensive and they are qualified in all cases by reference to the 1940 Act (including any rules, regulations or orders issued by the SEC and any relevant interpretations and guidance provided by the SEC staff). These descriptions are subject to change based on evolving guidance by the appropriate regulatory authority and are not part of the Funds fundamental policies.
For purposes of fundamental investment restriction number 1 above, a Fund will consider the concentration policies of any underlying funds in which it invests when evaluating compliance with its concentration policy.
The 1940 Act currently permits an open-end investment company to borrow money from a bank so long as immediately after any such borrowing the ratio that the value of the total assets of the investment company (including the amount of any such borrowing), less the amount of all liabilities and indebtedness (other than such borrowing) of the investment company, bears to the amount of such borrowing is at least 300%. A lender to the Funds may require that the Funds pledge its assets as collateral. If the Funds were to default on a loan secured by pledged assets, the lender would be entitled to foreclose on and dispose of the pledged assets, but the lender could retain only the amount of assets (or the disposition proceeds of such assets) necessary to pay off the defaulted loan.
Under the 1940 Act, each Fund may not issue senior securities or borrow in excess of 33 1/3% of the Funds total assets (after giving effect to any such borrowing), which amount excludes borrowing for temporary purposes and in an amount not more than 5% of the Funds total assets at the time the borrowing for temporary purposes is made.
For purposes of non-fundamental investment restriction number 3 above, the purchase of Senior Loans, corporate debt securities, and other investment assets with the proceeds of a permitted borrowing, as well as margin payments or other arrangements in connection with transactions in short sales, futures contracts, options, and other financial instruments are not considered to constitute the purchase of securities on margin.
Each Funds classification as a non-diversified investment company means that the proportion of the Funds assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer is not limited by the 1940 Act. Each Fund, however, intends to qualify as a regulated investment company (RIC) accorded special tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code), which imposes its own diversification requirements on the Fund that are less restrictive than the requirements applicable to the diversified investment companies under the 1940 Act. As a non-diversified fund, a relatively high percentage of a Funds assets may be invested in the securities of a limited number of issuers, primarily within the same economic sector. A Funds portfolio securities, therefore, may be more susceptible to any single economic, political, or regulatory occurrence than the portfolio securities of a more diversified investment company.
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Shared Credit Facility
The Funds, along with each other series of the Trust, have the ability to enter into a shared credit agreement. As of the date of this SAI, the Funds have not entered into any such shared credit agreement, but may do so in the future.
The Board of Trustees (the Board) provides broad oversight of the operations and affairs of the Funds and protects the interests of shareholders. The Board has overall responsibility to manage and control the business affairs of the Funds, including the complete and exclusive authority to establish policies regarding the management, conduct and operation of the Funds business. The names and birthdates of the Trustees and officers of the Funds, the year each was first elected or appointed to office, their principal business occupations during the last five years, the number of funds overseen by each Trustee and other directorships or trusteeships they hold are shown below. The business address for each Trustee and officer of the Funds is c/o Impact Shares, Corp., 2189 Broken Bend, Frisco, Texas 75034.
Name and
|
Position(s)
|
Term
of
|
Principal
|
Number of
|
Other Directorships/
|
Experience,
|
||||||
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES |
||||||||||||
Alyssa Greenspan (6/19/1972) |
Trustee |
Indefinite Term; Trustee since April 2018 |
President and COO, Community Capital Management, Inc. since 2003. |
3 | None | Significant experience in the investment management industry; significant managerial and executive experience as President and COO of Community Capital Management, Inc.; significant experience regarding ESG and impact investing considerations. |
5 |
Trustees serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified. |
6 |
The Impact Shares Fund Complex consists of each series of Impact Shares Trust I. |
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Name and
|
Position(s)
|
Term
of
|
Principal
|
Number of
|
Other Directorships/
|
Experience,
|
||||||
Winston I. Lowe (2/5/1951) |
Trustee |
Indefinite Term; Trustee since April 2018 |
Managing Partner, Lowe and Associates, LLC since March 2009 |
3 | None | Significant business and legal experience as associate and managing partner at US- based law firm; significant leadership experience at law firm. |
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Kathleen Legg (11/9/1982) | Trustee |
Indefinite Term; Trustee since April 2018 |
Consultant, Global Ware Digital Company since November 2014; Consultant, Independent Consultant from 2012 until 2014. | 3 | None | Significant experience running social media companies; Significant experience advising global nonprofits on social media engagement techniques and best practices. | ||||||
INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
||||||||||||
Ethan Powell7 | Trustee; Chairman of the Board |
Indefinite Term; Trustee since May 2016; Chairman of the Board since May 2016 |
President and Founder of Impact Shares LLC (Impact Shares) (a registered investment advisor dedicated to building a platform to create better socially responsible investment solutions) since December 2015; Trustee of the Highland Fund Complex from June 2012 until July 2013 and since December 2013; Chief Product Strategist of Highland |
3 | Serves as Independent Chairman of the Board of the Highland Fund Complex and the NexPoint Credit Strategies Fund Complex (collectively, 25 funds) | Significant experience in the financial industry; significant executive experience including past service as an officer of funds in the Highland Fund Complex; significant administrative and managerial experience. |
7 |
Mr. Powell is deemed to be an interested person of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, because of his current affiliation with Impact Shares, Corp., the Funds investment adviser. |
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Name and
|
Position(s)
|
Term
of
|
Principal
|
Number of
|
Other
|
Experience,
|
||||||
Capital Management Fund Advisors, L.P. from 2012 until December 2015; Senior Retail Fund Analyst of HCM from 2007 until December 2015 and Impact Shares from its inception until December 2015; Secretary of NexPoint Credit Strategies Fund (NHF) from November 2010 until June 2012; President and Principal Executive Officer of NHF from June 2012 until May 2015; Secretary of NHF from May 2015 until December 2015; Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer of Impact Shares Trust I from May 2016 to January 2018; and Secretary of Impact Shares Trust I from May 2016 to January 2018; President and Treasurer of Impact Shares Trust I since January 2018. |
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Name and Date of Birth |
Position(s) with the Funds |
Term of Office and Length
|
Principal Occupation(s)
|
|||
OFFICERS |
||||||
Ethan Powell (6/20/1975) | President and Treasurer | January 2018 Present. | See above under Interested Trustees. | |||
Donald J. Guiney (9/22/1956) |
Secretary, Chief Compliance Officer | January 2018 Present. | Senior Counsel, Baker & McKenzie LLP (law firm) from 2013 to 2016); Partner, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (law firm) from 1997 to 2013. | |||
Eric Kleinschmidt (6/16/1968) |
Assistant Treasurer | January 2018-Present. | Director of Fund Accounting, SEI Investments (2004- present). |
Qualifications of Trustees
The following provides an overview of the considerations that led the Board to conclude that each individual serving as a Trustee of the Trust should so serve. Among the factors the Board considered when concluding that an individual should serve on the Board were the following: (i) the individuals business and professional experience and accomplishments; (ii) the individuals ability to work effectively with the other members of the Board; (iii) the individuals prior experience, if any, serving on company boards (including public companies and, where relevant, other investment companies) and the boards of other complex enterprises and organizations; and (iv) how the individuals skills, experiences and attributes would contribute to an appropriate mix of relevant skills and experience on the Board.
In respect of each current Trustee, the individuals professional accomplishments and prior experience, including, in some cases, in fields related to the operations of the Trust, were a significant factor in the determination that the individual should serve as a Trustee of the Trust. Each Trustees professional experience and additional considerations that contributed to the Boards conclusion that an individual should serve on the Board are summarized in the table above.
Trustees Compensation
The officers of the Trust and those of its Trustees who are interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds receive no direct remuneration from the Trust. Each Independent Trustee receives an annual retainer of $20,000 payable in quarterly installments and allocated among each fund in the Impact Shares Fund Complex. The Independent Trustees do not receive any pension or retirement benefits. The following table shows the total compensation received from each Fund and the Impact Share Fund Complex by each of the Independent Trustees for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019:
Trustee Name |
Compensation
from Womens ETF |
Compensation
from Minority ETF |
Compensation from
Sustainable Development ETF |
Total Compensation from the
Impact Shares Fund Complex |
||||||||||||
Alyssa Greenspan |
[$ | ] | [$ | ] | [$ | ] | [$ | ] | ||||||||
Winston Lowe |
[$ | ] | [$ | ] | [$ | ] | [$ | ] | ||||||||
Kathleen Legg |
[$ | ] | [$ | ] | [$ | ] | [$ | ] |
8 |
The Officers hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board of Trustees and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. |
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Role of the Board of Trustees, Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight
The Role of the Board of Trustees
The Board oversees the management and operations of the Trust. Like most registered investment companies, the day-to-day management and operation of the Trust is performed by various service providers to the Trust, such as the Adviser, distributor, administrator, custodian, and transfer agent, each of which is discussed in greater detail in this SAI. The Board has appointed senior employees of certain of these service providers as officers of the Trust, with responsibility to monitor and report to the Board on the Trusts operations. The Board receives regular reports from these officers and service providers regarding the Trusts operations. For example, the Treasurer provides reports as to financial reporting matters and investment personnel report on the performance of the Trusts portfolios. The Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer who administers the Trusts compliance program and regularly reports to the Board as to compliance matters. Some of these reports are provided as part of formal in person Board meetings which are typically held quarterly, in person, and involve the Boards review of, among other items, recent Trust operations. The Board also periodically holds telephonic meetings as part of its review of the Trusts activities. From time to time one or more members of the Board may also meet with management in less formal settings, between scheduled Board meetings, to discuss various topics. In all cases, however, the role of the Board and of any individual Trustee is one of oversight and not of management of the day-to-day affairs of the Trust and its oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the Trusts investments, operations or activities.
Board Structure and Leadership
The Board has structured itself in a manner that it believes allows it to perform its oversight function effectively. The Board consists of four Trustees, three of whom are Independent Trustees. The remaining Trustee, Mr. Powell is an interested person of the Trust (an Interested Trustee). Mr. Powell also serves as Chairman of the Board. The Trustees will meet periodically throughout the year in person and by telephone to oversee the Trusts activities, review contractual arrangements with service providers for the Trust and review the Trusts performance. The Board conducts much of its work through certain standing Committees, each of which is a committee of the whole (except the Audit Committee, as set forth below) and each of whose meetings are chaired by an Independent Trustee. The Board has established an Audit Committee, a Governance Committee and a Compliance Committee, which are discussed in greater detail below. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019 the Audit Committee and Compliance Committee have met [three] times and the Governance has met [twice].
Audit. The members of the Audit Committee are Alyssa Greenspan, Kathleen Legg and Winston Lowe, each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee is responsible for approving the Trusts independent accountants, reviewing with the Trusts independent accountants the plans and results of the audit engagement and the adequacy of the Trusts internal accounting controls, approving professional services provided by the Trusts independent accountants. The Audit Committee is charged with compliance with Rules 205.2(k) and 205.3(c) of Title 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations regarding alternative reporting procedures for attorneys representing the Trust who appear and practice before the SEC on behalf of the Trust. The Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing and overseeing the valuation of debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or for which current market values are not readily available pursuant to policies and procedures adopted by the Board. The Board and Audit Committee will use the services of one or more independent valuation firms to help them determine the fair value of these securities. In addition, each member of the Audit Committee meets the current independence and experience requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
Mr. Lowe acts as the Chairman of the Audit Committee.
Governance Committee. The Trusts Governance Committees function is to oversee and make recommendations to the full Board or the Independent Trustees, as applicable, with respect to the governance of the Trust, selection and nomination of Trustees, compensation of Trustees, and related matters. The Governance Committee is also responsible for at least annually evaluating each Trustee and determining whether to recommend each Trustees continued service in that capacity. The Governance Committee will consider recommendations for Trustee nominees from shareholders sent to the Secretary of the Trust, 2189 Broken Bend, Frisco, Texas 75034. A nomination submission must include all information relating to the recommended nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations or proxy statements for the election of Trustees, as well as information sufficient to evaluate the recommended nominees ability to meet the responsibilities of a Trustee of the Trust. Nomination submissions must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board and to serve if elected by the shareholders, and such additional information must be provided regarding the recommended nominee as reasonably requested by the Governance Committee. Ms. Greenspan serves as the Chairman of the Governance Committee.
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Compliance Committee. The Compliance Committees function is to oversee and assist Board oversight of the Trusts compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and to seek to address any potential conflicts of interest between the Trust and Impact Shares in connection with any potential or existing litigation or other legal proceeding relating to securities held by the Trust and Impact Shares. Ms. Legg acts as the Chairman of the Compliance Committee.
The Trust does not have a lead Independent Trustee. As noted above, the Boards leadership structure features committees each made up of a majority of Independent Trustees. In addition, although the Independent Trustees recognize that having a lead Independent Trustee may in some circumstances help coordinate communications with management and otherwise assist a board in the exercise of its oversight duties, the Independent Trustees believe that because of the relatively small size of the Board, the ratio of Independent Trustees to Interested Trustees and the good working relationship among the Board members, it has not been necessary to designate a lead Independent Trustee.
The Board periodically reviews its leadership structure, including the role of the Chairman. The Board also completes an annual self- assessment during which it reviews its leadership and Committee structure and considers whether its structure remains appropriate in light of the Trusts current operations. The Board believes that its leadership structure, including the current percentage of the Board who are Independent Trustees, is appropriate given its specific characteristics. These characteristics include: (i) the extent to which the work of the Board is conducted through the standing committees; and (ii) the extent to which the Independent Trustees meet as needed, together with their independent legal counsel, in the absence of members of management and members of the Board who are interested persons of the Trust.
Board Oversight of Risk Management
The Boards role is one of oversight, rather than active management. This oversight extends to the Trusts risk management processes. These processes are embedded in the responsibilities of officers of, and service providers to, the Trust. For example, the Adviser and other service providers to the Trust are primarily responsible for the management of the Trusts investment risks. The Board has not established a formal risk oversight committee; however, much of the regular work of the Board and its standing Committees addresses aspects of risk oversight. For example, the Trustees seek to understand the key risks facing the Trust, including those involving conflicts of interest; how management identifies and monitors these risks on an ongoing basis; how management develops and implements controls to mitigate these risks; and how management tests the effectiveness of those controls.
In the course of providing that oversight, the Board receives a wide range of reports on the Trusts activities from the Adviser and other service providers, including reports regarding the Funds investment portfolios, the compliance of the Funds with applicable laws, and the Funds financial accounting and reporting. The Board also meets periodically with the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer to receive reports regarding the compliance of the Funds with the federal securities laws and the Trusts internal compliance policies and procedures, and meets with the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer periodically, including at least annually, to review the Chief Compliance Officers annual report, including the Chief Compliance Officers risk-based analysis for the Trust.
The Boards Audit Committee also meets regularly with the Treasurer and Trusts independent registered public accounting firm to discuss, among other things, the internal control structure of the Trusts financial reporting function. The Board also meets periodically with the portfolio manager of the Funds to receive reports regarding the management of the Funds, including its investment risks.
Share Ownership
The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities of the Funds beneficially owned by each Trustee, as of December 31, 2018:
Name |
Fund |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities of
Each Fund Beneficially Owned |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities of All Funds Beneficially Owned |
|||||||
Ethan Powell |
Minority ETF | [$ | ] | [$ | ] | |||||
Womens ETF | [$ | ] | [$ | ] | ||||||
Sustainable
Development ETF |
[$ | ] | [$ | ] |
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Name |
Fund |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities of
Each Fund Beneficially Owned |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities of All Funds Beneficially Owned |
|||||||
Alyssa Greenspan |
Minority ETF | [$ | ] | [$ | ] | |||||
Womens ETF | [$ | ] | [$ | ] | ||||||
Sustainable
Development ETF |
[$ | ] | [$ | ] | ||||||
Winston Lowe |
Minority ETF | [$ | ] | [$ | ] | |||||
Womens ETF | [$ | ] | [$ | ] | ||||||
Sustainable
Development ETF |
[$ | ] | [$ | ] | ||||||
Kathleen Legg |
Minority ETF | [$ | ] | [$ | ] | |||||
Womens ETF | [$ | ] | [$ | ] | ||||||
Sustainable
Development ETF |
[$ | ] | [$ | ] |
Trustee Positions
As of December 31, 2018, no Independent Trustee nor any of his immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any class of securities of the Adviser or Distributor (as defined under Distributor) or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any such entities.
Code of Ethics
The Funds, the Adviser and the Funds principal underwriter, SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SEI) have each adopted codes of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that essentially prohibit certain of their personnel, including the Funds portfolio manager, from engaging in personal investments that compete or interfere with, or attempt to take advantage of a clients, including the Funds, anticipated or actual portfolio transactions, and are designed to assure that the interests of clients, including Funds shareholders, are placed before the interests of personnel in connection with personal investment transactions. Under the codes of ethics of the Funds and the Adviser, personal trading is permitted by such persons subject to certain restrictions; however, they are generally required to pre-clear most securities transactions with the appropriate compliance officer and to report all transactions on a regular basis.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
The Funds and their service providers may be required to comply with various anti-money laundering laws and regulations. Consequently, the Funds and its service providers may request additional information from its Authorized Participants (as defined under Policy on Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings in this SAI) to verify the identity of its Authorized Participants. If at any time the Funds believe an Authorized Participant 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 an Authorized Participants account. The Funds and its service providers also may be required to provide a governmental agency with information about transactions that have occurred in an Authorized Participants 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 Funds or its service providers may not be permitted to inform the Authorized Participant that it has taken the actions described above.
Proxy Voting Policies
The Board has delegated the responsibility for voting proxies in respect of the Funds portfolio holdings to the Adviser, to vote the Funds proxies in accordance with the Advisers Proxy Voting Policy. The Board has approved the Proxy Voting Policy. Pursuant to the Proxy Voting Policy, the Adviser will vote proxies related to Funds securities in the best interests of the Funds and its shareholders. The Advisers Proxy Voting Policy is attached as Appendix A.
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The Funds proxy voting records for the most recent 12 month period ended June 30 will be available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 844-448-3383 (844-GIVE-ETF) and (ii) on the SECs website (www.sec.gov). Information as of June 30 each year will generally be available on or about the following August 31. As each Fund commenced operations after June 30, 2018, information for the year ended June 30, 3019 will be presented for the period from the inception of each Fund through June 30, 2019.
Policy on Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
The Trust has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Funds portfolio holdings, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The Board must approve all material amendments to this policy. Each Funds complete portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day the Fund is open for business through financial reporting and news services, including the Funds publicly accessible Internet website (www.impactetfs.org). Limited information regarding the Funds portfolio holdings is available daily on (http://www.impactetfs.org) the portfolio composition file (PCF) and the IOPV file, which contain equivalent portfolio holdings information, will be made available as frequently as daily to the Funds service providers to facilitate the provision of services to the Funds and to certain other entities (Entities) in connection with the dissemination of information necessary for transactions in Creation Units, as contemplated by exemptive orders issued by the SEC and other legal and business requirements pursuant to which the Funds create and redeem shares. Entities are generally limited to NSCC members and subscribers to various fee-based services, including large institutional investors (Authorized Participants) that have been authorized by the Distributor to purchase and redeem Creation Units and other institutional market participants that provide information services. Each business day, Fund portfolio holdings information will be provided to the Distributor or other agent for dissemination through the facilities of the NSCC and/or through other fee-based services to NSCC members and/or subscribers to the fee-based services, including Authorized Participants, and to entities that publish and/or analyze such information in connection with the process of purchasing or redeeming Creation Units or trading shares of the Funds in the secondary market.
Daily access to the PCF and IOPV file is permitted (i) to certain personnel of those service providers that are involved in portfolio management and providing administrative, operational, or other support to portfolio management, including Authorized Participants, and (ii) to other personnel of the Adviser and the Funds distributor, administrator, custodian and fund accountant who are involved in functions which may require such information to conduct business in the ordinary course.
Portfolio holdings information may not be provided prior to its public availability (Non-Standard Disclosure) in other circumstances except where appropriate confidentiality arrangements limiting the use of such information are in effect. Non-Standard Disclosure may be authorized by the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer or, in his absence, any other authorized officer of the Trust if he determines that such disclosure is in the best interests of the Funds shareholders, no conflict exists between the interests of the Funds shareholders and those of the Adviser or Distributor and such disclosure serves a legitimate business purpose. The length of lag, if any, between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed shall be determined by the officer authorizing the disclosure.
Additionally, no compensation or other consideration is received by the Funds, the Adviser or any other person for Non Standard Disclosures. There can be no assurance, however, that the Funds policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings information will prevent the misuse of such information by individuals or firms in possession of such information.
Each Fund is required to file its complete portfolio holdings schedule with the SEC on a quarterly basis. This schedule is filed with each Funds annual and semi-annual shareholder reports on Form N-CSR for the second and fourth fiscal quarters and as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT for the first and third fiscal quarters. The Funds Form N-PORT reports are available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov and may be obtained free of charge by contacting the Funds at the address and phone number written on the cover of this SAI or by visiting our website at www.impactetfs.org.
Book Entry Only System
The Depository Trust Company (DTC) acts as securities depositary for the shares. The shares of the Funds are represented by global securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC. Except as provided below, certificates will not be issued for shares.
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DTC has advised the Trust as follows: it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a clearing agency registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the 1934 Act. DTC was created to hold securities of its participants (DTC Participants) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by NYSE Arca, Inc. and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (Indirect Participants). DTC agrees with and represents to DTC Participants that it will administer its book-entry system in accordance with its rules and by-laws and requirements of law. Beneficial ownership of shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as Beneficial Owners) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants).
Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of shares. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability of certain investors to acquire beneficial interests in shares. Beneficial Owners of shares are not entitled to have shares registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificates in definitive form and are not considered the registered holder thereof. Accordingly, each Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of DTC, the DTC Participant and any Indirect Participant through which such Beneficial Owner holds its interests, to exercise any rights of a holder of shares. The Trust understands that under existing industry practice, in the event the Trust requests any action of holders of shares, or a Beneficial Owner desires to take any action that DTC, as the record owner of all outstanding shares, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the DTC Participants to take such action and that the DTC Participants would authorize the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners acting through such DTC Participants to take such action and would otherwise act upon the instructions of Beneficial Owners owning through them. As described above, the Trust recognizes DTC or its nominee as the owner of all shares for all purposes. Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of shares holdings of each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Distributions of shares shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall credit immediately DTC Participants accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in shares as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a street name, and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants. The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspects of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.
DTC may determine to discontinue providing its service with respect to shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action either to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such a replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates representing ownership of shares, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Exchange.
No dividend reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. However, certain brokers may make a dividend reinvestment service available to their clients. Brokers offering such services may require investors to adhere to specific procedures and timetables in order to participate. Investors interested in such a service should contact their broker for availability and other necessary details.
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Impact Shares, Corp. (Impact Shares or the Adviser) serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. The address of the Adviser is 2189 Broken Bend, Frisco, Texas 75034. Impact Shares provides the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio of securities, which includes buying and selling securities for the Funds and conducting investment research. Additionally, Impact Shares furnishes offices, necessary facilities, equipment and personnel. Organized in February 2014, Impact Shares is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Impact Shares is an ETF sponsor and investment manager that is creating a first of a kind platform for clients seeking maximum social impact with market returns. Impact Shares goal is to build a capital markets bridge between leading nonprofits, investors and corporate America to direct capital and social engagement on societal priorities.
The Adviser is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code. The Adviser intends to make charitable contributions to the Partner Nonprofits equal to the excess, if any, of Impact Shares fees with respect to the applicable Fund over Impact Shares operating expenses and a reserve for working capital. The Advisers intent is to provide financial support to further the causes championed by each Partner Nonprofit. For additional information see Partner Nonprofits, below.
The Funds have entered into an investment advisory agreement with Impact Shares (the Investment Advisory Agreement), pursuant to which Impact Shares either provides the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio of securities, which includes buying and selling securities for the Funds and conducting investment research, or hires a sub-adviser to do so, subject to Impact Shares general oversight.
For the services provided to the Funds under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Funds pay the Adviser an annual unitary fee, payable monthly, at the rate of 0.75% of the Funds Average Daily Managed Assets (as defined below). Average Daily Managed Assets of a Fund means the average daily value of the total assets of the Fund, less all accrued liabilities of the Fund (other than the aggregate amount of any outstanding borrowings constituting financial leverage). From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee, although it does not currently intend to do so. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services except for distribution and service fees payable pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan, if any; salaries and other compensation or expenses, including travel expenses, of any of the Funds executive officers and employees, if any, who are not officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners or employees of the Adviser or its subsidiaries or affiliates; taxes and governmental fees, if any, levied against the Funds; brokerage fees and commissions, and other portfolio transaction expenses incurred by or for the Fund; expenses of the Funds securities lending (if any), including any securities lending agent fees, as governed by a separate securities lending agreement; costs, including interest expenses, of borrowing money or engaging in other types of leverage financing; fees and expenses of any underlying funds or other pooled vehicles in which the Fund invests; dividend and interest expenses on short positions taken by the Fund; fees and expenses, including travel expenses, and fees and expenses of legal counsel retained for their benefit, of Trustees who are not officers, employees, partners, shareholders or members of the Adviser or its subsidiaries or affiliates; extraordinary expenses, including extraordinary legal expenses, as may arise, including, without limitation, expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings, other claims, contractual arrangements with Partner Nonprofit and the legal obligations of the Fund to indemnify its Trustees, officers, employees, shareholders, distributors, and agents with respect thereto; fees and expenses, including legal, printing and mailing, solicitation and other fees and expenses associated with and incident to shareholder meetings and proxy solicitations involving shareholder proposals or other non-routine matters that are not initiated or proposed by Fund management; organizational and offering expenses of the Fund, including registration (including Share registration fees), legal, marketing, printing, accounting and other expenses, associated with organizing the Fund in its state of jurisdiction and in connection with the initial registration of the Fund under the 1940 Act and the initial registration of its shares under the Securities Act (i.e., through the effectiveness of the Funds initial registration statement on Form N-1A); fees and expenses associated with seeking, applying for and obtaining formal exemptive, no-action and/or other relief from the SEC; and expenses of the Fund which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The Adviser has agreed to assume each Funds organization and offering costs. Each Fund does not have an obligation to reimburse the Adviser for organization and offering costs paid on its behalf.
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, Impact Shares, among other things: (i) continuously furnishes an investment program for the Funds; (ii) determines the investments to be purchased, held, sold or exchanged by the Funds and the portion, if any, of the assets of the Funds to be held uninvested; (iii) makes changes in the investments of the Funds; (iv) monitors the Funds performance and considers ways to improve the performance of the Funds and (v) votes, exercises consents and exercises all other rights pertaining to such securities on behalf of the Funds.
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The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of its position on the part of Impact Shares, Impact Shares shall not be subject to liability to the Funds for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Funds in connection with the matters to which the Investment Advisory Agreement relates.
Additionally, the Investment Advisory Agreement remains in force for an initial two year period and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by (a) the Board or (b) a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds; provided that in either event continuance is also approved by a majority of the Independent Trustees, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting such approval. Each Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of the Trusts Board, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds, or by the Adviser, in each case on not more than 60 days nor less than 30 days prior written notice to the other party. Each Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, as defined by the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, or upon the termination of the relevant Investment Advisory Agreement.
INFORMATION REGARDING PORTFOLIO MANAGER
The portfolio manager of each Fund is Ethan Powell. The following table provides information about funds and accounts, other than the Funds, for which the portfolio manager is primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management.
As of June 30, 2019, Ethan Powell does not manage any client accounts other than the Funds.
Compensation Structure Impact Shares
Impact Shares currently has two full time employees, including Mr. Powell. Impact Shares financial arrangements with its employees currently includes base compensation and a discretionary bonus. Impact Shares currently offers no retirement plan, health insurance plan or other employee benefits to its employees. These arrangements may change in future periods to the extent Impact Shares grows and takes on more full time employees.
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Mr. Powell and Impact Shares other employee Mr. Guiney both agreed to defer a portion of their compensation during the period from the inception of the Funds through June 30, 2019.
Conflicts of Interest Impact Shares
Impact Shares officers, affiliates and employees provide investment advice to other parties and manage other accounts and private investment vehicles similar to the Funds. For the purposes of this section, the term Impact Shares on its Form ADV, as filed with the SEC January 3, 2018 (CRD No. 282472). In connection with such other investment management activities, Impact Shares and/or its officers, affiliates and employees may decide to invest the funds of one or more other accounts or recommend the investment of funds by other parties, rather than the Funds monies, in a particular security or strategy. In addition, Impact Shares and such other persons will determine the allocation of funds from the Funds and such other accounts to investment strategies and techniques on whatever basis they consider appropriate or desirable in their sole and absolute discretion.
Impact Shares has built a professional working environment, a firm-wide compliance culture and compliance procedures and systems designed to protect against potential incentives that may favor one account over another. Impact Shares has adopted policies and procedures that address the allocation of investment opportunities, execution of portfolio transactions, personal trading by employees and other potential conflicts of interest that are designed to ensure that all client accounts are treated equitably over time. Nevertheless, Impact Shares may furnish advisory services to numerous clients in addition to the Funds, and Impact Shares may, consistent with applicable law, make investment recommendations to other clients or accounts that may be the same as or different from those made to the Funds. In addition, Impact Shares, its affiliates and any of their partners, directors, officers, stockholders or employees may or may not have an interest in the securities whose purchase and sale Impact Shares recommends to the Funds. Actions with respect to securities of the same kind may be the same as or different from the action that Impact Shares, or any of its affiliates, or any of their partners, directors, officers, stockholders or employees or any member of their families may take with respect to the same securities. Moreover, Impact Shares may refrain from rendering any advice or services concerning securities of companies of which any of Impact Shares (or its affiliates) partners, directors, officers or employees are directors or officers, or companies as to which Impact Shares or any of its affiliates or partners, directors, officers and employees of any of them has any substantial economic interest or possesses material non-public information. In addition to its various policies and procedures designed to address these issues, Impact Shares includes disclosure regarding these matters to its clients in both its Form ADV and investment advisory agreements.
Impact Shares, its affiliates or their partners, directors, officers or employees similarly serve or may serve other entities that operate in the same or related lines of business. Accordingly, these individuals may have obligations to investors in those entities or funds or to other clients, the fulfillment of which might not be in the best interests of the Funds. As a result, Impact Shares will face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities to the Funds and other funds and clients. In order to enable such affiliates to fulfill their fiduciary duties to each of the clients for which they have responsibility, Impact Shares will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner which may, subject to applicable regulatory constraints, involve pro rata co-investment by the Funds and such other clients or may involve a rotation of opportunities among the Funds and such other clients.
Conflicts may arise in cases when clients invest in different parts of an issuers capital structure, including circumstances in which one or more clients own private securities or obligations of an issuer and other clients may own public securities of the same issuer. In addition, one or more clients may invest in securities, or other financial instruments, of an issuer that are senior or junior to securities, or financial instruments, of the same issuer that are held by or acquired for, one or more other clients. For example, if such issuer encounters financial problems, decisions related to such securities (such as over the terms of any workout or proposed waivers and amendments to debt covenants) may raise conflicts of interests. In such a distressed situation, a client holding debt securities of the issuer may be better served by a liquidation of the issuer in which it may be paid in full, whereas a client holding equity securities of the issuer might prefer a reorganization that holds the potential to create value for the equity holders. In the event of conflicting interests within an issuers capital structure, Impact Shares, will generally pursue the strategy that Impact Shares believes will maximize value for Impact Shares accounts overall (without regard to the nature of the accounts involved or fees received from such accounts). This strategy may be recommended by one or more Impact Shares investment professionals. A single person may represent more than one part of an issuers capital structure. The recommended course of action will be presented to the conflicts committee for final determination as to how to proceed, the Adviser may elect, but is not required, to assign different teams to make recommendations for different parts of the capital structure as the conflicts committee determines in its discretion. In the event any Impact Shares personnel serve on the board of the subject company, they generally recuse themselves from voting on any board matter with respect to a transaction that has an asymmetrical impact on the capital structure. Impact Shares personnel board members may still make recommendations to the conflicts committee. If any such persons are also on the conflicts committee, they may recuse
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themselves from the committees determination. A Portfolio Manager with respect to any applicable Impact Shares registered investment company clients (Retail Accounts) participates in such discussions, but makes an independent determination as to which course of action he or she determines is in the best interest of the applicable Retail Accounts. Impact Shares may use external counsel for guidance and assistance.
Impact Shares and its affiliates have both subjective and objective procedures and policies in place designed to manage potential conflicts of interest involving clients so that, for example, investment opportunities are allocated in a fair and equitable manner among the Funds and such other clients. An investment opportunity that is suitable for multiple clients of Impact Shares and its affiliates may not be capable of being shared among some or all of such clients due to the limited scale of the opportunity or other factors, including regulatory restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act. There can be no assurance that Impact Shares or its affiliates efforts to allocate any particular investment opportunity fairly among all clients for whom such opportunity is appropriate will result in an allocation of all or part of such opportunity to the Funds. Not all conflicts of interest can be expected to be resolved in favor of the Funds.
Another type of conflict may arise if a Portfolio Manager causes one client account of an affiliated advisor to buy a security and another client account to sell or short the same security. Currently, such opposing positions are generally not permitted within the same account without prior trade approval by the Chief Compliance Officer. However, a portfolio manager may enter into opposing positions for different clients to the extent each such client has a different investment objective and each such position is consistent with the investment objective of the applicable client. In addition, transactions in investments by one or more affiliated client accounts may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of other client accounts.
The Adviser may own and/or operate one or more of the Underlying Indexes based on investment and trading strategies developed by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates (Investment Adviser Strategies). The Adviser may, from time to time, manage client accounts that invest in the Funds. In addition, the Investment Adviser may manage client accounts which track the Underlying Indices or which are based on the same, or substantially similar, Investment Adviser Strategies that are used in the operation of the Indexes and the Funds. The operation of the Indexes, the Funds and client accounts in this manner may give rise to potential conflicts of interest.
For example, client accounts that track an Underlying Index may engage in purchases and sales of securities prior to when the Underlying Index and the Funds engage in similar transactions because such client accounts may be managed and rebalanced on an ongoing basis, whereas the Funds portfolios are only rebalanced on a periodic basis corresponding with the rebalancing of the Underlying Index. These differences may result in the client accounts having more favorable performance relative to that of the Underlying Index and the Funds or other client accounts that track the Underlying Index. Other potential conflicts include the potential for unauthorized access to Underlying Index changes that benefit the Adviser or other client accounts and not the investors in the Funds, and the manipulation of Underlying Index pricing to present the performance of the Funds, or tracking ability, in a preferential light.
The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures that are designed to address potential conflicts that may arise in connection with the Advisers operation of the Underlying Indexes, the Funds and other client accounts. The Adviser has established certain information barriers and other policies to address the sharing of information between different businesses within the Adviser, including with respect to personnel responsible for maintaining the Indexes and those involved in decision-making for the Funds. In addition, the Adviser has adopted a Code of Ethics.
To the extent it is intended that a Fund track an Underlying Index, the Fund may not match, and may vary substantially from, the Underlying Index for any period of time. A Fund that tracks an Underlying Index may purchase, hold and sell securities at times when a non-Underlying Index fund would not do so. The Adviser does not guarantee that any tracking error targets will be achieved. Funds tracking an Underlying Index may be negatively impacted by any errors in the Underlying Index, either as a result of calculation errors, inaccurate data sources or otherwise. The Adviser does not guarantee the timeliness, accuracy and/or completeness of an Underlying Index and is not responsible for errors, omissions or interruptions in the Underlying Index (including when the Adviser or an affiliate acts as the index provider) or the calculation thereof (including when the Adviser or an affiliate acts as the calculation agent).
Because certain client accounts may have investment objectives, strategies or legal, contractual, tax or other requirements that differ (such as the need to take tax losses, realize profits, raise cash, diversification, etc.), an affiliated advisor may purchase, sell or continue to hold securities for certain client accounts contrary to other recommendations. In addition, an affiliated advisor may be permitted to sell securities or instruments short for certain client accounts and may not be permitted to do so for other affiliated client accounts.
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Ownership of Securities
As of June 30, 2019, the Funds portfolio manager, Ethan Powell owns the following dollar range of shares of each Fund:
Fund |
Dollar Range of Securities Owned |
|
Womens ETF |
None | |
Minority ETF |
None | |
Sustainable Development ETF |
None |
Under the Administration Agreement with SEI Investments Global Funds Services, One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456 (the Administrator), the Administrator provides administration services to the Funds, as well as other services including fund accounting, shareholder services and a contact center. The Administrator receives a monthly administration fee from the Adviser, calculated and assessed in arrears based on the aggregate net assets of the Funds. The following table shows the total fees paid by the Adviser on behalf of each Fund to the Administrator from the inception of each Fund through June 30, 2019:
Fund |
Total Fees paid to the Administrator From
the Inception of Each Fund Through
|
|
Womens ETF |
[TO COME] | |
Minority ETF |
[TO COME] | |
Sustainable Development ETF |
[TO COME] |
Under a Distribution Agreement with SEI Investments Distribution Co., One Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456 (the Distributor), shares of the Funds are offered for sale on a continuous basis only in Creation Units, as described in the Prospectus and in the Purchase and Redemption of Shares section of this SAI below. Fund shares in amounts less than Creation Units are not distributed by the Distributor. As of June 30, 2019, no fees were paid by a Fund to the Distributor.
The Funds have adopted a Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan (the Plan) pursuant to which payments of up to 0.25% may be made as reimbursement or compensation for distribution related activities and other services with respect to the Funds. Under its terms, the Plan remains in effect from year to year, provided such continuance is approved annually by vote of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services provided by the Distributor without approval by the shareholders of the Funds, and all material amendments of the Plan also require Board approval.
The Plan may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds (as such vote is defined in the 1940 Act). No payments are expected to be made by the Funds under the Plan during the current fiscal year.
Distribution fees paid to the Distributor in the future may be spent on any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of the Funds shares including (but not limited to) to compensate the Distributor, the Funds investment adviser or any of their affiliates, as well as any banks, broker/dealers or other financial institutions for distribution or sales support services rendered, and related expenses incurred, for or on behalf of a Fund. The Distributor may also use any distribution fees paid in the future for the provision of personal services to investors in the Shares and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The Plan is considered a compensation type plan, which means that the Fund pays the Distributor the entire fee, if authorized by the Board in the future, regardless of the Distributors expenditures. Even if the Distributors actual expenditures exceed the fee payable under the Plan, if authorized by the Board in the future, at any given time, the Fund will not be obligated to pay more than that fee under the Plan. If the Distributors actual expenditures are less than the fee payable under the Plan, if authorized by the Board in the future, at any given time, the Distributor may realize a profit from the arrangement.
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[During for the period from the inception of each Fund to June 30, 2019 no fees were paid to the Distributor as compensation for services. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, the Distributor did not incur expenses on behalf of any Fund in connection with distributions under the Plan
The Bank of New York Mellon (BNYM) provides transfer agency and dividend disbursing services for the Fund. As part of these services, BNYM maintains records pertaining to the sale, redemption and transfer of Fund shares and distributes the Funds securities and cash distributions to shareholders.
BNYM is the custodian for the Fund. BNYM is responsible for holding all securities, other investments and cash, receiving and paying for securities purchased, delivering against payment securities sold, receiving and collecting income from investments, making all payments covering expenses and performing other administrative duties, all as directed by authorized persons. BYNM does not exercise any supervisory function in such matters as purchase and sale of portfolio securities, payment of dividends or payment of expenses.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund is [ ], located at [ ] . The independent registered public accounting firm audits and reports on the annual financial statements, reviews certain regulatory reports and U.S. federal income tax returns, and performs other professional accounting, auditing and tax services when engaged to do so. The Financial Highlights for the Funds contained in the Prospectus and the financial statements for the Funds contained in the Trusts 2018 Annual Report are incorporated by reference into this SAI and were audited by [ ].
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Selection of Broker-Dealers; Order Placement
Subject to the overall review of the Funds Board, the Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities and other portfolio holdings of the Funds, for selecting the broker or dealer to be used and for negotiating any commission rates paid. In underwritten offerings, securities usually are purchased at a fixed price that includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriters concession or discount. On occasion, certain money market instruments may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid.
The Adviser and its affiliates may manage other accounts that invest in Funds investments. Although investment decisions for the Funds are made independently from those of such other accounts, investments of the type the Funds may make also may be made on behalf of such other accounts. When the Funds and one or more other accounts are prepared to invest in, or desires to dispose of, the same investment, available investments or opportunities for each are allocated in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable over time. The Adviser may (but is not obligated to) aggregate orders, which may include orders for accounts in which the Adviser or its affiliates have an interest, to purchase and sell securities to obtain favorable execution or lower brokerage commissions, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations. Although the Adviser believes that, over time, the potential benefits of participating in volume transactions and negotiating lower transaction costs should benefit all participating accounts, in some cases these activities may adversely affect the price paid or received or the size of the position obtained by or disposed of for the Funds. Where trades are aggregated, the investments or proceeds, as well as the expenses incurred, will be allocated by the Adviser in a manner designed to be equitable and consistent with the Advisers fiduciary duty to the Funds and its other clients (including its duty to seek to obtain best execution of client trades).
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Commission Rates; Brokerage and Research Services
The Adviser seeks to obtain best execution, considering the execution price and overall commission costs paid and other factors. The Adviser routes its orders to various broker-dealers for execution at its discretion. Factors involved in selecting brokerage firms include the size, type and difficulty of the transaction, the nature of the market for the security, the reputation, experience and financial stability of the broker-dealer involved, the quality of service, the quality of research and investment information provided and the firms risk in positioning a block of securities. Within the framework of the policy of obtaining the most favorable price and efficient execution, the Adviser does consider brokerage and research services (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) provided by brokers who effect portfolio transactions with the Adviser or the Funds. Brokerage and research services are services that brokerage houses customarily provide to institutional investors and include statistical and economic data and research reports on particular issuers and industries.
In addition, the investment advisory agreement between the Trust and Impact Shares relating to the Funds authorizes Impact Shares, on behalf of the Funds, in selecting brokers or dealers to execute a particular transaction and in evaluating the best overall terms available, to consider the brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) provided to the Funds and/or other accounts over which Impact Shares or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The fees under the investment advisory agreement relating to the Funds will not be reduced by reason of the Funds receiving brokerage and research services. Such services include analyses and reports regarding issuers, industries, economic trends, portfolio strategy, and may effect securities transactions and perform certain functions related thereto. In addition, such services may include advice concerning the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities and the availability of particular securities or buyers or sellers of securities. The research services received from broker-dealers that execute transactions on behalf of the Funds may be useful to Impact Shares in servicing the Funds as well as all of Impact Shares accounts and not all of these services may be used in connection with the particular Funds or funds generating the commissions. Consistent with limits established by the Federal securities laws, the Funds may pay broker-dealer commissions for agency transactions that exceed the amount of commissions charged by other broker-dealers in recognition of their research and brokerage services.
From the respective inception date of each Fund through June 30, 2019, the Funds paid brokerage commissions as follows:
Fund |
Commissions Paid from the Inception of each Fund through June 30, 2019 |
|
Womens ETF | [TO COME] | |
Minority ETF | [TO COME] | |
Sustainable Development ETF | [TO COME] |
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS SHARES
The Funds are each a series of the Trust, a Delaware statutory trust formed on May 19, 2016. The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of its shares of beneficial interest in separate series and classes of each series. The Trust is not required to hold regular annual shareholder meetings, but may hold special meetings for consideration of proposals requiring shareholder approval, such as changing fundamental policies or upon the written request of 10% of the Trusts shares to replace its Trustees. The Trusts Board is authorized to classify or reclassify the unissued shares of the Trust into one or more separate series of shares representing a separate, additional investment portfolio or one or more separate classes of new or existing series. Shares of all series will have identical voting rights, except where by law certain matters must be approved by the requisite proportion of the shares of the affected series. Each share of any class when issued has equal dividend, liquidation (see Purchase and Redemption of Shares) and voting rights within the class for which it was issued and each fractional share has those rights in proportion to the percentage that the fractional share represents a whole share. Shares will be voted in the aggregate except where otherwise required by law and except that each class of each series will vote separately on certain matters pertaining to its distribution and shareholder servicing arrangements.
There are no conversion or preemptive rights in connection with any shares of the Funds. All shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the offering, will be fully paid and nonassessable.
The shares of the Funds have noncumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares of the Trust can elect 100% of the Trustees if the holders choose to do so, and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any person or persons to the Board.
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Description of the Trust
Under Delaware law, shareholders of a statutory trust shall have the same limitation of personal liability that is extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in the trusts governing instrument. The Trusts Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the Declaration of Trust) provides that shareholders shall not be personally liable to any person in connection with any and all property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, that at such time is owned or held by or for the account of a particular series. Moreover, the Declaration of Trust expressly provides that the shareholders shall have the same limitation of personal liability that is extended to shareholders of a private corporation for profit incorporated in the State of Delaware.
The Declaration of Trust provides that no Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust or any series of the Trust shall be subject in such capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to any person, unless, as to liability to the Trust or its shareholders, the Trustees engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their offices.
The Trust shall continue without limitation of time subject to the provisions in the Declaration of Trust concerning termination by action of the Trustees, and without any vote of the Trusts shareholders, except as may be required under the 1940 Act.
Trust Matters
The Trust reserves the right to create and issue a number of series shares, in which case the shares of each series would participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets of the particular series and would vote separately to approve investment advisory agreements or changes in fundamental investment policies, but shares of all series would vote together in the election or selection of Trustees and on any other matters as may be required by applicable law.
Upon liquidation of the Trust or any series, shareholders of the affected series would be entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of their respective series available for distribution to such shareholders
Shareholder Approval
Other than elections of Trustees, which is by plurality, any matter for which shareholder approval is required by the 1940 Act requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds or the Trust at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such approval. For other matters, generally an affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such matter (assuming a quorum is present) shall be required for approval of such matter.
Information for Shareholders
All shareholder inquiries regarding administrative procedures, including the purchase and redemption of shares, should be directed to the Distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co., One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. For assistance, call (855) 799-4757 or visit the Funds website at www.impactetfs.org.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
A person who beneficially owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of the Funds or acknowledges the existence of such control may be presumed to control the Funds. A control person could potentially control the outcome of any proposal submitted to the shareholders for approval, including changes to the Funds fundamental policies or terms of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser. The Trust does not have information concerning the beneficial ownership of shares nominally held by DTC. [As of [ ], no person owned of record or beneficially 25% or more of any of the Funds.]
A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of any class of outstanding shares of the Funds. The Trust does not have information concerning the beneficial ownership of shares nominally held by DTC. [As of [ ], no persons owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of any of the Funds.]
[As of [ ], the Trustees and officers of the each Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the relevant Fund.]
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
The Funds issue and redeem shares only in aggregations of Creation Units. A Creation Unit is comprised of 50,000 shares. The value of a Creation Unit at the Funds inception was $1,000,000.
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The Board reserves the right to declare a split or a consolidation in the number of shares outstanding of the Funds, and may make a corresponding change in the number of shares constituting a Creation Unit, in the event that the per shares price in the secondary market rises (or declines) to an amount that falls outside the range deemed desirable by the Board.
Purchase and Issuance of Creation Units. The Funds issue and sell shares only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at their NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined herein), of a purchase order in proper form. A Business Day with respect to the Funds is any day on which the Exchange is open for business. Creation Units of shares may be purchased only by or through a DTC Participant that has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Distributor. Such Authorized Participant will agree pursuant to the terms of such Authorized Participant Agreement on behalf of itself or any investor on whose behalf it will act, as the case may be, to certain conditions, including that such Authorized Participant will make available an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Balancing Amount (as defined below) if required and the Transaction Fee described in the Prospectus. The Authorized Participant may require the investor to enter into an agreement with such Authorized Participant with respect to certain matters, including payment of the Balancing Amount. Investors who are not Authorized Participants must make appropriate arrangements with an Authorized Participant. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not be a DTC Participant or may not have executed an Authorized Participant Agreement, and that therefore orders to purchase Creation Units of shares may have to be placed by the investors broker through an Authorized Participant. As a result, purchase orders placed through an Authorized Participant may result in additional charges to such investor. The Funds expect to enter into Authorized Participant Agreements with only a small number of DTC Participants.
As described below, at the discretion of the Adviser, the Funds may, at times, only accept in-kind purchase orders from Authorized Participants.
Creation Deposit. The consideration for purchase of a Creation Unit of shares of the Funds can consist of cash only (including the appropriate Transaction Fee). However, the Funds may permit or require the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities (Deposit Securities) constituting a representative sample of the Underlying Index, along with the Balancing Amount and the appropriate Transaction Fee (collectively, the Creation Deposit) as consideration for the purchase of a Creation Unit. The Balancing Amount will be the amount equal to the differential, if any, between the total aggregate market value of the Deposit Securities and the NAV of the Creation Units being purchased and will be paid to, or received from, the Trust after the NAV has been calculated. The Adviser may restrict purchases of Creation Units to be on an in-kind basis at any time and without prior notice, in all cases at the Advisers discretion.
The Custodian, using information provided by the Administrator, makes available through the NSCC on each Business Day, either immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange or the night before, the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the current Creation Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day). Such Creation Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect purchases of Creation Units of shares the Funds until such time as the next-announced Creation Deposit composition is made available. The Custodian, using information provided by the Administrator, will also make available through the NSCC on each Business Day information about the previous days Balancing Amount.
The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Creation Deposit for the Funds changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by the Adviser with a view to the investment objective of the Funds. The composition of the Deposit Securities may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the securities constituting the relevant securities index. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (i.e., a cash in lieu amount) to be added to the Balancing Amount to replace any Deposit Security or Deposit Securities which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or for other similar reasons. The adjustments described above will reflect changes, known to the Adviser on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Creation Deposit, in the composition of the subject index being tracked by the Funds, or resulting from stock splits and other corporate actions.
In addition to the list of names and numbers of securities constituting the current Deposit Securities of a Creation Deposit, on each Business Day, the Balancing Amount effective through and including the previous Business Day, per outstanding share of the Funds, will be made available.
Shares may be issued in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a greater value than the NAV of the shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since, in addition to the available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Balancing Amount, plus (ii) 105% of the market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the Additional Cash Deposit). An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to 115% of the daily mark-to-market
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value of the missing Deposit Securities. The Participation Agreement will permit the Trust to buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Distributor plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a Transaction Fee, as listed below, will be charged in all cases. The delivery of shares so purchased will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.
All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trusts determination shall be final and binding.
Cash Purchase Amount
Creation Units of all Funds may, at the discretion of the Adviser, be sold for cash (the Cash Purchase Amount). Creation Units are sold at their NAV plus a Transaction Fee, as described below. The Advisor may also restrict purchases of Creation Units to be on a cash-only basis at any time and without prior notice, in all cases at the Advisors discretion.
Purchase Cut-Off Times
An Authorized Participant may place an order to purchase (or redeem) Creation Units (i) through the Continuous Net Settlement clearing processes of NSCC as such processes have been enhanced to effect purchases (and redemptions) of Creation Units, such processes being referred to herein as the Clearing Process, or (ii) outside the Clearing Process. Purchase orders placed through the Clearing Process, as well as purchase orders placed outside the Clearing Process, must be received by 4:00 pm, Eastern Time in order to receive that days closing NAV per share, as set forth in the table below. In all cases purchase/redeem procedures are at the discretion of the Adviser and may be changed without notice.
Fund |
Creation Cut-Off Time (Eastern Time) |
|
Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF |
4:00 p.m. in order to receive that days closing NAV per Share | |
Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF |
4:00 p.m. in order to receive that days closing NAV per Share | |
Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF |
4:00 p.m. in order to receive that days closing NAV per Share |
Purchases through and outside the Clearing Process. To purchase or redeem through the Clearing Process, an Authorized Participant must be a member of NSCC that is eligible to use the Continuous Net Settlement system. For purchase orders placed through the Clearing Process, the Authorized Participant Agreement authorizes the Distributor to transmit through the Funds transfer agent (the Transfer Agent) to NSCC, on behalf of an Authorized Participant, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Authorized Participants purchase order. Pursuant to such trade instructions to NSCC, the Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the requisite deposit securities and the Balancing Amount to the Trust, together with the Transaction Fee and such additional information as may be required by the Distributor.
An Authorized Participant that wishes to place an order to purchase Creation Units outside the Clearing Process must state that it is not using the Clearing Process and that the purchase instead will be effected through a transfer of securities and cash directly through DTC. Purchases (and redemptions) of Creation Units settled outside the Clearing Process will be subject to a higher Transaction Fee than those settled through the Clearing Process. The Creation Deposit transfer must be ordered on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of the Funds by no later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time of the next Business Day immediately following such Transmittal Date. The cash equal to the Cash Amount must be transferred directly to the Funds through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Funds no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer.
Rejection of Purchase Orders. The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject a purchase order transmitted to it by the Distributor in respect to the Funds if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the purchaser or group of purchasers, upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of the Funds; (c) the deposit securities delivered are not as specified by the Adviser and the Adviser has not consented to acceptance of an in-kind deposit that varies from the designated deposit securities; (d) acceptance of the purchase transaction order would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Funds; (e) the acceptance of the purchase transaction order would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the purchase order transaction would
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otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; (g) the value of a Cash Purchase Amount, or the value of the Balancing Amount to accompany an in-kind deposit, exceeds a purchase authorization limit extended to an Authorized Participant by the custodian and the Authorized Participant has not deposited an amount in excess of such purchase authorization with the custodian prior to the relevant cut-off time for the Funds on the Transmittal Date; or (h) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Distributor and the Adviser make it impractical to process purchase orders. The Trust shall notify a prospective purchaser of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of purchase transaction orders nor shall either of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification. Redemption of Creation Units. Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Distributor on any Business Day. The Trust will not redeem shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Beneficial owners also may sell shares in the secondary market, but must accumulate enough shares to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit of shares. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.
The Custodian, using information provided by the Administrator, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the Exchange on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form on that day. Fund securities received in redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Units. Redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit generally consist of cash; however, the Funds also reserve the right to make the redemptions entirely or partly in the announced Fund securities plus or minus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Fund securities, less a redemption transaction fee.
Redemptions of shares for Fund securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws, and the Funds reserve the right to redeem Creation Units for cash if the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. This would specifically prohibit delivery of Fund securities that are not registered in reliance upon Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a redeeming investor that is not a qualified institutional buyer, as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming beneficial owner of the shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment.
The Funds, however, may suspend the right of redemption and postpone payment for more than seven days: (i) during periods when trading on the Exchange is closed on days other than weekdays or holidays; (ii) during periods when trading on the Exchange is restricted; (iii) during any emergency which makes it impractical for the Funds to dispose of its securities or fairly determine the NAV of the Funds; and (iv) during any other period permitted by the SEC for your protection.
Redemption Cut-Off Times
An Authorized Participant may place an order to redeem Creation Units (i) through the Clearing Process, or (ii) outside the Clearing Process. Redemption orders placed through the Clearing Process, as well as redemption orders placed outside the Clearing Process, must be received by 4:00 pm, Eastern Time in order to receive that days closing NAV per share, as set forth in the table below. In all cases purchase/redeem procedures are at this discretion of the Advisor and may be changed without notice.
Fund |
Redemption Cut-Off Time (Eastern Time) |
|
Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF |
4:00 p.m. in order to receive that days closing NAV per Share |
|
Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF |
4:00 p.m. in order to receive that days closing NAV per Share |
|
Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF |
4:00 p.m. in order to receive that days closing NAV per Share |
Placement of Redemption Orders using the Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Units of the Funds through the Clearing Process must be delivered through an Authorized Participant that is a member of NSCC that is eligible to use the Continuous Net Settlement System. A redemption order must be received by the cut-off times set forth in Redemption Cut-Off Times above. All other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement must be followed in order for you to receive the NAV determined on that day. The requisite cash or Fund securities and the Balancing Amount will be transferred by the third NSCC Business Day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.
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Placement of Redemption Orders Outside the Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Units of the Funds outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order for redemption of Creation Units of the Funds to be effected outside the Clearing Process need not be a participating party under the Authorized Participant Agreement, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that redemption of Creation Units will instead be effected through transfer of Shares directly through DTC. A redemption order must be received by the cut-off times set forth in Redemption Cut-Off Times above. The order must be accompanied by the requisite number of shares of the Funds specified in such order, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Custodian no later than 11:00am Eastern Time on the next Business Day immediately following such Transmittal Date (DTC Cut-Off Time). All other procedures set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement must be properly followed. After the Transfer Agent has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the Transfer Agent will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite cash and, if applicable, Fund securities, which are expected to be delivered within three Business Days following the Transmittal Date on which such redemption order is deemed received by the Transfer Agent.
Transaction Fees. Authorized Participants are charged standard creation and redemption transaction fees (Transaction Fees) to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units. There is a fixed and a variable component to the total Transaction Fee. A fixed Transaction Fee of $500 is applicable to each creation or redemption transaction, regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased or redeemed. Creations and redemptions are also subject to an additional variable charge of up to 1% of the net asset value per Creation Unit, inclusive of the standard transaction fee, for (i) in-kind creations or redemptions effected outside the normal Clearing Process, (ii) in whole or partial cash creations, (iii) in whole or partial cash redemptions or (iv) non-standard orders. The variable component is primarily designed to cover non-standard charges, e.g., brokerage, taxes, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction. In all cases, the Transaction Fee will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the SEC applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. The Fund may determine not to charge the variable portion of a Transaction Fee on certain orders when Impact Shares has determined that doing so is in the best interests of Fund shareholders, e.g., for redemption orders that facilitate the rebalance of the Funds portfolio in a more tax efficient manner than could be achieved without such order. The variable portion of a Transaction Fee may be higher or lower than the trading expenses incurred by a Fund with respect to the transaction. In addition, purchasers of shares in Creation Units are responsible for payment of the costs of transferring securities to the Fund and redeemers of shares in Creation Units are responsible for the costs of transferring securities from the Fund. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary may pay fees for such services.
Continuous Offering. The method by which Creation Units of shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of shares are issued and sold by the Funds on an ongoing basis, at any point a distribution, as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act. For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent shares and sells some or all of the shares comprising such Creation Units directly to its customers; or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for shares. A determination of whether a person is an underwriter for the purposes of the Securities Act depends upon all the facts and circumstances pertaining to that persons activities. Thus, the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter. Broker-dealer firms should note that dealers who are not underwriters but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary market transaction), and thus dealing with shares that are part of an unsold allotment within the meaning of section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by section 4(3) of the Securities Act. Firms that incur a prospectus-delivery obligation with respect to shares are reminded that under Securities Act Rule 153 a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to a national securities exchange member in connection with a sale on the national securities exchange is satisfied by the fact that the Funds Prospectus is available at the national securities exchange on which the shares of the Funds trade upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on a national securities exchange and not with respect to upstairs transactions.
The following discussion is a summary of some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to an investment in a Fund. Your investment may have other tax implications. The discussion reflects provisions of the Code, existing Treasury regulations, rulings published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and other applicable authorities, as of the date of this SAI. These authorities may be changed, possibly with retroactive effect, or subject to new legislative, administrative or judicial interpretations. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax law concerns affecting each Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning large positions in a Fund), and the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor about foreign, federal, state, local or other tax laws applicable to you
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Taxation of the Funds
Each Fund intends to elect to be treated and intends each year to qualify and to be eligible to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, a Fund must, among other things:
(a) derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (as described below);
(b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Funds taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Funds total assets consists of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to a value not greater than 5% of the value of the Funds total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Funds total assets is invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, (x) in the securities (other than those of the U.S. government or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (y) in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (as described below); and
(c) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paidgenerally taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and net tax-exempt income, for such year.
In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in (a) above, income derived from a 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 RIC. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (generally, a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income sources described in paragraph (a)(i) above) will be treated as qualifying income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes because they meet the passive income requirement under Code Section 7704(c)(2). In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership. Certain ETFs and certain master limited partnerships (MLPs) in which a Fund may invest may qualify as qualified publicly traded partnerships.
For purposes of meeting the diversification requirement described in (b) above, the term outstanding voting securities of such issuer will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. Also, for purposes of the diversification requirement described in (b) above, the identification of the issuer (or, in some cases, issuers) of a particular Fund investment can depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to issuer identification for a particular type of investment may adversely affect a Funds ability to meet the diversification test in (b) above.
If a Fund qualifies as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment, the Funds will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income or gains distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, as defined below).
If a Fund were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution test (described respectively in (a), (b) and (c) above), the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax, paying interest, making additional distributions or disposing of certain assets. If a Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any taxable year, or if a Fund were otherwise to fail to qualify as a RIC accorded special tax treatment for such year, the Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long- term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Some portions of such distributions might be eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and to be treated as qualified dividend income and thus taxable at the lower net capital gain rate in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals, provided in both cases, the shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements in respect of such Funds shares (as described below). In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.
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Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and may distribute its net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, in each case determined with reference to any loss carryforwards). Any investment company taxable income retained by a Fund will be subject to Fund-level tax at regular corporate rates. A Fund may also retain for investment its net capital gain. If a Fund retains any net capital gain, it will be subject to Fund-level tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a timely notice to its shareholders who would then, in turn, be (i) 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) 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 on a properly-filed U.S. tax return to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If a Fund makes this designation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund would be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholders gross income under clause (i) of the preceding sentence and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. A Fund is not required to, and there can be no assurance the Fund will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.
In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend (defined below), its taxable income and its earnings and profits, a Fund 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 any such portion of the taxable year) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, the sum of its (i) net ordinary loss, if any, from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31, and its (ii) other net ordinary loss, if any, attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.
If a Fund were to fail to distribute in a calendar year at least an amount equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for such year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 of such year, plus any such amounts retained from the prior year, the Fund would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. For purposes of the required excise tax distribution, a Funds ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property that would otherwise be taken into account after October 31 of a calendar year generally are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Also for these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it has been subject to corporate income tax in the taxable year ending within the calendar year. Each Fund intends generally to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. In that event, such Fund will be liable for the excise tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.
A dividend paid to shareholders in January of a year generally is deemed to have been paid by a Fund on December 31 of the preceding year, if the dividend was declared and payable to shareholders of record on a date in October, November or December of that preceding year. Capital losses in excess of capital gains (net capital losses) are not permitted to be deducted against a Funds net investment income. Instead, subject to certain limitations, a Fund may carry net capital losses forward to subsequent taxable years to offset capital gains, if any, realized during such subsequent taxable year. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether a Fund retains or distributes such gains. Carryforward losses may be carried forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration. Any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. A Funds ability to use net capital losses to offset gains may be limited as a result of certain (i) acquisitive reorganizations and (ii) shifts in the ownership of such Fund by a shareholder owning or treated as owning 5% or more of the stock of such Fund. Each Funds available capital loss carryforwards will be set forth in its annual shareholder report for each fiscal year.
Funds Distributions
Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from gains earned by a Fund before a shareholders investment (and thus were included in the price the shareholder paid). Distributions are taxable whether shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares pursuant to DTCs Dividend Reinvestment Service (see Dividends and Other Distributions in the Funds Prospectus).
Each Fund (or broker or other financial intermediary through which you own your shares) will send you information after the end of each calendar year setting forth the amount and tax status of any distributions paid to you by the Fund. Ordinary income dividends and Capital Gain Dividends (defined below) may also be subject to state, local or other taxes.
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For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long a Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her shares. In general, a Fund will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less. Distributions of net capital gain that are properly reported by a Fund as capital gain dividends (Capital Gain Dividends) will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains includible in net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates. Distributions of net short-term capital gain (as reduced by any net long-term capital loss for the taxable year) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the rates applicable to net capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund level.
In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be qualified dividend income, a Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Funds shares. In general, a dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Funds or shareholder level) (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company.
In general, distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder taxed as an individual, provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Funds shares. If the aggregate dividends received by a Fund during any taxable year are 95% or more of its gross income (excluding long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), then 100% of such Funds dividends (other than dividends properly reported as Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. The Funds do not expect a significant portion of their distributions to be eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income.
Any distribution of income attributable to qualified real estate investment trust (REIT) dividends or qualified publicly traded partnership income from a Funds investment in a REIT or qualified publicly traded partnership, as applicable, will not qualify for the deduction that would be available to a non-corporate shareholder were the shareholder to own such REIT or qualified publicly traded partnership directly.
Dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders of a Fund generally will qualify for the dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent of the amount of eligible dividends received by such Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. A dividend received by a Fund will not be treated as a dividend eligible for the dividends-received deduction (1) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that a Fund have held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (2) to the extent that the Funds are under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction may otherwise be disallowed or reduced (1) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the applicable Fund or (2) by application of the Code (for instance, the dividends-received deduction is reduced in the case of a dividend received on debt-financed portfolio stock (generally, stock acquired with borrowed funds)).
If a Fund receives dividends from another investment company that qualifies as a RIC and the investment company reports such dividends as qualified dividend income or as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, then such Fund is permitted in turn to report a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income or as eligible for the dividends received deduction, as applicable, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the investment company.
A Funds dividends representing distributions of interest income and capital gains or distributions from entities that are not corporations for U.S. tax purposes will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders. In addition, any distribution of income that is attributable to (i) income received by a Fund in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction or (ii) dividend income received by a Fund on securities it temporarily purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a loan by the Fund, will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.
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The Code generally imposes a Medicare contribution tax of 3.8% on the net investment income of certain individuals, estates and trusts to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Net investment income generally includes for this purpose, among other things, (i) distributions paid by a Fund, including any capital gain dividends, and (ii) net gain recognized on the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of shares of a Fund. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisers regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in a Fund.
Return of Capital Distributions
If a Fund makes a distribution to a shareholder in excess of such Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of such shareholders tax basis in its shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholders tax basis in its shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of its shares.
Dividends and distributions on a Funds shares are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Funds realized income and gains, even though such dividends and distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholders investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when a Funds net asset value reflects either unrealized gains or realized but undistributed income or gains that were therefore included in the price that the shareholder paid. Such distributions may reduce the fair market value of a Funds shares below the shareholders cost basis in those shares. As described above, each Fund is required to distribute realized income and gains regardless of whether such Funds net asset value also reflects unrealized losses.
Tax Implications of Certain Fund Investments
In general, option premiums received by a Fund are not immediately included in the income of the Fund. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the Fund transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If a call option written by a Fund is exercised and the Fund sells or delivers the underlying stock, the Fund generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) the sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the Fund minus (b) the Funds basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the Fund generally will subtract the premium received for purposes of computing its cost basis in the securities purchased. Gain or loss arising in respect of a termination of a Funds obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the Fund is greater or less than the amount paid by the Fund (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.
Certain covered call writing activities of a Fund may trigger the U.S. federal income tax straddle rules contained primarily in Section 1092 of the Code. Very generally, where applicable, Section 1092 requires (i) that losses be deferred on positions deemed to be offsetting positions with respect to substantially similar or related property, to the extent of unrealized gain in the latter, and (ii) that the holding period of such a straddle position that has not already been held for the long-term holding period be terminated and begin anew once the position is no longer part of a straddle. Options on single stocks that are not deep in the money may constitute qualified covered calls, which generally are not subject to the straddle rules; the holding period on stock underlying qualified covered calls that are in the money although not deep in the money will be suspended during the period that such calls are outstanding. Thus, the straddle rules and the rules governing qualified covered calls could cause gains that would otherwise constitute long-term capital gains to be treated as short-term capital gains, and distributions that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income or qualify for the dividends-received deduction to fail to satisfy the holding period requirements and therefore to be taxed as ordinary income or to fail to qualify for the dividends-received deduction, as the case may be.
In general, 40% of the gain or loss arising from the closing out of a futures contract traded on an exchange approved by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission is treated as short-term gain or loss, and 60% is treated as long-term gain or loss, although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, such contracts held by a Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are marked to market with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable.
A Funds investment in swaps, if any, will generate ordinary income and losses for federal income tax purposes. A Funds investments in futures and swaps may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make the distributions necessary to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a regulated investment company and avoid a Fund-level tax. A Fund may therefore need to liquidate other investments, including when it is not advantageous to do so, to meet its distribution requirement. A Fund is not permitted to carry forward any net ordinary losses it realizes in a taxable year to offset ordinary income it realizes in subsequent taxable years.
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In addition to the special rules described above in respect of options, futures transactions and swaps, a Funds derivative transactions, including transactions in options, futures contracts, straddles, securities loan and other similar transactions, including for hedging purposes, will be subject to special tax rules (including constructive sale, mark-to-market, straddle, wash sale, and 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 Funds securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains, short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses, or capital gains into ordinary income. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. A Fund may make any applicable elections pertaining to such transactions consistent with the interests of the Fund.
Because these and other tax rules applicable to these types of transactions are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a Fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid a Fund-level tax.
If a Fund participates in a short sale and, on the date of such short sale, the Fund either (i) does not hold securities substantially identical to those sold short or (ii) has held such substantially identical securities for one year or less, the character of gain or loss realized on such a short sale generally will be short-term. If a Fund participates in a short sale and, on the date of such short sale, the Fund has held substantially identical securities for more than one year, the character of gain realized on such short sale will be determined by reference to the Funds holding period in the property actually used to close the short sale; the character of loss realized on such short sale generally will be long term, regardless of the holding period of the securities actually used to close such short sale. Because net short- term capital gain (after reduction by any long-term capital loss) is generally taxed at ordinary income rates, a Funds short sale transactions can increase the percentage of the Funds gains that are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.
A Funds investments in shares of another ETF, a mutual fund or another company that qualifies as a RIC (each, an investment company) can cause the Fund to be required to distribute greater amounts of net investment income or net capital gain than the Fund would have distributed had it invested directly in the securities held by the investment company, rather than in shares of the investment company. Further, the amount or timing of distributions from a Fund qualifying for treatment as a particular character (e.g., long-term capital gain, eligibility for dividends-received deduction, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment company.
Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that are acquired by a Fund will be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount (OID) is treated as interest income and is included in a Funds income (and required to be distributed by the Fund) over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security.
Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are acquired by a Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligation issued with OID, its revised issue price) over the purchase price of such obligation. Subject to the discussion below regarding Section 451 of the Code, (i) generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the accrued market discount on such debt security, (ii) alternatively, a Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though the payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security, and (iii) the rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in the Funds income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods a Fund elects. Notwithstanding the foregoing, effective for taxable years beginning after 2017, Section 451 of the Code generally requires any accrual method taxpayer to take into account items of gross income no later than the time at which such items are taken into account as revenue in the taxpayers financial statements. The application of Section 451 to the accrual of market discount is currently unclear. If Section 451 applies to the accrual of market discount, a Fund must include in income any market discount as it takes the same into account on its financial statements.
Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance may be treated as having OID or acquisition discount (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price). Generally, a Fund will be required to include the OID or acquisition discount in income (as ordinary income) over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which OID or acquisition discount accrues, and thus is included in a Funds income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Funds elect.
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Some preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer the payment of distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. If a Fund owns a preferred security that is deferring the payment of its distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of any such deferred distribution even though the Fund has not yet actually received the cash distribution.
If a Fund holds the foregoing kinds of obligations, or other obligations subject to special rules under the Code, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Funds actually received.
Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or, if necessary, by liquidation of portfolio securities (including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so). The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event a Fund realizes net long-term or short-term capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger Capital Gain Dividend or ordinary dividend, respectively, than they would in the absence of such transactions.
Investments in high-yield debt obligations (known as junk) or other distressed debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for a Fund investing in or holding such securities. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether or to what extent a Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, when the Funds may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent a Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a Fund as necessary, in order to seek to ensure that it distribute sufficient income to preserve its eligibility for treatment as a RIC and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
A portion of the OID paid or accrued on certain high-yield discount obligations owned by a Fund may not be deductible to the issuer and will instead be treated as a dividend paid by the issuer for purposes of the dividends-received deduction. 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 deemed dividend portion of such OID.
Very generally, where 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 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, the Fund is permitted to deduct any remaining premium allocable to a prior period.
A Fund may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs) (including by investing in residual interests in collateralized mortgage obligations with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (TMPs). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively, a portion of a Funds income (including income allocated to a Fund from a 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 RIC will be allocated to shareholders of the RIC 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, a Fund investing in such interests may not be a suitable investment for charitable remainder trusts. See 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 other tax-exempt entity) 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 non-U.S. shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the Code.
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Any transactions by a Fund in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations or certain foreign currency options, futures contracts or forward contracts (or similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Such ordinary income treatment may accelerate Fund distributions to shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any net ordinary losses so created cannot be carried forward by a Fund to offset income or gains earned in subsequent years.
Any equity investments by a Fund in certain passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) could potentially subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the PFIC or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the PFIC. This tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, a Fund may elect to avoid the imposition of that tax. For example, a Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a qualified electing fund (i.e., make a QEF election), in which case such Fund will be required to include its share of the PFICs income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC. A Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings to the market as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Funds taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed by the Funds to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require a Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect a Funds total return. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. 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.
A Funds income from or its gains or proceeds in respect of the disposition of its investments in foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. These withholding and other taxes will decrease a Funds yield on the securities subject to such taxes. Tax treaties between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes.
In addition, certain of a Funds derivatives transactions and investments in foreign currency-denominated debt instruments as well as any of a Funds transactions in foreign currencies or its hedging activities are likely to produce a difference between a Funds book income and the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any). If a Funds book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income (including net realized capital gains) 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 Funds 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 recipients basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If a Funds book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.
Backup Withholding
Each Fund (or a broker or other financial intermediary through which shares are held) generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund (or intermediary) with a correct taxpayer identification number (TIN), who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund (or intermediary) that he or she is not subject to such withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.
Sale or Exchange of Fund Shares
The sale or exchange of Fund shares may give rise to a gain or loss to the shareholder. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any Capital Gain Dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to those shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares will be disallowed under the wash-sale rule of the Code if other substantially identical shares of the Funds are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
Shareholders may be entitled to offset their Capital Gain Dividends with capital loss from other sources. The Code contains a number of statutory provisions affecting the circumstances under which capital loss may be offset against capital gain and limiting the use of loss from certain investments and activities. Accordingly, shareholders that have capital losses are urged to consult their tax advisers.
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Upon the exchange of Fund shares, the applicable Fund or, in the case of shares purchased through an intermediary, the intermediary may be required to provide you and the IRS with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund shares you exchanged. See the Prospectus for more information.
Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations
Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct holders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Non-U.S. Shareholders;
Distributions by a Fund to shareholders that are not U.S. persons within the meaning of the Code (foreign shareholders) properly reported by the Fund as (1) Capital Gain Dividends, (2) short-term capital gain dividends, and (3) interest-related dividends, each as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, generally will not be 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 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 (USRPI) as described below. The exception to withholding for interest-related dividends does not apply to distributions to a foreign shareholder that (A) 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. A Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as interest-related 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 an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders. 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, and interest-related dividends (e.g., dividends attributable to dividend and foreign-source interest income or to short-term capital gains or U.S. source interest income to which the exception from withholding described above does not apply) are generally subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate). Foreign shareholders should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.
A foreign shareholder is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of a Fund unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of USRPIs apply to the foreign shareholders sale of shares of the Fund (as described below).
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 the Funds 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 advisers.
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Special rules apply to distributions to certain foreign shareholders from a RIC that is a qualified investment entity (QIE) because it is either a U.S. real property holding corporation (USRPHC) or former USRPHC or would be a USRPHC absent certain exclusions from the definition of USRPIs. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs USRPIs are defined generally as any interest in U.S. real property or any equity interest in a USRPHC or former USRPHC the fair market value of which, during specified testing periods, equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporations USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States and other assets. Neither Fund generally expects that it will be a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of the special exceptions referred to above, and thus does not expect these special tax rules to apply. In order to qualify for any exemption from withholding described above (to the extent applicable) or for lower withholding tax rates under applicable income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from backup withholding, a foreign shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or substitute form). Foreign shareholders should contact their tax advisers in this regard.
A foreign shareholder may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the U.S. federal tax on income referred to above.
Tax-Exempt Shareholders
Under current law, a RIC 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 RIC if shares in that RIC constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b).
A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a RIC recognizes excess inclusion income derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICS or equity interests in TMPs if the amount of such income recognized by the RIC exceeds the RICs investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the RIC).
In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) that invest in RICs 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 any 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 as a result of investing in a RIC to the extent 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 the RIC and that RIC recognizes excess inclusion income, then the RIC 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 federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, a RIC may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholders distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholders interest in the RIC.
CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisers concerning the consequences of investing in the Funds.
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 Funds foreign financial accounts, if any, on FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). Shareholders should consult a tax adviser, and persons investing in a 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 and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, FATCA) generally require the Funds to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of their shareholders under FATCA or under an applicable intergovernmental agreement (an IGA) between the United States and a foreign government. If a shareholder fails to provide the requested information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA or an IGA, a Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on ordinary dividends it pays and 30% of the gross proceeds of redemptions or exchanges
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of Fund shares and certain Capital Gain Dividends it pays on or after January 1, 2019. If a payment by a Fund is subject to FATCA withholding, the Fund or its agent 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, short-term capital gain dividends and interest- related dividends).
Each prospective investor is urged to consult its tax adviser regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investors own situation. Persons investing in a Fund through an intermediary should contact their intermediary regarding the application of this reporting and withholding regime to their investments in the Fund.
Creation and Redemption of Creation Units
An Authorized Participant that purchases Creation Units in exchange for cash, portfolio securities or a combination thereof is generally expected to recognize a gain or a loss on the exchange. The gain or loss generally will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the sum of the cash paid by the Authorized Participant and the Authorized Participants aggregate basis in any securities surrendered by the Authorized Participant. An Authorized Participant that redeems Creation Units for cash and/or portfolio securities generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the Authorized Participants basis in the Creation Units surrendered and the sum of the cash received by the Authorized Participant and the aggregate market value of any securities received by the Authorized Participant. In certain cases, however, the IRS may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing wash sales, or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Authorized Participants exchanging securities should consult their own tax adviser with respect to whether or when a loss might be deductible.
Gain or loss recognized by an Authorized Participant upon a purchase of Creation Units in exchange for Component Securities may be capital or ordinary gain or loss depending on the circumstances. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a purchase of Creation Units in exchange for Component Securities generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a redemption of Creation Units generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such capital gain or loss generally will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Authorized Participants should consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax treatment to them of any creation or redemption transaction.
Substantial Share Purchases by Authorized Participants
A Fund has the right to reject an order for a purchase of shares of the Fund if the purchaser (or group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Code, the Funds would have a basis in the securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. Each Fund also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.
Shares Purchased Through Tax Qualified Plans
Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans or tax-advantaged arrangements. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of a Fund as an investment through such plans and arrangements and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.
General Considerations
The U.S. federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general information only. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisers regarding the specific U.S. federal tax consequences of purchasing, holding, and disposing of shares of the Funds, as well as the effects of state, local, foreign and other tax law and any proposed tax law changes.
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The Funds audited financial statements, including the notes thereto and the reports thereon of [ ], the Funds Independent registered Public Accounting Firm, included in the Funds annual shareholder report for the year ended June 30, 2019 (the 2019 Annual Report) are incorporated by reference into this SAI. No other parts of the 2019 Annual Report are incorporated by reference.
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IMPACT SHARES, CORP.
PROXY VOTING POLICY
Proxy Voting and Class Actions
Background
Rule 206(4)-6 under Advisers Act requires each registered investment adviser that exercises proxy voting authority with respect to Client Securities to do the following:
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Adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that Impact Shares votes Client Securities in the Clients best interests. Such policies and procedures must address the manner in which Impact Shares will resolve material conflicts of interest that can arise during the proxy voting process. |
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Disclose to Clients how they may obtain information from Impact Shares about how Impact Shares voted with respect to their Securities. |
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Describe to Clients Impact Shares proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon request, furnish a copy of the policies and procedures. |
Risks
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Impact Shares would violate its fiduciary duty to clients if it failed to properly develop proxy voting policies and procedures. |
Policy
General
Impact Shares exercises proxy voting authority on behalf of Clients. It is Impact Shares policy generally to vote against any management proposals that Impact Shares believes could prevent companies from realizing their maximum market value or would insulate companies and/or management from accountability to shareholders or prudent regulatory compliance.
Impact Shares has retained Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) to provide proxy voting services. Impact Shares proxy voting guidelines have been provided to ISS for purposes of rendering those services.
Impact Shares may refrain from voting proxies at its discretion.
Conflicts of Interest
Impact Shares must act as a fiduciary when voting proxies on behalf of its Clients. In that regard, Impact Shares seeks to avoid possible conflicts of interest in connection with proxy voting. Examples of a conflict of interest include:
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Impact Shares provides investment advice to an officer or director of an issuer. Impact Shares receives a proxy solicitation from that issuer or from a competitor of that issuer. |
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Impact Shares or an affiliate has a financial interest in the outcome of a proxy vote, such as when Impact Shares is asked to vote on a change in Rule 12b-1 fees paid by a mutual fund to investment advisers, including Impact Shares |
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An issuer or some other third party offers Impact Shares or an Employee compensation in exchange for voting a proxy in a particular way. |
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An Employee, or a member of an Employees household, has a personal or business relationship with an issuer. Impact Shares receives a proxy solicitation from that issuer. |
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Guidelines
Business Operations
Impact Shares generally will vote in favor of proposals that are a standard and necessary aspect of business operations and that Impact Shares believes will not typically have a significant negative effect on the value of the investment. Such proposals include, but are not limited to:
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Name changes; |
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Election of directors; |
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Ratification of auditors; |
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Maintaining current levels of directors indemnification and liability; |
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Increase in authorized shares (common stock only) if there is no intention to significantly dilute shareholders proportionate interest; and |
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Employee stock purchase or ownership plans. |
Change in Status and Other Matters
Proposals that change the status of the corporation, its individual securities, or the ownership status of the securities will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Changes in status include proposals regarding:
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Mergers, acquisitions, restructurings; |
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Reincorporation; and |
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Changes in capitalization. |
Impact Shares will typically vote against any proposal that has a negative impact on its investment.
Voting on Social Matters
Impact Shares mission is to facilitate positive corporate social behavior through alignment of capital with specific desired corporate social outcomes. Impact Shares may, at times, submit shareholder resolutions that further fund specific social outcomes and vote shares in line with those outcomes. In line with that mission Impact Shares believes that well-managed companies are attentive to social impacts, and take appropriate steps to measure, manage, and disclose policies, programs, and performance with respect to social impacts. Impact Shares will generally support proposals that request that companies undertake reasonable efforts to measure, manage, and report on their social impacts, including impacts throughout their supply chains. Corporations have a variety of impacts on society including, but not limited to, the following categories:
Diversity. Companies that have strong diversity policies and programs and those that disclose the performance and success of those programs are, we believe, less vulnerable to disruptions as a result of workplace strife, exceptional turnover, costly lawsuits and reputational damage.
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Impact Shares will generally vote in favor of proposals that request disclosure of a companys workforce diversity data, pay ratios by demographic categories and those that request that companies expand their equal employment opportunity statement to include sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. |
Gender Equality. Impact Shares believes that companies that take affirmative steps to attract, retain and promote women and to advance gender equality and womens empowerment in the workplace and beyond are better-managed companies.
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Impact Shares will generally vote in favor of proposals that request the adoption of board committee charter language that would require the company to consider female and/or minority candidates in every director search and those that seek increased disclosure of policies and program aimed at promoting gender equality and empowerment. |
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Human Rights. Impact Shares believes it is the responsibility of businesses to protect and uphold human rights in their own operations and throughout their supply chain. It is also critical for companies to manage human rights as failing to do so can result in costly legal and reputational risk.
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Repressive Regimes: Impact Shares will generally vote in favor of proposals that request that companies adopt policies regarding, or increase reporting around any involvement with, repressive regimes or conflict zones. |
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Human Trafficking: Impact Shares will generally vote in favor of proposals that request that companies adopt policies to prohibit human (labor and sex) trafficking or programs to educate employees and consumers about related risks. |
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Negative Images & Stereotyping: Impact Shares will generally vote in favor of proposals that request that companies develop policies governing the use of images of indigenous peoples, women or other identifiable groups in their advertising, brand, or mascots. |
Indigenous Peoples Welfare. Impact Shares believes a companys effectiveness in managing indigenous relations is an indicator of management quality. Failing to address indigenous relations issues when they arise can pose reputational, regulatory and financial risks to corporations.
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Impact Shares will generally vote in favor of proposals requesting that companies develop policies or programs to prevent or mitigate harm to indigenous peoples, or that request that companies report on their impacts to indigenous peoples. |
Labor Relations. Impact Shares believes that constructive labor management relations are an indicator of sound management and a sustainable business model.
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Impact Shares will generally vote in favor of proposals that request that companies adopt policies or codes of conduct that address employees rights to collective bargaining or other labor relations issues that protect employees rights. |
Product Safety and Integrity. Impact Shares believes that a companys failure to comply with regulatory requirements and problems associated with product safety or product promotion can have far-reaching, negative consequences for consumers and therefore can result in reputational and financial damage to the company. Product recalls, often as a result of product safety issues, in particular, can cause considerable harm to a companys revenues, reputation, profitability, publicity and brand integrity.
|
Impact Shares will generally vote in favor of proposals that request that companies take steps to improve product-related safety performance or report on product safety and integrity issues. These issues may include, but are not limited to, privacy & data security, toxicity, animal welfare, nanomaterials, and product recalls. |
Workplace Health and Safety. Impact Shares believes a companys commitment to workplace and employee safety is a key component of its overall sustainability profile. The costs of workplace accidents can grow quickly when factoring in workers compensation payments, legal expenses associated with litigation, regulatory penalties and compliance costs.
|
Impact Shares will generally vote in favor of proposals that request that companies adopt policies to address workplace health and safety and increase disclosure of workplace safety practices and performance. |
Community. Impact Shares believes that companies that are committed to having a positive impact on the communities in which they operate tend to be better-managed companies. Not only are these companies better able to avoid reputational and legal risks that can result from negative community relations positive community relations are often an indication of superior management.
|
Impact Shares will generally vote in favor of proposals that request that companies adopt policies or report on practices that govern community engagement. |
Other Issues
Impact Shares will vote on issues that are not covered in these Guidelines in accordance with the Principles outlined above.
Proxy Admin Procedures
In general, because Impact Shares will vote proxies according to the Proxy Administrators Proxy Voting Guidelines.
Impact Shares may determine that it is in the best interests of its Clients to depart from Proxy Administrators Proxy Voting Guidelines when voting a particular proxy. In this case, the CIO or
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Portfolio Manager will decide how to vote the proxy, providing the CCO with the reason for deviating from Proxy Administrators Proxy Voting Guidelines and identifying any known conflicts of interest. The CCO will also conduct a review to determine if there are any conflicts of interest related to the issuer. If no material conflicts of interest are identified, the CCO will direct the Proxy Administrator to vote the proxy as recommended by the CIO or Portfolio Manager. If a material conflict of interest is identified, deviation from the Proxy Administrators recommendation will not be permitted.
Class Actions
Impact Shares standard advisory contract authorizes Impact Shares to direct Client participation in class actions. Impact Shares shall determine appropriate participation in any class action.
Impact Shares generally does not file class actions for accounts or funds which have been closed. Additionally, Impact Shares usually does not serve as the lead plaintiff in class actions because the costs of such participation typically exceed any extra benefits that accrue to lead plaintiffs.
Proxy Admin
|
The Chief Compliance Officer directs the Proxy Administrator to vote Client proxies according to their Proxy Voting Guidelines. Any deviations from these recommendations must be approved in writing by the CCO. |
|
Any proxy that potentially involves other conflicts of interest must be escalated to the Chief Compliance Officer for review and determination of any further actions that may be appropriate. |
|
Where the Chief Compliance Officer determines there is a potential for a material conflict of interest regarding a proxy, the Chief Compliance Officer will consult with the portfolio manager and a determination will be made as to whether one or more of the following steps will be taken: (i) inform Clients of the material conflict and Impact Shares voting decision; (ii) discuss the proxy vote with Clients; (iii) fully disclose the material facts regarding the conflict and seek the Clients consent to vote the proxy as intended; and/or (iv) seek the recommendations of an independent third party. |
The Chief Compliance Officer will document the steps taken to evidence that the proxy vote was in the best interest of Clients and not the product of any material conflict. Such documentation will be maintained in accordance with required recordkeeping procedures.
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PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28 |
Exhibits | |||
(a) | (1) | Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Registrant, dated as of January 31, 2018, is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 333-221764, filed on March 20, 2018. | ||
(2)(i) | Certificate of Designation dated January 31, 2018 for Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 333-221764, filed on March 20, 2018. | |||
(2)(ii) | Certificate of Designation dated January 31, 2018 for Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 333-221764, filed on March 20, 2018. | |||
(2)(iii) | Certificate of Designation dated August 28, 2018 for Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 333-221764, filed on August 31, 2018. | |||
(b) | By-laws of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 333-221764, filed on March 20, 2018. | |||
(c) | (1) | Instruments defining rights of security holders with respect to the Registrant are contained in the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, which are incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 333-221764, filed on March 20, 2018. | ||
(d) | (1) | Investment Advisory Agreement, containing Amended Exhibit A, dated July 17, 2018 is filed herewith. | ||
(e) | (1) | Distribution Agreement, containing Amended Schedule A, dated March 1, 2018 is filed herewith. | ||
(2) | Distribution Services Agreement dated March 1, 2018 is filed herewith. | |||
(f) | Not applicable. | |||
(g) | (1) | Custody Agreement, containing Amended Schedule II, dated April 5, 2018 is filed herewith. | ||
(h) | (1) | Administration Agreement, containing Amended Schedule I, dated March 1, 2018 is filed herewith. | ||
(2) | Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, containing Amended Appendix A, dated April 5, 2018 is filed herewith. | |||
(3) | Sub-License Agreement with Impact Shares, Corp. dated July 17, 2018, as amended, is filed herewith. | |||
(4) | Form of Authorized Participant Agreement between the Registrant and SEI Investments Distribution Co. is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 333-221764, filed on March 20, 2018. | |||
(i) | (1) | Opinion of legal counsel relating to Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF, dated July 9, 2018, is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 333-221764, filed on July 10, 2018. | ||
(2) | Opinion of legal counsel relating to Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF, dated August 22, 2018, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 333-221764, filed on August 22, 2018. | |||
(3) | Opinion of legal counsel relating to Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF, dated August 31, 2018, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 333-221764, filed on August 31, 2018. |
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(j) | (1) | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm to be filed by amendment. | ||
(2) | Power of attorney is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 333-221764, filed on May 8, 2018. | |||
(k) | Not applicable. | |||
(l) | Not applicable. | |||
(m) | (1) | Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan, containing Amended Exhibit A, adopted April 12, 2018 is filed herewith. | ||
(n) | Not applicable. | |||
(o) | Reserved. | |||
(p) | (1) | Code of Ethics of the Registrant and Impact Shares, Corp. is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 333-221764, filed on March 20, 2018. | ||
(2) | Code of Ethics of SEI Investments Distribution Co. is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 333-221764, filed on March 20, 2018. |
Item 29. |
Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant. |
Not Applicable.
Item 30. |
Indemnification |
Article IV of the Registrants Declaration of Trust provides as follows:
Section 4.1. No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, etc. No Shareholder of the Trust shall be subject in such capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person in connection with Series Property or the acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust. Shareholders shall have the same limitation of personal liability as is extended to stockholders of a private corporation for profit incorporated under the general corporation law of the State of Delaware. No Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust or any Series of the Trust shall be subject in such capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person, other than the Trust or the respective Series or the Shareholders, in connection with Series Property or the affairs of the Trust or the respective Series, save only liability to the Trust or its Shareholders arising from bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for his duty to such Person; and, subject to the foregoing exception, all such Persons shall look solely to the Series Property of the affected Series for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust. If any Shareholder, Trustee or officer, as such, of the Trust, is made a party to any suit or proceeding to enforce any such liability, subject to the foregoing exception regarding Trustees and officers, he shall not, on account thereof, be held to any personal liability. Any repeal or modification of this Section 4.1 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Trustee or officer of the Trust existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.
Section 4.2. Mandatory Indemnification. The Trust hereby agrees, solely out of the assets of the affected Series, to indemnify each Person who at any time serves as Trustee or officer of the Trust (each such Person being an indemnitee) against any liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and reasonable counsel fees reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or investigative body in which he may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which he may be or may have been threatened, while acting in any capacity set forth above in this Article IV by reason of his having acted in any such capacity, except with respect to any matter as to which he shall not have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust or the respective Series of the Trust and furthermore, in the case of any criminal proceeding, as to which he shall have had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful, provided, however, that no indemnitee shall be indemnified hereunder against any liability to any Person or any expense of such indemnitee arising by reason of (i) willful misfeasance, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence, or (iv) reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his position. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any action, suit or other proceeding voluntarily prosecuted by any indemnitee as plaintiff, indemnification shall be mandatory only if the prosecution of such action, suit or other proceeding by such indemnitee was (1) authorized by a majority of the Trustees or (2) was instituted by the indemnitee to enforce his or her rights to
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indemnification hereunder in a case in which the indemnitee is found to be entitled to such indemnification. The rights to indemnification set forth in this Declaration shall continue as to a Person who has ceased to be a Trustee or officer of the Trust and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. No amendment or restatement of this Declaration or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or eliminate any of the benefits provided to any Person who at any time is or was a Trustee or officer of the Trust or otherwise entitled to indemnification hereunder in respect of any act or omission that occurred prior to such amendment, restatement or repeal.
(a) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification shall be made hereunder unless there has been a determination (1) by a final decision on the merits by a court or other body of competent jurisdiction before whom the issue of entitlement to indemnification hereunder was brought that such indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder or, (2) in the absence of such a decision, by (i) a majority vote of a quorum (being one-third of such Trustees) of those Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the proceeding (Disinterested Non-Party Trustees), that the indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, or (ii) if such quorum is not obtainable or even if obtainable, if such majority so directs, independent legal counsel in a written opinion conclude that the indemnitee should be entitled to indemnification hereunder. All determinations to make advance payments in connection with the expense of defending any proceeding shall be authorized and made in accordance with the immediately succeeding paragraph (c) below.
(b) The Trust shall make advance payments in connection with the expenses of defending any action with respect to which indemnification might be sought hereunder if the Trust receives a written affirmation by the indemnitee of the indemnitees good faith belief that the standards of conduct necessary for indemnification have been met and a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust unless it is subsequently determined that indemnitee is entitled to such indemnification and if a majority of the Trustees determine that the applicable standards of conduct necessary for indemnification appear to have been met. In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met: (1) the indemnitee shall provide adequate security for his undertaking, (2) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (3) a majority of a quorum of the Disinterested Non-Party Trustees, or if a majority vote of such quorum so directs, independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall conclude, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial- type inquiry), that there is substantial reason to believe that the indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
(c) The rights accruing to any indemnitee under these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which he or she may be lawfully entitled.
(d) Subject to any limitations provided by the 1940 Act and this Declaration, the Trust shall have the power and authority, solely out of the assets of the affected Series, to indemnify and provide for the advance payment of expenses to employees, agents and other Persons providing services to the Trust or serving in any capacity at the request of the Trust to the full extent as corporations organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law may indemnify or provide for the advance payment of expenses for such Persons provided that such indemnification has been approved by a majority of the Trustees.
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Item 31. |
Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser. |
Investment AdviserImpact Shares Corp
Impact Shares was formed in 2014 under the laws of the State of Texas as a nonprofit corporation.
Impact Shares is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act). The list required by this Item 31 of officers and directors of Impact Shares together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years, is incorporated by reference to Schedules A and D of Form ADV filed by Impact Shares pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC File No. 801-112391).
Item 32.
SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the Distributor) is the principal underwriter of the Trust.
The Distributor acts as distributor for:
SEI Daily Income Trust
SEI Tax Exempt Trust
SEI Institutional Managed Trust
SEI Institutional International Trust
The Advisors Inner Circle Fund
The Advisors Inner Circle Fund II
Bishop Street Funds
SEI Asset Allocation Trust
SEI Institutional Investments Trust
City National Rochdale Funds (f/k/a CNI Charter Funds)
Causeway Capital Management Trust
ProShares Trust
Community Capital Trust (f/k/a Community Reinvestment Act Qualified Investment Fund)
TD Asset Management USA Funds Inc.
SEI Structured Credit Fund, LP
Global X Funds
ProShares Trust II
Exchange Traded Concepts Trust (f/k/a FaithShares Trust)
Schwab Strategic Trust
RiverPark Funds Trust
Adviser Managed Trust
New Covenant Funds
Cambria ETF Trust
Highland Funds I (f/k/a Pyxis Funds I)
KraneShares Trust
SEI Insurance Products Trust
The KP Funds
The Advisors Inner Circle Fund III
SEI Catholic Values Trust
SEI Hedge Fund SPC
SEI Energy Debt Fund
Gallery Trust
RiverPark Floating Rate CMBS Fund (f/k/a
RiverPark Commercial Real Estate Fund)
Schroder Series Trust
Schroder Global Series Trust
City National Rochdale Select Strategies Fund
Metaurus Equity Component Trust
Causeway ETMF Trust
Impact Shares Trust
City National Rochdale Strategic Credit Fund
Symmetry Panoramic Trust
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The Distributor provides numerous financial services to investment managers, pension plan sponsors, and bank trust departments. These services include portfolio evaluation, performance measurement and consulting services (Funds Evaluation) and automated execution, clearing and settlement of securities transactions (MarketLink).
(b) Information with respect to each director, officer or partner of each principal underwriter is as follows. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each director or officer is 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456.
Name |
Positions and Offices with
|
Positions and Offices with
|
||
William M. Doran | Director | | ||
Paul F. Klauder | Director | | ||
Wayne M. Withrow | Director | | ||
Kevin P. Barr | Director, President & Chief Executive Officer | | ||
Maxine J. Chou | Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operations Officer & Treasurer | | ||
Jennifer H. Campisi | Chief Compliance Officer, Anti-Money Laundering Officer & Assistant Secretary | | ||
John C. Munch | General Counsel & Secretary | | ||
Mark J. Held | Senior Vice President | | ||
John P. Coary | Vice President & Assistant Secretary | | ||
Lori L. White | Vice President & Assistant Secretary | | ||
Judith A. Hirx | Vice President | | ||
Jason McGhin | Vice President | | ||
Gary Michael Reese | Vice President | | ||
Robert M. Silvestri | Vice President | |
(c) Not applicable.
Item 33. |
Location of Accounts and Records |
(1) |
The Bank of New York Mellon, 225 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10286 (records relating to its function as transfer agent). |
(2) |
SEI Investments Distribution Co. 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456 (records relating to its function as distributor). |
(3) |
The Bank of New York Mellon, 225 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10286 (records relating to its function as custodian). |
(4) |
SEI Investments Global Funds Services 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456 (records relating to its function as administrator). |
(5) |
Impact Shares, Corp. 2189 Broken Bend, Frisco, Texas 75034 (records relating to its function as adviser). |
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, as amended (the Securities Act), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 under the Securities Act to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas on this 23rd day of August, 2019.
By: | /s/ Ethan Powell | |
Ethan Powell | ||
President and Treasurer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date |
||
/s/ Ethan Powell Ethan Powell |
Trustee |
August 23, 2019 | ||
/s/ Alyssa Greenspan* Alyssa Greenspan |
Trustee |
August 23, 2019 | ||
/s/ Kathleen Legg* Kathleen Legg |
Trustee |
August 23, 2019 | ||
/s/ Winston Lowe* Winston Lowe |
Trustee |
August 23, 2019 |
By: | /s/ Ethan Powell | |
Ethan Powell | ||
Attorney in Fact* |
* |
Pursuant to Power of Attorney dated April 11, 2018 incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 333-221764, filed on May 8, 2018. |
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
No. |
||||
(d) | (1) | Investment Advisory Agreement, containing Amended Exhibit A, dated July 17, 2018. | ||
(e) | (1) | Distribution Agreement, containing Amended Schedule A, dated March 1, 2018. | ||
(e) | (2) | Distribution Services Agreement dated March 1, 2018. | ||
(g) | (1) | Custody Agreement, containing Amended Schedule II, dated April 5, 2018. | ||
(h) | (1) | Administration Agreement, containing Amended Schedule I, dated March 1, 2018. | ||
(h) | (2) | Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, containing Amended Appendix A, dated April 5, 2018. | ||
(h) | (3) | Sub-License Agreement with Morningstar, Inc. dated July 17, 2018, as amended. | ||
(m) | (1) | Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan, containing Amended Exhibit A, adopted April 12, 2018. |
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INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of July 17, 2018, by and between Impact Shares, Corp., a Texas nonprofit corporation (the Adviser), and Impact Shares Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust (the Trust), on behalf of its series listed on Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof, as such Exhibit A may be amended from time to time (each, a Fund and collectively, the Funds).
WHEREAS, the Trust is engaged in business as an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act); and
WHEREAS the Adviser is engaged principally in the business of rendering investment management services and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended;
NOW, THEREFORE, WITNESSETH: That it is hereby agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
SECTION 1. Appointment of Adviser.
The Trust hereby appoints the Adviser to act as manager and investment adviser to the Funds for the period and on the terms herein set forth. The Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.
SECTION 2. Duties of Adviser.
The Adviser, at its own expense, shall furnish the following services and facilities to the Funds:
(a) Investment Program. The Adviser shall (i) furnish continuously an investment program for the Funds consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Fund, (ii) determine (subject to the overall supervision and review of the Trusts Board of Trustees (the Board)) the investments to be purchased, held, sold or exchanged by the Funds and the portion, if any, of the assets of the Funds to be held uninvested, subject always to the provisions of the Trusts Declaration of Trust and By-Laws and of the 1940 Act, and to the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of each Fund, each as shall be from time to time in effect, and subject, further, to such policies and restrictions as the Trusts Board of Trustees may from time to time establish, (iii) make changes in the investments of the Funds, (iv) monitor the Funds performance and consider ways to improve the performance of the Funds, including by scrutinizing security selection, style focus, sector concentration, market cap preference, and prevailing market conditions, and (v) vote, exercise consents and exercise all other rights pertaining to such investments. Subject to the foregoing, and, if required under applicable law, the approval of the Board and shareholders of any applicable Fund, the Adviser shall have the authority to engage, terminate and replace one or more sub-advisers in connection with the portfolio management of the Funds, which sub-advisers may be affiliates of the Adviser; provided, however, that the Adviser shall remain responsible to the Trust with respect to its duties and obligations on behalf
1
of the Funds set forth in this Agreement. The Adviser agrees to furnish advice and recommendations to the Funds and the Board with respect to the selection and continued employment of any sub-adviser(s) to provide investment advisory services for the portion(s) of the Funds portfolios specified by the Adviser and on terms and conditions, including but not limited to the compensation payable to any such sub-adviser(s), approved in the manner provided by applicable law. The Adviser shall monitor sub-advisers, if any, to confirm their compliance with the Funds investment strategies and policies, for any changes that may impact the Funds or the sub-advisers operations or overall business continuity, for their adherence to legal and compliance procedures, for any litigation enforcement or regulatory matters relating to the sub-advisers, and with respect to the sub-advisers brokerage practices and trading quality.
(b) Portfolio Transactions. The Adviser, or an agent of the Adviser, shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the account of the Funds with brokers or dealers selected by the Adviser. In placing portfolio transactions for the Funds, it is recognized that the Adviser will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Consistent with this policy, the Adviser may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by brokers or dealers who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which other clients of the Adviser may be a party. It is understood that neither the Funds nor the Adviser has adopted a formula for allocation of the Funds investment transaction business. It is also understood that it is desirable for the Funds that the Adviser have access to supplemental investment and market research and security and economic analysis provided by brokers who may execute brokerage transactions at a higher cost to the Funds than would otherwise result when allocating brokerage transactions to other brokers on the basis of seeking the most favorable price and efficient execution. Therefore, subject to Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any applicable guidance from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Adviser is authorized to place orders for the purchase and sale of securities for the Funds with such brokers, subject to review by theBoard from time to time with respect to the extent and continuation of this practice. It is understood that the services provided by such brokers may be useful or beneficial to the Adviser in connection with its services to other clients.
On occasions when the Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of any of the Funds as well as other clients, the Adviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be so sold or purchased in order to obtain the most favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Adviser in the manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Funds and to such other clients.
The Adviser shall initially determine the identity and number of shares of the securities to be accepted in exchange for creation units for a Fund and the identity and number of shares of the securities that will be applicable that day to redemption requests received for such Fund (and may give directions to the Funds custodian with respect to such designation).
2
(c) Administrative and Management Services. The Adviser shall manage, supervise and conduct the other affairs and business of the Funds and matters incidental thereto, subject always to the control of the Board, and to the provisions of the organizational documents of the Trust, the Registration Statement of the Trust with respect to each Fund and its shares of beneficial interest (Shares), including each Funds Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and the 1940 Act, in each case as from time to time amended and in effect. The Adviser may engage other parties to assist it with any of the administrative and management services set forth in this Section.
SECTION 3. Allocation of Expenses.
The Adviser shall pay all expenses of the Trust, except for: (i) distribution and service fees payable pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan, if any; (ii) salaries and other compensation or expenses, including travel expenses, of any of a Funds executive officers and employees, if any, who are not officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners or employees of the Adviser or its subsidiaries or affiliates; (iii) taxes and governmental fees, if any, levied against a Fund; (iv) brokerage fees and commissions, and other portfolio transaction expenses incurred by or for a Fund; (v) expenses of a Funds securities lending (if any), including any securities lending agent fees, as governed by a separate securities lending agreement; costs, including interest expenses, of borrowing money or engaging in other types of leverage financing; (vi) fees and expenses of any underlying funds or other pooled vehicles in which a Fund invests; (vii) dividend and interest expenses on short positions taken by a Fund; (viii) fees and expenses, including travel expenses, and fees and expenses of legal counsel retained for their benefit, of Trustees who are not officers, employees, partners, shareholders or members of the Adviser or its subsidiaries or affiliates; (ix) extraordinary expenses, including extraordinary legal expenses, as may arise, including, without limitation, expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings, other claims, contractual arrangements with Partner Charities and the legal obligations of a Fund to indemnify its Trustees, officers, employees, shareholders, distributors, and agents with respect thereto; (x) fees and expenses, including legal, printing and mailing, solicitation and other fees and expenses associated with and incident to shareholder meetings and proxy solicitations involving shareholder proposals or other non-routine matters that are not initiated or proposed by Fund management; (xi) organizational and offering expenses of a Fund, including registration (including Share registration fees), legal, marketing, printing, accounting and other expenses, associated with organizing a Fund in its state of jurisdiction and in connection with the initial registration of a Fund under the 1940 Act and the initial registration of its shares under the Securities Act (i.e., through the effectiveness of the Funds initial registration statement on Form N-1A); (xii) fees and expenses associated with seeking, applying for and obtaining formal exemptive, no-action and/or other relief from the SEC; and (xiii) expenses of a Fund which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Any officer or employee of the Adviser or of any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser, who may also serve as officers, trustees or employees of the Trust shall not receive any compensation from the Trust for their services.
3
SECTION 4. Unitary Advisory Fee.
For the services and facilities to be provided to the Trust by the Adviser as provided in Section 2 hereof, each Fund will pay the Adviser a monthly fee, computed and accrued daily, based on an annual rate set forth in Exhibit A of the Funds Average Daily Managed Assets, so long as the Adviser has not waived in writing all or a portion of such compensation. Average Daily Managed Assets of a Fund shall mean the average daily value of the total assets of the Fund, less all accrued liabilities of the Fund (other than the aggregate amount of any outstanding borrowings constituting financial leverage). The Adviser may waive a portion of its fees, by written notice the relevant Fund and the Board. If this Agreement becomes effective subsequent to the first day of a month or shall terminate before the last day of a month, compensation for such month shall be computed in a manner consistent with the calculation of the fees payable on a monthly basis. The accrued fees will be payable monthly as promptly as possible after the end of each month during which this Agreement is in effect.
SECTION 5. Indemnification.
(a) The Trust hereby agrees to indemnify the Adviser and each of the Advisers partners, officers, employees, and agents (including any individual who serves at the Advisers request as director, officer, partner, trustee or the like of another corporation) and controlling persons (each such person being an Indemnitee) against any liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees (all as provided in accordance with applicable state law) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or investigative body in which he may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which he may be or may have been threatened, while acting in any capacity set forth above in this paragraph or thereafter by reason of his having acted in any such capacity, except with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust and furthermore, in the case of any criminal proceeding, so long as he had no reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful, provided, however, that (1) no Indemnitee shall be indemnified hereunder against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders or any expense of such Indemnitee arising by reason of (i) willful misfeasance, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence (iv) reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his position (the conduct referred to in such clauses (i) through (iv) being sometimes referred to herein as Disabling Conduct), (2) as to any matter disposed of by settlement or a compromise payment by such Indemnitee, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless there has been a determination that such settlement or compromise is in the best interests of the Trust and that such Indemnitee appears to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of the Trust and did not involve Disabling Conduct by such Indemnitee and (3) with respect to any action, suit or other proceeding voluntarily prosecuted by any Indemnitee as plaintiff, indemnification shall be mandatory only if the prosecution of such action, suit or other proceeding by such Indemnitee was authorized by a majority of the full Board of the Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust shall not be obligated to provide any such indemnification to the extent such provision would waive any right that the Trust cannot lawfully waive.
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(b) The Trust shall make advance payments in connection with the expenses of defending any action with respect to which indemnification might be sought hereunder if the Trust receives a written affirmation of the Indemnitees good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification has been met and a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust unless it is subsequently determined that he is entitled to such indemnification and if the Trustees of the Trust determine that the facts then known to them would not preclude indemnification. In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met: (1) the Indemnitee shall provide adequate security for his undertaking, (2) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, (3) a majority of a quorum of the Board who are neither interested persons of the Trust (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) nor parties to the proceeding (Disinterested Non-Party Trustees) or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the Indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification or (4) if there is not a Disinterested Non-Party Trustee, Indemnitee provides the written affirmation referred to above.
(c) All determinations with respect to indemnification hereunder shall be made (1) by a final decision on the merits by a court or other body of competent jurisdiction before whom the proceeding was brought that such Indemnitee is not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct or, (2) in the absence of such a decision, by (i) a majority vote of a quorum of the Disinterested Non-Party Trustees of the Trust, or (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable or even if obtainable, if a majority vote of such quorum so directs, independent legal counsel in a written opinion.
(d) Each Indemnitee shall, in the performance of its duties, be fully and completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Trust, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the Trust by any of the Trusts officers or employees or by any advisor, administrator, manager, distributor, selected dealer, accountant, appraiser or other expert or consultant selected with reasonable care by the Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust, regardless of whether such counsel or other person may also be a Trustee.
(e) The rights accruing to any Indemnitee under these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which he may be lawfully entitled.
SECTION 6. Relations with Funds.
Subject to and in accordance with the organizational documents of the Adviser and the Trust, as well as their policies and procedures and codes of ethics, it is understood that Trustees, officers, agents and shareholders of the Funds are or may be interested in the Adviser (or any successor thereof) as directors, officers or otherwise, that partners, officers and agents of the Adviser (or any successor thereof) are or may be interested in the Funds as Trustees, officers, agents, shareholders or otherwise, and that the Adviser (or any such successor thereof) is or may be interested in the Funds as a shareholder or otherwise.
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SECTION 7. Liability of Adviser.
(a) The Adviser shall not be liable to the Funds for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Funds in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates; provided, however, that no provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Funds or its shareholders to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any Disabling Conduct nor shall any provision hereof be deemed to protect any trustee or officer of the Funds against any such liability to which he might otherwise be subject by reason of any Disabling Conduct.
(b) The rights of exculpation and indemnification are not to be construed so as to provide for exculpation or indemnification provided under Sections 7 and 8 of any person for any liability (including liability under U.S. federal securities laws that, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith) to the extent (but only to the extent) that exculpation or indemnification would be in violation of applicable law, but will be construed so as to effectuate the applicable provisions of this section to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
SECTION 8. Duration and Termination of this Agreement.
(a) Duration. This Agreement shall become effective on the date first set forth above with respect to the initial Funds on Exhibit A, such date being the date on which this Agreement has been executed following: (1) the approval of the Board, including approval by a vote of a majority of the members of the Board who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Adviser or the Funds, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; and (2) the approval by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a Fund. Unless terminated as herein provided, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the date that is two years after the effective date of this Agreement. Subsequent to such initial period of effectiveness, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect, subject to paragraph 8(c), so long as such continuance is approved at least annually (a) by either the Board or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a Fund and (b) in either event, by the vote of a majority of the members of the Board who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. With respect to each new Fund added to the Agreement on or after the initial effective date, this Agreement shall have an initial term of up to two years beginning on the date indicated on Exhibit A and thereafter, if not terminated, shall continue in effect if approved at least annually as set forth above.
(b) Amendment. No provision of this Agreement may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the amendment, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. Any amendment of this Agreement shall be subject to the 1940 Act including the interpretation thereof that amendments that do not increase the compensation of the Adviser or otherwise fundamentally alter the relationship of the Trust with the Adviser do not require shareholder approval if approved by the requisite majority of the Trusts Trustees who are not interested persons (as
6
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust. The amendment of Exhibit A to this Agreement for the sole purpose of (i) adding or deleting one or more Funds or (ii) making other non-material changes to the information included in the Schedule shall not be deemed an amendment of this Agreement.
(c) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of the Board, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a Fund, or by the Adviser, in each case on not more than 60 days nor less than 30 days prior written notice to the other party.
(d) Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
SECTION 9. Services Not Exclusive.
(a) The services of the Adviser to the Funds hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser (and its affiliates) shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its services hereunder are not impaired thereby; provided, however, that the Adviser will undertake no activities that, in its reasonable good faith judgment, will adversely affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement. In addition, the parties may enter into other agreements pursuant to which the Adviser provides administrative or other, non-investment advisory services to the Funds, and the Adviser may be compensated for such other services.
(b) Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any director, officer, or employee of the Adviser to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar nature or a dissimilar nature, nor to limit or restrict the right of the Adviser to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm individual or association.
SECTION 10. Use of the Name Impact Shares
Each Fund acknowledges that, as between each Fund and the Adviser, the Adviser owns and controls the term Impact Shares. The Adviser grants to each Fund a royalty-free, non-exclusive license to use the name Impact Shares in the name of the Fund for the duration of this Agreement and any extensions or renewals thereof. Such license may, upon termination of this Agreement, be terminated by the Adviser, in which event the Fund shall promptly take whatever action may be necessary (including calling a meeting of its Board or shareholders) to change its name and to discontinue any further use of the name Impact Shares in the name of the Fund or otherwise. The name Impact Shares may be used or licensed by the Adviser in connection with any of its activities, or licenced by the Adviser to any other party.
SECTION 11. Notices.
Notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be addressed, and delivered or mailed postage prepaid, to the other party at such address as such other party may designate from time to time for the receipt of such notices. Until further notice to the other party, the address of each party to this Agreement for this purpose shall be 2189 Broken Bend, Frisco, Texas 75034.
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SECTION 12. Governing Law; Severability; Counterparts.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without reference to its conflict of laws provisions) , and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that applicable law of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
SECTION 13. No Third Party Beneficiaries.
This Agreement is not intended and shall not convey any rights, privileges, claims or remedies to any person other than a party to this Agreement and its respective successors and permitted assigns.
SECTION 14. Miscellaneous.
(a) If the Adviser enters into a definitive agreement that would result in an assignment (within the meaning of the 1940 Act) by the Adviser, it agrees to give the Funds the lesser of 60 days written notice and such notice as is reasonably practicable before consummating the transaction.
(b) Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in or contemplated by any provisions of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
(c) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
(d) This Agreement, including the schedules hereto, constitutes the entire understanding between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior agreement between the parties on this subject matter.
[Signature Page to Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first set forth above.
Impact Shares, Corp. | ||
By: | /S/ Donald J. Guiney | |
Name: | Donald J. Guiney | |
Title: | Secretary/General Counsel | |
Impact Shares Funds I | ||
By: | /S/ Donald J. Guiney | |
Name: | Donald J. Guiney | |
Title: | Secretary/General Counsel |
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Exhibit A to Investment Advisory Agreement
As of September 20, 2018
Fund Name |
Unitary
Advisory Fee |
|||
Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF1 |
0.75 | % | ||
Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF2 |
0.75 | % | ||
Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF3 |
0.75 | % |
1 |
Effective July 17, 2018. |
2 |
Effective August 27, 2018. |
3 |
Effective September 20, 2018. |
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DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made as of this 1st day of March, 2018, by and between Impact Shares Trust (the Company), and SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the Distributor), a Pennsylvania corporation.
WHEREAS, the Company is registered as an investment company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and its shares of beneficial interest (Shares) are registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act); and
WHEREAS, the Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act) and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA); and
WHEREAS, the Company intends to create and redeem groups of Shares of each class or series of the Company (each a Fund and collectively, the Funds) identified on Schedule A hereto, on a continuous basis at their net asset value only in aggregations constituting Creation Units (as defined in the Funds effective registration statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC (Registration Statement)); and
WHEREAS, the Shares of each Fund will be listed on one or more national securities exchanges (together, the Listing Exchanges);
WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Distributor to act as the distributor with respect to the issuance and distribution of Creation Units of each Fund, hold itself available to receive and process orders for such Creation Units in the manner set forth herein, and to enter into arrangements with broker-dealers who may solicit purchases of Creation Units.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter contained and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1 APPOINTMENT
The Company hereby appoints Distributor as its distributor of Creation Units of the Funds and to provide such other services in accordance with the terms set forth in this Agreement. Distributor accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish certain related services as set forth in this Agreement.
SECTION 2 SOLICITATION OF SALES AND OTHER SERVICES
2.01 Solicitation of Sales. The Company grants to Distributor the right to sell its Creation Units authorized for issue at the applicable net asset value, in accordance with the Prospectus, as agent and on behalf of the Company, during the term of this Agreement and subject to the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, the rules and regulations of the SEC and the laws governing the sale of securities in the various states (Blue Sky Laws). As used in this Agreement, the term, Prospectus means each Funds current prospectus and statement of additional information included in the Companys Registration Statement, as supplemented and/or amended from time to time.
2.02 Other Services. Without limiting the foregoing, the Distributor will perform or supervise the performance by others of the additional services set forth herein, including those set forth in Schedule B, attached hereto.
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THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF
SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
SECTION 3 REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
3.01 Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company. The Company represents, warrants and covenants that:
(a) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its formation, and has all requisite power under the laws of such state and applicable federal law to conduct its business as now being conducted and to perform its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement;
(b) its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized by the board of directors of the Company, including by unanimous affirmative vote of all of the independent directors of the Company and, when executed and delivered by the Company, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms;
(c) it shall timely perform all obligations identified in this Agreement as obligations of the Company, including, without limitation, providing the Distributor with all due diligence and marketing materials reasonably requested by the Distributor and giving all necessary consents or approvals in good faith and within a timely manner;
(d) (i) it is not a party to any, and there are no, pending or threatened legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions or governmental or regulatory investigations or inquiries (collectively, Actions) of any nature against it, its advisor or its properties or assets which could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect upon its business or financial condition or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) its entering into this Agreement does not conflict with, constitute a default of or require a consent under any provision of any agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Funds is a party or by which it or any of such Funds are bound and (iii) there is no injunction, order, judgment, decree, or regulatory restriction imposed upon it or any of its properties or assets;
(e) it is an investment company that is duly registered under all applicable laws and regulations, including, without limitation the 1940 Act, and each Fund is a separate series of the Company;
(f) it is and will continue to be in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations aimed at the prevention and detection of money laundering and/or the financing of terrorism activities including Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act and similar laws and regulations established or enforced by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), the Financial Crimes and Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the SEC
(g) it has an anti-money laundering program (AML Program), that at minimum includes, (i) an AML compliance officer designated to administer and oversee the AML Program, (ii) ongoing training for appropriate personnel, (iii) internal controls and procedures reasonably designed to prevent and detect suspicious activity monitoring and terrorist financing activities; (iv) procedures to comply with know your customer requirements and to verify the identity of all customers; and (v) appropriate record keeping procedures;
(h) (i) the Registration Statement and each Funds Prospectus has been prepared and all sales literature and advertisements created by or on behalf of the Company or other materials prepared by or on behalf of the Company for use in connection with the sale or marketing for sale of any Fund (Sales Literature and Advertisements) shall be prepared in conformity with all applicable laws and regulations (including, without limitation, the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC), (ii) all statements of fact contained in the Registration Statement, each Prospectus and all Sales
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THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF
SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
Literature and Advertisements are or will be true and correct in all material respects at the time indicated in such documents or the effective date, as the case may be, and none of such documents shall include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact that is required to be stated therein so as to make the statements contained in any such document not misleading;
(i) it will notify the Distributor as soon as reasonably practical in advance of any matter which could materially affect the Distributors performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, including any amendment to the Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to any Prospectus, or of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement;
(j) it will provide Distributor with the opportunity to review and comment on each piece of Sales Literature and Advertisement thereto at least one week prior to proposed use of the same and will not use or permit another party to use any Sales Literature and Advertisements unless and until the Distributor has approved the use of such material;
(k) it will provide Distributor with the opportunity to review and comment on each registration statement and amendment or supplement thereto at least one week prior to filing the same with an applicable regulatory body;
(l) it will provide Distributor with the opportunity to review and comment on each exemptive application or amendment thereto at least two weeks prior to filing the same with an applicable regulatory body;
(m) it shall fully cooperate with requests from government regulators and the Distributor for information relating to customers and/or transactions involving the Creation Units, as permitted by law, in order for the Distributor to comply with its regulatory obligations; and
(n) in the event it determines that it is in the interest of the Company to suspend or terminate the sale of any Creation Units, the Company shall promptly notify the Distributor of such fact in advance and in writing prior to the date on which the Company desires to cease offering the Creation Units.
3.02 Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Distributor. The Distributor hereby represents, warrants and covenants as follows:
(a) it has full power, right and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly approved by all requisite actions on its part, and no other proceedings on its part are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it; this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms;
(b) information about litigation to which the Distributor or any of its affiliates is a party will be set forth in SEI Investments Companys periodic SEC filings in accordance with the rules of the SEC and will be publicly available in filings on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K from time to time;
(c) it is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC under the 1934 Act and a member of FINRA; and
(d) it shall not distribute any information or make any representations about the Company or the Funds other than those contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectuses of the Funds filed with the SEC, shareholder reports or other Sales Literature and Advertisements.
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THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF
SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
SECTION 4 ISSUANCE AND REGISTRATION OF SHARES
4.01 Issuance of Shares. The Company agrees to issue Creation Units of each Fund and to request DTC to record on its books the ownership of the Shares constituting such Creation Units in accordance with the book-entry system procedures described in each Prospectus in such amounts as the Distributor has requested through the Companys transfer agent in writing or other means of data transmission, as promptly as practicable after receipt by the Company of the requisite Deposit Securities and Cash Components (together with any fees) and acceptance of such order, upon the terms described in the Registration Statement.
4.02 Registration of Shares. The Company agrees that it will take all action necessary to register Shares under the federal and state securities laws so that there will be available for sale the number of Shares necessary in connection with the number of Creation Units the Distributor may reasonably be expected to sell and to pay all fees associated with said registration. The Company will make available to the Distributor such number of copies of its Prospectus as the Distributor may reasonably request. The Company will furnish to the Distributor copies of all information, financial statements and other papers which the Distributor may reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution of Creation Units of the Company.
SECTION 5 AGREEMENTS WITH AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANTS
The Distributor will enter into agreements (each, an Authorized Participant Agreement) with authorized participants of its choice for the creation and redemption of Creation Units of a Fund. Each authorized participant shall be a registered broker/dealer, a clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or a participant in the system for book-entry of the Depository Trust Company. Each Authorized Participant Agreement will include such terms and conditions as the Distributor will deem necessary or appropriate from time to time.
SECTION 6 EXPENSES
6.01 Company Expenses. The Company will pay all fees and expenses (i) in connection with the preparation, setting in type and filing of any Prospectus under the 1933 Act and amendments for the issue of its Shares or Creation Units; (ii) in connection with the registration and qualification of Shares for sale in the various states in which the board of directors of the Company will determine advisable to qualify such Shares for sale; (iii) of preparing, setting in type, printing and mailing any report or other communication to shareholders or authorized participants of the Company in their capacity as such; (iv) of preparing, setting in type, printing and mailing any Prospectus sent to existing shareholders or authorized participants and (v) related to the clearing or settlement of securities, including without limitation any fees assessed in connection with such clearing or settlement.
6.02 Distributor Expenses. Distributor will pay all of its costs and expenses (other than expenses and costs deemed payable by the Funds and other than expenses which one or more authorized participants may bear pursuant to any agreement with Distributor) incurred by it in connection with the performance of its distribution duties hereunder.
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THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF
SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
SECTION 7 COMPENSATION
As compensation for providing the services under this Agreement, the Company will pay Distributor the fees set forth in Schedule C hereto. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Distributor and its affiliates may receive compensation or reimbursement from the Company or the Companys investment advisor or its affiliates with respect to any services not included under this Agreement, as may be agreed upon by the parties from time to time. The parties acknowledge, that to the extent the Company lacks sufficient resources to pay the fees (or other expenses) payable to Distributor, the Companys investment adviser or its affiliates may make such payment to Distributor from the past profits or other resources of the investment adviser, including management fees paid by the Company. The parties further acknowledge that to the extent that fees payable to the Distributor are paid by the investment adviser or its affiliates, the investment adviser shall be responsible for making all disclosures of such payments to the board of directors.
SECTION 8 INDEMNIFICATION; CONTRIBUTION
8.01 Indemnification of Distributor. The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless, the Distributor, each of its directors, officers, principals, representatives, employees and each person, if any, who controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the Distributor Indemnified Parties) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, whatsoever (including any investigation, legal or other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted) to which any of the Distributor Indemnified Parties may become subject, arising out of or based upon (i) any claim that the Registration Statement or any Prospectus, shareholder report, item of Sales Literature and Advertisements, other information filed or made public by the Company or any document incorporated by reference into any of the foregoing (collectively, the Covered Documents) included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or that any Covered Documents omitted or omits a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse the Distributor for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Distributor in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred or (ii) any claims of infringement or misappropriation of the intellectual property rights of a third party against the Distributor arising out of or based on the use by the Distributor of any intellectual property of such third party, including, without limitation, indexes, strategies or trademarks that serve as the basis for the Funds or are used by the Funds (the Intellectual Property) in connection with its duties as Distributor pursuant to this Agreement, regardless of whether such third partys rights or claims of rights to such Intellectual Property were disclosed to Distributor and (iii) any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made by the Company in this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises directly out of or is directly based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Covered Documents about the Distributor in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Distributor expressly for use therein.
8.02 Indemnification of the Company. Distributor will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, officers, employees and each person, if any, who controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the Company Indemnified Parties) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, whatsoever (including any investigation, legal or other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted) to which the Company Indemnified Parties may become subject, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Covered Document, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Distributor about the Distributor expressly for use therein.
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THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF
SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
8.03 Indemnification Procedures.
(a) If any action or claim shall be brought against any Distributor Indemnified Party or Company Indemnified Party (any such party, an Indemnified Party and collectively, the Indemnified Parties), in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the other party hereto, such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the indemnifying party in writing, and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel and payment of all fees and expenses; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party except to the extent such indemnifying party has been materially prejudiced by such failure.
(b) Any Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (i) the indemnifying party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense and employ counsel, or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded party) included such Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or which may result in a conflict of interest (in which case if such Indemnified Party notifies the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such Indemnified Party, it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys for all such Indemnified Parties.
(c) No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party.
(d) The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its written consent, but if such action is settled with the written consent of the indemnifying party, or if there shall be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action and the time for filing all appeals has expired, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnified Party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
(e) The obligations of the indemnifying party under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability that the indemnifying party may otherwise have.
8.04 Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is insufficient or unavailable to any Indemnified Party under this Section 8 in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Distributor on the other from the offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the Indemnified Party failed to give the notice required under Section 8.03(a), above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Distributor on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Distributor on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the amount of gross proceeds received by the
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Company from the offering of the Shares under this Agreement (expressed in dollars) bears to the net profits received by the Distributor under this Agreement. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or the Distributor on the other and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Distributor agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 8.04 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
8.05 Consequential Damages. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither party shall be liable under this Agreement to the other party hereto for any punitive, consequential, special or indirect losses or damages.
SECTION 9 TERM AND TERMINATION
This Agreement will be effective upon its execution, and, unless terminated as provided, will continue in force for two years and thereafter from year to year, provided that such annual continuance is approved by either (i) the vote of a majority of the directors or trustees of the Company, or the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (ii) the vote of a majority of those directors or trustees of the Company who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party (Qualified Director), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the approval. This Agreement may be terminated at any time without penalty by a vote of the directors or trustees of the Company; by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; or by the Distributor upon not less than thirty days prior written notice to the other party; and shall automatically terminate upon its assignment. As used in this paragraph the terms, vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, assignment and interested person will have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act. In the event the Company gives notice of termination, all expenses associated with the movement (or duplication) of records and materials and conversion thereof to a successor service provider, and all trailing expenses incurred by Distributor, will be borne by the Company. The provisions of Sections 8, 9 and 10 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 10 MISCELLANEOUS
10.01 Records. The books and records pertaining to the Company, which are in the possession or under the control of Distributor, will be the property of the Company. Such books and records will be prepared and maintained as required under the 1940 Act and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. The Company and its authorized persons will have access to such books and records at all times during the Distributors normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Company, the Distributor will make available copies of such books and records to the Company or its authorized persons, at the Companys expense.
10.02 Independent Contractor. The Distributor will undertake and discharge its obligations hereunder as an independent contractor. Neither Distributor nor any of its officers, directors, employees or representatives is or will be an employee of the Company or a Fund in connection with the performance of Distributors duties hereunder. Any obligations of Distributor hereunder may be performed by one or more third parties or affiliates of Distributor.
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10.03 Notices. All notices provided for or permitted under this Agreement will be deemed effective upon receipt, and will be in writing and (a) delivered personally, (b) sent by commercial overnight courier with written verification of receipt, or (c) sent by certified or registered U.S. mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, to the party to be notified, at the address for such party set forth below. Notices to the Distributor will be sent to the attention of: General Counsel, SEI Investments Distribution Co., 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. Notices to the Company will be sent to President, Impact Shares Corp., 2189 Broken Bend, Frisco, Texas 75034.
10.04 Dispute Resolution. Whenever either party desires to institute legal proceedings against the other party concerning this Agreement, it will provide written notice to that effect to such other party. The party providing such notice will refrain from instituting said legal proceedings for a period of thirty (30) days following the date of provision of such notice. During such period, the parties will attempt in good faith to amicably resolve their dispute by negotiation among their executive officers.
10.05 Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement, draft or agreement or proposal with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement or any part hereof may be amended or waived only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such amendment or waiver is sought.
10.06 Non-Solicitation. During the term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year afterward, the Company will not recruit, solicit, employ or engage, for the Company or any other person, any employee of the Distributor or any of its affiliates.
10.07 Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without giving effect to any conflict of laws or choice of laws rules or principles thereof. To the extent that the applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or any of the provisions of this Agreement, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter will control. Each party to this Agreement, by its execution hereof, (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the state courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for the purpose of any action between the parties arising in whole or in part under or in connection with this Agreement, and (ii) hereby waives to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such action brought in one of the above-named courts should be dismissed on grounds of forum non conveniens, should be transferred or removed to any court other than one of the above-named courts, or should be stayed by reason of the pendency of some other proceeding in any other court other than one of the above-named courts, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court.
10.08 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which will constitute one and the same instrument. Each such counterpart will be deemed an original, and it will not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. This Agreement will be deemed executed by both parties when any one or more counterparts hereof or thereof, individually or taken together, bears the original, scanned or facsimile signatures of each of the parties.
10.09 Force Majeure. No breach of any obligation of a party to this Agreement (other than obligations to pay amounts owed) will constitute an event of default or breach to the extent it arises out of a cause, existing or future, that is beyond the control and without negligence of the party otherwise chargeable with breach or default, including without limitation: work action or strike; lockout or other labor dispute; flood; war; riot; theft; act of terrorism, earthquake or natural disaster. Either party desiring to rely upon any of the foregoing as an excuse for default or breach will, when the cause arises, give to the other party prompt notice of the facts which constitute such cause; and, when the cause ceases to exist, give prompt notice thereof to the other party.
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10.10 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability in such jurisdiction, without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any provision of this Agreement to be invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree that the court making such determination will have the power to reduce the scope, duration, or area of the provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace the provision with a provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the original intention of the parties, and this Agreement will be enforceable as so modified.
10.11 Confidential Information.
(a) Each of the Distributor and the Company (each, in such capacity, the Receiving Party) acknowledges and agrees to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) provided to the Receiving Party by the other party hereto (in such capacity, the Disclosing Party) in connection with this Agreement. The Receiving Party will not disclose or disseminate the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information to any Person other than (i) those directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees of the Receiving Party, or (ii) with respect to the Distributor as a Receiving Party, to those employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees of any agent or affiliate, who have a need to know it in order to assist the Receiving Party in performing its obligations, or to permit the Receiving Party to exercise its rights, under this Agreement. In addition, the Receiving Party (x) will take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access to the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, and (y) will not use the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, or authorize other Persons to use the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, for any purposes other than in connection with performing its obligations or exercising its rights hereunder. As used herein, reasonable steps means steps that a party takes to protect its own, similarly confidential or proprietary information of a similar nature, which steps will in no event be less than a reasonable standard of care.
(b) The term Confidential Information, as used herein, will mean all business strategies, plans and procedures, proprietary information, methodologies, data and trade secrets, and other confidential information and materials (including, without limitation, any non-public personal information as defined in Regulation S-P) of the Disclosing Party, its affiliates, their respective clients or suppliers, or other Persons with whom they do business, that may be obtained by the Receiving Party from any source or that may be developed as a result of this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the provisions of this Section 10.11 respecting Confidential Information will not apply to the extent, but only to the extent, that such Confidential Information is: (a) already known to the Receiving Party free of any restriction at the time it is obtained from the Disclosing Party, (b) subsequently learned from an independent third party free of any restriction and without breach of this Agreement; (c) publicly available at or following the time it is received from the Disclosing Party through no wrongful act of the Receiving Party or any third party; (d) independently developed by or for the Receiving Party without reference to or use of any Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party; or (e) required to be disclosed pursuant to an applicable law, rule, regulation, government requirement or court order, or the rules of any stock exchange (provided, however, that the Receiving Party will advise the Disclosing Party of such required disclosure promptly upon learning thereof in order to afford the Disclosing Party a reasonable opportunity to contest, limit and/or assist the Receiving Party in crafting such disclosure).
(d) The Receiving Party will advise its directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees, and will require its agents and affiliates to advise their directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees, of the Receiving Partys obligations of confidentiality and non-use under this Section 10.11, and will be responsible for ensuring compliance by its and its affiliates directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees with such obligations. In addition, the Receiving Party will require all persons that are provided access to the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, other than the Receiving Partys accountants
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and legal counsel, to execute confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements containing provisions substantially similar to those set forth in this Section 10.11. The Receiving Party will promptly notify the Disclosing Party in writing upon learning of any unauthorized disclosure or use of the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information by such persons.
(e) Upon the Disclosing Partys written request following the termination of this Agreement, the Receiving Party promptly will return to the Disclosing Party, or destroy, all Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party provided under or in connection with this Agreement, including all copies, portions and summaries thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (a) the Receiving Party may retain one copy of each item of the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information for purposes of identifying and establishing its rights and obligations under this Agreement, for archival or audit purposes and/or to the extent required by applicable law, and (b) the Distributor will have no obligation to return or destroy Confidential Information of the Company that resides in save tapes of Distributor; provided, however, that in either case all such Confidential Information retained by the Receiving Party will remain subject to the provisions of this Section 10.11 for so long as it is so retained. If requested by the Disclosing Party, the Receiving Party will certify in writing its compliance with the provisions of this paragraph.
10.12 Use of Name.
(a) The Company will not use the name of the Distributor, or any of its affiliates, in any Prospectus, sales literature, and other material relating to the Company in any manner without the prior written consent of the Distributor (which will not be unreasonably withheld); provided, however, that the Distributor hereby approves all lawful uses of the names of the Distributor and its affiliates in the Prospectus of the Company and in all other materials which merely refer in accurate terms to their appointment hereunder or which are required by applicable law, regulations or otherwise by the SEC, FINRA, or any state securities authority.
(b) Neither the Distributor nor any of its affiliates will use the name of the Company in any publicly disseminated materials, including sales literature, in any manner other than with respect to representative client lists, without the prior written consent of the Company (which will not be unreasonably withheld); provided, however, that the Company and each Fund hereby approves all lawful uses of its name in any required regulatory filings of the Distributor which merely refer in accurate terms to the appointment of the Distributor hereunder, or which are required by applicable law, regulations or otherwise by the SEC, FINRA, or any state securities authority.
10.13 Insurance. The Company hereby represents that it maintains adequate insurance coverage with respect to its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, including commercially reasonable fidelity bond(s) as well as errors and omissions, directors and officers, and professional liability insurance. The Distributor shall be included as an additional insured on the Companys commercial liability policies and shall be named as a loss payee on the Companys fidelity bond(s). All of the foregoing policies shall be issued by insurance companies having an A minus rating or better by A.M. Best Company or an equivalent Standard & Poors rating. The Company shall furnish Certificates of Insurance evidencing all of the foregoing insurance coverage upon execution of this Agreement, and annually upon the written request of the Distributor. Annually upon the written request of the Distributor, the Company shall provide insurance policy documentation evidencing the Companys additional insured status with respect to the Companys Commercial General Liability and loss payee status with respect to the Companys Fidelity Bond. The Company shall promptly inform the Distributor of any material changes to its policies, endorsements or coverage.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Distributor have each duly executed this Agreement, as of the day and year above written.
IMPACT SHARES TRUST I | SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO. | |||
By: /S/ Ethan Powell | By: /S/ Maxine Chou | |||
Name: Ethan Powell | Name: Maxine Chou | |||
Title: Chairman | Title: CFO and COO |
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SCHEDULE A
List of Funds
Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF
Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF
Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF
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SCHEDULE B
List of Services
Contract Management
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Coordinate and execute Authorized Participant Agreements pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement |
|
Coordinate and execute operational agreements related to the services contemplated by this Agreement (networking agreements, NSCC redemption agreements, etc.) |
|
Coordinate and execute on behalf of the Company shareholder service and similar agreements to the extent permitted by applicable law, and as contemplated by the Companys distribution and/or shareholder servicing plan, if applicable |
FINRA Review
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Conduct FINRA filing of materials |
|
Respond to FINRA comments on marketing materials |
Other Services
|
Forward any complaints concerning the Company received by the Distributor to the Company, assist in resolving such complaints, and maintain a log of such complaints as required by applicable law; |
|
Keep and maintain all books and records relating to the services provided by the Distributor under this Agreement in accordance with applicable law. |
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SCHEDULE C
Fees
The Distributor will receive from the Company, to the extent available pursuant to Section 7 hereof, fees in the amount of $0.
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DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made as of this 1st day of March, 2018 (Effective Date) by and between Impact Shares Corp (Advisor), and SEI Investments Distribution Co., a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (SIDCO).
WHEREAS, the Advisor serves as investment advisor to Impact Shares Trust (the ETF), a statutory trust organized under the laws of the state of Delaware (the Trust);
WHERAS, the Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement with SIDCO for the distribution by SIDCO of shares of beneficial interest (Shares) of the ETF;
WHEREAS, the Advisor and SIDCO desire to enter into this Agreement pursuant to which SIDCO will perform certain services for the Advisor with respect to baskets of shares of the ETF (Creation Units) as described and defined in the ETFs prospectus (Prospectus). As used in this Agreement, the term Prospectus means any prospectus, registration statement, statement of additional information, proxy solicitation and tender offer materials, annual or other periodic report of the ETF or any advertising, marketing, shareholder communication, or promotional material generated by the ETF or the Adviser from time to time, as appropriate, including all amendments or supplements thereto; and
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1 SERVICES PROVIDED BY SIDCO
1.01. Services. The Advisor hereby appoints SIDCO to perform, and SIDCO agrees to perform (and may delegate or sub-contract, as provided below) the services set forth in this Agreement, including the services set forth in Schedule A of this Agreement (collectively, the Services).
1.02. Modifications to the Services. In the event that the ETF or the Advisor desire to implement any changes related to the Services set forth herein (including, without limitation, changes to fees, CUSIPs, fund names, order cut-off times and affirmation/confirmation disclosure), the Advisor shall provide written notice of such requested changes to SIDCO at least two weeks prior to the proposed effectiveness of such change to enable SIDCO to evaluate the impact that such change will have on SIDCOs operating procedures, if any. SIDCO shall have no obligation to implement any requested changes to the Services unless such changes are specifically agreed in writing. In the event that SIDCO agrees to implement the proposed changes, SIDCO shall promptly notify the Advisor of any corresponding changes to the Services or fees set forth in this Agreement, and if the proposed changes require modification of SIDCOs operating procedures SIDCO shall notify Advisor of such changes to its operating procedures.
SECTION 2 REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
2.01. Representations and Warranties by Advisor. The Advisor represents and warrants on behalf of itself and, if applicable, the ETF that:
2.01.01. it has full power, right and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;
2.01.02. the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly approved by all requisite actions on its part, and no other proceedings on its part are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;
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2.01.03. this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms;
2.01.04. it is not a party to any, and there are no, pending or threatened legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions or governmental or regulatory investigations or inquiries (collectively, Actions) of any nature against it or its properties or assets which could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect upon its business or financial condition;
2.01.05. there is no injunction, order, judgment, decree, or regulatory restriction imposed specifically upon it or any of its properties or assets;
2.01.06. it is not in default under any contractual or statutory obligations whatsoever (including the payment of any tax) which, individually or in the aggregate, could materially and adversely affect, or is likely to materially and adversely affect, its business or financial condition; and
2.01.07. it has obtained all consents and given all notices (regulatory or otherwise), made all required regulatory filings and is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
2.02. Covenants by Advisor. During the term of this Agreement, the Advisor hereby covenants and agrees that it shall or it shall cause the ETF to:
2.02.01. provide SIDCO with any requested due diligence materials and copies of, or access to, any documents that SIDCO may reasonably request and notify SIDCO as soon as possible of any matter materially affecting SIDCOs performance of the Services under this Agreement;.
2.02.02. provide reasonable assistance, if requested by SIDCO, to facilitate SIDCOs receipt of a current and complete Authorized Trader Form and an AP Authorization Form from each authorized participant, each substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule B;
2.02.03. cause the index receipt agent, transfer agent and/or DTC to provide SIDCO with all necessary information so that SIDCO may perform its obligations under the Agreement;
2.02.04. support or cause the ETFs index receipt agent and/or transfer agent to support the servicing of the shareholders, in connection therewith the index receipt agent, transfer agent or the Advisor will provide an adequate number of persons during normal business hours to respond to telephone inquiries concerning the ETF and/or the Shares;
2.02.05. select and identify persons (referred to herein as, an Authorized Participant) with whom the Advisor desires SIDCO to enter into Authorized Participant Agreements to create and redeem Shares and reasonably cooperate, if requested by SIDCO, in connection with the execution of such agreements, including, without limitation, by providing SIDCOs standard Authorized Participant Agreement to such persons;
2.02.06. report to SIDCO any and all actions or inactions by any Authorized Participant that (i) fail to comply with the terms of any Authorized Participant agreement, (ii) violate any applicable laws of any governmental authorities, including the NASDs Conduct Rules, or (iii) violate any other agreements or procedures with which such Authorized Participant is required to comply;
2.02.07. review and confirm all trade activity and report any errors with respect to the same within 24 hours of such trading activity. Failure by the Advisor to so notify SIDCO within 24 hours of the trading activity will constitute a waiver of any claims in connection with any such errors;
2.02.08. administer on behalf of the ETF the ETFs creditworthiness standards for Authorized Participants, which SIDCO can assume have been satisfied before the placement of an order by an Authorized Participant and upon which SIDCO can rely without inquiry;
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2.02.09. be responsible for the costs of printing and mailing prospectuses to any national stock exchange on which the Shares may be listed), an Authorized Participant or any agent of an Authorized Participant for the purposes of providing prospectuses to prospective Authorized Participants or purchasers of exchange traded Shares in the secondary market;
2.02.10. notify SIDCO promptly in writing in the event that the applicable prospectus is or, to the extent known by the Advisor, will be, modified in a manner that materially impacts the Services provided by SIDCO pursuant to this Agreement;
2.02.11. it will promptly notify SIDCO in the event of any changes to the representations and warranties made hereunder; and
2.02.13 fully disclose to the Board of Directors/Trustees of the ETF the services being provided under this Agreement and the fees being paid by the Advisor.
2.03. Representations and Warranties by SIDCO. SIDCO represents and warrants that:
2.03.01. it has full power, right and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;
2.03.02. the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly approved by all requisite action on its part, and no other proceedings on its part are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;
2.03.03. this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms;
2.03.04. information about litigation to which SEI or its affiliates is a party will be set forth in SEI Investments Companys periodic SEC filings in accordance with the rules of the SEC and will be publicly available on filings on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K from time to time;
2.03.05. there is no injunction, order, judgment, decree, or regulatory restriction imposed specifically upon it or any of its properties or assets;
2.03.06. it is not in default under any statutory obligations whatsoever (including the payment of any tax) which materially and adversely affects, or is likely to materially and adversely affect, its business or financial condition; and
2.03.07. it is a member of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and agrees to abide by all of the rules and regulations of FINRA, including, without limitation, the NASD Conduct Rules. SIDCO agrees to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations as applicable to it. SIDCO agrees to notify the Advisor immediately in the event of its expulsion or suspension by FINRA.
SECTION 3 COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES
3.01. Compensation. Advisor shall pay to SIDCO for its Services described in this Agreement the fees set forth in Schedule C attached hereto, such fees to be paid monthly in advance on the first day of each calendar month.
3.02. Reimbursement of Expenses. The fees paid to SIDCO for the Services are exclusive of reimbursable expenses. Advisor agrees to reimburse SIDCO for SIDCOs reasonable expenses incurred in providing the Services hereunder as set forth in Exhibit C, attached hereto.
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SECTION 4 INDEMNIFICATION
4.01. Indemnification of SIDCO. The Advisor hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless (on an as-incurred basis), SIDCO and each of its affiliates, officers, principals, representatives, directors, employees and agents, and each person, if any, who controls such persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (each, a SIDCO Indemnified Party) from and against any loss, liability, damages, cost or expense incurred by such SIDCO Indemnified Party (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages, or expense and reasonable counsel fees and disbursements incurred in connection therewith) as a result of SIDCOs performance of the Services hereunder, including (i) any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking made by the Advisor in this Agreement, (ii) a failure of the Advisor to perform any obligations set forth in this Agreement (including any written procedures prepared in connection with the performance of this Agreement), (iii) any failure by the Advisor to comply with applicable laws, including any failure to comply with the terms of any exemptive relief with respect to the ETF, (iv) any act or omission by or on behalf of the Advisor involving bad faith, negligence or fraud, (v) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus or any document incorporated by reference therein or filed as an exhibit thereto, or any marketing literature or materials prepared by the Advisor with respect to the securities covered by the Prospectus or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (vi) the operation of a customer contact center or similar call center by the Advisor or one of its affiliates or agents, (vii) an Authorized Participants failure to initially or subsequently fulfill the ETFs creditworthiness standards, (viii) the failure to apply or the inaccurate application of the ETFs creditworthiness standards; (ix) SIDCOs reliance on information contained in an Authorized Trader Form; or (x) any claim by an Authorized Participant related to SIDCOs services.
4.02. Indemnification of the Advisor. SIDCO hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless (on an as-incurred basis), the Advisor and each of its affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents, and each person, if any, who controls such persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (each, an Advisor Indemnified Party) from and against any loss, liability, damages, cost or expense incurred by such Advisor Indemnified Party (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages, or expense and reasonable counsel fees and disbursements incurred in connection therewith) as a result of (i) any material failure by SIDCO to comply with any applicable laws, including but not limited to the NASD Conduct Rules, or (ii) an action or omission of SIDCO involving bad faith or fraud by SIDCO.
4.03. Indemnification Procedures. In case any such action, suit, proceeding or claim for which indemnity may be payable hereunder shall be brought against a SIDCO Indemnified Party or an Advisor Indemnified Party, as applicable (an Indemnified Party), and such Indemnified Party shall notify the applicable indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, such indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in, and to the extent that such indemnifying party shall wish to assume the defense thereof, retain its own counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, subject to the further provisions of this paragraph. After written notice from such indemnifying party to such Indemnified Party of its election to so assume the defense thereof, such indemnifying party shall not be liable to the applicable Indemnified Parties for any additional attorneys fees or other expenses of litigation, other than reasonable costs of investigation subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Parties in connection with the defense thereof, unless (i) the employment of counsel by such Indemnified Parties has been authorized in writing by such indemnifying party, such authorization not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; (ii) such Indemnified Parties shall have obtained a written opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to such indemnifying party that there exists a conflict of interest between such Indemnified Parties and the relevant party in the conduct of the defense of such action or that there are one or more defenses available to such Indemnified Parties that are unavailable to such indemnifying party (in which case such indemnifying party shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of such Indemnified Parties); or (iii) such indemnifying party shall not in fact have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Parties to assume the defense of such action, in each of which cases the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel utilized by such Indemnified Parties shall be at
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the expense of such indemnifying party, it being understood, however, that such indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys for an Indemnified Party, which firm shall be designated in writing by the Indemnified Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, under the circumstances described in clause (ii) above, the applicable Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to retain an additional law firm, in any one such action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, provided such Indemnified Parties have obtained a written opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the indemnifying party that a conflict of interest exists that would preclude the use of a single law firm, in which case the indemnifying party shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel designated by the Indemnified Parties in writing. All such fees and expenses which are at the expense of an indemnifying party hereunder shall be promptly paid by such indemnifying party.
4.04. Additional Provision Regarding Indemnification. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as limiting an Indemnified Partys rights to employ counsel at its own expense or to obtain indemnification for amounts reasonably paid to adverse claimants in satisfaction of any judgments or in settlement of any actions, suit, proceeding or claims, except that no party hereto shall be liable for any settlement of any action, suit, proceeding or claim effected without its written consent. None of the parties hereto shall settle or compromise any action, suit, proceeding or claim if such settlement or compromise provides for an admission of liability on the part of an Indemnified Party without such Indemnified Partys written consent.
SECTION 5 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
5.01. Limitation of Liability. THE DUTIES OF SIDCO SHALL BE CONFINED TO THOSE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, AND NO IMPLIED DUTIES ARE ASSUMED BY OR MAY BE ASSERTED AGAINST SIDCO. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT ARISING OUT OF SIDCOS FRAUD OR CRIMINAL MISCONDUCT WHEN PROVIDING THE SERVICES, SIDCOS LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE LIMITED TO DIRECT AND ACTUAL MONETARY DAMAGES NOT TO EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF FEES PAID HEREUNDER DURING THE THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE FIRST SUCH CLAIM TO OCCUR. For the avoidance of doubt, SIDCO shall have no liability related to any breach in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement due to (i) the failure or delay of the Advisor, the ETF or either of their respective agents to perform its obligations under this Agreement or (ii) activities or statements of sales or wholesaler personnel who are employed and supervised by the Advisor or its affiliates, (iii) any act or omission of the ETFs transfer agent or index receipt agent, (iv) any misstatement or omission in the ETFs registration statement, prospectus, shareholder report or other information filed or made public by the ETF or the Advisor (as amended from time to time), provided that such misstatement or omission was not made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to by SIDCO, (v) the operation of a customer contact center or similar call center by the Advisor or one of its affiliates or agents, (vi) mistakes or errors in data provided to SIDCO by, or interruptions or delays or communications with, any other service providers to the ETF, or (vii) actions taken pursuant to any instruction (whether written or verbal) which it reasonably believes to be genuine and to have been signed or given by the proper person or persons. Each party shall have the duty to mitigate its damages for which another party may become responsible. As used in this Section 5, the term SIDCO shall include the officers, directors, employees, affiliates and agents of SIDCO as well as that entity itself.
5.02. Consequential Damages. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, IN NO EVENT SHALL SIDCO BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR OTHER NON-DIRECT DAMAGES OF ANY KIND WHETHER SUCH LIABILITY IS PREDICATED ON CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR ANY OTHER THEORY AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE ADVISOR IS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF ANY SUCH DAMAGES.
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SECTION 6 TERM AND TERMINATION
6.01. Initial Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence as of the Effective Date and continue in full force and effect, unless earlier terminated by either party in accordance with the terms set forth in this Section 6, for 3 years (the Initial Term).
6.02. Renewal Term. Upon the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive periods of 3 years (each, a Renewal Term).
6.03. Termination for Cause. This Agreement may be terminated by either party hereto on such date as is specified in written notice given by the terminating party, in the event of a material breach of this Agreement by the other party, provided the terminating party has notified the other party of such material breach at least sixty days prior to the specified date of termination and the breaching party has not remedied such breach by the specified date.
6.04. Other Termination. SIDCO may terminate this Agreement at any time, with or without cause, and upon written notice to the Advisor if that certain distribution agreement between SIDCO and the ETF is terminated, or upon thirty days prior written notice to Advisor.
6.05. Survival. The provisions of Sections 4, 5, 7, 8 and 11 shall survive termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 7 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
7.01. General. SIDCO and the Advisor (in such capacity, the Receiving Party) acknowledge and agree to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) provided by SIDCO and the Advisor (in such capacity, the Disclosing Party) in connection with this Agreement. The Receiving Party will not disclose or disseminate the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information to any Person other than (a) those employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees of the Receiving Party, or (b) with respect to SIDCO as a Receiving Party, to those employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees of any agent or affiliate, who have a need to know it in order to assist the Receiving Party in performing its obligations, or to permit the Receiving Party to exercise its rights under this Agreement. In addition, the Receiving Party (a) will take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access to the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, and (b) will not use the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, or authorize other Persons to use the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, for any purposes other than in connection with performing its obligations or exercising its rights hereunder. As used herein, reasonable steps means steps that a party takes to protect its own, similarly confidential or proprietary information of a similar nature, which steps will in no event be less than a reasonable standard of care.
7.02. Confidential Information. The term Confidential Information, as used herein, will mean all business strategies, plans and procedures, proprietary information, methodologies, data and trade secrets, and other confidential information and materials (including, without limitation, any non-public personal information as defined in Regulation S-P) of the Disclosing Party, its affiliates, their respective clients or suppliers, or other Persons with whom they do business, that may be obtained by the Receiving Party from any source or that may be developed as a result of this Agreement.
7.03. Exclusions. The provisions of this Section 7 respecting Confidential Information will not apply to the extent, but only to the extent, that such Confidential Information is: (a) already known to the Receiving Party free of any restriction at the time it is obtained from the Disclosing Party, (b) subsequently learned from an independent third party free of any restriction and without breach of this Agreement; (c) or becomes publicly available through no wrongful act of the Receiving Party or any third party; (d) independently developed by or for the Receiving Party without reference to or use of any Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party; or (e) required to be disclosed pursuant to an applicable law, rule, regulation, government requirement or court order, or the rules of any stock exchange
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(provided, however, that the Receiving Party will advise the Disclosing Party of such required disclosure promptly upon learning thereof in order to afford the Disclosing Party a reasonable opportunity to contest, limit and/or assist the Receiving Party in crafting such disclosure).
7.04. Duties. The Receiving Party will advise its employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees, and will require its agents and affiliates to advise their employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees, of the Receiving Partys obligations of confidentiality and non-use under this Section 7, and will be responsible for ensuring compliance by its and its affiliates employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees with such obligations. In addition, the Receiving Party will require all persons that are provided access to the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, other than the Receiving Partys accountants and legal counsel, to execute confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements containing provisions substantially similar to those set forth in this Section 7. The Receiving Party will promptly notify the Disclosing Party in writing upon learning of any unauthorized disclosure or use of the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information by such persons.
7.05. Treatment of Confidential Information upon Termination. Except as specifically set forth in Section 8.03, upon the Disclosing Partys written request following the termination of this Agreement, the Receiving Party promptly will return to the Disclosing Party, or destroy, all Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party provided under or in connection with this Agreement, including all copies, portions and summaries thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (a) the Receiving Party may retain one copy of each item of the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information for purposes of identifying and establishing its rights and obligations under this Agreement, for archival or audit purposes and/or to the extent required by applicable law, and (b) SIDCO will have no obligation to return or destroy Confidential Information of the Advisor that resides in save tapes of SIDCO; provided, however, that in either case all such Confidential Information retained by the Receiving Party will remain subject to the provisions of this Section 7 for so long as it is so retained. If requested by the Disclosing Party, the Receiving Party will certify in writing its compliance with the provisions of this paragraph.
SECTION 8 RECORDS
8.01. Books and Records. SIDCO shall keep and maintain on behalf of the Advisor all books and records which SIDCO is required to keep and maintain in connection with the Services to be provided hereunder pursuant to any applicable statutes, rules and regulations, including without limitation Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the 1940 Act.
8.02. Ownership of Books and Records. All books and records prepared pursuant to Section 8.01 shall be the property of the ETF and SIDCO shall make such books and records available for inspection by the Advisor or by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) at reasonable times upon reasonable prior notice during normal business hours.
8.03. Delivery of Books and Records. Upon request, SIDCO shall make available to the Advisor copies of the books and records prepared pursuant to Section 8.01. SIDCO shall maintain a copy of all such documents for a period of six years from and after the date of such documents creations, unless control of such document is given to Advisor prior to the expiration of such six year period. At the end of such six-year period, such records and documents will be turned over to the Advisor unless the Advisor authorizes in writing the destruction of such records and documents.
SECTION 9 RIGHT OF OWNERSHIP
All computer programs, resources and procedures developed by SIDCO (or at SIDCOs expense) to perform the Services to be provided by SIDCO under this Agreement are the property of SIDCO unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties in writing.
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SECTION 10 MISCELLANEOUS
10.01. Independent Contractor. SIDCO will undertake and discharge its obligations hereunder as an independent contractor. Neither SIDCO nor any of its officers, directors, principals, employees or representatives is or will be an employee of a Fund in connection with the performance of SIDCOs duties hereunder. Each of the Advisor and SIDCO will be responsible for its own conduct and the employment, control, compensation and conduct of its agents and employees, and for any injury to such agents or employees or to others through its agents and employees. Any obligations of SIDCO hereunder may be performed by one or more third parties or affiliates of SIDCO.
10.02. Notices. All notices provided for or permitted under this Agreement will be deemed effective upon receipt, and will be in writing and (a) delivered personally, (b) sent by commercial overnight courier with written verification of receipt, or (c) sent by certified or registered U.S. mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, to the party to be notified, at the address for such party set forth below. Notices to SIDCO will be sent to the attention of: General Counsel, SEI Investments Distribution Co., 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. Notices to the Advisor will be sent to President, Impact Shares Corp., 2189 Broken bend, Frisco, Texas 75034.
10.03. Dispute Resolution. Whenever either party desires to institute legal proceedings against the other party concerning this Agreement, it will provide written notice to that effect to such other party. The party providing such notice will refrain from instituting said legal proceedings for a period of thirty (30) days following the date of provision of such notice. During such period, the parties will attempt in good faith to amicably resolve their dispute by negotiation among their executive officers.
10.04. Non-Solicitation. During the term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year afterward, the Advisor will not recruit, solicit, employ or engage, for the Advisor or any other person, any of SIDCOs employees.
10.05. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without giving effect to any conflict of laws or choice of laws rules or principles thereof. To the extent that the applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or any of the provisions of this Agreement, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter will control.
10.06. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which will constitute one and the same instrument. Each such counterpart will be deemed an original, and it will not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. This Agreement will be deemed executed by both parties when any one or more counterparts hereof or thereof, individually or taken together, bears the original, scanned or facsimile signatures of each of the parties.
10.07. Force Majeure. No breach of any obligation of a party to this Agreement (other than obligations to pay amounts owed) will constitute an event of default or breach to the extent it arises out of a cause, existing or future, that is beyond the control and without negligence of the party otherwise chargeable with breach or default, including without limitation: work action or strike; lockout or other labor dispute; flood; war; riot; theft; act of terrorism, earthquake or natural disaster. Either party desiring to rely upon any of the foregoing as an excuse for default or breach will, when the cause arises, give to the other party prompt notice of the facts which constitute such cause; and, when the cause ceases to exist, give prompt notice thereof to the other party.
10.08. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability in such jurisdiction, without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any provision of this Agreement to be invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree that
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the court making such determination will have the power to reduce the scope, duration, or area of the provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace the provision with a provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the original intention of the parties, and this Agreement will be enforceable as so modified.
10.09. Sole Benefit. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Advisor and SIDCO and will not be deemed to be for the direct or indirect benefit of the clients or customers of Advisor or SIDCO. The clients or customers of Advisor and SIDCO will not be deemed to be third party beneficiaries of this Agreement nor to have any other contractual relationship with SIDCO by reason of this Agreement and each party hereto agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other party from any claims of such partys clients or customers against the other party in accordance with and to the extent provided in Section 5 of this Agreement.
10.10. Assignment. The Advisor may not assign, delegate or transfer, by operation of law or otherwise, this Agreement (in whole or in part), or any of its obligations hereunder, without the prior written consent of SIDCO, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. SIDCO may assign, delegate or transfer, by operation of law or otherwise, all of its rights under this Agreement to an affiliate of SIDCO or to any person or entity who purchases all or substantially all of the business or assets of SIDCO to which this Agreement relates, provided that such affiliate, person or entity agrees in advance and in writing to be bound by the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, all of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each partys successors and permitted assigns. Any assignment, delegation, or transfer in violation of this provision shall be void and without legal effect.
10.11. Services Not Exclusive. The Advisor hereby acknowledges that the services provided hereunder by SIDCO are not exclusive. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict SIDCOs right, or the right of any of SIDCOs officers, directors or employees to engage in any other business or to devote time and attention to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, fund, firm, individual or association, as well as provide services to any other investment company, including any investment company which may directly compete with or be similar to the ETF.
10.12. Headings. Paragraph headings in this Agreement are included for convenience only and are not to be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
10.13. Use of Name.
10.13.01. The Advisor will not use the name of SIDCO, or any of its affiliates, in any Prospectus, sales literature, and other material relating to the Advisor in any manner without the prior written consent of SIDCO (which will not be unreasonably withheld); provided, however, that SIDCO hereby approves all lawful uses of the names of SIDCO and its affiliates in the Prospectus of the Advisor and in all other materials which merely refer in accurate terms to their appointment hereunder or which are required by applicable law, regulations or otherwise by the SEC, FINRA, or any state securities authority.
10.13.02. Neither SIDCO nor any of its affiliates will use the name of the Advisor in any publicly disseminated materials, including sales literature, in any manner other than with respect to representative client lists, without the prior written consent of the Advisor (which will not be unreasonably withheld); provided, however, that the Advisor and each Fund hereby approves all lawful uses of its name in any required regulatory filings of SIDCO which merely refer in accurate terms to the appointment of SIDCO hereunder, or which are required by applicable law, regulations or otherwise by the SEC, FINRA, or any state securities authority.
10.14. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement, draft or agreement or proposal with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement or any part hereof may be amended or waived only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such amendment or waiver is sought.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
Impact Shares Corp. | SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO. | |
By: /S/Ethan Powell | By: /S/ Maxine Chou | |
Name: Ethan Powell | Name: Maxine Chou | |
Title: President | Title: CFO and COO |
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SCHEDULE A
Services
Order Processing
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SIDCO shall provide an online and telephone order processing system pursuant to which Authorized Participants who have entered into appropriate agreements with SIDCO may contact SIDCO and place orders to create and redeem creation units of the ETF in accordance with SIDCOs then current trade order processing policies and procedures, a current copy of which will be provided to the Adviser upon request |
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SIDCO shall transmit such orders daily to the Advisor, transfer agent, and index receipt agent |
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In the event that the online system is not available, SIDCO shall establish alternative means by which Authorized Participants may place orders |
Marketing Review
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SIDCO shall review advertising and other sales literature relating to the ETF submitted by the Advisor in the manner prescribed for compliance with the applicable rules of the FINRA and the SEC and the requirements of the exemptive application; file such materials with FINRA and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such approvals for their use as may be required by the SEC or FINRA; |
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provide consultation to the Adviser with respect to regulatory matters regarding the marketing materials, including monitoring regulatory and legislative developments that may affect the marketing materials; |
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Provide client with copy of SEIs SEC & FINRA Marketing Materials Guidebook |
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SCHEDULE B
AUTHORIZED TRADER FORM
The following are the names, titles and signatures of all persons (each an Authorized Person) authorized to give instructions relating to any trade order processing activity contemplated by this Agreement or any other notice, request or instruction on behalf of an Authorized Participant.
Name:
Title:
Signature: _________________________
Name:
Title:
Signature: _________________________
Name:
Title:
Signature: _________________________
Name:
Title:
Signature: _________________________
Name:
Title:
Signature: _________________________
Name:
Title:
Signature: _________________________
The undersigned, __________, being the ___________ of __________________., does hereby certify that the persons listed above have been duly elected or appointed to the offices set forth beneath their names, that they presently hold such offices, that they have been duly authorized to act as Authorized Persons and that their signatures set forth above are their own true and genuine signatures.
In Witness Whereof, the undersigned has hereby set his/her hand.
Date: ___________________
By: _______________________
Name:
Title:
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SCHEDULE C
FEES
Distribution Services Fees:
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$50 Per Creation/Redemption order payable pursuant to a separate distribution services agreement |
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$250 per each expedited review of marketing materials (less than three business days) |
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$250 per each marketing record reviewed in excess of 100 annually |
Technology Custom Development: To be determined as applicable following further discovery, payable at SIDCOs then current rates pursuant to mutually agreed upon project work order(s)
Out of Pocket Fees: Out of pocket expenses would include, but are not limited to the following: regulatory filing fees, printing fees, security pricing fees, postage, NSCC trading charges
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EXECUTION
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated as of April 5, 2018 between Impact Shares Funds I Trust, having its principal office and place of business at 2189 Broken Bend, Frisco, Texas 75034 (the Trust) and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York corporation authorized to do a banking business, having its principal office and place of business at 225 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10286 (Custodian).
W I T N E S S E T H:
That for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth the Trust and Custodian agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:
1. Authorized Person shall be any person, whether or not an officer or employee of the Trust, duly authorized by the Trusts board to execute any Certificate or to give any Oral Instruction with respect to one or more Accounts, such persons to be designated in a Certificate annexed hereto as Schedule I hereto or such other Certificate as may be received by Custodian from time to time.
2. Book-Entry System shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system for receiving and delivering securities, its successors and nominees.
3. Business Day shall mean any day on which Custodian and relevant Depositories are open for business.
4. Certificate shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to Custodian, which is actually received by Custodian by letter or facsimile transmission and signed on behalf of the Trust by an Authorized Person or a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.
5. Composite Currency Unit shall mean the Euro or any other composite currency unit consisting of the aggregate of specified amounts of specified currencies, as such unit may be constituted from time to time.
6. Custodian Affiliate shall mean any office, branch or subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
7. Depository shall include (a) the Book-Entry System, (b) the Depository Trust Company, (c) any other clearing agency or securities depository registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission identified to the Trust from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing.
8. Economic Sanctions Compliance Program shall mean those programs, policies, procedures and measures designed to ensure compliance with, and prevent violations of, Sanctions.
9. Foreign Depository shall mean (a) Euroclear, (b) Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme, (c) each Eligible Securities Depository as defined in Rule 17f-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, identified to the Trust from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing.
10. Instructions shall mean communications actually received by Custodian by S.W.I.F.T., tested telex, letter, facsimile transmission, or other method or system specified by Custodian as available for use in connection with the services hereunder.
11. Oral Instructions shall mean verbal instructions received by Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.
12. Sanctions shall mean all economic sanctions, laws, rules, regulations, executive orders and requirements administered by any governmental authority of the U.S. (including the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control), and the European Union (including any national jurisdiction or member state thereof), in addition to any other applicable authority with jurisdiction over the Fund.
13. Series shall mean the various portfolios, if any, of the Trust listed on Schedule II hereto, and if none are listed references to Series shall be references to the Trust.
14. Securities shall include, without limitation, any common stock and other equity securities, bonds, debentures and other debt securities, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any instruments representing rights to receive, purchase, or subscribe for the same, or representing any other rights or interests therein (whether represented by a certificate or held in a Depository or by a Subcustodian).
15. Subcustodian shall mean a bank (including any branch thereof) or other financial institution (other than a Foreign Depository) located outside the U.S. which is utilized by Custodian in connection with the purchase, sale or custody of Securities hereunder and identified to the Trust from time to time, and their respective successors and nominees.
16. Transfer Agent shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon or an affiliate, subject to a separate Transfer Agency and Service Agreement entered into between the parties, or any successor transfer agent identified to Custodian in a Certificate.
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ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN; ACCOUNTS;
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, AND COVENANTS
1. (a) The Trust hereby appoints Custodian as custodian of all Securities and cash at any time delivered to Custodian during the term of this Agreement, and authorizes Custodian to hold Securities in registered form in its name or the name of its nominees. Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to establish and maintain one or more securities accounts and cash accounts for each Series in which Custodian will hold Securities and cash as provided herein. Custodian shall maintain books and records segregating the assets of each Series from the assets of any other Series. Such accounts (each, an Account; collectively, the Accounts) shall be in the name of the Trust.
(b) Custodian may from time to time establish on its books and records such sub-accounts within each Account as the Trust and Custodian may agree upon (each a Special Account), and Custodian shall reflect therein such assets as the Trust may specify in a Certificate or Instructions.
(c) Custodian may from time to time establish pursuant to a written agreement with and for the benefit of a broker, dealer, future commission merchant or other third party identified in a Certificate or Instructions such accounts on such terms and conditions as the Trust and Custodian shall agree, and Custodian shall transfer to such account such Securities and money as the Trust may specify in a Certificate or Instructions.
2. The Trust hereby represents and warrants, which representations and warranties shall be continuing and shall be deemed to be reaffirmed upon each delivery of a Certificate or each giving of Oral Instructions or Instructions by the Trust, that:
(a) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement, and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust, approved by a resolution of its board, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it, and no provision of its charter or by-laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property, which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;
(c) It is conducting its business in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and requirements, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted;
(d) It will not use the services provided by Custodian hereunder in any manner that is, or will result in, a violation of any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Trust;
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(e) Its board or its foreign custody manager, as defined in Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 40 Act), has determined that use of each Subcustodian (including any Replacement Custodian) which Custodian is authorized to utilize in accordance with Section 1(a) of Article III hereof satisfies the applicable requirements of the 40 Act and Rule 17f-5 thereunder;
(f) The Trust or its investment adviser has determined that the custody arrangements of each Foreign Depository provide reasonable safeguards against the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with such Foreign Depository within the meaning of Rule 17f-7 under the 40 Act;
(g) It is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with various methods of transmitting Instructions and Oral Instructions and delivering Certificates to Custodian, shall, and shall cause each Authorized Person, to safeguard and treat with extreme care any user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys, understands that there may be more secure methods of transmitting or delivering the same than the methods selected by it, agrees that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection therewith provide a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances, and acknowledges and agrees that Instructions need not be reviewed by Custodian, may conclusively be presumed by Custodian to have been given by person(s) duly authorized, and may be acted upon as given;
(h) It shall manage its borrowings, including, without limitation, any advance or overdraft (including any day-light overdraft) in the Accounts, so that the aggregate of its total borrowings for each Series does not exceed the amount such Series is permitted to borrow under the 40 Act;
(i) Its transmission or giving of, and Custodian acting upon and in reliance on, Certificates, Instructions, or Oral Instructions pursuant to this Agreement shall at all times comply with the 40 Act;
(j) It shall impose and maintain restrictions on the destinations to which cash may be disbursed by Instructions to ensure that each disbursement is for a proper purpose; and
(k) It has the right to make the pledge and grant the security interest and security entitlement to Custodian contained in Section 1 of Article V hereof, free of any right of redemption or prior claim of any other person or entity, such pledge and such grants shall have a first priority subject to no setoffs, counterclaims, or other liens or grants prior to or on a parity therewith, and it shall take such additional steps as Custodian may require to assure such priority.
3. The Trust hereby covenants that it shall from time to time complete and execute and deliver to Custodian upon Custodians request a Form FR U-1 (or successor form) whenever the Trust borrows from Custodian any money to be used for the purchase or carrying of margin stock as defined in Federal Reserve Regulation U.
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ARTICLE III
CUSTODY AND RELATED SERVICES
1. (a) Subject to the terms hereof, the Trust hereby authorizes Custodian to hold any Securities received by it from time to time for the Trusts account. Custodian shall be entitled to utilize, subject to subsection (c) of this Section 1, Depositories, Subcustodians, and, subject to subsection (d) of this Section 1, Foreign Depositories, to the extent possible in connection with its performance hereunder. Securities and cash held in a Depository or Foreign Depository will be held subject to the rules, terms and conditions of such entity. Securities and cash held through Subcustodians shall be held subject to the terms and conditions of Custodians agreements with such Subcustodians. Subcustodians may be authorized to hold Securities in Foreign Depositories in which such Subcustodians participate. Unless otherwise required by local law or practice or a particular subcustodian agreement, Securities deposited with a Subcustodian, a Depositary or a Foreign Depository will be held in a commingled account, in the name of Custodian, holding only Securities held by Custodian as custodian for its customers. Custodian shall identify on its books and records the Securities and cash belonging to the Trust, whether held directly or indirectly through Depositories, Foreign Depositories, or Subcustodians. Custodian shall, directly or indirectly through Subcustodians, Depositories, or Foreign Depositories, endeavor, to the extent feasible, to hold Securities in the country or other jurisdiction in which the principal trading market for such Securities is located, where such Securities are to be presented for cancellation and/or payment and/or registration, or where such Securities are acquired. Custodian at any time may cease utilizing any Subcustodian and/or may replace a Subcustodian with a different Subcustodian (the Replacement Subcustodian). In the event Custodian selects a Replacement Subcustodian, Custodian shall not utilize such Replacement Subcustodian until after the Trusts board or foreign custody manager has determined that utilization of such Replacement Subcustodian satisfies the requirements of the 40 Act and Rule 17f-5 thereunder.
(b) Unless Custodian has received a Certificate or Instructions to the contrary, Custodian shall hold Securities indirectly through a Subcustodian only if (i) the Securities are not subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors or operators, including a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or similar authority, except for a claim of payment for the safe custody or administration of Securities on behalf of the Trust by such Subcustodian, and (ii) beneficial ownership of the Securities is freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration.
(c) With respect to each Depository, Custodian (i) shall exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duties as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain Securities or financial assets deposited or held in such Depository, and (ii) will provide, promptly upon request by the Trust, such reports as are available concerning the internal accounting controls and financial strength of Custodian.
(d) With respect to each Foreign Depository, Custodian shall exercise reasonable care, prudence, and diligence (i) to provide the Trust with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Foreign Depository, and (ii) to monitor such custody risks on a continuing basis and promptly notify the Trust of any material change in such risks. The Trust acknowledges and agrees that such analysis and monitoring shall be made on the basis
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of, and limited by, information gathered from Subcustodians or through publicly available information otherwise obtained by Custodian, and shall not include any evaluation of Country Risks. As used herein the term Country Risks shall mean with respect to any Foreign Depository: (a) the financial infrastructure of the country in which it is organized, (b) such countrys prevailing custody and settlement practices, (c) nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions, (d) such countrys regulation of the banking or securities industry, (e) currency controls, restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations, and (f) market conditions which affect the order execution of securities transactions or affect the value of securities.
2. Custodian shall furnish the Trust with an advice of daily transactions (including a confirmation of each transfer of Securities) and a monthly summary of all transfers to or from the Accounts.
3. With respect to all Securities held hereunder, Custodian shall, unless otherwise instructed to the contrary:
(a) Receive all income and other payments and advise the Trust as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;
(b) Present for payment and receive the amount paid upon all Securities which may mature and advise the Trust as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;
(c) Forward to the Trust copies of all information or documents that it may actually receive from an issuer of Securities which, in the opinion of Custodian, are intended for the beneficial owner of Securities;
(d) Execute, as custodian, any certificates of ownership, affidavits, declarations or other certificates under any tax laws now or hereafter in effect in connection with the collection of bond and note coupons;
(e) Hold directly or through a Depository, a Foreign Depository, or a Subcustodian all rights and similar Securities issued with respect to any Securities credited to an Account hereunder; and
(f) Endorse for collection checks, drafts or other negotiable instruments.
4. (a) Custodian shall notify the Trust of rights or discretionary actions with respect to Securities held hereunder, and of the date or dates by when such rights must be exercised or such action must be taken, provided that Custodian has actually received, from the issuer or the relevant Depository (with respect to Securities issued in the United States) or from the relevant Subcustodian, Foreign Depository, or a nationally or internationally recognized bond or corporate action service to which Custodian subscribes, timely notice of such rights or discretionary corporate action or of the date or dates such rights must be exercised or such action must be taken. Absent actual receipt of such notice, Custodian shall have no liability for failing to so notify the Trust.
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(b) Whenever Securities (including, but not limited to, warrants, options, tenders, options to tender or non-mandatory puts or calls) confer discretionary rights on the Trust or provide for discretionary action or alternative courses of action by the Trust, the Trust shall be responsible for making any decisions relating thereto and for directing Custodian to act. In order for Custodian to act, it must receive the Trusts Certificate or Instructions at Custodians offices, addressed as Custodian may from time to time request, not later than noon (New York time) at least two (2) Business Days prior to the last scheduled date to act with respect to such Securities (or such earlier date or time as Custodian may specify to the Trust). Absent Custodians timely receipt of such Certificate or Instructions, Custodian shall not be liable for failure to take any action relating to or to exercise any rights conferred by such Securities.
5. All voting rights with respect to Securities, however registered, shall be exercised by the Trust or its designee. Custodian will make available to the Trust proxy voting services upon the request of, and for the jurisdictions selected by, the Trust in accordance with terms and conditions to be mutually agreed upon by Custodian and the Trust.
6. Custodian shall promptly advise the Trust upon Custodians actual receipt of notification of the partial redemption, partial payment or other action affecting less than all Securities of the relevant class. If Custodian, any Subcustodian, any Depository, or any Foreign Depository holds any Securities in which the Trust has an interest as part of a fungible mass, Custodian, such Subcustodian, Depository, or Foreign Depository may select the Securities to participate in such partial redemption, partial payment or other action in any non-discriminatory manner that it customarily uses to make such selection.
7. Custodian shall not under any circumstances accept bearer interest coupons which have been stripped from United States federal, state or local government or agency securities unless explicitly agreed to by Custodian in writing.
8. The Trust shall be liable for all taxes, assessments, duties and other governmental charges, including any interest or penalty with respect thereto (Taxes), with respect to any cash or Securities held on behalf of the Trust or any transaction related thereto. The Trust shall indemnify Custodian and each Subcustodian for the amount of any Tax that Custodian, any such Subcustodian or any other withholding agent is required under applicable laws (whether by assessment or otherwise) to pay on behalf of, or in respect of income earned by or payments or distributions made to or for the account of the Trust (including any payment of Tax required by reason of an earlier failure to withhold). Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or other withholding agent to, withhold the amount of any Tax which is required to be withheld under applicable law upon collection of any dividend, interest or other distribution made with respect to any Security and any proceeds or income from the sale, loan or other transfer of any Security. In the event that Custodian or any Subcustodian is required under applicable law to pay any Tax on behalf of the Trust, Custodian is hereby authorized to withdraw cash from any cash account in the amount required to pay such Tax and to use such cash, or to remit such cash to the appropriate Subcustodian or other withholding agent, for the timely payment of such Tax in the manner required by applicable law. If the aggregate amount of cash in all cash accounts is not sufficient to pay such Tax, Custodian shall promptly notify the Trust of the additional amount of cash (in the appropriate currency) required, and the Trust shall directly
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deposit such additional amount in the appropriate cash account promptly after receipt of such notice, for use by Custodian as specified herein. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that Trust is eligible, pursuant to applicable law or to the provisions of any tax treaty, for a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax which is otherwise required to be withheld or paid on behalf of the Trust under any applicable law, Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or withholding agent to, either withhold or pay such Tax at such reduced rate or refrain from withholding or paying such Tax, as appropriate; provided that Custodian shall have received from the Trust all documentary evidence of residence or other qualification for such reduced rate or exemption required to be received under such applicable law or treaty. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax is obtainable only by means of an application for the Trust, Custodian and the applicable Subcustodian shall have no responsibility for the accuracy or validity of any forms or documentation provided by the Trust to Custodian hereunder. The Trust hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Custodian and each Subcustodian in respect of any liability arising from any underwithholding or underpayment of any Tax which results from the inaccuracy or invalidity of any such forms or other documentation, and such obligation to indemnify shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust, its successors and assigns notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.
9. (a) For the purpose of settling Securities and foreign exchange transactions, the Trust shall provide Custodian with sufficient immediately available funds for all transactions by such time and date as conditions in the relevant market dictate. As used herein, sufficient immediately available funds shall mean either (i) sufficient cash denominated in U.S. dollars to purchase the necessary foreign currency, or (ii) sufficient applicable foreign currency, to settle the transaction. Custodian shall provide the Trust with immediately available Trusts each day which result from the actual settlement of all sale transactions, based upon advices received by Custodian from Subcustodians, Depositories, and Foreign Depositories. Such funds shall be in U.S. dollars or such other currency as the Trust may specify to Custodian.
(b) Any foreign exchange transaction effected by Custodian in connection with this Agreement may be entered with Custodian or a Custodian Affiliate acting as principal or otherwise through customary banking channels. The Trust may issue a standing Certificate or Instructions with respect to foreign exchange transactions, but Custodian may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available to the Trust. The Trust shall bear all risks of investing in Securities or holding cash denominated in a foreign currency.
(c) To the extent that Custodian has agreed to provide pricing or other information services in connection with this Agreement, Custodian is authorized to utilize any vendor (including brokers and dealers of Securities) reasonably believed by Custodian to be reliable to provide such information. The Trust understands that certain pricing information with respect to complex financial instruments (e.g., derivatives) may be based on calculated amounts rather than actual market transactions and may not reflect actual market values, and that the variance between such calculated amounts and actual market values may or may not be material. Where vendors do not provide information for particular Securities or other property, an Authorized Person may advise Custodian in a Certificate regarding the fair market value of, or provide other information with respect to, such Securities or property as determined by it in good faith. Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense incurred as a result of errors or omissions with respect to any pricing or other information utilized by Custodian hereunder.
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10. Until such time as Custodian receives a certificate to the contrary with respect to a particular Security, Custodian may release the identity of the Trust to an issuer which requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 for the specific purpose of direct communications between such issuer and shareholder.
ARTICLE IV
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SECURITIES;
CREDITS TO ACCOUNT
1. Promptly after each purchase or sale of Securities by the Trust, the Trust shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or with respect to a purchase or sale of a Security generally required to be settled on the same day the purchase or sale is made, Oral Instructions specifying all information Custodian may reasonably request to settle such purchase or sale. Custodian shall account for all purchases and sales of Securities on the actual settlement date unless otherwise agreed by Custodian.
2. The Trust understands that when Custodian is instructed to deliver Securities against payment, delivery of such Securities and receipt of payment therefor may not be completed simultaneously. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, settlements, payments and deliveries of Securities may be effected by Custodian or any Subcustodian in accordance with the customary or established securities trading or securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivery to a purchaser or dealer therefor (or agent) against receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Securities. The Trust assumes full responsibility for all risks, including, without limitation, credit risks, involved in connection with such deliveries of Securities.
3. Custodian may, as a matter of bookkeeping convenience or by separate agreement with the Trust, credit the Account with the proceeds from the sale, redemption or other disposition of Securities or interest, dividends or other distributions payable on Securities prior to its actual receipt of final payment therefor. All such credits shall be conditional until Custodians actual receipt of final payment and may be reversed by Custodian to the extent that final payment is not received. Payment with respect to a transaction will not be final until Custodian shall have received immediately available funds which under applicable local law, rule and/or practice are irreversible and not subject to any security interest, levy or other encumbrance, and which are specifically applicable to such transaction.
ARTICLE V
OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS
1. If Custodian should in its sole discretion advance funds on behalf of any Series which results in an overdraft (including, without limitation, any day-light overdraft) because the money held by Custodian in an Account for such Series shall be insufficient to pay the total amount
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payable upon a purchase of Securities specifically allocated to such Series, as set forth in a Certificate, Instructions or Oral Instructions, or if an overdraft arises in the separate account of a Series for some other reason, including, without limitation, because of a reversal of a conditional credit or the purchase of any currency, or if the Trust is for any other reason indebted to Custodian with respect to a Series, including any indebtedness to The Bank of New York Mellon under the Trusts Cash Management and Related Services Agreement (except a borrowing for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities as collateral pursuant to a separate agreement and subject to the provisions of Section 2 of this Article), such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made by Custodian to the Trust for such Series payable on demand and shall bear interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum ordinarily charged by Custodian to its institutional customers, as such rate may be adjusted from time to time. In addition, the Trust hereby agrees that Custodian shall to the maximum extent permitted by law have a continuing lien, security interest, and security entitlement in and to any property, including, without limitation, any investment property or any financial asset, of such Series at any time held by Custodian for the benefit of such Series or in which such Series may have an interest which is then in Custodians possession or control or in possession or control of any third party acting in Custodians behalf. The Trust authorizes Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any such overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any balance of account standing to such Series credit on Custodians books.
2. If the Trust borrows money from any bank (including Custodian if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement) for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities held by Custodian hereunder as collateral for such borrowings, the Trust shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the Series to which such borrowing relates; (b) the name of the bank, (c) the amount of the borrowing, (d) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (e) the total amount payable to the Trust on the borrowing date, (f) the Securities to be delivered as collateral for such loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities, and (g) a statement specifying whether such loan is for investment purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is in conformance with the 40 Act and the Trusts prospectus. Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified collateral against payment by the lending bank of the total amount of the loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in the Certificate. Custodian may, at the option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights therein given the lending bank by virtue of any promissory note or loan agreement. Custodian shall deliver such Securities as additional collateral as may be specified in a Certificate to collateralize further any transaction described in this Section. The Trust shall cause all Securities released from collateral status to be returned directly to Custodian, and Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it. In the event that the Trust fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the name of the issuer, the title and number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities to be delivered as collateral by Custodian, Custodian shall not be under any obligation to deliver any Securities.
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ARTICLE VI
SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
1. Whenever the Trust shall sell any shares issued by the Trust (Shares) it shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or cause the Trusts Transfer Agent to provide instructions, specifying the amount of money, if any, and the particular Securities and the amount of each Security to be received by Custodian for the sale of such Shares and specifically allocated to an Account for such Series. Upon receipt of such money, if any, and such Securities, Custodian shall credit the same to an Account in the name of the Series for which such money, if any, and such Securities are received.
2. Whenever the Trust desires Custodian to make a payment, if any, and a delivery of Securities out of the money and Securities held by Custodian hereunder in connection with a redemption of any Shares, it shall furnish to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or cause the Trusts Transfer Agent to provide instructions specifying the total amount of money, if any, to be paid, and the particular Securities and amount of each Security to be delivered, for the redemption of such Shares. Custodian shall make any such payment and such delivery of Shares, as directed by a Certificate or Instructions or instructions of the Trusts transfer agent, out of the money and Securities held in an Account of the appropriate Series.
ARTICLE VII
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS
1. Whenever the Trust shall determine to pay a dividend or distribution on Shares it shall furnish to Custodian Instructions or a Certificate setting forth with respect to the Series specified therein the date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the total amount payable, and the payment date.
2. Upon the payment date specified in such Instructions or Certificate, Custodian shall pay out of the money held for the account of such Series the total amount payable to the dividend agent of the Trust specified therein.
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING CUSTODIAN
1. (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Custodian shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims, including attorneys and accountants fees (collectively, Losses), incurred by or asserted against the Trust, except those Losses arising out of Custodians own negligence or willful misconduct. Custodian shall have no liability whatsoever for the action or inaction of any Depositories or of any Foreign Depositories, except in each case to the extent such action or inaction is a direct result of the Custodians failure to fulfill its duties hereunder. With respect to any Losses incurred by the Trust as a result of the acts or any failures to act by any Subcustodian (other than a Custodian Affiliate), Custodian shall take appropriate action to recover such Losses from such Subcustodian; and Custodians sole responsibility and liability to the Trust shall be limited to amounts so received from such Subcustodian (exclusive of costs and expenses incurred by Custodian). In no event shall
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Custodian be liable to the Trust or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising in connection with this Agreement, nor shall Custodian or any Subcustodian be liable: (i) for acting in accordance with any Certificate or Oral Instructions actually received by Custodian and reasonably believed by Custodian to be given by an Authorized Person; (ii) for acting in accordance with Instructions without reviewing the same; (iii) for conclusively presuming that all Instructions are given only by person(s) duly authorized; (iv) for conclusively presuming that all disbursements of cash directed by the Trust, whether by a Certificate, an Oral Instruction, or an Instruction, are in accordance with Section 2(i) of Article II hereof; (v) for holding property in any particular country, including, but not limited to, Losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; regulation of the banking or securities industry; exchange or currency controls or restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; availability of cash or Securities or market conditions which prevent the transfer of property or execution of Securities transactions or affect the value of property; (vi) for any Losses due to forces beyond the control of Custodian, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, insurrection, revolution, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, or interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; (vii) for the insolvency of any Subcustodian (other than a Custodian Affiliate), any Depository, or, except to the extent such action or inaction is a direct result of the Custodians failure to fulfill its duties hereunder, any Foreign Depository; or (viii) for any Losses arising from the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter in effect, or from the occurrence of any event, including, without limitation, implementation or adoption of any rules or procedures of a Foreign Depository, which may affect, limit, prevent or impose costs or burdens on, the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any currency or Composite Currency Unit in any country or on the transfer of any Securities, and in no event shall Custodian be obligated to substitute another currency for a currency (including a currency that is a component of a Composite Currency Unit) whose transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected, limited, or prevented by such law, regulation or event, and to the extent that any such law, regulation or event imposes a cost or charge upon Custodian in relation to the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any cash currency or Composite Currency Unit, such cost or charge shall be for the account of the Trust, and Custodian may treat any account denominated in an affected currency as a group of separate accounts denominated in the relevant component currencies.
(b) Custodian may enter into subcontracts, agreements and understandings with any Custodian Affiliate, whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate to perform its services hereunder. No such subcontract, agreement or understanding shall discharge Custodian from its obligations hereunder.
(c) The Trust agrees to indemnify Custodian and hold Custodian harmless from and against any and all Losses sustained or incurred by or asserted against Custodian by reason of or as a result of any action or inaction, or arising out of Custodians performance hereunder, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by Custodian in a successful defense of claims by the Trust; provided however, that the Trust shall not indemnify Custodian for those Losses arising out of Custodians own negligence or willful misconduct. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.
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2. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Custodian shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
(a) Any Losses incurred by the Trust or any other person as a result of the receipt or acceptance of fraudulent, forged or invalid Securities, or Securities which are otherwise not freely transferable or deliverable without encumbrance in any relevant market;
(b) The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased, sold, or written by or for the Trust, the legality of the purchase, sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received therefor;
(c) The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor;
(d) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution by the Trust;
(e) The legality of any borrowing by the Trust;
(f) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor shall Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that any cash or collateral delivered to it by a broker, dealer or financial institution or held by it at any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities is adequate security for the Trust against any loss it might sustain as a result of such loan, which duty or obligation shall be the sole responsibility of the Trust. In addition, Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution to which portfolio Securities of the Trust are lent makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to or for the account of the Trust during the period of such loan or at the termination of such loan, provided, however that Custodian shall promptly notify the Trust in the event that such dividends or interest are not paid and received when due;
(g) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or Securities held in any Special Account in connection with transactions by the Trust; whether any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member makes payment to the Trust of any variation margin payment or similar payment which the Trust may be entitled to receive from such broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member, or whether any payment received by Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member is the amount the Trust is entitled to receive, or to notify the Trust of Custodians receipt or non-receipt of any such payment; or
(h) Whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it or by any Subcustodian, for the account of the Trust and specifically allocated to a Series are such as properly may be held by the Trust or such Series under the provisions of its then current prospectus and statement of additional information, or to ascertain whether any transactions by the Trust, whether or not involving Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be engaged in by the Trust.
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3. Custodian may, with respect to questions of law specifically regarding an Account, obtain the advice of counsel and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with such advice.
4. Custodian shall be under no obligation to take action to collect any amount payable on Securities in default, or if payment is refused after due demand and presentment.
5. Custodian shall have no duty or responsibility to inquire into, make recommendations, supervise, or determine the suitability of any transactions affecting any Account.
6. The Trust shall pay to Custodian the fees and charges as may be specifically agreed upon from time to time and such other fees and charges at Custodians standard rates for such services as may be applicable. The Trust shall reimburse Custodian for all costs associated with the conversion of the Trusts Securities hereunder and the transfer of Securities and records kept in connection with this Agreement. The Trust shall also reimburse Custodian for out-of-pocket expenses which are a normal incident of the services provided hereunder.
7. Custodian has the right to debit any cash account for any amount payable by the Trust in connection with any and all obligations of the Trust to Custodian. In addition to the rights of Custodian under applicable law and other agreements, at any time when the Trust shall not have honored any of its obligations to Custodian, Custodian shall have the right without notice to the Trust to retain or set-off, against such obligations of the Trust, any Securities or cash Custodian or a Custodian Affiliate may directly or indirectly hold for the account of the Trust, and any obligations (whether matured or unmatured) that Custodian or a Custodian Affiliate may have to the Trust in any currency or Composite Currency Unit. Any such asset of, or obligation to, the Trust may be transferred to Custodian and any Custodian Affiliate in order to effect the above rights.
8. The Trust agrees to forward to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions confirming Oral Instructions by the close of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions are given to Custodian. The Trust agrees that the fact that such confirming Certificate or Instructions are not received or that a contrary Certificate or contrary Instructions are received by Custodian shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of transactions authorized by such Oral Instructions and effected by Custodian. If the Trust elects to transmit Instructions through an on-line communications system offered by Custodian, the Trusts use thereof shall be subject to the Terms and Conditions attached as Appendix I hereto. If Custodian receives Instructions which appear on their face to have been transmitted by an Authorized Person via (i) computer facsimile, email, the Internet or other insecure electronic method, or (ii) secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys, the Trust understands and agrees that Custodian cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that Custodian shall conclusively presume that such Written Instructions have been sent by an Authorized Person, and the Trust shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Persons transmit such Instructions to Custodian. If the Trust elects (with Custodians prior consent) to transmit Instructions through an on-line communications service owned or operated by a third party, the Trust agrees that Custodian shall not be responsible or liable for the reliability or availability of any such service.
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9. The books and records pertaining to the Trust which are in possession of Custodian shall be the property of the Trust. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the 40 Act and the rules thereunder. The Trust, or its authorized representatives, shall have access to such books and records during Custodians normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by Custodian to the Trust or its authorized representative. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, Custodian shall provide in hard copy or on computer disc any records included in any such delivery which are maintained by Custodian on a computer disc, or are similarly maintained.
10. It is understood that Custodian is authorized to supply any information regarding the Accounts which is required by any law, regulation or rule now or hereafter in effect. The Custodian shall provide the Trust with any report obtained by the Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of a Depository, and with such reports on its own system of internal accounting control as the Trust may reasonably request from time to time.
11. Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against Custodian in connection with this Agreement.
12. (a) Throughout the term of this Agreement, the Trust (i) shall maintain, and comply with, an Economic Sanctions Compliance Program which includes measures to accomplish effective and timely scanning of all relevant data with respect to its clients and with respect to incoming or outgoing assets or transactions; (ii) shall ensure that neither the Trust nor any of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees or clients (to the extent such clients are covered by this Agreement) is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by an individual or entity that is: (A) the target of Sanctions, or (B) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is, or whose government is, the target of Sanctions; and (iii) shall not, directly or indirectly, use the Accounts in any manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions.
(b) The Trust will promptly provide to the Custodian such information as the Custodian reasonably requests in connection with the matters referenced in this Article VIII, Section 12, including information regarding the Accounts, the assets held or to be held in the Accounts, the source thereof, and the identity of any individual or entity having or claiming an interest therein. The Custodian may decline to act or provide services in respect of any Account, and take such other actions as it, in its reasonable discretion, deems necessary or advisable, in connection with the matters referenced in this Article VIII, Section 12. If the Custodian declines to act or provide services as provided in the preceding sentence, except as otherwise prohibited by applicable law or official request, the Custodian will inform the Trust as soon as reasonably practicable.
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ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
1. The term of this Agreement shall be five (5) years commencing upon the date hereof (the Initial Term) and shall automatically renew for additional one year terms (each, a Subsequent Term) unless either party provides written notice of termination at least one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Subsequent Term.
2. Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement prior to the expiration of the Initial Term in the event the other party breaches any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation in the case of the Trust, its obligations under section 6 of Article VIII, provided that the non-breaching party gives written notice of such breach to the breaching party and the breaching party does not cure such violation within 90 days of receipt of such notice.
3. Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement immediately by sending notice thereof to the other party upon the happening of any of the following: (i) a party commences as debtor any case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, or there is commenced against such party any such case or proceeding; (ii) a party commences as debtor any case or proceeding seeking the appointment of a receiver, conservator, trustee, custodian or similar official for such party or any substantial part of its property or there is commenced against the party any such case or proceeding; (iii) a party makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) a party states in any medium, written, electronic or otherwise, any public communication or in any other public manner its inability to pay debts as they come due. Either party hereto may exercise its termination right under this Section 3 of Article IX at any time after the occurrence of any of the foregoing events notwithstanding that such event may cease to be continuing prior to such exercise, and any delay in exercising this right shall not be construed as a waiver or other extinguishment of that right.
4. Should the Trust exercise its right to terminate, all out of pocket expenses associated with the movement of records and material will be borne by the Trust.
5. In the event such notice is given by the Trust, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the board of the Trust, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians, each of which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. In the event such notice is given by Custodian, the Trust shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to Custodian a copy of a resolution of the board of the Trust, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the absence of such designation by the Trust, Custodian may designate a successor custodian which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. Upon the date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall terminate, and Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of acceptance by the successor custodian on that date deliver directly to the successor custodian all Securities and money then owned by the Trust and held by it as Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.
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6. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Trust or Custodian in accordance with the preceding Section, the Trust shall upon the date specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the delivery by Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities which cannot be delivered to the Trust) and money then owned by the Trust be deemed to be its own custodian and Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with respect to Securities which cannot be delivered to the Trust to hold such Securities hereunder in accordance with this Agreement.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
1. The Trust agrees to furnish to Custodian a new Certificate of Authorized Persons in the event of any change in the then present Authorized Persons. Until such new Certificate is received, Custodian shall be fully protected in acting upon Certificates or Oral Instructions of such present Authorized Persons.
2. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to Custodian, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to Custodian and received by it at its offices at 225 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10286, or at such other place as Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.
3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Trust shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Trust and received by it at its offices at 2189 Broken Bend, Frisco, Texas 75034, or at such other place as the Trust may from time to time designate in writing.
4. Each and every right granted to either party hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of either party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by either party of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.
5. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any exclusive jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties, except that any amendment to the Schedule I hereto need be signed only by the Trust and any amendment to Appendix I hereto need be signed only by Custodian. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other.
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6. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. The Trust and Custodian hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. The Trust hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Trust and Custodian each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
7. The Trust hereby acknowledges that Custodian is subject to federal laws, including the Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act and its implementing regulations, pursuant to which Custodian must obtain, verify and record information that allows Custodian to identify the Trust. Accordingly, prior to opening an Account hereunder Custodian will ask the Trust to provide certain information including, but not limited to, the Trusts name, physical address, tax identification number and other information that will help Custodian to identify and verify the Trusts identity such as organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or other pertinent identifying information. The Trust agrees that Custodian cannot open an Account hereunder unless and until Custodian verifies the Trusts identity in accordance with its CIP.
8. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial organization that provides services to clients through its affiliates and subsidiaries in multiple jurisdictions (the BNY Mellon Group). The BNY Mellon Group may centralize functions including audit, accounting, risk, legal, compliance, sales, administration, product communication, relationship management, storage, compilation and analysis of customer-related data, and other functions (the Centralized Functions) in one or more affiliates, subsidiaries and third-party service providers. Solely in connection with the Centralized Functions, (i) the Trust consents to the disclosure of and authorizes Custodian to disclose information regarding the Trust (Customer-Related Data) to the BNY Mellon Group and to its third-party service providers who are subject to confidentiality obligations with respect to such information and (ii) Custodian may store the names and business contact information of the Trusts employees and representatives on the systems or in the records of the BNY Mellon Group or its service providers. The BNY Mellon Group may aggregate Customer-Related Data with other data collected and/or calculated by the BNY Mellon Group, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary the BNY Mellon Group will own all such aggregated data, provided that the BNY Mellon Group shall not distribute the aggregated data in a format that identifies Customer-Related Data with a particular customer. The Trust confirms that it is authorized to consent to the foregoing.
9. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust and Custodian have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, as of the latest date set forth below.
IMPACT SHARES FUNDS I TRUST |
By: | /S/ Donald J. Guiney |
Title: | Secretary and General Counsel | |
Date: | March 22, 2018 |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON |
By: | /S/Thomas Parrazzo |
Title: | Managing Director | |
Date: | April 5, 2018 |
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SCHEDULE I
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZED PERSONS
(The Trust - Oral and Written Instructions)
The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the duly elected and acting ________________________ of Impact Shares Funds I Trust (the Trust), and further certifies that the following officers or employees of the Trust have been duly authorized in conformity with the Trusts Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to deliver Certificates and Oral Instructions to The Bank of New York Mellon (Custodian) pursuant to the Custody Agreement between the Trust and Custodian dated _______________, 2018 and that the signatures appearing opposite their names are true and correct:
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This certificate supersedes any certificate of Authorized Persons you may currently have on file.
[seal] | By: | |||||
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Date:
SCHEDULE II
SERIES
Impact Shares Funds I Trust
APPENDIX I
ELECTRONIC SERVICES TERMS AND CONDITIONS
These Electronic Access Terms and Conditions (the Terms and Conditions) set forth the terms and conditions under which The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and/or its subsidiaries or joint ventures (collectively, BNY Mellon) will provide the entities and its (their) affiliates listed on Schedule A (You and Your) with access to and use of BNY Mellons electronic information delivery site known as BNY Mellon Connect and/or other BNY Mellon-designated access portals (Electronic Access). Access to and use of Electronic Access by You is contingent upon and is in consideration for Your compliance with the terms and conditions set forth below. Electronic Access includes access to BNY Mellon web sites accessible via BNY Mellon Connect and/or other BNY Mellon-designated access portals (Sites), pursuant to which You are able to access products and services provided by BNY Mellon as well as data regarding Your accounts. You may amend Schedule A by delivering a revised version to BNY Mellon.
Any particular product or service accessed by You through Electronic Access may be subject to a separate written agreement between You and BNY Mellon with respect to such products and services (each a Services Agreement). In addition, terms and conditions and restrictions with respect to any particular product or service accessed through Electronic Access (such as privacy and internet security matters), together with any disclaimers related to the specific products or services, may be set forth on the Sites (hereinafter referred to as Terms of Use) and are applicable to such products and services. You agree to the Terms and Conditions. By any of Your Users accessing the Sites, and the products and services available through Electronic Access, You agree to any Terms of Use and acknowledge and accept any disclaimers and disclosures included on the Sites and the restrictions concerning the use of proprietary data provided by Information Providers (as defined below) that are posted on the Data Terms Web Site (as defined below). For the avoidance of doubt, the execution of these Terms and Conditions will not alter or amend or otherwise affect any Services Agreement whether such Services Agreement is executed prior to or after the execution of these Terms and Conditions.
1. |
Access Administration: |
a. |
To facilitate access to Electronic Access, You will furnish BNY Mellon with a written list of the names, and the extent of authority or level of access, of persons You are authorizing to access the Sites, products and services and to use the Electronic Access (Authorized Users) on a read-only basis. In addition, You may also designate Authorized Users who will have authority to enter transactions and provide instructions to BNY Mellon that cause a change in or have an impact on assets held by BNY Mellon for Your accounts (Authorized Transactional Users). Where appropriate, Authorized Users and Authorized Transactional Users are collectively referred to herein as Users. If You wish to allow any third party (such as an investment manager, consultant or third party service provider) or any employee of a third party to have access to Your account information through Electronic Access and be included as a User under these Terms and Conditions, You may designate a third party or employee of a third party as an Authorized User or Authorized Transactional User under these Terms and Conditions and any such third party or employee of a third party so designated by You (and, if a third party is so designated, any employee of such third party designated by such third party) will be included within the definition of Authorized User, Authorized Transactional User, and User as appropriate. |
b. |
Upon BNY Mellons approval of Users (which approval will not be unreasonably withheld), BNY Mellon will send You a user-id, temporary password and, where applicable, a security identification device for each User. You will be responsible for providing to Users the user-ids, temporary passwords and, where applicable, secure identification devices. You will ensure that any User receiving a secure identification device returns such device immediately following the termination of the Users authorization to access the products and services for which the secure identification device was provided to such User. You are solely responsible for Users access to Electronic Access, and You and Users are solely responsible for the confidentiality of the user-ids and passwords and secure identification devices that are provided to them and will remain responsible for each secure identification device until it is returned to BNY Mellon. You, on behalf of You and Your affiliates, acknowledge and agree that, BNY Mellon will have no duty or obligation to verify or confirm the actual identity of the person who accessed Electronic Access using a validly issued user-id and password (and, where applicable, security identification device) or that the person who accessed Electronic Access using such validly issued user-id and password (and, where applicable, security identification device) is, in fact, a User (whether an Authorized User or an Authorized Transactional User). |
c. |
You shall not, and shall not permit any User or third party to, breach or attempt to breach any security measures used in connection with Electronic Access or Proprietary Software. Any attempt to circumvent or penetrate any application, network or other security measures used by BNY Mellon or its suppliers in connection with Electronic Access is strictly prohibited. |
d. |
You are also solely responsible for ensuring that all Users comply with these Terms and Conditions and any Terms of Use included on the Sites, the Service Agreement for each product or services accessed through the Sites and their associated services and all applicable terms and conditions, restrictions on the use of such products and services and data obtained through the use of Electronic Access. BNY Mellon reserves the right to prohibit access or revoke the access of any User to Electronic Access whom BNY Mellon determines has violated or breached these terms and conditions or any Terms of Use on a Site accessed by the User, including the Data Terms Web Site (as defined below), or whose conduct BNY Mellon reasonably determines may constitute a criminal offense, violate any applicable local, state, national, or international law or constitute a security risk for BNY Mellon, a BNY Mellons third party supplier (BNY Mellons Supplier), BNY Mellons clients or any Users of Electronic Access. BNY Mellon may also terminate access to all Users following termination of all Services Agreements between You and BNY Mellon. |
2. |
Proprietary Software: Depending upon the products and services You elect to access through Electronic Access, You may be provided software owned by BNY Mellon or licensed to BNY Mellon by a BNY Mellon Supplier (Proprietary Software). You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to install the Proprietary Software on Your authorized computer system (including mobile devices registered with BNY Mellon) and to use the Proprietary Software solely for Your own internal purposes in connection with Electronic Access and solely for the purposes for which it is provided to You. You and Your Users may make copies of the Proprietary Software for backup purposes only, provided all copyright and other proprietary information included in the original copy of the Proprietary Software are reproduced in or on such backup copies. You shall not reverse engineer, disassemble, decompile or attempt to determine the source code for, any Proprietary Software. Any attempt to circumvent or penetrate security of Electronic Access is strictly prohibited. |
3. |
Use of Data: |
a. |
Electronic Access may include information and data that is proprietary to the providers of such information or data (Information Providers) or may be used to access Sites that include such information or data from Information Providers. This information and data may be subject to restrictions and requirements which are imposed on BNY Mellon by the Information Providers and which are posted on http://www.bnymellon.com/products/assetservicing/vendoragreement.pdf or any successor web site of which You are provided notice from time to time (the Data Terms Web Site). You will be solely responsible for ensuring that Users comply with the restrictions and requirements concerning the use of proprietary data that are posted on the Data Terms Web Site. |
b. |
You consent to BNY Mellon, its affiliates and BNY Mellons Suppliers disclosing to each other and using data received from You and Users and, where applicable, Your third parties in connection with these Terms and Conditions (including, without limitation, client data and personal data of Users) (1) to the extent necessary for the provision of Electronic Access; (2) in order for BNY Mellon and its affiliates to meet any of their obligations under these Terms and Conditions to provide Electronic Access; or (3) to the extent necessary for Users to access Electronic Access. |
c. |
In addition, You permit BNY Mellon to aggregate data concerning Your accounts with other data collected and/or calculated by BNY Mellon. BNY Mellon will own such aggregated data, but will not distribute the aggregated data in a format that identifies You or Your data. |
4. |
Ownership and Rights: |
a. |
Electronic Access, including any database, any software (including for the avoidance of doubt, Proprietary Software) and any proprietary data, processes, scripts, information, training materials, manuals or documentation made available as part of the Electronic Access (collectively, the Information), are the exclusive and confidential property of BNY Mellon and/or BNY Mellons suppliers. You may not use or disclose the Information except as expressly authorized by these Terms and Conditions. You will, and will cause Users and Your third parties and their users, to keep the Information confidential by using the same care and discretion that You use with respect to Your own confidential information, but in no event less than reasonable care. |
b. |
The provisions of this paragraph will not affect the copyright status of any of the Information which may be copyrighted and will apply to all Information whether or not copyrighted. |
c. |
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions will be construed as giving You or Users any license or right to use the trade marks, logos and/or service marks of BNY Mellon, its affiliates, its Information Providers or BNY Mellons Suppliers. |
d. |
Any Intellectual Property Rights and any other rights or title not expressly granted to You or Users under these Terms and Conditions are reserved to BNY Mellon, its Information Providers and BNY Mellons Suppliers. Intellectual Property Rights includes all copyright, patents, trademarks and service marks, rights in designs, moral rights, rights in computer software, rights in databases and other protectable lists of information, rights in confidential information, trade secrets, inventions and know-how, trade and business names, domain names (including all extensions, revivals and renewals, where relevant) in each case whether registered or unregistered and applications for any of them and the goodwill attaching to any of them and any rights or forms of protection of a similar nature and having equivalent or similar effect to any of them which may subsist anywhere in the world. |
5. |
Reliance: |
a. |
BNY Mellon will be entitled to rely on, and will be fully protected in acting upon, any actions or instructions associated with a user-id or a secure identification device issued to a User until such time BNY Mellon receives actual notice in writing from You of the change in status of the User and receipt of the secure identification device issued to such User. You acknowledge that all commands, directions and instructions, including commands, directions and instructions for transactions issued by a User are issued at Your sole risk. You agree to accept full and sole responsibility for all such commands, directions and instructions and that BNY Mellon, will have no liability for, and you hereby release BNY Mellon from, any losses, liabilities, damages, costs, expenses, claims, causes of action or judgments (including attorneys fees and expenses) (collectively Losses) incurred or sustained by you or any other party in connection with or as a result of BNY Mellons reliance upon or compliance with such commands, directions and instructions. |
b. |
All commands, directions and instructions involving a transaction entered by Authorized Transactional User will be treated as an authorized instruction under the applicable Services Agreement(s) between You and BNY Mellon covering accounts, products and services and products provided by BNY Mellon with respect to which Electronic Access is being used whether such Services Agreement is executed prior to or after the execution of these Terms and Conditions. |
6. |
Disclaimers: |
a. |
Although BNY Mellon uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information through Electronic Access, BNY Mellon, its Content Providers and Information Providers make no warranties or representations under these Terms and Conditions as to accuracy, reliability or comprehensiveness of the content, information or data accessed through Electronic Access. Without limiting the foregoing, some of the content on Electronic Access may be provided by sources unaffiliated with BNY Mellon (Content Providers) and by Information Providers. For that content BNY Mellon is a distributor and not a publisher of such content and has no control over it. Information provided by Information Providers has not been independently verified by BNY Mellon and BNY Mellon makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the content or information provided. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers or other information given or provided by Content Providers and Information Providers (including merchants and licensors) are those of the respective authors of such content and not that of BNY Mellon. BNY Mellon will not be liable to You or Users for such content or information in any way nor for any action taken in reliance on such information nor for direct or indirect damages resulting from the use of such information. For purposes of these Terms and Conditions, all information and data, including all proprietary information and materials and all client data, provided to You through Electronic Access are provided on an AS-IS, AS AVAILABLE basis. |
b. |
BNY Mellon makes no guarantee and does not warrant that Electronic Access or the information and data provided through the Electronic Access are or will be virus-free or will be free of viruses, worms, Trojan horses or other code with contaminating or destructive properties. BNY Mellon will employ commercially reasonable anti-virus software to its systems to protect its systems against viruses. |
c. |
Some Sites accessed through the use of Electronic Access may include links to websites provided by parties that are not affiliated with BNY Mellon (Third Party Websites). BNY Mellon will not be liable to any person for the content found on such Third Party Websites. BNY Mellon will not be responsible for Third Party Websites that collect information from parties who visit their web sites through links on the Sites. BNY Mellon will not be liable or responsible for any loss suffered by any person as a result of their use of any Third Party Websites that are linked to the BNY Mellon Sites. |
d. |
BNY Mellon retains complete discretion and authority to add, delete or revise in whole or in part Electronic Access, including its Sites, and to modify from time to time any Proprietary Software provided in conjunction with the use of Electronic Access and/or any of the Sites. To the extent reasonably possible, BNY Mellon will provide notice of such modifications. BNY Mellon may terminate, immediately and without advance notice, and without right of cure, any portion or component of Electronic Access or the Sites. |
e. |
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THERE IS NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NO WARRANTY OF QUALITY AND NO WARRANTY OF TITLE OR NONINFRINGEMENT. THERE IS NO OTHER WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING ELECTRONIC ACCESS, THE SITES, ANY PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE, INFORMATION, MATERIALS OR CLIENT DATA. |
f. |
Notwithstanding the prior paragraph, The Bank of New York Mellon or an Affiliate designated by it will defend You and pay any amounts agreed to by BNY Mellon in a settlement and damages finally awarded by a court of competent jurisdiction, in an action or proceeding commenced against You based on a claim that Electronic Access or the Proprietary Software infringe plaintiff(s)s patent, copyright, or trade secret, provided that You (i) notify BNY Mellon promptly of any such action or claim (except that the failure to so notify BNY Mellon will not limit BNY Mellons obligations hereunder except to the extent that such failure prejudices BNY Mellon); (ii) grant BNY Mellon or its designated Affiliate full and exclusive authority to defend, compromise or settle such claim or action; and (iii) provide BNY Mellon or its designated Affiliate all assistance reasonably necessary to so defend, compromise or settle. The foregoing obligations will not apply, however, to any claim or action arising from (i) use of the Proprietary Software Information or Electronic Access in a manner not authorized under these Terms and Conditions, the Terms of Use, or the Data Terms Web Site; or (ii) use of the Proprietary Software or Electronic Access in combination with other software or services not supplied by BNY Mellon. |
7. |
Limitation of Liability: |
a. |
IN NO EVENT WILL BNY MELLON, BNY MELLONS SUPPLIERS OR ITS CONTENT PROVIDERS OR INFORMATION PROVIDERS BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANYONE ELSE UNDER THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ANY LOSSES, LIABILITIES, DAMAGES, COSTS OR EXPENSES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DIRECT DAMAGES, CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, RELIANCE DAMAGES, EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, SPECIAL DAMAGES, PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INDIRECT DAMAGES OR DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOOD WILL, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, USE, DATA, EQUIPMENT OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES) THAT RESULT FROM (1) THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE ELECTRONIC ACCESS (2) THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY DECISION MADE OR ACTION OR NON-ACTION TAKEN BY YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON, OR FOR ANY ERRORS BY YOU IN COMMUNICATING SUCH INFORMATION; (3) THE COST OF SUBSTITUTE ACCESS SERVICES; OR (4) ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE CONTENT OR ACCESS THROUGH ELECTRONIC ACCESS. BNY MELLON WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR LOSS, DAMAGE OR INJURY TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY ARISING FROM ANY USE OF ANY PRODUCT, INFORMATION, PROCEDURE, OR SERVICE OBTAINED THROUGH ELECTRONIC ACCESS. BNY MELLON WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE OR INJURY RESULTING FROM VOLUNTARY SHUTDOWN OF THE SERVER, ELECTRONIC ACCESS OR ANY OF THE SITES TO ADDRESS TECHNICAL PROBLEMS, COMPUTER VIRUSES, DENIAL-OF-SERVICE MESSAGES OR OTHER SIMILAR PROBLEMS. |
b. |
BNY MELLONS ENTIRE LIABILITY AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY UNDER THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ANY DISPUTE OR CLAIM RELATED TO THESE TERMS OF USE, ELECTRONIC ACCESS OR SITES, IS AS FOLLOWS: IF YOU REPORT A MATERIAL MALFUNCTION IN ELECTRONIC ACCESS THAT BNY MELLON IS ABLE TO REPRODUCE, BNY MELLON WILL USE REASONABLE EFFORTS TO CORRECT THE MALFUNCTION. IF BNY MELLON IS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE MALFUNCTION, YOU MAY CEASE ALL USE OF ELECTRONIC ACCESS AND RECEIVE A REFUND OF ANY FEES PAID IN ADVANCE, SPECIFICALLY FOR ELECTRONIC ACCESS, APPLICABLE TO PERIODS AFTER CESSATION OF SUCH USE. BECAUSE SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES, IN SUCH JURISDICTIONS LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. |
c. |
The limitation of liability set forth in this Limitation of Liability section and in other provisions in these Terms and Conditions is in addition to any limitation of liability provisions contained in any Services Agreements and will not supersede or be superseded by limitation of liability provisions contained in such Services Agreements, whether executed prior to or after the execution of these Terms and Conditions, except to the extent specifically set forth in such other Services Agreements containing a reference to these Terms and Conditions. |
8. |
Indemnification: |
a. |
You agree to indemnify, protect and hold BNY Mellon, BNY Mellons Suppliers, Content Providers and Information Providers harmless from and against all liability, claims damages, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses, resulting from a claim that arises out of (i) any breach by You or Users of these Terms and Conditions, the Terms of Use or the Data Terms Web Site and (ii) any person obtaining access to Electronic Access through You or Users or through use of any password, user-id or secure identification device issued to a User, whether or not You or a User authorized such access. For the avoidance of doubt, and by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, the forgoing indemnity is applicable to disputes between the parties, including the enforcement of these Terms and Conditions. The rights and remedies conferred hereunder will be cumulative and the exercise or waiver of any such right or remedy will not preclude or inhibit the exercise of additional rights or remedies or the subsequent exercise of such right or remedy. |
b. |
The indemnity provided in herein is in addition to any indemnity and other remedies contained in any Services Agreements and will not supersede or be superseded by such Services Agreements, whether executed prior to or after the execution of these Terms and Conditions, except to the extent specifically set forth in such other Services Agreements and expressly stating an intent to modify this Terms and Conditions. Nothing contained herein will, or be deemed to, alter or modify the rights and remedies of BNY Mellon as set forth in the Services Agreements. |
9. |
Choice of Law and Forum: Unless otherwise agreed and specified herein, these Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law; You expressly and irrevocably agree that exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any claim or dispute with BNY Mellon, its employees, contractors, officers or directors or relating in any way to Your use of Electronic Access resides in the state or federal courts in New York City, New York; and You further irrevocably agree and expressly and irrevocably consent to the exercise of personal jurisdiction in those courts over any action brought with respect to these Terms and Conditions. BNY Mellon and You hereby waive the right of trial by jury in any action arising out of or related to the BNY Mellon or these Terms and Conditions. |
10. |
Term and Termination: |
a. |
Either BNY Mellon or You may terminate these Terms and Conditions and the Electronic Access upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other party. |
b. |
In the event of any breach of the provisions of these Terms and Conditions or a breach by any Authorized User of the Terms of Use or the restrictions and requirements concerning the use of Information Providers proprietary data that are posted on the Data Terms Web Site, the non-breaching party may terminate these Terms and Conditions and the Electronic Access immediately upon written notice to the breaching party if any breach remains uncured after ten (10) days written notice of the breach is sent to the breaching party. |
c. |
BNY Mellon may immediately terminate access through an Authorized Users user-id and password and may, at its discretion, also terminate access by an Authorized User, without right of cure, in the event of an unauthorized use of an Authorized Users user-id or password, or where BNY Mellon believes there is a security risk created by such access. |
d. |
BNY Mellon may terminate, without advance notice, Your access or the access of Users to any portion or component of Electronic Access or the Sites in the event a BNY Mellon Supplier, Content Provider or Information Provider prohibits BNY Mellon from permitting You or Users to have access to their information or services. |
e. |
Promptly upon receiving or giving notice of termination, You will notify all Users of the effective date of the termination. |
f. |
Upon termination of Your access to Electronic Access, You shall return of manuals, documentation, workflow descriptions and the like that are in Your possession or under Your control and all security identification devices. |
g. |
The Reliance, Disclaimers, Limitation of Liability Indemnification and confidentiality provisions of the Terms and Conditions (and other provision of these Terms and Conditions containing disclaimers, limitation of liability and indemnification) shall survive the termination of these Terms and Conditions. |
You represent and warrant to BNY Mellon that these Terms and Conditions and the indemnity contained herein have been duly authorized and accepted, that You have full authority to enter into these Terms and Conditions, both for the entities at Schedule A and for any affiliate with Electronic Access, and that these Terms and Conditions constitute a binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms.
SCHEDULE A to APPENDIX I
Affiliates of Client
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
THIS ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made as of the 1st day of March, 2018 (the Effective Date), by and between Impact Shares Trust (the Trust), Impact Shares Corp (the Adviser), solely in respect of the rights and obligations set forth in Section 8 and applicable provisions of Section 9 of this Agreement) and SEI Investments Global Funds Services, a statutory trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the Administrator).
WHEREAS, the Trust is an [open-end management investment company/unit trust] registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), consisting of the series (each a Fund and collectively, the Funds) set forth in Schedule I (Funds), as such Schedule I may be amended from time to time, attached hereto; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires the Administrator to provide, and the Administrator is willing to provide, administrative and accounting services to the Trust on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein, the Trust and the Administrator hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS
1.01 |
1940 Act shall have the meaning given to such term in the preamble of this Agreement. |
1.02 |
Adviser means Impact Shares Corp., or any other Person acting as an adviser to the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. |
1.03 |
Aggregated Data refers to aggregated, de-identified and statistical data captured by the Administrator from the performance and operation of the System and Services, including, without limitation, the number of records or accounts in a System, the number and types of transactions processed, the number and types of reports run, the length of time needed for the system to process requests, and system configurations such as hardware, operating systems, internet service providers and mobile networks used by customers to access the Services. |
1.04 |
Authorized Participant means an individual or institution that has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Trust and the Trusts Distributor that is authorized to purchase and redeem Creation Units of Funds within the Trust. |
1.05 |
Board means any board of directors, board of trustees, board of managers, managing members, general partners or other Persons having similar responsibilities to any of the foregoing. |
1.06 |
Confidential Information shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 11.01 of this Agreement. |
1.07 |
Conversion means the processes and activities required to transfer the books and records of the Trust from the Trust or its prior administrator, import the Trusts data and files into the Administrators system and such other processes and activities identified as the responsibility of the Administrator in accordance with the Conversion Plan. |
1.08 |
Conversion Plan shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.05 of this Agreement. |
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1.09 |
Creation Unit means an aggregation of a specified number of Fund shares that is purchased and/or redeemed by an Authorized Participant as described in the Funds Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and in accordance with any terms and procedures set forth in the Distributors AP Handbook and/or related procedures. |
1.10 |
Disclosing Party shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 11.01 of this Agreement. |
1.11 |
Fund shall have the meaning given to such term in the preamble of this Agreement. |
1.12 |
Gross Negligence means a conscious, voluntary act or omission in reckless disregard of a legal duty and the rights of, or consequences to, others, and not merely a lack of due care. |
1.13 |
Initial Term shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 9.01 of this Agreement. |
1.14 |
Interested Party or Interested Parties means the Administrator, its subsidiaries and its affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, delegates and associates. |
1.15 |
Investments shall mean such cash, securities and all other assets and property of whatsoever nature now owned or subsequently acquired by or for the account of the Trust. |
1.16 |
Live Date means the date on which the Trust is converted onto the Administrators system and the Administrator begins calculating the Trusts official net asset values (NAV). |
1.17 |
Organizational Documents means, as applicable, the articles of incorporation, declaration of trust, certificate of formation, memorandum of association, partnership agreement, bylaws or other similar documentation setting forth the respective rights and obligations of directors, managers and Authorized Participants in the Trust. |
1.18 |
Person shall mean any natural person, partnership, estate, association, custodian, nominee, limited liability company, corporation, trust or other legal entity. |
1.19 |
Receiving Party shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 11.01 of this Agreement. |
1.20 |
Renewal Term shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 9.01 of this Agreement. |
1.21 |
Services shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.01 of this Agreement. |
1.22 |
Unless the context otherwise requires and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, the term the Trust shall include, as applicable, a sponsor, general partner, trustee or other Person having similar status or performing similar functions, as the case may be, acting on behalf of the Trust. |
1.23 |
Trust Data shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.04 of this Agreement. |
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1.24 |
Trust Materials means any prospectus, registration statement, statement of additional information, proxy solicitation and tender offer materials, annual or other periodic report of the Trust or any advertising, marketing, shareholder communication, or promotional material generated by the Trust or its investment adviser from time to time, as appropriate, including all amendments or supplements thereto. |
SECTION 2 APPOINTMENT AND CONTROL
2.01 |
Services. The Trust hereby appoints the Administrator to be, and the Administrator agrees to act as, the administrative agent of the Trust for the term and subject to the provisions hereof. The Administrator shall perform (and may delegate or sub-contract, as provided below) the services set forth in this Agreement, including the services set forth in Schedule II (Services), which may be amended from time to time in writing by the parties (Services). In performing its duties under this Agreement, the Administrator will act in all material respects in accordance with the Organizational Documents and Trust Materials as they may be amended (to the extent that copies of such documents are delivered to the Administrator). |
2.02 |
Authority. Each of the activities engaged in under the provisions of this Agreement by the Administrator on behalf of the Trust shall be subject to the overall direction and control of the Trust or any Person authorized to act on the Trusts behalf (including, without limitation, the Trusts Board); provided, however, that the Administrator shall have the general authority to do all acts deemed in the Administrators good faith belief to be necessary and proper to perform its obligations under this Agreement. In performing its duties hereunder, the Administrator shall observe and generally comply with the Trust Materials, all applicable resolutions and/or directives of the Board of which it has notice, and applicable laws which may from time to time apply to the Services rendered by the Administrator. In the event that a Fund desires to amend its Organizational Documents in any manner that can reasonably be expected to have a material impact on the Administrators performance of the Services hereunder, such Fund shall notify the Administrator in advance of such amendment and the parties will work together in good faith to minimize the impact of such change on the Administrators operations and compensate the Administrator in connection therewith. The Administrator (i) shall not have or be required to have any authority to supervise the investment or reinvestment of the Creation Units, underlying securities or other properties which comprise the assets of the Trust and (ii) shall not provide any investment advisory services to the Trust, and shall have no liability related to the foregoing. |
2.03 |
Third Parties; Affiliates. The Administrator may delegate to, or sub-contract with, third parties or affiliates administrative or other functions it deems necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, all fees and expenses incurred in any delegation or sub-contract shall be paid by the Administrator and the Administrator shall remain responsible to the Trust for the acts and omissions of such other entities as if such acts or omissions were the acts or omissions of the Administrator. The Trust acknowledges that during the term of this Agreement, the services to be performed by the Administrator may be completed by one or more of the Administrators affiliates or third parties located in or outside of the United States of America. |
2.04 |
Trust Data. The Trust shall be solely responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of all data and other information provided to the Administrator by or on behalf of the Trust pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, (i) prices, (ii) sufficient transaction supporting documentation, (iii) detailed accounting methodologies with respect to the Trusts Investments as approved by the Trusts auditors, (iv) the terms of any agreement between the Trust and an investor or Authorized Participant regarding any special fee or specific fee arrangement or access to portfolio information that may |
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impact or affect the Services, and (v) trade and settlement information from prime brokers and custodians), (vi) information or instructions provided to the Administrator via the Web Access (collectively, Trust Data). All Trust Data shall be provided to the Administrator on a timely basis and in a format and medium reasonably requested by the Administrator from time to time. The Trust shall have an ongoing obligation to promptly update all Trust Data so that such information remains complete and accurate. All Trust Data shall be prepared and maintained, by or on behalf of the Trust, in accordance with applicable law, Trust Materials and generally acceptable accounting principles. The Administrator shall be entitled to rely on all the Trust Data and shall have no liability for any loss, damage or expense incurred by the Trust or any other Person to the extent that such loss, damage or expense arises out of or is related to the Trust Data that is not timely, current, complete and accurate. |
2.05 |
Conversion Plan. Promptly following the Effective Date, the Administrator shall prepare a project plan (Conversion Plan) that sets forth the respective roles and responsibilities of each of the parties in connection with the Conversion or other implementation of the Trust onto the Administrators system. |
SECTION 3 REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE TRUST
3.01 |
The Trust represents and warrants that: |
3.01.01. |
it issues and offers shares of an exchange traded fund that is registered under the 1940 Act as [an open-end fund/a unit investment trust] and that issues and redeems its shares at their net asset value; |
3.01.02. |
shares of an Fund in the Trust are available for purchase and redeemable only by Authorized Participants and only in Creation Units; |
3.01.03. |
it has full power, right and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly approved by all requisite actions on its part, and no other proceedings on its part are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it; this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms; |
3.01.04. |
it is not a party to any, and there are no, pending or threatened legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions or governmental or regulatory investigations or inquiries (collectively, Actions) of any nature against it or its properties or assets which could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect upon its business or financial condition. There is no injunction, order, judgment, decree, or regulatory restriction imposed specifically upon it or any of its properties or assets; |
3.01.05. |
it is not in default under any contractual or statutory obligations whatsoever (including the payment of any tax) which, individually or in the aggregate, could materially and adversely affect, or is likely to materially and adversely affect, its business or financial condition; |
3.01.06. |
as of the close of business on the Effective Date, each Fund that is in existence as of the Effective Date has authorized the issuance of an indefinite number of shares and has elected to register an indefinite number of shares in accordance with Rule 24f-2 under the 1940 Act; |
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3.01.07. |
it has obtained all consents and given all notices (regulatory or otherwise), made all required regulatory filings and is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations; |
3.01.08. |
it has a valid engagement with an independent auditor, custodian and broker and will provide additional information regarding such service providers, including information regarding the terms of its agreement with such service providers, upon request; |
3.01.09. |
it has notified the Administrator of any and all separate agreements between the Trust and any third party that could impact the Administrators performance of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement; and |
3.01.10. |
it has disclosed the terms of any agreement between the Trust and an investor or Authorized Participant regarding any special fee or specific fee arrangement or access to portfolio information that may impact or affect the Services. |
3.02 |
The Trust covenants and agrees that: |
3.02.01. |
it will furnish the Administrator from time to time with complete copies, authenticated or certified, of each of the following: |
(a) |
Copies of the following documents: |
(1) |
Copies of the Trusts current Organizational Documents and of any amendments thereto, certified by the proper official of the state in which such document has been filed; and |
(2) |
Copies of resolutions of the Board covering the approval of this Agreement, authorization of a specified officer of the Trust to execute and deliver this Agreement and authorization for specified officers of the Trust to instruct the Administrator. |
(b) |
A list of all the officers of the Trust, together with specimen signatures of those officers who are authorized to instruct the Administrator in all matters. |
(c) |
Copies of all Trust Materials, including the current prospectus and statement of additional information for the Trust. |
(d) |
A list of all issuers the Trust is restricted from purchasing. |
(e) |
A list of all issuers and or indices that any Fund in the Trust will invest in and/or track. |
(f) |
A list of all affiliated persons (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust that are broker-dealers. |
(g) |
The identity of the Trusts auditors along with contact information. |
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(h) |
The expense budget for each Fund for the current fiscal year. |
(i) |
A list of contact persons (primary, backup and secondary backup) of the Trusts investment adviser and, if applicable, sub-adviser, who can be reached until 6:30 p.m. ET with respect to valuation matters. |
(j) |
Copies of all the Trust Data reasonably requested by the Administrator or necessary for the Administrator to perform its obligations pursuant to this Agreement. |
The Trust shall promptly provide the Administrator with written notice of any updates of or changes to any of the foregoing documents or information, including an updated written copy of such document or information. Until the Administrator receives such updated information or document, the Administrator shall have no obligation to implement or rely upon such updated information or document.
3.02.02. |
it shall timely perform or oversee the performance of all obligations identified in this Agreement as obligations of the Trust, including, without limitation, providing the Administrator with all the Trust Data and Organizational Documents reasonably requested by the Administrator; |
3.02.03. |
it will notify the Administrator as soon as reasonably practical in advance of any matter which could materially affect the Administrators performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, including any amendment to the documents referenced in Section 3.02.01 above; |
3.02.04. |
it will comply in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 1940 Act, and any laws, rules and regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction; |
3.02.05. |
any reference to the Administrator or this Agreement in the Trust Materials shall be limited solely to the description provided by the Administrator in writing from time to time or such other description as the parties shall mutually agree in advance and in writing; |
3.02.06. |
it shall be solely responsible for its compliance with applicable investment policies, Trust Materials, and any laws and regulations governing the manner in which its assets may be invested, and shall be solely responsible for any losses attributable to non-compliance with Trust Materials, and applicable policies, laws and regulations governing such the Trust, its activities or the duties, actions or omissions of the investment manager; |
3.02.07. |
it will promptly notify the Administrator of updates to its representations and warranties hereunder; and |
3.02.08. |
it has an agreement in place with the Adviser pursuant to which the Adviser shall review the PLF file and confirm that it is complete and accurate. |
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SECTION 4 REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR
4.01 |
The Administrator represents and warrants that: |
4.01.01. |
it has full power, right and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly approved by all requisite action on its part, and no other proceedings on its part are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it; this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms. |
4.01.02. |
it is not a party to any, and there are no, pending or threatened Actions of any nature against it or its properties or assets which could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect upon its business or financial condition. There is no injunction, order, judgment, decree, or regulatory restriction imposed specifically upon it or any of its properties or assets. |
4.01.03. |
it is not in default under any statutory obligations whatsoever (including the payment of any tax) which materially and adversely affects, or is likely to materially and adversely affect, its business or financial condition. |
SECTION 5 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
5.01 |
THE DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR SHALL BE CONFINED TO THOSE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, AND NO IMPLIED DUTIES ARE ASSUMED BY OR MAY BE ASSERTED AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATOR. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT ARISING OUT OF THE ADMINISTRATORS BAD FAITH, FRAUD, GROSS NEGLIGENCE (AS DEFINED HEREIN), WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR CRIMINAL MISCONDUCT WHEN PROVIDING THE SERVICES, THE ADMINISTRATORS AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO THE FUNDS WILL BE LIMITED TO MONETARY DAMAGES NOT TO EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF FEES PAID HEREUNDER DURING THE THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE FIRST SUCH CLAIM TO OCCUR. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrator shall not be responsible for any breach in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement due to (i) the failure or delay of any Fund, underlying fund or either of their respective agents to perform its obligations under this Agreement or (ii) the Administrators reliance on Fund Data. Each party shall have the duty to mitigate its damages for which another party may become responsible. As used in this Section 5, the term Administrator shall include the officers, directors, employees, affiliates and agents of the Administrator as well as that entity itself. |
5.02 |
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR OTHER NON-DIRECT DAMAGES OF ANY KIND WHETHER SUCH LIABILITY IS PREDICATED ON CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR ANY OTHER THEORY AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE FUND IS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF ANY SUCH DAMAGES. |
5.03 |
The Administrator may, from time to time, provide to the Trust services and products (Special Third Party Services) from external third party sources that are Pricing Sources or other similar service providers (Special Third Party Vendors). The Trust acknowledges and agrees that the Special Third Party Services are confidential and proprietary trade secrets of the Special Third Party Vendors. Accordingly, the Trust shall honor requests by the Administrator and the Special Third Party Vendors to protect their proprietary rights in their data, information and property including requests that the Trust place copyright notices or other proprietary legends on printed matter, print outs, tapes, |
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disks, film or any other medium of dissemination. The Trust further acknowledges and agrees that all Special Third Party Services are provided on an AS IS WITH ALL FAULTS basis solely for such the Trusts internal use, and as an aid in connection with the receipt of the Services. The Trust may use Special Third Party Services as normally required on view-only screens and hard copy statements, reports and other documents necessary to support such the Trusts investors, however the Trust shall not distribute any Special Third Party Services to other third parties. THE SPECIAL THIRD PARTY VENDORS AND THE ADMINISTRATOR MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE, OR ANY OTHER MATTER WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE SPECIAL THIRD PARTY SERVICES. NEITHER THE ADMINISTRATOR NOR THE SPECIAL THIRD PARTY VENDORS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES SUFFERED BY THE FUND IN THE USE OF ANY OF THE SPECIAL THIRD PARTY SERVICES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, LIABILITY FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SIMILAR DAMAGES. |
5.04 |
The Trust shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Administrator from and against and the Administrator shall have no liability in connection with any and all actions, suits and claims, whether groundless or otherwise, and from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, payments, expenses and liabilities (including reasonable investigation expenses) arising directly or indirectly out of: (i) any act or omission of the Administrator in carrying out its duties hereunder or as a result of the Administrators reliance upon any instructions, notice or instrument that the Administrator believes is genuine and signed or presented by an authorized Person of the Trust; provided that this indemnification shall not apply if any such loss, damage or expense is caused by or arises from the Administrators bad faith, fraud, Gross Negligence, willful misconduct or criminal misconduct in the performance of the Services; (ii) any violation by the Trust or any agent of the Trust of any applicable investment policy, law or regulation, (iii) any misstatement or omission in Trust Materials or any the Trust Data; (iv) any breach by the Trust of any representation, warranty or agreement contained in this Agreement; (v) any act or omission of the Trust, the Trusts former administrator prior to the Effective Date, a Special Third Party Vendor, the Trusts other service providers (such as custodians, prime brokers, transfer agents, investment advisers and sub-adviser(s); (vi) any pricing error caused by the failure of the Trusts investment adviser or sub-adviser to provide a trade ticket or for incorrect information included in any trade ticket; or (vii) any act or omission of the Administrator as a result of the Administrators compliance with the Regulations, including, but not limited to, returning an investor or Authorized Participants investment or restricting the payment of redemption proceeds. |
5.05 |
To the extent that the Trust receives Special Third Party Services from Interactive Data Corporation (IDC), the Trust shall indemnify and hold harmless IDC and its suppliers from any and all losses, damages, liability, costs, including reasonable attorneys fees, resulting directly or indirectly from any claim or demand against IDC by a third party arising out of, derived from, or related to the accuracy or completeness of any such Special Third Party Services received by the Trust. IDC shall not be liable for any claim or demand against the Trust by any third party. |
5.06 |
The Administrator may apply to the Trust, the Trusts sponsor or any Person acting on the Trusts behalf at any time for instructions and may consult counsel for the Trust or the Trusts sponsor or with accountants, counsel and other experts with respect to any matter arising in connection with the Administrators duties hereunder, and the Administrator shall not be liable or accountable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with such instruction or with the advice of counsel, accountants or other experts. Also, the Administrator shall not be liable for actions taken pursuant to any |
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document which it reasonably believes to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper Person or Persons. The Administrator shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any officer, employee or agent of the Trust until receipt of written notice thereof. To the extent that the Administrator consults with the Trust counsel pursuant to this provision, any such expense shall be borne by the Trust. |
5.07 |
The Administrator shall have no liability for its reliance on the Trust Data or the performance or omissions of unaffiliated third parties such as, by way of example and not limitation, transfer agents, sub-transfer agents, custodians, prime brokers, placement agents, third party marketers, asset data service providers, investment advisers (including, without limitation, the sponsor) or sub-advisers, current or former third party service providers, Pricing Sources, software providers, printers, postal or delivery services, prior administrators, telecommunications providers and processing and settlement services. The Administrator may rely on and shall have no duty to investigate or confirm the accuracy or adequacy of any information provided by any of the foregoing third parties. |
5.08 |
The Administrator shall have no obligations with respect to any laws relating to the distribution, purchase or sale of Creation Units or underlying securities. Further, the Trust assumes full responsibility for the preparation, contents and distribution of its Trust Materials and its compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. |
5.09 |
The indemnification rights hereunder shall include the right to reasonable advances of defense expenses on an as-incurred basis in the event of any pending or threatened litigation or Action with respect to which indemnification hereunder may ultimately be merited. If in any case the Trust is asked to indemnify or hold the Administrator harmless, the Administrator shall promptly advise the Trust of the pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and the Administrator will use all reasonable care to identify and notify the Trust promptly concerning any situation which presents or appears likely to present the probability of such a claim for indemnification, but failure to do so shall not affect the rights hereunder. |
5.10 |
The Trust shall be entitled to participate at its own expense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any claims subject to this indemnity provision. If the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such claim, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Trust and satisfactory to the Administrator, whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event that the Trust elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel, the Administrator shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it. If the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of a suit, it will advance to the Administrator the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the Administrator. None of the parties hereto shall settle or compromise any action, suit, proceeding or claim if such settlement or compromise provides for an admission of liability on the part of the indemnified party without such indemnified partys written consent. |
5.11 |
THE TRUST AND THE ADMINISTRATOR HAVE FREELY AND OPENLY NEGOTIATED THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE PRICING, WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE LIABILITY OF THE PARTIES IS TO BE LIMITED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. |
5.12 |
The provisions of this Section 5 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. |
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SECTION 6 VALUATION
The Administrator is entitled to rely on the price and value information (hereinafter Valuation Information) provided by prior administrators, brokers and custodians, investment advisers (including, without limitation, the sponsor) an underlying fund in which the Trust invests, if applicable, or any third-party pricing services selected by the Administrator, the Trusts investment adviser or the Trust (collectively hereinafter referred to as the Pricing Sources) as reasonably necessary in the performance of the Services. The Administrator shall have no obligation to obtain Valuation Information from any sources other than the Pricing Sources and may rely on estimates provided by the Trusts investment adviser or the applicable underlying fund. In the event that the Trusts Adviser does not provide a timely value for an underlying fund, the Administrator shall have the right to use the prior months valuation in its calculation of the current months NAV, and the Administrator shall have no liability and shall be indemnified by the applicable the Trust in connection with such action. The Administrator shall have no liability or responsibility for the accuracy of the Valuation Information provided by a Pricing Source or the delegate of a Pricing Source and the Trust shall indemnify and defend the Administrator against any loss, damages, costs, charges or reasonable counsel fees and expenses in connection with any inaccuracy of such Valuation Information. The Trust shall not use Valuation Information for any purpose other than in connection with the Services and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 7 ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES
7.01 |
The Administrator. The Administrator shall furnish at its own expense the personnel necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement. |
7.02 |
Fund Expenses. The Trust assumes and shall pay or cause to be paid all expenses of the Trust (including any Fund of the Trust) not otherwise allocated in this Agreement, including, without limitation, organizational costs; taxes; expenses for legal and auditing services; the expenses of preparing (including typesetting), printing and mailing reports, Trust Materials, proxy solicitation and tender offer materials and notices to existing shareholders; all expenses incurred in connection with issuing and redeeming Creation Units; the costs of Pricing Sources; the costs of loan credit activity data; the costs of escrow and custodial services; the cost of document retention and archival services, the costs of responding to document production requests; the cost of initial and ongoing registration of the shares under Federal and state securities laws; costs associated with attempting to locate lost shareholders; all expenses incurred in connection with any custom programming or systems modifications required to provide any reports or services requested by the Trust; any expense, if applicable, incurred to reprint the Trust documents identifying the Administrator (along with its address and telephone number) as the Trusts new administrator; costs associated with DST FanMail or similar reporting service; bank service charges; NSCC trading charges; fees and out-of-pocket expenses of Board members; the costs of Board meetings; insurance; interest; brokerage costs; litigation and other extraordinary or nonrecurring expenses; and all fees and charges of service providers to the Trust. The Trust shall reimburse the Administrator for its reasonable costs and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of the Services expenses, including all reasonable charges for independent third party audit charges, printing, financial reporting software/typesetting fees, copying, postage, telephone, and fax charges incurred by the Administrator in the performance of its duties. |
SECTION 8 COMPENSATION
8.01 |
Fees. Adviser shall pay to the Administrator compensation for the services performed and the facilities and personnel provided by the Administrator pursuant to this Agreement, such fees as will be set forth in a written fee schedule mutually agreed upon |
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from time to time by Adviser and the Administrator. Neither the Trust nor Adviser shall have no right of set-off. The fees set forth in the fee schedule between Administrator and the Adviser shall be determined based on the characteristics of each Fund as of the Effective Date. Any material change to the characteristics to a Fund may give rise to an adjustment to the fees. In the event of such a change, the Adviser and Administrator shall negotiate any adjustment to the fees payable hereunder in good faith; provided, however, that if the Adviser and Administrator cannot in good faith agree on such adjustment to the fees within a reasonable period of time, the Administrator may, solely with respect to the Fund(s) for which the parties cannot agree to such adjustment to the fees, terminate this Agreement upon thirty days prior written notice to the Trust. Adviser shall pay the Administrators fees monthly in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. Adviser shall pay the foregoing fees despite the existence of any dispute among the parties. If this Agreement becomes effective subsequent to the first day of any calendar month or terminates before the last day of any calendar month, the Administrators compensation for that part of the month in which this Agreement is in effect shall be prorated in a manner consistent with the calculation of the fees as set forth in the applicable written agreement between Adviser and the Administrator. |
8.02 |
Adjustment of Fees. Adviser acknowledges that from time to time after the first anniversary of the Effective Date, Administrator may increase all non-asset based Fees upon thirty days written notice to the Adviser, in an amount equal to the greater of: (a) five percent; or (b) the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City since the Effective Date with respect to the first such increase and since the date of the immediately preceding increase with respect to all subsequent increases; provided, however, that Administrator may not increase the Fees more than one time during any twelve-month period. Notwithstanding the above, in the event of an increase to Administrators costs for Special Third Party Services, Administrator may at any time upon thirty days written notice increase the Fees applicable to such Special Third Party Services, provided, that such fee increase will not exceed the applicable percentage increase in costs incurred by Administrator with respect to such Special Third Party Services. |
SECTION 9 DURATION AND TERMINATION
9.01 |
Term and Renewal. This Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date and shall remain in effect for a period of three years from and after the Live Date (the Initial Term), and thereafter shall automatically renew for successive three year terms (each such period, a Renewal Term) unless terminated by any party giving written notice of non-renewal at least one hundred eighty days prior to the last day of the then current term to each other party hereto. |
9.02 |
Termination for Cause. |
9.02.01. |
This Agreement may be terminated by any party giving prior notice in writing to the other parties if at anytime the other party or parties have been first (i) notified in writing that such party shall have materially failed to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement (such notice shall be of the specific asserted material breach) (Breach Notice) and (ii) the party receiving the Breach Notice shall not have remedied the noticed failure within sixty days after receipt of the Breach Notice requiring it to be remedied. |
9.02.02. |
This Agreement may be terminated with respect to a particular Fund by any party giving one hundred eighty days prior notice in writing to the other parties prior to the Liquidation (as hereinafter defined) of such Fund. For purposes of this paragraph, the term liquidation shall mean a transaction in |
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which all the assets of a Fund are sold or otherwise disposed of and proceeds there from are distributed in cash or in kind to the Authorized Participants in complete liquidation of the interests of such Authorized Participants in the Fund. A termination pursuant to this Section 9.02.02 shall be effective as of the date of such liquidation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right to terminate set forth in this Section 9.02.02 shall not relieve the Adviser of its obligation to pay the fees set forth on the mutually agreed upon fees letter for the remainder of the one hundred eighty days day period set forth in this Section 9.02.02, which amount shall be payable prior to the effective date of such liquidation. |
9.02.03. |
If the Administrator is unable to successfully convert the Trust or any Fund to its operational environment within a reasonable period of time following the Effective Date (or such later date on which an additional Fund is added to this Agreement) due to untimely, inaccurate or incomplete the Trust Data, the Administrator shall have the right to terminate this Agreement, in its entirety or solely with respect to such Fund, upon written notice and such termination shall be effective upon the date set forth in such notice. |
9.02.04. |
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event of a merger, acquisition, change in control, re-structuring, re-organization or any other decision involving the Trust or any affiliate (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust that causes it to cease to use the Administrator as a provider of the Services in favor of another service provider prior to the expiration of the then current term of this Agreement, the Administrator shall use reasonable efforts to facilitate the deconversion of the Trust to such successor service provider; provided, however that the Administrator makes no guaranty that such deconversion shall happen as of any particular date. In connection with the foregoing and prior to the effective date of such deconversion, the Adviser shall pay to the Administrator (1) all fees and other costs as set forth on the on the mutually agreed upon fees letter as if the Administrator had continued providing Services until the expiration of the then current term and calculated based upon the assets of the deconverting Fund on the date notice of termination in accordance with this Section was given and (2) all fees and expenses previously waived by the Administrator at any time during the term of the Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate effective as of the conclusion of the deconversion as set forth in this Section. |
9.03 |
Effect of Termination. |
9.03.01. |
The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to any rights that may have accrued hereunder to any party hereto prior to such termination. |
9.03.02. |
After termination of this Agreement and upon payment of all accrued fees, reimbursable expenses and other moneys owed to the Administrator, the Administrator shall send to the Trust, or as it shall direct, all books of account, records, registers, correspondence, documents and assets relating to the affairs of or belonging to the Trust in the possession of or under the control of the Administrator or any of its agents or delegates. |
9.03.03. |
In the event any and all accrued fees, reimbursable expenses and other moneys owed to the Administrator hereunder remain unpaid in whole or in part for more than thirty days past due, the Administrator, without further |
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notice, may take any and all actions it deems necessary to collect such amounts due, and any and all of its collection expenses, costs and fees shall be paid by the Trust, including, without limitation, administrative costs, attorneys fees, court costs, collection agencies or agents and interest. |
9.03.04. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event this Agreement is terminated and for any reason the Administrator, with the written consent of the Trust, in fact continues to perform any one or more of the services contemplated by this Agreement, the pertinent provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation, the provisions dealing with payment of fees and indemnification shall continue in full force and effect. The Administrator shall be entitled to collect from the Adviser in addition to the compensation described in on the mutually agreed upon fees letter, the amount of all of the Administrators expenses in connection with the Administrators activities following such termination, including without limitation, the delivery to the Trust and/or its designees of the Trusts property, records, instruments and documents. |
SECTION 10 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
10.01 |
Non-Exclusive. The services of the Administrator rendered to the Trust are not deemed to be exclusive. The Administrator is free to render such services to others. The Administrator shall not be deemed to be affected by notice of, or to be under any duty to disclose to the Trust or Person acting on the Trusts behalf, information which has come into its possession or the possession of an Interested Party in the course of or in connection with providing administrative or other services to any other person or in any manner whatsoever other than in the course of carrying out its duties pursuant to this Agreement. |
10.02 |
Rights of Interested Parties. Subject to applicable law, nothing herein contained shall prevent: |
10.02.01. |
an Interested Party from buying, holding, disposing of or otherwise dealing in any shares or Creation Units for its own account or the account of any of its customers or from receiving remuneration in connection therewith, with the same rights which it would have had if the Administrator were not a party to this Agreement; provided, however, that the prices quoted by the Administrator are no more favorable to the Interested Party than to a similarly situated investor in or redeeming holder of shares or Creation Units; |
10.02.02. |
an Interested Party from buying, holding, disposing of or otherwise dealing in any securities or other investments for its own account or for the account of any of its customers and receiving remuneration in connection therewith, notwithstanding that the same or similar securities or other investments may be held by or for the account of the Trust; |
10.02.03. |
an Interested Party from receiving any commission or other remuneration which it may negotiate in connection with any sale or purchase of shares or Creation Units or Investments effected by it for the account of the Trust; provided, however, that the amount of such commission or other remuneration is negotiated at arms length; and |
10.02.04. |
an Interested Party from contracting or entering into any financial, banking or other transaction with the Trust or from being interested in any such contract or transaction; provided, however, that the terms of such transaction are negotiated at arms length. |
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SECTION 11 CONFIDENTIALITY
11.01 |
Confidential Information. The Administrator and the Trust (in such capacity, the Receiving Party) acknowledge and agree to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) provided by the Administrator and the Trust (in such capacity, the Disclosing Party) in connection with this Agreement. The Receiving Party shall not disclose or disseminate the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information to any Person other than those employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees of the Receiving Party, or with respect to the Administrator as a Receiving Party, to those employees, agents, technology service providers, contractors, subcontractors, licensors and licensees of any agent or affiliate, who have a need to know it in order to assist the Receiving Party in performing its obligations, or to permit the Receiving Party to exercise its rights under this Agreement. In addition, the Receiving Party (a) shall take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access to the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, and (b) shall not use the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, or authorize other Persons to use the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, for any purposes other than in connection with performing its obligations or exercising its rights hereunder; provided, however, that nothing herein shall limit the Administrators ability to collect and use Aggregated Data for the purpose of monitoring the performance, operation or security of the Administrators systems or monitoring, enhancing and creating new services. For the avoidance of doubt, such Aggregated Data will not reveal or be capable of revealing the identity of a Fund or any investor in a Fund to any third party, other than to the Administrators permitted third party contractors who are involved in the compilation of the Aggregated Data. As used herein, reasonable steps means steps that a party takes to protect its own, similarly confidential or proprietary information of a similar nature, which steps shall in no event be less than a reasonable standard of care. |
The term Confidential Information, as used herein, means any of the Disclosing Partys proprietary or confidential information including, without limitation, any non-public personal information (as defined in Regulation S-P) of the Disclosing Party, its affiliates, their respective clients or suppliers, or other Persons with whom they do business, that may be obtained by the Receiving Party from any source or that may be developed as a result of this Agreement, the terms of (or any exercise of rights granted by) this Agreement, technical data; trade secrets; know-how; business processes; product plans; product designs; service plans; services; customer lists and customers; markets; software; developments; inventions; processes; formulas; technology; designs; drawings; and marketing, distribution or sales methods and systems; sales and profit figures or other financial information that is disclosed, directly or indirectly, to the Receiving Party by or on behalf of the Disclosing Party, whether in writing, orally or by other means and whether or not such information is marked as confidential. |
11.02 |
Exclusions. The provisions of this Section 11 respecting Confidential Information shall not apply to the extent, but only to the extent, that such Confidential Information: (a) is already known to the Receiving Party free of any restriction at the time it is obtained from the Disclosing Party, (b) is subsequently learned from an independent third party free of any restriction and without breach of this Agreement; (c) is or becomes publicly available through no wrongful act of the Receiving Party or any third party; (d) is independently developed by or for the Receiving Party without reference to or use of any Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party; or (e) is required to be disclosed pursuant to an applicable law, rule, regulation, government requirement or court order, or the rules of any stock exchange (provided, however, that the Receiving Party shall advise the Disclosing Party of such required disclosure promptly upon learning thereof in order to afford the Disclosing Party a reasonable opportunity to contest, limit and/or assist the Receiving Party in crafting such disclosure). |
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11.03 |
Permitted Disclosure. The Receiving Party shall advise its employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees, and shall require its affiliates to advise their employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees, of the Receiving Partys obligations of confidentiality and non-use under this Section 11, and shall be responsible for ensuring compliance by its and its affiliates employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees with such obligations. In addition, the Receiving Party shall require all Persons that are provided access to the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, other than the Receiving Partys accountants and legal counsel, to execute confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements containing provisions substantially similar to those set forth in this Section 11. The Receiving Party shall promptly notify the Disclosing Party in writing upon learning of any unauthorized disclosure or use of the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information by such Persons. |
11.04 |
Effect of Termination. Upon the Disclosing Partys written request following the termination of this Agreement, the Receiving Party promptly shall return to the Disclosing Party, or destroy, all Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party provided under or in connection with this Agreement, including all copies, portions and summaries thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (a) the Receiving Party may retain one copy of each item of the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information for purposes of identifying and establishing its rights and obligations under this Agreement, for archival or audit purposes and/or to the extent required by applicable law, and (b) the Administrator shall have no obligation to return or destroy Confidential Information of the Trust that resides in save tapes of Administrator; provided, however, that in either case all such Confidential Information retained by the Receiving Party shall remain subject to the provisions of Article 11 for so long as it is so retained. If requested by the Disclosing Party, the Receiving Party shall certify in writing its compliance with the provisions of this paragraph. |
SECTION 12 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
12.01 |
Internet Access. Data and information may be made electronically accessible to the Trust, its adviser and/or sub-adviser(s) and its investors or Authorized Participants through Internet access to one or more web sites provided by the Administrator (Web Access). As between the Trust and Administrator, the Administrator shall own all right, title and interest to such Web Access, including, without limitation, all content, software, interfaces, documentation, data, trade secrets, design concepts, look and feel attributes, enhancements, improvements, ideas and inventions and all intellectual property rights inherent in any of the foregoing or appurtenant thereto including all patent rights, copyrights, trademarks, know-how and trade secrets (collectively, the Proprietary Information). The Trust recognizes that the Proprietary Information is of substantial value to the Administrator and shall not use or disclose the Proprietary Information except as specifically authorized in writing by the Administrator. Use of the Web Access by the Trust or its agents or investors will be subject to any additional terms of use set forth on the web site. All Web Access and the information (including text, graphics and functionality) on the web sites related to such Web Access is presented As Is and As Available without express or implied warranties including, but not limited to, implied warranties of non-infringement, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The Administrator neither warrants that the Web Access will be uninterrupted or error free, nor guarantees the accessibility, reliability, performance, timeliness, sequence, or completeness of information provided on the Web Access. |
12.02 |
Independent Contractor. In making, and performing under, this Agreement, the Administrator shall be deemed to be acting as an independent contractor of the Trust and neither the Administrator nor its employees shall be deemed an agent, affiliate, legal representative, joint venturer or partner of the Trust. No party is authorized to bind any other party to any obligation, affirmation or commitment with respect to any other Person. |
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12.03 |
Assignment; Binding Effect. The Trust may not assign, delegate or transfer, by operation of law or otherwise, this Agreement (in whole or in part), or any of the Trusts obligations hereunder, without the prior written consent of the Administrator, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Administrator may assign or transfer, by operation of law or otherwise, all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to an affiliate of the Administrator or to any person or entity who purchases all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Administrator to which this Agreement relates, provided that such affiliate, person or entity agrees in advance and in writing to be bound by the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, all of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each partys successors and permitted assigns. Any assignment, delegation, or transfer in violation of this provision shall be void and without legal effect. |
12.04 |
Agreement for Sole Benefit of the Administrator and the Trusts. This Agreement is for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Administrator and the Trusts and will not be deemed to be for the direct or indirect benefit of either (i) the clients or customers of the Administrator or the Trust or (ii) the sponsor. The clients or customers of the Administrator or the Trust will not be deemed to be third party beneficiaries of this Agreement nor to have any other contractual relationship with the Administrator by reason of this Agreement and each party hereto agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other party from any claims of its clients or customers against the other party including any attendant expenses and attorneys fees, based on this Agreement or the services provided hereunder. |
12.05 |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. To the extent that the applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or any of the provisions of this Agreement, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the latter shall control. Each party to this Agreement, by its execution hereof, (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the state courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for the purpose of any action between the parties arising in whole or in part under or in connection with this Agreement, and (ii) hereby waives to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such action brought in one of the above-named courts should be dismissed on grounds of forum non conveniens, should be transferred or removed to any court other than one of the above-named courts, or should be stayed by reason of the pendency of some other proceeding in any other court other than one of the above-named courts, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court. |
12.06 |
Equitable Relief. Each party agrees that any other partys violation of the provisions of Section 11 (Confidentiality) may cause immediate and irreparable harm to the other party for which money damages may not constitute an adequate remedy at law. Therefore, the parties agree that, in the event either party breaches or threatens to breach said provision or covenant, the other party shall have the right to seek, in any court of competent jurisdiction, an injunction to restrain said breach or threatened breach, without posting any bond or other security. |
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12.07 |
Dispute Resolution. Whenever either party desires to institute legal proceedings against the other concerning this Agreement, it shall provide written notice to that effect to such other party. The party providing such notice shall refrain from instituting said legal proceedings for a period of thirty days following the date of provision of such notice. During such period, the parties shall attempt in good faith to amicably resolve their dispute by negotiation among their executive officers. This Section 12.07 shall not prohibit either party from seeking, at any time, equitable relief as permitted under Section 12.06. |
12.08 |
Notice. All notices provided for or permitted under this Agreement (except for correspondence between the parties related to operations in the ordinary course) shall be deemed effective upon receipt, and shall be in writing and (a) delivered personally, (b) sent by commercial overnight courier with written verification of receipt, or (c) sent by certified or registered U.S. mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, to the party to be notified, at the address for such party set forth below, or at such other address of such party specified in the opening paragraph of this Agreement. Notices to the Administrator shall be sent to the attention of: General Counsel, SEI Investments Global Trusts Services, One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456, with a copy, given in the manner prescribed above, to the Trusts current relationship manager. Notices to the Trust shall be sent to the persons specified in Schedule III (Notice Instruction Form). |
12.09 |
Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement supersedes all prior or contemporaneous representations, discussions, negotiations, letters, proposals, agreements and understandings between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral. This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented only by a written instrument duly executed by an authorized representative of each of the parties. |
12.10 |
Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability in such jurisdiction, without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any provision of this Agreement to be invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree that the court making such determination shall have the power to reduce the scope, duration, or area of the provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace the provision with a provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the original intention of the parties, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified. |
12.11 |
Waiver. Any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the party entitled to the benefit thereof by written instrument executed by such party. No failure of either party hereto to exercise any power or right granted hereunder, or to insist upon strict compliance with any obligation hereunder, and no custom or practice of the parties with regard to the terms of performance hereof, will constitute a waiver of the rights of such party to demand full and exact compliance with the terms of this Agreement. |
12.12 |
Anti-Money Laundering Laws. In connection with performing the Services set forth herein, the Administrator may provide information that the Trust may rely upon in connection with the Trusts compliance with applicable laws, policies and regulations aimed at the prevention and detection of money laundering and/or terrorism activities (hereinafter, the Regulations). The Trust and the Administrator agree that the Trust shall be responsible for its compliance with all such Regulations. It shall be a condition precedent to providing Services to the Trust under this Agreement and the Administrator shall have no liability for non-performance of its obligations under this Agreement unless |
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it is satisfied, in its absolute discretion, that it has sufficient and appropriate information and material to discharge its obligations under the Regulations, and that the performance of such obligations will not violate any Regulations applicable to it. Without in any way limiting the foregoing, the Trust acknowledges that the Administrator is authorized to return an Authorized Participants Investment in any Fund and take any action necessary to restrict repayment of redemption proceeds to the extent necessary to comply with its obligations pursuant to the Regulations. |
12.13 |
Force Majeure. No breach of any obligation of a party to this Agreement (other than obligations to pay amounts owed) will constitute an event of default or breach to the extent it arises out of a cause, existing or future, that is beyond the control and without negligence of the party otherwise chargeable with breach or default, including without limitation: work action or strike; lockout or other labor dispute; flood; war; riot; theft; act of terrorism, earthquake or natural disaster. Either party desiring to rely upon any of the foregoing as an excuse for default or breach will, when the cause arises, give to the other party prompt notice of the facts which constitute such cause; and, when the cause ceases to exist, give prompt notice thereof to the other party. |
12.14 |
Equipment Failures. In the event of equipment failures beyond the Administrators control, the Administrator shall take reasonable and prompt steps to minimize service interruptions but shall have no liability with respect thereto. The Administrator shall develop and maintain a plan for recovery from equipment failures which may include contractual arrangements with appropriate parties making reasonable provision for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available. |
12.15 |
Non-Solicitation. During the term of this Agreement and for a period of one year thereafter, the Trust shall not solicit, make an offer of employment to, or enter into a consulting relationship with, any person who was an employee of the Administrator during the term of this Agreement. If the Trust breaches this provision, the Trust shall pay to the Administrator liquidated damages equal to 100% of the most recent twelve month salary of the Administrators former employee together with all legal fees reasonably incurred by the Administrator in enforcing this provision. The foregoing restriction on solicitation does not apply to unsolicited applications for jobs, responses to public advertisements or candidates submitted by recruiting firms, provided that such firms have not been contacted to circumvent the spirit and intention of this Section 12.15. |
12.16 |
Headings. All Article headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, do not form a part of this Agreement and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. |
12.17 |
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. Each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. This Agreement shall be deemed executed by both parties when any one or more counterparts hereof or thereof, individually or taken together, bears the original facsimile or scanned signatures of each of the parties. |
12.18 |
Publicity. Except to the extent required by applicable Law, neither the Administrator nor the Trust shall issue or initiate any press release arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the Services rendered hereunder; provided, however, that if no special prominence is given or particular reference made to the Trust over other clients, nothing herein shall prevent the Administrator from (i) placing any Funds or the Investment Managers name and/or company logo(s) (including any registered trademark or service mark) on the Administrators client list(s) (and sharing such list(s) with current or potential |
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clients of the Administrator) and/or marketing material which will include such entities name, logo and those services provided to the Fund(s) by the Administrator; (ii) using the Trust as reference; or (iii) otherwise orally disclosing that the Trust is a client of the Administrator at presentations, conferences or other similar meetings. If the Administrator desires to engage in any type of publicity other than as set forth in subsections (i) through (iii) above or if the Trust desires to engage in any type of publicity, the party desiring to engage in such publicity shall obtain the prior written consent of the other party hereto, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. |
12.19 |
Insurance. The Trust hereby represents that it maintains adequate insurance coverage with respect to its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, including commercially reasonable fidelity bond(s), errors and omissions, directors and officers, professional liability insurance; provided, however, that the amount of insurance coverage shall in no way affect a partys obligations or liability as otherwise set forth in this Agreement. The Administrator shall be included as an additional insured on the Trusts commercial liability policies and shall be named as a loss payee on the Trusts fidelity bond(s). Without limiting the foregoing, in the event that the Administrator makes an employee of the Administrator available to the Trust to serve as an officer of the Trust, the Trust shall maintain professional liability (directors & officers and errors and omissions) insurance with limits of not less than $5 Million per occurrence (Officer Insurance Minimum). All of the foregoing policies shall be issued by insurance companies having an A minus rating or better by A.M. Best Company or an equivalent Standard & Poors rating. The Trust shall furnish Certificates of Insurance evidencing all of the foregoing insurance coverages upon execution of this Agreement, and annually upon the written request of the Administrator. Annually upon the written request of the Administrator, the Trust shall provide insurance policy documentation evidencing the Trusts additional insured status with respect to the Trusts Commercial General Liability and loss payee status with respect to the Trusts Fidelity Bond. The Trust shall promptly inform the Administrator of any material changes to its policies, endorsements or coverages, including the fact that the professional liability coverage required above has fallen below the Officer Insurance Minimum, if applicable. |
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THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF SEI INVESTMENTS GLOBAL FUNDS SERVICES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
SEI INVESTMENTS GLOBAL FUNDS SERVICES | IMPACT SHARES TRUST | |||||||
By: | /S/ John Alshefski | By: | /S/ Ethan Powell | |||||
Name: | John Alshefski | Name: | Ethan Powell | |||||
Title: | Senior Vice President | Title: | Chairman | |||||
Impact Shares Corp. | ||||||||
By: |
/S/ Ethan Powell |
|||||||
Name: | Ethan Powell | |||||||
Title: | President |
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THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF SEI INVESTMENTS GLOBAL FUNDS SERVICES
SCHEDULE I
Funds
Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF
Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF
Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF
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SCHEDULE II
Services
1) |
Maintain the Trusts accounting books and records; |
2) |
Obtain underlying security valuations from appropriate sources consistent with the Trusts pricing and valuation policies, and calculate net asset value of each Fund; |
3) |
Receive PLF files from Adviser and, subject to final approval of such file by Adviser, send PLF files to custodian in appropriate format; |
4) |
Compute yields, total return, expense ratios, portfolio turnover rate and average dollar-weighted portfolio maturity, as appropriate; |
5) |
Track and validate income and expense accruals, analyze and modify expense accrual changes periodically, and process expense disbursements to vendors and service providers; |
6) |
Perform cash processing such as recording paid-in capital activity, perform necessary reconciliations with the transfer agent and the custodian, and provide cash availability data to the adviser, if requested; |
7) |
Calculate required ordinary income and capital gains distributions, coordinate estimated cash payments, and perform necessary reconciliations with the transfer agent; |
8) |
Provide standardized performance reporting data to the Trust and its Adviser; |
9) |
Provide performance, financial and expense information for registration statements and proxies; |
10) |
Communicate net asset value, yield, total return or other financial data to appropriate third party reporting agencies, and assist in resolution of errors reported by such third party agencies; |
11) |
Update accounting system to reflect rate changes, as received from a Funds investment adviser, sub-adviser or respective designee, on variable interest rate instruments; |
12) |
Accrue expenses of each Fund according to instructions received from the Trusts treasurer or other authorized representative (including officers of the Trusts investment adviser); |
13) |
Determine the outstanding receivables and payables for all (1) security trades, (2) portfolio share transactions and (3) income and expense accounts in accordance with the budgets provided by the Trust or its investment adviser; |
14) |
Prepare the Trusts financial statements for review by fund management and independent auditors, manage annual and semi-annual report preparation process, prepare Forms N-SAR, N-Q, N-CSR and 24f-2, provide fund performance data for annual report, coordinate printing and delivery of annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, and file Forms N-SAR, N-Q, N-CSR and 24f-2 and annual/semi-annual reports via EDGAR; |
15) |
Monitor each Funds compliance with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to status as a regulated investment company; |
16) |
Prepare and file federal and state tax returns for the Trust other than those required to be prepared and filed by the Trusts transfer agent or custodian. |
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17) |
Provide data for year-end 1099s and supplemental tax letters; |
18) |
Provide such fund accounting and financial reports in connection with quarterly meetings of the Board as the Board may reasonably request; |
19) |
Manage the Trusts proxy solicitation process, including evaluating proxy distribution channels, coordinating with outside service provider to distribute proxies, track shareholder responses and tabulate voting results, and managing the proxy solicitation vendor if necessary; |
20) |
Provide individuals to serve as ministerial officers of the Trust, as requested; |
21) |
Provide principal accounting officer for purposes of Sarbanes-Oxley (if requested); |
22) |
Coordinate with the Trusts counsel on filing of the Trusts registration statements and proxy statements, and coordinate printing and delivery of the Trusts prospectuses and proxy statements; |
23) |
Provide consultation to the Trust on regulatory matters relating to the operation of the Trust as requested and coordinate with the Trusts legal counsel regarding such matters; |
24) |
Assist legal counsel to the Trust in the development of policies and procedures relating to the operation of the Trust; |
25) |
Act as liaison to legal counsel to the Trust and, where applicable, to legal counsel to the Trusts independent trustees; |
26) |
Coordinate with the Trust counsel in the preparation, review and execution of contracts between the Trust and third parties, such as the Trusts investment adviser, transfer agent, and custodian, and record-keepers or shareholder service providers; |
27) |
Assist the Trust in handling and responding to routine regulatory examinations with respect to records retained or services provided by the Administrator, and coordinate with the Trusts legal counsel in responding to any non-routine regulatory matters with respect to such matters; |
28) |
Provide consulting with respect to the ongoing design, development and operation of the Trust, including new Funds and/or load structures and financing, as well as changes to investment objectives and polices for existing Funds; |
29) |
Coordinate as necessary the registration or qualification of Creation Units with appropriate state securities authorities; |
30) |
Manage the preparation for and conducting of Board meetings by (i) coordinating Board book production and distribution process, (ii) subject to review and approval by the Trust and its counsel, preparing meeting agendas, (iii) preparing the relevant sections of the Board materials required to be prepared by the Administrator, (iv) assisting to gather and coordinate special materials related to annual contract renewals and approval of rule 12b-1 for and as directed by the trustees or the Trust counsel, (v) attending Board meetings, and (vi) performing such other Board meeting functions as shall be agreed by the parties in writing (in this regard, the Trust shall provide the Administrator with notice of regular meetings at least six (6) weeks before such meeting and as soon as practicable before any special meeting of the Board); |
31) |
Cooperate with, and take all reasonable actions in the performance of its duties under this Agreement to ensure that all necessary information is made available to the Trusts independent public accountants in connection with the preparation of any audit or report requested by the |
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Trust, including the provision of a conference room at the Administrators location if necessary (in this regard, the Trusts independent auditors shall provide the Administrator with reasonable notice of any such audit so that (i) the audit will be completed in a timely fashion and (ii) the Administrator will be able to promptly respond to such information requests without undue disruption of its business); and |
32) |
On a T+2 post-trade basis and based on the information available to the Administrator, periodically monitor the Funds for compliance with applicable limitations as set forth in the Trusts or any Funds then current Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information (this provision shall not relieve the Trusts investment adviser and sub-advisers, if any, of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance, including on a pre-trade basis). |
33) |
Additional Reports and Services. |
|
Upon reasonable notice and as mutually agreed upon, the Administrator may provide additional reports upon the request of the Trust or its investment adviser, which may result in additional charges, the amount of which shall be agreed upon between the parties prior to the provision of such report. |
|
Upon reasonable notice and as mutually agreed upon, the Administrator may provide such additional services with respect to a Fund, which may result in an additional charge, the amount of which shall be agreed upon between the parties prior to the provision of such service. |
***
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THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF SEI GLOBAL SERVICES, INC.
SCHEDULE III
Notice Instruction Form
TO WHOM NOTICES SHOULD BE SENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12.08 OF THE AGREEMENT:
Name of Party or Parties: | ||
Name of Contact: | ||
Address: | ||
Telephone No.: | ||
Facsimile No.: | ||
Email Address: |
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THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF SEI GLOBAL SERVICES, INC.
EXECUTION
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 5th day of April 2018, by and between each Trust (hereinafter each a Trust, and collectively the Trusts as applicable) listed on Appendix A hereto (as such Appendix be amended from time to time) and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York corporation authorized to do a banking business having its principal office and place of business at 225 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10286 (the Bank).
WHEREAS, the Trust will ordinarily issue for purchase and redeem shares of the Trust (the Shares) only in aggregations of Shares known as Creation Units (currently 20,000 shares) (each a Creation Unit) principally in kind;
WHEREAS, The Depository Trust Company, a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York (DTC), or its nominee (Cede & Co.), will be the registered owner (the Shareholder) of all Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to appoint the Bank as its transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, and agent in connection with certain other activities, and the Bank desires to accept such appointment;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Terms of Appointment; Duties of the Bank
1.1 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Trust hereby employs and appoints the Bank to act as, and the Bank agrees to act as, its transfer agent for the authorized and issued Shares, and as the Trusts dividend disbursing agent.
1.2 Pursuant to such appointment, the Bank agrees that it will perform the following services:
(a) In accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and Participant Agreements prepared by the Trusts distributor (Distributor), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, the Bank shall:
(i) Perform and facilitate the performance of purchases and redemption of Creation Units;
(ii) Prepare and transmit by means of DTCs book-entry system payments for dividends and distributions on or with respect to the Shares declared by the Trust on behalf of the applicable Trust;
(iii) Maintain the record of the name and address of the Shareholder and the number of Shares issued by the Trust and held by the Shareholder;
(iv) Record the issuance of Shares of the Trust and maintain a record of the total number of Shares of the Trust which are outstanding, and, based upon data provided to it by the Trust, the total number of authorized Shares. The Bank shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the issue or sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the Trust.
(v) Prepare and transmit to the Trust and the Trusts administrator and to any applicable securities exchange (as specified to the Bank by the Trust or its administrator) information with respect to purchases and redemptions of Shares;
(vi) On days that the Trust may accept orders for purchases or redemptions, calculate and transmit to the Distributor and the Trusts administrator the number of outstanding Shares;
(vii) On days that the Trust may accept orders for purchases or redemptions (pursuant to the Participant Agreement), transmit to the Bank, the Trust and DTC the amount of Shares purchased on such day;
(viii) Confirm to DTC the number of Shares issued to the Shareholder, as DTC may reasonably request;
(ix) Prepare and deliver other reports, information and documents to DTC as DTC may reasonably request;
(x) Extend the voting rights to the Shareholder for extension by DTC to DTC participants and the beneficial owners of Shares in accordance with policies and procedures of DTC for book-entry only securities;
(xi) Distribute or maintain, as directed by the Trust, amounts related to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units, dividends and distributions, variation margin on derivative securities and collateral;
(xii) Maintain those books and records of the Trust specified by the Trust in Schedule A attached hereto;
(xiii) Prepare a monthly report of all purchases and redemptions of Shares during such month on a gross transaction basis, and identify on a daily basis the net number of Shares either redeemed or purchased on such Business Day and with respect to each Authorized Participant purchasing or redeeming Shares, the amount of Shares purchased or redeemed;
(xiv) Receive from the Distributor (as defined in the Participant Agreement) or from its agent purchase orders from Authorized Participants (as defined in the Participant Agreement) for Creation Unit Aggregations of Shares received in good form and accepted by or on behalf of the Trust by the Distributor, transmit appropriate trade instructions to the National Securities Clearance Corporation, if applicable, and pursuant to such orders issue the appropriate number of Shares of the Trust and hold such Shares in the account of the Shareholder for each of the respective Trusts;
(xv) The Distributor will receive from the Authorized Participants redemption requests and deliver the appropriate documentation thereof to The Bank of New York Mellon as custodian for the Trust and the Bank will transmit appropriate trade instructions to the National Securities Clearance Corporation, if applicable, and redeem the appropriate number of Creation Unit Aggregations of Shares held in the account of the Shareholder; and
(xvi) Confirm the name, U.S taxpayer identification number and principle place of business of each Authorized Participant.
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(xvii) The Bank may execute transactions directly with Authorized Participants to the extent necessary or appropriate to enable the Bank to carry out any of the duties set forth in items (i) through (xvi) above.
(xviii) Except as otherwise instructed by the Trust, the Bank shall process all transactions in each Series in accordance with the policies and procedures mutually agreed upon between the Trust and the Bank, received in good order from the Distributor before any cut-offs established by the Trust, and such other matters set forth in items (i) through (xvi) above as these policies and procedures are intended to address.
(b) The Bank may maintain and manage, as agent for the Trust, such accounts as the Bank shall deem necessary for the performance of its duties under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the processing of Creation Unit purchases and redemptions; and the payment of dividends and distributions. The Bank may maintain such accounts at financial institutions deemed appropriate by the Bank in accordance with applicable law.
(c) In addition to the services set forth in the above sub-section 1.2(a), the Bank shall: perform the customary services of a transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent including, but not limited to, maintaining the account of the Shareholder, maintaining the items set forth on Schedule A attached hereto, and performing such services identified in each Participant Agreement.
(d) The Bank shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations under the 1940 Act and to the extent required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder (the Rules), all such books and records shall be the property of the Trust, will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with such Section and Rules, and will be surrendered promptly to the Trust on and in accordance with its request.
2. Fees and Expenses
2.1 The Bank shall receive from the Trust such compensation for the Transfer Agents services provided pursuant to this Agreement as may be agreed to from time to time in a written fee schedule approved by the parties. The fees are accrued daily and billed monthly and shall be due and payable upon receipt of the invoice. Upon the termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for the part of the month before such termination shall be prorated according to the proportion which such part bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement.
2.2 In addition to the fee paid under Section 2.1 above, the Trust agrees to reimburse the Bank for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including but not limited to confirmation production, postage, forms, telephone, microfilm, microfiche, tabulating proxies, records storage, or advances incurred by the Bank for the items set out in the fee schedule or relating to dividend distributions and reports (whereas all expenses related to creations and redemptions of Trust securities shall be borne by the relevant Authorized Participant in such creations and redemptions). In addition, any other expenses incurred by the Bank at the request or with the consent of the Trust, will be reimbursed by the Trust.
2.3 The Trust agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses within ten business days following the receipt of the respective billing notice accompanied by supporting documentation, as appropriate. Postage for mailing of dividends, proxies, Trust reports and other mailings to all shareholder accounts shall be advanced to the Bank by the Trust at least seven (7) days prior to the mailing date of such materials.
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2.4 The Trust hereby represents and warrants to the Bank that (i) the terms of this Agreement, (ii) the fees and expenses associated with this Agreement, and (iii) any benefits accruing to the Bank or to the adviser to, or sponsor of, the Trust in connection with this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any fee waivers, reimbursements, or payments made, or to be made, by the Bank to such adviser or sponsor or to any affiliate of the Trust relating to this Agreement have been fully disclosed to the Board of Trustees of the Trust and that, if required by applicable law, such Board of Trustees has approved or will approve the terms of this Agreement, and any such fees, expenses, and benefits.
3. Representations and Warranties of the Bank
The Bank represents and warrants to the Trust that:
It is a banking company duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York.
It is duly qualified to carry on its business in the State of New York.
It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Charter and By-Laws to act as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent and to enter into, and perform its obligations under, this Agreement.
All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement.
4. Representations and Warranties of the Trust
The Trust represents and warrants to the Bank that:
It is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware.
It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
It is an open-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act.
A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on behalf of each of the Trusts has become effective, will remain effective, and appropriate state securities law filings have been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all Shares of the Trust being offered for sale.
5. Indemnification
5.1 The Bank shall not be responsible for, and the Trust shall indemnify and hold the Bank and its directors, officers, employees and agents harmless from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, including, without limitation, those incurred by the Bank in a successful defense of any claims by the Trust, payments, expenses and liability (Losses) which may be sustained or incurred by or which may be asserted against the Bank in connection with or relating to this Agreement or the Banks actions or omissions with respect to this Agreement, or as a result of acting upon any instructions reasonably believed by the Bank to have been duly authorized by the Trust or upon reasonable reliance of information or records given or made by the Trust; except for any Losses for which the Bank has accepted liability pursuant to Article 6 of this Agreement.
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5.2 This indemnification provision shall apply to actions taken or omissions pursuant to this Agreement or a Participant Agreement.
6. Standard of Care and Limitation of Liability
The Bank shall have no responsibility and shall not be liable for any Losses, except that the Bank shall be liable to the Trust for direct money damages caused by its own gross negligence or willful misconduct or that of its employees, or its breach of any of its representations. The parties agree that any encoding or payment processing errors shall be governed by this standard of care, and not Section 4-209 of the Uniform Commercial Code which shall be superseded by this Article. In no event shall the Bank be liable for special, indirect or consequential damages, regardless of the form of action and even if the same were foreseeable. For purposes of this Agreement, none of the following shall be or be deemed a breach of the Banks standard or care:
(a) The conclusive reliance on or use by the Bank or its agents or subcontractors of information, records, documents or services which (i) are received by the Bank or its agents or subcontractors, and (ii) have been prepared, maintained or performed by the Trust or any other person or firm on behalf of the Trust including but not limited to any previous transfer agent or registrar.
(b) The conclusive reliance on, or the carrying out by the Bank or its agents or subcontractors of, any instructions or requests of the Trust or instructions or requests on behalf of the Trust.
(c) The offer or sale of Shares by or for the Trust in violation of any requirement under the federal securities laws or regulations, or the securities laws or regulations of any state that such Shares be registered in such state, or any violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency, or by any state with respect to the offer or sale of Shares in such state.
7. Concerning the Bank
7.1
(a) The Bank may employ agents or attorneys-in-fact which are not affiliates of the Bank with the prior written consent of the Trust (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), and shall not be liable for any loss or expense arising out of, or in connection with, the actions or omissions to act of such agents or attorneys-in-fact, provided that the Bank acts in good faith and with reasonable care in the selection and retention of such agents or attorneys-in-fact.
(b) The Bank may, without the prior consent of the Trust, enter into subcontracts, agreements and understandings with any Bank affiliate, whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate to perform its services hereunder. No such subcontract, agreement or understanding shall discharge Bank from its obligations hereunder.
7.2 The Bank shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any written or oral instruction actually received by the Bank and reasonably believed by the Bank to be duly authorized and delivered. The Trust agrees to forward to the Bank written instructions confirming oral instructions by the close of business of the same day that such oral instructions are given to the Bank. The Trust agrees that the fact that such confirming written instructions are not received or that contrary written instructions are received by the
5
Bank shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of transactions authorized by such oral instructions and effected by the Bank. If the Trust elects to transmit written instructions through an on-line communication system offered by the Bank, Trusts use thereof shall be subject to the terms and conditions attached hereto as [Exhibit B][If not attached to other service contracts.].
7.3 The Bank shall establish and maintain a disaster recovery plan and back-up system satisfying the requirements of its regulators (the Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System). The Bank shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its control which are not a result of its gross negligence, including without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruption, loss or malfunctions of transportation, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority; governmental actions; or inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation, provided that the Bank has established and is maintaining the Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System, or if not, that such delay or failure would have occurred even if the Bank had established and was maintaining the Disaster Recovery Plan and Back-Up System. Upon the occurrence of any such delay or failure the Bank shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
7.4 The Bank shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and the Participation Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against the Bank in connection with this Agreement, except as set forth in this Agreement and the Participation Agreement.
7.5 At any time the Bank may apply to an officer of the Trust, but is not obligated to do so, for written instructions with respect to any matter arising in connection with the Banks duties and obligations under this Agreement, and the Bank, its agents, and subcontractors shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith in accordance with such instructions. Such application by the Bank for instructions from an officer of the Trust may, at the option of the Bank, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by the Bank with respect to its duties or obligations under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken, and the Bank shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified therein unless, prior to taking or omitting to take any such action, the Bank has received written or oral instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted. In connection with the foregoing, the Bank may consult with legal counsel of its own choosing, but is not obligated to do so, and advise the Trust if any instructions provided by the Trust at the request of the Bank pursuant to this Article or otherwise would, to the Banks knowledge, cause the Bank to take any action or omit to take any action contrary to any law, rule, regulation or commercially reasonable practice for similarly situated service providers. In the event a situation or circumstance arises whereby the Bank adopts a course of conduct in reliance upon written legal advice it has received (which need not be a formal opinion of counsel) and the course of conduct is not identical to the course of conduct contained in the instructions received from the Trust, the Bank may reply upon and follow the written legal advice without liability hereunder provided it otherwise acts in compliance with this Agreement and notifies the Trust of its determination.
7.6 The Bank, its agents and subcontractors may act upon any paper or document, reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons, or upon any instruction, information, data, records or documents provided to the Bank or its agents or subcontractors by or on behalf of the Trust by machine readable input, telex, CRT data entry or other similar means authorized by the Trust, and shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from the Trust.
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7.7 The Bank shall retain title to and ownership of any and all data bases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques, derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patentable or copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and other related legal rights utilized by the Bank in connection with the services provided by the Bank hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties hereto acknowledge that the Trust shall retain all ownership rights in Trust data residing on the Banks electronic system.
7.8 Notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall be under no duty or obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
(a) The legality of the issue, sale or transfer of any Shares, the sufficiency of the amount to be received in connection therewith, or the authority of the Trust to request such issuance, sale or transfer;
(b) The legality of the purchase of any Shares, the sufficiency of the amount to be paid in connection therewith, or the authority of the Trust to request such purchase;
(c) The legality of the declaration of any dividend by the Trust, or the legality of the issue of any Shares in payment of any stock dividend; or
(d) The legality of any recapitalization or readjustment of the Shares.
8. Providing of Documents by the Trust and Transfers of Shares
8.1 The Trust shall promptly furnish to the Bank with a copy of its Declaration of Trust and all amendments thereto.
8.2 In the event that DTC ceases to be the Shareholder, the Bank shall re-register the Shares in the name of the successor to DTC as Shareholder upon receipt by the Bank of such documentation and assurances as it may reasonably require.
8.3 The Bank shall have no responsibility whatsoever with respect to of any beneficial interest in any of the Shares owned by the Shareholder.
8.4 The Trust shall deliver to the Bank the following documents on or before the effective date of any increase, decrease or other change in the total number of Shares authorized to be issued:
(a) A certified copy of the amendment to the Trusts Declaration of Trust with respect to such increase, decrease or change; and
(b) An opinion of counsel for the Trust, in a form satisfactory to the Bank, with respect to (i) the validity of the Shares, the obtaining of all necessary governmental consents, whether such Shares are fully paid and non-assessable and the status of such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable federal law or regulations (i.e., if subject to registration, that they have been registered and that the Registration Statement has become effective or, if exempt, the specific grounds therefore), (ii) the status of the Trust with regard to the 1940 Act, and (iii) the due and proper listing of the Shares on all applicable securities exchanges.
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8.5 Prior to the issuance of any additional Shares pursuant to stock dividends, stock splits or otherwise, and prior to any reduction in the number of Shares outstanding, the Trust shall deliver to the Bank:
(a) A certified copy of the order or consent of each governmental or regulatory authority required by law as a prerequisite to the issuance or reduction of such Shares, as the case may be, and an opinion of counsel for the Trust that no other order or consent is required; and
(b) An opinion of counsel for the Trust, in a form satisfactory to the Bank, with respect to (i) the validity of the Shares, the obtaining of all necessary governmental consents, whether such Shares are fully paid and non-assessable and the status of such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable federal law or regulations (i.e., if subject to registration, that they have been registered and that the Registration Statement has become effective or, if exempt, the specific grounds therefore), (ii) the status of the Trust with regard to the 1940 Act, and (iii) the due and proper listing of the Shares on all applicable securities exchanges.
8.6 The Bank and the Trust agree that all books, records, confidential, non-public, or proprietary information and data pertaining to the business of the other party which are exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement shall remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any person other than its auditors, accountants, regulators, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or counsel, except as may be, or may become required by law, by administrative or judicial order or by rule. The foregoing confidentiality obligation shall not apply to any information to the extent: (i) it is already known to the receiving party at the time it is obtained; (ii) it is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving party: (iii) it is rightfully received from a third party who, to the receiving partys knowledge, is not under a duty of confidentiality; (iv) it is released by the protected party to a third party without restriction; or (v) it has been or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party without reference to the information provided by the protected party.
8.7 In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of the Shareholder records of the Trust, the Bank will promptly employ reasonable commercial efforts to notify the Trust and secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Trust as to such inspection. The Bank reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held liable for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person.
9. Termination of Agreement
9.1 The term of this Agreement shall be five years commencing upon the date hereof (the Initial Term) and shall automatically renew for additional one-year terms (each a Subsequent Term) unless either party provides written notice of termination at least one hundred and eighty (180) days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Subsequent Term or, unless earlier terminated as provided below:
(a) Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement prior to the expiration of the Initial Term in the event the other party breaches any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation in the case of the Trust, its obligations under Section 2.1, provided that the non-breaching party gives written notice of such breach to the breaching party and the breaching party does not cure such violation within 90 days of receipt of such notice.
(b) Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement immediately by sending notice thereof to the other party upon the happening of any of the following: (i) a party commences as debtor any case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, or there is commenced against such party any such case or proceeding; (ii) a party commences as debtor any case or proceeding seeking the appointment of a receiver, conservator, trustee, custodian or similar official for such party or any substantial part of its property or there is commenced against the party any such case or proceeding; (iii) a party makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) a party states in any medium,
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written, electronic or otherwise, any public communication or in any other public manner its inability to pay debts as they come due. Either party hereto may exercise its termination right under this Section 9.1(b) at any time after the occurrence of any of the foregoing events notwithstanding that such event may cease to be continuing prior to such exercise, and any delay in exercising this right shall not be construed as a waiver or other extinguishment of that right.
9.2 Should the Trust exercise its right to terminate, all out-of-pocket expenses associated with the movement of records and material will be borne by the Trust.
9.3 The terms of Article 2 (with respect to fees and expenses incurred prior to termination), Article 5 and Article 6 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
10. Additional Series
In the event that the Trust establishes one or more additional series of Shares with respect to which it desires to have the Bank render services as transfer agent under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Bank in writing, and if the Bank agrees in writing to provide such services, such additional issuance shall become Shares hereunder.
11. Assignment
11.1 Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party without the written consent of the other party; provided, however, either party may assign this Agreement to a party controlling, controlled by or under common control with it.
11.2 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
12. Severability and Beneficiaries
12.1 In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, the legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby provided obligation of the Trust to pay is conditioned upon provision of services.
12.2 This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Bank and the Trust, and none of any Participant (as defined in the Participation Agreement), the Distributor, any Shareholder or beneficial owner of any Shares shall be or be deemed a third party beneficiary of this Agreement.
13. Amendment
This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written agreement executed by both parties.
14. New York Law to Apply
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. The Trust and the Bank hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. The Trust hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Trust and the Bank each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
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15. Merger of Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof whether oral or written.
16. Notices
All notices and other communications as required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows or to such other address or addresses of which the respective party shall have notified the other.
If to the Bank:
The Bank of New York Mellon
2 Hanson Place
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Attention: ETF Operations
with a copy to:
The Bank of New York Mellon
225 Liberty Street
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Legal Dept. Asset Servicing
If to the Trust:
Impact Shares Funds I Trust
2189 Broken Bend
Frisco, TX 75034
Attention: Ethan Powell
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17. Information Sharing
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial organization that provides services to clients through its affiliates and subsidiaries in multiple jurisdictions (the BNY Mellon Group). The BNY Mellon Group may centralize functions including audit, accounting, risk, legal, compliance, sales, administration, product communication, relationship management, storage, compilation and analysis of customer-related data, and other functions (the Centralized Functions) in one or more affiliates, subsidiaries and third-party service providers. Solely in connection with the Centralized Functions, (i) the Trust consents to the disclosure of and authorizes the Bank to disclose information regarding the Trust (Customer-Related Data) to the BNY Mellon Group and to its third-party service providers who are subject to confidentiality obligations with respect to such information and (ii) the Bank may store the names and business contact information of the Trusts employees and representatives on the systems or in the records of the BNY Mellon Group or its service providers. The BNY Mellon Group may aggregate Customer-Related Data with other data collected and/or calculated by the BNY Mellon Group, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary the BNY Mellon Group will own all such aggregated data, provided that the BNY Mellon Group shall not distribute the aggregated data in a format that identifies Customer-Related Data with a particular customer. The Trust confirms that it is authorized to consent to the foregoing.
18. Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
[Signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers, as of the latest date set forth below.
EACH SERIES OF THE TRUST LISTED ON APPENDIX A | ||
By: | /S/ Donald J. Guiney | |
Name: Donald J. Guiney | ||
Title: Secretary and General Counsel | ||
Date: March 22, 2018 |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON | ||
By: | Thomas Parrazzo | |
Name: Thomas Parrazzo | ||
Title: Managing Director | ||
Date: April 5, 2018 |
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APPENDIX A
Series
Impact Shares Funds I Trust
13
SCHEDULE A
Books And Records To Be Maintained By The Bank
Source Documents requesting Creations and Redemptions
Correspondence/AP Inquiries
Reconciliations, bank statements, copies of canceled checks, cash proofs
Daily/Monthly reconciliation of outstanding Shares between the Trust and DTC
Dividend Records
Year-end Statements and Tax Forms
14
EXHIBIT A
Form of Authorized Participant Agreement
15
EXHIBIT B
Terms and Conditions For On-line Communications System
16
SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT
This Sublicense Agreement (the AGREEMENT) is entered into as of July 17, 2018, by and between Impact Shares, Corp., a Texas non-profit corporation (Impact Shares) with offices at 2189 Broken Bend, Frisco, Texas 75034 (the ADVISER), and Impact Shares Trust I (the LICENSEE).
WHEREAS, the Adviser, through licenses with index providers (each an INDEX PROVIDER), has the right to license the indexes, trademarks, service marks and other Intellectual Property (the INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY) listed in Schedule B, for use in connection with the exchange-traded fund products listed in Schedule A (the PRODUCTS); and further
WHEREAS, Licensee desires to use the Intellectual Property in connection with the distribution of the Products and the Adviser is willing to grant Licensee a license for such use.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, and for good and valuable consideration set forth in the Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. GRANT OF LICENSE. The Adviser grants Licensee a non-exclusive, non-transferable right and license to use and refer to the Intellectual Property in connection with the creation, issuance, trading and marketing of the Products pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
2. OWNERSHIP AND VALIDITY. Licensee acknowledges Index Providers ownership of the entire right, title and interest in and to the Intellectual Property and Licensees use shall inure to the sole benefit of the applicable Index Provider.
3. OBLIGATION. Licensee acknowledges that it has received and read a copy of the License Agreement and agreed to be bound by the provisions thereto other than the obligations to pay fees, which shall be paid by the Adviser.
4. TERM. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of this Agreement by both parties and remain in effect unless terminated by either party as provided herein.
5. TERMINATION. Licensee may terminate this Agreement upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Adviser. The Adviser may terminate this Agreement upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to Licensee or immediately upon Licensees breach of this Agreement.
6. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth the entire Agreement and the understanding between the parties. No modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be valid or binding unless made in writing and signed on behalf of the parties by their duly authorized officers or representatives.
7. EXECUTION. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously with any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
8. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) A party may not assign this Agreement and/or any of its rights and/or obligations hereunder, except to an affiliate or successor in interest, without the prior written consent of the other party, and any attempted assignment by a party requiring the consent of the other party which is made by the assigning party without the other partys prior consent shall be null and void.
(b) No change in, addition to or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon either party unless in writing signed by an authorized representative of such party. No waiver by either party of any breach by the other party of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of that or any other provision on any other occasion.
(c) It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that the obligations of the Licensee hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Licensee, personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Licensee, as provided in its Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees of the Licensee and signed by an officer of
the Licensee, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Licensee as provided in its Declaration of Trust.
(d) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
(e) In the event any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect and the Agreement shall be read as though the offending provision had not been written or as the provision shall be determined by such court to be read.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Adviser and Licensee have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on their behalf in the manner legally binding upon them.
Impact Shares, Corp. |
/s/ Ethan Powell |
Name: Ethan Powell |
Title: President |
Impact Shares Trust I |
/s/ Ethan Powell |
Name: Ethan Powell |
Title: President and Treasurer |
SCHEDULE A
PRODUCTS
(as of August 20, 2018)
Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF
Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF
Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF
SCHEDULE B
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
(as of August 20, 2018)
Morningstar® Minority Empowerment IndexSM
Morningstar® Womens Empowerment IndexSM
Morningstar® Societal Development IndexSM
Rule 12b-1 Distribution and Servicing Plan
Impact Shares Trust I
1. The Trust. Impact Shares Trust I (the Trust) is an open-end management investment company registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and organized as a series trust (each series of the Trust is referred to herein as a Fund).
2. The Plan. The Trust desires to adopt a plan of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the shares of beneficial interest (Shares) of each Fund, and the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board of Trustees) has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of this Rule 12b-1 Plan (the Plan) will benefit each Fund and the holders of its Shares. Accordingly, each Fund hereby adopts this Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act on the following terms and conditions (capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned thereto in the Funds registration statement under the 1940 Act and under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as such registration statement is amended by any amendments thereto at the time in effect).
3. The Distributor. The Trust has entered into a written Distribution Agreement with the Trusts distributor (the Distributor), pursuant to which the Distributor will act as the principal underwriter with respect to the distribution of Shares as described in the Funds registration statement for each Fund.
4. Payments. Each Fund may pay fees to the Distributor, or to such person or persons as may from time to time be designated by the Distributor, pursuant to this Plan at annual rates set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto, or such lower rates, if any, as may hereafter be determined from time to time by the Board of Trustees as compensation for services rendered in connection with the sale of such Shares by the Distributor and related expenses incurred by the Distributor. Payments made hereunder may be used by the Distributor for any purpose, including (but not limited to) to compensate the Distributor, the Funds investment adviser or any of their affiliates, as well as any banks, broker/dealers or other financial institutions for distribution or sales support services rendered, and related expenses incurred, for or on behalf of a Fund. The Distributor may also use the fees hereunder for the provision of personal services to investors in the Shares and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts, and it is intended that, to the extent such fees are so used, such fees qualify as service fees as defined in Rule 2830 of the NASD Manual of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). All agreements related to this Plan shall be in writing and shall provide: (A) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operator of this Plan or in any agreement related to this Plan (the Independent Trustees) or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, on not more than 60 days written notice to any other party to the agreement, and (B) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
5. Effective Date. This Plan shall become effective upon approval by a vote of both a majority of the Board of Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan.
6. Term. This Plan shall, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, remain in effect with respect to the Fund for one year from its effective date and shall continue thereafter, provided that its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of both a majority of the Trustees and a majority of Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan.
7. Amendment. This Plan may be amended at any time by the Board of Trustees, provided that, except to the extent permitted by applicable law (a) any amendment to increase materially the rate at which payments may be made by a Fund under this Plan shall be effective only upon approval by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, and (b) any material amendment of this Plan shall be effective only upon approval by a vote of both a majority of the Board of Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such amendment.
8. Termination. This Plan may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. In the event of termination or non-continuance of this Plan, the Trust may reimburse any expense that it incurred prior to such termination or non-continuance, provided that such reimbursement is specifically approved by both a majority of the Board of Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees.
9. Reports. While this Plan is in effect, the Distributor shall provide to the Trustees, and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
10. Records. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan, each agreement related hereto and each report referred to in paragraph 9 hereof for a period of at least six years from the date of the Plan, agreement and report, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
11. Independent Trustees. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Independent Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act).
12. Severability. If any provision of the Plan shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Plan shall not be affected thereby.
Plan adopted: April 12, 2018
EXHIBIT A TO RULE 12b-1 DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICING PLAN
As of June 27, 2019
The fees payable to the Distributor under this Plan shall not exceed, with respect to a particular Fund, if applicable, on an annualized basis, the percentage of such Funds average daily net assets set forth below next to the Funds name.
FUND |
FEE
LIMITATION |
|||
Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF |
0.25 | % | ||
Impact Shares Sustainable Development Goals Global Equity ETF |
0.25 | % | ||
Impact Shares NAACP Minority Empowerment ETF |
0.25 | % |