As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2020.
Registration Nos. 333-146374
811-22127


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

Form N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
Post-Effective Amendment No. 72
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Amendment No. 73
(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)

COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE SERIES TRUST II
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (800) 345-6611

Christopher O. Petersen, Esq.
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Ryan C. Larrenaga, Esq.
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(Name and Address of Agents for Service)

It is proposed that this filing will become effective immediately upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(d).
This Post-Effective Amendment relates to Variable Portfolio - Partners International Core Equity Fund.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-146374) is being filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), solely for the purpose of adding exhibits to such Registration Statement. Accordingly, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 consists only of a facing page, this explanatory note, and Part C of the Registration Statement on Form N-1A. This Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 does not change the form of any prospectus or Statement of Additional Information included in post-effective amendments previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). As permitted by Rule 462(d), this Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 shall become effective upon filing with the SEC.



PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description Filed Herewith or
Incorporated by Reference
Information About the Filing that Includes the Document Incorporated by Reference
Registrant
that Made
the Filing
File No.
of Such
Registrant
Type of
Filing
Exhibit of
Document
in that
Filing
Filing
Date
(a)(1) Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective September 11, 2007 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Registration Statement on Form N-1A (a)(1) 9/28/2007
(a)(2) Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective April 9, 2008 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #2 on Form N-1A (a)(2) 4/21/2008
(a)(3) Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective January 8, 2009 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #5 on Form N-1A (a)(3) 4/29/2009
(a)(4) Amendment No. 4 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective January 14, 2010 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #8 on Form N-1A (a)(4) 4/14/2010
(a)(5) Amendment No. 5 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective April 6, 2010 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #9 on Form N-1A (a)(5) 4/30/2010
(a)(6) Amendment No. 6 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective November 11, 2010 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #15 on Form N-1A (a)(6) 4/29/2011
(a)(7) Amendment No. 7 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective January 13, 2011 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #15 on Form N-1A (a)(7) 4/29/2011
(a)(8) Amendment No. 8 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective September 15, 2011 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #20 on Form N-1A (a)(8) 3/2/2012
(a)(9) Amendment No. 9 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective January 12, 2012 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #20 on Form N-1A (a)(9) 3/2/2012
(a)(10) Amendment No. 10 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective June 14, 2012 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #31 on Form N-1A (a)(10) 4/26/2013
(a)(11) Amendment No. 11 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective September 13, 2012 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #31 on Form N-1A (a)(11) 4/26/2013
(a)(12) Amendment No. 12 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective January 16, 2013 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #31 on Form N-1A (a)(12) 4/26/2013
(a)(13) Amendment No. 13 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective April 17, 2013 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #31 on Form N-1A (a)(13) 4/26/2013
(a)(14) Amendment No. 14 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective April 11, 2014 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #38 on Form N-1A (a)(14) 4/29/2014
(a)(15) Amendment No. 15 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective April 14, 2015 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #46 on Form N-1A (a)(15) 5/15/2015
(a)(16) Amendment No. 16 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective April 19, 2016 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #50 on Form N-1A (a)(16) 4/28/2016

 

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description Filed Herewith or
Incorporated by Reference
Information About the Filing that Includes the Document Incorporated by Reference
Registrant
that Made
the Filing
File No.
of Such
Registrant
Type of
Filing
Exhibit of
Document
in that
Filing
Filing
Date
(a)(17) Amendment No. 17 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective November 14, 2016 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #54 on Form N-1A (a)(17) 2/17/2017
(a)(18) Amendment No. 18 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective April 21, 2017 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #55 on Form N-1A (a)(18) 4/27/2017
(a)(19) Amendment No. 19 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective November 14, 2017 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #59 on Form N-1A (a)(19) 12/19/2017
(a)(20) Amendment No. 20 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective December 19, 2017 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #61 on Form N-1A (a)(20) 2/21/2018
(a)(21) Amendment No. 21 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective May 1, 2018 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #66 on Form N-1A (a)(21) 12/7/2018
(a)(22) Amendment No. 22 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective September 13, 2018 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #66 on Form N-1A (a)(22) 12/7/2018
(a)(23) Amendment No. 23 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective January 31, 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #68 on Form N-1A (a)(23) 4/26/2019
(a)(24) Amendment No. 24 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective June 19, 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (a)(24) 4/28/2020
(b) By-laws, effective September 6, 2007, most recently amended February 10, 2016 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #50 on Form N-1A (b) 4/28/2016
(c) Stock Certificate:
Not Applicable.
           
(d)(1) Management Agreement (amended and restated), dated April 25, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Series Trust II Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #50 on Form N-1A (d)(1) 4/28/2016
(d)(1)(i) Schedule A and Schedule B, effective July 1, 2019, to the Management Agreement (amended and restated), dated April 25, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Series Trust II Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust 333-89661 Post-Effective Amendment #184 on Form N-1A (d)(1)(i) 7/29/2019
(d)(2) Management Agreement, dated November 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Series Trust II Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #59 on Form N-1A (d)(2) 12/19/2017
(d)(2)(i) Schedule A and Schedule B, effective February 2, 2018, to the Management Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust II 333-131683 Post-Effective Amendment #175 on Form N-1A (d)(2)(i) 2/16/2018

 

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description Filed Herewith or
Incorporated by Reference
Information About the Filing that Includes the Document Incorporated by Reference
Registrant
that Made
the Filing
File No.
of Such
Registrant
Type of
Filing
Exhibit of
Document
in that
Filing
Filing
Date
(d)(3) Management Agreement, effective May 1, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and CVPCSF Offshore Fund, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund, a series of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #50 on Form N-1A (d)(3) 4/28/2016
(d)(4) Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and American Century Investment Management, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #39 on Form N-1A (d)(4) 5/15/2014
(d)(4)(i) Amendment No. 1, as of September 20, 2017, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and American Century Investment Management, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #59 on Form N-1A (d)(4)(i) 12/19/2017
(d)(5) Subadvisory Agreement, dated March 13, 2018, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and AQR Capital Management, LLC Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #62 on Form N-1A (d)(5) 4/27/2018
(d)(6)(i) Amended and Restated Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 26, 2018, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #62 on Form N-1A (d)(6)(i) 4/27/2018
(d)(6)(ii) Sub-Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 26, 2018, between BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. and BlackRock International Limited Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #62 on Form N-1A (d)(6)(ii) 4/27/2018
(d)(7) Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and BMO Asset Management Corp. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #55 on Form N-1A (d)(6) 4/27/2017
(d)(7)(i) Amendment No. 1, as of August 2, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and BMO Asset Management Corp. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #66 on Form N-1A (d)(7)(i) 12/7/2018
(d)(8) Subadvisory Agreement, dated January 2, 2018, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and CenterSquare Investment Management LLC Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #61 on Form N-1A (d)(7) 2/21/2018
(d)(9) Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 23, 2011, amended December 5, 2013 (Amendment No. 1), between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #39 on Form N-1A (d)(9) 5/15/2014

 

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description Filed Herewith or
Incorporated by Reference
Information About the Filing that Includes the Document Incorporated by Reference
Registrant
that Made
the Filing
File No.
of Such
Registrant
Type of
Filing
Exhibit of
Document
in that
Filing
Filing
Date
(d)(9)(i) Amendment No. 2, as of June 5, 2014, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 23, 2011, amended December 5, 2013, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #41 on Form N-1A (d)(10) 8/20/2014
(d)(9)(ii) Amendment No. 3, as of January 30, 2019, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 23, 2011, amended December 5, 2013 and June 5, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #68 on Form N-1A (d)(10)(ii) 4/26/2019
(d)(9)(iii) Amendment No. 4, as of November 20, 2019, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 23, 2011, amended December 5, 2013, June 5, 2014 and January 30, 2019, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust II 333-131683 Post-Effective Amendment #206 on Form N-1A (d)(10)(ii) 12/20/2019
(d)(10) Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #39 on Form N-1A (d)(14) 5/15/2014
(d)(10)(i) Amendment No. 1, as of June 17, 2014, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #42 on Form N-1A (d)(16) 8/20/2014
(d)(10)(ii) Amendment No. 2, as of April 21, 2017, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, as amended June 17, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #57 on Form N-1A (d)(15) 9/18/2017
(d)(10)(iii) Amendment No. 3, as of June 28, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, as amended June 17, 2014 and April 21, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #66 on Form N-1A (d)(11)(iii) 12/7/2018
(d)(11) Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #55 on Form N-1A (d)(16) 4/27/2017
(d)(11)(i) Amendment No. 1, as of July 13, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #66 on Form N-1A (d)(12)(i) 12/7/2018

 

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description Filed Herewith or
Incorporated by Reference
Information About the Filing that Includes the Document Incorporated by Reference
Registrant
that Made
the Filing
File No.
of Such
Registrant
Type of
Filing
Exhibit of
Document
in that
Filing
Filing
Date
(d)(11)(ii) Amendment No. 2, as of March 19, 2019, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, as amended July 13, 2018, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #70 on Form N-1A (d)(12)(ii) 05/20/2019
(d)(12) Subadvisory Agreement, dated January 15, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #39 on Form N-1A (d)(16) 5/15/2014
(d)(12)(i) Amendment No. 1, as of November 19, 2015, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated January 15, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #50 on Form N-1A (d)(17) 4/28/2016
(d)(12)(ii) Amendment No. 2, as of October 21, 2019, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated January 15, 2014, as amended November 19, 2015, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (d)(12)(ii) 4/28/2020
(d)(12)(iii) Amendment No. 3, as of February 5, 2020, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated January 15, 2014, as amended November 19, 2015 and October 21, 2019 between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (d)(12)(iii) 4/28/2020
(d)(13) Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #55 on Form N-1A (d)(21) 4/27/2017
(d)(13)(i) Amendment No. 1, as of May 31, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #66 on Form N-1A (d)(15)(i) 12/7/2018
(d)(13)(ii) Amendment No. 2, as of November 20, 2019, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, as amended May 31, 2018, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (d)(13)(ii) 4/28/2020
(d)(14) Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and Massachusetts Financial Services Company Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #39 on Form N-1A (d)(18) 5/15/2014

 

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description Filed Herewith or
Incorporated by Reference
Information About the Filing that Includes the Document Incorporated by Reference
Registrant
that Made
the Filing
File No.
of Such
Registrant
Type of
Filing
Exhibit of
Document
in that
Filing
Filing
Date
(d)(14)(i) Amendment No. 1, as of February 10, 2016, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Massachusetts Financial Services Company Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #50 on Form N-1A (d)(20) 4/28/2016
(d)(14)(ii) Amendment No. 2, as of September 20, 2017, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, as amended February 10, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Massachusetts Financial Services Company Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #59 on Form N-1A (d)(17)(ii) 12/19/2017
(d)(15) Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #39 on Form N-1A (d)(20) 5/15/2014
(d)(15)(i) Amendment No. 1, as of February 10, 2016, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #50 on Form N-1A (d)(22) 4/28/2016
(d)(15)(ii) Amendment No. 2, as of March 27, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, as amended February 10, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #66 on Form N-1A (d)(17)(ii) 12/7/2018
(d)(16) Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #55 on Form N-1A (d)(26) 4/27/2017
(d)(16)(i) Amendment No. 1, dated May 31, 2018 to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #66 on Form N-1A (d)(18)(i) 12/7/2018
(d)(17)(i) Subadvisory Agreement, dated March 17, 2020, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. Filed Herewith Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #72 on Form N-1A (d)(17)(i) 5/12/2020
(d)(17)(ii) Sub-Subadvisory Agreement, dated March 17, 2020, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. and Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd Filed Herewith Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #72 on Form N-1A (d)(17)(ii) 5/12/2020
(d)(18) Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 18, 2019, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Scout Investments, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #70 on Form N-1A (d)(18) 5/20/2019

 

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description Filed Herewith or
Incorporated by Reference
Information About the Filing that Includes the Document Incorporated by Reference
Registrant
that Made
the Filing
File No.
of Such
Registrant
Type of
Filing
Exhibit of
Document
in that
Filing
Filing
Date
(d)(19) Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 18, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #41 on Form N-1A (d)(27) 8/20/2014
(d)(19)(i) Amendment No. 1, dated March 13, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 18, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #66 on Form N-1A (d)(21)(i) 12/7/2018
(d)(20) Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 14, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #53 on Form N-1A (d)(29) 11/14/2016
(d)(20)(i) Amendment No. 1, dated July 24, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 14, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #66 on Form N-1A (d)(22)(i) 12/7/2018
(d)(20)(ii) Amendment No. 2, dated November 9, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 14, 2016, as amended July 24, 2018, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #66 on Form N-1A (d)(22)(ii) 12/7/2018
(d)(20)(iii) Amendment No. 3, dated March 19, 2019, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 14, 2016, as amended July 24, 2018 and November 9, 2018 between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #70 on Form N-1A (d)(22)(iii) 5/20/2019
(d)(21) Subadvisory Agreement, dated January 15, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and TCW Investment Management Company Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #39 on Form N-1A (d)(26) 5/15/2014
(d)(21)(i) Amendment No. 1, as of November 1, 2019, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated January 15, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and TCW Investment Management Company LLC (formerly TCW Investment Management Company) Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (d)(20)(i) 4/28/2020
(d)(22) Amended and Restated Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 11, 2008, last amended January 16, 2013, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Threadneedle International Limited Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #39 on Form N-1A (d)(27) 5/15/2014
(d)(22)(i) Amendment, as of November 1, 2018, to Amended and Restated Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 11, 2008, last amended January 16, 2013, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Threadneedle International Limited Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #66 on Form N-1A (d)(24)(i) 12/7/2018

 

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description Filed Herewith or
Incorporated by Reference
Information About the Filing that Includes the Document Incorporated by Reference
Registrant
that Made
the Filing
File No.
of Such
Registrant
Type of
Filing
Exhibit of
Document
in that
Filing
Filing
Date
(d)(23) Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 19, 2013, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Victory Capital Management Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #39 on Form N-1A (d)(29) 5/15/2014
(d)(23)(i) Amendment No. 1, as of May 13, 2019, to Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 19, 2013, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Victory Capital Management Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (d)(22)(i) 4/28/2020
(d)(24) Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and Wells Capital Management Incorporated Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #39 on Form N-1A (d)(30) 5/15/2014
(d)(24)(i) Amendment No. 1, as of July 18, 2014, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and Wells Capital Management Incorporated Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #42 on Form N-1A (d)(34) 10/15/2014
(d)(24)(ii) Amendment No. 2, dated April 21, 2017, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, as amended July 18, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and Wells Capital Management Incorporated Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #57 on Form N-1A (d)(35) 9/18/2017
(d)(24)(iii) Amendment No. 3, as of June 25, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, as amended July 18, 2014 and April 21, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and Wells Capital Management Incorporated Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #66 on Form N-1A (d)(26)(iii) 12/7/2018
(d)(25) Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 21, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #57 on Form N-1A (d)(36) 9/18/2017
(d)(26) Subadvisory Agreement, dated March 19, 2019, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and William Blair Investment Management, LLC Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #70 on Form N-1A (d)(26) 5/20/2019
(e)(1) Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement by and between Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #50 on Form N-1A (e)(1) 4/28/2016
(e)(1)(i) Schedule I, effective July 1, 2019, and Schedule II, dated September 7, 2010, to the Distribution Agreement, amended and restated as of March 1, 2016, between Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (e)(1)(i) 4/28/2020

 

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description Filed Herewith or
Incorporated by Reference
Information About the Filing that Includes the Document Incorporated by Reference
Registrant
that Made
the Filing
File No.
of Such
Registrant
Type of
Filing
Exhibit of
Document
in that
Filing
Filing
Date
(f) Deferred Compensation Plan, adopted as of December 31, 2011 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust II 333-131683 Post-Effective Amendment #52 on Form N-1A (f) 2/24/2012
(g)(1) Second Amended and Restated Master Global Custody Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., dated March 7, 2011 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #39 on Form N-1A (g)(1) 5/15/2014
(g)(2) Addendum (related to Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Fund, now known as Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund), dated March 9, 2012, and Addendum (related to Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund), dated March 15, 2013, to the Second Amended and Restated Master Global Custody Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., dated March 7, 2011 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #39 on Form N-1A (g)(2) 5/15/2014
(g)(3) Side letter (related to the China Connect Service on behalf of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Emerging Markets Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select International Equity Fund)), dated March 6, 2018, to the Second Amended and Restated Master Global Custody Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., dated March 7, 2011 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #62 on Form N-1A (g)(3) 4/27/2018
(g)(4) Addendum (related to Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund), dated November 8, 2017, to the Second Amended and Restated Master Global Custody Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., dated March 7, 2011 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #59 on Form N-1A (g)(4) 12/19/2017
(h)(1) Shareholder Services Agreement by and between the Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., dated July 1, 2017 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #57 on Form N-1A (h)(1) 9/18/2017
(h)(1)(i) Schedule A, effective May 1, 2018, and Schedule B, effective July 1, 2017, to the Shareholder Services Agreement by and between the Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., dated July 1, 2017 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #62 on Form N-1A (h)(1)(i) 4/27/2018
(h)(2) Amended and Restated Fee Waiver and Expense Cap Agreement, effective July 1, 2016, by and among Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Series Trust II Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust II 333-131683 Post-Effective Amendment #145 on Form N-1A (h)(5) 6/27/2016

 

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description Filed Herewith or
Incorporated by Reference
Information About the Filing that Includes the Document Incorporated by Reference
Registrant
that Made
the Filing
File No.
of Such
Registrant
Type of
Filing
Exhibit of
Document
in that
Filing
Filing
Date
(h)(2)(i) Schedule A, effective July 1, 2019, to the Amended and Restated Fee Waiver and Expense Cap Agreement, effective July 1, 2016, by and among Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Series Trust II Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust 333-89661 Post-Effective Amendment #184 on Form N-1A (h)(2)(i) 7/29/2019
(h)(3) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated September 11, 2007, between RiverSource Variable Portfolio Funds, each a series of a Minnesota corporation, and corresponding RiverSource Variable Portfolio Funds, each a series of RiverSource Variable Series Trust, now known as Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, a Massachusetts business trust, and between RiverSource Variable Portfolio – Core Bond Fund, a series of RiverSource Variable Series Trust, and RiverSource Variable Portfolio – Diversified Bond Fund, a series of RiverSource Variable Series Trust, now known as Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #2 on Form N-1A (h)(5) 4/21/2008
(h)(4) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated December 20, 2010 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #15 on Form N-1A (h)(9) 4/29/2011
(h)(5) Agreement and Plan of Redomiciling, dated December 20, 2010 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #15 on Form N-1A (h)(10) 4/29/2011
(h)(6) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated October 9, 2012 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust 333-89661 Post-Effective Amendment #117 on Form N-1A (h)(9) 5/30/2013
(h)(7) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated December 17, 2015 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust 333-208706 Registration Statement on Form N-14 (4) 12/22/2015
(h)(8) Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as of December 3, 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust II 333-131683 Registration Statement on Form N-1A (h)(7) 12/20/2019
(h)(9) Master Inter-Fund Lending Agreement, dated May 1, 2018 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust II 333-131683 Registration Statement on Form N-1A (h)(11) 5/25/2018
(h)(9)(i) Schedule A and Schedule B to the Master Inter-Fund Lending Agreement, dated July 1, 2019 Filed Herewith Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #72 on Form N-1A (h)(9)(i) 5/12/2020
(i)(1) Opinion and consent of counsel as to the legality of the securities being registered Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #38 on Form N-1A (i) 4/29/2014
(i)(2) Opinion and consent of counsel as to the legality of the securities being registered for Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #59 on Form N-1A (i)(2) 12/19/2017

 

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description Filed Herewith or
Incorporated by Reference
Information About the Filing that Includes the Document Incorporated by Reference
Registrant
that Made
the Filing
File No.
of Such
Registrant
Type of
Filing
Exhibit of
Document
in that
Filing
Filing
Date
(j) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmNot Applicable            
(k) Omitted Financial Statements: Not Applicable.            
(l) Initial Capital Agreement: Not Applicable.            
(m)(1) Plan of Distribution and Agreement of Distribution, effective May 1, 2009, amended and restated March 7, 2011, between the Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #38 on Form N-1A (m)(1) 4/29/2014
(m)(1)(i) Schedule A, effective July 1, 2019, to the Plan of Distribution and Agreement of Distribution, effective May 1, 2009, amended and restated March 7, 2011, between the Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (m)(1)(i) 4/28/2020
(n) Rule 18f – 3(d) Plan, amended and restated June 19, 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (n) 4/28/2020
(o) Reserved.            
(p)(1) Code of Ethics adopted under Rule 17j-1 for Registrant, effective March 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #68 on Form N-1A (p)(1) 4/26/2019
(p)(2) Columbia Threadneedle Global Personal Account Dealing and Code of Ethics Policy, effective December 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust II 333-131683 Post-Effective Amendment #209 on Form N-1A (p)(2) 2/27/2020
(p)(3) American Century Investment Management, Inc. Code of Ethics, updated August 21, 2019 Filed Herewith Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #72 on Form N-1A (p)(3) 5/12/2020
(p)(4) AQR Capital Management, LLC Code of Ethics, as amended April 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust I 2-99356 Post-Effective Amendment #349 on Form N-1A (p)(3) 4/25/2019
(p)(5) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. Code of Ethics, effective November 23, 2018 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #68 on Form N-1A (p)(5) 4/26/2019
(p)(6) BMO Asset Management Corp. Code of Ethics, dated October 30, 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust I 2-99356 Post-Effective Amendment #374 on Form N-1A (p)(9) 4/27/2020
(p)(7) CenterSquare Investment Management LLC Code of Ethics, effective December 5, 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (p)(7) 4/28/2020
(p)(8) Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Code of Ethics, effective January, 2020 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (p)(8) 4/28/2020
(p)(9) J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Code of Ethics, effective February 1, 2005, last revised December 13, 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (p)(9) 4/28/2020
(p)(10) Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. Code of Ethics, dated January 1, 2016 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #62 on Form N-1A (p)(12) 4/27/2017

 

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description Filed Herewith or
Incorporated by Reference
Information About the Filing that Includes the Document Incorporated by Reference
Registrant
that Made
the Filing
File No.
of Such
Registrant
Type of
Filing
Exhibit of
Document
in that
Filing
Filing
Date
(p)(11) Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. Code of Ethics, effective January 14, 2000, as amended April 18, 2018 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust I 2-99356 Post-Effective Amendment #332 on Form N-1A (p)(11) 8/27/2018
(p)(12) Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. Code of Ethics, dated January 7, 2020 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (p)(12) 4/28/2020
(p)(13) Massachusetts Financial Services Company Code of Ethics, effective December 16, 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (p)(13) 4/28/2020
(p)(14) Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. Code of Ethics, effective December 12, 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (p)(14) 4/28/2020
(p)(15) Nuveen Asset Management, LLC Code of Ethics, dated August 26, 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (p)(15) 4/28/2020
(p)(15)(i) Nuveen Asset Management, LLC Code of Ethics Supplement, amended September 25, 2019 Filed Herewith Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #72 on Form N-1A (p)(15)(i) 5/12/2020
(p)(16) Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. Code of Ethics, effective May 1, 2017, revised May 2019 Filed Herewith Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #72 on Form N-1A (p)(16) 5/12/2020
(p)(17) Scout Investments, Inc. Code of Ethics, effective August 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (p)(16) 4/28/2020
(p)(18) Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC Code of Ethics, dated October 1, 2018 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #68 on Form N-1A (p)(18) 4/26/2019
(p)(19) T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. and Its Affiliates Code of Ethics, as of December 1, 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (p)(18) 4/28/2020
(p)(20) TCW Investment Management Company LLC Code of Ethics, dated December 16, 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust I 2-99356 Post-Effective Amendment #374 on Form N-1A (p)(5) 4/27/2020
(p)(21) Victory Capital Management Inc. Code of Ethics, effective July 1, 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (p)(20) 4/28/2020
(p)(22) Wells Capital Management Incorporated Code of Ethics, effective January 2020 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Series Trust I 2-99356 Post-Effective Amendment #374 on Form N-1A (p)(11) 4/27/2020
(p)(23) Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. Code of Ethics, as of August 16, 2019 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (p)(22) 4/28/2020
(p)(24) William Blair Investment Management, LLC Code of Ethics, as of July 31, 2018 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #70 on Form N-1A (p)(24) 5/20/2019
(q)(1) Trustees’ Power of Attorney to sign Amendments to this Registration Statement, dated January 1, 2018 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #61 on Form N-1A (q)(1) 2/21/2018
(q)(2) Power of Attorney for Michael G. Clarke, dated May 23, 2016 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #52 on Form N-1A (q)(3) 6/1/2016
(q)(3) Power of Attorney for Christopher O. Petersen, dated February 16, 2015 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #44 on Form N-1A (q)(5) 2/20/2015

 

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description Filed Herewith or
Incorporated by Reference
Information About the Filing that Includes the Document Incorporated by Reference
Registrant
that Made
the Filing
File No.
of Such
Registrant
Type of
Filing
Exhibit of
Document
in that
Filing
Filing
Date
(q)(4) Power of Attorney for Joseph Beranek, dated January 3, 2020 Incorporated by Reference Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 333-146374 Post-Effective Amendment #71 on Form N-1A (q)(4) 4/28/2020
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the investment manager or Columbia Management), as sponsor of the Columbia funds, may make initial capital investments in Columbia funds (seed accounts). Columbia Management also serves as investment manager of certain Columbia funds-of-funds that invest primarily in shares of affiliated funds (the underlying funds). Columbia Management does not make initial capital investments or invest in underlying funds for the purpose of exercising control. However, since these ownership interests may be significant, in excess of 25%, such that Columbia Management may be deemed to control certain Columbia funds, procedures have been put in place to assure that public shareholders determine the outcome of all actions taken at shareholder meetings. Specifically, Columbia Management (which votes proxies for the seed accounts) and the Boards of Trustees of the affiliated funds-of-funds (which votes proxies for the affiliated funds-of-funds) vote on each proposal in the same proportion as the vote of the direct public shareholders vote; provided, however, that if there are no direct public shareholders of an underlying fund or if direct public shareholders represent only a minority interest in an underlying fund, the Fund may cast votes in accordance with instructions from the independent members of the Board.
Item 30. Indemnification
Article VII of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended, provides that no trustee or officer of the Registrant shall be subject to any liability to any person in connection with Registrant property or the affairs of the Registrant, and no trustee shall be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Registrant or for the act or omission of any other trustee, all as more fully set forth in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which is filed as an exhibit to this registration statement. Article 5 of the Registrant’s Bylaws provides that the Registrant shall indemnify and hold harmless its trustees and officers (including persons who serve at the Registrant’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Registrant has any interest) (Covered Persons) against liabilities and expenses in connection with the defense or disposition of any proceeding in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved or with which such Covered Person may be or may have been threatened by reason of any alleged act or omission as a trustee or officer or by reason of his or her being or having been such a Covered Person, under specified circumstances, all as more fully set forth in the Bylaws, which are filed as an exhibit to the registration statement.
Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) provides that no instrument pursuant to which Registrant is organized or administered shall contain any provision which protects or purports to protect any trustee or officer of Registrant against any liability to Registrant or its shareholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
The Registrant’s Declaration of Trust provides that nothing in the Declaration of Trust shall protect any trustee or officer against any liabilities to the Registrant or its shareholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office or position with or on behalf of the Registrant and the Registrant’s Bylaws provides that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Registrant or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office.
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. agrees to indemnify the Registrant, its officers and trustees against claims, demands, liabilities and expenses under specified circumstances, all as more fully set forth in the Registrant’s Distribution Agreement, which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement.
The Registrant may be party to other contracts that include indemnification provisions for the benefit of the Registrant’s trustees and officers.
The trustees and officers of the Registrant and the personnel of the Registrant’s investment adviser and principal underwriter are insured under an errors and omissions liability insurance policy. Registrant’s investment adviser, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, maintains investment advisory professional liability insurance to insure it, for the benefit of Registrant and its non-interested trustees, against loss arising out of any effort, omission, or breach of any duty owed to Registrant or any series of Registrant by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act) may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Registrant’s organizational instruments or otherwise, the Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and, therefore, is unenforceable.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser
To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management), the Registrant’s investment adviser, or any subadviser to a series of the Registrant, except as set forth below, are or have been, at any time during the Registrant’s past two fiscal years, engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.
(1) Columbia Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., performs investment advisory services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Columbia Management and the directors and principal officers of Columbia Management is also included in the Form ADV filed by Columbia Management with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-25943), which information is incorporated herein by reference. In addition to their position with Columbia Management, certain directors and officers of Columbia Management also hold various positions with, and engage in business for, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. or its other subsidiaries.
(2) American Century Investment Management, Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of American Century Investment Management, Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by American Century Investment Management, Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of American Century Investment Management, Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of American Century Investment Management, Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by American Century Investment Management, Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-8174), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(3) AQR Capital Management, LLC performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of AQR Capital Management, LLC and certain of its officers is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s portfolio(s) subadvised by AQR Capital Management, LLC and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of AQR Capital Management, LLC and the directors and principal executive officers of AQR Capital Management, LLC is also included in the Form ADV filed by AQR Capital Management, LLC with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-55543), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(4) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-48433), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(5) BlackRock International Limited performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of BlackRock International Limited is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by BlackRock International Limited and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of BlackRock International Limited and the directors and principal executive officers of BlackRock International Limited is also included in the Form ADV filed by BlackRock International Limited with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-51087), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(6) BMO Asset Management Corp. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of BMO Asset Management Corp. and certain of its officers is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s portfolio(s) subadvised by BMO Asset Management Corp. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of BMO Asset Management Corp. and the directors and principal executive officers of BMO Asset Management Corp. is also included in the Form ADV filed by BMO Asset Management Corp. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-35533), which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(7) CenterSquare Investment Management LLC performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of CenterSquare Investment Management LLC is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by CenterSquare Investment Management LLC and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of CenterSquare Investment Management LLC and the directors and principal executive officers of CenterSquare Investment Management LLC is also included in the Form ADV filed by CenterSquare Investment Management LLC with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-111965), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(8) Dimensional Fund Advisors LP performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. and the directors and principal executive officers of Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-16283), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(9) J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-21011), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(10) Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-28257), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(11) Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. and the directors and principal executive officers of Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.is also included in the Form ADV filed by Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-170), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(12) Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. and certain of its officers is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s portfolio(s) subadvised by Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-60934), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(13) Massachusetts Financial Services Company performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Massachusetts Financial Services Company is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Massachusetts Financial Services Company and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Massachusetts Financial Services Company and the directors and principal executive officers of Massachusetts Financial Services Company is also included in the Form ADV filed by Massachusetts Financial Services Company with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-17352), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(14) Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. is set forth in the

 

  Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-15757), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(15) Nuveen Asset Management, LLC performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Nuveen Asset Management, LLC and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC and the directors and principal executive officers of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC is also included in the Form ADV filed by Nuveen Asset Management, LLC with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-71957), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(16) Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-15834), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(17) Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd and the directors and principal executive officers of Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd is also included in the Form ADV filed by Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-37163), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(18) Scout Investments, Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Scout Investments, Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Scout Investments, Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Scout Investments, Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of Scout Investments, Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Scout Investments, Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-60188), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(19) Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC and the directors and principal executive officers of Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC is also included in the Form ADV filed by Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-47232), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(20) T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-856), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(21) TCW Investment Management Company LLC performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of TCW Investment Management Company LLC is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by TCW Investment Management Company LLC and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of TCW Investment Management Company LLC and the directors and principal executive officers of TCW Investment

 

  Management Company LLC is also included in the Form ADV filed by TCW Investment Management Company LLC with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-29075), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(22 Threadneedle International Limited performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Threadneedle International Limited is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Threadneedle International Limited and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Threadneedle International Limited and the directors and principal executive officers of Threadneedle International Limited is also included in the Form ADV filed by Threadneedle International Limited with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-63196), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(23) Victory Capital Management Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Victory Capital Management Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Victory Capital Management Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Victory Capital Management Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of Victory Capital Management Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Victory Capital Management Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-46878), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(24) Wells Capital Management Incorporated performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Wells Capital Management Incorporated is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Wells Capital Management Incorporated and the directors and principal executive officers of Wells Capital Management Incorporated is also included in the Form ADV filed by Wells Capital Management Incorporated with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-21122), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(25) Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. and the directors and principal executive officers of Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-69413), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
(26) William Blair Investment Management, LLC performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of William Blair Investment Management, LLC is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by William Blair Investment Management, LLC and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of William Blair Investment Management, LLC and the directors and principal executive officers of William Blair Investment Management, LLC is also included in the Form ADV filed by William Blair Investment Management, LLC with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-80640), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 32. Principal Underwriter
(a) Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. acts as principal underwriter for the following investment companies, including the Registrant:
  Columbia Acorn Trust; Columbia Funds Series Trust; Columbia Funds Series Trust I; Columbia Funds Series Trust II; Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II; Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust.
(b) As to each director, principal officer or partner of Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
    
Name and
Principal Business Address*
  Position and Offices
with Principal Underwriter
  Positions and Offices with Registrant
William F. Truscott   Chief Executive Officer and Director   Board Member, Senior Vice President
Scott E. Couto   President and Director   None
Michael S. Mattox   Chief Financial Officer   None

 

Name and
Principal Business Address*
  Position and Offices
with Principal Underwriter
  Positions and Offices with Registrant
Michael E. DeFao   Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Assistant Secretary   Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Stephen O. Buff   Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer   None
James Bumpus   Vice President – National Sales Manager   None
Thomas A. Jones   Vice President and Head of Strategic Relations   None
Gary Rawdon   Vice President – Sales Governance and Administration   None
Leslie A. Walstrom   Vice President and Head of North America Marketing   None
Daniel J. Beckman   Vice President and Head of North America Product and Director   None
Marc Zeitoun   Chief Operating Officer, North American Distribution   None
Thomas R. Moore   Secretary   None
Paul B. Goucher   Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Amy L. Hackbarth   Vice President and Assistant Secretary   None
Mark D. Kaplan   Vice President and Assistant Secretary   None
Nancy W. LeDonne   Vice President and Assistant Secretary   None
Ryan C. Larrenaga   Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Joseph L. D’Alessandro   Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Assistant Secretary
Christopher O. Petersen   Vice President and Assistant Secretary   President and
Principal Executive Officer
Shweta J. Jhanji   Vice President and Treasurer   None
Michael Tempesta   Anti-Money Laundering Officer and Identity Theft Prevention Officer   None
Kevin Wasp   Ombudsman   None
Kristin Weisser   Conflicts Officer   None
* The principal business address of Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. is 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110.
(c) Not Applicable.
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
Persons maintaining physical possession of accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder include:
Registrant, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110;
Registrant’s investment adviser and administrator, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110;
Registrant’s subadviser, American Century Investment Management, Inc., 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111-7709;
Registrant’s subadviser, AQR Capital Management, LLC, Two Greenwich Plaza, 3rd Floor, Greenwich, CT 06830;
Registrant’s subadviser, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055;
Registrant’s sub-subadviser, BlackRock International Limited, Exchange Place One, 1 Semple Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8BL, Scotland;
Registrant’s subadviser, BMO Asset Management Corp., 115 South LaSalle Street, 11th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60603;
Registrant’s subadviser, CenterSquare Investment Management LLC, 630 W Germantown Pike, Suite 300, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462;
Registrant’s subadviser, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746;
Registrant’s subadviser, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc., 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179;
Registrant’s subadviser, Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc., 100 Campus Drive, 2nd Floor West, Florham Park, NJ 07932-0650;
Registrant’s subadviser, Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P., One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111-2621;
Registrant’s subadviser, Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc., 11150 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90025;
Registrant’s subadviser, Massachusetts Financial Services Company, 111 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02199;
Registrant’s subadviser, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036;

 

Registrant’s subadviser, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606;
Registrant’s subadviser, Schroder Investment Management North America Inc., 7 Bryant Park, New York, NY 10018-3706;
Registrant’s sub-subadviser, Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd, 1 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU, UK;
Registrant’s subadviser, Scout Investments, Inc., 1201 Walnut Street, 21st Floor, Kansas City, MO 64106;
Registrant’s subadviser, Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC, 540 West Madison Street, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60661-2551;
Registrant’s subadviser, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202;
Registrant’s subadviser, TCW Investment Management Company LLC, 865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90017;
Registrant’s subadviser, Threadneedle International Limited, Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG, UK;
Registrant’s subadviser, Victory Capital Management Inc., 15935 La Cantera Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78256;
Registrant’s subadviser, Wells Capital Management Incorporated, 525 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105;
Registrant’s subadviser, Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P., One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111;
Registrant’s subadviser, William Blair Investment Management, LLC, 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL, 60606;
Former subadviser, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC, 71 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606;
Former subadviser, Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC, 2200 Ross Avenue, 31st Floor, Dallas, TX 75201-2761;
Former subadviser, Davis Selected Advisers, L.P., 2949 East Elvira Road, Suite 101, Tucson, AZ 85756;
Former subadviser, Denver Investment Advisors LLC, 370 17th Street, Suite 5000, Denver, CO 80202 (merged into Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC, 540 West Madison Street, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60661-2551);
Former subadviser, Eaton Vance Management, Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110;
Former subadviser, FIAM LLC (d/b/a Pyramis Global Advisors), 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917;
Former subadviser, Donald Smith & Co., Inc., 152 West 57th Street, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10019;
Former subadviser, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282;
Former subadviser, Holland Capital Management LLC, 303 W. Madison Street, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60606;
Former subadviser, Invesco Advisers, Inc., 1555 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309;
Former subadviser, Jennison Associates LLC, 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017;
Former subadviser, Kennedy Capital Management, Inc., 10829 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63141;
Former subadviser, The London Company of Virginia, 1800 Bayberry Court, Suite 301, Richmond, VA 23226;
Former subadviser, Marsico Capital Management, LLC, 1200 17th Street, Suite 1600, Denver, CO 80202;
Former subadviser, Mondrian Investment Partners Limited, 10 Gresham Street, 5th Floor, London EC2V7JD, UK;
Former subadviser, NFJ Investment Group LLC, 2100 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75201 (merged into Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC, 2100 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75201);
Former subadviser, OppenheimerFunds, Inc. 225 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10281;
Former subadviser, Pacific Investment Management Company LLC, 650 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660;
Former subadviser, Palisade Capital Management, L.L.C., One Bridge Plaza North, Suite 695, Fort Lee, NJ 07024;
Former subadviser, River Road Asset Management, LLC, 462 South Fourth Street, Suite 2000, Louisville, KY 40202-3466;
Former subadviser, Sit Investment Associates, Inc., 3300 IDS Center, 80 South Eighth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402;
Former subadviser, Snow Capital Management L.P., 1605 Carmody Court, Suite 300, Sewickley, PA 15143-8992;
Former subadviser, Turner Investments, L.P., 1205 Westlakes Drive, Suite 100, Berwyn, PA 19312 (merged into Turner Investments LLC, 1000 Chesterbrook Boulevard, 1st Floor, Berwyn, PA 19312-2414);
Former subadviser, Winslow Capital Management, LLC, 4400 IDS Center, 80 South Eighth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402;

 

Registrant’s principal underwriter, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110;
Registrant’s transfer agent, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110;
Registrant’s sub-transfer agent, DST Asset Manager Services, 2000 Crown Colony Dr., Quincy, MA 02169; and
Registrant’s custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, NY 10005.
In addition, Iron Mountain Records Management is an off-site storage facility housing historical records that are no longer required to be maintained on-site. Records stored at this facility include various trading and accounting records, as well as other miscellaneous records. The address for Iron Mountain Records Management is 920 & 950 Apollo Road, Eagan, MN 55121.
Certain information on the above-referenced physical possession of accounts, books and other documents is also included in the Registrant’s filings on Form N-CEN filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2020.
Item 34. Management Services
Not Applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings
Not Applicable.


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant, COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE SERIES TRUST II, has duly caused this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, and the State of Minnesota on the 12th day of May, 2020.
.
COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE SERIES TRUST II
By: /s/ Christopher O. Petersen
  Christopher O. Petersen
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 12th day of May, 2020.
Signature Capacity Signature Capacity
/s/ Christopher O. Petersen President
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Patricia M. Flynn* Trustee
Christopher O. Petersen Patricia M. Flynn
/s/ Michael G. Clarke* Chief Financial Officer,
Principal Financial Officer
and Senior Vice President
/s/ Brian J. Gallagher* Trustee
Michael G. Clarke Brian J. Gallagher
/s/ Joseph Beranek* Treasurer, Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer) and Principal Financial Officer
/s/ Anthony M. Santomero* Trustee
Joseph Beranek Anthony M. Santomero
/s/ Catherine James Paglia* Chair of the Board /s/ Minor M. Shaw* Trustee
Catherine James Paglia Minor M. Shaw
/s/ George S. Batejan* Trustee /s/ William F. Truscott* Trustee
George S. Batejan William F. Truscott
/s/ Kathleen A. Blatz* Trustee /s/ Sandra Yeager* Trustee
Kathleen A. Blatz Sandra Yeager
/s/ Pamela G. Carlton* Trustee    
Pamela G. Carlton    
    
* By:
Name:
/s/ Joseph D’Alessandro  
Joseph D’Alessandro**
Attorney-in-fact
 
** Executed by Joseph D’Alessandro on behalf of Michael G. Clarke pursuant to a Power of Attorney, dated May 23, 2016 and incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(3)), filed with the Commission on June 1, 2016, on behalf of Joseph Beranek pursuant to a Power of Attorney, dated January 3, 2020, and incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(4)), filed with the Commission on April 28, 2020 and on behalf of each of the Trustees pursuant to a Trustees Power of Attorney, dated January 1, 2018 and incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(1)), filed with the Commission on February 21, 2018.


Exhibit Index
(d)(17)(i) Subadvisory Agreement, dated March 17, 2020, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Schroder Investment Management North America Inc.
(d)(17)(ii) Sub-Subadvisory Agreement, dated March 17, 2020, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. and Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd
(h)(9)(i) Schedule A and Schedule B to the Master Inter-Fund Lending Agreement, dated July 1, 2019
(p)(3) American Century Investment Management, Inc. Code of Ethics, updated August 21, 2019
(p)(15)(i) Nuveen Asset Management, LLC Code of Ethics Supplement, amended September 25, 2019
(p)(16) Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. Code of Ethics, effective May 1, 2017, revised May 2019

SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT

Agreement made as of the 17th day of March, 2020 by and between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Investment Manager”), and Schroder Investment Management North America Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Subadviser”).

WHEREAS, the Fund listed in Schedule A is a series of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

WHEREAS, Investment Manager entered into a Management Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Fund pursuant to which Investment Manager provides investment advisory services to the Fund.

WHEREAS, Investment Manager and the Fund each desire to retain Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Fund, and Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services.

WHEREAS, the effective date of this Agreement is May 12, 2020.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

1.

Subadviser’s Duties.

 

  (a)

Portfolio Management. Subject to supervision by Investment Manager and the Fund’s Board of Directors/Trustees (the “Board”), Subadviser shall manage the investment operations and the composition of that portion of the assets of the Fund which is allocated to Subadviser from time to time by Investment Manager (which portion may include any or all of the Fund’s assets), including the purchase, retention, and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions, and subject to the following understandings:

 

  (i)

Investment Decisions. Subadviser shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, or sold with respect to that portion of the Fund allocated to it by Investment Manager, and what portion of such assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash. Subadviser is prohibited from consulting with any other subadviser (other than a Sub-Sub-Adviser, as defined in Section 1(g)) of the Fund concerning transactions of the Fund in securities or other assets, other than for purposes of complying with the conditions of Rule 12d3-1(a) or (b) of the 1940 Act. Subadviser will not be responsible for voting proxies issued by companies held in the Fund although Investment Manager may consult with Subadviser from time to time regarding the voting of proxies of securities owned by the Fund. Subadviser will not be responsible for

 

1  |  Page


  filing claims in class action settlements related to securities currently or previously held by that portion of the Fund allocated to it by Investment Manager, although Investment Manager may consult with Subadviser from time to time regarding the filing of claims in class action settlements. The Investment Manager and the Fund acknowledge that Subadviser and its delegates permitted hereunder do not hold Fund money and/or custody assets.

 

  (ii)

Investment Limits. In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, Subadviser shall act in conformity with applicable limits and requirements, as amended from time to time, as set forth in the (a) Fund’s prospectus (“Prospectus”) and the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”); (b) instructions and directions of Investment Manager and of the Board provided that Subadviser shall have a commercially reasonable amount of time (in light of the specific context to which such instructions or directions relate) following receipt to execute such instructions or directions; and (c) requirements of the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), as applicable to the Fund, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Investment Manager agrees to give Subadviser prompt written notice if Investment Manager believes any recommendations, advice or investments to be in violation of (a), (b) or (c) above.

 

  (iii)

Portfolio Transactions.

 

  (A)

Trading. With respect to the securities and other investments to be purchased or sold for the Fund, Subadviser shall place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers, or futures commission merchants (including, but not limited to, broker-dealers that are affiliated with Investment Manager or Subadviser) selected by Subadviser; provided, however, that such orders shall be consistent with Subadviser’s brokerage policy; conform with federal securities laws; and be consistent with seeking best execution.    The Subadviser may consider the research, investment information, and other services provided by, and the financial responsibility of, brokers, dealers, or futures commission merchants who may effect, or be a party to, any such transaction or other transactions to which Subadviser’s other clients may be a party in accordance with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. To the extent permitted by law, and consistent with its obligation to seek best execution, Subadviser may execute transactions or pay a broker-dealer a commission, spread or markup in excess of that which another broker-dealer might have charged for executing a transaction provided that Subadviser determines, in good faith, that the execution is appropriate or the commission, spread or markup is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research

 

2  |  Page


  services provided, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or Subadviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and other clients for which it acts as subadviser. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent Subadviser is directed by Investment Manager to use a particular broker or brokers to borrow securities to cover securities sold short, Subadviser shall have no responsibility for setting the rate charged to borrow a security or otherwise ensuring that the rate charged by such broker to borrow a security is favorable.

 

  (B)

Aggregation of Trades.    Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities or other investments to be sold or purchased for the Fund as well as other clients of Subadviser in order to seek best execution. In such event, allocation of the securities or futures contracts so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by Subadviser in the manner Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients.

 

  (C)

Subadviser will not arrange purchases or sales of securities or other investments between the Fund and other accounts advised by Subadviser or its affiliates unless (a) such purchases or sales are in accordance with applicable law (including Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act) and the Fund’s policies and procedures as provided in writing to Subadviser along with any amendments, and (b) Subadviser determines the purchase or sale is in the best interests of the Fund.

 

  (iv)

Records and Reports. Subadviser (a) shall maintain such books and records for such time periods as are required of an SEC-registered investment adviser to an investment company registered under the 1940 Act, (b) shall render to the Board such periodic and special reports as the Board (or a Committee thereof) or Investment Manager may reasonably request in writing, and (c) shall meet with any persons at the request of Investment Manager or the Board for the purpose of reviewing Subadviser’s performance under this Agreement at reasonable times and upon reasonable advance notice.

 

  (v)

Transaction Reports. Subadviser shall provide Investment Manager a daily trade file with information relating to all transactions concerning the allocated portion of the Fund’s assets for which Subadviser is responsible and shall provide Investment Manager with such other information regarding the Fund upon Investment Manager’s reasonable request. Subadviser shall affirm or send a trade file of these transactions as instruction to the custodian of the Fund.

 

3  |  Page


  (vi)

Management of Funds with Multiple Subadvisers. Subadviser’s responsibilities for providing services to a Fund shall be limited to the portion of the Fund’s assets allocated to Subadviser (“Subadviser Account”). Subadviser shall not, without the prior approval of Investment Manager, effect any transactions that would cause the Subadviser Account, treated as a separate fund, to be out of compliance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions. Subadviser shall not consult with any other subadviser (other than a Sub-Sub-Adviser, as defined in Section 1(g)) of a Fund concerning transactions for the Fund in securities or other assets.

 

  (b)

Compliance Program and Ongoing Certification(s). As reasonably requested, Subadviser shall timely provide to Investment Manager (i) information and commentary for the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, in a format approved by Investment Manager, and shall (a) certify that such information and commentary does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the information and commentary not misleading, in a format reasonably requested by Investment Manager, as it may be amended from time to time, and (b) provide (i) additional certifications related to Subadviser’s management of the Fund in order to support the Fund’s filings on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q, and the Fund’s Principal Executive Officer’s and Principal Financial Officer’s certifications under Rule 30a-2 of the 1940 Act, thereon; in a format reasonably requested by Investment Manager, as it may be amended from time to time, (ii) a quarterly sub-certification with respect to compliance matters related to Subadviser and Subadviser’s management of the Fund, in a format reasonably requested by Investment Manager, as it may be amended from time to time; (iii) an annual certification from Subadviser’s Chief Compliance Officer, appointed under Rule 206(4)-7 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), or his or her designee with respect to the design and operation of Subadviser’s compliance program, in a format reasonably requested by Investment Manager, as it may be amended from time to time; and (iv) from time to time Subadviser shall provide such certifications to assist Investment Manager in fulfilling Investment Manager’s obligations under Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act, as are reasonably requested by the Fund or Investment Manager. In addition, Subadviser will, from time to time, provide a written assessment of its compliance program in conformity with current industry standards that is reasonably acceptable to Investment Manager to enable the Fund to fulfill its obligations under Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act.

 

  (c)

Maintenance of Records. Subadviser shall timely furnish to Investment Manager all information relating to Subadviser’s services hereunder which Subadviser is required by law or regulation to keep and which are needed by Investment Manager to maintain the books and records of the Fund required under the 1940 Act. Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund are the

 

4  |  Page


  property of the Fund and Subadviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request; provided, however, that Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.

 

  (d)

Insurance and Code of Ethics. Subadviser will provide the Fund with reasonable evidence that, with respect to its activities on behalf of the Fund, Subadviser is maintaining (i) adequate errors and omissions insurance and (ii) an appropriate Code of Ethics and related reporting procedures.

 

  (e)

Confidentiality. Each of the parties hereto agrees that it shall exercise the same standard of care that it uses to protect its own confidential and proprietary information (“Confidential Information”), but no less than reasonable care, to protect the Confidential Information of the other party. As used herein, Confidential Information, includes, but is not limited, to “Fund Portfolio Information,” which refers to confidential and proprietary information with regard to (i) the portfolio holdings and characteristics of the portion of the Fund allocated to Subadviser that Subadviser manages under the terms of this Agreement, and (ii) any copies of any agreements between the Investment Manager and its various counterparties and all the terms and provisions contained therein, which the Investment Manager (which term shall include the Investment Manager’s directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors, proposed financing sources, attorneys and accountants) may furnish, disclose or reveal to Subadviser (which term shall include Subadviser’s directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors, proposed financing sources, attorneys and accountants). Each party hereby agrees to restrict access to the other party’s Confidential Information to its employees who will use it only for the purpose of providing services under this Agreement. The foregoing shall not prevent a party from disclosing Confidential Information (1) that is publicly known or becomes publicly known through no unauthorized act; (2) that is rightfully received from a third party without obligation of confidentiality; (3)(a) that, in the case of Investment Manager’s Confidential Information, is approved in writing by Investment Manager for disclosure, (3)(b) that, in the case of Subadviser’s Confidential Information, is approved in writing by Subadviser for disclosure; (4) that is disclosed in the course of a regulatory examination or that is required to be disclosed pursuant to a requirement of a governmental or regulatory agency or law, so long as the disclosing party provides (to the extent permitted under applicable law) the non-disclosing party (i.e., the party whose Confidential Information would be disclosed) with prompt written notice of such requirement prior to any such disclosure; however, Subadviser is not required to provide such notice if information is provided on an aggregate basis without specific attribution to the Fund and notice may be provided promptly after disclosure (instead of prior to disclosure) if Confidential Information required to be maintained for regulatory reasons is disclosed during the course of a routine regulatory examination that is not targeted at the Fund, the Board or the Investment Manager; (5) to affiliates that have a reason to know such

 

5  |  Page


  information; (6) to the custodian of the Fund; (7) to brokers and dealers that are counterparties for trades for the Fund; (8) to futures commission merchants executing or clearing transactions in connection with the Fund, if applicable; and (9) to third party service providers to Subadviser subject to confidentiality agreements or duties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent Fund Portfolio Information is similar to investments for other clients of Subadviser, Subadviser may disclose such investments without direct reference to the Fund. Investment Manager agrees that Subadviser may identify Investment Manager or the Fund by name in Subadviser’s current client list. Such list may be used with third parties.

 

  (f)

Cooperation. As reasonably requested by Investment Manager or the Board and in accordance with the scope of Subadviser’s obligations and responsibilities contained in this Agreement, Subadviser will cooperate with, and provide reasonable assistance to, Investment Manager or the Fund as needed in order for Investment Manager and the Fund to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder and the evaluation of any actions under U.S. or foreign securities laws pursuant to which the Fund may be able to assert a potential claim.

 

  (g)

Delegation. To the extent permitted by law, the Subadviser may from time to time employ or associate itself with such person or persons, including its affiliates, as it believes to be particularly fitted to assist it in the execution or performance of its obligations under this Agreement other than the provision of advisory services to the Fund; provided, however, that the use of such persons will not relieve the Subadviser from any obligation or duty under this Agreement, and provided further that the nature of the services provided by any such person will not require such person to have a separate written contract pursuant to the 1940 Act . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subadviser may engage one or more affiliated (as defined in the 1940 Act) SEC-registered investment advisers as sub-sub-advisers to provide subadvisory services to the Fund (each a “Sub-Sub-Adviser”); provided, however, that (i) Subadviser provides reasonable advance written notice to Investment Manager, (ii) any engagement is subject to a written contract in conformity with Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act and is conditioned on the Fund Board’s and, if required by the 1940 Act, Fund shareholders’ prior approval, (iii) no additional charges, fees or other compensation will be paid for such services by the Investment Manager or Fund, (iv) Subadviser hereby agrees to provide reasonably prompt written notice to the Investment Manager of any changes required to be made to the disclosure in the Fund’s registration statement relating to the Fund’s portfolio managers provided by Subadviser or any Sub-Sub-Adviser, and (v) Subadviser hereby agrees that it will remain fully liable to the Investment Manager and the Fund for its obligations hereunder regardless whether services hereunder are provided by Subadviser or any Sub-Sub-Adviser. The Subadviser hereby agrees that any information provided to the Investment Manager as part of the Compliance Program and ongoing certifications pursuant to Section 1(b) hereof, shall cover the services provided by the Subadviser and

 

6  |  Page


  any Sub-Sub-Adviser engaged by the Subadviser pursuant to this Section 1(g). The Subadviser further agrees that it shall be liable for the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and for the acts and omissions of any Sub-Sub-Adviser or any other persons to whom it has delegated its obligations (together with any Sub-Sub-Advisers, “Subadviser-Delegatees”) as it is for its own acts and omissions, and references to Subadviser herein shall be deemed to include reference to any Subadviser-Delegatee.

 

2.

Investment Manager’s Duties. Investment Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all other services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall oversee and review Subadviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement. Investment Manager shall also retain direct portfolio management responsibility with respect to any assets of the Fund which are not allocated by it to the portfolio management of Subadviser as provided in paragraph 1(a) hereof or to any other subadviser. Investment Manager will periodically provide to Subadviser a list of the affiliates of Investment Manager or the Fund to which investment restrictions apply, and will specifically identify in writing (a) all publicly traded companies that issue securities in which the Fund may not invest, together with ticker symbols for all such companies, and (b) any affiliated brokers and any restrictions that apply to the use of those brokers by Subadviser. Neither Subadviser nor any of its directors, officers, partners, principals, employees or agents shall have responsibility whatsoever for, and shall incur no liability on account of (i) diversification, selection or establishment of such investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund, (ii) advice on, or management of, any assets for the Fund other than the assets for which Investment Manager has delegated investment discretion to Subadviser, (iii) filing of any tax or information returns or forms, withholding or paying any taxes, or seeking any exemption or refund, (iv) registration of the Fund with any government or agency, (v) administration of the plans and trusts investing in the Fund, or (vi) overall Fund compliance with requirements of the 1940 Act and Subchapter M of the Code, relating to percentage limitations applicable to the Fund’s assets that would require knowledge of the Fund’s holdings other than the assets subject to this Agreement.

 

3.

Documents Provided to Subadviser. Investment Manager has delivered or will deliver to Subadviser current copies and supplements thereto of each of the Prospectus and SAI pertaining to the Fund, and will promptly deliver to it all future amendments and supplements regarding changes to Subadviser, its services to the Fund or investment policies and strategies, if any.

 

4.

Compensation of Subadviser. For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, Investment Manager will pay to Subadviser, effective from the date of this Agreement, a fee which shall be determined daily and paid monthly, on or before the last business day of the next succeeding calendar month, at the annual rates set forth in the attached Schedule A which Schedule can be modified from time to time upon mutual agreement of the parties to reflect changes in annual rates, subject to appropriate approvals required by the 1940 Act, if any. If this Agreement becomes effective or terminates before the end of any month, the fee for the period from the effective date to the end of the month or from the beginning of such month to the date of termination, as

 

7  |  Page


  the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion that such portion of the month bears to the full month in which such effectiveness or termination occurs. During the term of this Agreement, Subadviser will pay its own expenses incurred in connection with its activities under this Agreement as set forth in Section 5, which shall, for avoidance of doubt, include reimbursement of overdraft fees incurred by the Fund due to actions of Subadviser or Sub-Sub-Adviser and exclude costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other assets (including brokerage commissions, if any, and other transaction-related expenses) for the Fund, the fees of the Fund’s independent public accountants, transfer agent, custodian and other service providers who are not employees, agents or service providers of the Sub-Adviser or any Sub-Sub-Adviser; tax reporting; taxes levied against the Fund or any of its property; and interest expenses of the Fund.

 

5.

Expenses. Subadviser shall bear all expenses incurred by it, its staff and any Subadviser-Delegatee with respect to all activities in connection with the performance of Subadviser’s services under this Agreement, including but not limited to salaries, overhead, travel, preparation of Board materials, review of marketing materials relating to Subadviser or other information provided by Subadviser to Investment Manager and/or the Fund’s distributor, and marketing support. Subadviser agrees to pay to Investment Manager the cost of generating a prospectus supplement, which includes preparation, filing, printing, and distribution (including mailing) of the supplement, if the Subadviser makes any changes that counsel to the Fund deems to require disclosure in the prospectus or any required regulatory documents that may be caused by changes to its structure or ownership, to investment personnel, to investment style or management, or otherwise (“Changes”), and at the time of notification to the Fund or Investment Manager by the Subadviser of such Changes, the Fund is not generating a supplement for other purposes or the Fund or the Investment Manager does not wish to add such Changes to a pending supplement. In the event two or more subadvisers, if applicable, each require a supplement simultaneously, the expense (other than the costs of printing and mailing) of a combined supplement will be shared pro rata with such other subadviser(s) based upon the number of pages required by each such subadviser, and each such subadviser shall pay its pro rata share of printing and mailing costs and expenses based upon the number of supplements required to be printed and mailed. All other expenses not specifically assumed by Subadviser hereunder or by Investment Manager under the Advisory Agreement are borne by the applicable Fund.

In the event that there is a proposed change in control of Subadviser that would act to terminate this Agreement, if a vote of shareholders to approve continuation of this Agreement is at that time deemed by counsel to the Fund to be required by the 1940 Act or any rule or regulation thereunder, Subadviser agrees to assume all reasonable costs associated with soliciting shareholders of the appropriate Fund(s), to approve continuation of this Agreement. Such expenses include the reasonable costs of preparation, filing and mailing of a proxy statement, and of soliciting proxies.

 

8  |  Page


In the event that such proposed change in control of Subadviser shall occur and the Fund is operating under an exemptive order issued by the SEC to Investment Manager with respect to the appointment of subadvisers absent shareholder approval, Subadviser agrees to assume all reasonable costs and expenses (including the costs of preparation, mailing and filing) associated with the preparation of an information statement, required by the exemptive order containing all information that would be included in a proxy statement.

 

6.

Representations of Subadviser. Subadviser represents and warrants as follows:

 

  (a)

Subadviser (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not an affiliated person of the Investment Manager or of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act (other than by virtue of serving as a Subadviser to the Fund); (iii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer under Rule 206(4)-7 of the Advisers Act; (v) has adopted written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Advisers Act from occurring, detect violations that have occurred, correct promptly any violations that have occurred, and will provide prompt notice of any material violations relating to the Fund to Investment Manager; (vi) has met and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency necessary to be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; (vii) has the authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and (viii) will promptly notify Investment Manager (1) in the event that Subadviser becomes an affiliated person of the Investment Manager or of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act; (2) of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify Subadviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act, (3) in the event the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or other governmental authority has: censured Subadviser; placed limitations upon the activities, functions or operations of Subadviser; or has commenced proceedings or an investigation that Subadviser reasonably believes would result in any of these actions, (4) upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund has ceased to qualify or might not qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code and (5) of any material fact known to Subadviser respecting or relating to Subadviser that is not contained in the Prospectus, and is required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or of any statement relating to Subadviser contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect.

 

  (b)

Subadviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and will provide Investment Manager with a copy of the code of ethics. Within 60 days of the end of the last calendar quarter of each year that this Agreement is in effect, a duly authorized officer of

 

9  |  Page


  Subadviser shall certify to Investment Manager that there has been no material violation of Subadviser’s code of ethics or, if such a violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. To the extent Subadviser has approved any material changes to its code of ethics, such revised code together with an explanation of such amendments shall be promptly (but in no event later than 60 days) provided to Investment Manager.

 

  (c)

Subadviser has provided Investment Manager with a copy of a document intended to address the disclosures specified in Form ADV Part 2A, and promptly will furnish a copy of any amendments to such document to Investment Manager (at least annually). Investment Manager acknowledges that, under Rule 204-3 under the Advisers Act, as amended, to the extent Subadviser’s only clients are registered investment companies, Subadviser is not required to file a Form ADV, Part 2A, with the SEC.

 

  (d)

Subadviser will promptly notify Investment Manager of any changes in the controlling shareholder, in the key personnel who are either the portfolio manager(s) responsible for the Fund or the Chief Executive Officer of Subadviser, or if there is otherwise an actual change in control or management of Subadviser.

 

7.

Representations of Investment Manager. Investment Manager represents and warrants as follows:

 

  (a)

Investment Manager (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer under Rule 206(4)-7 of the Advisers Act; (iv) has adopted written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Advisers Act from occurring, detect violations that have occurred, correct promptly any violations that have occurred, and will provide prompt notice of any material violations relating to the Fund to the Subadviser; (v) has met and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency necessary to be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; (vi) has the authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and (vii) will promptly notify Subadviser (1) of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify Investment Manager from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise, (2) in the event the SEC or other governmental authority has: censured Investment Manager; placed limitations upon its activities, functions or operations; or has commenced proceedings or an investigation that Investment Manager reasonably believes result in any of these actions or (3) upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund has ceased to qualify or might not qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code.

 

10  |  Page


  (b)

Investment Manager agrees that neither it nor any of its affiliates will in any way refer directly or indirectly to its relationship with Subadviser, or any of its affiliates in offering, marketing, or other promotional materials without the prior written consent of Subadviser; provided that Investment Manager shall not be required to obtain Subadviser’s prior written consent to make factual statements regarding the fact that Subadviser serves as subadviser to the Fund, in responding to requests for information, in required disclosures or in responding to regulatory inquiries.

 

  (c)

The Fund is and will continue to be the owner of all assets for which Investment Manager delegates investment discretion to Subadviser from time to time, and there are and will continue to be no restrictions on the pledge, hypothecation, transfer, sale or public distribution of such assets.

 

  (d)

Investment Manager is establishing and will be maintaining the Fund’s account with Subadviser solely for the purpose of investing the relevant assets and not with a view to obtaining information regarding portfolio holdings or investment decisions in order to effect securities transactions based upon such information or to provide such information to another party, and that Investment Manager and its employees, officers and directors shall not use account holdings information for any of the foregoing purposes.

 

  (e)

The Board has approved the appointment of Subadviser pursuant to this Agreement.

 

8.

Liability and Indemnification.

 

  (a)

Except as may otherwise be provided by the 1940 Act or any other federal securities law, Subadviser, any of its affiliates and any of the officers, partners, employees, consultants, or agents thereof shall not be liable for any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or litigation (including legal and other expenses) incurred or suffered by the Fund, Investment Manager, or any affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act) or controlling persons thereof (as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) ) (collectively, “Fund and Investment Manager Indemnitees”) as a result of any error of judgment or mistake of law by Subadviser with respect to the Fund, except that nothing in this Agreement shall operate or purport to operate in any way to exculpate, waive, or limit the liability of Subadviser (including any Subadviser-Delegatee) for, and Subadviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and Investment Manager Indemnitees against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which any of the Fund and Investment Manager Indemnitees may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, or under any other statute, at common law, or otherwise arising out of or based on (i) any willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard, or negligence of Subadviser in the performance of any of its duties or obligations hereunder; (ii) any untrue

 

11  |  Page


  statement of a material fact regarding Subadviser contained in the Prospectus and SAI, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Fund or the omission to state therein a material fact regarding Subadviser known to Subadviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon written information furnished to Investment Manager or the Fund by Subadviser Indemnitees (as defined below) for use therein; provided, however, that Subadviser has had a reasonable opportunity to review information regarding Subadviser contained in the Prospectus and SAI, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature or other materials pertaining to the Fund as set forth in section 11; or (iii) any violation of federal or state statutes or regulations by Subadviser (the conduct referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) being referred to herein as “Disabling Conduct”). It is further understood and agreed that Subadviser may rely upon information furnished to it by Investment Manager that it reasonably believes to be accurate and reliable. Subadviser shall be liable for any loss incurred by the Fund, the Investment Manager or their respective affiliates to the extent such losses arise out of any act or omission directly attributable to Subadviser’s Disabling Conduct which results, directly or indirectly, in an error in the net asset value of the Fund. The federal securities laws impose liabilities in certain circumstances on persons who act in good faith, and therefore nothing herein shall in any way constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights which Investment Manager may have under any securities laws. Neither Subadviser nor any Subadviser Indemnitees (as defined below) shall be liable for any loss or damage arising or resulting from the acts or omissions of the custodian of the Fund, any broker, financial institution or any other third party with or through whom Subadviser arranges or enters into a transaction in respect of the Fund, except to the extent that Subadviser or its affiliate instructed such broker, financial institution or third party to take such action or omission. Investment Manager understands and acknowledges that Subadviser does not warrant that the portion of the assets of the Fund managed by Subadviser will achieve any particular rate of return or that its performance will match any benchmark index or other standard or objective.

 

  (b)

Except as may otherwise be provided by the 1940 Act or any other federal securities law, Investment Manager and the Fund shall not be liable for any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or litigation (including legal and other expenses) incurred or suffered by Subadviser or any of its affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act) or controlling persons (as described in Section 15 of the 1933 Act) (collectively, “Subadviser Indemnitees”) as a result of any error of judgment or mistake of law by Investment Manager with respect to the Fund, except that nothing in this Agreement shall operate or purport to operate in any way to exculpate, waive, or limit the liability of Investment Manager for, and Investment Manager shall indemnify and hold harmless Subadviser Indemnitees against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which any of Subadviser Indemnitees may become subject under the

 

12  |  Page


  1933 Act, the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, or under any other statute, at common law, or otherwise arising out of or based on (i) any willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard, or negligence of Investment Manager in the performance of any of its duties or obligations hereunder; (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus and SAI, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Fund or the omission to state therein a material fact known to Investment Manager which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, unless such statement or omission concerned Subadviser and was made in reliance upon written information furnished to Investment Manager or the Fund by a Subadviser Indemnitee for use therein, or (iii) any violation of federal or state statutes or regulations by Investment Manager or the Fund.

 

  (c)

After receipt by Investment Manager or Subadviser, its affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, or agent of any of the foregoing, entitled to indemnification as stated in (a) or (b) above (“Indemnified Party”) of notice of the commencement of any action, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any person obligated to provide indemnification under this section (“Indemnifying Party”), such Indemnified Party shall notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of the commencement thereof as soon as practicable after the summons or other first written notification giving information of the nature of the claim that has been served upon the Indemnified Party; provided that the failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability under this section, except to the extent that the omission results in damages to the Indemnifying Party caused solely as a result of the failure to give such notice. The Indemnifying Party, upon the request of the Indemnified Party, shall retain counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party to represent the Indemnified Party in the proceeding, and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (1) the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel, or (2) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party and representation by both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party agrees to indemnify the Indemnified Party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.

 

13  |  Page


9.

Duration and Termination.

 

  (a)

Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue for two years from the date written above. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue automatically for successive periods of 12 months each, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by a vote of a majority of the Board members who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, and (ii) by the Board or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.

 

  (b)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to Subadviser. This Agreement may also be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by Investment Manager (i) upon 60 days’ written notice to Subadviser; (ii) upon material breach by Subadviser of any representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement, if such breach has not been cured within 20 days after written notice of such breach; or (iii) immediately if, in the reasonable judgment of Investment Manager, Subadviser becomes unable to discharge its duties and obligations under this Agreement, including circumstances such as the insolvency of Subadviser or other circumstances that could adversely affect the Fund. Subadviser may terminate this Agreement at any time, without payment of any penalty, (1) upon 60 days’ written notice to Investment Manager; or (2) upon material breach by Investment Manager of any representations and warranties set forth in the Agreement, if such breach has not been cured within 20 days after written notice of such breach. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement.

 

  (c)

In the event of termination of the Agreement, those paragraphs of the Agreement which govern conduct of the parties’ future interactions with respect to Subadviser having provided investment management services to the Fund(s) for the duration of the Agreement, including, but not limited to, paragraphs 1(a)(iv)(a), 1(c), 1(d), 1(e), 1(f), 8(a), 8(b), 8(c), 15, 17, 18, 20 and 21 shall survive such termination of the Agreement.

 

10.

Subadviser’s Services Are Not Exclusive. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of Subadviser or any of its partners, officers, or employees 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 business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, or limit or restrict Subadviser’s right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other mutual fund, corporation, firm, individual, or association or other entity. Subadviser acts as adviser to other clients and may, subject to compliance with its fiduciary obligations, give advice, and take action, with respect to any of those which may differ from the advice given, or the timing or nature of action taken, with respect to the Fund. Subject to its fiduciary obligation to the Fund, Subadviser shall have no obligation to purchase or sell for the Fund, or to recommend for purchase or sale by the Fund, any security which Subadviser, its principals, affiliates or employees may purchase or sell for themselves or for any other clients.

 

14  |  Page


11.

References to Subadviser. Subadviser hereby grants to Investment Manager during the term of this Agreement, the right to use Subadviser’s name as required for public filings and marketing materials in accordance with the terms described herein and the right to display Subadviser’s logo on Investment Manager’s website. Investment Manager agrees to furnish to Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, SAI’s, proxy statements, reports to shareholders, sales literature, screenshot images (with respect to the display of Subadviser’s logo on Investment Manager’s website) or other material prepared for distribution to sales personnel, shareholders of the Fund or the public, that refer to Subadviser prior to the use thereof, and not to use such material if Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five (5) business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed upon) after receipt thereof. Such materials may be furnished to Subadviser hereunder by first-class or overnight mail, electronic or facsimile transmission, or hand delivery.

 

12.

Notices. Any notice, statement, consent or approval required or permitted to be given in connection with this Agreement (“Notice”) shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if delivered (whether in person, by post, by courier service or other personal method of delivery), or if transmitted by facsimile or other electronic means of communication:

In the case of Subadviser:

Legal Department

Schroder Investment Management North America Inc.

7 Bryant Park

New York, New York 10018-3706

USLegal@Schroders.com

In the case of Investment Manager:

Paul Mikelson

Vice President, Subadvised Strategies

Columbia Threadneedle Investments

707 2nd Ave. S, Routing: H16-10334

Minneapolis, MN 55402

Tel:    (612) 671-4452

Fax:     (612) 671-0618

with a copy to:

Christopher O. Petersen

Vice President and Lead Chief Counsel

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

5228 Ameriprise Financial Center, Routing: 27/5228

Minneapolis, MN 55474

Tel:    (612) 671-4321

Fax:     (612) 671-2680

 

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Any Notice delivered or transmitted to a party as provided above shall be deemed to have been given and received on the day it is delivered or transmitted, provided that it is delivered or transmitted on any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or statutory holiday in the jurisdiction where the Notice is received (“Business Day”) prior to 5:00 p.m. local time in the place of delivery or receipt. However, if the Notice is delivered or transmitted after 5:00 p.m. local time or if such day is not a Business Day then the Notice shall be deemed to have been given and received on the next Business Day.

Any party may, from time to time, change its address by giving Notice to the other party in accordance with the provisions of this section.

 

13.

Amendments. This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, subject to approval by the Board and the Fund’s shareholders to the extent required by the 1940 Act.

 

14.

Assignment. No assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act, as amended) of this Agreement shall be made by Investment Manager or Subadviser without the prior written consent of the Fund, and, if required by law, the Fund’s shareholders, and Investment Manager or Subadviser (as applicable). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no assignment shall be deemed to result from any changes in the directors, officers, or employees of Investment Manager or Subadviser except as may be provided to the contrary in the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

15.

Governing Law. This Agreement, and, in the event of termination of the Agreement, those paragraphs that survive such termination of the Agreement under paragraph 9(c), shall be governed by the laws of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof, or any applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the laws of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of the provision of this Agreement, conflict with applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control. The Investment Manager and Subadviser hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state of federal court situated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. Any action or dispute between the Investment Manager and the Subadviser arising out of this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the state of federal courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Investment Manager and Subadviser hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which either party 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.

 

16.

Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

16  |  Page


17.

Severability. Should any part of this Agreement be held invalid by a court decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement and, in the event of termination of the Agreement, those paragraphs that survive such termination of the Agreement under paragraph 9(c), shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

 

18.

Interpretation. Any questions of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision in the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the federal courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations, or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision 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.

 

19.

Headings. The headings in this Agreement are intended solely as a convenience and are not intended to modify any other provision herein.

 

20.

Authorization. Each of the parties represents and warrants that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action by such party and when so executed and delivered, this Agreement will be the valid and binding obligation of such party in accordance with its terms.

 

21.

No Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Fund is intended to be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, and without in any way implying that there are any other third-party beneficiaries to the Agreement or any other agreement with respect to the Trust or any of its series, no person other than the Investment Manager and the Subadviser is a party to this Agreement or shall be entitled to any right or benefit arising under or in respect of this Agreement (with the exception of the Fund), and there are no other third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement is intended to, or shall be read to, (i) create in any other person (including without limitation any shareholder of any Fund) any direct, indirect, derivative, or other rights against the Investment Manager or Subadviser, or (ii) create or give rise to any duty or obligation on the part of the Investment Manager or Subadviser (including without limitation any fiduciary duty) to any person other than the Fund, all of which rights, benefits, duties, and obligations are hereby expressly excluded.

 

17  |  Page


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.

 

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC       Schroder Investment Management North America Inc.
By:    /s/ David Weiss       By:    /s/ William P. Sauer
   Signature          Signature
Name:    David Weiss       Name:    William P. Sauer
   Printed          Printed
Title:    Assistant Secretary       Title:    Authorized Signatory
         By:    /s/ Mark A. Hemenetz
            Signature
         Name:    Mark A. Hemenetz
            Printed
         Title:    Authorized Signatory

 

18  |  Page


SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT

SCHEDULE A

[SCHEDULE LISTING FUND AND FEE RATE OMITTED]

 

19  |  Page

SUB-SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of this 17th day of March, 2020, among Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the “Adviser”), a Minnesota limited liability company, SCHRODER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NORTH AMERICA INC., (“SIMNA”) a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal place of business at 7 Bryant Park, 19th Floor, New York 10018, and SCHRODER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NORTH AMERICA LIMITED (“SIMNA Limited”) a UK corporation with its principal place of business at 1 London Wall Place, London, UK EC2Y 5AU.

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, the Adviser, a has retained SIMNA as its sub-adviser to render investment advisory services to CTIVP – AQR International Core Equity Fund, to be known as Variable Portfolio – Partners International Core Fund (the “Fund”), a series of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II (the “Trust”), pursuant to a Sub-Advisory Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, SIMNA desires to employ SIMNA Limited, an affiliate that is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser, as its investment sub-adviser, and SIMNA Limited is willing to render investment sub-advisory services to SIMNA, subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings set forth in this Agreement, SIMNA and SIMNA Limited hereby agree as follows:

1. Appointment of SIMNA Limited. SIMNA hereby employs SIMNA Limited as investment sub-adviser for the assets of the Fund, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, and subject to the direction of SIMNA. SIMNA Limited accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided. To the extent that any terms or provisions (including without limitation the rights and obligations of SIMNA Limited) set forth in this Agreement conflict with the terms and provisions set forth in the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Advisory Agreement shall govern.

2. Duties of SIMNA Limited.

(a) SIMNA employs SIMNA Limited to act as its sub-advisor in managing the investment and reinvestment of all or a portion of the assets of the Fund in accordance with the Sub-Advisory Agreement; to continuously review, supervise, and administer an investment program for the Fund; to determine in its discretion the securities to be purchased or sold and the portion of such assets to be held uninvested; to provide the Trust (either directly or through SIMNA) with all records concerning the activities of SIMNA Limited that


the Trust is required to maintain; and to render or assist SIMNA in rendering regular reports to the Trust’s officers and the Board of Trustees concerning the discharge of SIMNA Limited’s responsibilities hereunder. SIMNA Limited will discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the supervision and oversight of SIMNA, the Adviser, the Trust’s officers and the Board of Trustees and in compliance with the objective, policies, and limitations set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, any additional operating policies or procedures that the Fund communicates to SIMNA Limited in writing (either directly or through SIMNA), and applicable laws and regulations. SIMNA Limited agrees to provide, at its own expense, the office space, furnishings and equipment, and the personnel required by it to perform the services on the terms and for the compensation provided herein.

(b) SIMNA and SIMNA Limited jointly and severally acknowledge and agree that SIMNA is ultimately responsible for all aspects of providing to the Fund the services required of SIMNA under the Sub-Advisory Agreement. Accordingly, SIMNA Limited shall discharge its duties and responsibilities specified in paragraph (a) of this Section 2 and elsewhere in this Agreement subject at all times to the direction, control, supervision, and oversight of SIMNA. In furtherance thereof, SIMNA Limited shall, without limitation, (i) make its offices available to representatives of SIMNA for on-site inspections and consultations with the officers and applicable portfolio managers of SIMNA Limited responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, (ii) upon request, provide SIMNA with copies of all records it maintains regarding its management of the Fund and (iii) report to SIMNA each calendar quarter and at such other times as SIMNA may reasonably request regarding (A) SIMNA Limited’s implementation of the Fund’s investment program and the Fund’s portfolio composition and performance, (B) any policies and procedures implemented by SIMNA Limited to ensure compliance with United States securities laws and regulations applicable to SIMNA Limited and the Fund, (C) the Fund’s compliance with the objective, policies, and limitations set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and any additional operating policies or procedures that the Fund communicates to SIMNA Limited in writing (either directly or through SIMNA) and (D) such other matters as SIMNA may reasonably request.

3. Securities Transactions. Among its responsibilities, SIMNA Limited shall select the brokers or dealers that will execute purchases and sales of securities for the Fund, and shall use its best efforts to obtain the best available price and most favorable execution for such transactions, subject to written policies and procedures provided to SIMNA Limited (either directly or through SIMNA) and the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement, and, to the extent applicable, consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. SIMNA Limited will promptly communicate or assist SIMNA in communicating to the Fund’s officers and the Board of Trustees such information relating to the portfolio transactions SIMNA Limited has directed on behalf of the Fund as SIMNA or such officers or the Board may reasonably request.

 

2


4. Compensation of SIMNA Limited. For the services to be rendered by SIMNA Limited as provided in this Agreement, SIMNA (and not the Trust, the Fund nor the Adviser) will solely pay to SIMNA Limited at the end of each of month a fee equal to the amount set forth on Appendix A attached hereto. For clarity, SIMNA (and not the Trust, the Fund nor the Adviser) shall be obligated to pay SIMNA Limited fees hereunder for any period only out of and following SIMNA’s receipt from the Adviser of advisory fees pursuant the Sub-Advisory Agreement for such period. If this Agreement becomes effective or terminates before the end of any month, the fee for the period from the effective date to the end of the month or from the beginning of such month to the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion that such partial month bears to the full month in which such effectiveness or termination occurs.

5. Compliance. SIMNA Limited agrees to comply with all policies, procedures, or reporting requirements that the Adviser or the Board of Trustees reasonably adopts and communicates to SIMNA Limited in writing (either directly or through SIMNA) including, without limitation, any such policies, procedures, or reporting requirements relating to soft dollar or other brokerage arrangements.

6. Status of SIMNA Limited. The services of SIMNA Limited to SIMNA under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and SIMNA Limited will be free to render similar services to others so long as its services to SIMNA under this Agreement are not impaired thereby. SIMNA Limited will be deemed to be an independent contractor and will, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund or the Trust. SIMNA is liable for SIMNA Limited’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement and its acts and omissions.

7. Liability of SIMNA Limited. No provision of this Agreement will be deemed to protect SIMNA Limited against any liability to SIMNA or to the Adviser, the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Fund or its shareholders to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

8. Duration; Termination; Notices; Amendment. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect for so long as the Sub-Advisory Agreement remains in effect. This Agreement may be terminated by the Trust (by a vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund), without the payment of any penalty, immediately upon written notice to the other parties hereto, in the event of a material breach of any provision thereof by the party so notified or otherwise by the Trust, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the other parties hereto, but any such termination shall not affect the status, obligations or liabilities of any party hereto to the others. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may also be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by SIMNA (i) upon 60 days’ written notice to SIMNA Limited; or (ii) upon material breach by SIMNA Limited of any representations and warranties set

 

3


forth in this Agreement, if such breach has not been cured within 20 days after written notice of such breach; SIMNA Limited may terminate this Agreement at any time, without payment of any penalty, (1) upon 60 days’ written notice to SIMNA; or (2) upon material breach by SIMNA of any representations and warranties set forth in the Agreement, if such breach has not been cured within 20 days after written notice of such breach. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) or upon the termination of the Sub-Advisory Agreement. Any notice under this Agreement will be given in writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed postpaid, to the other party as follows:

If to SIMNA, at:

Schroder Investment Management North America Inc.

7 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10018

Attention: Legal Department

If to SIMNA Limited, at:

Schroder Investment Management North America Limited

1 London Wall Place

London, U.K. EC2Y 5AU

Attention: Legal

Department

This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent of the parties hereto.

9. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement will be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will not be affected thereby.

10. Confidentiality. Each of the parties hereto agrees that it shall exercise the same standard of care that it uses to protect its own confidential and proprietary information (“Confidential Information”), but no less than reasonable care, to protect the Confidential Information of any other party. As used herein, Confidential Information, includes, but is not limited, to “Fund Portfolio Information,” which refers to confidential and proprietary information with regard to (i) the portfolio holdings and characteristics of the portion of the Fund allocated to SIMNA or SIMNA Limited that SIMNA or SIMNA Limited manages under the terms of this Agreement or the Sub-Advisory Agreement, and (ii) any copies of any agreements between the Adviser and its various counterparties and all the terms and provisions contained therein, which the Adviser (which term shall include the Adviser’s directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors, proposed financing sources, attorneys and accountants) may furnish, disclose or reveal to SIMNA or SIMNA Limited (which term shall include SIMNA and SIMNA Limited’s directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors, proposed financing sources, attorneys

 

4


and accountants). Each party hereby agrees to restrict access to any other party’s Confidential Information to its employees who will use it only for the purpose of providing services under this Agreement or the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The foregoing shall not prevent a party from disclosing Confidential Information (1) that is publicly known or becomes publicly known through no unauthorized act; (2) that is rightfully received from a third party without obligation of confidentiality; (3)(a) that, in the case of Adviser’s Confidential Information, is approved in writing by Adviser for disclosure, (3)(b) that, in the case of SIMNA or SIMNA Limited’s Confidential Information, is approved in writing by SIMNA or SIMNA Limited, respectively, for disclosure; (4) that is disclosed in the course of a regulatory examination or that is required to be disclosed pursuant to a requirement of a governmental or regulatory agency or law, so long as the disclosing party provides (to the extent permitted under applicable law) the non-disclosing party (i.e., the party whose Confidential Information would be disclosed) with prompt written notice of such requirement prior to any such disclosure; however, SIMNA or SIMNA Limited is not required to provide such notice if information is provided on an aggregate basis without specific attribution to the Fund and notice may be provided promptly after disclosure (instead of prior to disclosure) if Confidential Information required to be maintained for regulatory reasons is disclosed during the course of a routine regulatory examination that is not targeted at the Fund, the Board or the Investment Manager; (5) to affiliates that have a reason to know such information; (6) to the custodian of the Fund; (7) to brokers and dealers that are counterparties for trades for the Fund; (8) to futures commission merchants executing or clearing transactions in connection with the Fund, if applicable; and (9) to third party service providers to SIMNA or SIMNA Limited subject to confidentiality agreements or duties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent Fund Portfolio Information is similar to investments for other clients of SIMNA or SIMNA Limited, SIMNA or SIMNA Limited may disclose such investments without direct reference to the Fund. Adviser agrees that SIMNA or SIMNA Limited may identify Adviser or the Fund by name in SIMNA or SIMNA Limited’s current client list. Such list may be used with third parties.

11. Proxy Policy. SIMNA Limited acknowledges that the Adviser is responsible for voting, or abstaining from voting, all proxies with respect to companies whose securities are held in that portion of the Fund allocated to SIMNA by the Adviser, but to the extent such responsibility is delegated to SIMNA, SIMNA Limited shall use its best good faith judgment to vote, or abstain from voting, such proxies in the manner that best serves the interests of the Fund’s shareholders.

12. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof, or any applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the laws of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of the provision of this Agreement, conflict with applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control. The Adviser, SIMNA and SIMNA Limited hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state of federal court situated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. Any action or dispute between the Adviser, SIMNA or SIMNA Limited arising out of this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the state of federal courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Adviser, SIMNA and SIMNA Limited hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which either party 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.

 

5


13. Treatment of Fund Under FCA Rules. The Fund will be treated as a Professional Client under rules of the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, as well as a client for purposes of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and the 1940 Act.

14. Write Down and Conversion Powers. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges, accepts and agrees that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding between the parties:

(a) any liability of SIMNA Limited arising under or in connection with this Agreement may be subject to the exercise of Write-down and Conversion Powers by the Resolution Authority;

(b) Each party to this Agreement will be bound by the effect of any application of any Write-down and Conversion Powers in relation to any such liability and in particular (but without limitation) by:

 

  i.

any reduction in the outstanding amount due (including any accrued but unpaid interest) in respect of any such liability;

 

  ii.

any cancellation of any such liability; and

 

  iii.

any conversion of all or part of such liability into shares, other securities or other obligations of SIMNA Limited or any other person that may result from any exercise of any Write-down and Conversion Powers in relation to any such liability;

(c) The terms of this Agreement and the rights of each party to this Agreement hereunder are subject to and may be varied, to the extent necessary, to give effect to any exercise of any Write-down and Conversion Powers in relation to any such liability and each party to this Agreement will be bound by any such variation; and

(d) Shares, other securities or other obligations of SIMNA Limited or any other person may be issued to or conferred on a party to this Agreement as a result of any exercise of any Write-down and Conversion Powers in relation to any such liability.

For purposes of this section:

Relevant Legislation” means Part 1 of the UK Banking Act 2009, as amended or re-enacted from time to time, any regulations, rules, orders or instruments made thereunder and any other laws, regulations, rules, orders, instruments, or requirements from time to time in force or applicable in the UK relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (otherwise than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings);

 

6


Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other body which has authority under the Relevant Legislation to exercise any Write-down and Conversion Powers; and

Write-down and Conversion Powers” means the powers under the Relevant Legislation to cancel, transfer or dilute shares issued by an entity that is a bank or investment firm or an affiliate of a bank or investment firm, to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of such an entity or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of such a liability into shares, securities or obligations of the entity or any other person, to provide that any such contract is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of such a liability.

15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

7


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first set forth herein.

SCHRODER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NORTH AMERICA INC.

 

/s/ William P. Sauer
Name: William P. Sauer
Title:   Authorized Signatory

SCHRODER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NORTH AMERICA INC.

 

/s/ Mark A. Hemenetz
Name: Mark A. Hemenetz
Title:   Authorized Signatory

SCHRODER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NORTH AMERICA LIMITED

 

/s/ Mark A. Hemenetz
Name: Mark A. Hemenetz
Title:   Authorized Signatory

SCHRODER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NORTH AMERICA LIMITED

 

/s/ Joseph Bertini
Name: Joseph Bertini
Title:   Authorized Signatory

COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT ADVISERS, LLC

 

/s/ Davis A. Weiss
Name: Davis A. Weiss
Title:   Assistant Secretary

 

8


APPENDIX A

Compensation of SIMNA Limited

[SCHEDULE LISTING FUND AND FEE RATE OMITTED]

 

9

SCHEDULE A

BORROWING FUNDS

(As of July 1, 2019)

Columbia Funds Series Trust

 

Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Convertible Securities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Global Strategic Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund III

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Large Cap Index Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Overseas Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select Global Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select International Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select Large Cap Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select Mid Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Short Term Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Short Term Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Small Cap Index Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund II

   May 1, 2018

Columbia South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Funds Series Trust I

 

Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2020 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2025 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2030 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2035 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2040 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2045 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2050 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2055 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2060 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Risk Allocation Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Alternative Beta Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Balanced Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Connecticut Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018


Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Corporate Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Disciplined Small Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Global Dividend Opportunity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Global Energy and Natural Resources Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Greater China Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Massachusetts Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Multi-Asset Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia New York Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Oregon Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Solutions Aggressive Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Solutions Conservative Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Strategic California Municipal Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Strategic Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Strategic New York Municipal Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Total Return Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia U.S. Social Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Multi-Manager Alternative Strategies Fund

   May 1, 2018

Multi-Manager Directional Alternative Strategies Fund

   May 1, 2018

Multi-Manager Growth Strategies Fund

   May 1, 2018

Multi-Manager International Equity Strategies Fund

   May 1, 2018

Multi-Manager Small Cap Equity Strategies Fund

   May 1, 2018

Multi-Manager Total Return Bond Strategies Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Funds Series Trust II

 

Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Contrarian Asia Pacific Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Contrarian Europe Fund

   May 1, 2018


Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia Disciplined Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Disciplined Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Disciplined Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Dividend Opportunity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Emerging Markets Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia European Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Flexible Capital Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Floating Rate Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Global Equity Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Global Opportunities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia High Yield Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Income Builder Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Income Opportunities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Large Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Limited Duration Credit Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Mortgage Opportunities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Overseas Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Quality Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select Global Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select Large Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select Small Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Seligman Communications and Information Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Seligman Global Technology Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Small/Mid Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Multi-Manager Value Strategies Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust

 

Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Asset Allocation Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Diversified Absolute Return Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Small Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Small Company Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – AQR Managed Futures Strategy Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – Lazard International Equity Advantage Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018


Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II

 

Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Balanced Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Income Opportunities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – William Blair International Leaders Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Aggressive Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Conservative Portfolio

   May 1, 2018


Fund

   Effective Date

Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Moderate Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Moderately Conservative Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018


SCHEDULE A – Borrowing Funds

For each Fund, the Master Agreement was effective as of the date set forth on Schedule A.

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST I

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST II

COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST

COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE SERIES TRUST II

EACH TRUST ABOVE, ON BEHALF OF EACH OF ITS SERIES SET FORTH ON SCHEDULE A HERETO

 

By:   /s/ Michael G. Clarke
Name:   Michael G. Clarke
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT ADVISERS, LLC

 

By:   /s/ Ryan C. Larrenaga
Name:   Ryan C. Larrenaga
Title:   Vice President


SCHEDULE B

LENDING FUNDS

(As of July 1, 2019)

Columbia Funds Series Trust

 

Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Aggressive Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Convertible Securities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Global Strategic Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund III

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Large Cap Index Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Overseas Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select Global Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select International Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select Large Cap Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select Mid Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Short Term Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Short Term Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Small Cap Index Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund II

   May 1, 2018

Columbia South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Funds Series Trust I

 

Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2020 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2025 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2030 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2035 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2040 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2045 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2050 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2055 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2060 Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Adaptive Risk Allocation Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Alternative Beta Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Balanced Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Connecticut Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018


Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Corporate Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Disciplined Small Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Dividend Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Emerging Markets Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Global Dividend Opportunity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Global Energy and Natural Resources Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Greater China Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Massachusetts Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Multi-Asset Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia New York Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Oregon Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Pacific/Asia Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Solutions Aggressive Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Solutions Conservative Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Strategic California Municipal Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Strategic Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Strategic New York Municipal Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Total Return Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia U.S. Social Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Ultra Short Term Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Multi-Manager Alternative Strategies Fund

   May 1, 2018

Multi-Manager Directional Alternative Strategies Fund

   May 1, 2018

Multi-Manager Growth Strategies Fund

   May 1, 2018

Multi-Manager International Equity Strategies Fund

   May 1, 2018

Multi-Manager Small Cap Equity Strategies Fund

   May 1, 2018

Multi-Manager Total Return Bond Strategies Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Funds Series Trust II

 

Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia Capital Allocation Aggressive Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Capital Allocation Conservative Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Contrarian Asia Pacific Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Contrarian Europe Fund

   May 1, 2018


Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia Disciplined Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Disciplined Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Disciplined Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Dividend Opportunity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Emerging Markets Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia European Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Flexible Capital Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Floating Rate Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Global Equity Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Global Opportunities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Global Infrastructure Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Government Money Market Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia High Yield Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Income Builder Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Income Opportunities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Large Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Limited Duration Credit Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Minnesota Tax-Exempt Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Mortgage Opportunities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Overseas Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Quality Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select Global Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select Large Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Select Small Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Seligman Communications and Information Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Seligman Global Technology Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Small/Mid Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Multi-Manager Value Strategies Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust

 

Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Asset Allocation Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Diversified Absolute Return Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Small Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Small Company Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – AQR Managed Futures Strategy Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – Lazard International Equity Advantage Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018


Fund

   Effective Date

Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II

 

Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Balanced Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Income Opportunities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund

   May 1, 2018

CTIVP® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018


Fund

   Effective Date

CTIVP® – William Blair International Leaders Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Aggressive Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Conservative Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Moderate Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Moderately Conservative Portfolio

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Equity Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund

   May 1, 2018

Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund

   May 1, 2018

Tri-Continental Corporation

 

Fund

   Effective Date

Tri-Continental Corporation

   May 1, 2018

Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Fund

   Effective Date

Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund, Inc.

   September 1, 2018


SCHEDULE B – Lending Funds

Except as otherwise indicated below, for each Fund, the Master Agreement was effective as of the date set forth on Schedule B.

TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION

COLUMBIA SELIGMAN TECHNOLOGY GROWTH FUND

AND

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST I

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST II

COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST

COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE SERIES TRUST II

ON BEHALF OF EACH OF ITS SERIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE B

 

By:   /s/ Michael G. Clarke
Name:   Michael G. Clarke
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT ADVISERS, LLC

 

By:   /s/ Ryan C. Larrenaga
Name:   Ryan C. Larrenaga
Title:   Vice President

LOGO

 

Snapshot of the Policy

The Code of Ethics is a comprehensive policy which provides the standards for personal investing by American Century Investments (ACI) employees. Each employee has a Code of Ethics classification based on their job responsibilities and the ability to access nonpublic information about ACI client portfolios’ security holdings and trading activities. The restrictions on personal investing contained in the Code vary by classification. The Code of Ethics also applies to accounts and securities that ACI employees beneficially own (i.e. owned by immediate family sharing your household, your domestic partner, or those you have power of attorney over, etc.).

It is important that you understand the Code and the restrictions on investing in personal securities and reportable mutual funds. This page contains a summary of the Code requirements. Please review the full text of the Code to fully understand your responsibilities. Contact Compliance if you have questions about the policy and how it applies to your situation. The Code of Ethics system (http://coe/) is the primary tool for performing your duties under the Code. All reporting and preclearance is performed in the Code of Ethics system.

Requirements for All Employees

Non-Access Persons, Access Persons, Investment Persons, and Portfolio Persons must

 

   

Place our client’s interest first

 

   

Comply with federal securities laws

 

   

Report violations to Compliance

 

   

Acknowledge that you have read and understand the Code of Ethics

 

   

Disclose reportable brokerage accounts and reportable mutual fund accounts

 

   

Transfer reportable brokerage accounts to a broker that provides electronic trade confirmations (See Schedule C).

 

   

Comply with short-term trading restrictions for ACI client portfolios.

 

   

Obtain written approval to enter into an arrangement or agreement that could create a conflict of interest with ACI activities (i.e. serving on the board of directors of a publicly traded company).

Requirements for Access Persons, Investment and Portfolio Persons

Access Persons, Investment Persons, Portfolio Persons must

 

   

Disclose holdings within 10 days of designation and annually, thereafter

 

   

Disclose personal security transactions on a quarterly basis

 

   

Disclose conflicts of interest annually

 

   

Obtain approval (preclearance) to trade in reportable securities

Trading Prohibitions

 

   

Investment Persons and Portfolio Persons cannot participate in an Initial Public Offering.

 

   

Investment Persons and Portfolio Persons cannot profit on short-term reportable security trades within 60 calendar days.

 

   

Portfolio Persons cannot trade within seven days before and after transactions of a fund you manage.

 

   

Portfolio Persons cannot sell a security which is held by your assigned fund or buy a security held as a short position in your assigned funds.

 

Policy updated: August 21, 2019   
1


LOGO

 

Table of Contents

 

Snapshot of the Policy

     1  

Requirements for All Employees

     1  

Requirements for Access Persons, Investment and Portfolio Persons

     1  

Trading Prohibitions

     1  

Purpose of Code

     3  

Why Do We Have a Code of Ethics?

     3  

Does the Code of Ethics Apply to You?

     4  

Restrictions on Personal Investing Activities

     5  

Reporting Requirements

     9  

Can there be any exceptions to the restrictions?

     12  

Confidential Information

     13  

Conflicts of Interest

     14  

What happens if you violate the rules in the Code of Ethics?

     14  

ACI’s Quarterly Report to Fund Directors/Trustees

     15  

APPENDIX 1: DEFINITIONS

     16  

APPENDIX 2: WHAT IS “BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP”?

     19  

APPENDIX 3: CODE-EXEMPT SECURITIES

     22  

APPENDIX 4: HOW THE PRECLEARANCE PROCESS WORKS

     24  

SCHEDULE A: BOARD APPROVAL DATES

     27  

SCHEDULE B: SUBADVISED FUNDS

     28  

SCHEDULE C: APPROVED ELECTRONIC BROKERS

     30  

 

Policy updated: August 21, 2019   
2


LOGO

 

Purpose of Code

The Code of Ethics guides the personal investment activities of American Century Investments (ACI) employees (including full and part-time employees, contract and temporary employees, officers and directors), and members of their immediate family.1 The Code of Ethics aids in the elimination and detection of personal securities transactions by employees that might be viewed as fraudulent or might conflict with the interests of our client portfolios. Such transactions may include:

 

   

the misuse of client trading information for personal benefit (including so-called “front-running”),

 

   

the misappropriation of investment opportunities that may be appropriate for client portfolios,

 

   

and excessive personal trading that may affect our ability to provide services to our clients.

Violations of this Code must be promptly reported to the Chief Compliance Officer.

Why Do We Have a Code of Ethics?

 

A.

Investors have placed their trust in ACI

As an investment advisor, ACI is entrusted with the assets of our clients for investment purposes. Our employees’ personal trading activities and the administration of the Code are governed by these general fiduciary principles:

 

   

The interests of our clients must be placed before our own.

 

   

Any personal securities transactions must be conducted consistent with this Code and in a manner as to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Complying with these principles is how we earn and keep our clients’ trust. To protect this trust, we will hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards.

 

B.

ACI wants to give you flexible investing options

Management believes that ACI’s own mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles provide a broad range of investment alternatives in virtually every segment of the securities market. We encourage ACI employees to use these vehicles for their personal investments. We do not encourage active trading by our employees. We recognize, however, that individual needs differ and that there are other attractive investment opportunities. As a result, this Code is intended to give you and your family flexibility to invest, without jeopardizing relationships with our clients.

Our employees are able to undertake personal transactions in stocks and other individual securities subject to the terms of this Code. All employees are required to report their personal security transactions in their own and in beneficially owned securities under this Code. Additionally, Portfolio, Investment and Access Persons are required to receive preclearance of transactions and further limitations are placed on the transactions of Portfolio and Investment Persons.

 

1 

The directors or trustees of Fund Clients who are not “interested persons” (the “Independent Directors”) are covered under a separate Code applicable only to them.

 

Policy updated: August 21, 2019   
3


LOGO

 

C.

Federal law requires that we have a Code of Ethics

The Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 require that we have safeguards in place to prevent personal investment activities that might take inappropriate advantage of our fiduciary position. These safeguards are embodied in this Code of Ethics.2

Does the Code of Ethics Apply to You?

Yes! All ACI employees and contract personnel must observe the principles contained in this Code of Ethics. This Code applies to your personal investments, as well as those for which you are a beneficial owner. However, there are different requirements for different categories of employees. The category in which you have been placed generally depends on your job function, although circumstances may prompt us to place you in a different category. The range of categories is as follows:

 

Fewest

Restrictions

  

LOGO

  

Most Restrictions

Non-Access Person

   Access Person    Investment Person    Portfolio Person

The standard profile for each of the categories is described below:

 

A.

Portfolio Persons

Portfolio Persons include portfolio managers and equity investment analysts and any other Investment Persons (as defined below) with authority to enter purchase/sale orders on behalf of client portfolios.

 

B.

Investment Persons

Investment Persons include:

 

   

Any supervised persons that have access to nonpublic information regarding any client portfolio’s securities trading, securities recommendations, or portfolio holdings or are involved in making securities recommendations that are nonpublic; and

 

   

Any officers and directors of an investment advisor.

 

C.

Access Persons

Access Persons are persons who, in connection with their regular function and duties, consistently obtain information regarding current purchase and sale recommendations and daily transaction and holdings information concerning client portfolios. Examples of persons that may be considered Access Persons include:

 

 

2 

Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 serve as a basis for much of what is contained in this Code of Ethics.

 

Policy updated: August 21, 2019   
4


LOGO

 

   

Persons who are directly involved in the execution, clearance, and settlement of purchases and sales of securities (e.g. certain investment operations personnel);

 

   

Persons whose function requires them to evaluate trading activity on a real-time basis (e.g. attorneys, accountants, portfolio compliance personnel);

 

   

Persons who assist in the design, implementation, and maintenance of investment management technology systems (e.g. certain I/T personnel, including contractors);

 

   

Support staff and supervisors of the above if they are required to obtain such information as a part of their regular function and duties; and

 

   

An officer or “interested” director of our Fund Clients.

Single, infrequent, or inadvertent instances of access to current recommendations or real-time trading information or the opportunity to obtain such information through casual observance or bundled data security access may not be sufficient to qualify you as an Access Person.

 

D.

Non-Access Persons

If you are an ACI officer, director, or employee and you do not fit into any of the above categories, you are a Non-Access Person. Contractors and temporary employees may be considered Non-Access Persons depending on their role. While your trading is not subject to preclearance and other restrictions applicable to Portfolio, Investment, and Access Persons, you are still subject to the remaining provisions of the Code.

Restrictions on Personal Investing Activities

 

A.

Principles of Personal Investing

All ACI employees, officers, and directors, and members of their immediate family, must comply with the federal securities laws and other governmental rules and regulations, and maintain ACI’s high ethical standards when making personal securities transactions. You must not misuse nonpublic information about client security holdings or contemplated, pending, or completed portfolio transactions for your personal benefit or the benefit of others. Likewise, you may not cause a client portfolio to take action, or fail to take action, for your personal benefit.

In addition, investment opportunities appropriate for client portfolios should not be retained for the personal benefit of yourself or others. Investment opportunities arising as a result of ACI investment management activities must first be considered for inclusion in our client portfolios.

 

B.

Trading on Inside Information

Federal law prohibits you from trading based on material nonpublic information received from any source or communicating this information to others. This could include confidential information received by employees regarding securities that are, or maybe considered as potential portfolio investments. You are expected to abide by the highest ethical and legal standards in conducting your personal investment activities. For more information regarding what to do when you believe you are in possession of material nonpublic information, please consult ACI’s Insider Trading Policy.

 

Policy updated: August 21, 2019   
5


LOGO

 

C.

Trading in ACI Mutual Funds

Excessive, short-term trading of ACI client portfolios and other abusive trading practices (such as time zone arbitrage) may disrupt portfolio management strategies and harm fund performance. These practices can cause funds to maintain higher-than-normal cash balances and incur increased trading costs. Short-term and other abusive trading strategies can also cause unjust dilution of shareholder value if such trading is based on information not accurately reflected in the price of the fund.

You may not engage in short-term trading or other abusive trading strategies with respect to any ACI client portfolio. For purposes of this Code, ACI client portfolios include any mutual fund, variable annuity, institutional, or other account advised or subadvised by ACI.3

Seven-Day Holding Period. You will be deemed to have engaged in short-term trading if you have purchased shares or otherwise invested in a variable-priced (non-money market) ACI client portfolio and redeem shares or otherwise withdraw assets from that portfolio within seven days. In other words, if you make an investment in an ACI client portfolio, you may not redeem shares from that fund before the completion of the seventh day following the purchase date.

Limited Trading Within 30 Days. We realize that abusive trading is not limited to a seven-day window. As a result, we may deem the sale of all or a substantial portion of an employee’s purchase in an ACI client portfolio to be abusive if the sale is made within 30 days, and it happens more than once every rolling twelve months.

These trading restrictions are applicable to any account for which you have the authority to direct trades or of which you are a beneficial owner, including brokerage accounts, direct shareholder accounts, retirement plans, subadvised accounts, or accounts held through an intermediary

Transactions NOT Subject to Limitations. Automatic investments such as AMIs, dividend reinvestments, employer plan contributions, and payroll deductions are not considered transactions for purposes of the holding requirements. Redemptions in variable-priced funds that allow check writing privileges will not be considered redemptions for purposes of the holding requirements.

Information to be Provided. You may be required to provide certain information regarding mutual fund accounts beneficially owned by you and transactions in reportable mutual funds. See the Reporting Requirements for your applicable Code of Ethics classification.

 

 

3 

See Schedule A for a list of Fund Clients. See Schedule B for a list of subadvised funds.

 

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D.

Preclearance of Personal Securities Transactions

[Portfolio, Investment, and Access Persons]

Preclearance of personal securities transactions allows ACI to prevent certain trades that may conflict with client trading activities. The nature of securities markets makes it impossible to predict all conflicts. As a consequence, even trades that are precleared can result in potential conflicts between your trades and those affected for client portfolios. You are responsible for avoiding such conflicts with any client portfolios for which you make investment recommendations. You have an obligation to ACI and its clients to avoid even a perception of a conflict of interest with respect to personal trading activities.

All Portfolio, Investment, and Access Persons must comply with the following preclearance procedures prior to entering into (i) the purchase or sale of a security for your own account or (ii) the purchase or sale of a security for an account for which you are a beneficial owner.4

 

  1.

Is the security a “Code-Exempt Security”?

Check Appendix 3 to see if the security is listed as a code-exempt security. If it is, then you may execute the transaction. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.

 

  2.

Preclear the transaction with Compliance by5 accessing the Code of Ethics system and entering your request at the Preclearance Request Entry screen. If you are outside of ACI’s office, you may e-mail your request to CE-Code_of_Ethics@americancentury.com. You will be required to provide the following:

 

   

Broker and account number used for the transaction;

 

   

Issuer name;

 

   

Security identifier (Ticker symbol, CUSIP number, etc.);

 

   

Currency;

 

   

Type of security (stock, bond, note, etc.);

 

   

Number of shares; and

 

   

Nature of transaction (purchase or sale).

 

  3.

The request will be reviewed through our preclearance process. You will receive an e-mail informing you of your approval or denial within 48 hours of entering your request.

 

  4.

If you receive preclearance for the transaction,6 you may execute the approved transaction the day your preclearance is granted and the following two (2) business days (the “Preclearance Period”). For example, if preclearance is granted at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, you have until the close of the market on Friday to execute the trade. If you do not execute the approved transaction within the Preclearance Period, you must repeat the preclearance procedure prior to executing the transaction.

 

4 

See Appendix 2 for an explanation of beneficial ownership.

5 

If you are the Chief Investment Officer of an investment advisor, your preclearance request must be approved by the Chief Compliance Officer or his or her designee.

6 

See Appendix 4 for a description of the preclearance process.

 

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ACI reserves the right to restrict the purchase or sale by Portfolio, Investment, and Access Persons of any security at any time. Such restrictions are imposed through the use of a Restricted List that will cause the Code of Ethics system to deny the approval of preclearance to transact in the security. Securities may be restricted for a variety of reasons including without limitation, the possession of material nonpublic information by ACI or its employees.

 

E.

Additional Trading Restrictions

[Portfolio and Investment Persons]

The following additional trading restrictions apply if you are a Portfolio or Investment Person:

 

  1.

Initial Public Offerings You may not acquire securities issued in an initial public offering.

 

  2.

Private Placements Before you acquire any securities in a private placement, you must obtain approval. from the Chief Investment Officer. Request preclearance by entering your request in the Private Placement Preclearance Request Entry screen in the Code of Ethics system or by emailing your request to CE-Code of Ethics (or CE-Code_of_Ethics@americancentury.com if emailing from outside of ACI’s email systems). While your preclearance request is pending or if you own or beneficially own the privately-placed security, you may not participate in any consideration of an investment in securities of the private placement issuer for any client portfolios

 

  3.

60-Day Rule (Short-Term Trading Profits) You may not profit from any purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the same (or equivalent) securities other than code-exempt securities within sixty (60) calendar days.

 

F.

Seven-Day Blackout Period

  

[Portfolio Persons]

If you are a Portfolio Person, you may not purchase or sell a security other than a code exempt security during the seven calendar days before and after the day it has been traded in a client portfolio that you manage (i.e., if a client portfolio transacts in a security on Monday, the Portfolio Persons managing the client portfolio must not personally trade in the security from the Monday before until the Monday after the client portfolio transaction.

 

G.

Securities held in your funds

[Portfolio Persons]

Personally investing in the same securities held by the client portfolios you manage may result in a conflict of interest. To mitigate this risk, you may not sell a security in which your client portfolio has a long position or purchase a security in which your client portfolio has a short position.

 

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Reporting Requirements

You are required to file complete, accurate, and timely reports of all required information under this Code. All reported information is subject to review for indications of abusive trading, misappropriation of information, or failure to adhere to the requirements of this Code.

 

A.

Reporting Requirements Applicable to All Employees

 

  1.

Code Acknowledgement

Upon employment, any amendment of the Code, and not less than annually thereafter, you will be required to acknowledge that you have received, read, and will comply with this Code. Compliance will notify you when you must provide this information.

 

  2.

Brokerage Accounts and Duplicate Confirmations

You are required to report ALL reportable brokerage accounts that you own or beneficially own in the Code of Ethics system using the Account Maintenance page or the Account Reporting page (initial and year-end reporting) as soon as the account has been established.

To aid with required recordkeeping requirements and streamline operations, employees must hold all reportable brokerage accounts at a firm that provides electronic trade confirmations to ACI. “Reportable brokerage accounts” include both brokerage accounts maintained by you and brokerage accounts maintained by a person whose trades you must report because you are a beneficial owner. See Schedule C for a list of firms that provide electronic trade confirmations to ACI. New reportable brokerage accounts must be opened with a firm that provides electronic trade confirmations to ACI.

New employees are required to move existing reportable brokerage accounts that they own or beneficially own to an electronic broker within 90 days of the start of their employment.

Limited exemptions may be granted to hold a reportable brokerage account at firms that do not provide electronic trade confirmations. You MUST contact Compliance at CE—Code_of_Ethics@americancentury.com to obtain an account exemption.

Exemptions may be requested for Managed Accounts and Blind Trusts. Please refer to page 12 of this Code, section F. Managed Account/Blind Trust Exemption.

 

  3.

Reporting of Mutual Fund Accounts

 

  a.

Employee-owned ACI Direct Accounts/ ACI Retirement Plans

 

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You are not required to report ACI Direct and ACI Retirement Plan accounts held under your own Social Security number. Trading in these accounts will be monitored based on information contained on our transfer agency and retirement plan systems.

 

  b.

Beneficially Owned Direct Accounts

You must report the following information for ACI Direct accounts in which you have a beneficial ownership interest held under a taxpayer identification or Social Security number other than your own (so-called “beneficially owned direct accounts”):

 

   

Account number and

 

   

Name(s) of record owner(s) of the account.

Trading in these accounts will be monitored based on information contained on our transfer agency system.

 

  c.

Certain third-party accounts invested in funds managed by ACI.

You are required to report other accounts invested in funds managed by ACI such as those invested in (i) any subadvised fund (see Schedule B of this Code for a list of subadvised funds); and (ii) non-ACI retirement plan, unit investment trust, variable annuity, or similar accounts in which you own or beneficially own reportable mutual funds. The following information must be reported for these accounts:

 

   

Name of the financial institution where held;

 

   

Account number; and

 

   

Name(s) of the record owner(s) of the account.

In addition, you must provide either account statements or confirmations of all trading activity in reportable third-party accounts to Compliance within 30 calendar days of the end of each calendar quarter.

 

B.

Additional Reporting Requirements

  

[Portfolio, Investment, and Access Persons]

 

  1.

Holdings Report

Within ten calendar days of becoming a Portfolio, Investment, or Access Person, and annually, thereafter, you must submit a Holdings Report. You will be notified by e-mail of the dates and requirements for filing the report(s). The information submitted must be current as of a date no more than 45 calendar days before the report is filed and include the following:

 

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A list of all securities, other than certain code-exempt securities 7, that you own or in which you have a beneficial ownership interest. This listing must include the financial institution, account number, security identifier and description, number of shares, currency, and principal amount of each covered security.

 

   

A summary of your relationships that may conflict with the interests of ACI, such as outside employment, relationships with competitors, suppliers, vendors, independent contractors or consultants of ACI, or relationships with directors or trustees in outside organizations other than community charitable activities, education activities, or dissimilar family business.

 

   

Portfolio and Investment Persons must also provide a list of all reportable mutual fund holdings owned or in which they have a beneficial ownership interest. This list must include investments held directly through ACI, investments in any subadvised fund, holdings in a reportable brokerage account, and holdings in non-ACI retirement plans, unit investment trusts, variable annuity, or similar accounts.

 

  2.

Quarterly Transactions Report

Within 30 calendar days of the end of each calendar quarter, all Portfolio, Investment, and Access Persons must submit a Quarterly Transactions Report. Compliance will notify you of the dates and requirements for filing the report. A report of the transactions for which we have received your trade confirmations during the quarter will be provided for your review. It is your responsibility to review the completeness and accuracy of this report, provide any necessary changes, and certify its contents when submitted.

 

  a.

The Quarterly Transactions Report must contain the following information about each personal securities transaction undertaken during the quarter other than those in certain code exempt securities:

 

   

The financial institution’s name and account number in which the transaction was executed;

 

   

The date of the transaction, the security identifier and description and number of shares or the principal amount of each security involved;

 

   

The nature of the transaction, that is, purchase, sale, or any other type of acquisition or disposition; and

 

   

The transaction price, currency and amount.

In addition, information regarding your reportable brokerage and other accounts should be verified at this time.

 

  b.

Portfolio and Investment Persons are also required to report transactions in reportable mutual funds. The Quarterly Transactions Report for such persons must contain the following information about each transaction during the quarter:

 

   

The date of the transaction, the fund identifier and description and number of shares or units of each trade involved;

 

   

The nature of the transaction, that is, purchase, sale, or any other type of acquisition or disposition;

 

7 

See Appendix 3 for a listing of code-exempt securities that must be reported.

 

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The transaction price, and amount; and

 

   

The financial institution’s name and account number in which the trade was executed.

Transactions of reportable mutual funds that do not need to be reported by Portfolio and Investment Persons on the Quarterly Transaction Report include:

 

   

Reinvested dividends;

 

   

Transactions in ACI retirement plan accounts;

 

   

Transactions in mutual fund accounts held directly through ACI under your Social Security number;

 

   

Transactions in beneficially-owned Direct accounts if the account has been previously reported under this Code; and

 

   

Transactions in reportable third-party accounts for which the account statements or confirmations are provided to Compliance within 30 days of the end of the calendar quarter in which the transactions took place.

Can there be any exceptions to the restrictions?

Yes. The Chief Compliance Officer or his or her designee may grant limited exemptions to specific provisions of the Code on a case-by-case basis.

 

A.

How to Request an Exemption

Request an exemption by e-mailing a written request to -CE-Code of Ethics (or CE-Code_of_Ethics@americancentury.com if emailing from outside ACI’s email system) detailing your situation.

 

B.

Factors Considered

In considering your request, the Chief Compliance Officer or his or her designee may grant your exemption request if he or she is satisfied that:

 

   

Your request addresses an undue personal hardship imposed on you by the Code of Ethics;

 

   

Your situation is not in conflict with the Code; and

 

   

Your exemption, if granted, would be consistent with the achievement of the objectives of the Code of Ethics.

 

C.

Exemption Reporting

All exemptions must be reported to the Boards of Directors/Trustees of our Fund Clients at the next regular meeting following the initial grant of the exemption. Subsequent grants of an exemption of a type previously reported to the Boards may be affected without reporting. The Boards of Directors/Trustees may choose to delegate the task of receiving and reviewing reports to a committee comprised of Independent Directors/Trustees.

 

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D.

Thirty-Day Denial Exemption on Sales

An exemption may be requested when a request to sell a security has been denied once a week over a 30-day timeframe. The covered person must be able to verify that they have periodically entered a preclearance request to sell a security in the Code of Ethics system at least four times over a 30-day period. A written request must be e-mailed to “CE-Code of Ethics” to request the exemption. The Chief Compliance Officer or his or her designee will review the request and determine if the exemption is warranted. If approval is granted, compliance will designate a short trading window during which the sale can take place.

 

E.

Non-volitional Transaction Exemption

Certain non-volitional purchase and sale transactions are exempt from the preclearance requirements of the Code. These transactions include stock splits, stock dividends, exchanges and conversions, mandatory tenders, pro rata distributions to all holders of a class of securities, receipt of securities as gifts, the giving of securities, inheritances, margin/ maintenance calls (where the securities to be sold are not directed by the covered person), dividend reinvestment plans, and employer sponsored payroll deduction plans. These purchase and sale transactions, however, shall be reported in the Quarterly Transaction Report and Annual Holdings Report.

 

F.

Blind Trust/Managed Account Exemption

An exemption from the preclearance and reporting requirements of the Code may be requested for securities that are held in a blind or quasi-blind trust arrangement or a managed (discretionary) account. For the exemption to be available, you or a member of your immediate family must not have authority to advise or direct securities transactions of the trust or managed account. A written request must be emailed to “CE-Code of Ethics” with a copy of the management agreement to request the exemption. The request will only be granted once the covered person and/or the investment advisor for the trust or managed account certify that the covered person or members of their immediate family will not advise or direct transactions. ACI may require that statements or trade confirmations be received for the trust or managed account. The employee and/or advisor may be requested by Compliance to re-certify the trust arrangement.

Confidential Information

All information about clients’ securities transactions and portfolio holdings is confidential. You must not disclose, except as required by the duties of your employment, actual or contemplated securities transactions, portfolio holdings, portfolio characteristics or other nonpublic information about Clients, or the contents of any written or oral communication, study, report or opinion concerning any security. Employees should consult the Portfolio Holdings and Characteristics Disclosure and the Confidential Information Asset Security policies before disseminating information to individuals that otherwise do not have access to the information. This does not apply to information which has already been publicly disclosed.

 

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Conflicts of Interest

You must receive prior written approval from ACI’s General Counsel or his or her designee, as appropriate, to do any of the following:

 

   

Negotiate or enter into any agreement on a client’s behalf with any business concern doing or seeking to do business with the client if you, or a person related to you, has a substantial interest in the business concern;

 

   

Enter into an agreement, negotiate or otherwise do business on the client’s behalf with a personal friend or a person related to you; or

 

   

Serve on the board of directors of, or act as consultant to, any publicly traded corporation. Please note that ACI’s Business Code of Conduct also contains limitations on outside employment and directorships.

What happens if you violate the rules in the Code of Ethics?

If you violate the requirements of the Code of Ethics, you may be subject to serious penalties. Violations of the Code and proposed sanctions are documented by Compliance and submitted to the Code of Ethics Review Committee. The Committee consists of representatives of the investment advisor and the Compliance and Legal departments of ACI. The Committee is responsible for determining the materiality of Code violations and appropriate sanctions.

 

A.

Materiality of Violation

In determining the materiality of a violation, the Committee considers:

 

   

Evidence of violation of law;

 

   

Indicia of fraud, neglect, or indifference to Code provisions;

 

   

Frequency of violations;

 

   

Monetary value of the violation in question; and

 

   

Level of influence of the violator.

 

B.

Penalty Factors

In assessing the appropriate penalties, the Committee will consider the foregoing in addition to any other factors they deem applicable, such as:

 

   

Extent of harm to client interests;

 

   

Extent of unjust enrichment;

 

   

Tenure and prior record of the violator;

 

   

The degree to which there is a personal benefit from unique knowledge obtained through employment with ACI;

 

   

The level of accurate, honest and timely cooperation from the covered person; and

 

   

Any mitigating circumstances.

 

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C.

The penalties which may be imposed include, but are not limited to:

 

  1.

Non-material violation

 

  a.

Warning (notice sent to manager) and/or

 

  b.

Attendance at a Code of Ethics training session and/or

 

  c.

Suspension of trading privileges.

 

  2.

Penalties for material or more frequent non-material violations will be based on the circumstances of the violation. These penalties could include, but are not limited to

 

  a.

Suspension of trading privileges and/or

 

  b.

Suspension or termination of employment.

In addition, you may be required to surrender to ACI any profit realized from any transaction(s) in violation of this Code of Ethics.

ACI’s Quarterly Report to Fund Directors/Trustees

ACI will prepare a quarterly report to the Board of Directors/Trustees of each Fund Client of any material violation of this Code of Ethics.

 

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APPENDIX 1: DEFINITIONS

 

1.

“Automatic Investment Plan”

“Automatic investment plan” means a program in which regular periodic purchases, exchanges or redemptions are made automatically in or from investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation including dividend reinvestment plans.

\

 

2.

“Beneficial Ownership” or “Beneficially Owned”

See “Appendix 2: What is Beneficial Ownership?”

 

3.

“Code-Exempt Security”

A “code-exempt security” is a security in which you may invest without preclearing the transaction with ACI. The list of code-exempt securities appears in Appendix 3.

 

4.

“Federal Securities Law”

“Federal securities law” means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the Commission under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to funds and investment advisors, and any rules adopted by the Commission or the Department of Treasury.

 

5.

“Fund Clients”

Fund clients includes each Fund Client listed on Schedule A.

 

6.

“Initial Public Offering”

“Initial public offering” means an offering of securities for which a registration statement has not previously been filed with the SEC and for which there is no active public market.

 

7.

“Investment Advisor”

“Investment advisor” includes each investment advisor listed on Schedule A

 

8.

“Member of Your Immediate Family”

A “member of your immediate family” means any of the following:

 

   

Your spouse or domestic partner;

 

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Your minor children; or

 

   

A relative who shares your home.

For the purpose of determining whether any of the foregoing relationships exist, a legally adopted child of a person is considered a child of such person.

 

9.

“Private Placement”

“Private placement” means an offering of securities in which the issuer relies on an exemption from the registration provisions of the Federal Securities Laws, and usually involves a limited number of sophisticated investors and a restriction on resale of the securities.

 

10.

“Reportable Brokerage Accounts”

A “reportable brokerage account” includes any account in which securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of any person subject to this Code of Ethics.

 

11.

“Reportable Mutual Fund”

A “reportable mutual fund” includes any mutual fund issued by a Fund Client (as listed on Schedule A) and any subadvised funds (as listed on Schedule B).

 

12.

“Security”

A “security” includes a large number of investment vehicles. However, for purposes of this Code of Ethics, “security”(or “securities”) includes any of the following:

 

   

Note;

 

   

Stock, (including stock acquired in private placements and restricted stock in nonpublic companies received through an employee stock ownership program);

 

   

Treasury stock;

 

   

Bond;

 

   

Debenture;

 

   

Derivative security;

 

   

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) or similar securities;

 

   

Unit Investment Trusts (UIT);

 

   

Shares of open-end mutual funds;

 

   

Shares of closed-end mutual funds;

 

   

Evidence of indebtedness;

 

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Certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement;

 

   

Collateral-trust certificate;

 

   

Preorganization certificate or subscription;

 

   

Transferable share;

 

   

Investment contract;

 

   

Voting-trust certificate;

 

   

Certificate of deposit for a security;

 

   

Interests in private investment companies, hedge funds, or other unregistered collective investment vehicles;

 

   

Fractional undivided interest in oil, gas or other mineral rights;

 

   

Any put, call, straddle, option, future, or privilege on any security or other financial instrument (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), including stock options received from an employer or through a retirement plan;

 

   

Any put, call, straddle, option, future, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency;

 

   

In general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security;” or

 

   

Any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, future on or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing.

 

13.

“Subadvised Fund”

A “subadvised fund” means any mutual fund or portfolio listed on Schedule B.

 

14.

“Supervised Person”

A “supervised person” means any partner, officer, director (or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), or employee of an investment advisor, or other person who provides investment advice on behalf of an investment advisor and is subject to the supervision and control of the investment advisor.

 

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APPENDIX 2: WHAT IS “BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP”?

A “beneficial owner” of a security is any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, has or shares in the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a purchase or sale of the security.

 

1.

Are securities held by immediate family members or domestic partners “beneficially owned” by me?

Yes. As a general rule, you are regarded as the beneficial owner of securities held in the name of

 

   

A member of your immediate family OR

 

   

Any other person IF you obtain from such securities benefits substantially similar to those of ownership. For example, if you receive or benefit from some of the income from the securities held by your spouse, or domestic partner, you are the beneficial owner; OR

 

   

You hold an option or other contractual rights to obtain title to the securities now or in the future.

 

2.

Must I report accounts for which I am listed as a joint owner or have power of attorney?

Yes. As a general rule, you are regarded as an owner of any accounts for which you are listed as a joint owner or have power of attorney.

 

3.

Am I deemed to beneficially own securities in accounts owned by a relative for whom I am listed as beneficiary upon death?

Probably not. Unless you have power of attorney to transact in such accounts or are listed as a joint owner, you likely do not beneficially own the account or securities contained in the account until ownership has been passed to you.

 

4.

Are securities held by a company I own an interest in also “beneficially owned” by me?

Probably not. Owning the securities of a company does not mean you “beneficially own” the securities that the company itself owns. However, you will be deemed to “beneficially own” the securities owned by the company if:

 

   

You directly or beneficially own a controlling interest in or otherwise control the company; OR

 

   

The company is merely a medium through which you, members of your immediate family, or others in a small group invest or trade in securities and the company has no other substantial business.

 

5.

Are securities held in trust “beneficially owned” by me?

Maybe. You are deemed to “beneficially own” securities held in trust if you or a member of your immediate family are:

 

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A trustee; or

 

   

Have a vested interest in the income or corpus of the trust; or

 

   

A settlor or grantor of the trust and have the power to revoke the trust without obtaining the consent of all the beneficiaries.

A blind trust exemption from the preclearance and reporting requirements of the Code may be requested if you or members or your immediate family do not have authority to advise or direct securities transactions of the trust.

 

6.

Are securities in pension or retirement plans “beneficially owned” by me?

Maybe. Beneficial ownership does not include indirect interest by any person in portfolio securities held by a pension or retirement plan of a company whose employees generally are the beneficiaries of the plan.

However, your participation in a pension or retirement plan is considered beneficial ownership of the portfolio securities if you can withdraw and trade the securities without withdrawing from the plan or you can direct the trading of the securities within the plan (IRAs, 401(k)s, etc.).

 

7.

Examples of Beneficial Ownership

 

  a.

Securities Held by Family Members or Domestic Partners

Example 1: Tom and Mary are married. Although Mary has an independent source of income from a family inheritance and segregates her funds from those of her husband, Mary contributes to the maintenance of the family home. Tom and Mary have engaged in joint estate planning and have the same financial advisor. Since Tom and Mary’s resources are clearly significantly directed towards their common property, they shall be deemed to be the beneficial owners of each other’s securities.

Example 2: Mike’s adult son David lives in Mike’s home. David is self-supporting and contributes to household expenses. Mike is a beneficial owner of David’s securities.

Example 3: Joe’s mother Margaret lives alone and is financially independent. Joe has power of attorney over his mother’s estate, pays all her bills and manages her investment affairs. Joe borrows freely from Margaret without being required to pay back funds with interest, if at all. Joe takes out personal loans from Margaret’s bank in Margaret’s name, the interest from such loans being paid from Margaret’s account. Joe is a beneficial owner of Margaret’s estate.

Example 4: Bob and Nancy are in a relationship. The house they share is still in Nancy’s name only. They have separate checking accounts with an informal understanding that both individuals contribute to the mortgage payments and other common expenses. Nancy is the beneficial owner of Bob’s securities.

 

  b.

Securities Held by a Company

 

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Example 5: ABC Company is a holding company with five shareholders owning equal shares in the company. Although ABC Company has no business of its own, it has several wholly-owned subsidiaries that invest in securities. Stan is a shareholder of ABC Company. Stan has a beneficial interest in the securities owned by ABC Company’s subsidiaries.

Example 6: XYZ Company is a large manufacturing company with many shareholders. Stan is a shareholder of XYZ Company. As a part of its cash management function, XYZ Company invests in securities. Neither Stan nor any members of his immediate family are employed by XYZ Company. Stan does not beneficially own the securities held by XYZ Company.

c.    Securities Held in Trust

Example 7: John is trustee of a trust created for his two minor children. When both of John’s children reach 21, each shall receive an equal share of the corpus of the trust. John is a beneficial owner of any securities owned by the trust.

Example 8: Jane placed securities held by her in a trust for the benefit of her church. Jane can revoke the trust during her lifetime. Jane is a beneficial owner of any securities owned by the trust.

Example 9: Jim is trustee of an irrevocable trust for his 21-year-old daughter (who does not share his home). The daughter is entitled to the income of the trust until she is 25 years old, and is then entitled to the corpus. If the daughter dies before reaching 25, Jim is entitled to the corpus. Jim is a beneficial owner of any securities owned by the trust.

Example 10: Joan’s father (who does not share her home) placed securities in an irrevocable trust for Joan’s minor children. Neither Joan nor any member of her immediate family is the trustee of the trust. Joan is a beneficial owner of the securities owned by the trust. She may, however, be eligible for the blind trust exemption to the preclearance and reporting of the trust securities.

 

Policy updated: August 21, 2019   
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APPENDIX 3: CODE-EXEMPT SECURITIES

Because they do not pose a likelihood for abuse, code-exempt securities are exempt from the Code’s preclearance requirements. However, confirmations of transactions in reportable brokerage accounts are required in all cases and some code-exempt securities must also be disclosed on your Quarterly Transactions, Initial, and Annual Holdings Reports.

 

1.

Code-Exempt Securities Not Subject to Disclosure on your Quarterly Transactions, Initial and Annual Holdings Reports:

 

   

Open-end mutual funds that are not considered a reportable mutual fund;

 

   

Reportable mutual funds (Access Persons only);

 

   

Reportable mutual fund shares purchased through an automatic investment plan (including reinvested dividends);

 

   

Money market mutual funds;

 

   

Bank Certificates of Deposit;

 

   

U.S. government Treasury and Government National Mortgage Association securities;

 

   

Commercial paper;

 

   

Bankers acceptances;

 

   

High quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements. A “high quality short-term debt instrument” means any instrument that has a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and that is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by a nationally recognized rating organization.

 

2.

Code-Exempt Securities Subject to Disclosure on your Quarterly Transactions, Initial and Annual Holdings Reports:

 

   

Reportable mutual fund shares purchased other than through an automatic investment plan (Portfolio and Investment Persons only)

 

   

Exchange Traded Products, Closed-End Funds and Unit Investment Trusts

 

   

Securities which are acquired through an employer-sponsored automatic payroll deduction plan (only the acquisition of the security is exempt, NOT the sale)

 

   

Securities other than open-end mutual funds purchased through dividend reinvestment programs (only the re-investment of dividends in the security is exempt, NOT the sale or other purchases)

 

   

Futures contracts on the following:

 

   

Standard & Poor’s 500 or 100 Index, NASDAQ 100 Index, and DOW 30 Industrials futures contracts only. Futures contracts for other financial instruments are not Code-exempt.

 

   

Commodity futures contracts for agricultural products (corn, soybeans, wheat, etc.) only. Futures contracts on precious metals or energy resources are not Code-exempt.

 

Policy updated: August 21, 2019   
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We may modify this list of securities at any time, please send an e-mail to “LG-Personal Security Trades” to request the most current list.

 

Policy updated: August 21, 2019   
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APPENDIX 4: HOW THE PRECLEARANCE PROCESS WORKS

 

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Policy updated: August 21, 2019   
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After your request is entered into our preclearance system, it is then subjected to the following tests.

Step 1: Restricted Security List

 

   

Is the security on the Restricted Security list?

If “YES”, the system will send a message to you DENYING the personal trade request.

If “NO”, then your request is subject to Step 2.

Step 2: De Minimis Transaction Test

 

   

Is the security issuer’s market capitalization greater than $7.5 billion?

 

   

Will your proposed transaction, together with your other preclearance requests in the security for the current calendar quarter, be less than $50,000?

If the answer to either of these questions is “NO”, then your request is subject to Step 3.

Step 3: Client Trades Test

 

   

Have there been any transactions in the past 24 hours or is there an open order for that security for any Client?

If “YES”, the system will send a message to you DENYING the personal trade request.

If “NO”, then your request is subject to Step 4.

Step 4: Follow List Test

 

   

Does any account or Fund own the security?

 

   

Does the security appear on the computerized list of stocks ACI is considering to purchase for a Client?

If the answer to BOTH of these questions is “NO”, the system will send a message to you APPROVING your proposed transaction.

If the answer to EITHER of these questions is “YES”, then your request is subject to Step 5.

 

Policy updated: August 21, 2019   
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Step 5: Present Intentions Test

A message is sent to portfolio teams that own or are following the security described in your preclearance request. The portfolio teams will be asked if they intend to buy or sell the security within the next three (3) business days.

If ALL of the portfolio management teams respond “NO”, your request will be APPROVED.

If ANY of the portfolio management teams respond “YES”, your request will be DENIED.

If ANY of the portfolio teams do not respond, your request will be DENIED.

The preclearance process can be changed at any time to ensure that the goals of this Code of Ethics are met.

 

Policy updated: August 21, 2019   
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SCHEDULE A: BOARD APPROVAL DATES

This Code of Ethics was most recently approved by the Board of Directors/Trustees of the following Companies as of the dates indicated:

 

Investment Advisor

  

Most Recent Approval Date

American Century Investment Management, Inc.

   January 1, 2018

 

Principal Underwriter

  

Most Recent Approval Date

American Century Investment Services, Inc.

   January 1, 2018

 

Fund Clients

  

Most Recent Approval Date

American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc.

   December 1, 2017

American Century California Tax-Free and Municipal Funds

   December 14, 2017

American Century Capital Portfolios, Inc.

   December 1, 2017

American Century ETF Trust

   December 20, 2017

American Century Government Income Trust

   December 14, 2017

American Century Growth Funds, Inc.

   December 1, 2017

American Century International Bond Funds

   December 14, 2017

American Century Investment Trust

   December 14, 2017

American Century Municipal Trust

   December 14, 2017

American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.

   December 1, 2017

American Century Quantitative Equity Funds, Inc.

   December 14, 2017

American Century Strategic Asset Allocations, Inc.

   December 1, 2017

American Century Target Maturities Trust

   December 14, 2017

American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.

   December 1, 2017

American Century Variable Portfolios II, Inc.

   December 14, 2017

American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc.

   December 1, 2017

 

Policy updated: August 21, 2019   
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SCHEDULE B: SUBADVISED FUNDS

This Code of Ethics applies to the following funds which are subadvised by an investment advisor. This list of affiliated funds will be updated on a regular basis.

 

CIBC Balanced Fund

CIBC Global Equity Growth Pool

CIBC Global Monthly Income Fund

CIBC International Equity Fund

CIBC International Small Companies Fund

CIBC Monthly Income Fund

CIBC U.S. Equity Value Pool

Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II: CTIVP-American Century Diversified Bond Fund

EQ Advisors Trust: EQ/American Century Mid Cap Value Portfolio

EQ Advisors Trust – Multimanager Mid Cap Value Portfolio

EQ Advisors Trust/American Century Moderate Growth Allocation Fund

GuideStone Funds: Defensive Market Strategies Fund

GuideStone Funds: Value Equity Fund

Imperial International Equity Pool

Imperial Overseas Equity Pool

Learning Quest 529 Education Savings Program

Lincoln Variable Insurance Products Trust – LVIP American Century Select Mid Cap Managed Volatility Fund

MassMutual Select Funds: MassMutual Select Mid-Cap Value Fund

MassMutual Select Funds: MassMutual Select Small Company Value Fund

Mercer Funds: Mercer Non-U.S. Core Equity Fund

Mercer Global Investments Canada Limited: Mercer International Equity Fund

MML Series Investment Fund: MML Mid Cap Value Fund

Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust: American Century NVIT Multi Cap Value Fund

Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust: NVIT Multi-Manager Mid Cap Value Fund

Nomura – ACI Advanced Medical Impact Investment Mother Fund

Nomura – ACI Global REIT Mother Fund

Nomura Institutional Fund Select – American Century Global Growth Fund

Nomura U.S. Municipal General Obligation Bond Mother Fund

Nomura U.S. Value Strategy Mother Fund

Nomura Currency Fund – U.S. Growth Equity Fund

 

Schedule B updated: December 20, 2019

Schedule C updated: October 3, 2019

Policy updated: August 21, 2019

  
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Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.: Inflation Protection Portfolio

Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.: Large Company Value Portfolio

Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.: Mid Cap Value Portfolio

Penn Series Funds, Inc.: Mid Core Value Fund

PrivilEdge – American Century Emerging Markets Equity

Renaissance Canadian Balanced Fund

Renaissance Canadian Monthly Income Fund

Renaissance Global Focus Fund

Renaissance International Equity Private Pool

Renaissance Private Pools – Renaissance Global Equity Private Pool

Renaissance U.S. Equity Income Fund

Schwab Capital Trust: Laudus International MarketMasters Fund

Seasons Series Trust: SA Multi-Managed Large Cap Value Portfolio

Voya Partners, Inc.: VY American Century Small-Mid Cap Value Portfolio

 

Schedule B updated: December 20, 2019

Schedule C updated: October 3, 2019

Policy updated: August 21, 2019

  
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SCHEDULE C: APPROVED ELECTRONIC BROKERS

(Last updated October 3, 2019)

The following brokers have entered into an agreement with ACI to provide trade confirmations electronically. Employees are prohibited from holding accounts at firms that do not provide electronic trade confirmations unless an account exemption has been given. Please send a message LG-personal_security_trades@americancentury.com to request an account exemption.

American Century Brokerage

American Century Personal Financial Solutions (held at Pershing)

Ameriprise

Charles Schwab

Edward Jones

ETRADE

Fidelity

Interactive Broker

JP Morgan Private Bank

LPL

Merrill Lynch

Morgan Stanley

Northern Trust

Northwestern Mutual

Raymond James

RBC

TD Ameritrade

UBS

USAA Brokerage

Vanguard

Wells Fargo

 

Schedule B updated: December 20, 2019

Schedule C updated: October 3, 2019

Policy updated: August 21, 2019

  
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Nuveen Asset Management, LLC

Code of Ethics Supplement

Effective Date: January 1, 2013, as last amended September 25, 2019

I. Policy Statement and Purpose

The procedures and restrictions described herein are Supplemental (the “Supplement”) to the Nuveen Code of Ethics and, are applicable to all Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (“NAM”) employees. The Supplement establishes additional requirements for NAM employee personal trading. Employees are required to review the Nuveen Code of Ethics (the “Code”) which contains a detailed description of personal trading restrictions applicable to all NAM employees, including pre-clearance requirements and reporting obligations.

NAM employees have an obligation to place the best interests of NAM’s clients ahead of their own and should never place a personal trade in a security in which they have knowledge of a pending or actual client trade.

II. Policy Applicability

This Supplement applies to all NAM employees.

III. Policy Enforcement

NAM employees are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations, as well as applicable firm policies and procedures. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

IV. Policy Requirements

Employee Designations

Investment Professionals—All NAM Employees

All NAM employees are designated as Investment Persons (“IP”) for purposes of the Code and the Supplement. The personal trading of IPs are monitored against the trading activity of NAM. IPs and their respective household members are prohibited from purchasing or selling a security for which the IP has responsibility within seven (7) calendar days before and 7 calendars after a NAM client account purchases or sells such security, or related security.

Multi-Hatted NAM Employees

Certain NAM employees have been designated as multi-hatted IPs of NAM and of one or more designated affiliated advisers. Such multi hatted employees and their respective household membersi are prohibited from purchasing or selling a security for which the IP has responsibility within seven (7) calendar days before or after a designated affiliated adviser(s) client account purchases or sells such security.


Access Persons

In addition to being considered an IP of NAM (as described above), NAM employees who have not been designated as multi-hatted employees are deemed to be Access Persons of the designated affiliate since the NAM non multi-hatted employees have, or potentially could have, access to non-public information about securities transactions and other investments, holdings or recommendations for such accounts or portfolios.

The personal trading activities for NAM Access Persons will be reviewed for conflicts on any day when any designated affiliated adviser’s account or portfolio has a pending or actual buy or sell order for a security which they are monitored against.

Personal Transactions in Municipal Securities

In addition to the trading restrictions described in the Code, NAM employees and their Household Members are prohibited from effecting transactions in municipal securities in any Reportable Account, other than a Managed Account. As used herein, the terms “Household Member,” “Reportable Account,” and “Managed Account” shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Code.

“Municipal securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(29) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and include, but are not be limited to, any bond, note, warrant, certificate of participation or other obligation issued by any state or local government or their agencies or authorities (such as cities, towns, villages, counties or special districts or authorities), or derivatives creating exposure to such securities. If you have any questions regarding whether a security is considered a municipal security under the Supplement, please consult with Nuveen Compliance.

Special Disclosure of Personal Holdings within Investment Purview

Notwithstanding, the pre-clearance and reporting requirements specified in the Code, the following special pre-approval disclosures must also be completed.

New NAM Employees Acting As Portfolio Manager or Research Analyst

In addition to complying with SEC personal holdings disclosure rules as required in the Code, all new NAM employees, acting in the capacity of portfolio manager or research analyst, are additionally required to identify which of their current holdings in Reportable Accounts, are in sectors or industries in which they may also invest, or make investment recommendations, on behalf of client accounts (excluding traders), based on their sector or industry focus. New NAM employees acting in the capacity of portfolio manager or research analyst, must disclose ownership of these securities using the Sector/Industry Holdings Form in the Protegent PTA (PTA) System within 10 days of hire. New IPs may also elect to sell personal holdings in which they will also invest, or make investment recommendations, on behalf of client accounts upon joining the firm to avoid future conflicts. Contact the Nuveen Ethics Office for more information about the timing of such sales.

Existing NAM Employees Acting As Portfolio Manager or Research Analyst

Prior to requesting normal trading pre-clearance in PTA, IPs wishing to execute personal transactions in sectors or industries in which they also invest, or make investment recommendations, on behalf of client accounts (excluding traders), must first obtain special approval from the Nuveen Ethics Office using the Sector/Industry Trade Approval Form in the PTA System, before executing a personal trade and prior to requesting normal trading pre-clearance in PTA.


Portfolio managers, research analysts and research assistants who do not cover a specific industry (generalists) also must first obtain special approval from the Nuveen Ethics Office using the Sector/Industry Trade Approval Form in the PTA System before placing personal trades in securities that are also held in client accounts on whose behalf they make investments or investment recommendations.

Contact the Nuveen Ethics Office for more information.

Disclosure of Family Ownership in Companies Conducting IPOs

IPs (excluding traders) are required to disclose to NAM’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) any family ownership or other significant interest in private companies making initial public offerings through which the IP wishes to purchase shares on behalf of client accounts or that the IP wishes to recommend for purchase in client accounts.

Questions regarding any provisions under this supplement should be addressed by NAM’s CCO.

V. Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”)

NAM’s CCO, or designee, is responsible for periodically monitoring compliance with this policy and will report all material and continual violations to NAM’s Senior Management.

Policy Owner (NAM Compliance)

The Policy Owner is responsible for determining the appropriate oversight and infrastructure for implementing and administering the policy.

Policy Leader (NAM Compliance Associate)

The Policy Leader, under the oversight of the Policy Owner is responsible for the creation, socialization, ongoing administration, day-to-day enforcement, and records maintenance of this policy.

VII. Reviews and Approvals

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and will be updated sooner if changes are deemed necessary by NAM Compliance.

 

Effective Date    January 1, 2013 (Policy Adoption)
Approval Date    September 25, 2019
Last Review Date    September 25, 2019
Review Cycle    Annual
Approver(s)    NAM Compliance Committee
Policy Owner    NAM Compliance

 

i 

Please see the Nuveen Code of Ethics for Terms with Special Meanings

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SIMNA INC. CODE OF ETHICS

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SCOPE AND PURPOSE

     2  

PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS POLICY

     3  

COVERED SECURITIES

     3  

PRECLEARANCE

     3  

HOLDING PERIODS

     5  

COVERED ACCOUNTS

     6  

MANAGED ACCOUNTS

     6  

OPENING A NEW COVERED ACCOUNT

     7  

PRIVATE SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND TAX SHELTERS

     7  

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

     8  

INITIAL REPORTING

     8  

QUARTERLY REPORTING

     8  

ANNUAL REPORTING

     8  

SELF-REPORTING OF VIOLATIONS

     9  

GRANTING OF EXCEPTIONS

     9  

APPENDIX A – APPPROVERS

     11  

APPENDIX B – DESIGNATED BROKERS

     12  

APPENDIX C – RULE SET

     13  

APPENDIX D – REPORTABLE FUNDS

     14  

APPENDIX E – INSIDER TRADING POLICY

     15  

 

CODE OF ETHICS

EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2017, REVISED MAY 2019

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SCOPE AND PURPOSE

This document is the Code of Ethics (the “Code”) for Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. (the “Adviser”), as required by Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”). The policies herein contain procedures that must be followed by all personnel pursuant to Rule 204A-1 and Rule 204-2(a)(12) under the Advisers Act, Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) and Section 204A of the Advisers Act. To the extent that Associated Persons of SFA are subject to the Code, it incorporates the requirements of Section 20A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).

This Code applies to all officers, directors and full-time employees of the Adviser (“Access Persons”). Certain part-time employees and consultants to the Adviser may also be deemed as Access Persons and subject to this Code depending on the length of their employment contract and/or their access to sensitive client and/or investment information.

Sections of this Code also apply to any persons who work for the firm in a Financial Operations Principal (“FINOPs”) capacity. FINOPs are offsite persons who are associated with the firm’s affiliated broker dealer, Schroder Fund Advisors LLC (“SFA”). These individuals are deemed “Associated Persons” rather than Access Persons.

In carrying out their job responsibilities, all Access Persons or Associated Persons must, at a minimum, comply with all applicable legal requirements, including applicable securities laws. In addition, all Access Persons or Associated Persons must: maintain professional integrity and behave with ethical conduct; place the interests of clients and the integrity of the investment profession above their own personal interests; use professional judgment when engaging in all professional activities and encourage peers to do the same; and behave in a manner that reflects well on themselves and Schroders.

Any breach by an Access Person or Associated Person of the laws, regulations and procedures outlined in the Code will be deemed to be a violation of the terms of his or her employment and may result in disciplinary action and/or dismissal, in addition to any other penalties or liabilities resulting from such violation.

ALL OTHER ADVISORY PERSONNEL

All other persons who are aware of securities under consideration for purchase or sale on behalf of clients, as well as personnel who are aware of portfolio holdings, wherever geographically situated, are subject to their local policies and procedures relating to personal securities transactions. Records of such persons’ personal transactions will be maintained locally in accordance with Rule 204-2(a)(12) under the Advisers Act and made available to representatives of the US Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2017, REVISED MAY 2019

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PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS POLICY

Access Persons are subject to the restrictions contained in this Personal Securities Transactions Policy (the “Policy”) with respect to their transactions in Covered Securities. Temporary and seconded employees may be subject to some or all provisions of the Policy, as specified.

Not covered by this Policy are:

 

   

US open end mutual funds that are not Schroders Funds (“Reportable Funds” as listed in Appendix D)

   

Money market funds

   

Unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in open-end funds, none of which are Reportable Funds

   

Direct obligations of the U.S. Government (i.e., Treasuries).

   

Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, bitcoins, currencies, repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments1

Please note that if an account only holds securities not covered by this Policy but has the ability to hold Covered Securities (defined below), the account must still be reported. Further information on account reporting follows in a later section.

PRE-CLEARANCE

The following securities are deemed to be Covered Securities, and, therefore, require preclearance approval before being traded:

 

   

Stocks

   

Bonds

   

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)

   

Closed end mutual funds

   

Derivatives of Covered Securities, including options

Key notes on preclearance:

 

   

Preclearance is obtained via an electronic form on the MyCompliance system

   

Preclearance expires at the end of the same business day that it is requested

   

Preclearance for securities listed on non-US exchanges is valid until the close of business on the following business day in order to compensate for different time zones

   

It is Schroders’ policy to discourage excessive personal trading by Access Persons

 

 

1 

High quality short-term debt instruments means any instrument having a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and which is rated in one of the highest two rating categories by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization, or which is unrated but is of comparable quality.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2017, REVISED MAY 2019

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Preclearance approval can be influenced by a variety of factors, including: the sensitivity of the position of the person submitting the request, principal amount of the trade, market capitalization, and trading or investment activity in the security for the benefit of clients. When submitting a preclearance request, you are required to attest that you are not in possession of any inside or material non-public information and that the requested trade does not conflict with any pending client orders that you are aware of.

If you fail to pre-clear a transaction in a Covered Security, you may be monetarily penalized and/or be subjected to a personal trading suspension. Violations of this Policy will be reported to the Adviser’s Executive Committee and will result in reprimands that could also affect your employment with Schroders.

The following transactions do not require pre-clearance:

 

   

Transactions in an account over which the Access Person has no influence or control such as where investment discretion is delegated in writing to an independent fiduciary (“Managed Account” – see page 6).

 

   

Transactions which are non-volitional on the part of the Access Person (e.g., receipt of securities pursuant to a stock dividend or merger, a gift or inheritance). However, the volitional sale of securities acquired in a non- volitional manner is treated as any other transaction and subject to pre-clearance.2

 

   

Purchases of the securities of an issuer through an automatic investment plan which makes periodic purchases (or withdrawals) automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An automatic investment plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”). Any transactions in such a plan other than according to a predetermined schedule are subject to pre-clearance.

 

   

The receipt or exercise of rights issued by an issuer on a pro rata basis to all holders of a class of security and the sale of such rights are permitted without pre-clearance.

 

   

Tender of shares already held into an offer if the tender offer is open on the same terms to all holders of the securities covered by the offer.

 

   

Conversion of convertible securities or participation in exchange offers provided that the conversion or offer is available on the same terms to all holders.

 

   

Transactions in collective investment schemes offered by plans that qualify under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

   

Transactions which are automatically exercised as part of a stop-loss or limit order, provided that the parameters of stop-loss or limit order are placed when the initial trade is initiated.3

 

 

2 

This may include where options are exercised against a call written by the Access Person or where securities are exchanged for cash or other securities as part of a business transaction.

3 

Please note that a stop-loss or limit order that is placed after the initial trade has been made will be considered a Code of Ethics violation unless the Access Person submits a preclearance request prior to placing the order.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

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INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS

If you wish to purchase an initial public offering, you must obtain permission from the Chief Compliance Officer. In such cases, an Access Person would submit a trade request via MyCompliance which will be routed for Compliance review. Once approved, the Access Person will receive a notice from the MyCompliance system.

HOLDING PERIODS

All Access Persons are strongly advised against short-term trading and are prohibited from making trades that expose them to material open-ended liabilities. This includes short selling, CFD investing, spread betting and leveraged account management without putting an appropriate stop- loss mechanism in place.

Any Access Persons who appear to have established a pattern of short term trading may be subject to additional restrictions or penalties including, but not limited to, a limit or ban on future personal trading activity and a requirement to disgorge profits on short-term trades.

All Covered Securities are subject to a 60 calendar day holding period. Trades in Reportable Funds are also subject to the 60 day holding period. Securities may not be sold within 60 days after the original transaction without the permission of the Chief Compliance Officer who has exemptive authority to override the 60 day holding policy for good cause shown.

Schroders plc shares purchased in the market (rather than forming part of a remuneration award) are subject to a one-year holding period.

A NOTE ON OPTIONS

The Short Term Trading Prohibition shall not pertain to the exercise of a call sold by an Access Person to cover a long position. However, although an Access Person may purchase a put to cover a long position, the exercise of such put will only be approved if the underlying security was held for the minimum required period (60 calendar days). The exercise of a covered put is subject to the same pre-clearance and reporting requirements as the underlying security.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

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COVERED ACCOUNTS

A Covered Account is an account in which Covered Securities are held by you, or an account in which you own a beneficial interest (except where you have no influence or control). This includes IRA accounts as well as any 401k account held from a former employer that holds a Covered Security, such as stock of the former employer. Covered Accounts are covered by this policy and are subject to the aforementioned preclearance and holding policies.

Accounts held by your spouse (including his/her IRA or 401k accounts), minor children and other members of your immediate family (children, stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, step parents, grandparents, siblings, in-laws and adoptive relationships) who share your household are also considered Covered Accounts, as are any other accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. In addition, accounts maintained by your domestic partner4 are Covered Accounts under this Policy.

All US-based personnel are required to maintain their Covered Accounts at a Designated Broker as listed in Appendix B unless otherwise exempted. If an Access Person is permitted to maintain a Covered Account with a non-Designated Broker, the Access Person assumes the responsibility to manually report transactions in Covered Securities and upload quarterly account statements directly in the MyCompliance system.

Persons on secondment from London or other offices may apply to Compliance for a waiver of the requirement to maintain their Covered Accounts at a US Designated Broker.

MANAGED ACCOUNTS

A Managed Account is an account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control. Managed Accounts are still considered Covered Accounts and must be reported to Compliance. Compliance cannot approve a Managed Account until an official discretionary letter from the broker is received which expressly states that the Access Person does not have any investment discretion. Compliance must have a discretionary letter on file for each Managed Account and will request an updated letter periodically. Access Persons with managed accounts will also be required to complete an annual attestation confirming that they did not direct any investment decisions during the year.

Since the Access Person does not have any investment discretion on Managed Accounts, transactions in these accounts are not subject to the preclearance and holding policies; however, Compliance will conduct periodic reviews to check the transactions in Managed Accounts against the Global Stop List.

 

4 

A domestic partner is defined as someone that you have a personal relationship with and that you share a household with, share assets, such as personal banking accounts, brokerage accounts, with and/or share housing or childcare expenses with. If you are unsure as to whether this definition is applicable to you, please consult a member of the Compliance team.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

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Please note that Managed Accounts opened after January 1, 2018 are required to be held at a Designated Broker.5 If the Managed Account was open prior to January 1, 2018, it is not required to be held at a Designated Broker but the Access Person owns the responsibility of uploading quarterly statements into the MyCompliance system.

OPENING A NEW COVERED ACCOUNT

Employees must receive written approval from Compliance before opening a covered account with a broker. This rule applies to all new covered accounts, whether or not the employee already holds other approved accounts with the same broker. This rule also applies to Managed Accounts.

PRIVATE SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND TAX SHELTERS

No Access Person or Associated Person may participate in any type of private placement or tax shelter without obtaining the advance consent of their direct supervisor and the Chief Compliance Officer. This request may be submitted electronically through MyCompliance. Only passive investments (without operational, management or promotional duties) are permitted.

Additional capital calls of an already approved private vehicle and/or exiting a private placement or tax shelter, whether by sale or redemption, do not need to be approved but must be reported to Compliance in the Access Person’s next quarterly transactions report.

No Access Person or Associated Person who is a registered representative licensed with FINRA under the supervision of SFA may receive selling compensation in connection with a private securities transaction or tax shelter not offered through SFA. Any Access Person or Associated Person engaged in selling activity other than in connection with his or her duties as a registered representative must obtain prior permission in writing from his or her supervisor and the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

5 

Managed Accounts held at Robo Advisors may be permissible. Please contact Compliance for further information. Please note that should you be granted permission to open an account with a Robo Advisor, you will be responsible for uploading quarterly account statements into the MyCompliance system.

 

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REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

All personnel are required to complete various filings that are due at certain times of the year. Access Persons will receive notification of these filings and their respective deadlines via MyCompliance. Failure to comply with these time sensitive filings will result in a violation of the Code of Ethics.

INITIAL REPORTING

No later than 10 days after joining the Adviser, each Access Person must provide Compliance with a list of each Covered Security s/he owns. The information provided must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior and must include the title of the security; the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP; and the number of shares owned (for equities) or principal amount (for debt securities). Access Persons may provide account statements in place of a written list.

Unless approved by the Chief Compliance Officer, all new Access Persons who maintain Covered Account(s) with brokers that are not on the list of Designated Brokers will have to move their accounts within a reasonable timeframe established by Compliance upon their hire. The Chief Compliance Officer will only allow an Access Person to keep a Covered Account with a broker outside of the Designated Brokers list in extenuating circumstances.

QUARTERLY REPORTS

No later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, each Access Person will provide Compliance with a report of all transactions in Covered Securities in the quarter. All information requested on the form issued via MyCompliance must be provided.

Please note that transactions in shares of Reportable Funds6 must be reported at this time.

ANNUAL REPORTS

Within 45 days after the end of the calendar year, each Access Person must report all his/her holdings in Covered Securities as at December 31. All information requested on the form issued via MyCompliance must be provided.

 

6 

Transactions in Reportable Funds in the Schroders 401(k) and SERP plans do not need to be reported as Compliance monitors this information outside of the MyCompliance system.

 

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KNOWLEDGE OF THE CODE AND ANNUAL CERTIFICATION

Each Access Person is responsible for understanding the provisions of this Code. Access Persons will certify, at least annually, that s/he has reviewed the current version of this Code and has complied with its standards. The Code is maintained on the internal Compliance website.

SELF-REPORTING OF VIOLATIONS

Access Persons and Associated Persons have an obligation to review their own trading to ensure that they have acted in compliance with the provision of this Code. To the extent that such person determines that she or he has executed a transaction not in compliance with this Code, that person has an obligation to report the violation to the Chief Compliance Officer.

GRANTING OF EXCEPTIONS

The Chief Compliance Officer and the General Counsel may, on a case-by-case basis, grant exceptions to any provisions under this Code for good cause. Any such exceptions and the reasons for granting them will be maintained in writing by the Chief Compliance Officer and presented to the Board of Directors of the Adviser at the next scheduled meeting.

 

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Adopted:    October 1, 1995
Amended:    May 15, 1996
   May 1, 1997
   June 12, 1998
   June 2, 1999
   March 14, 2000
   August 14, 2001
   June 23, 2003
   October 23, 2003
   December 9, 2003
   May 11, 2004
   January 14, 2005
   December 5, 2005
   March 6, 2006
   September 14, 2007
   September 14, 2009
   March 9, 2010
   June 12, 2012
   June 18, 2013
   June 12, 2014
   May 20, 2015
   September 30, 2015
   May 1, 2017
   December 31, 2017
   May 1, 2019

 

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APPENDIX A OF THE CODE OF ETHICS – APPROVERS

In the event that the MyCompliance system is not accessible, the US Compliance team is authorized to preclear personal transactions.

Compliance email: ussimcomp@us.schroders.com

Link to MyCompliance: https://spku73hl01.schroders.com/SecureAuth92/

 

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APPENDIX B OF THE CODE OF ETHICS – DESIGNATED BROKERS

Alliance Bernstein

Charles Schwab

Edward Jones

E*Trade

Fidelity

Goldman Sachs

Interactive Brokers

JP Morgan Securities / Private Bank

Lending Club7

Merrill Lynch

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)

Scottrade Financial

Stifel Financial

T. Rowe Price

TD Ameritrade

UBS Wealth Management

Vanguard

Wells Fargo

 

 

7 

Lending Club (and other peer-to-peer lending accounts) where the employee is the lender must be disclosed via the “Outside Activity” section of MyCompliance. Please note that these accounts require line manager approval prior to being opened.

 

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APPENDIX C OF THE CODE OF ETHICS – RULE SET

 

Security Type

  

Requires
preclearance?

  

Subject to 60 day
holding period?

Equities   

Yes

   Yes
Exchange Traded Funds   

Yes

   Yes
Derivatives   

Yes

   Yes
Fixed Income securities   

Yes

   Yes

US Open ended Mutual Funds – (other than Reportable

Funds)

  

No

   No
Non US Open ended Mutual Funds – (Not managed by the Adviser or an affiliated adviser)   

Yes

   Yes
Reportable Funds and Non-US funds managed by Schroders (outside of your Schroders 401k)   

No

   Yes
Closed end Funds   

Yes

   Yes
Initial Public Offerings   

Yes

   Yes
Private Placements   

Yes

   n/a

Non-volitional dividend reinvestment transactions and corporate action elections for which formal public

documents are issued

  

No

   n/a

Schroders plc shares, purchased outside of a

remuneration package

  

Yes

   Yes, one year
Direct obligations of the US Government   

No

   No
Bankers acceptances, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, bitcoins, currencies   

No

   No
Crowdfunding & Crowdsourcing – non security based   

No

   No
Crowdfunding & Crowdsourcing – security based   

Yes

   Yes

 

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APPENDIX D OF THE CODE OF ETHICS – REPORTABLE FUNDS

Affiliated Investment Companies Advised by SIMNA

The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.

Schroder North American Equity Fund

Schroder Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund

Schroder Long Duration Investment-Grade Bond Fund

Schroder Short Duration Bond Fund

Schroder Total Return Fixed Income Fund

Affiliated Investment Companies Sub-Advised by SIMNA

AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Brookfield Real Assets Fund

Consulting Group Capital Markets Funds – International Equity Investments

Guidestone Funds –Extended Duration Bond Fund

Hartford Schroders Emerging Markets Debt and Currency Fund

Hartford Schroders Emerging Markets Debt and Currency Fund

Hartford Schroders Emerging Markets Multi-Sector Bond Fund

Hartford Schroders Global Strategic Bond Fund

Hartford Schroders Income Builder Fund

Hartford Schroders International Multi-Cap Value Fund

Hartford Schroders International Stock Fund

Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware Bond Fund

Hartford Schroders US Small Cap Opportunities Fund

Hartford Schroders US Mid Cap Opportunities Fund

Hartford Schroders Securitized Income Fund

Met Investors Series Trust – Schroders Multi-Asset

Portfolio PMC Core Fixed Income Fund

The Finance Company of Pennsylvania

Russell Core Bond Fund

Russell Investment Grade Bond Fund

Russell Strategic Bond Fund

SEI Opportunistic Income Fund

SunAmerica Schroders VCP Global Allocation Portfolio

SunAmerica Seasons Series Trust – International Equity Portfolio

Vanguard International Explorer Fund

Vanguard International Growth Fund

Vanguard Variable Annuity Plan

Vantagepoint Low Duration Bond Fund

Wilmington Trust Multi-Manager International Fund

 

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APPENDIX E OF THE CODE OF ETHICS – INSIDER TRADING POLICY

It is a violation of United States federal law and a serious breach of the Adviser’s policies for any Access or associated person to trade in, or recommend trading in, the securities of an issuer for his/her personal gain, or on behalf of the firm or its clients, while in possession of material, non-public information (“MNPI”) which may come into his/her possession either in the course of performing his/her duties, or through a breach of any duty of trust and confidence.

Such violations could subject you, the Adviser, and its affiliates, to significant civil and criminal liability, including the imposition of monetary penalties, and could also result in irreparable harm to the reputation of the Adviser. Tippees (i.e., persons who receive MNPI) may also be held liable if they trade or pass along such information to others.

Further, it is a violation of anti-fraud provisions of the Advisers Act for Access Persons or Associated Persons who are aware of transactions being considered for clients, or are aware of the portfolio holdings in the reportable funds to which the Adviser (or an affiliate) acts an adviser, to disclose such information to a party who has “no need to know” or to trade on such information for personal gain by, among other things, front-running or market timing.

The US Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988 (“ITSFEA”) requires all broker- dealers and investment advisers to establish and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent misuse of MNPI.

The provisions of ITSFEA apply both to trading while in possession of such information, and to communicating such information to others who might trade on it improperly.

MATERIALITY

Material information about transactions that the Adviser undertakes on behalf of clients is proprietary to the firm. Use of that information by Access and associated persons in personal securities dealings—or communication of the information to others with the expectation that they will trade—violates the duties that Access and associated persons owe to the Adviser and its clients. Information that Access Persons and Associated Persons obtain through research, or through communications with issuers on behalf of the Adviser, belongs to the Adviser and may not be used in connection with personal securities transactions other than in compliance with the personal securities transactions provisions of this Code of Ethics.

Where Access Persons or Associated Persons receive information from issuers or research providers that they believe is material and non-public in the course of their duties for the Adviser, they must immediately notify the General Counsel or Chief Compliance Officer.

 

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Information which emanates from outside an issuer, but may affect the market price of an issuer’s securities, can also be MNPI. For example, material, non-public information can originate within the Adviser itself. This would include knowledge of activities or plans of an affiliate, or knowledge of securities transactions that are being considered or executed by the Adviser itself on behalf of clients.

MNPI can also be obtained from knowledge about a client that a person has discovered in his/her dealings with that client. MNPI pertaining to a particular issuer could also involve information about another issuer that has a material relationship to the issuer, such as a major supplier’s decision to increase its prices. Moreover, non-public information relating to portfolio holdings in a Reportable Fund should not be used to market-time or engage in other activities that are detrimental to the Reporting Fund and its shareholders.

In addition, Rule 14e-3 under the Exchange Act makes it unlawful to buy or sell securities while in possession of material information relating to a tender offer, if the person buying or selling the securities knows, or has reason to know, that the information is non-public and has been acquired, directly or indirectly, from the person making, or planning to make, the tender offer, from the target company, or from any officer, director, partner or employee or other person acting on behalf of either the bidder or the target company.

This rule prohibits not only trading, but also the communication of MNPI relating to a tender offer to another person in circumstances under which it is reasonably foreseeable that the communication will result in a trade by someone in possession of the MNPI. All staff is subject to the Global Market Abuse Policy which provides further guidance on what may be regarded as abusive behaviors.

PROCEDURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Please see Compliance’s Market Abuse Policy located on the Compliance intranet page for prohibitions regarding persons who acquire MNPI.

PENALTIES

Penalties for trading on or communicating MNPI are severe, both for the individuals involved in such unlawful conduct and their employers. Under the law, a person can be subject to some or all of the penalties below, even if s/he does not personally benefit from the violation. Penalties include:

 

  1)

civil injunctions;

 

  2)

disgorgement of profits;

 

  3)

treble damages – fines for the Access Person or Associated Person who committed the violation, of up to 3 times the profit gained or loss avoided, whether or not the person actually benefited;

 

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  4)

fines for the employer or other controlling person of up to the greater of $1,000,000, or 3 times the profit gained or loss avoided; and

 

  5)

imprisonment.

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR TRADING IN SCHRODERS PLC

Special restrictions apply to trading in the securities of Schroders plc because staff, by virtue of their employment, may be deemed to have MNPI:

 

1.

Securities of Schroders plc will not be purchased for any client account without the permission of that client, and then only if permitted by applicable law.

 

2.

Personal securities transactions in the securities of Schroders plc are subject to blackout periods and other restrictions which are outlined in the UK Staff Dealing Rules. These can be found on the Group Compliance intranet page. A trade request must be submitted via MyCompliance and approved by the UK Corporate Secretariat prior to trading.

STOP LIST

Schroders maintains a Global Stop List that includes company securities for which one or more persons at the Adviser and its affiliates may hold price sensitive information. The Stop List locally is maintained by the US Compliance team.

 

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