THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | ☒ |
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ___ | ☐ |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 | ☒ |
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | ☒ |
Amendment No. 66 | ☒ |
Daniel
J. Beckman c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC 290 Congress Street Boston, Massachusetts 02210 |
Ryan
C. Larrenaga, Esq. c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC 290 Congress Street Boston, Massachusetts 02210 |
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) | Amended and Restated Charter of the Registrant | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-50295 | Registration Statement on Form N-2 | 2a | 4/16/1998 |
(b) | Amended and Restated By-laws of the Registrant | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-104669 | Post-Effective Amendment #19 on Form N-2 | (b) | 3/14/2016 |
(c) | Not applicable | ||||||
(d)(1) | Specimen certificates of Common Stock | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | Registration Statement on Form N-2 | 3/6/1981 | ||
(d)(2) | Specimen certificates of $2.50 Cumulative Preferred Stock | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | Registration Statement on Form N-2 | 3/6/1981 | ||
(d)(3) | Specimen of Warrant of the Registrant | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-104669 | Post-Effective Amendment #12 on Form N-2 | (d)(3) | 4/9/2013 |
(d)(4) | Form of Subscription Certificate Subscription Right for shares of Common Stock | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | Post-Effective Amendment on Form N-2 | 9/17/1992 | ||
(d)(5) | The Registrant’s Charter is the constituent instrument defining the rights of the $2.50 Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $50, and the Common Stock of the Registrant | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-50295 | Registration Statement on Form N-2 | 2a | 4/16/1998 |
(e) | Registrant’s Automatic Dividend Investment and Cash Purchase Plan is set forth in Registrant’s Prospectus which is filed as Part A of this Registration Statement | ||||||
(f) | Not applicable | ||||||
(g) | Management Agreement between the Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-104669 | Post-Effective Amendment #20 on Form N-2 | (g) | 4/28/2016 |
(h) | Not Applicable | ||||||
(i) | Deferred Compensation Plan, adopted as of December 31, 2020 | Incorporated by Reference | Columbia Funds Series Trust II | 333-131683 | Post-Effective Amendment #218 on Form N-1A | (f) | 2/25/2021 |
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) | Second Amended and Restated Master Global Custody Agreement the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Incorporated by Reference | Columbia Funds Series Trust | 333-89661 | Post-Effective Amendment #93 on Form N-1A | (g)(3) | 5/27/2011 |
(k)(1) | Stockholder Service Agent Agreement, dated March 1, 2016, between the Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-104669 | Post-Effective Amendment #19 on Form N-2 | (k)(2) | 3/14/2016 |
(k)(1)(i) | Schedule A, dated July 1, 2021, and Schedule B to the Stockholder Service Agent Agreement, dated March 1, 2016, between the Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. | Filed Herewith | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-255533 | Post-Effective Amendment #2 on Form N-2 | (k)(1)(i) | 6/2/2022 |
(k)(2) | Master InterFund Lending Agreement, dated May 1, 2018 | Incorporated by Reference | Columbia Funds Series Trust II | 333-131683 | Post-Effective Amendment #179 on Form N-1A | (h)(11) | 5/25/2018 |
(k)(2)(i) | Schedule A and Schedule B, effective December 7, 2021, to the Master Inter-Fund Lending Agreement dated May 1, 2018 | Incorporated by Reference | Columbia Funds Series Trust II | 333-131683 | Post-Effective Amendment #227 on Form N-1A | (h)(9)(i) | 12/7/2021 |
(k)(3) | Fund of Funds Investment Agreement, dated January 24, 2022, between First Trust Portfolios L.P. and Tri-Continental Corporation and Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund | Filed Herewith | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-255533 | Post-Effective Amendment #2 on Form N-2 | (k)(3) | 6/2/2022 |
(k)(4) | Fund of Funds Investment Agreement, dated January 24, 2022, between First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF and Tri-Continental Corporation and Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund | Filed Herewith | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-255533 | Post-Effective Amendment #2 on Form N-2 | (k)(4) | 6/2/2022 |
(l) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-236947 | Registration Statement on Form N-2 | (l) | 3/6/2020 |
(m) | Not Applicable | ||||||
(n) | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm: Not Applicable | ||||||
(o) | Not Applicable | ||||||
(p) | Not Applicable | ||||||
(q)(1) | The Columbia Threadneedle Investments SIMPLE Individual Retirement Custodial Account Kit | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-255533 | Post-Effective Amendment #1 on Form N-2 | (q)(1) | 4/27/2021 |
(q)(2) | The Columbia Threadneedle Investments Traditional IRA, Roth IRA and SEP IRA Kit | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-255533 | Post-Effective Amendment #1 on Form N-2 | (q)(2) | 4/27/2021 |
(q)(3) | Tri-Continental Corporation Authorization Form | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-255533 | Post-Effective Amendment #1 on Form N-2 | (q)(3) | 4/27/2021 |
(q)(4) | Tri-Continental Corporation Address Change Form | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-255533 | Post-Effective Amendment #1 on Form N-2 | (q)(4) | 4/27/2021 |
(q)(5) | Tri-Continental Corporation IRA Distribution Request Form | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-255533 | Post-Effective Amendment #1 on Form N-2 | (q)(5) | 4/27/2021 |
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)(6) | Tri-Continental Corporation Name Change Authorization Form | Incorporated by Reference | Tri-Continental Corporation | 333-255533 | Post-Effective Amendment #1 on Form N-2 | (q)(6) | 4/27/2021 |
(r)(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 |
(r)(2) | Columbia Threadneedle Investments Global Personal Account Dealing and Code of Ethics, effective December 2021 | Incorporated by Reference | Columbia Funds Series Trust I | 2-99356 | Post-Effective Amendment #392 on Form N-1A | (p)(2) | 2/17/2022 |
Registration fees | 0 |
NYSE listing fees | 0 |
Registrar fees | 0 |
Legal fees | 0 |
Accounting fees | 0 |
Miscellaneous (mailing, etc.) | 0 |
Title of Class | Number of Recordholders |
$2.50 Cumulative Preferred | 114 |
Common Stock | 9,891 |
Warrants | 72 |
■ | Registrant, 290 Congress Street, Boston, MA, 02210 and 485 Lexington Avenue,12th Fl, New York, NY 10017; |
■ | Registrant’s investment adviser and administrator, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, 290 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210; |
■ | Registrant’s transfer agent, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., 290 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210 and 10 Memorial Boulevard, 10th Floor, Providence, RI 02903; |
■ | Registrant’s custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, NY 10005; |
■ | Registrant’s sub-transfer, dividend-paying and stockholder services agent, DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc., 430 W 7th Street, Ste 219371, Kansas City, MO 64105-1407; and |
■ | Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, 707 Second Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55402. |
TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION | |
By: | /s/ Daniel J. Beckman |
Daniel
J. Beckman Director and President |
Signature | Capacity | Signature | Capacity |
/s/ Daniel J. Beckman | Director
and President (Principal Executive Officer) |
/s/ Kathleen A. Blatz* | Director |
Daniel J. Beckman | Kathleen A. Blatz | ||
/s/ Michael G. Clarke* | Chief
Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Senior Vice President |
/s/ Pamela G. Carlton* | Director |
Michael G. Clarke | Pamela G. Carlton | ||
/s/ Joseph Beranek* | Treasurer,
Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) and Principal Financial Officer |
/s/ Patricia M. Flynn* | Director |
Joseph Beranek | Patricia M. Flynn | ||
/s/ Douglas A. Hacker* | Director and Co-Chair of the Board | /s/ Brian J. Gallagher* | Director |
Douglas A. Hacker | Brian J. Gallagher | ||
/s/ Catherine James Paglia* | Director and Co-Chair of the Board | /s/ Minor M. Shaw* | Director |
Catherine James Paglia | Minor M. Shaw | ||
/s/ George S. Batejan* | Director | /s/ Sandra Yeager* | Director |
George S. Batejan | Sandra Yeager |
* | 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 February 1, 2021, on behalf of Joseph Beranek pursuant to a Power of Attorney, dated January 3, 2020, on behalf of Sandra Yeager pursuant to a Power of Attorney, dated June 1, 2020, on behalf of Brian Gallagher pursuant to a Power of Attorney, dated February 14, 2020, on behalf of Douglas Hacker pursuant to a Power of Attorney, dated December 22, 2021, and on behalf of each of the other Directors pursuant to a Power of Attorney, dated February 1, 2018. |
/s/ Edward J. Boudreau | Director and Chair of the Board | /s/ Patricia M. Flynn | Director |
Edward J. Boudreau | Patricia M. Flynn | ||
/s/ George S. Batejan | Director | /s/ Catherine James Paglia | Director |
George S. Batejan | Catherine James Paglia | ||
/s/ Kathleen A. Blatz | Director | /s/ Minor M. Shaw | Director |
Kathleen A. Blatz | Minor M. Shaw | ||
/s/ Pamela G. Carlton | Director | /s/ William F. Truscott | Director |
Pamela G. Carlton | William F. Truscott | ||
/s/ William P. Carmichael | Director | ||
William P. Carmichael |
/s/ Brian J. Gallagher | Director |
Brian J. Gallagher |
/s/ Douglas A. Hacker | Director |
Douglas A. Hacker |
/s/ Sandra Yeager | Director |
Sandra Yeager |
(k)(1)(i) | Schedule A, dated July 1, 2021, and Schedule B to the Stockholder Service Agent Agreement, dated March 1, 2016, between the Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Services, Corp. |
(k)(3) | Fund of Funds Investment Agreement, dated January 24, 2022, between First Trust Portfolios L.P. and Tri-Continental Corporation and Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund |
(k)(4) | Fund of Funds Investment Agreement, dated January 24, 2022, between First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF and Tri-Continental Corporation and Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund |
Schedule A
As of July 1, 2021
FEE SCHEDULE
Effective July 1, 2021, the Service Agent shall receive for services under this Agreement, with respect to Fund common share accounts, a $30.10 per account fee, accrued daily and payable monthly.
Schedule B
As of April 12, 2012
OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
The Fund shall reimburse the Service Agent monthly for the following out-of-pocket expenses:
| typesetting, printing, paper, envelopes, postage and return postage for proxy soliciting material, and proxy tabulation costs |
| printing, paper, envelopes and postage for dividend notices, dividend checks, records of account, purchase confirmations, sale or repurchase confirmations, checks issued in connection with the sale or repurchase of Fund shares, confirmations on changes of address and any other communication required to be sent to shareholders |
| typesetting, printing, paper, envelopes and postage for prospectuses, annual and semi-annual and quarterly reports, statements of additional information, supplements for prospectuses and statements of additional information and other required mailings to shareholders |
| stop orders |
| outgoing wire charges |
| charges of the Depository Trust Company in connection with settlement and related services provided to the Fund |
| other expenses incurred at the request or with the consent of the Fund |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the forgoing Schedule A and Schedule B to be duly executed as of June 15, 2021.
TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Daniel J. Beckman | |
Name: Daniel J. Beckman | ||
Title: President |
COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT SERVICES CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Lyn Kephart-Strong | |
Name: Lyn Kephart-Strong | ||
Title: President |
RULE 12d1-4
UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST OF CLOSED-END FUNDS INVESTMENT AGREEMENT
This Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2022, between FT Series (the Trust) on behalf of each of its existing and future series that invests in an Acquired Fund in reliance on the Rule as such terms are defined below, severally and not jointly, (each, an Acquiring Fund), and each closed-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) advised by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Adviser), severally and not jointly (each an Acquired Fund).
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act and each Acquiring Fund is a series of the Trust;
WHEREAS, the Trust intends that this Agreement be applicable to its existing series as of the date hereof and all series subsequently established by the Trust;
WHEREAS, each Acquired Fund is registered with the SEC as a closed-end management investment company and advised by the Adviser and the parties hereto intend that this Agreement be applicable to all registered closed-end funds advised by the Adviser, as may be amended from time to time;
WHEREAS, Section 12(d)(1)(A) limits the extent to which a registered investment company may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including, in pertinent part, Section 12(d)(1)(A)(i) which prohibits a registered investment company (and any company or companies controlled by it) to purchase or otherwise acquire any security issued by any other investment company if the acquiring company (and any company or companies controlled by it) immediately after such purchase or acquisition own in the aggregate more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the acquired company (the 3% Limit). Section 12(d)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act further limits the extent to which an investment company may invest in the shares of a registered closed-end investment company;
WHEREAS, Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act (the Rule) permits registered investment companies, such as the Acquiring Funds, to invest in shares of other registered investment companies, such as the Acquired Funds, in excess of the limits of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act subject to compliance with the conditions of the Rule; and
WHEREAS, an Acquiring Fund may, from time to time, invest in shares of one or more Acquired Funds in excess of certain limitations of Section 12(d)(1) in reliance on the Rule;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | Terms of Investment. |
(a) In accordance with the Rule, the Acquiring Funds and the Acquired Funds agree that the Acquiring Funds may invest in the Acquired Funds in reliance on the Rule and as provided herein.
(b) In order to help reasonably address the risk of undue influence on an Acquired Fund by an Acquiring Fund, each Acquired Fund and each Acquiring Fund agree as follows:
(i) an Acquiring Fund and its advisory group as such term is defined in the Rule, will not control (individually or in the aggregate) an Acquired Fund;
(ii) no Acquiring Fund shall purchase or otherwise acquire securities issued by an Acquired Fund in excess of the limits in Section 12(d)(1)(A)(i) of the 1940 Act (i.e., the 3% Limit); and
(iii) (A) except as provided in (B) below, or otherwise required by the Acquiring Funds organizational documents or applicable law or rules thereunder, the Acquiring Fund will vote its securities held of an Acquired Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such securities (Echo Voting).
(B) an Acquiring Fund will consider voting on a non-routine matter in its own discretion (rather than Echo Voting) if requested by the Acquired Fund. If an Acquired Fund requests that an Acquiring Fund consider a non-routine matter that is pending shareholder vote, the Acquired Fund must provide notice of the non-routine shareholder vote to the parties listed in Section 4 of this Agreement at least thirty (30) days prior to the vote. Upon a timely request, the Acquiring Fund will consider the non-routine matter and vote in accordance with the best interest of its unitholders or shareholders.
(c) In order to assist the Acquiring Funds principal underwriter or depositor with evaluating the complexity of the structure and the fees and expenses associated with an investment in an Acquired Fund, each Acquired Fund shall provide the respective Acquiring Fund with information on the fees and expenses of the Acquired Fund reasonably requested by such Acquiring Fund with reference to the Rule. In accordance with the foregoing and in recognition of each Acquired Funds obligations regarding disclosure of material nonpublic information under applicable laws, rules and regulations, including without limitation Regulation FD, each Acquiring Fund and Acquired Fund agree that the information on fees and expenses of each Acquired Fund shall be provided through delivery or access to publicly available documents.
2. | Representations of the Acquired Funds. |
In connection with any investment by an Acquiring Fund in an Acquired Fund in excess of the limitations in Section 12(d)(1)(A), the Acquired Fund agrees to: (i) comply with all conditions of the Rule, as interpreted or modified by the SEC or its staff from time to time, applicable to Acquired Funds; (ii) comply with its obligations under this Agreement; and (iii) promptly notify the Acquiring Fund if such Acquired Fund fails to comply with the Rule with respect to an investment by the Acquiring Fund, as interpreted or modified by the SEC or its staff from time to time, or this Agreement.
3. | Representations of the Acquiring Funds. |
In connection with any investment by an Acquiring Fund in an Acquired Fund in excess of the limitations in Section 12(d)(1)(A), the Acquiring Fund agrees to: (i) comply with all conditions of the Rule, as interpreted or modified by the SEC or its staff from time to time, applicable to Acquiring Funds; (ii) comply with its obligations under this Agreement; and (iii) promptly notify the Acquired Fund if such Acquiring Fund fails to comply with the Rule with respect to its investment in such Acquired Fund, as interpreted or modified by the SEC or its staff from time to time, or this Agreement.
4. | Notices |
All notices, including all information that either party is required to provide under the terms of this Agreement and the Rule, shall be in writing and shall be delivered by registered or overnight mail or electronic mail to the address for each party specified below or to such other person or address as such party may designate for receipt of such notice.
If to the Acquiring Fund: | If to the Acquired Fund: | |
Alan Rooney First Trust Portfolios L.P. 120 E. Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 Email: foflegal@ftportfolios.com |
Dan Beckman c/o Columbia Threadneedle Investments 290 Congress St. Boston, MA 02210 Email: dan.beckman@columbiathreadneedle.com | |
With a copy to:
W. Scott Jardine, Esq. Attn: Legal Department First Trust Portfolios L.P. 120 E. Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 Email: foflegal@ftportfolios.com |
With a copy to:
Ryan Larrenaga c/o Columbia Threadneedle Investments 290 Congress St. Boston, MA 02210 Email: ryan.c.larrenaga@columbiathreadneedle.com |
5. | Term and Termination. |
(a) This Agreement shall be effective for the duration of the Acquired Funds and the Acquiring Funds reliance on the Rule, as interpreted or modified by the SEC or its staff from time to time. While the terms of the Agreement shall only be applicable to investments in Acquired Funds made in reliance on the Rule, as interpreted or modified by the SEC or its staff from time to time, the Agreement shall continue in effect until terminated pursuant to this Section 5.
(b) This Agreement shall continue until terminated in writing by either party upon 60 days notice to the other party. Upon termination of this Agreement, the respective Acquiring Fund may not purchase additional shares of the Acquired Fund beyond the Section 12(d)(1)(A) limits in reliance on the Rule. For purposes of clarity, upon termination of the Agreement, the Acquiring Fund will not be required to reduce its holdings of the respective Acquired Fund. Termination of this Agreement with respect to a particular Acquiring Fund and/or Acquired Fund shall not terminate the Agreement as to other Acquiring Funds and Acquired Funds that are parties hereto.
(c) This Agreement shall automatically terminate with respect to a particular Acquiring Fund upon the termination of such Acquiring Fund. Such termination of the Agreement on behalf of the respective Acquiring Fund shall not terminate this Agreement with respect to other Acquiring Funds and Acquired Funds that are parties hereto.
6. | Survival Provision. |
If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof with respect to an Acquiring Fund and corresponding Acquired Fund, the provisions set forth in Section 1(b)(iii) of the respective Acquiring Fund shall survive and be a continuing obligation of such Acquiring Fund so long as the Acquiring Fund holds the voting securities of the applicable Acquired Fund.
7. | Assignment; Amendment; Miscellaneous |
(a) This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other.
(b) This Agreement may be amended only by a writing that is signed by each affected party.
(c) In any action involving the Acquiring Funds under this Agreement, each Acquired Fund agrees to look solely to the individual Acquiring Fund that is involved in the matter in controversy and not to any other Acquiring Fund of the Trust.
(d) In any action involving the Acquired Funds under this Agreement, each Acquiring Fund agrees to look solely to the individual Acquired Fund that is involved in the matter in controversy and not to any other Acquired Fund hereunder.
(e) The Acquiring Fund and Acquired Funds may file a copy of this Agreement with the SEC or any other regulatory body if required by applicable law.
(f) For any Acquired Fund that is a Massachusetts business trust, a copy of the Declaration of Trust of such Acquired Fund is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that no trustee, officer, employee, agent, employee or shareholder of the respective Acquired Fund shall have any personal liability under this Agreement and that this Agreement is binding only upon the assets and property of the applicable Acquired Fund.
(g) This Agreement shall be construed on behalf of an Acquired Fund in accordance with the laws of the State of organization of such Acquired Fund.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Tri-Continental Corporation
By: | Ryan Larrenaga | |
Name: | Ryan Larrenaga | |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund
By: | /s/ Ryan Larrenaga | |
Name: | Ryan Larrenaga | |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
FT SERIES ON BEHALF OF EACH OF ITS EXISTING AND FUTURE SERIES
BY: FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS L.P. ON BEHALF OF ACQUIRING FUNDS
/s/ James M. Dykas | ||
Name: | James M. Dykas | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
RULE 12d1-4
EXCHANGE TRADED FUND OF CLOSED-END FUNDS INVESTMENT AGREEMENT
This Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2022, between First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF (the Acquiring Fund) and each closed-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) advised by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Adviser), severally and not jointly (each an Acquired Fund).
WHEREAS, the Acquiring Fund is a series of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (the Trust) that is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act and the Acquiring Fund operates as an exchange-traded fund;
WHEREAS, each Acquired Fund is registered with the SEC as a closed-end management investment company and advised by the Adviser and the parties hereto intend that this Agreement be applicable to all existing and future registered closed-end funds advised by the Adviser, as may be amended from time to time;
WHEREAS, Section 12(d)(1)(A) limits the extent to which a registered investment company may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including, in pertinent part, Section 12(d)(1)(A)(i) which prohibits a registered investment company (and any company or companies controlled by it) to purchase or otherwise acquire any security issued by any other investment company if the acquiring company (and any company or companies controlled by it) immediately after such purchase or acquisition own in the aggregate more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the acquired company (the 3% Limit). Section 12(d)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act further limits the extent to which an investment company may invest in the shares of a registered closed-end investment company;
WHEREAS, Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act (the Rule) permits registered investment companies, such as the Acquiring Fund, to invest in shares of other registered investment companies, such as the Acquired Fund, in excess of the limits of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act subject to compliance with the conditions of the Rule; and
WHEREAS, the Acquiring Fund may, from time to time, invest in shares of one or more Acquired Funds in excess of certain limitations of Section 12(d)(1) in reliance on the Rule;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | Terms of Investment. |
(a) In accordance with the Rule, the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Funds agree that the Acquiring Fund may invest in the Acquired Funds in reliance on the Rule and as provided herein.
(b) In order to help reasonably address the risk of undue influence on an Acquired Fund by an Acquiring Fund, each Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund agree as follows:
(i) the Acquiring Fund and its advisory group as such term is defined in the Rule, will not control (individually or in the aggregate) an Acquired Fund;
(ii) the Acquiring Fund shall not purchase or otherwise acquire securities issued by an Acquired Fund in excess of the limits in Section 12(d)(1)(A)(i) of the 1940 Act (i.e., the 3% Limit); and
(iii) (A) except as provided in (B) below, or otherwise required by the Acquiring Funds organizational documents or applicable law or rules thereunder, the Acquiring Fund will vote its securities held of an Acquired Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such securities (Echo Voting).
(B) an Acquiring Fund will consider voting on a non-routine matter in its own discretion (rather than Echo Voting) if requested by the Acquired Fund. If an Acquired Fund requests that an Acquiring Fund consider a non-routine matter that is pending shareholder vote, the Acquired Fund must provide notice of the non-routine shareholder vote to the parties listed in Section 4 of this Agreement at least thirty (30) days prior to the vote. Upon a timely request, the Acquiring Fund will consider the non-routine matter and vote in accordance with the best interest of its unitholders or shareholders.
(c) In order to assist the Acquiring Funds investment advisor with evaluating the complexity of the structure and the fees and expenses associated with an investment in an Acquired Fund, each Acquired Fund shall provide the Acquiring Fund with information on the fees and expenses of the Acquired Fund reasonably requested by the Acquiring Fund with reference to the Rule. In accordance with the foregoing and in recognition of each Acquired Funds obligations regarding disclosure of material nonpublic information under applicable laws, rules and regulations, including without limitation Regulation FD, the Acquiring Fund and Acquired Fund agree that the information on fees and expenses of each Acquired Fund shall be provided through delivery or access to publicly available documents.
2. | Representations of the Acquired Funds. |
In connection with any investment by the Acquiring Fund in an Acquired Fund in excess of the limitations in Section 12(d)(1)(A), the Acquired Fund agrees to: (i) comply with all conditions of the Rule, as interpreted or modified by the SEC or its staff from time to time, applicable to Acquired Funds; (ii) comply with its obligations under this Agreement; and (iii) promptly notify the Acquiring Fund if such Acquired Fund fails to comply with the Rule with respect to an investment by the Acquiring Fund, as interpreted or modified by the SEC or its staff from time to time, or this Agreement.
3. | Representations of the Acquiring Fund. |
In connection with any investment by the Acquiring Fund in an Acquired Fund in excess of the limitations in Section 12(d)(1)(A), the Acquiring Fund agrees to: (i) comply with all conditions of the Rule, as interpreted or modified by the SEC or its staff from time to time, applicable to the Acquiring Fund; (ii) comply with its obligations under this Agreement; and (iii) promptly notify the Acquired Fund if the Acquiring Fund fails to comply with the Rule with respect to its investment in such Acquired Fund, as interpreted or modified by the SEC or its staff from time to time, or this Agreement.
4. | Notices |
All notices, including all information that either party is required to provide under the terms of this Agreement and the Rule, shall be in writing and shall be delivered by registered or overnight mail or electronic mail to the address for each party specified below or to such other person or address as such party may designate for receipt of such notice.
If to the Acquiring Fund: | If to an Acquired Fund: | |
Kristi Maher First Trust Advisors L.P. 120 E. Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 Email: foflegal@ftportfolios.com |
Dan Beckman c/o Columbia Threadneedle Investments 290 Congress Street Boston, MA 02210 Email: dan.beckman@columbiathreadneedle.com | |
With a copy to:
W. Scott Jardine, Esq. Attn: Legal Department First Trust Advisors L.P. 120 E. Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 Email: foflegal@ftportfolios.com |
With a copy to:
Ryan Larrenaga c/o Columbia Threadneedle Investments 290 Congress St. Boston, MA 02210 Email: ryan.c.larrenaga@columbiathreadneedle.com |
5. | Term and Termination. |
(a) This Agreement shall be effective for the duration of the Acquired Funds and the Acquiring Funds reliance on the Rule, as interpreted or modified by the SEC or its staff from time to time. While the terms of the Agreement shall only be applicable to investments in Acquired Funds made in reliance on the Rule, as interpreted or modified by the SEC or its staff from time to time, the Agreement shall continue in effect until terminated pursuant to this Section 5.
(b) This Agreement shall continue until terminated in writing by either party upon 60 days notice to the other party. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Acquiring Fund may not purchase additional shares of the Acquired Fund beyond the Section 12(d)(1)(A) limits in reliance on the Rule. For purposes of clarity, upon termination of the Agreement, the Acquiring Fund will not be required to reduce its holdings of the respective Acquired Fund. Termination of this Agreement with respect to a particular Acquired Fund shall not terminate the Agreement as to other Acquired Funds that are parties hereto.
6. | Survival Provision |
If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof with respect to the Acquiring Fund and corresponding Acquired Fund, the provisions set forth in Section 1(b)(iii) of the Acquiring Fund shall survive and be a continuing obligation of such Acquiring Fund so long as the Acquiring Fund holds the voting securities of the applicable Acquired Fund.
7. | Assignment; Amendment; Miscellaneous |
(a) This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other.
(b) This Agreement may be amended only by a writing that is signed by each affected party.
(c) In any action involving the Acquiring Fund under this Agreement, each Acquired Fund agrees to look solely to the individual Acquiring Fund that is involved in the matter in controversy and not to any other series of the Trust.
(d) In any action involving the Acquired Funds under this Agreement, the Acquiring Fund agrees to look solely to the individual Acquired Fund that is involved in the matter in controversy and not to any other Acquired Fund hereunder.
(e) The Acquiring Fund and Acquired Funds may file a copy of this Agreement with the SEC or any other regulatory body if required by applicable law.
(f) The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust, a copy of the Declaration of Trust of such Trust is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that no trustee, officer, employee, agent, employee or shareholder of the Trust or the Acquiring Fund shall have any personal liability under this Agreement and that this Agreement is binding only upon the assets and property of the Acquiring Fund. Similarly, for any Acquired Fund that is a Massachusetts business trust, a copy of the Declaration of Trust of such Acquired Fund is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that no trustee, officer, employee, agent, employee or shareholder of the respective Acquired Fund shall have any personal liability under this Agreement and that this Agreement is binding only upon the assets and property of the applicable Acquired Fund.
(g) This Agreement shall be construed on behalf of an Acquired Fund in accordance with the laws of the State of organization of such Acquired Fund.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Tri-Continental Corporation
By: /s/ Ryan Larrenaga Name: Ryan Larrenaga |
Title: Senior Vice President |
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund
By: /s/ Ryan Larrenaga Name: Ryan Larrenaga |
Title: Senior Vice President |
FIRST TRUST CEF INCOME OPPORTUNITY ETF,
A SERIES OF FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII
By: /s/ James M. Dykas Name: James M. Dykas |
Title: President and CEO |