☐ | when declared effective pursuant to Section 8(c), or as follows: |
☒ | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 486 |
☐ | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 486 |
☐ | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 486 |
☐ | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 486 |
☐ | This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
☐ | This Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: ______. |
☐ | This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: ______. |
☐ | This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: ______. |
☒ | Registered Closed‑End Fund (closed‑end company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”)). |
☐ | Business Development Company (closed‑end company that intends or has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act). |
☐ | Interval Fund (Registered Closed‑End Fund or a Business Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c‑3 under the Investment Company Act). |
☐ | A.2 Qualified (qualified to register securities pursuant to General Instruction A.2 of this Form). |
Well-Known Seasoned Issuer (as defined by Rule 405 under the Securities Act). |
☐ | Emerging Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b‑2 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934). |
☐ | If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. |
☐ | New Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing). |
Per Class T Share |
Per Class S Share |
Per Class D Share |
Per Class I Share |
Total | ||||||
Public Offering Price | At current net asset value | At current net asset value | At current net asset value | At current net asset value | $348,545,234 | |||||
Sales Load(1) as a percentage of purchase amount | 3.50% | 3.50% | None | None | $12,199,083 | |||||
Proceeds to the Fund(2) | Current net asset value minus sales load | Current net asset value minus sales load | Current net asset value | Current net asset value | $336,346,151 |
(1) | Generally, the minimum initial investment for Class T Shares, Class S Shares, and Class D Shares in the Fund from each investor is at least $50,000, and the minimum initial investment for Class I Shares in the Fund from each investor is at least $1,000,000. The minimum initial investments may be reduced at the Adviser’s discretion. Investors purchasing Class T or Class S Shares (as defined herein) may be charged a sales load as described above. The table assumes the maximum sales load is charged. |
(2) | Assumes all shares currently registered are sold in the continuous offering and the maximum sales load is charged. Shares will be offered in a continuous offering at the respective Share’s then current net asset value, as described herein. The Fund will also bear certain ongoing offering costs associated with the Fund’s continuous offering of Shares. See “Fund Expenses.” |
• | The Fund’s Shares will not be immediately listed on an exchange, and it may take time for a secondary market to develop, if at all. Thus, an investment in the Fund may not be suitable for investors who may need the money they invest in a specified timeframe. |
• | The amount of distributions that the Fund may pay, if any, is uncertain. |
• | The Fund may pay distributions in significant part from sources that may not be available in the future and that are unrelated to the Fund’s performance, such as borrowings. |
• | An investor in Class T or Class S Shares will pay a sales load of up to 3.50%. If you pay the maximum sales load of 3.50%, you must experience a total return on your net investment of 3.63% in order to recover these expenses. |
1 | ||||
12 | ||||
14 | ||||
15 | ||||
15 | ||||
15 | ||||
15 | ||||
27 | ||||
40 | ||||
40 | ||||
43 | ||||
45 | ||||
45 | ||||
48 | ||||
50 | ||||
51 | ||||
52 | ||||
56 | ||||
57 | ||||
57 | ||||
67 | ||||
68 | ||||
68 | ||||
70 |
Q: | What is StepStone Private Markets? |
A: | Through a single investment, the Fund offers investors access to the major private market asset classes in a proportion dynamically allocated by one of the largest investment firms that focuses exclusively on private markets. The Advisers will seek to optimize the Fund’s portfolio construction with the goals of producing superior risk-adjusted returns and reducing volatility. The Fund targets long-term capital appreciation with regular current income. |
• | Private Equity: Investments typically made in private companies through bespoke, privately negotiated transactions, including buyout, venture capital and growth equity investments. |
• | Real Assets: A broad category of investments in infrastructure, real estate, energy, agriculture and other natural resources united by a component of current yield and an expected insulation of the underlying assets against the effects of inflation. |
• | Private Debt: Loans and similar investments typically made in private companies that are negotiated directly with the borrower, including first and second lien senior secured loans, unitranche debt, unsecured debt, and structurally subordinated debt. Private debt will also include alternative lending (such as trade finance, receivable transfer, life settlement, consumer lending, etc.) and leveraged loans. Additionally, special situations will be included within private debt and will include mezzanine, distressed debt (non‑control and distressed for control), turnarounds and non‑performing loans. |
Q: | Who is StepStone Private Wealth? |
A: | StepStone Private Wealth is an investment platform designed to expand access to the private markets for high net worth and accredited investors. SPW intends to create innovative solutions for investors by focusing on convenience, efficiency and transparency. StepStone Private Wealth’s mission is to convert the private market advantages enjoyed by institutional investors into opportunities for individual investors. SPW is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”). Please see StepStone Private Wealth’s website at www.stepstonepw.com for the most up‑to‑date information on StepStone Private Wealth and the Fund. |
Q: | Who is StepStone? |
A: | StepStone is a global private markets investment firm focused on providing customized investment solutions and advisory and data services to its clients. StepStone’s clients include some of the world’s largest public and private defined benefit and defined contribution pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies, as well as prominent endowments, foundations, family offices and private wealth clients, which include high net‑worth and mass affluent individuals. StepStone partners with its clients to develop and build portfolios designed to meet their specific objectives across all forms of Private Market Assets. As of March 31, 2023, StepStone oversaw $621 billion of “private markets allocations,”1 including $138 billion of assets under management. |
Q: | What are the Fund’s areas of differentiation? |
A: | We believe the following attributes create an attractive opportunity for investors when considering an investment in the Fund. |
• | Broad Exposure to Private Markets: Through a single investment in the Fund, investors gain exposure to the major asset classes within the private markets: private equity, real assets and private debt in a comprehensive solution. |
• | Favorable Structure: The Fund offers a favorable structure as compared to private markets funds, including 1099 tax reporting instead of K‑1s, a single investment instead of recurring capital calls, and potential liquidity in the form of regular, current income and potential tender offers. |
1 | “Private markets allocations” means the total amount of assets under management and assets under advisement. |
• | Deep Knowledge and Expertise in Private Markets: As one of the world’s largest allocators of capital to the private markets, StepStone’s global investment team of over 320 professionals oversees approximately $621 billion of Private Market Assets as of March 31, 2023. StepStone approved over $80 billion over the last twelve months ended December 31, 2022 to Primary Investment Funds, Secondary Investment Funds, and Co‑Investments on behalf of some of the world’s most influential and sophisticated institutional investors. |
• | Proprietary Database and Insights: StepStone’s proprietary SPI system represents one of the industry’s most comprehensive and powerful databases, tracking over 42,000 funds and 193,000 investments in underlying companies/assets and incorporating information garnered from the over 3,500 Investment Manager meetings StepStone holds per year. |
• | Differentiated Access: Given its scale, expertise, and relationships, StepStone has preferred access to top‑tier Investment Managers and proprietary opportunities, including Co‑Investments and secondaries. Due to the scale and depth of StepStone’s global investment program, the firm is often able to negotiate preferred terms, including fee discounts for Private Market Assets, that will benefit the Shareholders. |
• | Institutional Caliber Investment Management: StepStone has developed differentiated and customized analytics to drive the Strategic Asset Allocation (“SAA”) of private markets portfolios for large institutional investors. The same tools will be used to actively manage the Fund’s allocation across private markets asset types to optimize portfolio construction with the goals of enhancing returns, reducing volatility, and managing cash flow for distribution and other purposes. |
Q: | How does the Fund manage the J‑Curve and cash flow dynamics? |
A: | Primary Investment Funds typically experience a “J‑Curve” – the tendency to deliver negative returns and cash flows in the early years (due to the fund’s investment-related expenses and fees) and to deliver positive returns and positive cash flows later in the fund’s life as its portfolio companies mature and are sold. The Fund will use a combination of Private Market Assets to significantly reduce the J‑Curve and enhance the Fund’s cash flow dynamics. This will be accomplished through the use of secondaries and Co‑Investments, which will enable the Fund to achieve more efficient capital deployment than would be provided by investing in primaries alone. Secondaries are generally more mature than primaries and may not exhibit the initial decline in NAV associated with primaries, thereby reducing the impact of the J‑Curve associated with private markets investing. Similarly, Co‑Investments are transactions where capital is largely deployed at the time of investment, which may also help mitigate the J‑Curve effect. |
Q: | Please describe features about the Fund that would be considered ‘investor friendly’? |
A: | Shareholders can access the private markets with investment product terms that are more attractive than historically available investment vehicles providing similar exposure. |
• | Shareholders will fund their entire investment concurrent with their subscription and avoid the complexity of capital calls. Upon investment, Shareholders immediately gain broad exposure to Private Market Assets. The Fund will reinvest most of the proceeds of realizations, providing investors with more consistent exposure to the private markets through economic cycles. |
• | The Fund will provide a 1099 tax reporting document before the April 15th filing deadline for U.S. federal income tax returns, instead of a Schedule K‑1 that is typically provided later, so that an investment in the Fund will not require Shareholders to file for an extension. |
• | The Shares may be purchased by IRAs, Keogh plans, and 401(k) plans. |
• | Investment minimums as low as $50,000 on initial purchases rather than the higher (in most cases, substantially higher) institutional threshold that would be required from direct investors in each of the underlying investments. |
• | Liquidity provisions that may allow Shareholders to tender their Shares to the Fund at the then calculated net asset value on a periodic basis as discussed below. |
Q: | What are the Fund’s investment objectives? |
A: | Our investment objectives are to invest in a broad cross section of Private Market Assets that will enable us to, over time: |
• | Achieve long-term capital appreciation. |
• | Provide regular, current income through semi-annual distributions. |
• | Offer an investment alternative for investors seeking to allocate a portion of their long-term portfolios to private markets through a single investment that provides substantial diversification and access to both Investment Funds and Co‑Investments. |
Q: | What is the Fund’s investment strategy? |
A: | Our investment strategy contains four principal elements designed to achieve the objectives outlined above: |
• | Allocating the assets of the Fund among the private market asset classes: private equity, real assets and private debt. |
• | Securing access to attractive Co‑Investments and secondaries that the Advisers believe offer attractive value across the private market asset classes. |
• | Seeking to manage the Fund’s investment level and liquidity using the Advisers’ commitment strategy which will balance total returns with reoccurring distributions and liquidity targets. |
• | Managing risk through ongoing monitoring of the Fund’s portfolio and active portfolio construction. |
Q: | What is StepStone’s experience investing in the private markets? |
A: | StepStone is a global private markets specialist overseeing (together with its related advisors) approximately $621 billion of Private Market Assets, including approximately $138 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2023. StepStone’s investment team of over 320 professionals approved over $80 billion over the last twelve months ended December 31, 2022 to Primary Investment Funds, Secondary Investment Funds and Co‑Investments. |
Q: | Will the Fund invest in the same Private Market Assets as other StepStone advised funds and clients? |
A: | To the extent permitted by law, the Fund intends to co‑invest in Private Market Assets with other StepStone advised funds and clients. The 1940 Act imposes significant limits on the ability of the Fund to co‑invest with other StepStone advised funds and clients. The Advisers and the Fund have |
obtained an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Fund to co‑invest alongside its affiliates in Private Market Assets. However, the SEC exemptive order contains certain conditions that limit or restrict the Fund’s ability to participate in such Private Market Assets, including, without limitation, in the event that the available capacity with respect to a Private Market Asset is less than the aggregate recommended allocations to the Fund. In such cases, the Fund may participate in an investment to a lesser extent or, under certain circumstances, may not participate in the investment. |
Q: | What are the Fund’s plans regarding leverage? |
A: | The Fund may borrow money through a credit facility or other arrangements for a range of purposes. In the near term, the primary expected uses of leverage are to manage timing issues in connection with the acquisition of its investments (e.g., to provide the Fund with temporary liquidity to acquire Private Market Assets in advance of the Fund’s receipt of proceeds from the realization of other Private Market Assets or additional sales of Shares) and to enhance returns of the private debt investments. The 1940 Act requires a registered investment company to satisfy an asset coverage requirement of 300% of its indebtedness, including amounts borrowed, measured at the time the investment company incurs the indebtedness (the “Asset Coverage Requirement”). This requirement means that the value of the investment company’s total indebtedness may not exceed one third the value of its total assets (including the indebtedness). The Fund’s borrowings will at all times be subject to the Asset Coverage Requirement. |
Q: | Who can buy Shares in the Fund? |
A: | Accredited investors as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the 1933 Act are eligible to invest. See “Purchases of Shares — Eligible Investors.” |
Q: | For whom may an investment in our Shares be appropriate? |
A: | An investment in Shares of the Fund may be appropriate if investors: |
• | Meet the minimum suitability standards described below under “Purchases of Shares — Eligible Investors.” |
• | Desire to obtain the potential benefit of long-term capital appreciation. |
• | Seek to receive the potential benefit of regular, current income through regular distribution payments. |
• | Can hold the Shares as a long-term investment and do not need short-term liquidity from the investment. |
Q: | What is the purchase price for each Share? |
A: | The Fund’s Shares are offered on a daily basis at the then-calculated net asset value. Accordingly, revisions to the share price will be made daily to reflect updated valuations and other Fund activity. See “Calculation of Net Asset Value.” |
Q: | What is the difference between the Class T, Class S, Class D, and Class I Shares? |
A: | The Fund is offering four classes of Shares to provide investors with more flexibility in making their investment and to provide broker dealers with more flexibility to facilitate investment. |
• | Class T Shares and Class S Shares are available through brokerage and transaction-based accounts. For Class T Shares and Class S Shares, the minimum initial investment is $50,000 with additional investment minimums of $5,000. The minimum initial and additional investments may be reduced at the Adviser’s discretion. |
• | Class D Shares are generally available for purchase in this offering only (1) through fee‑based programs, also known as wrap accounts, that provide access to Class D Shares, (2) through participating broker-dealers that have alternative fee arrangements with their clients to provide access to Class D Shares, (3) through transaction/brokerage platforms at participating broker-dealers, (4) through certain registered investment advisers, (5) through bank trust departments or any other organization or person authorized to act in a fiduciary capacity for its clients or customers or (6) other categories of investors that we name in an amendment or supplement to this prospectus. For Class D Shares, the minimum initial investment is $50,000 with additional investment minimums of $5,000. The minimum initial and additional investments may be reduced at the Adviser’s discretion. |
• | Class I Shares are generally available for purchase in this offering only (1) through fee‑based programs, also known as wrap accounts, that provide access to Class I Shares, (2) by endowments, foundations, pension funds and other institutional investors, (3) through participating broker-dealers that have alternative fee arrangements with their clients to provide access to Class I Shares, (4) through certain registered investment advisers, (5) by the Advisers’ employees, officers and directors and their immediate family members, and joint venture partners, consultants and other service providers or (6) other categories of investors that we name in an amendment or supplement to this prospectus. For Class I Shares, the minimum initial investment is $1,000,000 with additional investment minimums of $100,000. The minimum initial and additional investments may be reduced at the Adviser’s discretion. |
Q: | What are the fees that investors pay with respect to the Shares they purchase in the offering? |
A: | There are two types of fees that you will incur: |
• | First, for Class T Shares and Class S Shares, there are shareholder transaction expenses that are a one‑time upfront fee calculated as a percentage of the offering price. Class T Shares have an upfront maximum total sales load of 3.50% which is split between a maximum selling commission of 3.00% and a maximum dealer fee of 0.50%. The Class S Shares have a maximum selling commission of 3.50%. |
• | Second, for Class T Shares, Class S Shares, and Class D Shares, there are ongoing distribution and shareholder servicing fees that are calculated as a percentage of net asset value. Class T Shares have maximum aggregate annual distribution and shareholder servicing fees of 0.85%. The Class S Shares have annual distribution and shareholder servicing fees of 0.85%, and Class D Shares have annual shareholder servicing fees of 0.25%. |
Q: | How does the Fund compensate the Adviser and Sub‑Adviser for the management of the underlying assets and other administrative requirements associated with the ongoing operation of the Fund? |
A: | In consideration of the advisory and other services provided by the Adviser to the Fund, the Fund will pay the Adviser a monthly investment management fee (“Management Fee”) equal to 1.40% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s daily net assets, provided that the Management Fee shall in no instance be greater than a Management Fee computed based on the value of the net assets of the Fund as of the close of business on the last business day of the relevant month (including any assets in respect of Shares that would be repurchased by the Fund on such date). The Management Fee is paid monthly and shared evenly between the Adviser and Sub‑Adviser. |
Q: | If I buy Shares, will I receive distributions and how often? |
A: | The Adviser intends to recommend to the board of trustees (the “Board of Trustees” or the “Board”) that the Fund make semi-annual distributions. |
Q: | May I reinvest my cash distributions in additional Shares? |
A: | Yes. We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) whereby Shareholders will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional Shares unless they elect to receive their distributions in cash. Reinvested distributions for all Shares will be in the respective class of Shares but will not be subject to sales load or other charge for reinvestment. The DRIP Shares will be subject to shareholder servicing fees and distribution fees where applicable. |
Q: | How do I subscribe for Shares? |
A: | If you meet the suitability standards and choose to purchase Shares in this offering, you should proceed as follows: |
• | Read this entire prospectus, including the section entitled “Types of Investments and Related Risks,” and all appendices and supplements accompanying this Prospectus. |
• | Complete and execute a copy of an investor application. |
• | By submitting an order to purchase Shares and paying the total purchase price for the Shares subscribed for, each investor attests that he or she meets the suitability standards as stated in the prospectus and/or investor application and agrees to be bound by all its terms |
Q: | When can Shares be purchased? |
A: | Shares are offered for purchase daily on any day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business at a price based upon the Fund’s then current NAV. See “Plan of Distribution.” |
Q: | What is the minimum initial investment required? |
A: | To purchase Class T Shares, Class S Shares, and Class D Shares in this offering, investors must make an initial purchase of at least $50,000. Once investors have satisfied the minimum initial purchase requirement, any additional purchases of our Shares in this offering must be in amounts of at least $5,000, except for additional purchases pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan. The minimum initial and additional investments may be reduced at the Adviser’s discretion. |
Q: | Can I invest through my IRA, SEP or after‑tax deferred account? |
A: | Yes, subject to the suitability standards and applicable law. An approved trustee must process and forward to us subscriptions made through IRAs, Keogh plans, and 401(k) plans. In the case of investments through IRAs, Keogh plans, and 401(k) plans, our transfer agent will send the confirmation and notice of our acceptance to the trustee. Please be aware that in purchasing Shares, custodians or trustees of employee pension benefit plans or IRAs may be subject to the fiduciary duties imposed by ERISA or other applicable laws and to the prohibited transaction rules prescribed by ERISA and related provisions of the Code. In addition, prior to purchasing Shares, the trustee or custodian of an employee pension benefit plan or an IRA should determine that such an investment would be permissible under the governing instruments of such plan or account and applicable law. See “Eligible Investors” and “ERISA Considerations.” |
Q: | How will the payment of fees and expenses affect my invested capital? |
A: | The payment of fees and expenses will reduce the funds available to us to execute our business strategy as well as funds available for distribution to Shareholders. The payment of fees and expenses will also reduce the value of your Shares. See “Fund Expenses.” |
Q: | What is the tax treatment of the Fund and my distributions? |
A: | The Fund intends to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. For each taxable year that the Fund so qualifies, the Fund will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its taxable income and gains that it distributes as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to Shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute its income and gains in a manner that it should not be subject to an entity-level income tax on certain undistributed amounts. These distributions generally will be taxable as ordinary income or capital gains to the Shareholders, whether or not they are reinvested in Shares. U.S. federally tax‑exempt investors generally will not recognize unrelated business taxable income with respect to an investment in Shares as long as they do not borrow to make such investment. See “Tax Aspects – Distributions.” |
Q: | What provisions exist for the repurchase or sale of Shares by Shareholders? |
A: | The Shares are not a liquid investment. No Shareholder will have the right to require the Fund to redeem its Shares. The Fund may offer from time to time to repurchase Shares pursuant to written tenders by the Shareholders as described below. |
Q: | Do investors have to pay a fee in association with the repurchase of Shares? |
A: | An early repurchase fee (the “Early Repurchase Fee”) payable to the Fund will be charged with respect to the repurchase of a Shareholder’s Shares at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one‑year anniversary of a Shareholder’s purchase of the Shares. The Early Repurchase Fee will equal 2.00% of the NAV of any Shares repurchased. Once Shareholders have held Shares for over a calendar year, no fee will be assessed in association with a Share repurchase. The Early Repurchase Fee is not applied to shares issued under DRIP. |
Q: | Are there any restrictions on the transfer of Shares? |
A: | Shares may be transferred only: |
• | By operation of law as a result of the death, bankruptcy, insolvency, adjudicated incompetence or dissolution of the Shareholder. |
• | Under certain limited circumstances, with the prior written consent of the Fund, which may be withheld in its sole discretion and is expected to be granted, if at all, only under extenuating circumstances. |
• | In accordance with the auction process established by Nasdaq Private Market. |
Q: | Where can I find the most current information on the Fund? |
A: | The Fund’s website, www.stepstonepw.com, is the best source for the most current information on the Fund. The Fund regularly posts updated information regarding its portfolio and activity in documents such as the most recent Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, a monthly fact card, an investor presentation, a fund commentary and the portfolio holdings report, along with other news, information and updates that may be relevant to your investment. The website also contains a link to the Fund’s SEC filings. The Fund may change the information posted on the website over time. The information on the website is not incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, and investors should not consider it a part of this Prospectus. |
Q: | Will there be a board responsible for the Fund? |
A: | The Fund has a Board of Trustees with overall responsibility for monitoring and overseeing the Fund’s investment program and its management and operations. A majority of the “Trustees” are not “interested persons” of the Fund or Advisers, as required by the 1940 Act. |
Q: | What will I receive in terms of Fund reporting? |
A: | The Fund prepares, and will make available to Shareholders, an audited annual report and an unaudited semi-annual report within 60 days after the close of the period for which the report is being made, or as otherwise required by the 1940 Act. Shareholders will also receive reports on at least a quarterly basis regarding the Fund’s operations during each quarter. See “Reports to Shareholders” located in the “Statement of Additional Information.” |
Q: | When will I receive my detailed tax information? |
A: | By January 31st, the Fund will distribute a Form 1099‑DIV or Form 1099‑B to each Shareholder, as appropriate, for the prior year, unless such deadline is extended by law or regulation. |
Q: | What are the principal risks involved in an investment in the Fund? |
A: | An investment in the Fund involves several principal risks. Investing in the Shares may be considered speculative and involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of the loss of your investment. The Shares are illiquid and appropriate only as a long-term investment. |
• | The Fund’s performance depends upon the performance of the Investment Managers and the selected Private Market Assets. |
• | Underlying investments involve a high degree of business and financial risk that can result in substantial losses. |
• | The securities in which an Investment Manager may invest may be among the most junior in a portfolio company’s capital structure and, thus, subject to the greatest risk of loss. |
• | An Investment Manager’s investments, depending upon strategy, may be in companies or other assets whose capital structures are highly leveraged. |
• | The Fund will allocate a portion of its assets to multiple Investment Funds, and Shareholders will bear two layers of fees and expenses: management fees and administrative expenses at the Fund level, and asset-based management fees, carried interests, incentive allocations or fees and expenses at the Investment Fund level. |
• | Shareholders will have no right to receive information about the Investment Funds or Investment Managers, and they will have no recourse against Investment Funds or their Investment Managers. |
• | The Fund intends to qualify as a RIC under the Code but may be subject to substantial tax liabilities if it fails to so qualify. |
• | A significant portion of the Fund’s investments will likely be priced by Investment Funds in the absence of a readily available market and may be priced based on determinations of fair value, which may prove to be inaccurate. |
• | The Shares are an illiquid investment. There is no market exchange available for Shares of the Fund thereby making them difficult to liquidate. |
• | Possible utilization of leverage, as limited by the requirements of the 1940 Act, may increase the Fund’s volatility. |
Class T | Class S | Class D | Class I | |||||||||||||
SHAREHOLDER FEES |
||||||||||||||||
Maximum sales load (percentage of purchase amount)(1) |
3.50 | % | 3.50 | % | None | None | ||||||||||
Maximum early repurchase fee(2) |
2.00 | % | 2.00 | % | 2.00 | % | 2.00 | % | ||||||||
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets) |
||||||||||||||||
Management Fee |
1.40 | % | 1.40 | % | 1.40 | % | 1.40 | % | ||||||||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(3) |
0.60 | % | 0.60 | % | 0.60 | % | 0.60 | % | ||||||||
Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds(4) |
0.03 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.03 | % | ||||||||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Servicing Fees |
0.85 | % | 0.85 | % | 0.25 | % | 0.00 | % | ||||||||
Other Expenses(5), (6) |
0.42 | % | 0.42 | % | 0.42 | % | 0.42 | % | ||||||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
3.30 | % | 3.30 | % | 2.70 | % | 2.45 | % |
(1) | Investors purchasing Class T and Class S Shares may be charged a sales load of up to 3.50% of the investment amount. For Class T Shares, the 3.50% includes a maximum of 3.00% for upfront selling commission and 0.50% for the dealer fee. The table assumes the maximum sales load is charged. A Selling Agent may, in its discretion, waive all or a portion of the sales load for certain investors. See “Plan of Distribution.” |
(2) | A 2.00% Early Repurchase Fee payable to the Fund will be charged with respect to the repurchase of a Shareholder’s Shares at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one‑year anniversary of the Shareholder’s purchase of the Shares (on a “first in‑first out” basis). An Early Repurchase Fee payable by a Shareholder may be waived by the Fund, in circumstances where the Board of Trustees determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Fund and in a manner as will not discriminate unfairly against any Shareholder. The Early Repurchase Fee will be retained by the Fund for the benefit of the remaining Shareholders. See “Repurchases and Transfers of Shares.” |
(3) | The “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the 12 months ending June 30, 2024. Some or all of the Investment Funds in which the Fund intends to invest charge carried interests, incentive fees or allocations based on the Investment Funds’ performance. The Investment Funds in which the Fund intends to invest generally charge a management fee of 1.00% to 2.00% based on the original cost of their investments, and approximately 20% of net profits as a carried interest allocation. The “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” disclosed above are based on historic returns of the Investment Funds in which the Fund anticipates investing in for the 12 months ending June 30, 2024, which may change substantially over time and, therefore, significantly affect “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.” The 0.60% shown as “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” reflects operating expenses of the Investment Funds (e.g., management fees, administration fees and professional and other direct, fixed fees and expenses of the Investment Funds) after refunds, excluding any performance-based fees or allocations paid by the Investment Funds that are paid solely on the realization and/or distribution of gains, or on the sum of such gains and unrealized appreciation of assets distributed in‑kind, as such fees and allocations for a particular period may be unrelated to the cost of investing in the Investment Funds. |
(4) | These expenses represent estimated interest payments the Fund expects to incur in connection with its credit facility during the 12 months ending June 30, 2024. See “Investment Program — Leverage.” |
(5) | Other Expenses include all other expenses incurred by the Fund, such as certain administrative costs and expenses relating to the offering and sale of Shares. Other Expenses are estimated for the 12 months ending June 30, 2024. |
(6) | Includes amounts paid under an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) between the Fund and StepStone Private Wealth as administrator (the “Administrator”). Under the Administration Agreement, the Fund pays the Administrator an administration fee (the “Administration Fee”) in an amount up to 0.12% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s net assets. From the proceeds of the Administration Fee, the Administrator pays UMB Fund Services, Inc. (the “Sub‑Administrator”) a sub‑administration fee (the “Sub‑Administration Fee”) in an amount up to 0.08% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s net assets, subject to a minimum annual fee. The Sub‑Administration Fee is paid pursuant to a sub‑administration agreement and a fund accounting agreement each between the Administrator and the Sub‑Administrator. The Administration Fee will be accrued daily based on the value of the net assets of the Fund as of the close of business on each business day (including any assets in respect of shares that will be repurchased by the Fund on such date) and payable in arrears within ten business days after the end of the month. The Sub‑Administration Fee is calculated in a manner substantially similar to the Administration Fee and is payable monthly in arrears. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |||||||||||||
Class T |
$ | 67 | $ | 133 | $ | 201 | $ | 382 | ||||||||
Class S |
$ | 67 | $ | 133 | $ | 201 | $ | 382 | ||||||||
Class D |
$ | 27 | $ | 84 | $ | 143 | $ | 303 | ||||||||
Class I |
$ | 25 | $ | 76 | $ | 131 | $ | 279 |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |||||||||||||
Class T |
$ | 67 | $ | 133 | $ | 201 | $ | 382 | ||||||||
Class S |
$ | 67 | $ | 133 | $ | 201 | $ | 382 | ||||||||
Class D |
$ | 27 | $ | 84 | $ | 143 | $ | 303 | ||||||||
Class I |
$ | 25 | $ | 76 | $ | 131 | $ | 279 |
• | Achieve long-term capital appreciation. |
• | Provide regular, current income through semi-annual distributions. |
• | Offer an investment alternative for investors seeking to allocate a portion of their long-term portfolios to private markets through a single investment that provides substantial diversification and access to historically top‑tier managers. |
• | Broad Exposure to Private Markets: Through a single investment in the Fund, investors gain exposure to the major asset classes within private markets: private equity, real assets and private debt in comprehensive solution. |
• | Deep Knowledge and Expertise in Private Markets: As one of the world’s largest allocators of capital to the private markets, StepStone’s global investment team of over 320 professionals oversees approximately $621 billion of Private Market Assets as of March 31, 2023. StepStone approved over $80 billion over the last twelve months ended December 31, 2022 to Primary Investment Funds, Secondary Investment Funds, and Co‑Investments on behalf of some of the world’s most influential and sophisticated institutional investors. |
• | Proprietary Database and Insights: StepStone’s proprietary SPI system represents one of the industry’s most comprehensive and powerful databases, tracking over 42,000 funds and 193,000 investments in underlying companies/assets and incorporating information garnered from the over 3,500 Investment Manager meetings StepStone holds per year. |
• | Differentiated Access: Given its scale, expertise, and relationships, StepStone has preferred access to top‑tier Investment Managers and proprietary opportunities, including Co‑Investments and secondary investments. Due to the scale and depth of StepStone’s global investment program, the firm has the ability to negotiate preferred terms, including fee discounts for primaries and Co‑Investment rights, that will benefit the Shareholders. |
• | Institutional Caliber Investment Management: StepStone has developed differentiated and customized analytics to drive the SAA of private markets portfolios for large institutional investors. The same tools will be used to actively manage the Fund’s allocation across private market asset types to optimize portfolio construction with the goals of enhancing returns, reducing volatility, and managing cash flow for distribution and other purposes. |
• | Diversifying commitments across Private Market Assets at different parts of fund lifecycles through the use of Primary Investment Funds, Secondary Investment Funds and Co‑Investments. |
• | Actively managing cash and liquid assets. |
• | Modeling and actively monitoring cash flows to avoid cash drag and maintain maximum appropriate levels of commitment. |
• | Seeking to establish credit lines to provide liquidity to satisfy tender requests, consistent with the limitations and requirements of the 1940 Act. |
• | Buyouts. Control investments in established, cash flow positive companies are usually classified as buyouts. Buyout investments may focus on small-, mid‑ or large-capitalization companies, and such investments collectively represent a substantial majority of the capital deployed in the overall private equity market. The use of debt financing, or leverage, is prevalent in buyout transactions — particularly in the large‑cap segment. Overall, debt financing typically makes up 45‑65% of the price paid for a company. |
• | Venture Capital and Growth Equity. Investments in new and emerging companies are usually classified as venture capital. Such investments are often in technology, healthcare, or other high growth industries. Companies financed by venture capital are generally not cash flow positive at the time of investment and may require several rounds of financing before the company can be sold privately or taken public. Venture capital investors may finance companies along the full path of development or focus on certain sub‑stages (usually classified as seed, early, and late stage) and often do so in partnership with other investors. |
• | Provision for essential services with few substitutes that generally serve as the backbone for local, regional, and national economic and social activity. |
• | Stable and predictable income and cash flow that are often inflation-linked with low return correlations to traditional asset classes such as public equities and fixed income. |
• | Inelastic demand with strong pricing power for their use as essential assets for a functioning society. |
• | Limited operating risk. |
• | High operating margins and predictable maintenance capital requirements. |
• | Strong competitive advantages characteristics with high barriers to entry. |
• | Value Add/Opportunistic. The “value add” or “opportunistic” strategy typically focuses on more active asset management and often employs more leverage. Such investments can include properties that require repositioning, recapitalization, or ground‑up development, in both primary and secondary markets, and in all property types and geographies. Properties are considered value add when they would benefit from repositioning or moderate renovations and opportunistic when they require major renovations or ground‑up development. Due to the capital expenditures required under this strategy, the underlying properties may not have meaningful current yield. Ultimately, the returns may be 100% dependent on the appreciation of the asset due to the repositioning/renovations undertaken by the investment manager and resulting expected cash flows for the properties into the future. |
• | Core Plus. The “core plus” strategy seeks moderate risk portfolios with moderate levels of leverage that are intended to provide higher returns than core portfolios. Such investments can have similarities to core but often with an emphasis on a modest value add management approach. The focus is on the main property types, in both primary and secondary markets, in Class A or B quality buildings that may benefit from some level of enhancement (i.e., moderate refurbishment or incremental leasing). |
• | Core. The “core” strategy targets high-quality portfolios with real estate assets that provide relatively lower and more stable returns and no or low levels of leverage. Such investments are typically located in primary markets and consist of the main property types (office, industrial multi-family, and retail). Core properties are stable, well-maintained, well-leased, and are of Class A quality and locations. Class A properties are the most prestigious buildings competing for premier tenants with rents above average for the area. For example, office properties tend to be Class A buildings with predominantly investment grade tenants. Core multi-family properties are usually in major metropolitan areas with higher rental rates. Core retail would typically be more traditional neighborhood and community shopping centers, as well as regional and super regional malls. |
• | How the Investment Manager or investee company identifies and manages ESG risks and opportunities; |
• | If the Investment Manager or investee company has clearly identified a responsible person for ESG policy; |
• | The skill set of the managing partners and/or board and the ESG committee (if ESG responsibility has been delegated); |
• | The level of involvement of Partner or C‑level management, and the level of leadership driving the ESG culture; |
• | The fund’s approach to ESG training and priority of maintaining current best practices; and |
• | How the fund monitors and reports its compliance with ESG principles. |
Investment Type | Range | |||
Secondary Investment Funds |
40‑70 | % | ||
Co‑Investments |
20‑50 | % | ||
Primary Investment Funds |
0‑15 | % |
Asset Class | Range | |||
Private Equity |
60‑80 | % | ||
Real Assets |
15‑30 | % | ||
Private Debt |
5‑15 | % | ||
Geographic Region | Range | |||
North America |
70‑80 | % | ||
Europe |
5‑15 | % | ||
Rest of World |
5‑15 | % |
• | have reduced access to the capital markets, resulting in diminished capital resources and the ability to withstand financial distress; |
• | may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that an Investment Fund holds, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of the Investment Fund realizing any guarantees it may have obtained in connection with the Investment Fund’s investment; |
• | may have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and changing market conditions, as well as general economic downturns; |
• | generally, are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on a portfolio company and, in turn, on the Investment Fund that has invested in the portfolio company; and |
• | generally, have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position. |
2 | “Private markets allocations” means the total amount of assets under management and assets under advisement. |
• | all expenses related to its investment program, including, but not limited to, expenses borne indirectly through the Fund’s investments in the underlying Private Market Assets, including any fees and expenses charged by the Investment Managers of the Private Market Assets (including management fees, carried interest or incentive fees and redemption or withdrawal fees, however titled or structured), all costs and expenses directly related to due diligence of portfolio transactions for the Fund such as direct and indirect expenses associated with the Fund’s investments (whether or not consummated), and enforcing the Fund’s rights in respect of such investments, transfer taxes and premiums, taxes withheld on non‑U.S. dividends, fees for data and software providers, research expenses, professional fees (including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of consultants, attorneys and experts) and, if applicable, brokerage commissions, interest and commitment fees on loans and debit balances, borrowing charges on securities sold short, dividends on securities sold but not yet purchased and margin fees; |
• | attorneys’ fees and disbursements associated with preparing and updating the Fund’s registration statement and other regulatory filings, and with reviewing potential investments to be made and executing the Fund’s investments; |
• | fees and disbursements of all accountants or auditors engaged by the Fund, expenses related to the annual audit of the Fund, expenses related to the unaudited financial statements of the Fund and expenses related to the preparation, review, approval and filing of the Fund’s tax information; |
• | recordkeeping, custody and transfer agency fees and expenses; |
• | the costs of errors and omissions/Trustees’ and officers’ liability insurance and a fidelity bond; |
• | the Management Fee and Administration Fee; |
• | fees paid to third-party consultants or service providers relating to the Fund’s establishment or operations and fees paid to third-party providers for due diligence and valuation services; |
• | the costs of preparing and mailing reports and other communications, including proxy, repurchase offer correspondence, annual reports or similar materials, to Shareholders; |
• | fees of Trustees who are not “interested persons” and travel and administrative expenses of Trustees who are not “interested persons” relating to meetings of the Board of Trustees and committees thereof; |
• | costs and charges related to electronic or other platforms through which investors may access, complete and submit subscription and other fund documents or otherwise facilitate activity with respect to their investment in the Fund, including Nasdaq Private Markets; |
• | costs and charges related to purchasing, holding, selling or trading cryptocurrencies, digital assets or other investments or instruments which utilize blockchain or related distributed ledger technology, including but not limited to costs associated with specialized software and hardware solutions, additional custodial and settlement expenses and additional professional services as required from time to time; |
• | costs of administrative, sub‑accounting, recordkeeping or investor related services charged by financial intermediaries in conjunction with processing through the National Securities Clearing Corporation’s Fund/SERV and Networking or similar systems; |
• | all costs and charges for equipment or services used in communicating information regarding the Fund’s transactions among the Adviser and any custodian or other agent engaged by the Fund; |
• | any extraordinary expenses (as defined below), including indemnification expenses as provided for in the Fund’s organizational documents; and |
• | other expenses not explicitly borne by the Adviser or Administrator associated with the investment operations of the Fund; and all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the formation and organization of, and offering and sale of Shares in, the Fund, as determined by the Adviser, including all out‑of‑pocket legal, accounting, registration and filing fees and expenses will be borne by the Fund. The Fund will also bear certain administrative costs. |
Amount Authorized | Amount Held by the Fund for its Own Account |
Amount Outstanding | ||||
Class T Shares |
Unlimited | 204,627 | ||||
Class S Shares |
Unlimited | 1,439,515 | ||||
Class D Shares |
Unlimited | 61,746 | ||||
Class I Shares |
Unlimited | 23,432,052 |
• | whether any Shareholders have requested to tender Shares to the Fund; |
• | the liquidity of the Fund’s assets (including fees and costs associated with redeeming or otherwise withdrawing from Private Market Assets); |
• | the investment plans and working capital and reserve requirements of the Fund; |
• | the relative economies of scale of the tenders with respect to the size of the Fund; |
• | the history of the Fund in repurchasing Shares; |
• | the availability of information as to the value of the underlying Private Market Assets in the Fund’s Shares; |
• | the existing conditions of the securities markets and the economy generally, as well as political, national or international developments or current affairs; |
• | any anticipated tax consequences to the Fund of any proposed repurchases of Shares; and |
• | the recommendations of the Adviser. |
Key Date |
When Key Date Will Occur |
Definition | ||
“Commencement Date” |
Approximately 35 days prior to the “Valuation Date” (as defined below). | The date as of which the repurchase offer will commence. | ||
“Notice Date” |
Generally expected to be March 15, June 15, September 15, or December 15 | The date by which each Shareholder desiring to tender Shares for repurchase must provide proper notice to the Fund. | ||
“Tender Withdrawal Date” |
Generally expected to be March 15, June 15, September 15, or December 15. | The date by which a Shareholder who has previously provided proper notice to the Fund of such Shareholder’s desire to tender Shares may properly notify the Fund of such Shareholder’s desire to withdraw its previous tender request. | ||
“Valuation Date” |
Generally expected to be March 15, June 15, September 15, or December 15. | The date as of which the NAV of the Shares is calculated, which is generally expected to be March 15, June 15, September 15, or December 15 or, if the Fund properly authorizes any extension of the repurchase offer, the last day of which the Notice Date occurs. |
• | These dates are subject to change in the event that the Fund properly authorizes an extension of time during which the repurchase offer is pending. In the event of any such extension, Shareholders will be notified in writing by the Fund. In no case will the Fund make full payment of all consideration offered in the repurchase offer later than eight (8) days after the last day that Shares may be tendered pursuant to the repurchase offer. |
• | the Shares have been transferred or have vested in any person other than by operation of law as the result of the death, bankruptcy, insolvency, adjudicated incompetence or dissolution of the Shareholder or with the consent of the Fund, as described below; |
• | ownership of Shares by a Shareholder or other person is likely to cause the Fund to be in violation of, require registration of any Shares under, or subject the Fund to additional registration or regulation under, the securities, commodities or other laws of the United States or any other relevant jurisdiction; |
• | continued ownership of Shares by a Shareholder may be harmful or injurious to the business or reputation of the Fund, the Board of Trustees, the Adviser or any of their affiliates, or may subject the Fund or any Shareholder to an undue risk of adverse tax or other fiscal or regulatory consequences; |
• | any of the representations and warranties made by a Shareholder or other person in connection with the acquisition of Shares was not true when made or has ceased to be true; |
• | with respect to a Shareholder subject to Special Laws or Regulations, the Shareholder is likely to be subject to additional regulatory or compliance requirements under these Special Laws or Regulations by virtue of continuing to hold any Shares; or |
• | it would be in the best interests of the Fund for the Fund to repurchase the Shares. |
• | Order Entry: Buyers and sellers would submit orders during this period. All buyer and seller orders may be entered as limit-style orders that specify the price(s) at which the participant is willing to buy or sell a given number of shares. In addition, all buyer and seller orders could be cancelled or modified without restriction prior to the closing of this period. The Fund would disseminate its prior month NAV during this period to all potential auction participants. Such information will be disseminated at a time sufficiently prior to the end of the order entry period so that buyers and sellers have adequate time and ability to adjust their buy and sell orders based on that data. |
• | Finalization: During this period, a clearing price and share allocations would be determined based on an order allocation process that determines the price at which the greatest number of shares would trade, and all orders (that have specified such price as within its limits) will be executed at that single price or not at all. To the extent that unexecuted sell side interest exists after the clearing price had been set and all executable orders had been matched, Nasdaq Private Market could, in its sole discretion, agree to allow the Fund to direct pending new subscriptions for the fund to be matched with unexecuted sell side orders. In the event that a clearing price cannot be determined due to a lack of executable buy side interest, Nasdaq could, in its sole discretion, agree to allow pending new subscriptions for the fund to match with any existing unexecuted sell orders at the most recently provided NAV. |
• | Closing: During this period, matched buy and sell orders would be executed and each executed transaction would be recorded. Once payment has been made, the Fund’s transfer agent would close the transactions by updating the books and records of the Fund to reflect new ownership. |
• | by operation of law as a result of the death, bankruptcy, insolvency, adjudicated incompetence or dissolution of the Shareholder; |
• | under certain limited circumstances, with the written consent of the Fund, which may be withheld in its sole discretion and is expected to be granted, if at all, only under extenuating circumstances; or |
• | in accordance with the auction process established by the Nasdaq Private Market. |
• | reinvest both dividends and capital gain distributions; |
• | receive dividends in cash and reinvest capital gain distributions; or |
• | receive both dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. |
• | to manage and administer holdings in StepStone managed or advised funds, separately managed accounts, advisory engagements and any related business relationships (and, in each case, the investments made pursuant thereto) on an ongoing basis in accordance with the terms agreed between a Notice Recipient and SSG, SIRA, SRE or SPW, as applicable; |
• | to carry out statistical analysis and market research; and |
• | to comply with legal and regulatory obligations applicable to the Notice Recipient, StepStone or its managed or advised funds, separately managed accounts, advisory engagements or any related business relationship with the Notice Recipient from time to time, including applicable anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing legislation, investor qualification legislation and tax legislation. |
• | the right of access to nonpublic personal information held; |
• | the right to amend and rectify any inaccuracies in nonpublic personal information held; |
• | the right to erase nonpublic personal information held; |
• | the right to data portability of nonpublic personal information held; and |
• | the right to request restriction of the processing of nonpublic personal information |
STEPSTONE PRIVATE MARKETS
Class T Shares
Class S Shares
Class D Shares
Class I Shares
July 17, 2023
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
128 S Tryon St., Suite 1600
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 215-4300
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. This SAI relates to and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus (“Prospectus”) of StepStone Private Markets (the “Fund”) (formerly known as Conversus StepStone Private Markets) dated July 17, 2023, as may be supplemented, amended or restated. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained by contacting the Fund at the telephone number or address set forth above.
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this SAI have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES
The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on September 6, 2019. The Fund offers four separate classes of shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”) designated as Class T (“Class T Shares”), Class S (“Class S Shares”), Class D (“Class D Shares”), and Class I (“Class I Shares”) only to Eligible Investors (as defined in the Prospectus). Class T Shares, Class S Shares, Class D Shares, and Class I Shares are subject to different fees and expenses. Our investments will take the form of: (i) primary and secondary investments in private funds (separately “Primary Investment Funds” or “primaries” and “Secondary Investment Funds” or “secondaries,” together with Primary Investment Funds, “Investment Funds”) managed by third-party managers (“Investment Managers”) and (ii) direct investments in the equity and/or debt of operating companies, projects or properties, typically through co-investing alongside Investment Managers (“Co-Investments” or “direct investments”). Together, these investment structures or vehicles are broadly referred to as “Private Market Assets.” The Fund intends to invest and/or make capital commitments of at least 80% of its assets in Private Market Assets.
StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC (formerly known as StepStone Conversus LLC) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser (“StepStone Private Wealth”, “SPW” or the “Adviser”), and StepStone Group LP serves as the Fund’s investment sub-adviser (“StepStone” or the “Sub-Adviser,” and together with the Adviser, the “Advisers”). The investment objective and principal investment strategies of the Fund, as well as the principal risks associated with the Fund’s investment strategies, are set forth in the Prospectus. Certain additional investment information is set forth below.
Fundamental Policies
The Fund’s stated fundamental policies, which may only be changed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, are listed below. As defined by the 1940 Act, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund” means the vote, at an annual or special meeting of the Fund’s Shareholders duly called, (a) of 66- 2/3% or more of the voting securities present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy; or (b) of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, whichever is less. The Fund may not:
(1) invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in the securities, other than U.S. Government securities, of issuers engaged in any single industry (for purposes of this restriction, the Fund’s investments in Private Market Assets are not deemed to be investments in a single industry);
(2) borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act (which currently limits borrowing to no more than 33- 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets);
(3) issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act (which currently limits the issuance of a class of senior securities that is indebtedness to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets or, if the class of senior security is stock, to no more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets);
(4) underwrite securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with the disposition of its portfolio securities;
(5) make loans of money or securities to other persons, item except through purchasing fixed income securities, lending portfolio securities or entering into repurchase agreements; or
(6) purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that it may purchase and sell non-U.S. currency, options, futures and forward contracts, including those related to indices, swaps and options on indices, and may invest in commodity pools and other entities that purchase and sell commodities and commodity contracts.
1
Other Fundamental Policies
The Fund may invest in real estate or interests in real estate, securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate (e.g., mortgage loans evidenced by notes or other writings defined to be a type of security), mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engages in the real estate business or that has a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts).
With respect to these investment restrictions and other policies described in this SAI or the Prospectus (except the Fund’s policy on borrowings set forth above), if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of an investment or transaction, a later change in percentage resulting from a change in the values of investments or the value of the Fund’s total assets, unless otherwise stated, will not constitute a violation of such restriction or policy. The Fund’s investment policies and restrictions do not apply to the activities and transactions of Private Market Assets in which assets of the Fund are invested.
Other Risks
The following disclosure supplements the disclosure set forth under the caption “Types of Investments and Related Risks” in the Prospectus and does not, by itself, present a complete or accurate explanation of the matters disclosed. Prospective investors must refer also to “Types of Investments and Related Risks” in the Prospectus for a complete presentation of the matters disclosed below. Substantial Fees and Expenses. The Fund will allocate to multiple Investment Funds. A Shareholder in the Fund that meets the eligibility conditions imposed by one or more Investment Funds, including minimum initial investment requirements that may be substantially higher than those imposed by the Fund, could potentially invest directly in primaries of such Investment Funds. By investing in the Investment Funds through the Fund, a Shareholder in the Fund will bear a portion of the Management Fee and other expenses of the Fund. A Shareholder in the Fund will also indirectly bear a portion of the asset-based management fees, carried interests or incentive allocations (which are a share of an Investment Fund’s returns which are paid to the Investment Manager) and fees and expenses borne by the Fund as an investor in the Investment Funds. In addition, to the extent that the Fund invests in an Investment Fund that is itself a “fund of funds,” the Fund will bear a third layer of fees. These layered fees may result in higher Fund fees and expenses than if the Fund invested in other types of securities. Each Investment Manager receives any incentive-based allocations to which it is entitled irrespective of the performance of the other Investment Funds and the Fund generally. As a result, an Investment Fund with positive performance may receive compensation from the Fund, even if the Fund’s overall returns are negative.
Incentive Allocation Arrangements. Investment Managers of an Investment Fund may receive a performance fee, carried interest or incentive allocation generally equal to 20% of the net profits earned by the Investment Fund that it manages, typically subject to a preferred return. These performance incentives may create an incentive for the Investment Managers to make investments that are riskier or more speculative than those that might have been made in the absence of the performance fee, carried interest, or incentive allocation.
Control Positions. Private Market Assets may take control positions in companies. The exercise of control over a company imposes additional risks of liability for environmental damage, product defects, failure to supervise and other types of liability related to business operations. In addition, the act of taking a control position, or seeking to take such a position, may itself subject the Private Market Assets to litigation by parties interested in blocking it from taking that position. If those liabilities were to arise, or such litigation were to be resolved adversely to the Private Market Asset, the Fund likely would suffer losses on its investments.
Inadequate Return. No assurance can be given that the returns on the Fund’s investments will be commensurate with the risk of investment in the Fund. Shareholders should not commit money to the Fund unless they have the resources to sustain the loss of their entire investment in the Fund.
Inside Information. From time to time, the Fund or its affiliates may come into possession of material, non-public information concerning an entity in which the Fund has invested or proposes to invest. Possession of that information may limit the ability of the Fund to buy or sell securities of the entity.
Recourse to the Fund’s Assets. The Fund’s assets, including any investments made by the Fund and any interest in the Private Market Assets held by the Fund, are available to satisfy all liabilities and other obligations of the Fund. If the Fund becomes subject to a liability, parties seeking to have the liability satisfied may have recourse to the Fund’s assets generally and not be limited to any particular asset, such as the asset representing the investment giving rise to the liability.
2
Possible Exclusion of a Shareholder Based on Certain Detrimental Effects. The Fund may repurchase Shares held by a Shareholder or other person acquiring Shares from or through a Shareholder, if:
• | the Shares have been transferred or have vested in any person other than by operation of law as the result of the death, dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or adjudicated incompetence of the Shareholder or with the consent of the Fund; |
• | ownership of the Shares by the Shareholder or other person likely will cause the Fund to be in violation of, require registration of any Shares under, or subject the Fund to additional registration or regulation under, the securities, commodities or other laws of the United States or any other relevant jurisdiction; |
• | continued ownership of the Shares by the Shareholder or other person may be harmful or injurious to the business or reputation of the Fund, the Board of Trustees, the Advisers or any of their affiliates, or may subject the Fund or any Shareholder to an undue risk of adverse tax or other fiscal or regulatory consequences; |
• | any of the representations and warranties made by the Shareholder or other person in connection with the acquisition of the Shares was not true when made or has ceased to be true; |
• | the Shareholder is subject to special regulatory or compliance requirements, such as those imposed by the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, certain Federal Communications Commission regulations, or ERISA (as hereinafter defined) (collectively, “Special Laws or Regulations”), and the Fund determines that the Shareholder is likely to be subject to additional regulatory or compliance requirements under these Special Laws or Regulations by virtue of continuing to hold the Shares; or |
• | the Fund, the Adviser or the Board of Trustees determine that the repurchase of the Shares would be in the best interest of the Fund. |
The effect of these provisions may be to deprive an investor in the Fund of an opportunity for a return even though other investors in the Fund might enjoy such a return.
Limitations on Transfer; Shares Not Listed; No Market for Class T, Class S, Class D, or Class I Shares. The transferability of Shares is subject to certain restrictions contained in the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and is affected by restrictions imposed under applicable securities laws. Shares are not traded on any national securities exchange or other market. No market currently exists for Class T, Class S, Class D, or Class I Shares, and the Fund contemplates that one will not develop. The Shares are, therefore, not readily marketable. The Advisers intend to recommend to the Board of Trustees that the Fund offer to repurchase Shares from Shareholders quarterly, with such repurchases to typically occur on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year. Although the Adviser and the Fund expect to recommend to the Board of Trustees that the Fund offer to repurchase Shares quarterly, no assurances can be given that the Fund will do so. Consequently, Class T, Class S, Class D, and Class I Shares should only be acquired by investors able to commit their funds for an indefinite period of time.
Closed-end Fund; Liquidity Risks. The Fund is a non-diversified closed-end management investment company designed primarily for long-term investors and is not intended to be a trading vehicle. An investor should not invest in the Fund if the investor needs a liquid investment. Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies (commonly known as mutual funds) in that investors in a closed-end fund do not have the right to redeem their shares on a daily basis at a price based on NAV.
Repurchase Procedures Risks. If modification of the Fund’s repurchase procedures as described in the Prospectus is deemed necessary to comply with regulatory requirements, the Board will adopt revised procedures reasonably designed to provide Shareholders substantially the same liquidity for Shares as would be available under the procedures described in the Prospectus. The Fund’s investments in Investment Funds are subject to lengthy lock-up periods where the Fund will not be able to dispose of such investments except through secondary transactions with
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third parties, which may occur at a significant discount to NAV and which may not be available at any given time. There is no assurance that third parties will engage in such secondary transactions, and the Fund may require and be unable to obtain any Investment Manager’s consent to effect such transactions. The Fund may need to suspend or postpone repurchase offers if it is not able to dispose of its interests in Private Market Assets in a timely manner.
Shareholders who require minimum annual distributions from a retirement account through which they hold Shares should consider the Fund’s schedule for repurchase offers and submit repurchase requests accordingly. In addition, the Fund’s investments in Private Market Assets are subject to lengthy lock-up periods where the Fund will not be able to dispose of such investments except through secondary transactions with third parties, which may occur at a significant discount to NAV and which may not be available at any given time. There is no assurance that third parties will engage in such secondary transactions, and the Fund may require and be unable to obtain the Investment Fund’s consent to effect such transactions. The Fund may need to suspend or postpone repurchase offers if it is not able to dispose of its interests in Private Market Assets in a timely manner. See “Repurchases and Transfers of Shares.”
Auction Risk. The Fund may or may not conduct an auction through Nasdaq Private Markets, and there is no guarantee or obligation on the part of the Fund to do so. Even if the Fund does choose to conduct auctions, Shareholders may be unable to sell their Shares at the price they desire or at any price at all. It is likely that Shares sold at auction will receive a price that is less than the Fund’s most recently calculated NAV, and depending on buy side interest in a particular auction, the price could be substantially below NAV. In the event the Fund does determine to conduct auctions it may, in its sole discretion, cease to repurchase its Shares via tender offers, and Shareholders may be unable to sell their Shares during a given period or at all.
Substantial Repurchases. Substantial requests for the Fund to repurchase Shares could require the Fund to liquidate certain of its investments more rapidly than otherwise desirable in order to raise cash to fund the repurchases and achieve a market position appropriately reflecting a smaller asset base. This could have a material adverse effect on the value of the Shares.
To the extent the Fund obtains repurchase proceeds by disposing of its interest in certain Private Market Assets, the Fund will thereafter hold a larger proportion of its assets in the remaining Private Market Assets, some of whose interests at times may be less liquid or illiquid. This could adversely affect the ability of the Fund to fund subsequent repurchase requests of Shareholders or to conduct future repurchases at all. In addition, after giving effect to such dispositions, the remaining Private Market Assets may not reflect the Advisers’ ideal judgments as to the desired portfolio composition of the Fund’s Private Market Assets, in that the Fund’s performance may be tied to the performance of fewer Private Market Assets and/or may not reflect the Advisers’ judgment as to the Fund’s optimal exposure to particular asset classes or investment strategies. These consequences may be particularly applicable if the Fund received requests to repurchase substantial amounts of Shares and may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Shares. In addition, substantial repurchases of Shares could result in a sizeable decrease in the Fund’s net assets, resulting in an increase in the Fund’s total annual operating expense ratio.
Special Tax Risks. Special tax risks are associated with an investment in the Fund. The Fund intends to satisfy the requirements each taxable year necessary to qualify as a “regulated investment company” or “RIC” under Subchapter M of the Code. As such, the Fund must satisfy, among other requirements, certain ongoing asset diversification, source-of-income and annual distribution requirements. Each of these ongoing requirements for qualification for the favorable tax treatment available to RICs requires that the Fund obtain information from the Investment Funds in which the Fund is invested. However, Investment Funds generally are not obligated to disclose the contents of their portfolios. This lack of transparency may make it difficult for the Adviser to monitor the sources of the Fund’s income and the diversification of its assets, and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Code, and ultimately may limit the universe of Investment Funds in which the Fund can invest. Furthermore, although the Fund expects to receive information from each Investment Manager regarding its investment performance on a regular basis, in most cases there is little or no means of independently verifying this information.
If before the end of any quarter of its taxable year, the Fund believes that it may fail any of the asset diversification requirements, the Fund may seek to take certain actions to avert such a failure. However, certain actions typically taken by RICs to avert such a failure (e.g., the disposition of assets causing the diversification discrepancy) may be difficult for the Fund to pursue because the Fund may be unable to liquidate its interest in a Private Market
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Asset promptly. While the Code ordinarily affords the Fund a 30-day period after the end of the relevant quarter in which to cure a diversification failure by disposing of non-diversified assets, the constraints on the Fund’s ability to liquidate a specific asset may limit utilization of this cure period.
If the Fund fails to satisfy the asset diversification or other RIC requirements, it may lose its status as a RIC under the Code. In that case, all of its taxable income would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to Shareholders. In addition, all distributions (including distributions of net capital gain) to Shareholders would be characterized as dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Accordingly, disqualification as a RIC would have a material adverse effect on the value of the Fund’s Shares and the amount of the Fund’s distributions.
Additional Tax Considerations; Distributions to Shareholders and Potential Fund-Level Tax Liabilities. The Fund expects to distribute substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gains to Shareholders. These distributions are respectively characterized as ordinary dividend income or long-term capital gain when distributed as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to Shareholders. The Fund will inform Shareholders of the amount and character of its distributions to Shareholders. See “Tax Aspects” below for more information. If the Fund distributes (or is deemed to have distributed) in respect of any calendar year less than an amount at least equal to the sum of 98% of its calendar year ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections), 98.2% of its capital gain net income (determined on the basis of a one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year, and adjusted for certain ordinary losses), plus any such amounts that were not distributed in previous calendar years, then the Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax with respect to the Fund’s undistributed amounts. The Fund will not be subject to this excise tax on any amount which the Fund incurred an entity-level U.S. federal income tax.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund is required to recognize taxable income (such as deferred interest that is accrued as original issue discount) in some circumstances in which the Fund does not receive a corresponding payment in cash and to make distributions with respect to such income to maintain its qualification as a RIC. Under such circumstances, the Fund may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to maintain its qualification as a RIC. As a result, the Fund may have to sell some of its investments at times and/or at prices that the Advisers would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital, or forgo new investment opportunities. If the Fund is not able to obtain cash from other sources, the Fund may fail to qualify as a RIC and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.
In addition, the Fund may invest in Investment Funds located outside of the U.S. or other non-U.S. portfolio company or entities which may be considered passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”) or controlled foreign corporations (“CFCs”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Fund may, in a particular taxable year, be required to make ordinary income distributions in excess of the net economic income from such investments with respect to such taxable year. Under applicable final Treasury regulations, certain income derived by the Fund from a CFC or a PFIC with respect to which the Fund has made a qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election would generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of determining the Fund’s ability to be subject to tax as a RIC to the extent the CFC or the PFIC makes distributions of that income to the Fund or the included income is derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stocks and securities. As such, the Fund may be restricted in its ability to make QEF elections with respect to the Fund’s holdings in Investment Funds and other issuers that could be treated as PFICs or implement certain restrictions with the respect to any Investment Funds or other issuers that could be treated as CFCs in order to limit the Fund’s tax liability or maximize the Fund’s after-tax return from these investments. Moreover, income or gain from such Investment Funds or other entities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding or other taxes. Any such withholding or other taxes would reduce the return on the Fund’s investment in such Investment Funds and thus on the Shareholders’ investment in the Fund. See “Tax Aspects.”
Lack of Financial Reporting Related to Non-U.S. Investments; Adverse Non-U.S. Taxes. The Fund may invest indirectly through Investment Funds in non-U.S. entities. Because non-U.S. entities are not subject to uniform reporting standards, practices and disclosure comparable with those applicable to U.S. companies, there may be different types of, and lower quality, information available about non-U.S. companies. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of a company may not reflect its financial position or results of operation in the way they would be reflected had such financial statements been prepared in accordance with the U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. This limitation may be particularly true for private equity investments, where there may be little or no publicly available information about private companies. In addition, financial data related to non-
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U.S. investments may be affected by both inflation and local accounting standards and may not accurately reflect the real condition of companies and securities markets. Moreover, the Fund and its Shareholders may be subject to tax, reporting and other filing obligations in non-U.S. jurisdictions in which non-U.S. companies reside or operate.
Regulatory Change. Legal and regulatory changes could occur during the term of the Fund, which may materially adversely affect the Fund. The regulation of the U.S. and non-U.S. securities, derivatives and futures markets and investment funds such as the Fund has undergone substantial change in recent years and such change may continue. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as amended (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law in July 2010. The Dodd-Frank Act contains changes to the existing regulatory structure in the United States and is intended to establish rigorous oversight standards to protect the U.S. economy and American consumers, investors and businesses. The Dodd-Frank Act requires additional regulation of private equity fund managers, including requirements for such managers to register as investment advisers under the Advisers Act, and to disclose various information to regulators about the positions, counterparties and other exposures of the private equity funds managed by such managers.
The Dodd-Frank Act significantly alters the regulation of commodity interests and comprehensively regulates the OTC derivatives markets for the first time in the U.S. Provisions in the new law include: new registration requirements with the SEC and/or the CFTC, recordkeeping, capital, and margin requirements for “swap dealers” and “major swap participants” as determined by the new law and applicable regulations, and the requirement that certain standardized OTC derivatives, such as interest rate swaps, be executed in regulated markets and submitted for clearing through regulated clearinghouses. OTC derivatives transactions traded through clearinghouses will be subject to margin requirements set by clearinghouses and possibly to additional requirements set by the SEC and/or the CFTC. Regulators also have discretion to set margin requirements for OTC derivative transactions that do not take place through clearinghouses. OTC derivatives dealers will be required to post margin to the clearinghouses through which they clear their customer trades instead of using such margin in their operations as they are currently permitted to do. This will increase the dealers’ costs and may be passed through to other market participants, such as an Investment Fund, in the form of higher fees or spreads and less favorable dealer valuations.
The CFTC, along with the SEC and other U.S. federal regulators, has been tasked with developing the rules and regulations enacting the provisions noted above. The Dodd-Frank Act and the rules already promulgated or to be promulgated thereunder may negatively impact the ability of an Investment Fund and, in turn, the Fund, to meet its investment objective either through limits or requirements imposed on it or upon its counterparties. In particular, new position limits imposed on an Investment Fund or its counterparties may impact an Investment Fund’s ability to invest in a manner that most efficiently meets its investment objective, and new requirements, including capital and mandatory clearing, may increase the cost of the Investment Fund’s investments and doing business.
The effect of the Dodd-Frank Act or other regulatory change on the Fund and/or Investment Funds, while impossible to predict, could be substantial and adverse. In addition, the practice of short selling has been the subject of numerous temporary restrictions, and similar restrictions may be promulgated at any time. Such restrictions may adversely affect the returns of Investment Funds that utilize short selling. Certain tax risks associated with an investment in the Fund are discussed in “Tax Aspects.”
The Fund has an exemption from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”) under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (“CEA”). Therefore, neither the Fund nor the Adviser (with respect to the Fund) is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool or CPO, respectively, under the CEA. If the exemption no longer applies, to the extent the Fund is not otherwise eligible to claim an exclusion from regulation by the CFTC, the Fund will operate subject to CFTC regulation. If the Adviser and the Fund become subject to CFTC regulation, as well as related National Futures Association rules, the Fund may incur additional compliance and other expenses.
The impact of changes in legislation, if any, on shareholders, the Fund, and the entities through which the Fund invests is uncertain. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding an investment in the Fund.
Under Rule 18f-4, the Fund is required to trade derivatives and other transactions that potentially create senior securities (except reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions) subject to a value-at-risk (“VaR”) leverage limit, certain other testing and derivatives risk management program requirements and requirements related
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to board reporting. These requirements apply unless the Fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” as defined in Rule 18f-4. Reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions continue to be subject to the asset coverage requirements, and a fund trading reverse repurchase agreements needs to aggregate the amount of indebtedness associated with the reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities representing indebtedness when calculating the fund’s asset coverage ratio (unless the fund treats such agreements and transactions as derivatives for all purposes under the rule). Reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions will not be included in the calculation of whether the Fund is a limited derivatives user (unless the Fund determines to treat such agreements and transactions as “derivative transactions” for all purposes under the rule), but if the Fund is subject to the VaR testing, reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions will be included for purposes of such testing. In addition, under Rule 18f-4, the Fund is permitted to invest in a security on a when-issued or forward-settling basis, or with a nonstandard settlement cycle, and the transaction will be deemed not to involve a “senior security,” provided that (i) the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction and (ii) the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date). The Fund may otherwise engage in such transactions that do not meet these conditions so long as the Fund treats any such transaction as a “derivatives transaction” for purposes of compliance with Rule 18f-4. Furthermore, under Rule 18f-4, the Fund will be permitted to enter into an unfunded commitment agreement, and such unfunded commitment agreement will not be subject to the limits on borrowings as described in the “Investment Program—Leverage” section above, if the Fund reasonably believes, at the time it enters into such agreement, that it will have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet its obligations with respect to all such agreements as they come due. The SEC also provided guidance in connection with the rule regarding the use of securities lending collateral that may limit the Fund’s securities lending activities. These requirements may limit the Fund’s ability to use derivatives and reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions as part of the Fund’s investment strategies.
Indemnification of Investment Funds, Investment Managers and Others. The Fund may agree to indemnify certain of the Private Market Assets and their respective managers, officers, directors, and affiliates from any liability, damage, cost, or expense arising out of, among other things, acts or omissions undertaken in connection with the management of Private Market Assets. If the Fund were required to make payments (or return distributions) in respect of any such indemnity, the Fund could be materially adversely affected. Indemnification of sellers of secondaries may be required as a condition to purchasing such securities.
Other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies to the extent that such investments are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and permissible under the 1940 Act. Under one provision of the 1940 Act, the Fund may not acquire the securities of other investment companies if, as a result, (i) more than 10% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of other investment companies, (ii) such purchase would result in more than 3% of the total outstanding voting securities of any one registered investment company being held by the Fund or more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in any one registered investment company. In some instances, the Fund may invest in an investment company in excess of these limits. For example, the Fund may invest in other registered investment companies, such as mutual funds, closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds, and in business development companies in excess of the statutory limits imposed by the 1940 Act in reliance on Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act. These investments would be subject to the applicable conditions of Rule 12d1-4, which in part would affect or otherwise impose certain limits on the investments and operations of the underlying fund. Accordingly, if the Fund serves as an “underlying fund” to another investment company, the Fund’s ability to invest in other investment companies, private funds and other investment vehicles may be limited and, under these circumstances, the Fund’s investments in other investment companies, private funds and other investment vehicles will be consistent with applicable law and/or exemptive relief obtained from the SEC. The Fund, as a holder of the securities of other investment companies, will bear its pro rata portion of the other investment companies’ expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses will be in addition to the direct expenses incurred by the Fund.
Limited Operating History of Fund Investments. Many of the Investment Funds may have limited operating histories, and the information the Fund will obtain about such investments may be limited. As such, the ability of the Advisers to evaluate past performance or to validate the investment strategies of such Investment Funds will be limited.
Limitations on Performance Information. Performance of Private Market Assets are difficult to measure and therefore such measurements may not be as reliable as performance information for other investment products
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because, among other things: (i) there is often no market for underlying investments, (ii) Private Market Assets take years to achieve a realization event and are difficult to value before realization, (iii) Private Market Assets are made over time as capital is drawn down from investments, (iv) the performance record of Fund Investments are not established until the final distributions are made, which may be 10-12 years or longer after the initial closing and (v) industry performance information for Fund Investments may be skewed upwards due to survivor bias lack of reporting by underperforming managers.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements involve a sale of a security by an Investment Fund to a bank or securities dealer and the Investment Fund’s simultaneous agreement to repurchase the security for a fixed price (reflecting a market rate of interest) on a specific date. These transactions involve a risk that the other party to a reverse repurchase agreement will be unable or unwilling to complete the transaction as scheduled, which may result in losses to the Investment Fund. Reverse repurchase transactions are a form of leverage that may also increase the volatility of an Investment Fund’s investment portfolio.
Dilution. The Fund may accept additional subscriptions for Shares as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion. Additional purchases will dilute the indirect interests of existing Shareholders in the Fund’s investments prior to such purchases, which could have an adverse impact on the existing Shareholders’ interests in the Fund if subsequent investments underperform the prior investments.
REPURCHASES AND TRANSFERS OF SHARES
Repurchase of Shares and Nasdaq Auctions
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Advisers intend to seek the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board of Trustees” or the “Board”) to offer a quarterly share repurchase program where the total amount of aggregate repurchases of Shares will be up to 5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares per quarter. In determining whether the Fund should repurchase Shares from Shareholders of the Fund pursuant to written tenders, the Fund’s Board of Trustees will consider the recommendation of the Adviser. The Board also will consider various factors, including, but not limited to, those listed in the Prospectus, in making its determinations.
The Fund’s Board will cause the Fund to make offers to repurchase Shares from Shareholders pursuant to written tenders only on terms it determines to be fair to the Fund and to all Shareholders of the Fund. When the Fund’s Board determines that the Fund will repurchase Shares, notice will be provided to each Shareholder of the Fund describing the terms thereof and containing information Shareholders should consider in deciding whether and how to participate in such repurchase opportunity. Shareholders who are deciding whether to tender their Shares during the period that a repurchase offer is open may ascertain an estimated net asset value of their Shares from UMB Fund Services, Inc., the sub-administrator for the Fund (the “Sub-Administrator”), during such period. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed by Shareholders, the Fund may repurchase only a pro rata portion of the Shares tendered by each Shareholder, extend the repurchase offer, or take any other action with respect to the repurchase offer permitted by applicable law.
Upon its acceptance of tendered Shares for repurchase, the Fund will maintain daily on its books a segregated account consisting of (i) cash, (ii) liquid securities or (iii) interests in Private Market Assets that the Fund has requested be withdrawn or liquidated (or any combination of the foregoing), in an amount equal to the aggregate estimated unpaid dollar amount of any outstanding repurchase offer.
Payment for repurchased Shares may require the Fund to liquidate portfolio holdings earlier than the Adviser would otherwise liquidate these holdings, potentially resulting in losses, and may increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover. The Adviser intends to take measures (subject to such policies as may be established by the Fund’s Board) to attempt to avoid or minimize potential losses and turnover resulting from the repurchase of Shares.
At the discretion of the Board of Trustees, the Fund may make the Shares available for secondary transfers on a periodic basis through an auction conducted via The Nasdaq Private Market, LLC and its registered broker dealer and alternative trading system subsidiary, NPM Securities, LLC (together, “Nasdaq Private Market”). Nasdaq Private Market operates an online platform designed to conduct auctions for unlisted securities, including certain closed-end funds, and can provide Shareholders with the potential to transfer their Shares in a secondary market auction process. If the Board of Trustees implements the Nasdaq Private Market auction process, the Advisers intend to recommend to
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the Board of Trustees that the Fund maintain a share repurchase program during a two-year transition period (the “Transition Period”). During the Transition Period, the Fund would continue to make repurchases at NAV, although on a less frequent basis.
Pursuant to the process described below under “Nasdaq Private Market Auction Process,” the auction would seek to arrive at a single clearing price (that may be lower than the Fund’s last calculated NAV), which would determine whether and to what extent Shareholders may be able to sell their Shares. These auctions would occur on a quarterly or monthly basis, subject to the Board of Trustees’ approval. The auction process will be restricted solely to “accredited investors” as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the 1933 Act (“Eligible Investors”) and may be restricted at certain times, including as required by federal securities laws, rules and regulations. In the event that the Board of Trustees has elected to make the Shares available to be sold in the Nasdaq Private Market Auction Process, the Board of Trustees and the Advisers will comply with applicable restrictions as required by federal securities laws, rules, and regulations, and an exemptive order received by the Nasdaq Private Market from the Securities and Exchange Commission that grants a limited exemption from Rule 102 of Regulation M. Auctions will only be made available for Shareholders through Nasdaq Private Market and may be subject to restricted periods, including but not limited to limiting secondary transfers to certain eligible time periods in order to comply with federal securities laws, rules, and regulations.
Mandatory Redemptions
As noted in the Prospectus, the Fund has the right to redeem Shares of a Shareholder or any person acquiring Shares from or through a Shareholder under certain circumstances. Such mandatory redemptions may be made if:
• | Shares have been transferred or vested in any person other than by operation of law as the result of the death, dissolution, bankruptcy or incompetency of a Shareholder or with the consent of the Fund; |
• | ownership of Shares by a Shareholder or other person will cause the Fund to be in violation of, or subject the Fund to additional registration or regulation under, the securities, commodities or other laws of the U.S. or any other relevant jurisdiction; |
• | continued ownership of such Shares may be harmful or injurious to the business or reputation of the Fund or the Adviser, or may subject the Fund or any Shareholder to an undue risk of adverse tax or other fiscal consequences; |
• | any of the representations and warranties made by a Shareholder in connection with the acquisition of Shares was not true when made or has ceased to be true; |
• | the Shareholder is subject to special regulatory or compliance requirements, such as those imposed by the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, certain Federal Communications Commission regulations, or ERISA (as hereinafter defined) (collectively, “Special Laws or Regulations”), and the Fund determines that the Shareholder is likely to be subject to additional regulatory or compliance requirements under these Special Laws or Regulations by virtue of continuing to hold the Shares; or |
• | it would be in the best interests of the Fund to redeem Shares. |
Transfers of Shares
Shares are subject to restrictions on transferability. No transfer of Shares will be permitted by the Fund unless the transferee is an “Eligible Investor” (as defined in the Prospectus), and, after the transfer, the value of the Shares beneficially owned by each of the transferor and the transferee is at least equal to the Fund’s minimum investment requirement.
The Fund’s organizational documents provide that each Shareholder has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the Board, the Adviser, each other Shareholder and any affiliate of the foregoing against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including legal or other expenses incurred in investigating or defending against any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses or any judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, joint or several, to which such persons may become subject by reason of or arising from any transfer made by such Shareholder in violation of these provisions or any misrepresentation made by such Shareholder in connection with any such transfer.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Trustees supervise the Fund’s affairs under the laws governing statutory trusts in the State of Delaware. The Trustees have approved the contracts under which certain companies provide essential management, administrative and shareholder services to the Fund.
Trustees and Officers
The Board of the Fund consists of five Trustees. Three Trustees have no affiliation or business connection with the Advisers or any of their affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Advisers. These are the “non-interested” or “Independent Trustees.” The other two Trustees (the “Interested Trustees”) are affiliated with the Advisers. The biographies of each Trustee are described below.
Board Structure and Oversight Function
The Board’s leadership structure features a “Chairperson” and the “Board Committees” described below. The Chairperson participates in the preparation of the agenda for meetings of the Board and the preparation of information to be presented to the Board with respect to matters to be acted upon by the Board. The Chairperson also presides at all meetings of the Board and is involved in discussions regarding matters pertaining to the oversight of the management of the Fund between meetings.
The Board of Trustees operates using a system of committees to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of all matters of importance to the Trustees, the Fund and Shareholders, and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and oversight of the Fund’s activities and associated risks. The Board of Trustees has established three standing committees: the “Audit Committee,” the “Nominating and Governance Committee” and the “Independent Trustees Committee.” The Audit Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, and the Independent Trustees Committee are comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees. Each committee charter governs the scope of the committee’s responsibilities with respect to the oversight of the Fund. The responsibilities of each committee, including their oversight responsibilities, are described further under “Independent Trustees and the Committees.”
The Fund is subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance, operational and valuation risk, among others. The Board of Trustees oversees these risks as part of its broader oversight of the Fund’s affairs through various Board and committee activities. The Board has adopted, and periodically reviews, policies and procedures designed to address various risks to the Fund. In addition, appropriate personnel, including but not limited to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, members of the Fund’s administration and accounting teams, representatives from the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Fund’s Treasurer and portfolio management personnel and independent valuation and brokerage evaluation service providers, make regular reports regarding the Fund’s activities and related risks to the Board of Trustees and the committees, as appropriate. These reports include, among others, quarterly performance reports and risk reports and discussions with members of the risk teams relating to each asset class. The Board’s committee structure allows separate committees to focus on different aspects of risk and the potential impact of these risks on the Fund and then report back to the full Board. In between regular meetings, Fund officers also communicate with the Trustees regarding material exceptions and items relevant to the Board’s risk oversight function.
The Board recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Fund, and that it is not possible to develop processes and controls to eliminate all of the risks that may affect the Fund. Moreover, the Board recognizes that it may be necessary for the Fund to bear certain risks (such as investment risks) to achieve its investment objective.
As needed between meetings of the Board, the Board, or a specific committee, receives and reviews reports relating to the Fund and engages in discussions with appropriate parties relating to the Fund’s operations and related risks.
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Independent Trustees
The Fund seeks as Trustees individuals of distinction and experience in business and finance, government service or academia. In determining that a particular Trustee was and continues to be qualified to serve as Trustee, the Board has considered a variety of criteria, none of which, in isolation, was controlling. Based on a review of the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each Trustee, including those enumerated in the table below, the Board has determined that each of the Trustees is qualified to serve as a Trustee of the Fund. In addition, the Board believes that, collectively, the Trustees have balanced and diverse experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that allow the Board to operate effectively in governing the Fund and protecting the interests of Shareholders. Information about the Fund’s committees is provided below under “Independent Trustees and the Committees.”
The Trustees of the Fund, their birth years, addresses, positions held, lengths of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the “Fund Complex” (defined below) currently overseen by each Independent Trustee and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustees, are shown below. The Fund Complex includes all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by the Advisers and any registered funds that have an adviser that is an affiliate of the Advisers.
Name, Address and Birth Year |
Position(s) Held with Registrant |
Length of |
Principal Occupation(s) |
Number of Portfolios Overseen in Fund Complex |
Other Trusteeships/ Directorships Held Outside the Fund Complex** | |||||
Independent Trustees | ||||||||||
Harold Mills c/o StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC Charlotte, NC 28202 Birth Year: 1970 |
Trustee | Indefinite Length — Since Inception | CEO, VMD Ventures (since 2016); CEO, ZeroChaos (2000 – 2017) | 3 | None | |||||
Tracy Schmidt c/o StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC Charlotte, NC 28202 Birth Year: 1957 |
Trustee | Indefinite Length — Since Inception | Founder, Morning Star Advisory, LLC (consulting and advisory services) (since 2018), Enterprise Chief Financial Officer, Group President of Alternative Investments and Chief Operating Officer, CNL Financial Group (2004 – 2018) | 3 | None | |||||
Ron Sturzenegger c/o StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC Charlotte, NC 28202 Birth Year: 1960 |
Trustee | Indefinite Length — Since Inception | Enterprise Business & Community Engagement Executive, Bank of America (2014 – 2018); Legacy Asset Servicing (LAS) Executive, Bank of America (2011 – 2015) |
3 | Director of KBS Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc. (since 2019), and KBS Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc. (since 2019) |
* | Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected. |
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** | This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Trustee over the past five years. |
The Trustees who are affiliated with the Advisers or affiliates of the Advisers (as set forth below) and their age, address, positions held, length of time served, principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Interested Trustee and the other directorships, if any, held by each Interested Trustees, are shown below.
Name, Age and Address |
Position(s) Held with Registrant |
Length of Time Served* |
Principal Occupation(s) |
Number of Portfolios Overseen in Fund Complex |
Other Trusteeships/ | |||||
Interested Trustees | ||||||||||
Tom Sittema c/o StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC Charlotte, NC 28202 Birth Year: 1958 |
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees | Indefinite Length — Since Inception | Executive Chairman, StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC (Since 2020); Managing Director, RiverBridge Capital (Since 2018) | 3 | None | |||||
Bob Long c/o StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC Charlotte, NC 28202 Birth Year: 1962 |
Trustee | Indefinite Length — Since Inception | CEO, StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC (Since 2019); Vice Chairman/ President, Star Mountain Capital (2016-2018) | 3 | None |
* | Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected. |
** | This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Trustee over the past five years. |
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The executive officers of the Fund, their birth years, addresses, positions held, lengths of time served and their principal business occupations during the past five years are shown below.
Name, Age and Address |
Position(s) Held with Registrant |
Length of Time Served* |
Principal Occupation(s) | |||
Executive Officers |
||||||
Bob Long c/o StepStone Group Private Charlotte, NC 28202 Birth Year: 1962 |
President and Principal Executive Officer | Indefinite Length — Since Inception | See above | |||
Kimberly Zeitvogel c/o StepStone Group Private Charlotte, NC 28202 Birth Year: 1971 |
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer | Indefinite Length — Since January 2023 | Managing Director of Finance, StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC (Since 2020); Vice President of Finance, Millennium Advisors, LLC (2018-2020) | |||
Chris Ancona c/o StepStone Group Private Charlotte, NC 28202 Birth Year: 1976 |
Chief Compliance Officer | Indefinite Length — Since July 2022 | Deputy CCO, StepStone (Since 2021); CCO and Counsel, Greenspring Associates (2019-2021); CCO, Man Numeric (2017-2019) |
* | Each officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected. |
For each Trustee, the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustee in the Fund and in the Family of Investment Companies (Family of Investment Companies includes all of the registered investment companies advised by the Advisers) as of December 31, 2022, is set forth in the table below.
Name of Trustee |
Dollar Range of |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies(1), (2), (3) | ||
Independent: |
||||
Harold Mills |
Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 | ||
Tracy Schmidt |
Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 | ||
Ron Sturzenegger |
Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 |
Name of Trustee |
Dollar Range of |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies (1), (2), (3) | ||
Interested: |
||||
Tom Sittema |
Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 | ||
Bob Long |
Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 |
(1) | Dollar ranges are as follows: None, $1 – $10,000, $10,001 – $50,000, $50,001 – $100,000 or Over $100,000. |
(2) | Beneficial ownership determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Exchange Act. |
(3) | The Family of Investment Companies is defined as any two or more registered investment companies that (a) share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter; and (b) hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services. |
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As to each Independent Trustee and his or her immediate family members, no person owned beneficially or of record securities of an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund, or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund.
As of June 30, 2023, all Trustees and Officers of the Fund, as a group, owned 0.5% of the outstanding Shares of the Fund.
Independent Trustees and the Committees
Law and regulation establish both general guidelines and specific duties for the Independent Trustees. The Board has three committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, and the Independent Trustees Committee.
The Independent Trustees are charged with recommending to the full Board approval of management, advisory and administration contracts, and distribution and underwriting agreements; continually reviewing fund performance; overseeing on the pricing of portfolio securities, brokerage commissions, transfer agent costs and performance and trading among funds in the same complex; and approving fidelity bond and related insurance coverage and allocations, as well as other matters that arise from time to time.
The Board of Trustees has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is charged with recommending to the full Board the engagement or discharge of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; directing investigations into matters within the scope of the independent registered public accounting firm’s duties, including the power to retain outside specialists; reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the audit plan and results of the auditing engagement; approving professional services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm and other accounting firms prior to the performance of the services; reviewing the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm; considering the range of audit and non-audit fees; reviewing the adequacy of the Fund’s system of internal controls; and reviewing the valuation process. The Fund has adopted a formal, written Audit Committee Charter.
The members of the Audit Committee of the Fund are Harold Mills, Tracy Schmidt and Ron Sturzenegger. None of the members of the Fund’s Audit Committee is an “interested person,” as defined under the 1940 Act, of the Fund (with such disinterested Trustees being “Independent Trustees” or individually, “Independent Trustee”). Each Independent Trustee is also “independent” from the Fund under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE”). The Chairperson of the Audit Committee of the Fund is Tracy Schmidt. The Audit Committee met four times during the year ended March 31, 2023.
The Board also has a Nominating and Governance Committee. The members of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Fund are Harold Mills, Tracy Schmidt and Ron Sturzenegger, each of whom is an Independent Trustee. The Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee is Harold Mills. The Nominating and Governance Committee identifies individuals qualified to serve as Independent Trustees on the Board and on committees of the Board and recommends such qualified individuals for nomination by the Fund’s Independent Trustees as candidates for election as Independent Trustees, advises the Board with respect to Board composition, procedures and committees, develops and recommends to the Board a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Fund, monitors and makes recommendations on corporate governance matters and policies and procedures of the Board and any Board committees and oversees periodic evaluations of the Board and its committees.
The Fund’s Nominating and Governance Committee recommends qualified candidates for nominations as Independent Trustees. Persons recommended by the Fund’s Nominating and Governance Committee as candidates for nomination as Independent Trustees shall possess such experience, qualifications, attributes, skills and diversity so as to enhance the Board’s ability to manage and direct the affairs and business of the Fund, including, when applicable, to enhance the ability of committees of the Board to fulfill their duties and/or to satisfy any independence
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requirements imposed by law or regulation. While the Nominating and Governance Committee expects to be able to continue to identify from their own resources an ample number of qualified candidates for the Fund’s Board as they deem appropriate, they will consider nominations from Shareholders to the Board. Nominations from Shareholders should be in writing and sent to the Nominating and Governance Committee as described below under “Shareholder Communications.” The Nominating and Governance Committee met one time during the year ended March 31, 2023.
The Board also has an Independent Trustees Committee. The members of the Independent Trustees Committee of the Fund are Harold Mills, Tracy Schmidt and Ron Sturzenegger, each of whom is an Independent Trustee. The Chairperson of the Independent Trustees Committee is Ron Sturzenegger. The Independent Trustees Committee will review and approve, to the extent required, co-investment transactions entered into by the Fund and affiliated funds in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Fund’s co-investment exemptive relief. The Independent Trustees Committee is responsible for assessing the flow of information between our management and the Board and overseeing the annual approval process of the Investment Management Agreement and the Administration Agreement. The Independent Trustees Committee met one time during the year ended March 31, 2023.
Experience, Qualifications and Attributes
The Board has concluded, based on each Trustee’s experience, qualifications and attributes that each Board member should serve as a Trustee. Following is a brief summary of the information that led to and/or supports this conclusion.
Biographies
Harold Mills
Harold Mills is a Trustee of StepStone Private Markets. Mr. Mills is an experienced entrepreneur and is currently the CEO of VMD Ventures, which focuses on investments in entrepreneurs in a variety of technology and service industries.
Prior to VMD Ventures, Mr. Mills was the Chairman and CEO of ZeroChaos, a leading workforce management company which grew to a multibillion-dollar company with operations globally. Prior to ZeroChaos, Mr. Mills held various executive positions in general management and corporate development with leading solutions companies, including, HR technology companies and telecom companies. Mr. Mills also served as the general manager of one of AT&T’s emerging technology business units. Mr. Mills began his career holding several management positions at General Electric.
Mr. Mills graduated from Purdue University and Harvard Business School. Mr. Mills serves on the boards of Guidewell and Florida Blue, Rollins College, University of Central Florida, Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, LIFT Orlando and is the past chair of the Federal Reserve Bank (Jacksonville Branch). He is also a Henry Crown Fellow, member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and was honored as the EY Entrepreneur of the Year.
Tracy Schmidt
Tracy Schmidt is a Trustee of StepStone Private Markets. Mr. Schmidt is a seasoned executive with over 40-years’ experience in investment management, logistics, finance, operations and administration. Mr. Schmidt is the founder of Morning Star Advisory, LLC where he provides advisory and consulting services to multi-generational families and companies primarily in the logistics and supply chain space. Mr. Schmidt is also co-founder and managing partner of Steward CW Holdings, LLC whose focus is to develop and operate a network of automated express car washes.
Prior to founding his current advisory business, Mr. Schmidt served as CNL Financial Group’s Enterprise Chief Financial Officer, Group President of Alternative Investments and Chief Operating Officer, overseeing and providing strategic leadership for the organization’s financial affairs and the alternative investments platform. Before joining CNL Financial Group, Mr. Schmidt served in various roles at FedEx Express including Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Early in his career, Mr. Schmidt served as a staff auditor at Ernst & Whinney.
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Mr. Schmidt graduated from Christian Brothers University. Mr. Schmidt is an advisor, director and chair of the audit committee and member of the risk and executive committees of Gordon Food Service Holdings, Inc., a director of Pinnacle Realty Services, Inc. and a former director of the United States Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as a Senior Advisor to The Over-Haul Group, Inc. Mr. Schmidt is Chair Emeritus and founding chair of the Central Florida Regional Commission on Homelessness.
Ron Sturzenegger
Ron Sturzenegger is a Trustee of StepStone Private Markets. Mr. Sturzenegger is a financial services executive, primarily focused on real estate related businesses. Most recently, Mr. Sturzenegger held concurrent executive positions overseeing Enterprise Business and Community Engagement and Legacy Asset Servicing at Bank of America. Mr. Sturzenegger also held roles within Bank of America (and legacy firms) as Global Head of Real Estate, Gaming and Lodging Investment Banking and Head of Real Estate Mergers and Acquisitions. Prior to joining Bank of America, Mr. Sturzenegger served in various roles at Morgan Stanley and Bain & Company.
Mr. Sturzenegger graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Business School. Mr. Sturzenegger is an independent director and member of the audit committee and conflicts committee of KBS Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc. and KBS Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc. He is a member of the advisory board of the Stanford Professionals in Real Estate.
Shareholder Communications
Shareholders may send communications to the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Shareholders should send communications intended for the Fund’s Board by addressing the communications directly to that Board (or individual Board members) and/or otherwise clearly indicating in the salutation that the communication is for the Board (or individual Board members) and by sending the communication to either the Fund’s office or directly to such Board member(s) at the address specified for each Trustee previously noted. Other Shareholder communications received by the Fund not directly addressed and sent to the Board of Trustees will be reviewed and generally responded to by management, and they will be forwarded to the Board only at management’s discretion based on the matters contained therein.
Compensation
The Independent Trustees are paid an annual retainer of $50,000. The Chairperson of the Audit Committee is also paid an additional annual fee of $10,000. All Trustees are reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The Trustees do not receive any pension or retirement benefits from the Fund.
The following table shows information regarding the compensation received by the Trustees, none of whom is an employee of the Fund, for services as a Trustee for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. The Trustees who are “interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund and the Fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the Fund.
Compensation
Name of Trustee |
Aggregate Compensation from the Fund |
Total Compensation from the Fund Complex Payable to Trustees |
||||||
Independent: |
||||||||
Harold Mills |
$ | 50,000 | $ | 100,000 | ||||
Tracy Schmidt |
$ | 60,000 | $ | 120,000 | ||||
Ron Sturzenegger |
$ | 50,000 | $ | 100,000 | ||||
Name of Trustee |
||||||||
Interested: |
||||||||
Bob Long |
None | |||||||
Tom Sittema |
None |
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Code of Ethics
Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, the Board of Trustees has adopted a “Code of Ethics” for the Fund and approved Codes of Ethics adopted by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser (collectively the “Codes”). The Codes are intended to ensure that the interests of Shareholders and other clients are placed ahead of any personal interest, that no undue personal benefit is obtained from the person’s employment activities and that actual and potential conflicts of interest are avoided.
The Codes apply to the personal investing activities of Trustees and officers of the Fund, the Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser (“Access Persons”). Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and the Codes are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by Access Persons, including with respect to securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund (which may only be purchased by Access Persons so long as the requirements set forth in the Codes are complied with). Under the Codes, Access Persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. In addition, certain Access Persons are required to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings or private placements. The Codes are on file with the SEC and are available to the public.
Investment Advisory, Sub-Advisory and Distribution Agreements
StepStone Private Wealth is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”). The Adviser was established in 2019. SPW is a wholly owned business of StepStone Group LP (the “Sub-Adviser” or “StepStone”). The Adviser is an investment platform designed to expand access to the private markets for high net worth and accredited investors. The Adviser intends to create innovative solutions for investors by focusing on convenience, efficiency and transparency. SPW’s mission is to convert the private market advantages enjoyed by institutional investors into opportunities for individual investors. Please see SPW’s website at www.stepstonepw.com for the most up-to-date information.
The Adviser serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement entered into between the Fund and the Adviser (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s activities. The Adviser is responsible for formulating and updating (as needed) the overall investment strategy of the Fund. The Adviser is also responsible for the structuring and distribution functions for the Fund. In addition, the Adviser is responsible for the operational and governance aspects of the Fund, including the selection and management of the Fund’s service providers and the management of the Fund’s tender offers and distributions and dividend reinvestment plan. The Adviser is also responsible for the Fund’s SEC and other regulatory reporting obligations. The Adviser is subject to the ultimate supervision of, and any policies established by, the Board of Trustees.
StepStone is a global private markets investment firm focused on providing customized investment solutions and advisory and data services to its clients. StepStone’s clients include some of the world’s largest public and private defined benefit and defined contribution pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies, as well as prominent endowments, foundations, family offices and private wealth clients. StepStone partners with its clients to develop and build portfolios designed to meet their specific objectives across all forms of Private Market Assets. As of March 31, 2023, StepStone oversaw $621 billion of private markets allocations, including $138 billion of assets under management.
StepStone Group Inc. is listed and trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol STEP. StepStone Group Inc. is the sole managing member of StepStone Group Holdings LLC, which in turn is the general partner of StepStone. Please see StepStone’s website at www.stepstonegroup.com for the most up-to-date information.
The Sub-Adviser has entered into a sub-advisory agreement (“Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser and will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s assets. The Sub-Adviser will provide ongoing research, recommendations, and portfolio management regarding the Fund’s investment portfolio subject to the overall supervision of the Adviser and the Fund’s officers and Board of Trustees.
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The offices of the Adviser are located at 128 S Tryon St., Suite 1600, Charlotte NC 28202, and its telephone number is (704) 215-4300. The Adviser or its designee maintains the Fund’s accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained under the 1940 Act at 128 S Tryon St., Suite 1600, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Approval of the Advisory Agreement
The Advisory Agreement will continue in effect from year to year so long as such continuance is approved annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; provided that in either event the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Independent Trustees by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory Agreement is terminable by the Fund without penalty, on 60 days’ prior written notice: by the Board; by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; or by the Adviser. The Advisory Agreement also provides that it will terminate automatically in the event of its “assignment,” as defined by the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder.
In consideration of the management and other services provided by the Adviser to the Fund, the Fund pays, out of the Fund’s assets, the Adviser a monthly Management Fee equal to 1.40% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s daily net assets, provided that the Management Fee shall in no instance be greater than a Management Fee computed based on the value of the net assets of the Fund as of the close of business on the last business day of the relevant month (including any assets in respect of Shares that would be repurchased by the Fund on such date). The Management Fee is paid monthly.
The Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of its duties or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is not liable for any loss the Fund sustains for any investment, adoption of any investment policy, or the purchase, sale or retention of any security.
A discussion of the factors considered by the Fund’s Board of Trustees in approving the Advisory Agreement is available in the Fund’s annual report on Form N-CSR for the period ended March 31, 2023.
Approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement
The Adviser has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with StepStone Group LP. The Sub-Adviser provides the Fund with non-discretionary investment advisory services subject to the overall supervision of the Adviser and the Fund’s officers and Board of Trustees. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser 50% of the Management Fee proceeds each month.
A description of the factors considered by the Fund’s Board of Trustees in approving the Sub-Advisory Agreement is available in the Fund’s annual report on Form N-CSR for the period ended March 31, 2023.
Distributor
UMB Distribution Services, LLC serves as the Fund’s Distributor pursuant to a distribution agreement (“Distribution Agreement”). The principal office of the Distributor is located at 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor, as agent of the Fund, agrees to distribute the Fund’s Shares at an offering price equal to the Fund’s then current NAV per Share, plus the applicable sales load. The Distribution Agreement continues in effect so long as such continuance is approved at least annually by the Fund’s Board, including a majority of those Trustees who are not parties to such Distribution Agreement nor interested persons of any such party.
Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers
Because the portfolio managers may manage assets for other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, and/or other accounts (including institutional clients, pension plans and certain high net worth individuals), there may be an incentive to favor one client over another resulting in conflicts of interest. For instance, the Advisers may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund, or it may receive a performance-based fee on certain accounts. In those instances, the portfolio managers may have an incentive to favor the higher and/or performance-based fee accounts over the Fund. In addition, a conflict of interest could exist to the
18
extent the Advisers have proprietary investments in certain accounts, where portfolio managers have personal investments in certain accounts or when certain accounts are investment options in the Advisers’ employee benefits and/or deferred compensation plans. The portfolio manager may have an incentive to favor these accounts over others. If the Advisers manage accounts that engage in short sales of securities of the type in which the Fund invests, the Advisers could be seen as harming the performance of the Fund for the benefit of the accounts engaging in short sales if the short sales cause the market value of the securities to fall. The Advisers have adopted allocation and other policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to address these and other conflicts of interest.
The following table shows information regarding accounts (other than the Fund) managed by each named portfolio manager as of March 31, 2023:
Thomas Keck |
Number of Accounts(1) | Total Assets in Accounts ($ billion) |
||||||
Registered Investment Companies |
— | — | ||||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
17 | $ | 52.3 | |||||
Other Accounts |
— | — |
(1) | StepStone receives performance-based fees from 17 accounts with approximately $52.3 billion of total assets. |
Michael Elio |
Number of Accounts (2) | Total Assets in Accounts ($ billion) |
||||||
Registered Investment Companies |
— | — | ||||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
8 | $ | 1.9 | |||||
Other Accounts |
14 | $ | 39.4 |
(2) | StepStone receives performance-based fees from eight accounts with approximately $1.9 billion of total assets. |
Securities Ownership of Portfolio Managers
As of March 31, 2023, the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by each portfolio manager in the Fund is shown below:
Name | Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund(1) | |
Thomas Keck |
None | |
Michael Elio |
None |
(1) | Dollar ranges are as follows: None, $1–$10,000, $10,001–$50,000, $50,001–$100,000, $100,001–$500,000, $500,001–$1,000,000 or Over $1,000,000. |
Portfolio Manager Compensation Structure
The Sub-Adviser’s philosophy on compensation is to provide senior professionals’ incentives that are tied to both short-term and long-term performance of the firm. All investment professionals are salaried. Further, all investment professionals are eligible for a short-term incentive bonus each year that is discretionary and based upon the professional’s performance, as well as the performance of the business.
For their service as portfolio co-managers to the Fund, Thomas Keck and Michael Elio receive a salary, a discretionary bonus, and certain retirement benefits from the Sub-Adviser. Additionally, each of Messrs. Keck and Elio have equity interests in the Sub-Adviser and indirectly benefit from the success of the Fund based on their ownership interest.
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Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record
Co-Investments and investments in the Investment Funds do not typically convey traditional voting rights, and the occurrence of corporate governance or other consent or voting matters for this type of investment is substantially less than that encountered in connection with registered equity securities. On occasion, however, the Fund may receive notices or proposals seeking the consent of or voting by holders (“proxies”). The Fund has delegated any voting of proxies in respect of portfolio holdings to the Adviser to vote the proxies in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting guidelines and procedures. In general, the Adviser believes that voting proxies in accordance with the policies described below will be in the best interests of the Fund. The Adviser has further delegated the voting of proxies to the Sub-Adviser.
The Adviser will generally vote to support management recommendations relating to routine matters, such as the election of board members (where no corporate governance issues are implicated) or the selection of independent auditors. The Adviser will generally vote in favor of management or investor proposals that the Adviser believes will maintain or strengthen the shared interests of investors and management, increase value for investors and maintain or increase the rights of investors. On non-routine matters, the Adviser will generally vote in favor of management proposals for mergers or reorganizations and investor rights plans, so long as it believes such proposals are in the best economic interests of the Fund. In exercising its voting discretion, the Adviser will seek to avoid any direct or indirect conflict of interest presented by the voting decision. If any substantive aspect or foreseeable result of the matter to be voted on presents an actual or potential conflict of interest involving the Adviser, the Adviser will make written disclosure of the conflict to the Independent Trustees indicating how the Adviser proposes to vote on the matter and its reasons for doing so.
Under certain circumstances, the Fund may hold its interests in the Investment Funds in non-voting form. In such cases where only voting securities are available for purchase by the Fund, in all, or substantially all, instances, the Fund will seek to create by contract the same result as owning a non-voting security by entering into a contract, typically before the initial purchase, to relinquish the right to vote in respect of its investment.
Third Parties
To assist in its responsibility for voting proxies, the Adviser may from time to time retain experts in the proxy voting and corporate governance area as proxy research providers (“Research Providers”). The services provided to the Adviser by the Research Providers would include in depth research, global issuer analysis, and voting recommendations. While the Adviser may review and utilize recommendations made by the Research Providers in making proxy voting decisions, it is in no way obligated to follow any such recommendations. In addition to research, the Research Providers could provide vote execution, reporting and recordkeeping. The Board would carefully monitor and supervise the services provided by any Research Providers.
Further Information
For a copy of the Proxy Policy, see Annex A to this SAI. A copy of the Proxy Policy is also available in the SAI on our website at www.stepstonepw.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund shall file an annual report of each proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities of the Fund during the twelve-month period ended June 30 on Form N-PX not later than August 31 of each year.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Since the Fund generally acquires and disposes of its investments in privately negotiated transactions, it infrequently uses brokers in the normal course of business.
Subject to policies established by the Fund’s Board, the Advisers are primarily responsible for the execution of any traded securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Fund’s allocation of brokerage commissions. The Advisers do not expect to execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer but seek to obtain the best net results for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, operations facilities of the firm, and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities.
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While the Advisers generally seek reasonably competitive trade execution costs, the Fund will not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available. Subject to applicable legal requirements, the Advisers may select a broker based partly upon brokerage or research services provided to the Advisers and the Fund and any other clients. In return for such services, the Fund may pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if the Advisers determine in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, the Fund paid $500 in brokerage commissions.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Advisers
The Advisers or their affiliates provide or may provide investment advisory and other services to various entities. The Advisers and certain of their investment professionals and other principals, may also carry on substantial investment activities for their own accounts, for the accounts of family members and for other accounts (collectively, with the other accounts advised by the Advisers and their affiliates, “Other Accounts”). The Fund has no interest in these activities. The Adviser and its affiliates may receive payments from Investment Managers in connection with such activities. As a result of the foregoing, the Advisers and the investment professionals who, on behalf of the Advisers, will manage the Fund’s investment portfolio will be engaged in substantial activities other than on behalf of the Fund, may have differing economic interests in respect of such activities, and may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and activity between the Fund and Other Accounts. Such persons will devote only so much of their time as in their judgment is necessary and appropriate.
There also may be circumstances under which the Advisers will cause one or more Other Accounts to commit a larger percentage of its assets to an investment opportunity than to which the Advisers will commit the Fund’s assets. There also may be circumstances under which the Advisers will consider participation by Other Accounts in investment opportunities in which the Advisers do not intend to invest on behalf of the Fund, or vice versa.
Allocation decisions may arise when there is more demand from the Fund and other StepStone clients for a particular investment opportunity, such as the capacity in a fund, than supply. StepStone employs an allocation policy designed to ensure that all of its clients will be treated equitably over time.
With respect to primary fund investments, StepStone uses its best efforts to defer the allocation decision to the relevant Investment Manager, mitigating the potential conflict, mitigating the potential conflict. In secondary investments, StepStone typically manages the allocation of the transaction across its clients. Under the StepStone allocation policy, if clients are similarly situated, considering all relevant facts and circumstances, allocations will be made pro rata based on the annual investment budget specified in each client’s annual portfolio plan for secondaries. Allocation of Co-Investments is a hybrid of StepStone’s approach on primary fund investments and secondaries; in certain cases, Co-Investments are allocated by the general partner leading the transaction, while in others StepStone has the ability to allocate the transaction across its clients, in which case the allocation method outlined with respect to secondaries is used. Due to these processes, StepStone does not believe there is a material risk of a conflict arising in the area of allocations that would disadvantage the Fund relative to another StepStone client.
Importantly, StepStone’s portfolio managers and investment professionals are not involved in these allocation decisions, as the process is managed independently by StepStone’s Finance team and ratified by StepStone’s Legal and Compliance department.
The 1940 Act imposes significant limits on co-investments with affiliates of the Fund. The Advisers and the Fund have obtained an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Fund to co-invest alongside its affiliates in privately negotiated investments. However, the SEC exemptive order contains certain conditions that limit or restrict the Fund’s ability to participate in such Private Market Assets, including, without limitation, in the event that the available capacity with respect to a Private Market Asset is less than the aggregate recommended allocations to the Fund. In such cases, the Fund may participate in an investment to a lesser extent or, under certain circumstances, may not participate in the investment.
The Adviser also intends to compensate, from its own resources, third-party securities dealers, other industry professionals and any affiliates thereof (“financial intermediaries”) in connection with the distribution of Shares in the
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Fund or for their ongoing servicing of Shares acquired by their clients. Such compensation may take various forms, including a fixed fee, a fee determined by a formula that takes into account the amount of client assets invested in the Fund, the timing of investment or the overall net asset value of the Fund, or a fee determined in some other method by negotiation between the Adviser and such financial intermediaries. Financial intermediaries may also charge investors, at the financial intermediaries’ discretion, a placement fee based on the purchase price of Shares purchased by the investor. As a result of the various payments that financial intermediaries may receive from investors and the Adviser, the amount of compensation that a financial intermediary may receive in connection with the sale of Shares in the Fund may be greater than the compensation it may receive for the distribution of other investment products. This difference in compensation may create an incentive for a financial intermediary to recommend the Fund over another investment product.
Financial intermediaries may be subject to certain conflicts of interest with respect to the Fund. For example, the Fund, the Advisers, Investment Funds or portfolio companies or investment vehicles managed or sponsored by the Advisers or Investment Managers may (i) purchase securities or other assets directly or indirectly from, (ii) enter into financial or other transactions with or (iii) otherwise convey benefits through commercial activities to a financial intermediary. As such, certain conflicts of interest may exist between such persons and a financial intermediary. Such transactions may occur in the future and generally there is no limit to the amount of such transactions that may occur.
Financial intermediaries may perform investment advisory and other services for other investment entities with investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund or an Investment Fund. Such entities may compete with the Fund or an Investment Fund for investment opportunities and may invest directly in such investment opportunities. Financial intermediaries that invest in an Investment Fund or a portfolio company may do so on terms that are more favorable than those of the Fund.
Financial intermediaries that act as selling agents for the Fund also may act as distributor for an Investment Fund in which the Fund invests and may receive compensation in connection with such activities. Such compensation would be in addition to the placement fees described above. Financial intermediaries may pay all or a portion of the fees paid to it to certain of their affiliates, including, without limitation, financial advisors whose clients purchase Shares of the Fund. Such fee arrangements may create an incentive for a financial intermediary to encourage investment in the Fund, independent of a prospective Shareholder’s objectives.
A financial intermediary may provide financing, investment banking services or other services to third parties or the Adviser or Sub-Adviser and receive fees therefore in connection with transactions in which such third parties have interests which may conflict with those of the Fund or an Investment Fund. A financial intermediary may give advice or provide financing to such third parties that may cause them to take actions adverse to the Fund, an Investment Fund or a portfolio company. A financial intermediary may directly or indirectly provide services to, or serve in other roles for compensation for, the Fund, an Investment Fund or a portfolio company. These services and roles may include (either currently or in the future) managing trustee, managing member, general partner, investment manager or advisor, investment sub-advisor, distributor, broker, dealer, selling agent and investor servicer, custodian, transfer agent, fund administrator, prime broker, recordkeeper, shareholder servicer, interfund lending servicer, Fund accountant, transaction (e.g., a swap) counterparty and/or lender. A financial intermediary is expected to provide certain such services to the Fund in connection with the Fund obtaining a credit facility, if any.
In addition, issuers of securities held by the Fund or an Investment Fund may have publicly or privately traded securities in which a financial intermediary is an investor or makes a market. The trading activities of financial intermediaries generally will be carried out without reference to positions held by the Fund or an Investment Fund and may have an effect on the value of the positions so held, or may result in a financial intermediary having an interest in the issuer adverse to the Fund or an Investment Fund. No financial intermediary is prohibited from purchasing or selling the securities of, otherwise investing in or financing, issuers in which the Fund or an Investment Fund has an interest.
A financial intermediary may sponsor, organize, promote or otherwise become involved with other opportunities to invest directly or indirectly in the Fund or an Investment Fund. Such opportunities may be subject to different terms than those applicable to an investment in the Fund or an Investment Fund, including with respect to fees and the right to receive information.
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Set out below are practices that the Advisers may follow. Although the Advisers anticipate that the Investment Managers will follow practices similar to those described below, no guarantee or assurances can be made that similar practices will be followed or that an Investment Manager will abide by, and comply with, its stated practices. An Investment Manager may provide investment advisory and other services, directly or through affiliates, to various entities and accounts other than the Investment Funds.
Participation in Investment Activities
Directors, principals, officers, employees and affiliates of the Advisers may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts and may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with respect to investments made on behalf of the Fund or an Investment Fund in which the Fund invests. As a result of differing trading and investment strategies or constraints, positions may be taken by directors, principals, officers, employees and affiliates of the Advisers, or by the Advisers for the Other Accounts, or any of their respective affiliates on behalf of their own other accounts (“Investment Manager Accounts”) that are the same as, different from or made at a different time than, positions taken for the Fund or an Investment Fund.
Other Matters
An Investment Manager may, from time to time, cause an Investment Fund to effect certain principal transactions in securities with one or more Investment Manager Accounts, subject to certain conditions. Future investment activities of the Investment Managers, or their affiliates, and the principals, partners, directors, officers or employees of the foregoing, may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.
The Advisers and their affiliates will not purchase securities or other property from, or sell securities or other property to the Fund, except that the Fund may in accordance with rules under the 1940 Act engage in transactions with accounts that are affiliated with the Fund as a result of common officers, directors, advisers, members or managing general partners. These transactions would be effected in circumstances in which the Advisers determined that it would be appropriate for the Fund to purchase and another client to sell, or the Fund to sell and another client to purchase, the same security or instrument on the same day.
Future investment activities of the Advisers and their affiliates and their principals, partners, members, directors, officers or employees may give rise to conflicts of interest other than those described above.
TAX ASPECTS
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to the acquisition, holding and disposition of Shares. This discussion offers only a brief outline of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the Fund and is based upon present provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative ruling authorities, all of which are subject to change, which change may be retroactive. The discussion is limited to persons who hold their Shares as capital assets (generally, property held for investment) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This summary does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular Shareholder or to Shareholders who may be subject to special treatment under federal income tax laws, such as U.S. financial institutions, insurance companies, broker-dealers, traders in securities that have made an election for U.S. federal income tax purposes to mark-to-market their securities holdings, tax-exempt organizations, partnerships, Shareholders who are not “United States Persons” (as defined in the Code), Shareholders liable for the alternative minimum tax, persons holding Shares through partnerships or other pass-through entities, or persons that have a functional currency (as defined in Section 985 of the Code) other than the U.S. dollar. No ruling has been or will be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding any matter relating to the Fund or the Shares. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert a position contrary to any of the tax aspects described below. The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Prospective Shareholders and Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, holding and disposition of Shares of the Fund, as well as the effects of state, local and non-U.S. tax laws.
UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, REFERENCES IN THIS DISCUSSION TO THE FUND’S INVESTMENTS, ACTIVITIES, INCOME, GAIN AND LOSS, INCLUDE THE DIRECT INVESTMENTS OR CO-INVESTMENTS, ACTIVITIES, INCOME, GAIN AND LOSS OF THE FUND, AS WELL AS THOSE
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INDIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE FUND AS A RESULT OF THE FUND’S INVESTMENT IN ANY INVESTMENT FUND (OR OTHER ENTITY) THAT IS PROPERLY CLASSIFIED AS A PARTNERSHIP OR DISREGARDED ENTITY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (AND NOT AN ASSOCIATION OR PUBLICLY TRADED PARTNERSHIP TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION).
Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company; Tax Treatment
It is expected that the Fund will qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Code. If the Fund so qualifies and distributes (or is deemed to have distributed) each taxable year to Shareholders dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an amount at least equal to the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, but determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) plus 90% of any net tax-exempt income for the Fund’s taxable year, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income taxes on any amounts it distributes as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including distributions (if any) derived from the Fund’s net capital gain (i.e., the excess of the net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) to Shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute to its Shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt income, and net capital gains.
In addition, amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a separate calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax. To prevent imposition of the excise tax, the Fund generally must be considered to have distributed dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes in respect of each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses), determined on a calendar year basis, (2) 98.2% of its capital gain net income, determined under prescribed rules for this purpose (which is generally determined on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31st of such calendar year, and adjusted for certain ordinary losses), and (3) any ordinary income and capital gain net income from previous years that was not distributed during those years and on which the Fund incurred no U.S. federal income tax. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, dividends declared by the Fund in October, November or December to Shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and paid during January of the following calendar year are taxable to such Shareholders, and deductible by the Fund, as if paid on December 31 of the calendar year declared. The Fund generally intends to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.
In order to qualify as a RIC, the Fund must, among other things: (a) derive in each taxable year (the “gross income test”) at least 90% of its gross income from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stocks, securities or currencies, and (ii) net income from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in the Code) (all such income items, “qualifying gross income”); and (b) diversify its holdings (the “asset diversification test”) so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities of any one issuer limited for the purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other RICs) of a single issuer, two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in the Code).
For the purpose of determining whether the Fund satisfies the gross income test, the character of the Fund’s distributive share of items of income, gain and loss derived through any Investment Funds that are properly treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (other than certain publicly traded partnerships) generally will be determined as if the Fund realized such tax items in the same manner as realized by those Investment Funds. Similarly, for the purpose of the asset diversification test, the Fund, in appropriate circumstances, will “look through” to the assets held by such Investment Funds.
A RIC that fails the gross income test for a taxable year shall nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the test for such year if (i) the RIC satisfies certain procedural requirements, and (ii) the RIC’s failure to satisfy the gross income test is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. However, in such case, a tax is imposed on the
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RIC for the taxable year in which, absent the application of the above cure provision, it would have failed the gross income test equal to the amount by which the RIC’s non-qualifying gross income exceeds one-ninth of the RIC’s qualifying gross income, each as determined for purposes of applying the gross income test for such taxable year.
Additionally, a RIC that fails the asset diversification test as of the end of a quarter of a taxable year shall nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the test as of the end of such quarter in the following circumstances. If the RIC’s failure to satisfy the asset diversification test at the end of the quarter is due to the ownership of assets the total value of which does not exceed the lesser of (i) one percent of the total value of the RIC’s assets at the end of such quarter and (ii) $10 million (a “de minimis failure”), the RIC shall be considered to have satisfied the asset diversification test as of the end of such quarter if, within six months of the last day of the quarter in which the RIC identifies that it failed the asset diversification test (or such other prescribed time period), the RIC either disposes of assets in order to satisfy the asset diversification test, or otherwise satisfies the asset diversification test.
In the case of a failure to satisfy the asset diversification test at the end of a quarter of a taxable year under circumstances that do not constitute a de minimis failure, a RIC shall nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the asset diversification test as of the end of such quarter if (i) the RIC satisfies certain procedural requirements; (ii) the RIC’s failure to satisfy the asset diversification test is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect; and (iii) within six months of the last day of the quarter in which the RIC identifies that it failed the asset diversification test (or such other prescribed time period), the RIC either disposes of the assets that caused the asset diversification failure in order to satisfy the asset diversification test, or otherwise satisfies the asset diversification test. However, in such case, a tax is imposed on the RIC, at the highest stated corporate income tax rate, on the net income generated by the assets that caused the RIC to fail the asset diversification test during the period for which the asset diversification test was not met. In all events, however, such tax will not be less than $50,000.
If before the end of any taxable quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, the Fund believes that it may fail the asset diversification test, the Fund may seek to take certain actions to avert such a failure. However, the action typically taken by RICs to avert such a failure (e.g., the disposition of assets causing the asset diversification discrepancy) may be difficult for the Fund to pursue because of the limited liquidity of the interests in the Private Market Assets. While the Code generally affords the Fund a 30-day period after the end of the relevant quarter in which to cure a diversification failure by disposing of non-diversified assets, the constraints on the Fund’s ability to do so may limit utilization of this statutory 30-day cure period and, possibly, the extended cure period provided by the Code as discussed above.
If the Fund does not qualify as a RIC, it will be treated for tax purposes as an ordinary corporation. In that case, all of its taxable income would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions made to Shareholders. In addition, all distributions (including distributions of net capital gain) made to Shareholders generally would be characterized as dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.
Distributions
The Fund will ordinarily declare and pay distributions from its net investment income and distribute net realized capital gains, if any, at least once a year. The Fund, however, may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act. After the end of each calendar year, Shareholders will be provided a Form 1099, containing information regarding the amount and character of distributions received from the Fund during the calendar year.
Shareholders normally will be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, and any state and/or local income taxes, on any dividends or other distributions that they receive from the Fund. Distributions from net investment income and net short-term capital gain generally will be characterized as ordinary income (which generally cannot be offset with capital losses from other sources), and, to the extent attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations, may be eligible for a dividends-received deduction for Shareholders that are corporations. Further, to the extent the dividends are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain foreign corporations, such dividends may, in certain cases, be eligible for treatment as “qualified dividend income,” which is generally subject to tax at rates equivalent to long-term capital gain tax rates, by Shareholders that are individuals. Distributions from net capital gain (typically referred to as a “capital gain dividend”) will be characterized as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long Shares have been held by the Shareholder and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or treatment as “qualified
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dividend income.” However, if the Shareholder received any long-term capital gain distributions in respect of the repurchased Shares (including, for this purpose, amounts credited as undistributed capital gains in respect of those Shares) and held the repurchased Shares for six months or less, any loss realized by the Shareholder upon the repurchase will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that it offsets the long-term capital gain distributions. Distributions by the Fund that are or are considered to be in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits for the relevant period will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) a Shareholder’s tax basis in its Shares and any such amount in excess of such tax basis will be treated as gain from the sale of Shares, as discussed below. Similarly, as discussed below at “Income from Repurchases and Transfers of Shares,” if a repurchase or transfer of a Shareholder’s Shares does not qualify for sale or exchange treatment, the Shareholder may, in connection with such repurchase or transfer, be treated as having received, in whole or in part, a taxable dividend, a tax-free return of capital or taxable capital gain, depending on (i) whether the Fund has sufficient earnings and profits to support a dividend and (ii) the Shareholder’s tax basis in the relevant Shares repurchased or transferred. In such case, the tax basis in the Shares repurchased or transferred by the Fund, to the extent remaining after any dividend and return of capital distribution with respect to those Shares, will be added to the tax basis of any remaining Shares held by the Shareholder.
The tax treatment of the Fund’s distributions from net investment income and capital gains generally will be the same whether the Shareholder takes such distributions in cash or reinvests them to buy additional Shares.
The Fund may elect to retain its net capital gain or a portion thereof for investment and be subject to tax at corporate rates on the amount retained. In such case, the Fund may report the retained amount as undistributed capital gains to its Shareholders, who will be treated as if each Shareholder received a distribution of his or her pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each Shareholder will (i) be required to report his or her pro rata share of such gain on his or her tax return as long-term capital gain, (ii) receive a refundable tax credit for his or her pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and (iii) increase the tax basis for his or her Shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2026, individuals (and certain other non-corporate entities) are generally eligible for a 20% deduction with respect to taxable ordinary real estate investment trust (“REIT”) dividends. Applicable Treasury regulations allow RICs to pass through to shareholders such taxable ordinary REIT dividends. Accordingly, individual (and certain other non-corporate) Shareholders of the Fund that have received such taxable ordinary REIT dividends may be able to take advantage of this 20% deduction with respect to any such amounts passed through.
Certain distributions reported by the Fund as section 163(j) interest dividends may be treated as interest income by Shareholders for purposes of the tax rules applicable to interest expense limitations under Section 163(j) of the Code. Such treatment by the Shareholder is generally subject to holding period requirements and other potential limitations, although the holding period requirements are generally not applicable to dividends declared by money market funds and certain other funds that declare dividends daily and pay such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis. The amount that the Fund is eligible to report as a Section 163(j) dividend for a tax year is generally limited to the excess of the Fund’s business interest income over the sum of the Fund’s (i) business interest expense and (ii) other deductions properly allocable to the Fund’s business interest income.
An additional 3.8% tax will be imposed in respect of the net investment income of certain individuals and on the undistributed net investment income of certain estates and trusts to the extent such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts. For these purposes, “net investment income” will generally include, among other things, dividends (including dividends paid with respect to the Shares to the extent paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles) and net gain attributable to the disposition of property not held in a trade or business (which could include net gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Shares), but will be reduced by any deductions properly allocable to such income or net gain. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the additional taxation of net investment income.
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Income from Repurchases and Transfers of Shares
A repurchase or transfer of Shares by the Fund generally will be treated as a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, either as a “sale or exchange,” or, under certain circumstances, as a “dividend.” In general, the transaction should be treated as a sale or exchange of the Shares if the receipt of cash results in a meaningful reduction in the Shareholder’s proportionate interest in the Fund or results in a “complete redemption” of the Shareholder’s Shares, in each case applying certain constructive ownership rules in the Code. Alternatively, if a Shareholder does not tender all of his or her Shares, such repurchase or transfer may not be treated as a sale or exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the gross amount of such repurchase or transfer may constitute a dividend to the Shareholder to the extent of such Shareholder’s pro rata share of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.
If the repurchase or transfer of a Shareholder’s Shares qualifies for sale or exchange treatment, the Shareholder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount received in exchange for the repurchased or transferred Shares and the adjusted tax basis of those Shares. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the repurchased or transferred Shares were held by the Shareholder as capital assets, and generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the repurchased or transferred Shares were held by the Shareholder for more than one year, or as short-term capital gain or loss if the repurchased or transferred Shares were held by the Shareholder for one year or less.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any capital loss realized by a Shareholder will be disallowed to the extent the Shares repurchased or transferred by the Fund are replaced (including through reinvestment of dividends) either with Shares or substantially identical securities within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the repurchase of the Shares. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected as an upward adjustment to the basis of the Shares acquired. The deductibility of capital losses may be subject to statutory limitations.
If the repurchase or transfer of a Shareholder’s Shares does not qualify for sale or exchange treatment, the Shareholder may be treated as having received, in whole or in part, a taxable dividend, a tax-free return of capital or taxable capital gain, depending on (i) whether the Fund has sufficient earnings and profits to support a dividend and (ii) the Shareholder’s tax basis in the relevant Shares.
The tax basis in the Shares repurchased or transferred by the Fund, to the extent remaining after any dividend and return of capital distribution with respect to those Shares, will be added to the tax basis of any remaining Shares held by the Shareholder.
The Fund generally will be required to report to the IRS and each Shareholder the cost basis and holding period for each respective Shareholder’s Shares repurchased or transferred by the Fund. The Fund has elected the average cost method as the default cost basis method for purposes of this requirement. If a Shareholder wishes to accept the average cost method as its default cost basis calculation method in respect of Shares in its account, the Shareholder does not need to take any additional action. If, however, a Shareholder wishes to affirmatively elect an alternative cost basis calculation method in respect of its Shares, the Shareholder must contact the Fund’s administrator to obtain and complete a cost basis election form. The cost basis method applicable to a particular Share repurchase may not be changed after the valuation date established by the Fund in respect of that repurchase or Share transfer. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding their cost basis reporting options and to obtain more information about how the cost basis reporting rules apply to them.
A sale of Shares, other than in the context of a repurchase or transfer of Shares by the Fund, generally will have the same tax consequences as described above in respect of a Share repurchase or transfer that qualifies for “sale or exchange” treatment.
If a Shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Shares in excess of certain prescribed thresholds (generally, $2,500,000 or more for an individual Shareholder or $10,000,000 or more for a corporate Shareholder), the Shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on an IRS Form 8886. Direct investors of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but, under current guidance, equity owners of RICs are not excepted. The fact that a loss is reportable as just described does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of this reporting requirement in light of their particular circumstances.
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Other Considerations
Unless and until the Fund is considered under the Code to be a “publicly offered regulated investment company,” for purposes of computing the taxable income of U.S. Shareholders that are individuals, trusts or estates, (1) the Fund’s earnings will be computed without taking into account such U.S. Shareholders’ allocable shares of the Management Fees and certain other expenses, (2) each such U.S. Shareholder will be treated as having received or accrued a dividend from the Fund in the amount of such U.S. Shareholder’s allocable share of these fees and expenses for such taxable year, (3) each such U.S. Shareholder will be treated as having paid or incurred such U.S. Shareholder’s allocable share of these fees and expenses for the calendar year and (4) each such U.S. Shareholder’s allocable share of these fees and expenses will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions by such U.S. stockholder. For taxable years beginning before 2026, miscellaneous itemized deductions generally are not deductible by a U.S. Shareholder that is an individual, trust or estate. For taxable years beginning in 2026 or later, miscellaneous itemized deductions generally are deductible by a U.S. Shareholder that is an individual, trust or estate only to the extent that the aggregate of such U.S. Shareholder’s miscellaneous itemized deductions exceeds 2% of such U.S. stockholder’s adjusted gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are not deductible for purposes of the alternative minimum tax and are subject to the overall limitation on itemized deductions under Section 68 of the Code. In addition, if the Fund is not treated as a “publicly offered regulated investment company,” the Fund will be subject to limitations on the deductibility of certain “preferential dividends” that are distributed to U.S. stockholders on a non-pro-rata basis. A “publicly offered regulated investment company” is a RIC whose equity interests are (i) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering, (ii) regularly traded on an established securities market, or (iii) held by at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year.
Fund Investments
The Fund will invest a portion of its assets in Investment Funds, some of which may be classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. An entity that is properly classified as a partnership (and not an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation) generally is not subject to an entity-level U.S. federal income tax. Instead, each partner of the partnership is required to take into account its distributive share of the partnership’s net capital gain or loss, net short-term capital gain or loss, and its other items of ordinary income or loss (including all items of income, gain, loss and deduction allocable to that partnership from investments in other partnerships) for each taxable year of the partnership ending with or within the partner’s taxable year. Each such item will have the same character to a partner and will generally have the same source (either United States or foreign), as though the partner realized the item directly. Partners of a partnership must report these items regardless of the extent to which, or whether, the partnership or the partners receive cash distributions for such taxable year. Accordingly, the Fund may be required to recognize items of taxable income and gain prior to the time that any corresponding cash distributions are made to or by the Fund and certain Investment Funds (including in circumstances where investments by the Investment Funds, such as investments in debt instrument with “original issue discount,” generate income prior to a corresponding receipt of cash). In such case, the Fund may have to dispose of interests in Investment Funds that it would otherwise have continued to hold, or devise other methods of cure, to the extent certain Investment Funds earn income of a type that is not qualifying gross income for purposes of the gross income test or hold assets that could cause the Fund not to satisfy the RIC asset diversification test.
Some of the income that the Fund may earn directly or through an Investment Fund, such as income recognized from an equity investment in an operating partnership, may not satisfy the gross income test. To manage the risk that such income might jeopardize the Fund’s tax status as a RIC resulting from a failure to satisfy the gross income test, one or more subsidiary entities treated as U.S. corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be employed to earn such income and (if applicable) hold the related investment. Such subsidiary entities generally will be required to incur entity-level income taxes on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce the return to Shareholders.
UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, REFERENCES IN THIS DISCUSSION TO THE FUND’S INVESTMENTS, ACTIVITIES, INCOME, GAIN AND LOSS, INCLUDE THE DIRECT INVESTMENTS OR CO-INVESTMENTS, ACTIVITIES, INCOME, GAIN AND LOSS OF BOTH THE FUND, AS WELL AS THOSE INDIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE FUND AS A RESULT OF THE FUND’S INVESTMENT IN ANY INVESTMENT FUND (OR OTHER ENTITY) THAT IS PROPERLY CLASSIFIED AS A PARTNERSHIP OR DISREGARDED ENTITY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (AND NOT AN ASSOCIATION OR PUBLICLY TRADED PARTNERSHIP TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION).
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Ordinarily, gains and losses realized from portfolio transactions will be characterized as capital gains and losses. However, because the functional currency of the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes is the U.S. dollar, a portion of the gain or loss realized from the disposition of foreign currencies (including foreign currency denominated bank deposits) and non-U.S. dollar denominated securities (including debt instruments, certain futures or forward contracts and options, and similar financial instruments) is generally characterized as ordinary income or loss in accordance with Section 988 of the Code. Section 988 of the Code similarly provides that gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates that occur between the time the Fund accrues interest or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time such receivables are collected or the time that the liabilities are paid would be generally characterized as ordinary income or loss. In addition, all or a portion of any gains realized from the sale or other disposition of certain market discount bonds will be characterized as ordinary income. Finally, all or a portion of any gain realized from engaging in “conversion transactions” (as defined in the Code to generally include certain transactions designed to convert ordinary income into capital gain) may be characterized as ordinary income.
Hedging and Derivative Transactions
Gain or loss, if any, realized from certain financial futures or forward contracts and options transactions (“Section 1256 Contracts”) generally is treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Gain or loss will arise upon exercise or lapse of Section 1256 Contracts. In addition, any Section 1256 Contracts remaining unexercised both at October 31 of each calendar year as well as at the end of the Fund’s taxable year are treated as sold for their then fair market value, resulting in the recognition of gain or loss characterized in the manner described above.
The Fund may acquire certain foreign currency forward contracts, enter into certain foreign currency futures contracts, acquire put and call options on foreign currencies, or acquire or enter into similar foreign currency-related financial instruments. Generally, foreign currency regulated futures contracts and option contracts that qualify as Section 1256 Contracts will not be subject to ordinary income or loss treatment under Section 988 of the Code. However, if the Fund acquires or enters into any foreign currency futures contracts or options contracts that are not Section 1256 Contracts, or any foreign currency forward contracts or similar foreign currency-related financial instruments, any gain or loss realized by the Fund with respect to such contract or financial instruments generally will be characterized as ordinary gain or loss unless the contract or financial instrument in question is a capital asset in the hands of the Fund and is not part of a straddle transaction (as described below), and an election is made by the Fund (before the close of the day the transaction is entered into) to characterize the gain or loss attributable to such contract or financial instrument as capital gain or loss.
Offsetting positions held by the Fund, or the Investment Funds, involving certain financial futures or forward contracts or options transactions with respect to actively traded personal property may be considered, for tax purposes, to constitute “straddles.” In addition, investments by the Fund in particular combinations of Investment Funds may also be treated as a “straddle.” To the extent the straddle rules apply to positions established by the Fund, or the Investment Funds, losses realized by the Fund may be deferred to the extent of unrealized gain in the offsetting positions. Further, short-term capital loss on straddle positions may be recharacterized as long-term capital loss, and long-term capital gains on straddle positions may be treated as short-term capital gains or ordinary income. Certain of the straddle positions held by the Fund, or the Investment Funds, may constitute “mixed straddles.” One or more elections may be made in respect of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “mixed straddles,” resulting in different tax consequences. In certain circumstances, the provisions governing the tax treatment of straddles override or modify certain of the provisions discussed above.
If the Fund, or possibly an Investment Fund, either (1) holds an appreciated financial position with respect to stock, certain debt obligations or partnership interests (“appreciated financial position”), and then enters into a short sale, futures, forward, or offsetting notional principal contract (collectively, a “Contract”) with respect to the same or substantially identical property, or (2) holds an appreciated financial position that is a Contract and then acquires property that is the same as, or substantially identical to, the underlying property, the Fund generally will be taxed as if the appreciated financial position were sold at its fair market value on the date the Fund, or such Investment Fund, enters into the financial position or acquires the property, respectively. The foregoing will not apply, however, to any transaction during any taxable year that otherwise would be treated as a constructive sale if the transaction is closed within 30 days after the end of that year and the appreciated financial position is held unhedged for 60 days after that closing (i.e., at no time during that 60-day period is the risk of loss relating to the appreciated financial position reduced
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by reason of certain specified transactions with respect to substantially identical or related property, such as by reason of an option to sell, being contractually obligated to sell, making a short sale, or granting an option to buy substantially identical stock or securities).
If the Fund, or possibly an Investment Fund, enters into certain derivatives (including forward contracts, long positions under notional principal contracts, and related puts and calls) with respect to equity interests in certain pass-thru entities (including other RICs, REITs, partnerships, real estate mortgage investment conduits and certain trusts and foreign corporations), long-term capital gain with respect to the derivative may be recharacterized as ordinary income to the extent it exceeds the long-term capital gain that would have been realized had the interest in the pass-thru entity been held directly during the term of the derivative contract. Any gain recharacterized as ordinary income will be treated as accruing at a constant rate over the term of the derivative contract and may be subject to an interest charge. The U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) and the IRS have the authority to issue regulations expanding the application of these rules to derivatives with respect to debt instruments and/or stock in corporations that are not pass-thru entities.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies and Controlled Foreign Corporations
The Fund may indirectly hold equity interests in non-U.S. Investment Funds and/or non-U.S. portfolio companies that may be treated as “passive foreign investment companies” (each, a “PFIC”) under the Code. A PFIC is generally defined as a non-U.S. entity which is classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and which earns at least 75% of its annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, rents, royalties or capital gain) or which holds at least 50% of its total assets in assets producing such passive income. The Fund may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, at ordinary income rates, on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such interests even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Fund to its Shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the Fund in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. If an election is made to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code (a “QEF”), then the Fund would be required, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, to include in income each year a portion of the QEF’s ordinary earnings and net capital gain (at ordinary income and capital gains rates, respectively), even if not distributed to the Fund. If the QEF incurs losses for a taxable year, these losses will not pass through to the Fund and, accordingly, cannot offset other income and/or gains of the Fund. The QEF election may not be able to be made with respect to many PFICs because of certain requirements that the PFICs themselves would have to satisfy. Alternatively, in certain cases, an election can be made to mark-to-market the shares of a PFIC held by the Fund at the end of the Fund’s taxable year (as well as on certain other dates prescribed in the Code). In this case, the Fund would recognize as ordinary income its share of any increase in the value of such PFIC shares, and as ordinary loss its share of any decrease in such value, to the extent such did not exceed its share of prior increases in income derived from such PFIC shares. Under either election, the Fund might be required to recognize income in excess of its distributions from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock during the applicable taxable year and such income would nevertheless be subject to the distribution requirement and would be taken into account under prescribed timing rules for purposes of the 4% excise tax (described above).
Dividends paid by PFICs will not be treated as “qualified dividend income.” In certain cases, the Fund will not be the party legally permitted to make the QEF election or the mark-to-market election in respect of indirectly held PFICs and, in such cases, will not have control over whether the party within the chain of ownership that is legally permitted to make the QEF or mark-to-market election will do so.
If the Fund holds 10% or more (by vote or value) of the interests treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a foreign entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and considered a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) under the Code, the Fund may be treated as receiving a deemed distribution (i.e., characterized as ordinary income) each taxable year from such foreign corporation in an amount equal to its pro rata share of such entity’s income for such taxable year (including both ordinary earnings and capital gains), whether or not the entity makes an actual distribution during such taxable year. The Fund would be required to include the amount of a deemed distribution from a CFC when computing its investment company taxable income as well as in determining whether the Fund satisfies the distribution requirements applicable to RICs, even to the extent the amount of the Fund’s income deemed recognized from the CFC exceeds the amount of any actual distributions from the CFC and the proceeds from any sales or other dispositions of CFC stock during the Fund’s taxable year. In general, a foreign entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be considered a CFC if greater than 50% of the shares of the corporation, measured by reference to combined voting power or value, is owned (directly,
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indirectly or by attribution) by U.S. Shareholders. A “U.S. Shareholder,” for this purpose, is any U.S. person that possesses (actually or constructively) 10% or more of the combined voting power or value of all classes of shares of a foreign entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Under applicable final Treasury regulations, certain income derived by the Fund from a CFC or a PFIC with respect to which the Fund has made a QEF election would generally constitute qualifying income under the gross income test for purposes of determining the Fund’s ability to be subject to tax as a RIC only to the extent the CFC or the PFIC makes current distributions of that income to the Fund or the included income is derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stocks and securities. The Fund may be restricted in its ability to make QEF elections with respect to the Fund’s holdings in Investment Funds and other issuers that could be treated as PFICs or implement certain restrictions with the respect to any Investment Funds or other issuers that could be treated as CFCs in order to limit the Fund’s tax liability or maximize the Fund’s after-tax return from these investments.
State and Local Taxes
In addition to the U.S. federal income tax consequences summarized above, Shareholders and prospective Shareholders should consider the potential state and local tax consequences associated with an investment in the Fund. The Fund may become subject to income and other taxes in states and localities based on the Fund’s investments in entities that conduct business in those jurisdictions. Shareholders will generally be taxable in their state of residence with respect to their income or gains earned and distributed by the Fund as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or the amount of their investment in the Fund.
Foreign Taxes
The Fund’s investment in non-U.S. stocks or securities may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by countries outside the United States. In that case, the Fund’s yield on those stocks or securities would be decreased. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the Fund’s assets at year-end consists of the stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to permit its Shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on their income tax returns for their pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid or deemed paid by the Fund to foreign countries in respect of foreign stock or securities the Fund has held for at least the minimum period specified in the Code. In such a case, Shareholders of the Fund will include in gross income from foreign sources their pro rata shares of such taxes. The Fund does not expect to meet the requirements to make the election described above in respect of the treatment of foreign taxes.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information returns will generally be filed with the IRS in connection with distributions made by the Fund to Shareholders unless Shareholders establish they are exempt from such information reporting (e.g., by properly establishing that they are classified as corporations for U.S. federal tax purposes). Additionally, the Fund may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal income taxes, a portion of all taxable dividends and repurchase proceeds payable to Shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers, generally on an IRS Form W-9, or who otherwise fail to make required certifications, or if the Fund or the Shareholder has been notified by the IRS that such Shareholder is subject to backup withholding. Certain Shareholders specified in the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder are exempt from backup withholding, but they may be required to demonstrate their exempt status. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld will be allowed as a refund or a credit against the Shareholder’s federal income tax liability if the appropriate information is provided to the IRS.
U.S. Federally Tax-Exempt Shareholders
Under current law, the Fund serves to “block” (that is, prevent the attribution to Shareholders of) unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) from being realized by its U.S. federally tax-exempt Shareholders (including, among others, individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a U.S. federally tax-exempt Shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in Shares of the Fund if the US, federally tax-exempt Shareholder has engaged in a borrowing or other similar transaction to acquire its Shares. A tax-exempt Shareholder may also recognize UBTI if the Fund were to recognize “excess inclusion income” derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in real
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estate mortgage investment conduits or taxable mortgage pools. If a charitable remainder annuity trust or a charitable remainder unitrust (each as defined in Section 664 of the Code) has UBTI for a taxable year, a 100% excise tax on the UBTI is imposed on the trust.
Foreign Shareholders
U.S. taxation of a Shareholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate, or a foreign corporation (“Foreign Shareholder”) as defined in the Code, depends on whether the income of the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the Foreign Shareholder.
Income Not Effectively Connected. If the income from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the Foreign Shareholder, distributions of investment company taxable income will generally be subject to a U.S. tax of 30% (or lower treaty rate, except in the case of any “excess inclusion income” allocated to the Foreign Shareholder), which tax is generally withheld from such distributions. Capital gain dividends and any amounts retained by the Fund which are properly reported by the Fund as undistributed capital gains will not be subject to U.S. tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate), unless the Foreign Shareholder is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements. In order to qualify for any reduction or exemption from U.S. withholding tax, a Foreign Shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8IMY or IRS Form W-8EXP, or an acceptable substitute or successor form). However, this 30% tax on capital gains of nonresident alien individuals who are physically present in the United States for more than the 182 day period only applies in exceptional cases because any individual present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year is generally treated as a resident for U.S. income tax purposes; in that case, he or she would be subject to U.S. income tax on his or her worldwide income at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, rather than the 30% tax.
Any capital gain that a Foreign Shareholder realizes upon a repurchase of Shares or otherwise upon a sale or exchange of Shares will ordinarily be exempt from U.S. tax unless, in the case of a Foreign Shareholder that is a nonresident alien individual, the gain is U.S. source income and such Foreign Shareholder is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements. However, this 30% tax on capital gains of nonresident alien individuals who are physically present in the United States for more than the 182 day period only applies in exceptional cases because any individual present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year is generally treated as a resident for U.S. income tax purposes; in that case, he or she would be subject to U.S. income tax on his or her worldwide income at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, rather than the 30% tax.
Income Effectively Connected. If the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a Foreign Shareholder, then distributions of investment company taxable income and capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by the Fund which are reported by the Fund as undistributed capital gains, and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of Shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. income tax at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents and domestic corporations. Corporate Foreign Shareholders may also be subject to the branch profits tax imposed by the Code.
In the case of a Foreign Shareholder, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax from distributions and repurchase proceeds that are otherwise exempt from withholding tax (or taxable at a reduced treaty rate), unless the Foreign Shareholder certifies his foreign status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption in the manner discussed above.
The tax consequences to a Foreign Shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein. Foreign Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
The Fund is required under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) provisions of the Code to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of amounts treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes made to certain non-U.S. entities (including financial intermediaries) that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant)
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with extensive reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the Treasury of U.S.- owned foreign investment accounts unless various U.S. information reporting and diligence requirements (that are in addition to and significantly more onerous than, the requirement to deliver an applicable U.S. nonresident withholding tax certification form (e.g., IRS Form W-8BEN)) and certain other requirements have been satisfied. The information required to be reported includes the identity and taxpayer identification number of each account holder and transaction activity within the holder’s account. Persons located in jurisdictions that have entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. to implement FATCA may be subject to different rules. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.
Other Taxation
The foregoing represents a summary of the general tax rules and considerations affecting Shareholders and the Fund’s operations, and neither purports to be a complete analysis of all relevant tax rules and considerations, nor does it purport to be a complete listing of all potential tax risks inherent in making an investment in the Fund. A Shareholder may be subject to other taxes, including but not limited to, other state, local, and foreign taxes, estate and inheritance taxes, or intangible property taxes, that may be imposed by various jurisdictions. The Fund also may be subject to additional state, local, or foreign taxes that could reduce the amounts distributable to Shareholders. It is the responsibility of each Shareholder to file all appropriate tax returns that may be required. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in Shares and the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund. In addition to the particular matters set forth in this section, tax-exempt entities should carefully review those section of the Prospectus and this SAI regarding liquidity and other financial matters to ascertain whether the investment objectives of the Fund are consistent with their overall investment plans.
ERISA AND CERTAIN OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Persons who are fiduciaries with respect to an employee benefit plan, IRA, Keogh plan, or other arrangement subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), or the Code (an “ERISA Plan”) should consider, among other things, the matters described below before determining whether to invest in the Fund. ERISA imposes certain general and specific responsibilities on persons who are fiduciaries with respect to an ERISA Plan, including prudence, diversification, an obligation not to engage in a prohibited transaction and other standards.
An ERISA Plan that proposes to invest in the Fund may be required to represent to the Board of Trustees that it, and any fiduciaries responsible for such ERISA Plan’s investments, are aware of and understand the Fund’s investment objective; policies and strategies; that the decision to invest plan assets in the Fund was made with appropriate consideration of relevant investment factors with regard to the ERISA Plan; and that the decision to invest plan assets in the Fund is consistent with the duties and responsibilities imposed upon fiduciaries with regard to their investment decisions under ERISA and the Code, as applicable.
Certain prospective Benefit Plan Shareholders may currently maintain relationships with the Advisers or their affiliates. Each of such persons may be deemed to be a fiduciary of or other party in interest or disqualified person of any Benefit Plan to which it provides investment management, investment advisory or other services. ERISA prohibits (and the Code penalizes) the use of ERISA Plan assets for the benefit of a party in interest, and also prohibits (or penalizes) an ERISA Plan fiduciary from using its position to cause such ERISA Plan to make an investment from which it or certain third-parties in which such fiduciary has an interest would receive a fee or other consideration. ERISA Plan Shareholders should consult with their own counsel and other advisors to determine if participation in the Fund is a transaction that is prohibited by ERISA or the Code or is otherwise inappropriate. Fiduciaries of ERISA Plan Shareholders may be required to represent that the decision to invest in the Fund was made by them as fiduciaries that are independent of such affiliated persons, that such fiduciaries are duly authorized to make such investment decision and that they have not relied on any individualized advice of such affiliated persons as a basis for the decision to invest in the Fund.
Employee benefit plans or similar arrangements which are not subject to either ERISA or the related provisions of the Code may be subject to other rules governing such plans, and such plans are not addressed above; fiduciaries of employee benefit plans or similar arrangements which are not subject to ERISA, whether or not subject to the Code, should consult with their own counsel and other advisors regarding such matters.
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The provisions of ERISA and the Code are subject to extensive and continuing administrative and judicial interpretation and review. The discussion of ERISA and the Code contained herein is, of necessity, general and may be affected by future publication of regulations and rulings. Potential investors should consult their legal advisers regarding the consequences under ERISA and the Code of the acquisition and ownership of Shares.
THE FUND’S SALE OF SHARES TO ERISA PLANS IS IN NO RESPECT A REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY BY THE FUND, THE ADVISERS, OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, OR BY ANY OTHER PERSON ASSOCIATED WITH THE SALE OF THE SHARES, THAT SUCH INVESTMENT BY ANY ERISA PLAN MEETS ALL RELEVANT LEGAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO ERISA PLANS GENERALLY OR TO ANY PARTICULAR ERISA PLAN, OR THAT SUCH INVESTMENT IS OTHERWISE APPROPRIATE FOR ERISA PLANS GENERALLY OR FOR ANY PARTICULAR ERISA PLAN.
ADMINISTRATOR AND SUB-ADMINISTRATOR
The Administrator, when providing services under the administration agreement, serves as the Fund’s administrator and will provide certain administrative and fund accounting services to the Fund. Under the terms of an administration agreement between the Fund and the Administrator (the “Administration Agreement”), the Administrator is responsible for, among other things, certain administration, accounting and investor services for the Fund. In consideration for these services, the Fund pays the Administrator the Administration Fee in an amount up to 0.12% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s net assets. The Administration Fee is calculated based on the Fund’s month-end net asset value and payable monthly in arrears. The Administration Fee is an expense paid out of the Fund’s net assets. The Administrator’s principal business address is 128 S Tryon St., Suite 1600, Charlotte, NC 28202.
The Administration Agreement provides that, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the responsibilities, obligations or duties thereunder, neither the Administrator nor its shareholders, officers, directors, employees, agents or control persons shall be liable for any act or omission in connection with or arising out of any services rendered under the Administration Agreement.
UMB Fund Services, Inc. serves as the Fund’s sub-administrator (the “Sub-Administrator”) and performs certain sub-administration and sub-accounting services for the Fund. In consideration of the sub-administrative services and sub-accounting services provided by the Sub-Administrator to the Fund, the Administrator pays the Sub-Administrator from the proceeds of the Administration Fee a sub-administration fee (the “Sub-Administration Fee”) in an amount up to 0.08% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s net assets, subject to a minimum annual fee. The Sub-Administration Fee is calculated based on the Fund’s month-end net asset value and payable monthly in arrears. The Sub-Administrator’s principal business address is 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
UMB Bank, N.A. (the “Custodian”) serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets and may maintain custody of the Fund’s assets with domestic and foreign sub-custodians (which may be banks, trust companies, securities depositories and clearing agencies) approved by the Trustees. Assets of the Fund are not held by the Advisers or commingled with the assets of other accounts other than to the extent that securities are held in the name of a custodian in a securities depository, clearing agency or omnibus customer account of such custodian. The Custodian’s principal business address is 928 Grand Blvd., 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
UMB Fund Services, Inc. serves as Transfer Agent with respect to maintaining the registry of the Fund’s Shareholders and processing matters relating to subscriptions for, and repurchases of, Shares. The Transfer Agent’s principal business address is 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Ernst & Young LLP serves as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund. Its principal business address is One Manhattan West, New York, NY 10001.
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DISTRIBUTOR
UMB Distribution Services, LLC acts as the distributor of the Fund’s Shares. The Distributor’s principal business address is 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Dechert LLP, New York, New York, acts as legal counsel to the Fund. Its principal business address is 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
To the knowledge of the Fund, as of June 30, 2023, the following persons owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding Shares of a class. As of June 30, 2023, to the knowledge of the Fund, the officers and trustees of the Fund as a group beneficially owned 0.5% of the Fund.
Class |
Name & Address |
Percentage of Class | ||
Class I | StepStone Private Markets Feeder LTD c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited PO Box 309, Ugland House George Town Grand Cayman KY1-1104 Cayman Islands |
19.0% | ||
Class T | LPL Financial LLC 1055 LPL Way Fort Mill, SC 29715 |
32.9% |
As of the date of this Prospectus, there were no Shareholders that held greater than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund. A control person generally is a person who beneficially owns more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such company. Control persons could have the ability to vote a majority of the shares of a fund on any matter requiring the approval of shareholders of such fund.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
By January 31 of the following year, Shareholders will be provided a Form 1099, containing information regarding the amount and character of distributions received from the Fund during the preceding calendar year. The Fund will prepare and transmit to its Shareholders, a semi-annual and an audited annual report within 60 days after the close of the period for which it is being made, or as otherwise required by the 1940 Act. Quarterly reports from the Adviser regarding the Fund’s operations during such period also will be made available to the Fund’s Shareholders.
FISCAL YEAR
For accounting purposes, the fiscal year of the Fund is the 12-month period ending on March 31. The 12-month period ending September 30 of each year will be the taxable year of the Fund unless otherwise determined by the Fund.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited consolidated financial statements and related report of Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm, are herein incorporated by reference from the Fund’s annual report for the period ended March 31, 2023. The Fund’s annual report and semi-annual reports are available upon request, without charge, by calling (704) 215-4300, by visiting the Fund’s website at www.stepstonepw.com or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. for the year ended March 31, 2023. The Fund’s annual report and semi-annual reports are available upon request, without charge, by calling (704) 215-4300, by visiting the Fund’s website at www.stepstonepw.com or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
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ANNEX A STEPSTONE GROUP PRIVATE WEALTH LLC
PROXY VOTING POLICY
Pursuant to Rule 206(4)-6 and Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act, it is a fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative act, practice or course of business, within the meaning of Section 206(4) of the Advisers Act, for an investment adviser to exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, unless (A) the adviser has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of its clients, (B) the adviser describes its proxy voting procedures to its clients and provides copies on request, and (C) the adviser discloses to clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser voted their proxies.
VOTING PROXIES
The Sub-Adviser is responsible for voting proxies on behalf of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser must vote proxies in a way that is consistent with the Sub-Adviser’s fiduciary duty to the Fund, and any investment policy of the Fund and maintain records of proxies voted, together with a brief explanation why votes were cast in a particular way.
The Sub-Adviser, as a matter of policy and as a fiduciary to the Fund, has responsibility for voting proxies for portfolio securities consistent with the best economic interest of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser’s policy and practice includes the responsibility to monitor corporate actions, receive and vote client proxies and disclose any potential conflicts of interest as well as make information available to clients about the voting of proxies for their portfolio securities and maintaining relevant and required records.
The Sub-Adviser has adopted the following procedures to implement StepStone’s firm policy in regard to the Fund.
Voting Procedures
All investment professionals will forward any proxy materials received on behalf of the Fund to the Sub-Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer, as applicable.
The Sub-Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer, as applicable, will verify the Fund holds the security to which the proxy relates.
Absent material conflicts, the investment professionals responsible for the investment to which the proxy materials relate, in consultation with Sub-Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer will determine how the Sub-Adviser should vote the proxy in accordance with applicable voting guidelines, complete the proxy, and vote the proxy in a timely and appropriate manner.
Voting Guidelines
The Sub-Adviser will vote proxies in the best interests of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser’s policy is to vote all proxies from a specific issuer the same way for each client absent qualifying restrictions from a client or as documented in the file by Sub-Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer, as applicable. Clients of the Sub-Adviser, outside of the Fund, are permitted to place reasonable restrictions on the Sub-Adviser’s voting authority in the same manner that they may place such restrictions on the actual selection of account securities.
The Sub-Adviser will generally vote in favor of routine corporate housekeeping proposals such as to change capitalization (e.g., increase the authorized number of common or preferred shares of stock (to the extent there are not disproportionate voting rights per preferred share)), the election of directors, setting the time and place of the annual meeting, change of fiscal year, change of name, and selection of auditors absent conflicts of interest raised by an auditor’s non-audit services.
In the case of non-routine matters, voting decisions will generally be made in support of management, unless it is believed that such recommendation is not in the best interests of the Fund. On a case by case basis, the Sub-Adviser will decide non-routine matters, taking into account the opinion of management and the effect on management, and the effect on shareholder value and the issuer’s business practices. These matters include, but are
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not limited to, change of domicile, change in preemptive rights or cumulative voting rights, compensation plans, investment restrictions for social policy goals, precatory proposals, classification of the board of directors, poison pill proposals or amendments, recapitalizations, and super-majority voting.
The Sub-Adviser will abstain from voting if it is determined to be in the best interests of the Fund. In making such a determination, various factors will be considered, including, but not limited to, the costs associated with exercising the proxy (e.g., travel or translation costs) and any legal restrictions on trading resulting from the exercise of the proxy. In consultation with the Sub-Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer, as applicable, the Sub-Adviser may also consider any special regulatory implications applicable to the client or the Sub-Adviser resulting from the exercise of the proxy.
Conflicts of Interest
The Sub-Adviser will identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of the Sub-Adviser and the client by reviewing the relationship of the Sub-Adviser with the issuer of each security to determine if the Sub-Adviser or any of its employees has any financial, business or personal relationship with the issuer.
If a material conflict of interest exists, the Sub-Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer, as applicable, will determine whether it is appropriate to disclose the conflict to the affected clients, to give the clients an opportunity to vote the proxies themselves, or to address the voting issue through other objective means such as voting in a manner consistent with a predetermined voting policy or receiving an independent third party voting recommendation.
The Sub-Adviser will maintain a record of the resolution of any conflict of interest.
Recordkeeping
The Sub-Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer, as applicable, shall retain the following proxy records in accordance with the SEC’s five-year retention requirement.
• | These policies and procedures and any amendments. |
• | Each proxy statement that the Sub-Adviser receives. |
• | A record of each vote that the Sub-Adviser casts. |
• | Any document the Sub-Adviser created that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies, or that memorializes that decision including periodic reports to the Sub-Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer or proxy committee, if applicable. |
• | A copy of each written request from the Board for information on how the Sub-Adviser voted the Fund’s proxies, and a copy of any written response. |
Private Markets Investments
Investments in private markets are often subject to contractual agreements among the investors in the fund or company. If the Sub-Adviser has the authority to vote with respect to the interests, it will exercise its rights in accord with its contractual obligations and, if its vote is not constrained by contract, the Sub-Adviser will determine how to vote based on the principles described above. Records relating to the vote will be kept for the five-year retention period.
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PART C
(1) | Financial Statements: |
Part A: Financial Highlights.
Part B: Incorporated by reference to the Fund’s annual report for the period ended March 31, 2023, filed electronically pursuant to Section 30(b)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(2) | Exhibits: |
(1) | Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 filed on October 4, 2019. |
(2) | Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit of Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 filed on April 13, 2020. |
(3) | Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit of Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 filed on July 2, 2020. |
(4) | Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit of Amendment No. 12 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 filed on July 29, 2022. |
(5) | Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit of Amendment No. 13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 filed on November 14, 2022. |
(6) | Filed herewith. |
MARKETING ARRANGEMENTS
Not Applicable.
OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this registration statement:
Blue Sky Fees |
$ | 40,000 | ||
Printing |
$ | 60,000 | ||
Registration Fees |
$ | 60,000 | ||
Legal Fees |
$ | 400,000 | ||
Total |
$ | 560,000 |
PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL
As of March 31, 2023, each of SPRIM LLC (“SPRIM”), a Delaware limited liability company, as well as SPRIM Cayman LLC, SPRIM Cayman II LLC and SPRIM Cayman III LLC (together “SPRIM Cayman” and collectively with SPRIM, the “Subsidiaries”), which are limited liability companies registered in the Cayman Islands, are wholly owned by the Registrant. The Subsidiaries’ financial statements are and will be included, on a consolidated basis, in the Registrant’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.
No other person is directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with the Registrant, except that the Registrant may be deemed to be controlled by SPW, the investment adviser to the Registrant. The Adviser was formed under the laws of the State of Delaware. Additional information regarding the Adviser is set out in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC File No. 801-117639).
NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Set forth below is the number of holders of securities of the Registrant as of June 30, 2023:
Title of Class |
Number of Record Holders | |||
Shares of Beneficial Interest, Class D |
324 | |||
Shares of Beneficial Interest, Class I |
4,370 | |||
Shares of Beneficial Interest, Class S |
497 | |||
Shares of Beneficial Interest, Class T |
69 |
INDEMNIFICATION
Reference is made to Article 5.2 of the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust filed as Exhibit (a) (3) to this Registration Statement. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to the Advisers, officers and controlling persons of the Fund pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Fund has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Fund of expenses incurred or paid by the Advisers, officer or controlling person of the Fund in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by the Advisers, officer or controlling person, the Fund will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The Fund hereby undertakes that it will apply the indemnification provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust in a manner consistent with Investment Company Act Release No. 11330 (Sept. 4, 1980) issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, so long as the interpretation of Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of the 1940 Act contained in that release remains in effect. The Fund, in conjunction with the Advisers and the Fund’s Board of Trustees, maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was an Independent Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Fund, against certain liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her or arising out of his or her position. In no event, however, will the Fund pay that portion of the premium, if any, for insurance to indemnify any such person or any act for which the Fund itself is not permitted to indemnify.
BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF ADVISER
A description of any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which the Adviser, and each , executive officer or partner of the Adviser, is or has been, at any time during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is set out in Registrant’s Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of the Fund” and in the section of the Statement of Additional Information captioned “Management of the Fund.” The information required by this Item 31 with respect to each director, officer or partner of the Adviser is incorporated by reference to Form ADV with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (File No. 801-117639).
LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
The Administrator maintains the required accounting related and financial books and other records of the Registrant at 128 S Tryon St., Suite 1600, Charlotte, NC 28202.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Not Applicable.
UNDERTAKINGS
(1) The Registrant hereby undertakes to suspend the offering of its shares until it amends its prospectus if (a) subsequent to the effective date of its registration statement, the net asset value declines more than 10 percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the Registration Statement or (b) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.
(2) Not Applicable.
(3) The Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement:
(1) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(2) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement; Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.
(3) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
(b) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
(c) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(d) that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(1) if the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (x), or (xi) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or
(2) that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C: Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use; and
(e) that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:
(1) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act of 1933;
(2) free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;
(3) the portion of any other free writing prospectus or advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
(4) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
(4) The Registrant undertakes that:
(a) Not applicable; and
(b) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(5) Not applicable.
(6) Not applicable.
(7) The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, StepStone Private Markets certifies that this Post-Effective Amendment meets all the requirements for effectiveness pursuant to Rule 486(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Charlotte and State of North Carolina on the 17th day of July 2023.
STEPSTONE PRIVATE MARKETS | ||
(A Delaware statutory trust) | ||
/s/ Robert W. Long | ||
By: | Robert W. Long | |
Title: | Trustee |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
/s/ Thomas K. Sittema* | Trustee | July 17, 2023 | ||
Thomas K. Sittema | ||||
/s/ Robert W. Long* | Trustee | July 17, 2023 | ||
Robert W. Long | ||||
/s/ Harold Mills* | Trustee | July 17, 2023 | ||
Harold Mills | ||||
/s/ Tracy Schmidt* | Trustee | July 17, 2023 | ||
Tracy Schmidt | ||||
/s/ Ron Sturzenegger* | Trustee | July 17, 2023 | ||
Ron Sturzenegger | ||||
/s/ Robert W. Long | President and Principal Executive Officer | July 17, 2023 | ||
Robert W. Long | ||||
/s/ Kimberly Zeitvogel | Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer | July 17, 2023 | ||
Kimberly Zeitvogel |
*By: |
/s/ Robert W. Long | |
Robert W. Long | ||
Attorney-in-Fact |
EXHIBIT INDEX
AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, as amended and restated as of this 16th day of July, 2023, by and between StepStone Private Markets, a Delaware statutory trust (the Fund), and StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Adviser).
1. Duties of Adviser. (a) The Fund hereby appoints the Adviser to act as investment adviser to the Fund, for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Fund employs the Adviser to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, continuously to review, supervise and administer the investment program of the Fund, to determine in its discretion the securities to be purchased or sold and the portion of the Funds assets to be held uninvested, to provide the Fund with records concerning the Advisers activities which the Fund is required to maintain and to render regular reports to the Funds officers and Board of Trustees (the Board) concerning the Advisers discharge of the foregoing responsibilities. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser is specifically authorized to invest discrete portions of the Funds assets (which may constitute, in the aggregate, all of the Funds assets) in (i) primary and secondary investments in private funds (Investment Funds) managed by third-party managers (Investment Managers) and (ii) direct investments in the equity and/or debt of operating companies, projects or properties, typically through co-investing alongside Investment Managers. The Fund has discussed and concurs in the Advisers employing StepStone Group LP to act as the Funds sub-investment adviser (the Sub-Adviser) to provide day-to-day management of the Funds investments.
(b) The Adviser is authorized, in its sole discretion, to:
(i) | obtain and evaluate pertinent economic, financial, and other information affecting the economy generally and certain investment assets as such information relates to securities, loans or other financial instruments that are purchased for or considered for purchase by the Fund; |
(ii) | make investment decisions for the Fund (including the exercise or disposition of rights accompanying portfolio securities, loans or other financial instruments (such as tender offers, exchanges, amendments, consents, waivers or forbearances) and other attendant rights thereto); |
(iii) | place purchase and sale orders for portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund and manage otherwise uninvested cash assets of the Fund; |
(iv) | arrange for the pricing of Fund securities, loans or other financial instruments; |
(v) | execute account documentation, agreements, contracts and other documents as may be requested by brokers, dealers, assignors, assignees, participants, counterparties and other persons in connection with the Advisers management of the assets of the Fund (in such respect, the Adviser will act as the Funds agent and attorney-in-fact); |
(vi) | employ professional portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research services to the Fund; |
(vii) | engage certain third-party professionals, consultants, experts or specialists in connection with the Advisers management of the assets of the Fund (in such respect, the Adviser will act as the Funds agent and attorney-in-fact); |
(viii) | make decisions with respect to the use by the Fund of borrowing for leverage or other investment purposes (in such respect, the Adviser will act as the Funds agent and attorney-in-fact); and |
(ix) | to engage one or more sub-advisors, including StepStone Group LP, subject to approval by the Board of the Fund. The Adviser will in general take such action as is appropriate to effectively manage the Funds investment portfolio and practices. |
(c) The Adviser accepts such employment and agrees to render the services and to provide, at its own expense, the office space, furnishings and equipment and the personnel required by it to perform the services described in this Section 1 on the terms and for the compensation provided herein, subject to the terms of the administration agreement between the Fund and the Adviser (the Administration Agreement).
2. Portfolio Transactions. (a) The Adviser is authorized to select the brokers or dealers that will execute the purchases and sales of securities for the Fund and is directed to use its best efforts to obtain the best available price and most favorable execution, except as prescribed herein.
(b) The Adviser may select affiliates of the Adviser as brokers or dealers in connection with purchase and sale transactions for the Fund. The Fund understands that such affiliates may provide execution services relative to the purchase and/or sale of securities for the Fund, provided that any such affiliate of the Adviser discloses at least annually, and as may be required under the Funds Rule 17e-1 Procedures, as amended from time to time with notice to the Adviser (the Procedures), the amount of the commission it has received. By executing this Agreement, the Fund authorizes an affiliate of the Adviser to effect securities transactions on behalf of the Fund and to retain compensation therewith, provided that any such compensation is permissible under the Procedures. This authorization is being executed and delivered pursuant to Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder.
(c) Unless and until otherwise directed by the Board of the Fund, the Adviser may also be authorized to effect individual securities transactions at commission rates in excess of the minimum commission rates available, if the Adviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage or research services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Advisers overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund. The execution of such transactions shall not be deemed to represent an unlawful act or breach of any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise.
(d) The Adviser will promptly communicate to the officers and the Board of the Fund such information relating to portfolio transactions as they may reasonably request.
3. Compensation of the Adviser. (a) For the services to be rendered by the Adviser as provided in Section 1 of this Agreement, the Fund shall pay to the Adviser at the end of each month (starting with the month investment operations commence) a fee (the Management Fee)
2
equal to 1.40% on an annualized basis of the Funds daily net assets, provided that the Management Fee shall in no instance be greater than a Management Fee computed based on the value of the net assets of the Fund as of the close of business on the last business day of the relevant month (including any assets in respect of Shares that would be repurchased by the Fund on such date). The Management Fee will be accrued daily and payable monthly in arrears within three business days of the determination of the Funds net assets but no later than twenty (20) business days after the end of the month. The Adviser will pay all fees of the Sub-Adviser in connection with its duties in respect of the Fund.
(b) [Reserved.]
(c) In the event of termination of this Agreement, the Management Fee provided in this Section 3 shall be prorated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period and will be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement, provided that the Management Fee shall in no instance be greater than a Management Fee computed based on the value of the net assets of the Fund as of the close of business on the last business day on which this Agreement is in effect subject to a pro rata adjustment based on the number of days elapsed in the current month as a percentage of the total number of days in such month.
4. Fund Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Administration Agreement or by law, the Adviser shall not be responsible for the Funds expenses and the Fund assumes and shall pay or cause to be paid all of its expenses, including without limitation, all Fund expenses set forth in the Funds then current Prospectus. To the extent the Adviser incurs any costs or performs any services which are an obligation of the Fund, the Fund shall promptly reimburse the Adviser for such costs and expenses. To the extent the services for which the Fund is obligated to pay are performed by the Adviser, the Adviser shall be entitled to recover from the Fund only to the extent of its costs for such services, as reasonably determined.
5. Information and Reports. (a) The Adviser will keep the Fund informed of developments relating to its duties as investment adviser of which the Adviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Fund. In this regard, the Adviser will provide the Fund and its officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Adviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Fund may from time to time reasonably request.
(b) The Adviser also will provide the Fund with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Fund required for reports to the shareholders of the Fund (collectively, Shareholders and each a Shareholder), amended registration statements, or prospectus supplements to be filed by the Fund with the SEC. The Adviser will promptly inform the Fund if, to the best of its knowledge, any information in the Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, is (or will become) materially inaccurate or incomplete.
6. Status of Adviser. The Adviser shall, for all purposes herein, be deemed to be an independent contractor. The services of the Adviser to the Fund are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any director, officer, owner, member, manager, partner or employee of the Adviser or its affiliates, who also may be a trustee, officer or employee of the Fund, to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature.
3
7. Liability of Adviser. In the absence of (a) willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in performance of its obligations and duties hereunder, (b) reckless disregard by the Adviser of its obligations and duties hereunder, or (c) a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services (in which case any award of damages shall be limited to the period and the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act)), the Adviser shall not be subject to any liability whatsoever to the Fund, or to any Shareholder for any error of judgment, mistake of law or any other act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder including, without limitation, for any losses that may be sustained in connection with the purchase, holding, redemption or sale of any security on behalf of the Fund.
8. Indemnification. (a) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Fund shall, subject to Section 8(c) of this Agreement, indemnify the Adviser (including for this purpose each officer, director, shareholder, partner, owner, member, manager, principal, employee or agent of, or any person who controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Adviser, and their respective executors, heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives (each such person, including the Adviser, being referred to as an indemnitee)) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses arising by reason of being or having been Adviser to the Fund, or the past or present performance of services to the Fund in accordance with this Agreement by the indemnitee, except to the extent that the loss, claim, damage, liability, cost or expense has been finally determined in a judicial decision on the merits from which no further appeal may be taken in any action, suit, investigation or other proceeding to have been incurred or suffered by the indemnitee by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the indemnitees office. These losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses include, but are not limited to, amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, or as fines or penalties, and counsel fees and expenses, incurred in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit, investigation or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any judicial, arbitral, administrative or legislative body, in which the indemnitee may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise, or with which such indemnitee may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter. The rights of indemnification provided under this Section 8 are not to be construed so as to provide for indemnification of an indemnitee for any liability (including liability under U.S. federal securities laws which, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith) to the extent (but only to the extent) that indemnification would be in violation of applicable law, but shall be construed so as to effectuate the applicable provisions of this Section 8.
(b) Expenses, including counsel fees and expenses, incurred by any indemnitee (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, or as fines or penalties) may be paid from time to time by the Fund in advance of the final disposition of any action, suit, investigation or other proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnitee to repay to the Fund amounts paid if a determination is made that indemnification of the expenses is not authorized under Section 8(a) of this Agreement, so long as (i) the indemnitee provides security for the undertaking, (ii) the Fund is insured by or on behalf of the indemnitee against losses arising by reason of the indemnitees failure to fulfill his, her or its undertaking, or (iii) a majority of the
4
trustees (each, a Trustee, and collectively, the Trustees) of the Fund who are not interested persons (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund (Independent Trustees) (excluding any Trustee who is or has been a party to any other action, suit, investigation or other proceeding involving claims similar to those involved in the action, suit, investigation or proceeding giving rise to a claim for advancement of expenses under this Agreement) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion determines based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) that reason exists to believe that the indemnitee ultimately shall be entitled to indemnification.
(c) As to the disposition of any action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (whether by a compromise payment, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise) without an adjudication or a decision on the merits by a court, or by any other body before which the proceeding has been brought, that an indemnitee is liable to the Fund or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the indemnitees office, indemnification shall be provided in accordance with Section 8(a) of this Agreement if (i) approved as in the best interests of the Fund by a majority of the Independent Trustees (excluding any Trustee who is or has been a party to any other action, suit, investigation or other proceeding involving claims similar to those involved in the action, suit, investigation or proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification under this Agreement) upon a determination based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) that the indemnitee acted in good faith and in the reasonable belief that the actions were in the best interests of the Fund and that the indemnitee is not liable to the Fund or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the indemnitees office or (ii) the Trustees secure a written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) to the effect that indemnification would not protect the indemnitee against any liability to the Fund or its Shareholders to which the indemnitee would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the indemnitees office.
(d) Any indemnification or advancement of expenses made in accordance with this Section 8 shall not prevent the recovery from any indemnitee of any amount if the indemnitee subsequently is determined in a final judicial decision on the merits in any action, suit, investigation or proceeding involving the liability or expense that gave rise to the indemnification or advancement of expenses to be liable to the Fund or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the indemnitees office. In any suit brought by an indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification under this Section 8 it shall be a defense that, and in any suit in the name of the Fund to recover any indemnification or advancement of expenses made in accordance with this Section 8 the Fund shall be entitled to recover the expenses upon a final adjudication from which no further right of appeal may be taken that, the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct described in this Section 8. In any suit brought to enforce a right to indemnification or to recover any indemnification or advancement of expenses made in accordance with this Section 8, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to any indemnification or advancement of expenses, under this Section 8 shall be on the Fund (or on any Shareholder acting derivatively or otherwise on behalf of the Fund or its Shareholders).
5
(e) An indemnitee may not satisfy any right of indemnification or advancement of expenses granted in this Section 8 or to which he, she or it may otherwise be entitled except out of the assets of the Fund, and no Shareholder shall be personally liable with respect to any such claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses.
(f) The rights of indemnification provided in this Section 8 shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any person may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law. Nothing contained in this Section 8 shall affect the power of the Fund to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of the Adviser or any indemnitee.
9. Duration and Termination. This Agreement will become effective as of the date first written above and will continue for an initial two-year term and will continue thereafter so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by the Board of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; provided, however, that if the Shareholders of the Fund fail to approve the Agreement as provided herein, the Adviser may continue to serve in such capacity in the manner and to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. This Agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on 60 days written notice to the Adviser. This Agreement may be terminated by the Adviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon 120 days written notice to the Fund. This Agreement will automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment, as such term is defined under the 1940 Act.
10. Use of Names. (a) As owner or licensee of the rights to use and sublicense the use of the name SPRIM any trademarks or derivatives thereof or logo associated therewith, the Adviser hereby grants the Fund a non-exclusive right and sublicense to use (i) the SPRIM name as part of the Funds name, and (ii) in connection with the Funds investment products and services, in each case only for so long as this Agreement, any other investment management agreement between the Fund and the Adviser (or any organization which shall have succeeded to the Advisers business as investment manager (the Advisers Successor)), or any extension, renewal or amendment hereof or thereof remains in effect, and only for so long as the Adviser or the Advisers Successor is an owner or licensee of the SPRIM name. The Fund agrees that it shall have no right to sublicense or assign rights to use the SPRIM name, it shall acquire no interest in the SPRIM name other than the rights granted herein and the Fund shall not challenge the validity of the SPRIM name or the ownership thereof.
(b) The Fund further agrees that all services and products it offers in connection with the SPRIM name shall meet commercially reasonable standards of quality, as may be determined by the Adviser from time to time. At the Advisers reasonable request, the Fund shall cooperate with the Adviser and shall execute and deliver any and all documents necessary to maintain and protect (including, but not limited to, any trademark infringement action) the Adviser and/or enter the Fund as a registered user thereof.
(c) At such time as this Agreement or any other investment management agreement shall no longer be in effect between the Adviser (or the Advisers Successor) and the Fund, or the Adviser
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no longer is an owner or licensee of the SPRIM name , the Fund shall (to the extent that, and as soon as, it lawfully can) cease to use SPRIM in the name of the Fund or any other name indicating that it is advised by, managed by or otherwise connected with the Adviser (or the Advisers Successor). In no event shall the Fund use the SPRIM name or any other name or mark confusingly similar thereto (including, but not limited to, any name or mark that includes the name SPRIM) if this Agreement or any other investment management agreement between the Adviser (or the Advisers Successor) and the Fund is terminated.
11. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the terms assignment, interested person, and a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities shall have the respective meanings set forth in Section 2(a)(4), Section 2(a)(19) and Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act.
12. Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Fund must be approved (a) by vote of a majority of those members of the Board of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such amendment, and (b) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as defined under the 1940 Act.
13. Severability. If any provisions of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
14. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act.
15. Notices. Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing and deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand or facsimile or five days after mailed by certified mail, post-paid, by return receipt requested to the other party at the principal office of such party.
16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original.
17. Form ADV. The Fund acknowledges receiving Part II of the Advisers Form ADV.
18. Fund Obligations. The parties to this Agreement agree that the obligations of the Fund under this Agreement shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, Shareholders, officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, of the Fund, individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.
STEPSTONE GROUP PRIVATE | STEPSTONE | |||
WEALTH LLC: | PRIVATE MARKETS: | |||
By: /s/ Robert W. Long | By: /s/ Robert W. Long | |||
Name: Robert W. Long | Name: Robert W. Long | |||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | Title: President |
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DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is made as of this 27th day of April, 2023, by and StepStone Private Markets, a Delaware statutory trust (the Trust) and UMB Distribution Services, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company (Provider).
WHEREAS, the Trust is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act (as defined below) and is authorized to issue Shares (as defined below);
WHEREAS, Provider is registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act (as defined below) and is a member of FINRA (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, the Trust and Provider desire to enter into an agreement pursuant to which Provider shall be the distributor for the Shares.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions
In addition to any terms defined in the body of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth hereinafter whenever they appear in this Agreement:
1933 Act shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
1934 Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
1940 Act shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Board shall mean the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
Commission shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
FINRA shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
Offering Price shall mean the price per share that the Shares will be offered for sale to the public calculated in accordance with the Trusts then current Prospectus.
Prospectus shall mean the current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information with respect to the Trust (including any applicable amendments and supplements thereto) actually received by Provider from the Trust with respect to which the Trust has indicated a Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act.
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Registration Statement shall mean any registration statement on Form N-2 at any time now or hereafter filed with the Commission with respect to any of the Shares and any amendments and supplements thereto which at any time shall have been or will be filed with the Commission.
Services shall mean the services described in Section 2 of this Agreement and such additional services as may be agreed to by the parties from time to time and set forth in an amendment to this Agreement.
Shares shall mean such shares of beneficial interest, or class thereof, of the Trust as may be issued from time to time.
Shareholder shall mean a record owner of Shares of the Trust.
2. Appointment and Services
(a) The Trust hereby appoints Provider as agent for the distribution of Shares during the term of this Agreement and on the terms set forth in this Agreement and Provider accepts such appointment. Subject to the direction and control of the Board and utilizing information provided by the Trust and its current and prior agents and service providers, Provider will render the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The duties of Provider shall be confined to those expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against Provider hereunder.
(b) Provider will act as distributor for the distribution of Shares in accordance with the instructions of the Board and the Registration Statement and Prospectuses then in effect with respect to the Trust under the 1933 Act.
(c) Provider may incur expenses for distribution activities which it deems reasonable and which are primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares, including, but not limited to, advertising, the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current Shareholders, and the printing and mailing of sales literature. At the direction of the Trust, Provider may in its sole discretion enter into servicing and/or selling agreements with qualified broker/dealers and other persons ore entities with respect to the offering of Shares to the public. Provider shall not be obligated to incur any specific expenses or sell any certain number of Shares.
(d) All Shares offered for sale by Provider shall be offered for sale at the Offering Price. Provider shall have no liability for the payment of the purchase price of the Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement or with respect to redemptions or repurchases of Shares. The price the Trust shall receive for any Shares purchased by investors shall be the net asset value used in determining the Offering Price applicable to the sale of such Shares, as calculated in the manner set forth in the Trusts Registration Statement.
(e) Provider shall act as distributor of the Shares in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, all rules and regulations made or adopted pursuant to the 1940 Act, by the Commission and FINRA.
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(f) Provider shall not utilize any materials in connection with the sale or offering of Shares except the Prospectus and such other materials as the Trust shall provide or approve. Provider agrees to review all marketing materials prepared for use by or on behalf of the Trust for compliance with applicable rules and regulations in advance of the use of such materials. The Trust agrees to incorporate changes to such materials as Provider may request to the satisfaction of Provider. Provider will file such materials as may be required with FINRA, or the Commission. The Trust represents that it will not use or authorize the use of any marketing materials, including any such materials in use prior to the execution of this Agreement, unless and until such materials have been approved and authorized for use by Provider. All marketing materials related to the Trust shall be delivered to Provider for review prior to use with sufficient time to permit Provider to review the material and to file with FINRA if necessary. The Trust and Provider shall mutually agree upon a reasonable turnaround time for such review. Provider shall, with respect to any marketing materials required to be filed with FINRA, file such marketing materials within ten (10) business days of the date of first use. The Trust shall address any comments received from FINRA with respect to any marketing materials to the satisfaction of Provider, including updating or discontinuing use of such marketing material.
3. Duties and Representations of the Trust
(a) The Trust represents that it is registered as a closed-end fund under the 1940 Act and that it has and will continue to act in conformity with its Declaration of Trust, its Bylaws, its Registration Statement and resolutions and other instructions of its Board and has and will continue to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, the laws of the states in which Shares are offered and sold, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(b) The Trust shall take or cause to be taken all necessary action to register and maintain the registration of the Shares for sale as herein contemplated and shall pay all costs and expenses in connection with the registration of Shares, and be responsible for all expenses in connection with maintaining facilities for the issue and transfer of Shares and for supplying information, prices and other data to be furnished by the Trust hereunder.
(c) The Trust shall execute any and all documents and furnish any and all information and otherwise take all actions which may be reasonably necessary in the discretion of the Trusts officers in connection with the qualification of the Shares for sale in such states as Provider and the Trust may agree, shall maintain the registration of a sufficient number or amount of Shares thereunder, and shall pay all costs and expenses in connection with such qualification. The Trust shall notify Provider, or cause Provider to be notified, of the states in which Shares may be sold and shall notify Provider of any change thereto.
(d) The Trust shall, at its expense, keep Provider fully informed with respect to its affairs as necessary for Provider to perform the Services and to fulfill any applicable regulatory or legal responsibilities. In addition, the Trust shall furnish Provider from time to time such information, documents and reports with respect to the Trust and the Shares as Provider may reasonably request, and the Trust warrants that the statements contained in any such information shall be true and correct and fairly represent what they purport to represent.
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(e) The Trust represents to Provider that all Registration Statements and Prospectuses of the Trust filed or to be filed with the Commission under the 1933 Act and 1940 Act with respect to the Shares have been and will be prepared in conformity with the requirements of the 1933 Act, 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The Trust represents and warrants to Provider that any Registration Statement and Prospectus, when such Registration Statement becomes effective, will contain all statements required to be stated therein in conformity with the the 1933 Act, 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission; that all information contained in the Registration Statement and Prospectus will be true and correct in all material respects when such Registration Statement becomes effective; and that neither the Registration Statement nor any Prospectus when such Registration Statement becomes effective will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the above representations are expressly based on the Trusts reasonable assumption that information supplied by Provider and included in the Trusts Registration Statements and Prospectus is at all relevant times materially correct and accurate. The Trust agrees to file from time to time such amendments, supplements, reports and other documents as may be necessary or required in order to: (1) comply with the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act; (2) ensure that there is no untrue statement(s) of a material fact in a Registration Statement or Prospectus; or (3) ensure that all statements necessary or required in order that there may be no omission to state a material fact in the Registration Statement or Prospectus which omission would make the statements therein misleading. The Trust shall promptly notify Provider of any advice given to it by counsel to the Trust regarding the necessity or advisability of amending or supplementing the Registration Statement.
(f) The Trust shall not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement to any Prospectus without giving Provider reasonable notice thereof in advance and if Provider declines to assent to such amendment (after a reasonable time), the Trust may terminate this Agreement forthwith by written notice to Provider without payment of any penalty. If the Trust shall not propose an amendment or amendments and/or supplement or supplements promptly after receipt by the Trust of a written request in good faith from Provider to do so, Provider may, at its option, terminate this Agreement upon no less than 60 days written notice. In addition, if, at any time during the term of this Agreement, Provider requests that the Trust make any change in its governing instruments or in its methods of doing business which are necessary in order to comply with any requirement of applicable law or regulation, and the Trust fails (after a reasonable time) to make any such change as requested, Provider may terminate this Agreement forthwith by written notice to the Trust without payment of any penalty. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Trusts right to file at any time any amendments to any Registration Statement and/or supplements to any Prospectus, of whatever character, as the Trust may deem advisable, with advice of its counsel, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional.
(g) Whenever in its judgment such action is warranted by market, economic or political conditions, or by circumstances of any kind, the Trust may decline to accept any orders for, or make any sales of, any Shares until such time as the Trust deems it advisable to accept such orders and to make such sales and the Trust shall advise Provider promptly of such determination.
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(h) The Trust agrees to advise Provider promptly in writing of the following:
(i) any material correspondence or other material communication by the Commission or its staff relating to the Trust including requests by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or Prospectuses;
(ii) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or Prospectuses then in effect or the initiation of any proceeding for that purpose;
(iii) the happening of any event which makes untrue any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement or Prospectuses or which requires the making of a change in such Registration Statement or Prospectuses in order to make the statements therein not misleading; or
(iv) all actions taken by the Commission with respect to any amendments to any Registration Statement or Prospectus which may from time to time be filed with the Commission.
4. Offering of Shares.
No Shares shall be offered by either Provider or the Trust under any of the provisions of this Agreement and no orders for the purchase or sale of such Shares hereunder shall be accepted by the Trust if and so long as the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect or any necessary amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the 1933 Act or if and so long as the current Prospectus as required by Section 10 of the 1933 Act, as amended, is not on file with the Commission; provided, however, that nothing contained in this paragraph 4 shall in any way restrict or have an application to or bearing upon the Trusts obligation to repurchase Shares from any shareholder in accordance with the provisions of the Prospectus or Declaration of Trust.
5. Fees
(a) As compensation for the services performed hereunder and the expenses incurred by Provider, the Trust shall pay Provider the fees and reimburse the expenses of Provider as provided in Schedule A hereto. Fees shall be adjusted in accordance with Schedule A or as otherwise agreed to by the parties from time to time. Fees shall be earned and paid quarterly in arrears in an amount equal to at least 1/ 4th of the applicable annual fee. The parties may amend this Agreement to include fees for any additional services requested by the Trust or enhancements to current Services. The Trust agrees to pay Providers then current rate for Services added to, or for any enhancements to existing Services set forth on, Schedule A after the execution of this Agreement.
(b) For the purpose of determining fees payable to Provider, net asset value shall be computed in accordance with the Prospectus and resolutions of the Board. The fee for the period from the day of the month this Agreement is entered into until the end of that month shall be pro-rated
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according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for such part of a month shall be pro-rated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement. Should the Trust be liquidated, merged with or acquired by another fund or investment company, any accrued fees shall be immediately payable.
(c) Provider will bear all expenses incurred by it in connection with the performance of its services under Section 2, except as otherwise provided herein. Provider shall not be required to pay or finance any costs and expenses incurred in the operation of the Trust, including, but not limited to: taxes; interest; brokerage fees and commissions; salaries, fees and expenses of officers and trustees; Commission fees and state Blue Sky fees; advisory fees; charges of custodians, transfer agents, dividend disbursing and accounting services agents and other service providers; security pricing services; insurance premiums; outside auditing and legal expenses; costs of organization and maintenance of corporate existence; taxes and fees payable to federal, state and other governmental agencies; preparation, typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of Prospectuses, notices, forms and applications and proxy materials for regulatory purposes and for distribution to current Shareholders; preparation, typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing and other costs of Shareholder reports; expenses in connection with the electronic transmission of documents and information including electronic filings with the Commission and the states; research and statistical data services; expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Shareholders and Trustees; fees and expenses associated with internet, e-mail and other related activities; and extraordinary expenses. Expenses incurred for distribution of shares, including the typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of Prospectuses for persons who are not shareholders of the Trust, will be borne by the Trusts investment adviser(s), except for such expenses permitted to be paid by the Trust under a distribution and/or service plan, if any, adopted pursuant to exemptive relief received by the Trust from the Commission (Distribution Plan).
(d) The Trust also agrees to promptly reimburse Provider for all out-of-pocket expenses or disbursements incurred by Provider in connection with the performance of Services under this Agreement. Out-of-pocket expenses shall include, but not be limited to, those items specified on Schedule A hereto. If requested by Provider, out-of-pocket expenses are payable in advance. Payment of postage expenses, if prepayment is requested, is due at least seven (7) days prior to the anticipated mail date. In the event Provider requests advance payment, Provider shall not be obligated to incur such expenses or perform the related Service(s) until payment is received.
(e) The Trust agrees to pay all amounts due hereunder within thirty (30) days of receipt of each invoice (Due Date). Except as provided in Schedule A, Provider shall bill Service fees monthly, and out-of-pocket expenses as incurred (unless prepayment is requested by the Provider). Provider may, at its option, arrange to have various service providers submit invoices directly to the Trust for payment of reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses.
(f) The Trust is aware that its failure to remit to Provider all amounts due on or before the Due Date will cause Provider to incur costs not contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not limited to carrying, processing and accounting charges. Accordingly, in the event that the Provider does not receive any amounts due hereunder by the Due Date, the Trust agrees to pay a late charge on the overdue amount equal to one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month or the maximum amount
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permitted by law, whichever is less. In addition, the Trust shall pay Providers reasonable attorneys fees and court costs in the event that an attorney is engaged to assist in the collection of any undisputed amounts due Provider. The parties hereby agree that such late charge represents a fair and reasonable computation of the costs incurred by reason of the Trusts late payment. Acceptance of such late charge shall in no event constitute a waiver by Provider of the Trusts default or prevent Provider from exercising any other rights and remedies available to it.
(g) In the event that any charges are disputed, the Trust shall, on or before the Due Date, pay all undisputed amounts due hereunder and notify Provider in writing of any disputed charges for out-of-pocket expenses which it is disputing in good faith. Payment for such disputed charges shall be due on or before the fifth business day after the day on which Provider provides to the Trust documentation which an objective observer would agree reasonably supports any disputed charges (Revised Due Date). Late charges shall not begin to accrue as to charges disputed in good faith until the first day after the Revised Due Date.
(h) The Trust acknowledges that the fees charged by Provider under this Agreement reflect the allocation of risk between the parties, including the exclusion of remedies and limitations of liability in Section 7. Modifying the allocation of risk from what is stated herein would affect the fees that Provider charges. Accordingly, in consideration of those fees, the Trust agrees to the stated allocation of risk.
6. Confidentiality
In case of any requests or demands for inspection of the records of the Trust, Provider will endeavor to notify the Trust promptly and to secure instructions from a representative of the Trust as to such inspection. Records and information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of Provider or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information which was already in the possession of Provider prior to receipt thereof, shall not be subject to this paragraph. The obligations of the parties under this Section 6 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
7. Limitation of Liability
(a) Provider shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the performance of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, except a loss resulting from Providers willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of such duties and obligations, or by reason of its reckless disregard thereof. Furthermore, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Provider shall not be liable for: (1) any action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with instructions received by Provider from an officer or representative of the Trust; or, (2) any action taken or omission by the Trust, its investment adviser(s) or any past or current service provider.
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Provider will be excused from its obligation to perform any act, service or obligation required of it hereunder for the duration that such performance is prevented by events beyond its reasonable control and shall not be liable for any
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default, damage, loss of data or documents, errors, delay or any other loss whatsoever caused thereby. Provider will, however, take all reasonable steps to minimize the effect of any service interruption for any period that such interruption continues beyond its control.
(c) In no event and under no circumstances shall Provider, its affiliates or any of its or their members, officers, directors, agents or employees be liable to anyone, including, without limitation, the other party, under any theory of tort, contract, strict liability or other legal or equitable theory for lost profits, exemplary, punitive, special, indirect or consequential damages for any act or failure to act under any provision of this Agreement regardless of whether such damages were foreseeable and even if advised of the possibility thereof.
8. Indemnification.
(a) The Trust authorizes Provider to use any Prospectus, in the form furnished to Provider from time to time, in connection with the sale of Shares. The Trust shall indemnify, defend and hold Provider, and each of its present or former directors, members, officers, employees, representatives and any person who controls or previously controlled Provider within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (Provider Indemnitees), free and harmless from and against: (1) any and all losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, charges, payments, costs and expenses (including the costs of investigating or defending any alleged losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, charges, payments, fines, penalties, costs or expenses and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) of any and every nature (Losses) which Provider and each of the Provider Indemnitees may incur under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and any other statute (including Blue Sky laws) or any rule or regulation thereunder, or under common law or otherwise arising out of or based upon any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any Prospectus, an annual or interim report to shareholders or sales literature, or any amendments or supplements thereto, or arising out of or based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Trusts obligation to indemnify Provider and any of the foregoing Provider Indemnitees shall not be deemed to cover any Losses arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to Provider and furnished to the Trust or its counsel by Provider in writing for the purpose of, and used in, the preparation thereof; (2) any and all Losses which Provider and each of the Provider Indemnitees may incur in connection with this Agreement or Providers performance hereunder, except to the extent the Losses result from Providers willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement; or (3) any and all Losses which Provider and each Provider Indemnitee may incur when acting in accordance with instructions from the Trust or its representatives.
(b) Promptly after receipt by Provider of notice of the commencement of an investigation, action, claim or proceeding, Provider shall, if a claim for indemnification in respect thereof is made under this section, notify the Trust in writing of the commencement thereof, although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by Provider or any Provider Indemnitee. The Trust shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit
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brought to enforce any such Loss, but if the Trust elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Trust and approved by Provider, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel and notifies Provider of such election, the indemnified defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them subsequent to the receipt of the Trusts election. If the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case Provider does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by the Trust, or in case there is a conflict of interest between the Trust and Provider or any Provider Indemnitee, the Trust will reimburse the indemnified person or persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by Provider and them. The Trusts indemnification agreement contained in this Section 8 and the Trusts representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of Provider and each Provider Indemnitee, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares and the termination of this Agreement. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to Providers benefit, to the benefit of each Provider Indemnitee and their estates and successors. The Trust agrees to promptly notify Provider of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Trust or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issue and sale of any of the Shares.
(c) The Trust acknowledges and agrees that in the event Provider, at the direction of the Trust, is required to give indemnification to any entity selling Shares or providing shareholder services to Shareholders or others and such entity shall make a claim for indemnification against Provider, Provider shall make a similar claim for indemnification against the Trust and shall be entitled to such indemnification.
(d) Provider shall indemnify, defend and hold the Trust, and each of its present or former trustees, officers, employees, representatives, and any person who controls or previously controlled the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (Trust Indemnitees), free and harmless from and against any and all Losses which the Trust, and each of its present or former trustees, officers, employees, representatives, or any such controlling person, may incur under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, any other statute (including Blue Sky laws) or any rule or regulation thereunder, or under common law or otherwise: (1) arising out of or based upon any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in the Trusts Registration Statement or any Prospectus, as from time to time amended or supplemented, or the omission, or alleged omission, to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement not misleading, but only if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information relating to Provider and furnished in writing to the Trust or its counsel by Provider for the purpose of, and used in, the preparation thereof; or (2) to the extent any Losses arise out of or result from Providers willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Providers agreement to indemnify the Trust and any of the Trust Indemnitees shall not be deemed to cover any Losses to the extent they arise out of or result from the Trusts willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties, under this Agreement.
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(e) Promptly after receipt by the Trust of notice of the commencement of an investigation, action, claim or proceeding, the Trust shall, if a claim for indemnification in respect thereof is to made under this section, notify Provider in writing of the commencement thereof, although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by the Trust or any Trust Indemnitee. Provider shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such loss, claim, demand, liability, damage or expense, but if Provider elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by Provider and approved by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event Provider elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel and notifies Provider of such election, the indemnified defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them subsequent to the receipt of Providers election. If Provider does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case the Trust does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by Provider, or in case there is a conflict of interest between the Provider and the Trust or any Trust Indemnitee, Provider will reimburse the indemnified person or persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the Trust and them. Providers indemnification agreement contained in this Section 8 and Providers representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Trust or any Trust Indemnitee, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares and the termination of this Agreement. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the Trusts benefit, to the benefit of each Trust Indemnitee and their estates and successors. Provider agrees to promptly notify the Trust of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against Provider or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issue and sale of any of the Shares.
9. Term | |
(a) This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Trust as of the date hereof. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect until , 2025. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue automatically in effect for successive annual periods, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by: (1) the Board; or (2) the vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act and Rule 18f-2 thereunder) of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust; and provided that in either event the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Board who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(b) This Agreement may be terminated without penalty: (1) through a failure to renew this Agreement at the end of a term; (2) upon mutual consent of the parties; or (3) on no less than sixty (60) days written notice, by the Board, by vote of a majority (as defined with respect to voting securities in the 1940 Act and Rule 18f-2 thereunder) of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, or by Provider (which notice may be waived by the party entitled to such notice). The terms of this Agreement shall not be waived, altered, modified, amended or supplemented in any manner whatsoever except by a written instrument signed by Provider and the Trust. This Agreement will also terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
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(c) In the event of termination of this Agreement, all reasonable expenses associated with movement of records and materials and conversion thereof shall be borne by the Trust. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon the termination of this Agreement as provided herein or the liquidation of the Trust, Provider shall deliver the records of the Trust to the Trust or its designee in a form that is consistent with Providers applicable license agreements at the expense of the Trust, and thereafter the Trust or its designee shall be solely responsible for preserving the records for the periods required by all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
10. Miscellaneous.
(a) Any notice required or to be permitted to be given by either party to the other shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when sent by either an overnight delivery service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the addresses listed below, or to such other location as either party may from time to time designate in writing:
If to Provider: | UMB Distribution Services, LLC | |
235 West Galena Street | ||
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212 | ||
Attention: Legal Department | ||
If to the Trust: | c/o StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC | |
128 S. Tryon Street, Ste. 1600 | ||
Charlotte, NC 28202 | ||
Attention: Kimberly Zeitvogel |
(b) Except as provided to the contrary herein, this Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by written agreement executed by both parties with the formality of this Agreement.
(c) This Agreement shall be governed by Delaware law, excluding the laws on conflicts of laws. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the Commission thereunder. Any provision of this Agreement which may be determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties.
(d) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original agreement but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The facsimile signature of any party to this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such party.
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(e) The services of Provider hereunder are not deemed to be exclusive. Provider may render such services and any other services to others, including other investment companies. The Trust recognizes that from time to time directors, officers, and employees of Provider may serve as directors, trustees, officers and employees of other entities (including other investment companies), that such other entities may include the name of Provider as part of their name and that Provider or its affiliates may enter into distribution, administration, fund accounting, transfer agent or other agreements with such other entities.
(f) The captions of this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(g) This Agreement is executed by the Trust and the obligations hereunder are not binding upon any of the trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trust individually but are binding only upon the Trust.
(h) This Agreement and the Schedule incorporated hereto constitute the full and complete understanding and agreement between Provider and the Trust and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements.
(i) The person signing below represents and warrants that he/she is duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of the Trust.
(j) Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement does not in any way affect any other agreements entered into between the parties hereto and any actions taken or omitted by any party hereunder shall not affect any rights or obligations of the other party.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.
STEPSTONE PRIVATE | UMB DISTRIBUTION SERVICES, LLC | |||||||
MARKETS | ||||||||
(the Trust) | (Provider) | |||||||
By: | /s/ Kimberly Zeitvogel |
By: | /s/ Scott Schulenburg | |||||
Kimberly Zeitvogel | Scott Schulenburg | |||||||
Treasurer | President |
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CUSTODY AGREEMENT
Dated April 27, 2023
Between
UMB BANK, N.A.
and
STEPSTONE PRIVATE MARKETS
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CUSTODY AGREEMENT
This agreement made as of the date first set forth above (the Agreement) between UMB Bank, n.a., a national banking association with its principal place of business located in Kansas City, Missouri (hereinafter Custodian) and StepStone Private Markets, a Delaware statutory trust (the Fund).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as a closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act); and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint Custodian as its custodian for the custody of Assets (as hereinafter defined) owned by the Fund, which Assets are to be held in such accounts as the Fund may establish from time to time; and
WHEREAS, Custodian is willing to accept such appointment on the terms and conditions hereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, mutually covenant and agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN.
The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as custodian of Assets belonging to the Fund which have been or may be from time to time delivered to and accepted by the Custodian. Custodian accepts such appointment as a custodian and agrees to perform the duties and responsibilities of Custodian as set forth herein on the conditions set forth herein. For purposes of this Agreement, the term Assets shall include Securities, monies, and other property held by the Custodian for the benefit of the Fund. Security or Securities shall mean stocks, bonds, rights, warrants, certificates, instruments, obligations and all other negotiable or non-negotiable paper commonly known as Securities which have been or may from time to time be delivered to and accepted by the Custodian. For the avoidance of doubt, Securities shall also mean, for purposes of the Funds investments in underlying investment companies, the completed subscription agreements (or any document, however titled, containing factual information regarding the Fund and Fund representations and warranties necessary to make the investment, which shall be defined herein as a Subscription Agreement), pertaining to such underlying investment company. Custodian shall have no obligation to treat a Subscription Agreement as a Security until the Fund delivers such completed Subscription Agreement to the Custodian.
2. INSTRUCTIONS.
(a) An Instruction, as used herein, shall mean a request, direction, instruction or certification initiated by the Fund and conforming to the terms of this paragraph. An Instruction may be transmitted to the Custodian by any of the following means:
(i) a writing manually signed on behalf of the Fund by an Authorized Person (as hereinafter defined);
(ii) a telephonic or other oral communication from a person the Custodian reasonably believes to be an Authorized Person;
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(iii) a facsimile transmission that the Custodian reasonably believes has been signed or otherwise originated by an Authorized Person;
(iv) | a communication effected through the internet or web-based functionality (including without limitation, emails, data files and other communications) on behalf of the Fund (Electronic Communication); or |
(v) | other means reasonably acceptable to both parties. |
Instructions in the form of oral communications shall be confirmed by the Fund by either a writing (as set forth in (i) above), a facsimile (as set forth in (iii) above), or an Electronic Communication (as set forth in (iv) above), but the lack of such confirmation shall in no way affect any action taken by the Custodian in reliance upon such oral Instructions prior to the Custodians receipt of such confirmation. The Fund authorizes the Custodian to record any and all telephonic or other oral Instructions communicated to the Custodian. The parties acknowledge and agree that, with respect to Instructions transmitted by facsimile, the Custodian cannot verify that the signature of an Authorized Person has been properly affixed and, with respect to Instructions transmitted by an Electronic Communication, the Custodian cannot verify that the Electronic Communication has been initiated by an Authorized Person; accordingly, the Custodian shall have no liability as a result of actions taken in reliance on unauthorized facsimile or Electronic Communication Instructions. The Custodian recommends that any Instructions transmitted by the Fund via email be done so through a secure system or process.
(b) Special Instructions, as used herein, shall mean Instructions countersigned or confirmed in writing by the Treasurer or any other officer of the Fund, which countersignature or confirmation shall be on the same instrument containing the Instructions or on a separate instrument relating thereto.
(c) Instructions and Special Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian at the address and/or telephone number, facsimile transmission number or email address agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund.
(d) Where appropriate and specifically stated, Instructions and Special Instructions shall be continuing Instructions.
(e) An Authorized Person shall be responsible for assuring the accuracy and completeness of Instructions. If the Custodian reasonably determines that an Instruction is unclear or incomplete, the Custodian may notify the Fund of such determination, in which case the Fund shall be responsible for delivering to the Custodian an amended Instruction. The Custodian shall have no obligation to take any action until the Fund re-delivers to the Custodian an Instruction that is clear and complete.
(f) The Fund shall be responsible for delivering to the Custodian Instructions or Special Instructions in a timely manner, after considering such factors as the involvement of subcustodians, brokers or agents in a transaction, time zone differences, reasonable industry standards, etc. The Custodian shall have no liability if the Fund delivers Instructions or Special Instructions to the Custodian after any deadline established by the Custodian.
(g) By providing Instructions to acquire or hold Foreign Assets (as defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(2) under the 1940 Act), the Fund shall be deemed to have confirmed to the Custodian that the Fund has (i) considered and accepted responsibility for all Sovereign Risks and Country Risks (as hereinafter defined) associated with investing in a particular country or jurisdiction, and (ii) made all determinations and provided to shareholders and other investors all disclosures required of registered investment companies by the 1940 Act.
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3. DELIVERY OF CORPORATE AND OTHER DOCUMENTS.
Each of the parties to this Agreement represents that its execution does not violate any of the provisions of its respective charter, articles of incorporation, partnership agreement, declaration of trust, articles of association or bylaws, that all required corporate or organizational action to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been taken, and that the person signing this Agreement is authorized to bind such party.
The Fund agrees to provide the Custodian, upon request, documentation regarding the Fund, including, by way of example: declaration of trust, by-laws, resolutions, registration statements, W-9s and other tax-related documentation, compliance policies and procedures and other compliance documents, etc.
In addition, the Fund has delivered or will promptly deliver to the Custodian, copies of the resolution(s) of its Board of Trustees and all amendments or supplements thereto, properly certified or authenticated, designating certain officers or employees of the Fund who will have continuing authority to certify to the Custodian: (a) the names, titles, signatures and scope of authority of all persons authorized to give Instructions or any other notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or instrument on behalf of the Fund, and (b) the names, titles and signatures of those persons authorized to countersign or confirm Special Instructions on behalf of the Fund (in both cases collectively, the Authorized Persons and individually, an Authorized Person). Such resolutions and certificates may be accepted and relied upon by the Custodian as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until delivery to the Custodian of a similar resolution or certificate to the contrary; provided, however, that the Custodian may rely upon any written designation furnished by the Treasurer or other officer of the Fund designating persons authorized to countersign or confirm Special Instructions (as provided in Section 2(b)). Upon delivery of a certificate which deletes or does not include the name(s) of a person previously authorized to give Instructions or to countersign or confirm Special Instructions, such person shall no longer be considered an Authorized Person authorized to give Instructions or to countersign or confirm Special Instructions. Unless the certificate specifically requires that the approval of anyone else will first have been obtained, the Custodian will be under no obligation to inquire into the right of the person giving such Instructions or Special Instructions to do so. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, no Instructions or Special Instructions received by the Custodian from the Fund will be deemed to authorize or permit any director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Fund to withdraw any of the Assets of the Fund upon the mere receipt of such authorization, Special Instructions or Instructions from such director, trustee, officer, employee or agent.
The Fund further agrees to promptly provide the Custodian completed Subscription Agreements and any other applicable documentation for the Funds investment in any underlying investment companies. Such investments will only be Securities, and therefore Assets of the Fund, upon receipt by the Custodian of completed Subscription Agreements for the Fund. The Fund undertakes to work with Custodian to ensure that quarterly confirmations, and any documentation representing changes to the Funds holding in such investment (such as related to an add-on purchase), are provided to Custodian as soon as practicably possible.
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4. POWERS AND DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN AND DOMESTIC SUBCUSTODIAN.
Except for Assets held by any Foreign Subcustodian, Special Subcustodian or Eligible Securities Depository appointed pursuant to Sections 5(b), (c), or (f) of this Agreement, the Custodian shall have and perform the powers and duties hereinafter set forth in this Section 4. For purposes of this Section 4 all references to powers and duties of the Custodian shall also refer to any Domestic Subcustodian appointed pursuant to Section 5(a).
(a) Safekeeping.
The Custodian will keep safely the Assets of the Fund which are delivered to and accepted by it from time to time. The Custodian shall notify the Fund if it is unwilling or unable to accept custody of any asset of the Fund. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of the Fund held by the Fund and not delivered to the Custodian or for any pre-existing faults or defects in Assets that are delivered to the Custodian.
(b) Manner of Holding Securities.
(1) The Custodian shall at all times hold Securities of the Fund either: (i) by physical possession of the share certificates, completed Subscription Agreements, or other instruments representing such Securities, in registered or bearer form; in the vault of the Custodian, Domestic Subcustodian, a Special Custodian, depository or agent of the Custodian; or in an account maintained by the Custodian or agent at a Securities System (as hereinafter defined); or (ii) in book-entry form by a Securities System in accordance with the provisions of sub-paragraph (3) below.
(2) The Custodian may hold registrable portfolio Securities which have been delivered to it in physical form, by registering the same in the name of the Fund or its nominee, or in the name of the Custodian or its nominee, for whose actions the Fund and Custodian, respectively, shall be fully responsible. Upon the receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall hold such Securities in street certificate form, so called, with or without any indication of representative capacity. However, unless it receives Instructions to the contrary, the Custodian will register all such portfolio Securities in the name of the Custodians authorized nominee. All such Securities shall be held in an account of the Custodian containing only assets of the Fund or only assets held by the Custodian for the benefit of customers, provided that the records of the Custodian shall indicate at all times the Fund or other customer for which such Securities are held in such accounts and the respective interests therein.
(3) The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain domestic Securities owned by the Fund in, and the Fund hereby approves use of: (a) The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation; (b) any other clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities depository; and (c) a Federal Reserve Bank or other entity authorized to operate the federal book-entry system described in the regulations of the Department of the Treasury or book-entry systems operated pursuant to comparable regulations of other federal agencies. Upon the receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian may deposit and/or maintain domestic Securities owned by the Fund in any other domestic clearing agency that may otherwise be authorized by the SEC to serve in the capacity of depository or clearing agent for the Securities or other assets of investment companies and that acts as a Securities depository. Each of the foregoing shall be referred to in this Agreement as a Securities System, and all such Securities Systems shall be listed on the attached Appendix A. Use of a Securities System shall be in accordance with
5
applicable Federal Reserve Board and SEC rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:
(i) The Custodian may deposit the Securities directly or through one or more agents or Subcustodians which are also qualified to act as custodians for investment companies.
(ii) Securities held in a Securities System shall be subject to any agreements or rules effective between the Securities System and the Custodian or a Subcustodian, as the case may be.
(iii) Any Securities deposited or maintained in a Securities System shall be held in an account (Account) of the Custodian or a Subcustodian in the Securities System that includes only assets held by the Custodian or a Subcustodian as a custodian or otherwise for customers.
(iv) The books and records of the Custodian shall at all times identify those Securities belonging to the Fund which are maintained in a Securities System.
(v) The Custodian shall pay for Securities purchased for the account of the Fund only upon (a) receipt of advice from the Securities System that such Securities have been transferred to the Account of the Custodian in accordance with the rules of the Securities System, and (b) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer Securities sold for the account of the Fund only upon (a) receipt of advice from the Securities System that payment for such Securities has been transferred to the Account of the Custodian in accordance with the rules of the Securities System, and (b) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the Fund. Copies of all advices from the Securities System relating to transfers of Securities for the account of the Fund shall be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian. Such copies may be maintained by the Custodian in electronic form. The Custodian shall make available to the Fund or its agent on the next business day, by Electronic Communication, facsimile, or other means reasonably acceptable to both parties, daily transaction activity that shall include each days transactions for the account of the Fund.
(vi) The Custodian shall, if requested by the Fund pursuant to Instructions, provide the Fund with reports obtained by the Custodian or any Subcustodian with respect to a Securities Systems accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding Securities deposited in the Securities System.
(vii) Upon receipt of Special Instructions to do so, the Custodian shall terminate the use of any Securities System on behalf of the Fund as promptly as practicable and shall take all actions reasonably practicable to safeguard the Securities of the Fund maintained with such Securities System.
(viii) The Custodian otherwise complies with the requirements of Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act.
(c) Free Delivery of Assets.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement and except as provided in Section 3 hereof, the Custodian, upon receipt of Special Instructions, will undertake to make free delivery of Assets, provided such Assets are on hand and available, in connection with the Funds transactions and to transfer such Assets to such broker, dealer, Subcustodian, bank, agent, Securities System or otherwise as specified in such Special Instructions.
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(d) Exchange of Securities.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian will exchange Securities held by it for the Fund for other Securities or cash paid in connection with any reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, conversion, or similar event, and will deposit any such Securities in accordance with the terms of any reorganization or protective plan.
Unless otherwise directed by Instructions, the Custodian is authorized to exchange Securities held by it in temporary form for Securities in definitive form, to surrender Securities for transfer into a name or nominee name as permitted in Section 4(b)(2), to effect an exchange of shares in a stock split or when the par value of the stock is changed, to sell any fractional shares, and, upon receiving payment therefor, to surrender bonds or other Securities held by it at maturity or call.
(e) Purchases of Assets.
(1) Securities Purchases. In accordance with Instructions, the Custodian shall, with respect to a purchase of Securities, pay for such Securities out of monies held for the Funds account for which the purchase was made, but only insofar as monies are available therein for such purpose, and receive the Securities so purchased. Unless the Custodian has received Special Instructions to the contrary, such payment will be made only upon delivery of such Securities to the Custodian, a clearing corporation of a national securities exchange of which the Custodian is a member, or a Securities System in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(b)(3) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon receipt of Instructions to do so, (i) in connection with a repurchase agreement, the Custodian may release funds to a Securities System prior to the receipt of advice from the Securities System that the Securities underlying such repurchase agreement have been transferred by book-entry into the Account maintained with such Securities System by the Custodian, provided that the Custodians instructions to the Securities System require that the Securities System may make payment of such funds to the other party to the repurchase agreement only upon transfer by book-entry of the Securities underlying the repurchase agreement into such Account; (ii) in the case of options, Interest Bearing Deposits (as hereinafter defined), currency deposits and other deposits, and foreign exchange transactions, pursuant to Sections 4(g), 4(k), and 4(l) hereof, the Custodian may make payment therefor before receipt of an advice of transaction; and (iii) the Custodian may make payment for Securities or other Assets prior to delivery thereof in accordance with Instructions, applicable laws, generally accepted trade practices, or the terms of the instrument representing such Security or other Asset, including, but not limited to, Securities and other Assets as to which payment for the Security and receipt of the instrument evidencing the Security are under generally accepted trade practices or the terms of the instrument representing the Security expected to take place in different locations or through separate parties.
(2) Other Assets Purchased. Upon receipt of Instructions and except as otherwise provided herein, the Custodian shall pay for and receive other Assets for the account of the Fund as provided in Instructions.
(f) Sales of Assets.
(1) Securities Sold. In accordance with Instructions, the Custodian shall, with respect to a sale, deliver or cause to be delivered the Securities thus designated as sold to the broker or other person
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specified in the Instructions relating to such sale. Unless the Custodian has received Special Instructions to the contrary, such delivery shall be made only upon receipt of payment therefor in the form of: (a) cash, certified check, bank cashiers check, bank credit, or bank wire transfer; (b) credit to the account of the Custodian with a clearing corporation of a national securities exchange of which the Custodian is a member; or (c) credit to the Account of the Custodian with a Securities System, in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(b)(3) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian may deliver Securities and other Assets prior to receipt of payment for such Securities in accordance with Instructions, applicable laws, generally accepted trade practices, or the terms of the instrument representing such Security or other Asset. For example, Securities held in physical form may be delivered and paid for in accordance with street delivery custom to a broker or its clearing agent, against delivery to the Custodian of a receipt for such Securities, provided that the Custodian shall have taken reasonable steps to ensure prompt collection of the payment for, or return of, such Securities by the broker or its clearing agent, and provided further that the Custodian shall not be responsible for the selection of or the failure or inability to perform of such broker or its clearing agent or for any related loss arising from delivery or custody of such Securities prior to receiving payment therefor.
(2) Other Assets Sold. Upon receipt of Instructions and except as otherwise provided herein, the Custodian shall receive payment for and deliver other Assets for the account of the Fund as provided in Instructions.
(g) Options.
(1) Upon receipt of Instructions relating to the purchase of an option or sale of a covered call option, the Custodian shall: (a) receive and retain Instructions or other documents, to the extent they are provided to the Custodian, evidencing the purchase or writing of the option by the Fund; (b) if the transaction involves the sale of a covered call option, deposit and maintain in a segregated account the Securities (either physically or by book-entry in a Securities System) subject to the covered call option written on behalf of the Fund; and (c) pay, release and/or transfer such Securities, cash or other Assets in accordance with any notices or other communications evidencing the expiration, termination or exercise of such options which are furnished to the Custodian by the Options Clearing Corporation (the OCC), the securities or options exchanges on which such options were traded, or such other organization as may be responsible for handling such option transactions.
(2) Upon receipt of Instructions relating to the sale of a naked option (including stock index and commodity options), the Custodian, the Fund and the broker-dealer shall enter into an agreement to comply with the rules of the OCC or of any registered national securities exchange or similar organizations(s). Pursuant to that agreement and the Funds Instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) receive and retain Instructions or other documents, if any, evidencing the writing of the option; (b) deposit and maintain in a segregated account, Securities (either physically or by book-entry in a Securities System), cash and/or other Assets; and (c) pay, release and/or transfer such Securities, cash or other Assets in accordance with any such agreement and with any notices or other communications evidencing the expiration, termination or exercise of such option which are furnished to the Custodian by the OCC, the securities or options exchanges on which such options were traded, or such other organization as may be responsible for handling such option transactions. The Fund and the broker-dealer shall be responsible for determining the quality and quantity of assets held in any segregated account established in compliance with applicable margin maintenance requirements and the performance of other terms of any option contract.
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(h) Segregated Accounts.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall establish and maintain on its books a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred Assets of the Fund, including Securities maintained by the Custodian in a Securities System pursuant to Paragraph (b)(3) of this Section 4, said account or accounts to be maintained (i) for the purposes set forth in Sections 4(g) and 4(m) and (ii) for the purpose of compliance by the Fund with the procedures required by, as applicable, SEC Investment Company Act Release Number 10666, Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, any subsequent release or releases, or other applicable SEC interpretations relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies, or (iii) for such other purposes as may be set forth, from time to time, in Special Instructions. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the determination of the type or amount of Assets to be held in any segregated account referred to in this paragraph, or for compliance by the Fund with required procedures noted in (ii) above.
(i) Depositary Receipts.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall surrender or cause to be surrendered Securities to the depository used for such Securities by an issuer of American Depositary Receipts or International Depositary Receipts (hereinafter referred to, collectively, as ADRs), against a written receipt therefor adequately describing such Securities and written evidence satisfactory to the organization surrendering the same that the depository has acknowledged receipt of instructions to issue ADRs with respect to such Securities in the name of the Custodian or a nominee of the Custodian, for delivery in accordance with such instructions.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall surrender or cause to be surrendered ADRs to the issuer thereof, against a written receipt therefor adequately describing the ADRs surrendered and written evidence satisfactory to the organization surrendering the same that the issuer of the ADRs has acknowledged receipt of instructions to cause its depository to deliver the Securities underlying such ADRs in accordance with such instructions.
(j) Corporate Actions, Put Bonds, Called Bonds, Etc.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) deliver warrants, puts, calls, rights or similar Securities to the issuer or trustee thereof (or to the agent of such issuer or trustee) for the purpose of exercise or sale, provided that the new Securities, cash or other Assets, if any, acquired as a result of such actions are to be delivered to the Custodian; and (b) deposit Securities upon invitations for tenders thereof, provided that the consideration for such Securities is to be paid or delivered to the Custodian, or the tendered Securities are to be returned to the Custodian.
Unless otherwise directed to the contrary in Instructions, the Custodian shall comply with the terms of all mandatory or compulsory exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions, or similar rights of security ownership of which the Custodian receives notice through data services or publications to which it normally subscribes, and shall promptly notify the Fund of such action in writing or in such other manner as the Fund and Custodian may agree in writing.
The Fund agrees that if it gives an Instruction for the performance of an action after the last permissible date of a period established by the Custodian or any optional offer or on the last permissible date for the performance of such act, the Fund shall hold the Custodian harmless from any adverse consequences in connection with acting upon or failing to act upon such Instructions.
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If the Fund wishes to receive periodic corporate action notices of exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions and other similar notices pertaining to Securities and to provide Instructions with respect to such Securities via the internet, the Custodian and the Fund may enter into a Supplement to this Agreement whereby the Fund will be able to participate in the Custodians Electronic Corporate Action Notification Service.
(k) Interest Bearing Deposits.
Upon receipt of Instructions directing the Custodian to purchase interest bearing fixed-term certificates of deposit or call deposits (hereinafter referred to, collectively, as Interest Bearing Deposits) for the account of the Fund, the Custodian shall purchase such Interest Bearing Deposits with such banks or trust companies, including the Custodian, any Subcustodian or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Custodian (hereinafter referred to as Banking Institutions), and in such amounts as the Fund may direct pursuant to Instructions. Such Interest Bearing Deposits shall be denominated in U.S. dollars. Interest Bearing Deposits issued by the Custodian shall be in the name of the Fund. Interest Bearing Deposits issued by another Banking Institution may be in the name of the Fund or the Custodian or in the name of the Custodian for its customers generally. The responsibilities of the Custodian to the Fund for Interest Bearing Deposits issued by the Custodian shall be that of a U.S. bank for a similar deposit. With respect to Interest Bearing Deposits issued by any other Banking Institution, (a) the Custodian shall be responsible for the collection of income and the transmission of cash to and from such accounts; and (b) the Custodian shall have no duty with respect to the selection of the Banking Institution or for the failure of such Banking Institution to pay upon demand.
(l) Foreign Exchange Transactions.
(l) The Fund may appoint the Custodian as its agent in the execution of all currency exchange transactions. If requested, the Custodian agrees to provide exchange rate and U.S. Dollar information, in writing, or by other means agreeable to both parties, to the Fund.
(2) Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall settle foreign exchange contracts or options to purchase and sell foreign currencies for spot and future delivery on behalf of and for the account of the Fund with such currency brokers or Banking Institutions as the Fund may determine and direct pursuant to Instructions. If, in its Instructions, the Fund does not direct the Custodian to utilize a particular currency broker or Banking Institution, the Custodian is authorized to select such currency broker or Banking Institution as it deems appropriate to execute the Funds foreign currency transaction. It is understood that all such transactions shall be undertaken by the Custodian as agent for the Fund.
(3) The Fund accepts full responsibility for its use of third party foreign exchange brokers and for execution of said foreign exchange contracts and understands that the Fund shall be responsible for any and all costs and interest charges which may be incurred as a result of the failure or delay of its third party broker to deliver foreign exchange. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability with respect to the selection of the currency brokers or Banking Institutions selected by the Fund or the performance or non-performance of such brokers or Banking Institutions.
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(4) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon receipt of Instructions the Custodian may, in connection with a foreign exchange contract, make free outgoing payments of cash in the form of U.S. Dollars or foreign currency prior to receipt of confirmation of such foreign exchange contract or confirmation that the countervalue currency completing such contract has been delivered or received.
(m) Pledges or Loans of Securities.
(1) Upon receipt of Instructions from the Fund, the Custodian will release or cause to be released Securities held in custody to the pledgees designated in such Instructions by way of pledge or hypothecation to secure loans incurred by the Fund with various lenders including but not limited to UMB Bank, n.a.; provided, however, that the Securities shall be released only upon payment to the Custodian of the monies borrowed, except that in cases where additional collateral is required to secure existing borrowings, further Securities may be released or delivered, or caused to be released or delivered for that purpose upon receipt of Instructions. Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian will pay, but only from funds available for such purpose, any such loan upon re-delivery to it of the Securities pledged or hypothecated therefor and upon surrender of the note or notes evidencing such loan. In lieu of delivering collateral to a pledgee, the Custodian, on the receipt of Instructions, shall transfer the pledged Securities to a segregated account for the benefit of the pledgee.
(2) Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian will release securities to a securities lending agent appointed by the Fund and designated in such Instructions. The Custodian shall act upon Instructions from the Fund and/or such agent in order to effect securities lending transactions on behalf of the Fund. For its services in facilitating the Funds securities lending activities through such agent, the Custodian may receive from the agent a portion of the agents securities lending revenue or a fee directly from the Fund. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any losses arising in connection with the agents actions or omissions, including but not limited to the delivery of Securities prior to the receipt of collateral, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Custodian.
(n) Stock Dividends, Rights, Etc.
The Custodian shall receive and collect all stock dividends, rights, and other items of like nature and, upon receipt of Instructions, take action with respect to the same as directed in such Instructions.
(o) Routine Dealings.
The Custodian will, in general, attend to all routine and operational matters in accordance with industry standards in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer, or other dealings with Securities or other property of the Fund, except as may be otherwise provided in this Agreement or directed from time to time by Instructions from the Fund. The Custodian may also make payments to itself or others from the Assets for disbursements and out-of-pocket expenses incidental to handling Securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this Agreement, provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to the Fund.
(p) Collections.
The Custodian shall (a) collect amounts due and payable to the Fund with respect to Securities and other Assets; (b) promptly credit to the account of the Fund all income and other payments relating to
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Securities and other Assets held by the Custodian hereunder upon Custodians receipt of such income or payments or as otherwise agreed in writing by the Custodian and the Fund; (c) promptly endorse and deliver any instruments required to effect such collection; and (d) promptly execute ownership and other certificates, affidavits and other documents for all federal, state, local and foreign tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to Securities and other Assets, or in connection with the transfer of such Securities or other Assets; provided, however, that with respect to Securities registered in so-called street name, or physical Securities with variable interest rates, the Custodian shall use its best efforts to collect amounts due and payable to the Fund. The Custodian shall notify the Fund in writing by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as the Fund and Custodian may agree in writing if any amount payable with respect to Securities or other Assets is not received by the Custodian when due. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the collection of amounts due and payable with respect to Securities or other Assets that are in default.
Any advance credit of cash or Securities expected to be received shall be subject to actual collection and may, when the Custodian determines collection unlikely, be reversed by the Custodian.
(q) Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions.
To enable the Fund to pay dividends or other distributions to shareholders of the Fund and to make payment to shareholders who have requested repurchase or redemption of their shares of the Fund (collectively, the Shares), the Custodian shall release cash or Securities insofar as available. In the case of cash, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Instructions, transfer such funds by check or wire transfer to any account at any bank or trust company designated by the Fund in such Instructions. In the case of Securities, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Special Instructions, make such transfer to any entity or account designated by the Fund in such Special Instructions.
(r) Proceeds from Shares Sold.
The Custodian shall receive funds representing cash payments received for shares issued or sold from time to time by the Fund, and shall credit such funds to the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall notify the Fund of Custodians receipt of cash in payment for shares issued by the Fund by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian shall agree. Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) deliver all federal funds received by the Custodian in payment for shares as may be set forth in such Instructions and at a time agreed upon between the Custodian and the Fund; and (b) make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian, in the amount of checks received in payment for shares which are deposited to the accounts of the Fund.
(s) Proxies and Notices; Compliance with the Shareholders Communication Act of 1985.
The Custodian shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Fund, or its designated agent or proxy service provider, all forms of proxies, all notices of meetings, and any other notices or announcements affecting or relating to Securities owned by the Fund that are received by the Custodian and, upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall execute and deliver, or cause a Subcustodian or nominee to execute and deliver such proxies or other authorizations as may be required. Except as directed pursuant to Instructions, neither the Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall vote upon any such Securities, or execute any proxy to vote thereon, or give any consent or take any other action with respect thereto.
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The Custodian will not release the identity of the Fund to an issuer which requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 for the specific purpose of direct communications between such issuer and the Fund unless the Fund directs the Custodian otherwise pursuant to Instructions.
(t) Books and Records.
The Custodian shall maintain such records relating to its activities under this Agreement as are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act and to preserve them for the periods prescribed in Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. These records shall be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents (including independent public accountants) of the Fund during normal business hours of the Custodian.
The Custodian shall provide accountings relating to its activities under this Agreement as shall be agreed upon by the Fund and the Custodian.
(u) Opinion of Funds Independent Certified Public Accountants.
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action as the Fund may request to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Funds independent certified public accountants with respect to the Custodians activities hereunder and in connection with the preparation of the Funds periodic reports to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements of the SEC.
(v) Reports by Independent Certified Public Accountants.
At the request of the Fund, the Custodian shall deliver to the Fund a written report, which may be in electronic form, prepared by the Custodians independent certified public accountants with respect to the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Custodians accounting system, internal accounting control, financial strength and procedures for safeguarding cash, Securities and other Assets, including cash, Securities and other Assets deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System or with a Subcustodian. Such report shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail as may reasonably be required by the Fund and as may reasonably be obtained by the Custodian.
(w) Bills and Other Disbursements.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall pay, or cause to be paid, all bills, statements, or other obligations of the Fund.
(x) Sweep or Automated Cash Management.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall invest any otherwise uninvested cash of the Fund held by the Custodian in a money market mutual fund, a cash deposit product, or other cash investment vehicle made available by the Custodian from time to time, in accordance with the directions contained in such Instructions. A fee may be charged or a spread may be received by the Custodian for investing the Funds otherwise uninvested cash in the available cash investment vehicles or products.
The Custodian shall have no responsibility to determine whether any purchases of money market mutual fund shares or any other cash investment vehicle or cash deposit product by or on behalf of the
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Fund under the terms of this section will cause the Fund to exceed the limitations contained in the 1940 Act on ownership of shares of another registered investment company or any other asset or portfolio restrictions or limitations contained in applicable laws or regulations or the Funds prospectus. The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian from all losses, damages and expenses (including attorneys fees) suffered or incurred by the Custodian as a result of a violation by the Fund of the limitations on ownership of shares of another registered investment company or any other cash investment vehicle or cash deposit product.
5. SUBCUSTODIANS.
From time to time, in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Agreement and subject to the prior written consent of the Fund, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, (i) the Custodian may appoint one or more Domestic Subcustodians, Foreign Subcustodians, Special Subcustodians or Interim Subcustodians (each as hereinafter defined) to act on behalf of the Fund; and (ii) the Custodian may be directed, pursuant to an agreement between the Fund and the Custodian (Delegation Agreement), to appoint a Domestic Subcustodian to perform the duties of the Foreign Custody Manager (as such term is defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act) (Approved Foreign Custody Manager) for the Fund so long as such Domestic Subcustodian is so eligible under the 1940 Act. Such Delegation Agreement shall provide that the appointment of any Domestic Subcustodian as the Approved Foreign Custody Manager must be governed by a written agreement between the Custodian and the Domestic Subcustodian, which provides for compliance with Rule 17f-5. The Approved Foreign Custody Manager may then appoint a Foreign Subcustodian or Interim Subcustodian in accordance with this Section 5. For purposes of this Agreement, all Domestic Subcustodians, Special Subcustodians, Foreign Subcustodians and Interim Subcustodians shall be referred to collectively as Subcustodians.
(a) Domestic Subcustodians.
The Custodian may, at any time and from time to time, appoint any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act or any trust company or other entity, any of which meets the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, to act for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund as a subcustodian for purposes of holding Assets of the Fund and performing other functions of the Custodian within the United States (a Domestic Subcustodian). The Fund shall approve in writing the appointment of the proposed Domestic Subcustodian; and the Custodians appointment of any such Domestic Subcustodian shall not be effective without such prior written approval of the Fund. Each such duly approved Domestic Subcustodian shall be reflected on Appendix A hereto, as it may be amended from time-to-time.
(b) | Foreign Subcustodians. |
(1) The Approved Foreign Custody Manager may appoint any entity meeting the requirements of an Eligible Foreign Custodian, as such term is defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(1) under the 1940 Act, and which term shall also include a bank that qualifies to serve as a custodian of assets of investment companies under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act or by SEC order is exempt therefrom (each a Foreign Subcustodian in the context of either a subcustodian or a sub-subcustodian), provided that the Approved Foreign Custody Managers appointments of such Foreign Subcustodians shall at all times be governed by an agreement that complies with Rule 17f-5.
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(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Approved Foreign Custody Manager determines that it will not provide delegation services (i) in a country in which the Fund has directed that the Fund invest in a security or other Asset or (ii) with respect to a specific Foreign Subcustodian which the Fund has directed be used, the Custodian shall, or shall cause the Approved Foreign Custody Manager to, promptly notify the Fund in writing by facsimile transmission, Electronic Communication, or otherwise of the unavailability of the Approved Foreign Custody Managers delegation services in such country. The Custodian and the Approved Foreign Custody Manager (or Domestic Subcustodian) as applicable, shall be entitled to rely on and shall have no liability or responsibility for following such direction from the Fund as a Special Instruction and shall have no duties or liabilities under this Agreement save those that it may undertake specifically in writing with respect to each particular instance. Upon the receipt of such Special Instructions, the Custodian may, in its absolute discretion, designate, or cause the Approved Foreign Custody Manager to designate, an entity (defined herein as Interim Subcustodian) designated by the Fund in such Special Instructions, to hold such security or other Asset. In such event, the Fund represents and warrants that it has made a determination that the arrangement with such Interim Subcustodian satisfies the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder (including Rule 17f-5, if applicable). It is further understood that where the Approved Foreign Custody Manager and the Custodian do not agree to provide fully to the Fund the services under this Agreement and the Delegation Agreement with respect to a particular country or specific Foreign Subcustodian, the Fund may delegate such services to another delegate pursuant to Rule 17f-5.
(c) Special Subcustodians.
Upon receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian shall, on behalf of the Fund, appoint one or more banks, trust companies or other entities designated in such Special Instructions to act for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund as a subcustodian for purposes of: (i) effecting third-party repurchase transactions with banks, brokers, dealers or other entities through the use of a common custodian or subcustodian; (ii) providing depository and clearing agency services with respect to certain variable rate demand note Securities, (iii) providing depository and clearing agency services with respect to dollar denominated Securities; and (iv) effecting any other transactions designated by the Fund in such Special Instructions. Each such designated subcustodian (hereinafter referred to as a Special Subcustodian) shall be listed on Appendix A attached hereto, as it may be amended from time to time. In connection with the appointment of any Special Subcustodian, the Custodian may enter into a subcustodian agreement with the Special Subcustodian.
(d) Termination of a Subcustodian.
The Custodian may, at any time in its discretion upon notification to the Fund, terminate any Subcustodian of the Fund in accordance with the termination provisions under the applicable subcustodian agreement, and upon the receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian shall terminate any Subcustodian in accordance with the termination provisions under the applicable subcustodian agreement.
(e) Information Regarding Foreign Subcustodians.
Upon request of the Fund, the Custodian shall deliver, or cause any Approved Foreign Custody Manager to deliver, to the Fund a letter or list stating: (i) the identity of each Foreign Subcustodian then acting on behalf of the Custodian; (ii) the Eligible Securities Depositories (as defined in Section 5(f)) in
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each foreign market through which each Foreign Subcustodian is then holding cash, securities and other Assets of the Fund; and (iii) such other information as may be requested by the Fund to ensure compliance with rules and regulations under the 1940 Act.
(f) Eligible Securities Depositories.
(1) The Custodian or the Domestic Subcustodian may place and maintain the Funds Foreign Assets with an Eligible Securities Depository (as defined in Rule 17f-7, which term shall include any other securities depository for which the SEC by exemptive order has permitted registered investment companies to maintain their assets).
(2) Upon the request of the Fund, the Custodian shall direct the Domestic Subcustodian to provide to the Fund (including the Funds Board of Trustees) and/or the Funds adviser or other agent an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining the Funds Foreign Assets with such Eligible Securities Depository utilized directly or indirectly by the Custodian or the Domestic Subcustodian as of the date hereof (or, in the case of an Eligible Securities Depository not so utilized as of the date hereof, prior to the placement of the Funds Foreign Assets at such depository) and at which any Foreign Assets of the Fund are held or are expected to be held. The Custodian shall direct the Domestic Subcustodian to monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining the Funds Foreign Assets at each such Eligible Securities Depository on a continuing basis and shall promptly notify the Fund or its adviser of any material changes in such risks through the Approved Foreign Custody Managers letter, market alerts or other periodic correspondence.
(3) The Custodian shall direct the Domestic Subcustodian to determine the eligibility under Rule 17f-7 of each foreign securities depository before maintaining the Funds Foreign Assets therewith and shall promptly advise the Fund if any Eligible Securities Depository ceases to be so eligible. Notwithstanding Subsection 17(c) hereof, Eligible Securities Depositories may, subject to Rule 17f-7, be added to or deleted from such list from time to time.
(4) Withdrawal of Assets. If an arrangement with an Eligible Securities Depository no longer meets the requirements of Rule 17f-7, the Custodian shall direct the Domestic Subcustodian to withdraw the Funds Foreign Assets from such depository as soon as reasonably practicable.
(5) Standard of Care. In fulfilling its responsibilities under this Section 5(f), the Custodian will exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence.
6. STANDARD OF CARE.
(a) General Standard of Care.
The Custodian shall exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duties hereunder. The Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for all losses, damages and reasonable costs and expenses suffered or incurred by the Fund resulting from the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Custodian or the Custodians reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, in no event shall the Custodian be liable for attorneys fees or for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising under or in connection with this Agreement.
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(b) Actions Prohibited by Applicable Law, Etc.
In no event shall the Custodian incur liability hereunder if the Custodian or any Subcustodian or Securities System, or any Subcustodian, Eligible Securities Depository utilized by any such Subcustodian, or any nominee of the Custodian or any Subcustodian (individually, a Person) is prevented, forbidden or delayed from performing, or omits to perform, any act or thing which this Agreement provides shall be performed or omitted to be performed, by reason of: (i) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state thereof, or of any foreign country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction (and neither the Custodian nor any other Person shall be obligated to take any action contrary thereto); or (ii) any Force Majeure, which for purposes of this Agreement, shall mean any circumstance or event which is beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian, a Subcustodian or any agent of the Custodian or a Subcustodian and which adversely affects the performance by the Custodian of its obligations hereunder, by the Subcustodian of its obligations under its subcustodian agreement or by any other agent of the Custodian or the Subcustodian, unless in each case, such delay or nonperformance is caused by the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Custodian or the Custodians reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement. Such Force Majeure events may include any event caused by, arising out of or involving (a) an act of God, (b) accident, fire, water damage or explosion, (c) any computer, system outage or downtime or other equipment failure or malfunction caused by any computer virus or any other reason or the malfunction or failure of any communications medium (provided that the Custodian has adopted commercially reasonable cybersecurity systems, policies and procedures), (d) any interruption of the power supply or other utility service, (e) any strike or other work stoppage, whether partial or total, (f) any delay or disruption resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Sovereign Risk (as defined below), (g) any disruption of, or suspension of trading in, the securities, commodities or foreign exchange markets, whether or not resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Sovereign Risk, (h) any encumbrance on the transferability of cash, currency or a currency position on the actual settlement date of a foreign exchange transaction, whether or not resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Sovereign Risk, or (i) any other cause similarly beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian.
Subject to the Custodians general standard of care set forth in Subsection 6(a) hereof and the requirements of Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and Rules 17f-5 and 17f-7 thereunder, the Custodian shall not incur liability hereunder if any Person is prevented, forbidden or delayed from performing, or omits to perform, any act or thing which this Agreement provides shall be performed or omitted to be performed by reason of any (i) Sovereign Risk, which for the purpose of this Agreement shall mean, in respect of any jurisdiction, including but not limited to the United States of America, where investments are acquired or held under this Agreement, (a) any act of war, terrorism, riot, insurrection or civil commotion, (b) the imposition of any investment, repatriation or exchange control restrictions by any governmental authority, (c) the confiscation, expropriation or nationalization of any investments by any governmental authority, whether de facto or de jure, (d) any devaluation or revaluation of the currency, (e) the imposition of taxes, levies or other charges affecting investments, (f) any change in the applicable law, or (g) any other economic, systemic or political risk incurred or experienced that is not directly related to the economic or financial conditions of the Eligible Foreign Custodian, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Delegation Agreement, or (ii) Country Risk, which for the purpose of this Agreement shall mean, with respect to the acquisition, ownership, settlement or custody of investments in a jurisdiction, all risks relating to, or arising in consequence of, systemic and market factors affecting the acquisition, payment for or ownership of investments, including (a) the prevalence of crime and corruption in such jurisdiction, (b) the inaccuracy or unreliability of business and financial information (unrelated to the Approved Foreign Custody Managers duties imposed by Rule 17f-5(c) under the 1940 Act or to the duties imposed on the Custodian by Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act), (c) the instability or volatility of banking and financial systems, or the absence or inadequacy of an infrastructure to support
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such systems, (d) custody and settlement infrastructure of the market in which such investments are transacted and held, (e) the acts, omissions and operation of any Eligible Securities Depository, it being understood that this provision shall not excuse the Custodians performance under the express terms of this Agreement, (f) the risk of the bankruptcy or insolvency of banking agents, counterparties to cash and securities transactions, registrars or transfer agents, (g) the existence of market conditions which prevent the orderly execution or settlement of transactions or which affect the value of assets, and (h) the laws relating to the safekeeping and recovery of the Funds Foreign Assets held in custody pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that, in compliance with Rule 17f-5, neither Sovereign Risk nor Country Risk shall include the custody risk of a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian of the Funds Foreign Assets.
(c) Liability for Past Records.
Neither the Custodian nor any Domestic Subcustodian shall have any liability in respect of any loss, damage or expense suffered by the Fund, insofar as such loss, damage or expense arises from the performance of the Custodian or any Domestic Subcustodian in reliance upon records that were maintained for the Fund by entities other than the Custodian or any Domestic Subcustodian prior to the Custodians employment hereunder.
(d) Advice of Counsel.
The Custodian and all Domestic Subcustodians shall be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel of its own choosing on all matters. The Custodian and all Domestic Subcustodians shall be without liability for any actions taken or omitted in good faith pursuant to the advice of counsel.
(e) Advice of the Fund and Others.
The Custodian and any Domestic Subcustodian may rely upon the advice of the Fund and upon statements of the Funds accountants and other persons believed by it in good faith to be expert in matters upon which they are consulted, and neither the Custodian nor any Domestic Subcustodian shall be liable for any actions taken or omitted, in good faith, pursuant to such advice or statements.
(f) Information Services.
The Custodian may rely upon information received from issuers of Securities or agents of such issuers, information received from Subcustodians or depositories, information from data reporting services that provide detail on corporate actions and other securities information, and other commercially reasonable industry sources; and, provided the Custodian has acted in accordance with the standard of care set forth in Section 6 (a), the Custodian shall have no liability as a result of relying upon such information sources, including but not limited to errors in any such information.
(g) Instructions Appearing to be Genuine.
The Custodian and all Domestic Subcustodians shall be fully protected and indemnified in acting as a custodian hereunder upon any resolutions of the Board of Trustees, Instructions, Special Instructions, advice, notice, request, consent, certificate, instrument or paper appearing to it to be genuine and to have been properly executed and shall, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, be entitled to receive as conclusive proof of any fact or matter required to be ascertained from the Fund hereunder a certificate
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signed by any officer of the Fund authorized to countersign or confirm Special Instructions. The Custodian shall have no liability for any losses, damages or expenses incurred by the Fund arising from the use of a non-secure form of email or other non-secure electronic system or process.
(h) No Investment Advice.
The Custodian shall have no duty to assess the risks inherent in Securities or other Assets or to provide investment advice, accounting or other valuation services regarding any such Securities or other Assets.
(i) Exceptions from Liability.
Without limiting the generality of any other provisions hereof, neither the Custodian nor any Domestic Subcustodian shall be under any duty or obligation to inquire into, nor be liable for:
(i) the validity of the issue of any Securities purchased by or for the Fund, the legality of the purchase thereof or evidence of ownership required to be received by any the Fund, or the propriety of the decision to purchase or amount paid therefor;
(ii) the legality of the sale, transfer or movement of any Securities by or for the Fund, or the propriety of the amount for which the same were sold; or
(iii) any other expenditures, encumbrances of Securities, borrowings or similar actions with respect to the Funds Assets;
and may, until notified to the contrary, presume that all Instructions or Special Instructions received by it are not in conflict with or in any way contrary to any provisions of any the Funds Declaration of Trust, Partnership Agreement, Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws or votes or proceedings of the shareholders, trustees, partners or directors of the Fund, or the Funds currently effective Registration Statement on file with the SEC.
7. LIABILITY OF THE CUSTODIAN FOR ACTIONS OF OTHERS.
(a) Domestic Subcustodians
Except as provided in Section 7(d), the Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of any Domestic Subcustodian to the same extent as if such actions or omissions were performed by the Custodian itself.
(b) Liability for Acts and Omissions of Foreign Subcustodians.
The Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the Fund caused by or resulting from the acts or omissions of any Foreign Subcustodian to the extent that, under the terms set forth in the subcustodian agreement between the Custodian or a Domestic Subcustodian and such Foreign Subcustodian, the Foreign Subcustodian has failed to perform in accordance with the standard of conduct imposed under such subcustodian agreement and the Custodian or Domestic Subcustodian recovers from the Foreign Subcustodian under the applicable subcustodian agreement.
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(c) Securities Systems, Interim Subcustodians, Special Subcustodians, Eligible Securities Depositories.
The Custodian shall not be liable to the Fund for any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by the Fund resulting from or occasioned by the actions or omissions of a Securities System, Interim Subcustodian, Special Subcustodian, or Eligible Securities Depository unless such loss, damage or expense is caused by, or results from, the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Custodian or the Custodians reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.
(d) Failure of Third Parties.
The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by the Fund resulting from or occasioned by the actions, omissions, neglects, defaults, insolvency or other failure of any (i) issuer of any Securities or of any agent of such issuer; (ii) any counterparty with respect to any Security or other Asset, including any issuer of any option, futures, derivatives or commodities contract; (iii) investment adviser or other agent of the Fund; or (iv) any broker, bank, trust company or any other person with whom the Custodian may deal (other than any of such entities acting as a Subcustodian, Securities System or Eligible Securities Depository, for whose actions the liability of the Custodian is set out elsewhere in this Agreement); or (v) any agent or depository (including but not limited to a securities lending agent) with whom the Custodian may deal at the direction of, and behalf of, the Fund; unless such loss, damage or expense is caused by, or results from, the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Custodian or the Custodians reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement or the Custodians breach of the terms of any contract between the Fund and the Custodian.
8. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) Indemnification by Fund.
Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, the Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian and its nominees from all losses, damages and expenses (including attorneys fees) suffered or incurred by the Custodian or its nominee caused by or arising from actions taken by the Custodian, its employees or agents in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any indemnification obligations undertaken by the Custodian under any relevant subcustodian agreement; provided, however, that such indemnity shall not apply to the extent the Custodian is liable under Sections 6 or 7 hereof.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to Securities, which action involves the payment of money or which may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to it.
(b) Indemnification by Custodian.
Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, the Custodian agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund from all losses, damages and expenses (with the exception of those damages and expenses referenced in Section 6(a)) suffered or incurred by the Fund caused by the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Custodian or the Custodians reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.
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9. ADVANCES.
In the event that the Custodian or any Subcustodian, Securities System, or Eligible Securities Depository acting either directly or indirectly under agreement with the Custodian (each of which for purposes of this Section 9 shall be referred to as Custodian), makes any payment or transfer of funds on behalf of the Fund as to which there would be, at the close of business on the date of such payment or transfer, insufficient funds held by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund, the Custodian may, in its discretion without further Instructions, provide an advance (Advance) to the Fund in an amount sufficient to allow the completion of the transaction by reason of which such payment or transfer of funds is to be made. In addition, in the event the Custodian is directed by Instructions to make any payment or transfer of funds on behalf of the Fund as to which it is subsequently determined that the Fund has overdrawn its cash account with the Custodian as of the close of business on the date of such payment or transfer, said overdraft shall constitute an Advance. Any Advance shall be payable by the Fund on behalf of which the Advance was made on demand by Custodian, unless otherwise agreed by the Fund and the Custodian, and shall accrue interest from the date of the Advance to the date of payment by the Fund to the Custodian at a rate determined from time to time by the Custodian. It is understood that any transaction in respect of which the Custodian shall have made an Advance, including but not limited to a foreign exchange contract or transaction in respect of which the Custodian is not acting as a principal, is for the account of and at the risk of the Fund on behalf of which the Advance was made, and not, by reason of such Advance, deemed to be a transaction undertaken by the Custodian for its own account and risk. The Custodian and the Fund which are parties to this Agreement acknowledge that the purpose of Advances is to finance temporarily the purchase or sale of Securities for prompt delivery in accordance with the settlement terms of such transactions or to meet emergency expenses not reasonably foreseeable by the Fund. The Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund of any Advance. Such notification may be communicated by telephone, Electronic Communication or facsimile transmission or in such other manner as the Custodian may choose. Nothing herein shall be deemed to create an obligation on the part of the Custodian to advance monies to the Fund.
10. SECURITY INTEREST.
To secure the due and prompt payment of all Advances, together with any taxes, charges, fees, expenses, assessments, obligations, claims or liabilities incurred by the Custodian in connection with its or their performance of any duties under this Agreement (collectively, Liabilities), except for any Liabilities arising from or the Custodians negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct or the Custodians reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement, the Fund grants to the Custodian a security interest in all of the Funds Securities and other Assets now or hereafter in the possession of the Custodian and all proceeds thereof (collectively, the Collateral). The Fund shall promptly reimburse the Custodian for any and all such Liabilities. In the event that the Fund fails to satisfy any of the Liabilities as and when due and payable, the Custodian shall have in respect of the Collateral, in addition to all other rights and remedies arising hereunder or under local law, the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code. Without prejudice to the Custodians rights under applicable law, the Custodian shall be entitled, without notice to the Fund, to withhold delivery of any Collateral, sell, set-off, or otherwise realize upon or dispose of any such Collateral and to apply the money or other proceeds and any other monies credited to the Fund in satisfaction of the Liabilities. This includes, but is not limited to, any interest on any such unpaid Liability as the Custodian deems reasonable, and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) incurred by the Custodian in connection with the sale, set-off or other disposition of such Collateral.
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11. COMPENSATION.
The Fund will pay to the Custodian such compensation as is set forth on Schedule A hereto, or as otherwise agreed to in writing by the Custodian and the Fund from time to time. In addition, the Fund shall reimburse the Custodian for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Custodian in connection with this Agreement, but excluding salaries and usual overhead expenses. Such compensation, and expenses shall be billed to the Fund and paid in cash to the Custodian.
12. POWERS OF ATTORNEY.
Upon request, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian such proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as may be reasonable and necessary or desirable in connection with the performance by the Custodian or any Subcustodian of their respective obligations under this Agreement or any applicable subcustodian agreement.
13. TAX LAWS.
The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or on the Custodian as custodian for the Fund by the tax law of any country or of any state or political subdivision thereof. The Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian for and against any such obligations including taxes, tax reclaims, withholding and reporting requirements, claims for exemption or refund, additions for late payment, interest, penalties and other expenses (including legal expenses) that may be assessed against the Fund or the Custodian as custodian of the Fund.
14. TERM AND ASSIGNMENT.
Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund for a two-year period beginning on the date of this Agreement (the Initial Term). Thereafter, if not terminated as provided herein, the Agreement shall continue automatically in effect as to each Fund for successive one-year periods (each a Renewal Term).
In the event this Agreement is terminated by the Fund prior to the end of the Initial Term or any subsequent Renewal Term, the Fund shall be obligated to pay the Custodian the remaining balance of the fees payable to the Custodian under this Agreement through the end of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may terminate this Agreement, and pay fees through the date of termination: (i) at the end of the Initial Term or at the end of any successive Renewal Term by giving the other party a written notice not less than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the respective term; (ii) upon the material breach of the other party of any term of this Agreement if such breach is not cured within 15 business days of notice of such breach to the breaching party; and (iii) in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by regulatory authorities or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian such fees as may be due the Custodian hereunder as well as its reimbursable disbursements, costs and expenses paid or incurred. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Custodian shall deliver, at the terminating partys expense, all Assets held by it hereunder to a successor custodian designated by the Fund or, if a successor
22
custodian is not designated, then to the Fund or as otherwise designated by the Fund by Special Instructions. Upon such delivery, the Custodian shall have no further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement except as to the final resolution of matters relating to activity occurring prior to the effective date of termination. In the event that for any reason Securities or other Assets remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date such termination shall take effect, the Custodian shall be entitled to compensation at the same rates as agreed to by the Custodian and the Fund during the term of this Agreement as set forth in Section 11.
This Agreement may not be assigned by the Custodian or the Fund without the respective consent of the other.
15. ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
[RESERVED]
16. NOTICES.
As to the Fund, notices, requests, instructions and other writings delivered to StepStone Private Markets, 128 S. Tryon St., Suite 1600, Charlotte, NC 28202 postage prepaid, or to such other address as the Fund may have designated to the Custodian in writing, shall be deemed to have been properly delivered or given to the Fund.
Notices, requests, instructions and other writings delivered to the Custodian at its office at 928 Grand Blvd., 10th Floor, Attn: Amy Small, Kansas City, Missouri 64106, postage prepaid, or to such other addresses as the Custodian may have designated to the Fund in writing, shall be deemed to have been properly delivered or given to the Custodian hereunder; provided, however, that procedures for the delivery of Instructions and Special Instructions shall be governed by Section 2(c) hereof.
17. CONFIDENTIALITY.
The parties agree that all Information, books and records provided by the Custodian or the Fund to each other in connection with this Agreement, and all information provided by either party pertaining to its business or operations, is Confidential Information. All Confidential Information shall be used by the party receiving such information only for the purpose of providing or obtaining services under this Agreement and, except as may be required to carry out the terms of this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any other party without the express consent of the party providing such Confidential Information. The foregoing limitations shall not apply to any information that is available to the general public other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by or to any entity having regulatory authority over a party hereto or any auditor of a party hereto or that is required to be disclosed as a result of a subpoena or other judicial process, or otherwise by applicable laws.
18. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE.
Although the Fund is not subject to detailed anti-money laundering program obligations under the USA PATRIOT Act, the Fund represents and warrants that it will establish and maintain policies and procedures designed to meet the requirements imposed by the USA PATRIOT Act, including policies and procedures designed to detect and prevent money laundering, including those required by the USA PATRIOT Act. The Fund agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide to the Custodian, from
23
time to time upon the request of the Custodian, certifications regarding its compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act and other anti-money laundering laws with respect to the Fund. The Fund acknowledges that, because the Custodian will not have information regarding the shareholders of the Fund, the Custodian shall not assume responsibility for customer identification and verification and other CIP requirements in regard to such shareholders.
19. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement is executed and delivered in the State of Delaware and shall be governed by the laws of such state.
(b) All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
(c) No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived in any manner except in writing, properly executed by both parties hereto; provided, however, Appendix A may be amended from time to time as Domestic Subcustodians, Securities Systems, and Special Subcustodians are approved or terminated according to the terms of this Agreement.
(d) The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only, and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(e) This Agreement shall be effective as of the date of execution hereof.
(f) This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
(g) If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, in conflict with any law or otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining portion or portions shall be considered severable and shall not be affected, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced as if this Agreement did not contain the particular part, term or provision held to be illegal or invalid.
(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Delegation Agreement (if applicable), as amended from time to time, constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the parties thereto with respect to the subject matter therein and accordingly, supersedes as of the effective date of this Agreement any custodian agreement heretofore in effect between the Fund and the Custodian.
(i) The rights and obligations contained in Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 17 of this Agreement shall continue, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement, in order to fulfill the intention of the parties as described in such Sections.
[Signature page to follow.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Custody Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers.
STEPSTONE PRIVATE MARKETS | ||||||
Attest: |
By: /s/ Kimberly Zeitvogel |
|||||
Name: Kimberly Zeitvogel |
||||||
Title: Treasurer |
||||||
Date: April 27, 2023 |
||||||
UMB BANK, N.A. | ||||||
Attest: |
By: /s/ David Paldino |
|||||
Name: David Paldino |
||||||
Title: Senior Vice President |
||||||
Date: April 28, 2023 |
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ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is made as of this 27th day of April, 2023, between StepStone Private Markets (the Fund), a Delaware statutory trust, and StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC (the Administrator), a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.
WHEREAS, the Fund is a closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act); and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain the Administrator to furnish certain administrative services to the Fund, and the Administrator is willing to furnish such services, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties as follows:
1. Appointment. The Fund hereby appoints the Administrator, subject to the direction of the Board of Trustees (the Trustees), for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement, to provide administrative services, as described herein, with respect to the Fund. The Administrator accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services set forth herein.
2. Services of the Administrator. Subject to the general supervision of the Trustees, the Administrator shall provide the following administrative services with respect to the Fund:
(a) Provide the administrative services described below in furtherance of the ordinary operation of the Fund including, but not limited to, (i) coordinating all matters relating to the ordinary operation of the Fund, including any necessary coordination among the investment adviser to the Fund (the Adviser), custodian, transfer agent, sub-administrator and any portfolio accounting agent (including pricing and valuation of the Funds portfolio), other pricing services, accountants, attorneys, and other parties performing services or operational functions for the Fund; (ii) supervising the maintenance by third parties selected by the Fund of such books and records of the Fund as may be required by applicable federal or state law; (iii) supervising the preparation by third parties selected by the Fund of all federal, state, and local tax returns and reports relating to the Fund required by applicable law; (iv) supervising general portfolio compliance monitoring with respect to applicable federal, state or foreign law or regulation; (v) supervising the preparation and the filing, with the assistance of counsel, and arranging for the distribution of proxy materials and periodic reports to shareholders of the Fund as required by applicable law; (vi) supervising the preparation and the filing, with the assistance of counsel, of registration statements and other documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and other federal and state regulatory authorities as may be required by applicable law; (vii) taking such other action with respect to the Fund as may be required by applicable law, including without limitation the rules and regulations of the SEC and other regulatory agencies; (viii) providing the Fund, with the assistance of counsel, legal support for the purchase, sale, holding, monitoring, disposing or sustenance of portfolio securities and other assets for the Fund; (ix) providing the Fund, at the Administrators expense, with adequate personnel, office space, communications facilities, and other facilities necessary for operation of the Fund as contemplated in this Agreement; (x) arranging for meetings of the Funds Trustees and, in connection therewith, providing the Trustees with necessary or appropriate information for its meetings; (xi) supervising the maintenance of the Funds existence, and during such time as shares of the Fund are publicly offered, maintaining the registration and qualification of the Funds shares under federal and state law; and (xii) supervising the maintenance of the Funds governance documents. Reference in this paragraph to laws will include any applicable regulations. Nothing in this provision shall be deemed to inhibit the Fund or its officers from
1
engaging, at the expense of the Fund, other persons to assist in providing administrative services to the Fund including, but not limited to, accounting agents, recordkeeping agents, proxy solicitation agents, attorneys, accountants, consultants, sub-administrator and others.
(b) Render to the Trustees of the Fund such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request.
(c) Make available to the Fund, promptly upon request, any of the Funds books and records under supervision of the Administrator under this Agreement, and will furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any such books and records and any information or reports in connection with the Administrators services under this Agreement that may be requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Fund are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
(d) Make its officers and employees available to the Trustees and officers of the Fund for consultation and discussions regarding the administration of the Fund and the services provided to the Fund under this Agreement.
(e) Develop and implement, if appropriate, management and shareholder services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fund as an investment vehicle, which include receiving and responding to inquiries and instructions from shareholders or their representatives or intermediaries relating to the Fund, concerning, among other things, share transactions or account information, or referring any such inquiries to the Funds officers or appropriate agents.
(f) Supervise the Funds accountant in determining, consistent with the Funds valuation procedures and the policies and procedures stated in the Funds registration statement, the value of portfolio securities or other assets of the Fund and the net asset value per share for the Fund and calculate for recommendation to or ratification by the Trustees of the Fund, or parties to whom the Trustees have so delegated, the value of any of the Funds portfolio securities and other assets for which readily available market quotations are not available.
(g) Supervise the Funds sub-administrator in its performance of certain sub-administration and sub-accounting services for the Fund.
(h) The Administrator shall also provide services in connection with such other administrative services, whether similar to or different from those described in subparagraphs (a)-(g) of this paragraph 2, as the parties may from time to time agree in writing.
(i) In the event that the Administrator provides any services to the Fund, or pays or assumes a Fund expense, which the Administrator is not obligated to provide, pay or assume under this Agreement, the Administrator shall not be obligated hereby to provide the same or any similar service to the Fund or to pay or assume the same or any similar Fund expense in the future; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to relieve the Administrator of any obligation to the Fund under any separate agreement or arrangement between the parties, including the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser.
3. Conformity with Applicable Law and Industry Standard. The Administrator, in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, shall act in conformity with the registration statement of the Fund and with the instructions, procedures and directions of the Trustees of the Fund and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In addition, the Administrator shall seek to maintain a standard of service that is consistent with those prevailing in the fund industry for comparable funds.
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4. Exclusivity. The services of the Administrator to the Fund under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Administrator, or any affiliate thereof, shall be free to render similar services to other investment companies and other clients (whether or not their investment objectives and policies are similar to those of the Fund) and to engage in other activities.
5. Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, the Administrator will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement, except such expenses as are assumed by the Fund, including without limitation, all Fund expenses set forth in the Funds then current Prospectus, and such expenses as are assumed by the Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser or by the Funds sub-adviser, if any, pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement. To the extent the Administrator incurs any costs or performs any services which are an obligation of the Fund, the Fund shall promptly reimburse the Administrator for such costs and expenses. To the extent the services for which the Fund is obligated to pay are performed by the Administrator, the Administrator shall be entitled to recover from the Fund only to the extent of its costs for such services, as reasonably determined.
6. Compensation. (a) For the services provided by the Administrator to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund shall pay to the Administrator at the end of each month (starting with the month investment operations commence) a fee (the Administration Fee) in an amount equal to 1/12th of the applicable annual fee set forth on Schedule A hereto of the Funds net assets. The Administration Fee will be accrued daily based on the value of the net assets of the Fund as of the close of business on each business day (including any assets in respect of shares that will be repurchased by the Fund as of the end of the month). The Administration Fee is due and payable in arrears within ten business days after the end of the month. The Adviser will pay all fees of the Sub-Administrator in connection with its duties in respect of the Fund.
(b) In the event of termination of this Agreement, the Administration Fee provided in this Section 6 shall be computed on the basis of the period ending on the last business day on which this Agreement is in effect subject to a pro rata adjustment based on the number of days elapsed in the current month as a percentage of the total number of days in such month.
7. Liability; Indemnification.
(a) The Administrator shall give the Fund the benefit of the Administrators reasonable best efforts and diligence in rendering services under this Agreement. The parties acknowledge the importance of the Administrator freely exercising its reasonable judgment in the performance of its responsibilities, obligations and duties hereunder, and thus the Administrator may rely on information reasonably believed by it to be accurate and reliable. Accordingly, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the responsibilities, obligations or duties hereunder, neither the Administrator nor its shareholders, officers, directors, employees, agents or control persons (collectively, the Covered Persons) shall be subject to any liability for any act or omission in connection with or arising out of any services rendered under this Agreement or otherwise related to this Agreement, or for any Losses (as defined below) that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security or other asset by the Fund. Any liability incurred by the Administrator pursuant to this paragraph 7(a) in any year shall be limited to the revenues of the Administrator derived from the Fund in that fiscal year of the Fund. The Administrator shall be responsible as provided herein for the performance of only such duties as are set forth in this Agreement and shall have no responsibility for the actions or activities of any other party, including other agents of or service providers to the Fund. The Administrator shall not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, punitive or consequential damages, including lost profits, of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, attorneys fees) under any provision of this Agreement or for any such damages arising out of any act or failure to act hereunder.
3
(b) The Administrator is authorized and instructed to rely upon the information it receives from the Fund, its Trustees or any third-party agent (including, without limitation, the Funds custodian(s), manager(s), sub-adviser(s), and pricing services or sources) authorized by the Fund to provide such information to the Administrator. The Fund and any third-party agents from which the Administrator shall receive or obtain certain records, reports and other data used or relied upon by the Administrator in rendering the services provided hereunder are solely responsible for the contents of such information, including, without limitation, the accuracy thereof. The Administrator has no responsibility to review, confirm or otherwise assume any duty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any such information and shall be without liability for any loss or damage suffered by the Fund as a result of the Administrators reliance on and utilization of such information. The Administrator shall have no responsibility and shall be without liability for any loss or damage caused by the failure of the Fund or any third-party agent to provide it with the information required.
(c) The Fund shall indemnify and save harmless the Covered Persons and their executors, heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives (Indemnitees), to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges, fees, penalties and other expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements) of every nature and character (Losses), which may be asserted against or incurred by any Indemnitee or for which any Indemnitee may be held liable (a Claim) and that in any way arise out of or in connection with, or in any way relate to, the performance or non-performance of or by the Indemnitee of any of the Administrators duties, responsibilities, or services hereunder, whether express or implied hereunder; provided, however, that no Indemnitee shall be indemnified against any liability by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the Indemnitees duties under this Agreement (disabling conduct).
(d) Expenses, including reasonable counsel fees incurred by the Indemnitee (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, or as fines or penalties), shall be paid from time to time by the Fund in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding upon receipt by the Fund of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay amounts so paid to the Fund if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not indemnifiable under this Agreement; provided, however, that expenses shall not be advanced by the Fund unless (i) the Indemnitee has provided security considered in the reasonable discretion of the Trustees to be appropriate for such undertaking; or (ii) the Fund shall be insured against losses arising from any such advance payments; or (iii) a reasonable belief is formed that the Indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification, as determined by either (x) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund who are not parties to the proceeding, acting on the matter, or (y) independent legal counsel, in a written opinion that includes a discussion of pertinent facts and legal analysis, based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry).
(e) Promptly after receipt of notice of the commencement of an investigation, action, claim or proceeding, an Indemnitee shall notify the Fund in writing of the commencement thereof, although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery under this paragraph. The Fund shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such Loss or Claim, but if the Fund elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Fund and approved by the Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the Fund elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel and notifies the Indemnitee of such election, the Indemnitee in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it subsequent to the receipt of the Funds election. If the Fund does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case the Indemnitee does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by the Fund, or in case there is a conflict of interest between the parties or a party and any Indemnitee, the Fund will reimburse the Indemnitee in such suit for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the Indemnitee.
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(f) In the event the Fund elects to assume its own defense in any such suit, the Fund agrees that it shall not enter into any settlement agreement or similar agreement with other parties in such suit unless the Administrator and all of the other Indemnitees named as defendants are unconditionally released in such agreement or arrangement, or unless the Administrator provides its consent to such settlement or similar arrangement in writing.
(g) The Administrator shall look solely to Fund property for satisfaction of claims of any nature against the Fund or a Trustee, officer or agent of the Fund arising in connection with the affairs of the Fund.
(h) The indemnification agreement and all obligations of the parties contained in this paragraph 7 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any party seeking indemnification and shall survive the delivery of any shares of the Fund and the termination of this Agreement. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the benefit of parties indemnified hereunder and their estates and successors.
8. Continuation and Termination. This Agreement will become effective as of the date first written above and will continue for an initial two-year term. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue from year to year thereafter so long as such continuation is approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees.
This Agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Trustees on ninety (90) days written notice to the Administrator, or by the Administrator at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on ninety (90) days written notice to the Fund.
9. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties thereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Administrator without the written consent of the Fund.
10. Limitation of Liability of Trustees. Notice is hereby given that this Agreement is executed by an officer of the Fund on behalf of the Trustees, as Trustees and not individually, and that the obligations of this Agreement with respect to the Fund shall be binding upon the assets and the properties of the Fund only and shall not be binding upon the assets or properties of the Trustees, officers, agents or shareholders of the Fund individually.
11. Fund Ownership of Records. All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Fund and by the Administrator pursuant to the provisions or rules or regulations of the SEC under Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act, including any such records maintained by the Administrator in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder, are the property of the Fund and shall be surrendered by the Administrator promptly on request by the Fund; provided that the Administrator may at its own expense, make and retain copies of any such records.
12. Notices. Notices of any kind shall be in writing and shall be duly given if delivered to (1) the Administrator at StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC, 128 S Tryon St., Suite 1600, Charlotte, NC 28202; or (2) to the Fund at 128 S Tryon St., Suite 1600, Charlotte, NC 28202.
13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original.
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14. Applicable Law.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, provided that nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or any rules or order of the SEC thereunder, and without regard for the conflicts of laws principle thereof.
(b) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and, to this extent, the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable.
(c) The captions of this Agreement are included for convenience only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank. The signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and attested by their duly authorized officers, on the day and year first above written.
STEPSTONE PRIVATE MARKETS |
By: /s/ Kimberly Zeitvogel |
Name: Kimberly Zeitvogel |
Title: CFO and Treasurer |
STEPSTONE GROUP PRIVATE WEALTH LLC |
By: /s/ Bob Long |
Name: Bob Long |
Title: CEO |
7
Schedule A
Fees
Net Assets | Annual Rate | |
First $100 million |
0.120% | |
Next $100 million |
0.115% | |
Next $100 million |
0.100% | |
First $200 million |
0.080% | |
Next $500 million |
0.070% | |
Next $500 million |
0.065% | |
Assets over $1.5 billion |
0.060% |
8
SUB-ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
THIS SUB-ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is made as of this 27th day of April, 2023, by and between StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Administrator), and UMB Fund Services, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, its successors and assigns (the UMBFS).
WHEREAS, the Administrator acts as administrator to the StepStone Private Markets (the Fund) and the Fund is a closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act (as defined below) and is authorized to issue Shares;
WHEREAS, the Administrator and the UMBFS desire to enter into an agreement pursuant to which the UMBFS shall provide Services (as defined below) to the Fund on behalf of the Administrator.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions In addition to any terms defined in the body of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth hereinafter whenever they appear in this Agreement:
1933 Act shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
1940 Act shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Authorized Person shall mean any individual who is authorized to provide UMBFS with Instructions and requests on behalf of the Administrator or Fund, whose name shall be certified to UMBFS from time to time pursuant to this Agreement. Any officer of the Fund or Administrator authorized by the Board to be an Authorized Person shall be considered an Authorized Person (unless such authority is limited in a writing from the Administrator and received by UMBFS) and has the authority to appoint additional Authorized Persons, to limit or revoke the authority of any previously designated Authorized Person, and to certify to UMBFS the names of the Authorized Persons from time to time.
Board shall mean the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
By-Laws shall mean the Funds By-Laws, including any amendments made thereto.
Commission shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Declaration of Trust shall mean the Declaration of Trust or other similar operational document of the Fund, as the case may be, as the same may be amended from time to time.
Investment Adviser shall mean the investment adviser or investment advisers to the Fund and includes all sub-advisers or persons performing similar services.
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Instructions shall mean an oral communication from an Authorized Person or a written communication signed by an Authorized Person and actually received by UMBFS. Instructions shall include manually executed originals, telefacsimile transmissions of manually executed originals or electronic communications.
Prospectus shall mean the current prospectus and statement of additional information with respect to the Fund (including any applicable amendments and supplements thereto) actually received by UMBFS from the Fund with respect to which the Fund has indicated a Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act.
Registration Statement shall mean any registration statement on Form N-2 at any time now or hereafter filed with the Commission with respect to any of the Shares and any amendments and supplements thereto which at any time shall have been or will be filed with the Commission.
Services shall mean the sub-administration services described on Schedule B hereto and such additional services as may be agreed to by the parties from time to time and set forth in an amendment to Schedule B.
Shares shall mean such shares of beneficial interest, or class thereof, of the Fund as may be issued from time to time.
Shareholder shall mean a record owner of Shares of the Fund.
2. Appointment and Services
(a) The Administrator hereby appoints UMBFS as sub-administrator of the Fund and hereby authorizes UMBFS to provide Services during the term of this Agreement and on the terms set forth herein. Subject to the oversight of the Board and utilizing information provided by the Fund, Administrator and their current and prior agents and service providers, UMBFS will provide the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, UMBFS shall not be required to provide any Services or information that it believes, in its sole, reasonable discretion, to represent dishonest, unethical or illegal activity. In no event shall UMBFS provide any investment advice or recommendations to any party in connection with its Services hereunder.
(b) UMBFS may from time to time, in its reasonable discretion and at its own expense, appoint one or more other parties to carry out some or all of its responsibilities under this Agreement, provided that UMBFS shall remain responsible to the Administrator for all such delegated responsibilities in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent as if UMBFS were itself providing such Services.
(c) UMBFSs duties shall be confined to those expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against UMBFS hereunder. The Services do not include correcting, verifying or addressing any prior actions or inactions of the Fund, Administrator or by any other current or prior agent or service provider. To the extent UMBFS agrees to take such actions, those actions taken shall be deemed part of the Services.
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(d) Subject to the terms of Section 8, and where applicable, the UMBFS further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records described in Schedule B which are maintained by UMBFS for the Fund. To the extent required by Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, UMBFS hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund hereunder are the property of the Fund and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Funds or Administrators request.
(e) Any resolution passed by the Board that affects accounting practices and procedures under this Agreement shall be effective upon written receipt of notice and acceptance by UMBFS.
(f) Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to appoint UMBFS and its officers, directors and employees as the Administrators attorney, form an attorney-client relationship or require the provision of legal advice. The Administrator acknowledges that UMBFSs in-house attorneys exclusively represent UMBFS and the Administrators legal counsel will provide independent judgment on the Administrators behalf. Because no attorney-client relationship exists between UMBFSs in-house attorneys and the Administrator or the Fund, any information provided to the UMBFSs in-house attorneys may not be privileged and may be subject to compulsory disclosure under certain circumstances, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5. UMBFS represents that it will maintain the confidentiality of information disclosed to its in-house attorneys on a best efforts basis.
3. Representations and Deliveries
(a) The Administrator represents and warrants to UMBFS that:
(i) It is a limited liability company duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware; it is empowered under applicable laws and by its operating agreements to enter into and perform this Agreement; and all requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
(ii) It will conduct its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained (or will timely obtain) all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its Declaration of Trust, By-laws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
(b) The Administrator shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Funds officers and trustees, and shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the Funds Investment Adviser, legal counsel, independent accountants, transfer agent, custodian, distributor and other service providers and agents, past or present, to cooperate with UMBFS and to provide UMBFS with such information, documents and communications relating to the Fund and the Administrator as necessary and/or appropriate or as reasonably requested by UMBFS, in order to enable UMBFS to perform the Services. In connection with the performance of the Services, UMBFS shall (without investigation or verification) be entitled and is hereby instructed to, rely upon any and all Instructions, communications, information or documents provided to UMBFS by a representative of the Administrator or by any of the aforementioned persons. UMBFS shall be entitled to rely on any document that it reasonably believes to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party. Fees charged by such persons shall
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be an expense of the Administrator. UMBFS shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any trustee, officer, agent, representative or employee of the Fund, Investment Adviser or service provider until receipt of written notice thereof from the Administrator.
(c) The Board, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator have and retain primary responsibility for all compliance matters relating to the Fund including but not limited to (as applicable to the specific parties) compliance with the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the policies and limitations of the Fund relating to the portfolio investments as set forth in the Prospectus. UMBFSs monitoring and other functions hereunder shall not relieve the Board, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the UMBFS will be responsible for its own compliance with such statutes insofar as such statutes are applicable to the Services it has agreed to provide hereunder, and will promptly notify the Administrator if it becomes aware of any non-compliance which relates to the Fund. The UMBFS shall provide the Administrator with quarterly and annual certifications (on a calendar basis) with respect to the design and operational effectiveness of its compliance and procedures.
(d) The Administrator agrees that it shall advise UMBFS in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to affecting any change in any Prospectus which would increase or alter the duties and obligations of UMBFS hereunder, and shall proceed with such change only if it shall have received the written consent of UMBFS thereto.
(e) UMBFS represents and warrants to the Administrator that:
(i) It is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin; it is empowered under applicable law and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement; and all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
(ii) It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained (or will timely obtain) all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its operating documents or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement. Its execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement will not conflict with or violate (a) any provision of the organizational or governance documents of UMBFS or (b) any law applicable to UMBFS.
(iii) UMBFS shall maintain a disaster recovery and business continuity plan and adequate and reliable computer and other equipment necessary and appropriate to carry out its obligations under this Agreement, including commercially reasonable cybersecurity systems, policies and procedures designed to prevent the unauthorized or inadvertent disclosure of Fund information. Upon the Administrators reasonable request, UMBFS shall provide supplemental information concerning the aspects of its cybersecurity systems, policies and procedures and disaster recovery and business continuity plan that are relevant to the Services.
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(iv) It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement in accordance with industry standards.
(f) UMBFS shall act as liaison with the Funds independent public accountants, to the extent requested by the Administrator, and shall provide account analyses, fiscal year summaries, and other audit-related schedules. UMBFS shall take all reasonable action in the performance of its duties under this Agreement to assure that the necessary information is made available to such auditors and accountants in a timely fashion for the expression of their opinion, as required by the Administrator.
(g) UMBFS agrees to comply (and to the extent UMBFS takes or is required to take action on behalf of the Fund hereunder shall cause the Fund to comply) with all applicable law, as well as all investment restrictions, policies and procedures adopted by the Fund. Except as set forth in this Agreement, UMBFS assumes no responsibility for such compliance by the Fund. UMBFS shall maintain at all times a program reasonably designed to prevent violations of the federal securities laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) with respect to the Services provided.
4. Fees and Expenses
(a) As compensation for the performance of the Services, the Administrator agrees to pay UMBFS the fees set forth on Schedule C hereto. Fees shall be adjusted in accordance with Schedule C or as otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties from time to time. Fees shall be earned and paid monthly in an amount equal to at least 1/12th of the applicable annual fee. The parties may amend this Agreement to include fees for any additional services requested by the Administrator, enhancements to current Services, or to add funds. The Administrator agrees to pay UMBFSs rate (as the parties may agree to in writing from time to time) for Services added to, or for any enhancements to existing Services set forth on, Schedule B after the execution of this Agreement (as the parties may agree to in writing from time to time). In addition, to the extent that UMBFS corrects, verifies or addresses any prior actions or inactions by the Fund or by any prior service provider, UMBFS shall be entitled to additional fees as provided in Schedule C. In the event of any disagreement between this Agreement and Schedule C related to fees, the terms of Schedule C shall control.
(b) For the purpose of determining fees payable to UMBFS, net asset value shall be computed in accordance with the Prospectus and resolutions of the Board. The fee for the period from the day of the month this Agreement is entered into until the end of that month shall be pro-rated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of any month and subject to Section 8(b) of this Agreement, the fee for such part of a month shall be pro-rated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement. Should this Agreement be terminated (other than for cause on the part of the UMBFS) or the Fund be liquidated, merged with or acquired by another fund or investment company, any accrued fees shall be immediately payable.
(c) UMBFS will bear all expenses incurred by it in connection with its performance of Services, except as otherwise provided herein. UMBFS shall not be required to pay or finance any costs and expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, including, but not limited to: taxes; interest; brokerage fees and commissions; salaries, fees and expenses of officers and trustees; Commission fees
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and state Blue Sky fees; advisory fees; charges of custodians, transfer agents, dividend disbursing and accounting services agents and other service providers; security pricing services; insurance premiums; outside auditing and legal expenses; costs of organization and maintenance of corporate existence; taxes and fees payable to federal, state and other governmental agencies; preparation, typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of Prospectuses, statements of additional information, supplements, notices, forms and applications and proxy materials for regulatory purposes and for distribution to current Shareholders; preparation, typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing and other costs of Shareholder reports; expenses in connection with the electronic transmission of documents and information including electronic filings with the Commission and the states; research and statistical data services; expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Funds Shareholders and Trustees; fees and expenses associated with internet, e-mail and other related activities; and extraordinary expenses. Expenses incurred for distribution of Shares, including, as applicable, the typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of Prospectuses for persons who are not Shareholders, will be borne by the Fund, except for such expenses permitted to be paid under a distribution plan adopted in accordance with applicable laws. UMBFS shall not be required to pay any Blue Sky fees or take any related Blue Sky actions unless and until it has received the amount of such fees from the Administrator.
(d) The Administrator also agrees to promptly reimburse UMBFS for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or disbursements reasonably incurred by UMBFS in connection with the performance of Services under this Agreement. Out-of-pocket expenses shall include, but not be limited to, those items specified on Schedule C hereto. If reasonably requested by UMBFS, out-of-pocket expenses are payable in advance. Payment of postage expenses, if prepayment is reasonably requested, is due at least seven (7) days prior to the anticipated mail date. In the event UMBFS reasonably requests advance payment, UMBFS shall not be obligated to incur such expenses or perform the related Service(s) until payment is received.
(e) The Administrator agrees to pay all amounts due hereunder within thirty (30) days of receipt of each invoice (the Due Date). Except as provided in Schedule C, UMBFS shall bill Service fees monthly, and out-of-pocket expenses as incurred (unless prepayment is requested by UMBFS). UMBFS may, at its option, arrange to have various service providers submit invoices directly to the Administrator for payment of reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses.
(f) The Administrator is aware that its failure to remit to UMBFS all amounts due on or before the Due Date may cause UMBFS to incur costs not contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not limited to carrying, processing and accounting charges. Accordingly, in the event that UMBFS does not receive any amounts due hereunder by the Due Date, the Administrator agrees to pay a late charge on the overdue amount equal to one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month or the maximum amount permitted by law, whichever is less. In addition, the Administrator shall pay UMBFSs reasonable attorneys fees and court costs if any amounts due UMBFS in the event that an attorney is engaged to assist in the collection of amounts due. Acceptance of such late charge shall in no event constitute a waiver by UMBFS of the Administrators default or prevent UMBFS from exercising any other rights and remedies available to it.
(g) In the event that any charges are disputed, the Administrator shall, on or before the Due Date, pay all undisputed amounts due hereunder and notify UMBFS in writing of any disputed charges for out-of-pocket expenses which it is disputing in good faith. Payment for such disputed charges shall
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be due on or before the close of the tenth (10th) business day after the day on which UMBFS provides documentation which an objective observer would agree reasonably supports the disputed charges (the Revised Due Date). Late charges shall not begin to accrue as to charges disputed in good faith until the first day after the Revised Due Date.
(h) The Administrator acknowledges that the fees charged by UMBFS under this Agreement reflect the allocation of risk between the parties, including the exclusion of remedies and limitations of liability in Section 6. Modifying the allocation of risk from what is stated herein would affect the fees that UMBFS charges. Accordingly, in consideration of those fees, the Administrator agrees to the stated allocation of risk.
5. Confidential Information
UMBFS agrees on behalf of itself and its affiliates, partners, employees, directors and agents to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relative to the Funds portfolio holdings, not to use such information other than in the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, and not to disclose such information except: (i) when requested to divulge such information by duly-constituted authorities or court process; (ii) to an affiliate, as defined by Section 248.3(a) of Regulation S-P; or, (iii) pursuant to any other exception permitted by Sections 248.14 and 248.15 of Regulation S-P in the ordinary course of business to carry out the activities covered by the exception under which UMBFS received the information. In case of any requests or demands for inspection of the records of the Fund, UMBFS will endeavor to notify the Administrator promptly and to secure instructions from a representative of the Administrator as to such inspection. Records and information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of UMBFS or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information which was already in the possession of UMBFS prior to receipt thereof, shall not be subject to this Section. Any party appointed pursuant to Section 2(b) above shall be required to observe the confidentiality obligations contained herein. The obligations of the parties under Section 5 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
6. Limitation of Liability
(a) UMBFS shall exercise due care and reasonable care in good faith and in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duties hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, UMBFS shall be liable to the Administrator for all losses, damages and reasonable costs and expenses suffered or incurred by such Administrator resulting from the bad faith, gross negligence, fraud, reckless disregard in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, uncured material breach of this Agreement or willful misconduct of UMBFS (the Standard of Care). Subject to the foregoing, UMBFS shall not be liable for: (i) any action reasonably taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with or in reasonable reliance upon Instructions, communications, data, documents or information (without investigation or verification) received by UMBFS from an officer or representative of the Administrator, or from any Authorized Person; (ii) any action taken or omission by the Administrator, the Fund, Investment Adviser, any Authorized Person or any past or current service provider (not including the Sub-Administrator or its affiliates); or, (iii) its reliance on the security valuations without investigation or verification provided by pricing service(s), the Investment Adviser or representatives of the Administrator, in each case only to the extent that the Fund would utilize a pricing service with respect to the valuation of any such security.
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(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each party hereto will be excused from its obligation to perform any Service or obligation required of it hereunder solely for the duration that such performance is prevented by events beyond its reasonable control and shall not be liable for any default, damage, loss of data or documents, errors, delay or any other loss whatsoever caused thereby. UMBFS will, however, take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions for any period that such interruption continues beyond its reasonable control.
(c) In no event and under no circumstances shall the Indemnified Parties (as defined below) be liable to anyone, including, without limitation, the other party, under any theory of tort, contract, strict liability or other legal or equitable theory for lost profits, exemplary, punitive, special, indirect or consequential damages for any act or failure to act under any provision of this Agreement regardless of whether such damages were foreseeable and even if advised of the possibility thereof.
(d) The obligations of the parties under Section 6 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
7. Indemnification
(a) The Administrator agrees to indemnify and hold harmless UMBFS, and its nominees (collectively, the UMBFS Indemnified Parties) from and against any and all claims, demands, actions and suits, and any and all judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, fees, penalties, and other expenses (excluding attorneys fees) of every nature and character (Losses) which may be asserted against or incurred by any UMBFS Indemnified Party or for which any UMBFS Indemnified Party may be held liable (a Claim), arising out of or in any way relating to any of the following, except, in each case, to the extent a Claim resulted from UMBFSs breach of the Standard of Care:
(i) any action or omission of UMBFS;
(ii) UMBFSs reasonable reliance on, implementation of or use of, Instructions, communications, data, documents or information (without investigation or verification) received by UMBFS from any Authorized Person;
(iii) any action taken, or omission by, the Administrator, the Fund, Investment Adviser, any Authorized Person or any past or current service provider (not including UMBFS);
(iv) any Claim that arises out of the Administrators gross negligence or misconduct or breach of any representation or warranty of the Administrator made herein; and
(v) its reliance on the security valuations without investigation or verification provided by pricing service(s), the Investment Adviser or representatives of the Fund, in each case only to the extent that the Fund would utilize a pricing service with respect to the valuation of any such security.
(b) The UMBFS agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrator and their respective employees and officers (collectively, the Administrator Indemnified Parties and together
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with the UMBFS Indemnified Parties, each, an Indemnified Party and together, the Indemnified Parties) from and against any and all Claims against the Administrator Indemnified Parties arising out of or in any way relating to the UMBFSs breach of the Standard of Care except, in each case, to the extent a Claim resulted from the Administrators bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct or breach of any representation or warranty of the Administrator made herein.
(c) Promptly after receipt by a party of notice of the commencement of an investigation, action, claim or proceeding, the receiving party shall, if a claim for indemnification in respect thereof is made under this Section, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by the Indemnified Party. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such Loss, but if the indemnifying party elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the indemnifying party and approved by the Indemnified Party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the indemnifying party elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel and notifies the Indemnified Party of such election, the indemnified defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them subsequent to the receipt of the indemnifying partys election. If the indemnifying party does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case the Indemnified Party does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party, or in case there is a conflict of interest between the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Party, the indemnifying party will reimburse the Indemnified Party or Parties named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. The indemnification agreement contained in this Section 7 and the representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party and shall survive the delivery of any Shares and the termination of this Agreement. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the benefit of each Indemnified Party and their estates and successors. The Administrator agrees to promptly notify UMBFS of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Administrator or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issue and sale of any of the Shares.
(c) The obligations of the parties under this Section 7 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
8. Term
(a) This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Fund as of the date hereof. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund for a two-year period beginning on the date of this Agreement (the Initial Term). Thereafter, if not terminated as provided herein, the Agreement shall continue automatically in effect as to the Fund for successive one-year periods (each a Renewal Term).
(b) In the event this Agreement is terminated by the Administrator prior to the end of the Initial Term or any subsequent Renewal Term, the Administrator shall be obligated to pay UMBFS the remaining balance of the fees payable to UMBFS under this Agreement through the end of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may terminate this Agreement: (i) at the end of the Initial Term or at the end of any successive Renewal Term by giving the
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other party a written notice not less than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the respective term; (ii) upon the material breach of the other party of any term of this Agreement if such breach is not cured within 15 business days of notice of such breach to the breaching party; and (iii) in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the UMBFS by regulatory authorities or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon the termination of the Agreement as provided herein or the liquidation, merger or acquisition of the Fund, UMBFS shall deliver the records of the Fund to the Fund or its successor service provider at the expense of the Administrator in a form that is consistent with UMBFSs applicable license agreements, and thereafter the Administrator or its designee shall be solely responsible for preserving the records for the periods required by all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Administrator shall be responsible for all expenses associated with the movement (or duplication) of records and materials and conversion thereof to a successor service provider, including all reasonable trailing expenses incurred by UMBFS. In addition, in the event of termination of this Agreement, or the proposed liquidation, merger or acquisition of the Fund, and UMBFSs agreement to provide additional Services in connection therewith, UMBFS shall provide such Services and be entitled to such compensation as the parties may mutually agree. UMBFS shall not reduce the level of service provided to the Administrator prior to termination following notice of termination by the Administrator.
9. Power of Attorney
The Administrator hereby grants to Administrator the limited power of attorney on behalf of the Fund to sign Blue Sky forms and related documents in connection with the performance of Services under this Agreement.
10. Miscellaneous
(a) Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when received by the other party as set forth below. Such notices shall be sent to the addresses listed below, or to such other location as either party may from time to time designate in writing:
If to UMBFS: | UMB Fund Services, Inc. | |
235 West Galena Street | ||
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212 | ||
Attention: Legal Department | ||
If to the Administrator: | StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC | |
128 S Tyron St., Suite 1600 | ||
Charlotte, NC 28202 | ||
Attention: Fund Accounting Department |
If notice is sent by electronic delivery or facsimile, it shall be deemed to have been given immediately (contingent upon confirmed receipt by the intended recipient). If notice is sent by first-class mail, it shall be deemed to have been given five days after it has been mailed. If notice is sent by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the day it is delivered.
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(b) Except as provided to the contrary herein, this Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties with the formality of this Agreement.
(c) This Agreement shall be governed by Delaware law, excluding the laws on conflicts of laws. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the Commission thereunder. Any provision of this Agreement which is determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties.
(d) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original agreement but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The facsimile signature of any party to this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such party.
(e) The services of UMBFS hereunder are not deemed to be exclusive. UMBFS may render sub-administration services and any other services to others, including other investment companies.
(f) The captions in the Agreement are included for convenience of reference only, and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(g) This Agreement and the Schedules incorporated herein constitute the full and complete understanding and agreement of Administrator and the UMBFS and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements with respect to sub-administration services.
(h) Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement does not in any way affect any other agreements entered into among the parties hereto and any actions taken or omitted by any party hereunder shall not affect any rights or obligations of any other party hereunder.
(i) UMBFS shall retain all right, title and interest in any and all computer programs, screen formats, report formats, procedures, data bases, interactive design techniques, derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patentable or copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise, trade secrets, trademarks and other related legal rights provided, developed or utilized by UMBFS in connection with the Services provided by UMBFS to the Fund hereunder.
(j) This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns. This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other party, provided; however, that UMBFS may, in its sole discretion and upon advance written notice to the Fund, assign all its right, title and interest in this Agreement to an affiliate, parent or subsidiary.
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(k) This Agreement is executed by the Administrator and the obligations hereunder are not binding upon the Fund, any of the trustees, officers or Shareholders of the Fund individually but are binding only upon the Administrator.
(l) The person signing below represents and warrants that he/she is duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of the party on whose behalf such person is signing.
[Signature page to follow.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized person as of the day, month and year first above written.
STEPSTONE GROUP PRIVATE WEALTH LLC |
(the Administrator) |
By: /s/ Tim Smith |
Title: CFO & COO |
Date: April 27, 2023 |
UMB FUND SERVICES, INC. |
(UMBFS) |
By: /s/ Maureen Quill |
Title: Executive Vice President |
Date: May 3, 2023 |
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Schedule A
to the
Sub-Administration Agreement
by and between
StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC
and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
[RESERVED]
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Schedule B
to the
Sub-Administration Agreement
by and between
StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC
and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
SERVICES
Subject to the oversight of, and utilizing information provided by the Administrator, Fund, Investment Adviser, and the Funds agents, the UMBFS will provide the following services:
Regulatory Administration
Subject to the direction of and utilizing information provided by the Administrator, the Fund, the Investment Adviser, and the Funds agents, UMBFS will provide the services listed below. UMBFSs provision of these services shall not relieve the Fund and the Funds Investment Adviser of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance. UMBFSs ability to provide information regarding compliance with respect to applicable rules and regulations may be limited by the characteristics of the Funds investments. UMBFS shall perform the following duties on behalf of the Fund:
1. | General Fund Management |
a. | Provide appropriate personnel, office facilities, information technology, record keeping and other resources as necessary for UMBFS to perform its duties and responsibilities under this agreement; |
b. | Act as liaison among all Fund service providers. |
2. | Financial Reporting and Audits |
a. | Prepare quarterly, semi-annual and annual schedules and financial statements including schedule of investments and the related statements of operations, assets and liabilities, changes in net assets and cash flow (if required), and financial highlights to each financial statement; |
b. | Draft footnotes to financial statements for approval by the Funds officers and independent accountants; |
c. | Provide facilities, information and personnel as necessary to accommodate annual audits with the Funds independent accountants or examinations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities. |
3. | Compliance |
a. | From time to time as UMBFS deems appropriate (but no less frequently than quarterly), check the Funds compliance with the policies and limitations of the Fund relating to the portfolio investments as set forth in the Funds Offering Memorandum and Statement of Additional Information (but these functions shall not relieve the Funds Portfolio Managers, if any, of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance); |
b. | Monitor Fund activity for compliance with subchapter M under the Internal Revenue Code (but these functions shall not relieve the Funds Portfolio Managers, if any, of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance). Compliance testing is dependent on receiving necessary information from any underlying investment. |
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4. | Expenses |
a. | Prepare annual Fund-level and class-level budgets and update on a periodic basis; |
b. | Coordinate the payment of expenses; |
c. | Establish accruals and provide to the Funds Fund Accountant; |
d. | Provide expense summary reporting as reasonably requested by the Fund. |
5. | Filings |
a. | Provide the following for Form N-2 filings and required updates: |
i. | Preparation of expense table; |
ii. | Performance information; |
iii. | Preparation of shareholder expense transaction and annual fund operating expense examples; and |
iv. | Investment Advisor and trustee fee data. |
b. | Subject to having received all relevant information from the Fund and upon the advice and direction of Fund counsel, prepare Form N-PX and provide to Fund counsel for its review; upon the advice and direction of Fund counsel, file Form N-PX with the Commission as required; |
c. | Assist in compiling exhibits and disclosures for Form N-CEN and Form N-CSR and file when approved by the principal officers of the Fund; |
d. | File Rule 17g-1 fidelity bond filing when received from the Fund or broker. |
6. | Other |
a. | Calculate dividend and capital gain distributions, subject to review and approval by the Funds officers and independent accountants; |
b. | Calculate standard performance, as defined by Rule 482 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as requested by the Fund; |
c. | Report performance and other portfolio information to outside reporting agencies as directed by the Investment Adviser; |
d. | Assist in securing and monitoring the directors and officers liability coverage and fidelity bond for the Fund; |
e. | Provide periodic updates on recent accounting, tax and regulatory events affecting the Fund and/or Investment Adviser; |
f. | Assist the Fund during SEC audits, including providing applicable documents from the SECs document request list; |
g. | Maintain a regulatory compliance calendar (initially provided by the Funds CCO) listing various Board approval and SEC filing dates. |
1. |
Tax Preparation, Compliance and Reporting 1099
1. | Prepare income tax and excise tax provisions. Calculate required income and excise dividend and capital gains distribution amounts subject to review and approval by the Funds officers and their independent accountants. |
2. | Prepare analysis in determining qualified dividend income amounts for notification to shareholders and prepare ICI Primary and Secondary Layouts for shareholder reporting. |
3. | Prepare forms 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Income for board members and other required Fund vendors. |
Online Board Books
Provide web portal access for directors, officers and/or client staff to view completed board materials.
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Blue Sky State Filings
Prepare and file state securities qualification/notice compliance filings, with the advice of the Funds legal counsel, upon and in accordance with instructions from the Fund, which instructions will include the states to qualify in, the amounts of shares to initially and subsequently qualify and the warning threshold to be maintained; promptly prepare an amendment to the Funds notice permit to increase the offering amount as necessary.
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FUND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT
THIS FUND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is made as of this 27th day of April, 2023, by and between StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Administrator), and UMB Fund Services, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, its successors and assigns (the UMBFS).
WHEREAS, the Administrator acts as administrator to StepStone Private Markets (the Fund) and the Fund is a closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act (as defined below) and is authorized to issue Shares;
WHEREAS, the Administrator and the UMBFS desire to enter into an agreement pursuant to which the UMBFS shall provide Services (as defined below) to the Fund on behalf of the Administrator.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions In addition to any terms defined in the body of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth hereinafter whenever they appear in this Agreement:
1933 Act shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
1940 Act shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Authorized Person shall mean any individual who is authorized to provide UMBFS with Instructions and requests on behalf of the Administrator or Fund, whose name shall be certified to UMBFS from time to time pursuant to this Agreement. Any officer of the Fund or Administrator authorized by the Board to be an Authorized Person shall be considered an Authorized Person (unless such authority is limited in a writing from the Administrator and received by UMBFS) and has the authority to appoint additional Authorized Persons, to limit or revoke the authority of any previously designated Authorized Person, and to certify to UMBFS the names of the Authorized Persons from time to time.
Board shall mean the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
By-Laws shall mean the Funds By-Laws, including any amendments made thereto.
Commission shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Declaration of Trust shall mean the Declaration of Trust or other similar operational document of the Fund, as the case may be, as the same may be amended from time to time.
Investment Adviser shall mean the investment adviser or investment advisers to the Fund and includes all sub-advisers or persons performing similar services.
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Instructions shall mean an oral communication from an Authorized Person or a written communication signed by an Authorized Person and actually received by UMBFS. Instructions shall include manually executed originals, telefacsimile transmissions of manually executed originals or electronic communications.
Prospectus shall mean the current prospectus and statement of additional information with respect to the Fund (including any applicable amendments and supplements thereto) actually received by UMBFS from the Fund with respect to which the Fund has indicated a Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act.
Registration Statement shall mean any registration statement on Form N-2 at any time now or hereafter filed with the Commission with respect to any of the Shares and any amendments and supplements thereto which at any time shall have been or will be filed with the Commission.
Services shall mean the fund accounting services described on Schedule B hereto and such additional services as may be agreed to by the parties from time to time and set forth in an amendment to Schedule B.
Shares shall mean such shares of beneficial interest, or class thereof, of the Fund as may be issued from time to time.
Shareholder shall mean a record owner of Shares of the Fund.
2. Appointment and Services
(a) The Administrator hereby appoints UMBFS as fund accountant of the Fund and hereby authorizes UMBFS to provide Services during the term of this Agreement and on the terms set forth herein. Subject to the oversight of the Board and utilizing information provided by the Fund, the Administrator and their current and prior agents and service providers, UMBFS will provide the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, UMBFS shall not be required to provide any Services or information that it believes, in its sole, reasonable discretion, to represent dishonest, unethical or illegal activity. In no event shall UMBFS provide any investment advice or recommendations to any party in connection with its Services hereunder.
(b) UMBFS may from time to time, in its reasonable discretion and at its own expense, appoint one or more other parties to carry out some or all of its responsibilities under this Agreement, provided that UMBFS shall remain responsible to the Administrator for all such delegated responsibilities in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent as if UMBFS were itself providing such Services.
(c) UMBFSs duties shall be confined to those expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against UMBFS hereunder. The Services do not include correcting, verifying or addressing any prior actions or inactions of the Fund, Administrator or by any other current or prior agent or service provider. To the extent UMBFS agrees to take such actions, those actions taken shall be deemed part of the Services.
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(d) It is understood that in determining security valuations, UMBFS employs one or more pricing services, as directed by the Administrator, to determine valuations of portfolio securities for purposes of calculating net asset values of the Fund. The Administrator shall identify to UMBFS the pricing service(s) to be utilized. If requested by the Administrator, the UMBFS shall price the securities and other holdings of the Fund for which market quotations or prices are available by the use of such pricing service(s).
For those securities where prices are not provided by the pricing service(s) utilized by UMBFS, the Administrator shall approve, in good faith, the procedures for determining the fair value of the securities. The Investment Adviser shall determine or obtain the valuation of the securities in accordance with those procedures and shall deliver to UMBFS the resulting prices for use in its calculation of net asset values. When security valuations are so provided, the following provisions will also apply:
(i) Valued securities are typically complicated financial instruments. There are many methodologies (including computer-based analytical modeling and individual security valuations) available to generate approximations of the market value of such securities and there is significant professional disagreement about which method is best. No evaluation method, including those used by UMBFS and its suppliers, may consistently generate approximations that correspond to actual Traded prices of the securities.
(ii) Methodologies used to provide the pricing portion of certain data may rely on valuations, however, the Administrator acknowledges that there may be errors or defects in the software, databases, or methodologies generating the valuations that may cause resultant valuations to be inappropriate for use in certain applications.
The Fund assumes all responsibility for edit checking, external verification of valuations, and ultimately the appropriateness of using data containing valuations, regardless of any efforts made by UMBFS and its suppliers in this regard.
(e) Subject to the terms of Section 8, and where applicable, the UMBFS further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records described in Schedule B which are maintained by UMBFS for the Fund. To the extent required by Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, UMBFS hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund hereunder are the property of the Fund and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Funds or Administrators request.
(f) Any resolution passed by the Board that affects accounting practices and procedures under this Agreement shall be effective upon written receipt of notice and acceptance by UMBFS.
(g) Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to appoint UMBFS and its officers, directors and employees as the Administrators attorney, form an attorney-client relationship or require the provision of legal advice. The Administrator acknowledges that UMBFSs in-house attorneys exclusively represent UMBFS and the Administrators legal counsel will provide independent judgment on the Administrators behalf. Because no attorney-client relationship exists between UMBFSs in-house attorneys and the Administrator or the Fund, any information provided to the UMBFSs in-house attorneys may not be privileged and may be subject to compulsory disclosure under certain circumstances, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5. UMBFS represents that it will maintain the confidentiality of information disclosed to its in-house attorneys on a best efforts basis.
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3. Representations and Deliveries
(a) The Administrator represents and warrants to UMBFS that:
(i) It is a limited liability company duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware; it is empowered under applicable laws and by its operating agreements to enter into and perform this Agreement; and all requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
(ii) It will conduct its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained (or will timely obtain) all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its Declaration of Trust, By-laws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
(b) The Administrator shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Funds officers and trustees, and shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the Funds Investment Adviser, legal counsel, independent accountants, transfer agent, custodian, distributor and other service providers and agents, past or present, to cooperate with UMBFS and to provide UMBFS with such information, documents and communications relating to the Fund and the Administrator as necessary and/or appropriate or as reasonably requested by UMBFS, in order to enable UMBFS to perform the Services. In connection with the performance of the Services, UMBFS shall (without investigation or verification) be entitled and is hereby instructed to, rely upon any and all Instructions, communications, information or documents provided to UMBFS by a representative of the Administrator or by any of the aforementioned persons. UMBFS shall be entitled to rely on any document that it reasonably believes to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party. Fees charged by such persons shall be an expense of the Administrator. UMBFS shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any trustee, officer, agent, representative or employee of the Fund, Investment Adviser or service provider until receipt of written notice thereof from the Administrator.
(c) The Board, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator have and retain primary responsibility for all compliance matters relating to the Fund including but not limited to (as applicable to the specific parties) compliance with the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the policies and limitations of the Fund relating to the portfolio investments as set forth in the Prospectus. UMBFSs monitoring and other functions hereunder shall not relieve the Board, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, UMBFS will be responsible for its own compliance with such statutes insofar as such statutes are applicable to the Services it has agreed to provide hereunder, and will promptly notify the Administrator if it becomes aware of any non-compliance which relates to the Fund. UMBFS shall provide the Administrator with quarterly and annual certifications (on a calendar basis) with respect to the design and operational effectiveness of its compliance and procedures.
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(d) The Administrator agrees that it shall advise UMBFS in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to affecting any change in any Prospectus which would increase or alter the duties and obligations of UMBFS hereunder, and shall proceed with such change only if it shall have received the written consent of UMBFS thereto.
(e) The Administrator will notify UMBFS of any discrepancy between UMBFS and the Fund, including, but not limited to, failing to account for a security position in the Funds portfolio, upon the later to occur of: (i) three (3) business days after receipt of any reports rendered by UMBFS to the Fund; (ii) three (3) business days after discovery of any error or omission not covered in the balancing or control procedure; or (iii) three (3) business days after receiving notice from any Shareholder regarding any such discrepancy.
(f) UMBFS represents and warrants to the Administrator that:
(i) It is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin; it is empowered under applicable law and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement; and all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
(ii) It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained (or will timely obtain) all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its operating documents or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement. Its execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement will not conflict with or violate (a) any provision of the organizational or governance documents of UMBFS or (b) any law applicable to UMBFS.
(iii) UMBFS shall maintain a disaster recovery and business continuity plan and adequate and reliable computer and other equipment necessary and appropriate to carry out its obligations under this Agreement, including commercially reasonable cybersecurity systems, policies and procedures designed to prevent the unauthorized or inadvertent disclosure of Fund information. Upon the Administrators reasonable request, UMBFS shall provide supplemental information concerning the aspects of its cybersecurity systems, policies and procedures and disaster recovery and business continuity plan that are relevant to the Services.
(iv) It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement in accordance with industry standards.
(h) UMBFS shall act as liaison with the Funds independent public accountants, to the extent requested by the Administrator, and shall provide account analyses, fiscal year summaries, and other audit-related schedules. UMBFS shall take all reasonable action in the performance of its duties under this Agreement to assure that the necessary information is made available to such auditors and accountants in a timely fashion for the expression of their opinion, as required by the Administrator.
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(i) UMBFS agrees to comply (and to the extent UMBFS takes or is required to take action on behalf of the Fund hereunder shall cause the Fund to comply) with all applicable law, as well as all investment restrictions, policies and procedures adopted by the Fund. Except as set forth in this Agreement, UMBFS assumes no responsibility for such compliance by the Fund. UMBFS shall maintain at all times a program reasonably designed to prevent violations of the federal securities laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) with respect to the Services provided.
4. Fees and Expenses
(a) As compensation for the performance of the Services, the Administrator agrees to pay UMBFS the fees set forth on Schedule C hereto. Fees shall be adjusted in accordance with Schedule C or as otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties from time to time. Fees shall be earned and paid monthly in an amount equal to at least 1/12th of the applicable annual fee. The parties may amend this Agreement to include fees for any additional services requested by the Administrator, enhancements to current Services, or to add funds. The Administrator agrees to pay UMBFSs rate (as the parties may agree to in writing from time to time) for Services added to, or for any enhancements to existing Services set forth on, Schedule B after the execution of this Agreement (as the parties may agree to in writing from time to time). In addition, to the extent that UMBFS corrects, verifies or addresses any prior actions or inactions by the Fund or by any prior service provider, UMBFS shall be entitled to additional fees as provided in Schedule C. In the event of any disagreement between this Agreement and Schedule C related to fees, the terms of Schedule C shall control.
(b) For the purpose of determining fees payable to UMBFS, net asset value shall be computed in accordance with the Prospectus and resolutions of the Board. The fee for the period from the day of the month this Agreement is entered into until the end of that month shall be pro-rated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of any month and subject to Section 8(b) of this Agreement, the fee for such part of a month shall be pro-rated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement. Should this Agreement be terminated (other than for cause on the part of the UMBFS) or the Fund be liquidated, merged with or acquired by another fund or investment company, any accrued fees shall be immediately payable.
(c) UMBFS will bear all expenses incurred by it in connection with its performance of Services, except as otherwise provided herein. UMBFS shall not be required to pay or finance any costs and expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, including, but not limited to: taxes; interest; brokerage fees and commissions; salaries, fees and expenses of officers and trustees; Commission fees and state Blue Sky fees; advisory fees; charges of custodians, transfer agents, dividend disbursing and accounting services agents and other service providers; security pricing services; insurance premiums; outside auditing and legal expenses; costs of organization and maintenance of corporate existence; taxes and fees payable to federal, state and other governmental agencies; preparation, typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of Prospectuses, statements of additional information, supplements, notices, forms and applications and proxy materials for regulatory purposes and for distribution to current Shareholders; preparation, typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing and other costs of Shareholder reports; expenses in connection with the electronic transmission of documents and information including electronic filings with the Commission and the states; research and statistical data services; expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Funds Shareholders and Trustees; fees and expenses associated
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with internet, e-mail and other related activities; and extraordinary expenses. Expenses incurred for distribution of Shares, including, as applicable, the typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of Prospectuses for persons who are not Shareholders, will be borne by the Fund, except for such expenses permitted to be paid under a distribution plan adopted in accordance with applicable laws. UMBFS shall not be required to pay any Blue Sky fees or take any related Blue Sky actions unless and until it has received the amount of such fees from the Administrator.
(d) The Administrator also agrees to promptly reimburse UMBFS for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or disbursements reasonably incurred by UMBFS in connection with the performance of Services under this Agreement. Out-of-pocket expenses shall include, but not be limited to, those items specified on Schedule C hereto. If reasonably requested by UMBFS, out-of-pocket expenses are payable in advance. Payment of postage expenses, if prepayment is reasonably requested, is due at least seven (7) days prior to the anticipated mail date. In the event UMBFS reasonably requests advance payment, UMBFS shall not be obligated to incur such expenses or perform the related Service(s) until payment is received.
(e) The Administrator agrees to pay all amounts due hereunder within thirty (30) days of receipt of each invoice (the Due Date). Except as provided in Schedule C, UMBFS shall bill Service fees monthly, and out-of-pocket expenses as incurred (unless prepayment is requested by UMBFS). UMBFS may, at its option, arrange to have various service providers submit invoices directly to the Administrator for payment of reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses.
(f) The Administrator is aware that its failure to remit to UMBFS all amounts due on or before the Due Date may cause UMBFS to incur costs not contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not limited to carrying, processing and accounting charges. Accordingly, in the event that UMBFS does not receive any amounts due hereunder by the Due Date, the Administrator agrees to pay a late charge on the overdue amount equal to one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month or the maximum amount permitted by law, whichever is less. In addition, the Administrator shall pay UMBFSs reasonable attorneys fees and court costs if any amounts due UMBFS in the event that an attorney is engaged to assist in the collection of amounts due. Acceptance of such late charge shall in no event constitute a waiver by UMBFS of the Administrators default or prevent UMBFS from exercising any other rights and remedies available to it.
(g) In the event that any charges are disputed, the Administrator shall, on or before the Due Date, pay all undisputed amounts due hereunder and notify UMBFS in writing of any disputed charges for out-of-pocket expenses which it is disputing in good faith. Payment for such disputed charges shall be due on or before the close of the tenth (10th) business day after the day on which UMBFS provides documentation which an objective observer would agree reasonably supports the disputed charges (the Revised Due Date). Late charges shall not begin to accrue as to charges disputed in good faith until the first day after the Revised Due Date.
(h) The Administrator acknowledges that the fees charged by UMBFS under this Agreement reflect the allocation of risk between the parties, including the exclusion of remedies and limitations of liability in Section 6. Modifying the allocation of risk from what is stated herein would affect the fees that UMBFS charges. Accordingly, in consideration of those fees, the Administrator agrees to the stated allocation of risk.
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5. Confidential Information
UMBFS agrees on behalf of itself and its affiliates, partners, employees, directors and agents to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relative to the Funds portfolio holdings, not to use such information other than in the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, and not to disclose such information except: (i) when requested to divulge such information by duly-constituted authorities or court process; (ii) to an affiliate, as defined by Section 248.3(a) of Regulation S-P; or, (iii) pursuant to any other exception permitted by Sections 248.14 and 248.15 of Regulation S-P in the ordinary course of business to carry out the activities covered by the exception under which UMBFS received the information. In case of any requests or demands for inspection of the records of the Fund, UMBFS will endeavor to notify the Administrator promptly and to secure instructions from a representative of the Administrator as to such inspection. Records and information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of UMBFS or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information which was already in the possession of UMBFS prior to receipt thereof, shall not be subject to this Section. Any party appointed pursuant to Section 2(b) above shall be required to observe the confidentiality obligations contained herein. The obligations of the parties under Section 5 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
6. Limitation of Liability
(a) UMBFS shall exercise due care and reasonable care in good faith and in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duties hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, UMBFS shall be liable to the Administrator for all losses, damages and reasonable costs and expenses suffered or incurred by such Administrator resulting from the bad faith, gross negligence, fraud, reckless disregard in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, uncured material breach of this Agreement or willful misconduct of UMBFS (the Standard of Care). Subject to the foregoing, UMBFS shall not be liable for: (i) any action reasonably taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with or in reasonable reliance upon Instructions, communications, data, documents or information (without investigation or verification) received by UMBFS from an officer or representative of the Administrator, or from any Authorized Person; (ii) any action taken or omission by the Administrator, the Fund, Investment Adviser, any Authorized Person or any past or current service provider; or, (iii) its reliance on the security valuations without investigation or verification provided by pricing service(s), the Investment Adviser or representatives of the Administrator, in each case only to the extent that the Fund would utilize a pricing service with respect to the valuation of any such security.
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each party hereto will be excused from its obligation to perform any Service or obligation required of it hereunder solely for the duration that such performance is prevented by events beyond its reasonable control and shall not be liable for any default, damage, loss of data or documents, errors, delay or any other loss whatsoever caused thereby. UMBFS will, however, take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions for any period that such interruption continues beyond its reasonable control.
(c) In no event and under no circumstances shall the Indemnified Parties (as defined below) be liable to anyone, including, without limitation, the other party, under any theory of tort, contract,
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strict liability or other legal or equitable theory for lost profits, exemplary, punitive, special, indirect or consequential damages for any act or failure to act under any provision of this Agreement regardless of whether such damages were foreseeable and even if advised of the possibility thereof.
(d) The obligations of the parties under Section 6 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
7. Indemnification
(a) The Administrator agrees to indemnify and hold harmless UMBFS, and its nominees (collectively, the UMBFS Indemnified Parties) from and against any and all claims, demands, actions and suits, and any and all judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, fees, penalties, and other expenses (excluding attorneys fees) of every nature and character (Losses) which may be asserted against or incurred by any UMBFS Indemnified Party or for which any UMBFS Indemnified Party may be held liable (a Claim), arising out of or in any way relating to any of the following, except, in each case, to the extent a Claim resulted from UMBFSs breach of the Standard of Care:
(i) any action or omission of UMBFS;
(ii) UMBFSs reasonable reliance on, implementation of or use of, Instructions, communications, data, documents or information (without investigation or verification) received by UMBFS from any Authorized Person;
(iii) any action taken, or omission by, the Administrator, the Fund, Investment Adviser, any Authorized Person or any past or current service provider (not including UMBFS);
(iv) any Claim that arises out of the Administrators gross negligence or misconduct or breach of any representation or warranty of the Administrator made herein; and
(v) its reliance on the security valuations without investigation or verification provided by pricing service(s), the Administrator, the Investment Adviser or representatives of the Fund, in each case only to the extent that the Fund would utilize a pricing service with respect to the valuation of any such security.
(b) The UMBFS agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrator, the Fund, their respective employees and officers (collectively, the Administrator Indemnified Parties and together with the UMBFS Indemnified Parties, each, an Indemnified Party and together, the Indemnified Parties) from and against any and all Claims against the Administrator Indemnified Parties arising out of or in any way relating to the UMBFSs breach of the Standard of Care except, in each case, to the extent a Claim resulted from the Administrators bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct or breach of any representation or warranty of the Administrator made herein.
(b) Promptly after receipt by a party of notice of the commencement of an investigation, action, claim or proceeding, the receiving party shall, if a claim for indemnification in respect thereof is made under this Section, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by the Indemnified Party. The indemnifying
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party shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such Loss, but if the indemnifying party elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the indemnifying party and approved by the Indemnified Party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the indemnifying party elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel and notifies the Indemnified Party of such election, the indemnified defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them subsequent to the receipt of the indemnifying partys election. If the indemnifying party does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case the Indemnified Party does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party, or in case there is a conflict of interest between the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Party, the indemnifying party will reimburse the Indemnified Party or Parties named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. The indemnification agreement contained in this Section 7 and the representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party and shall survive the delivery of any Shares and the termination of this Agreement. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the benefit of each Indemnified Party and their estates and successors. The Administrator agrees to promptly notify UMBFS of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Administrator or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issue and sale of any of the Shares.
(c) The obligations of the parties under this Section 7 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
8. Term
(a) This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Fund as of the date hereof. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund for a two-year period beginning on the date of this Agreement (the Initial Term). Thereafter, if not terminated as provided herein, the Agreement shall continue automatically in effect as to the Fund for successive one-year periods (each a Renewal Term).
(b) In the event this Agreement is terminated by the Administrator prior to the end of the Initial Term or any subsequent Renewal Term, the Administrator shall be obligated to pay UMBFS the remaining balance of the fees payable to UMBFS under this Agreement through the end of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may terminate this Agreement: (i) at the end of the Initial Term or at the end of any successive Renewal Term by giving the other party a written notice not less than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the respective term; (ii) upon the material breach of the other party of any term of this Agreement if such breach is not cured within 15 business days of notice of such breach to the breaching party; and (iii) in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the UMBFS by regulatory authorities or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon the termination of the Agreement as provided herein or the liquidation, merger or acquisition of the Fund, UMBFS shall deliver the records of the Fund to the Fund or its successor service provider at the expense of the Administrator in a form that is consistent with UMBFSs applicable license agreements, and thereafter the Administrator or its
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designee shall be solely responsible for preserving the records for the periods required by all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Administrator shall be responsible for all expenses associated with the movement (or duplication) of records and materials and conversion thereof to a successor service provider, including all reasonable trailing expenses incurred by UMBFS. In addition, in the event of termination of this Agreement, or the proposed liquidation, merger or acquisition of the Fund, and UMBFSs agreement to provide additional Services in connection therewith, UMBFS shall provide such Services and be entitled to such compensation as the parties may mutually agree. UMBFS shall not reduce the level of service provided to the Administrator prior to termination following notice of termination by the Administrator.
9. Miscellaneous
(a) Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when received by the other party as set forth below. Such notices shall be sent to the addresses listed below, or to such other location as either party may from time to time designate in writing:
If to UMBFS: | UMB Fund Services, Inc. | |
235 West Galena Street | ||
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212 | ||
Attention: Legal Department | ||
If to the Administrator: | StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC | |
128 S Tyron St., Suite 1600 | ||
Charlotte, NC 28202 | ||
Attention: Fund Accounting Department |
If notice is sent by electronic delivery or facsimile, it shall be deemed to have been given immediately (contingent upon confirmed receipt by the intended recipient). If notice is sent by first-class mail, it shall be deemed to have been given five days after it has been mailed. If notice is sent by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the day it is delivered.
(b) Except as provided to the contrary herein, this Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties with the formality of this Agreement.
(c) This Agreement shall be governed by Delaware law, excluding the laws on conflicts of laws. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the Commission thereunder. Any provision of this Agreement which is determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties.
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(d) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original agreement but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The facsimile signature of any party to this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such party.
(e) The services of UMBFS hereunder are not deemed to be exclusive. UMBFS may render fund accounting services and any other services to others, including other investment companies.
(f) The captions in the Agreement are included for convenience of reference only, and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(g) This Agreement and the Schedules incorporated herein constitute the full and complete understanding and agreement of the Administrator and UMBFS and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements with respect to fund accounting and administration services.
(h) Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement does not in any way affect any other agreements entered into among the parties hereto and any actions taken or omitted by any party hereunder shall not affect any rights or obligations of any other party hereunder.
(i) UMBFS shall retain all right, title and interest in any and all computer programs, screen formats, report formats, procedures, data bases, interactive design techniques, derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patentable or copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise, trade secrets, trademarks and other related legal rights provided, developed or utilized by UMBFS in connection with the Services provided by UMBFS to the Fund hereunder.
(j) This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns. This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other party, provided; however, that UMBFS may, in its sole discretion and upon advance written notice to the Fund, assign all its right, title and interest in this Agreement to an affiliate, parent or subsidiary.
(k) This filing is being made for the purpose of: (i) filing certain exhibits; (ii) updating certain financial information; and (iii) making other non-material changes.
(l) The person signing below represents and warrants that he/she is duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of the party on whose behalf such person is signing.
[Signature page to follow.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized person as of the day, month and year first above written.
STEPSTONE GROUP PRIVATE WEALTH LLC |
(the Administrator) |
By: /s/ Tim Smith |
Title: CFO & COO |
Date: April 27, 2023 |
UMB FUND SERVICES, INC. |
(UMBFS) |
By: /s/ Maureen Quill |
Title: Executive Vice President |
Date: May 3, 2023 |
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Schedule A
to the
Fund Accounting Agreement
by and between
StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC
and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
[RESERVED]
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Schedule B
to the
Fund Accounting Agreement
by and between
StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC
and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
SERVICES
Subject to the oversight of, and utilizing information provided by the Fund, Administrator, Investment Adviser, and the Funds agents, the UMBFS will provide the following services:
Fund Accounting
1. | Cash Processing: |
a. | Provide the Investment Adviser, sub-adviser(s), and/or delegate with a daily report of cash and projected cash; |
b. | Maintain cash and position reconciliations with custodian(s) and prime brokers. |
2. | Investment Accounting and Securities Processing: |
a. | Maintain daily portfolio records for each Fund, using security information provided by the Investment Adviser or sub-adviser(s); |
b. | On a daily basis, process non-discretionary corporate action activity and discretionary corporate action activity upon receipt of instructions from the Investment Adviser; |
c. | On each day a net asset value is calculated, record the prices for every portfolio position using sources approved by the Board; |
d. | On each business day, record interest and dividend accruals, on a book basis, for the portfolio securities held in each Fund and calculate and record the gross earnings on investments for that day. Account for daily or periodic distributions of income to shareholders and maintain undistributed income balances each day; |
e. | On each business day, determine gains and losses on portfolio securities sales on a book basis. Account for periodic distributions of gains to shareholders of each Fund and maintain undistributed gain or loss balance as of each day; |
f. | Provide the Investment Adviser with standard daily/periodic portfolio reports for each Fund as mutually agreed upon. |
3. | General Ledger Accounting and Reconciliation: |
a. | On each business day, calculate the amount of expense accruals according to the methodology, rates or dollar amounts provided by the Investment Adviser or the Funds Administrator. Account for expenditures and maintain accrual balances at a level of accounting detail specified by the Investment Adviser; |
b. | Account for purchases, sales, exchanges, transfers, reinvested distributions, and other activity related to the shares of each Fund as reported by the Funds Transfer Agent. Reconcile activity to the transfer agency records; |
c. | Review outstanding trade, income, or reclaim receivable/payable balances with the appropriate party; |
d. | Maintain and keep current all books and records of the Funds as required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act, and the rules thereunder, in connection with the Fund Accountants duties hereunder. |
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4. | Compute NAV in accordance with Fund procedures: |
a. | Calculate the net asset value per share and other per-share amounts on the basis of shares outstanding reported by the Funds Transfer Agent. |
b. | Issue daily reports detailing per share information of each Fund to such persons (including Transfer Agent, NASDAQ and other reporting agencies) as directed by the Investment Adviser. |
K-1/Tax Survey Service
Administrator will gather and track all Schedules K-1, Annual PFIC Statements, and supplemental Tax Surveys from underlying investments.
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STEPSTONE PRIVATE MARKETS
DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN
WHEREAS, StepStone Private Markets (the Fund) is engaged in business as a closed-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Act); and
WHEREAS, the Fund relies upon exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission to permit the Fund to offer multiple classes of shares (the Exemptive Relief); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Exemptive Relief, the Fund is subject to Rule 12b-1 (Rule 12b-1) under the Act.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Fund hereby adopts the terms of this Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan (the Plan) under Rule 12b-1, with respect to the classes of shares of beneficial interest (each, a Class) listed on Schedule A hereto, as such Schedule A may be amended from time to time, on the following terms and conditions:
1. The Fund may pay to UMB Distribution Services, LLC, the Funds distributor (the Distributor) and other affiliated broker-dealers, unaffiliated broker-dealers, financial institutions and/or intermediaries (collectively, Service Agents) as compensation for the services provided and expenses incurred relating to the distribution, offering and marketing of a Class, fees as set forth in Schedule A hereto, as may be amended from time to time. Such fees shall be calculated and accrued daily and paid monthly or at such other intervals as the Fund and the Distributor shall mutually agree. In addition to the payment of the fees, the Fund may pay for (i) due diligence expenses, (ii) expenses in connection with the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current shareholders and the printing and mailing of sales literature and (iii) expenses related to offering the Fund as an option on any distribution platform a Service Agent administers, including expenses for any services provided in connection therewith.
2. Any shareholder service fees may be paid for the provision of personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts as provided for in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Rule 2341. If FINRA amends the definition of service fee or adopts a related definition intended to define the same concept, the services provided under the Plan shall be automatically amended, without further action of the parties, to conform to such definition.
3. This Plan must be approved, together with any related agreements, by votes of a majority of both (a) the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the Board) and (b) those Trustees of the Fund who are not interested persons of the Fund, as defined in the Act, and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan (the Independent Trustees), cast in person at a meeting (or meetings) called for the purpose of voting on the Plan and related agreements.
4. This Plan shall continue in full force and effect for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in Paragraph 3 hereof.
5. The Distributor shall provide to the Board and the Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of Fund payments made in accordance with this Plan and the purposes for which such payments were made.
6. This Plan may be terminated at any time without penalty with respect to a Class of the Fund by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Class.
7. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount payable hereunder by a Class unless such amendment is approved by a vote of at least a majority (as defined in the Act) of the outstanding voting securities of such Class, and no material amendment to this Plan shall be made unless approved in the manner provided in Paragraph 3 hereof.
8. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Independent Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees then in office.
9. The Distributor may direct that all or any part of the amounts receivable by it under this Plan be paid directly to affiliated broker-dealers, unaffiliated broker-dealers, financial institutions and/or intermediaries. All payments made hereunder pursuant to the Plan shall be in accordance with the terms and limitations of the FINRA Rules.
10. The Fund shall preserve copies of this Plan (including any amendments thereto) and any related agreements and all reports made pursuant to Paragraph 5 hereof for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
11. The obligations of the Fund hereunder are not personally binding upon, nor shall be held to the private property of, any of the Trustees, shareholders, officers, employees or agents of the Fund, but only the Funds property allocable to the applicable Class(es) shall be bound.
12. This Plan only relates to those Classes stated on Schedule A hereto and the fees determined in accordance with Paragraph 1 hereof shall be based upon the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to the applicable Class.
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SCHEDULE A
1. | Class T and S Shareholders of Class T and Class S shares shall pay a fee at the annual rate of 0.85% of the Funds average daily net assets attributable to Class T and Class S shares, 0.25% of which shall be a shareholder service fee. Such fee shall be calculated and accrued daily (before repurchases of any Class T and Class S shares). |
2. | Class D Shareholders of Class D shares shall pay a fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Funds average daily net assets attributable to Class D shares, all 0.25% of which shall be a shareholder service fee. Such fee shall be calculated and accrued daily (before repurchases of any Class D shares). |
3. | Class I Shareholders of Class I shares will not be subject to a fee under this Plan. |
STEPSTONE PRIVATE MARKETS
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
July 17, 2023
WHEREAS, StepStone Private Markets (the Fund) is engaged in business as a closed-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act); and
WHEREAS, the Fund relies upon exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission to permit the Fund to offer multiple classes of shares (the Exemptive Relief); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Exemptive Relief, the Fund is subject to Rule 18f-3 (Rule 18f-3) under the 1940 Act, as if it were an open-end management investment company.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Fund hereby adopts this multiple class plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 (the Plan).
The provisions of the Plan are:
A. | General Description of Classes |
As of the effective date of the Plan as set forth above, the Fund will offer four (4) classes of shares of beneficial interest: Class T Shares, Class S Shares, Class D Shares and Class I Shares. In addition, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan (the 12b-1 Plan) under which shares of certain classes are subject to a sales load and a distribution and shareholder servicing fee. A general description of the fees applicable to each class of shares is set forth below.
1. | Class T. Class T Shares are subject to a sales load of up to 3.50% of the investment amount. Class T Shares are subject to a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at the annual rate of 0.85% of the Funds average daily net assets attributable to Class T Shares under the 12b-1 Plan. Class T Shares require a minimum initial investment of $50,000 and a minimum subsequent investment of $5,000. |
2. | Class S. Class S Shares are subject to a sales load of up to 3.50% of the investment amount. Class S Shares are subject to a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at the annual rate of 0.85% of the Funds average daily net assets attributable to Class S Shares under the 12b-1 Plan. Class S Shares require a minimum initial investment of $50,000 and a minimum subsequent investment of $5,000. |
3. | Class D. Class D Shares are not subject to a sales load. Class D Shares are subject to a shareholder servicing fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Funds average daily net assets attributable to Class D Shares under the 12b-1 Plan. Class D Shares require a minimum initial investment of $50,000 and a minimum subsequent investment of $5,000. |
4. | Class I. Class I Shares are not subject to a sales load. Class I Shares are not subject to a distribution or shareholder servicing fee under the 12b-1 Plan. Class I Shares require a minimum initial investment of $1,000,000 and a minimum subsequent investment of $100,000. |
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B. | Expense Allocation of Each Class |
All expenses incurred by the Fund will be allocated among its classes of shares based on the respective net assets of the Fund attributable to each such class, except that the net asset value and expenses of each class will reflect the expenses associated with the 12b-1 Plan of that class (if any), shareholder services fees attributable to a particular class (including transfer agency fees, if any).
Each class of shares may, by action of the Funds Board of Trustees (the Board) or its delegate, also pay a different amount of the following expenses:
1. | administrative and/or accounting or similar fees (each as described in the Funds prospectus, as amended or supplemented from time to time); |
2. | legal, printing and postage expenses related to preparing and distributing to current shareholders of a specific class materials such as shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxies; |
3. | Blue Sky fees incurred by a specific class; |
4. | Securities and Exchange Commission registration fees incurred by a specific class; |
5. | expenses of administrative personnel and services required to support the Shareholders of a specific class; |
6. | Trustees fees incurred as a result of issues relating to a specific class; |
7. | Auditors fees, litigation expenses, and other legal fees and expenses relating to a specific class; |
8. | incremental transfer agent fees and shareholder servicing expenses identified as being attributable to a specific class; |
9. | account expenses relating solely to a specific class; |
10. | expenses incurred in connection with any shareholder meetings as a result of issues relating to a specific class; and |
11. | any such other expenses (not including advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the Funds assets) actually incurred in a different amount by a class or related to a classs receipt of services of a different kind or to a different degree than another class, including reimbursement for any expense support provided to such class. |
C. | Voting Rights |
Each share of the Fund entitles the shareholder of record to one vote. Shareholders of each class will vote separately as a class to approve any material increase in payments applicable to each class authorized under the 12b-1 Plan and on other matters for which class voting is required under applicable law. In addition, each class shall have separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class.
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D. | Exchanges |
A class of shares of the Fund may be exchanged without payment of any exchange fee for another class of shares of the Fund at their respective net asset values, to the extent provided in the Funds prospectus.
E. | Waivers and Reimbursements |
Fees and expenses may be waived or reimbursed by StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC, the Funds investment adviser, or any other service provider. Such waiver or reimbursement may be applicable to some or all of the classes and may be in different amounts for one or more classes.
F. | Income, Gains and Losses |
Income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses shall be allocated to each class on the basis of the net asset value of that class in relation to the net asset value of the Fund.
The Fund may allocate income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses to each share based on relative net assets (settled shares) of each class, as permitted by Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act.
G. | Dividends |
Dividends paid by the Fund, with respect to its classes of shares, to the extent any dividends are paid, will be calculated in the same manner, at the same time and will be in the same amount, except that any expenses relating to a class of shares will be borne exclusively by that class.
H. | Class Designation |
Subject to approval by the Board, the Fund may alter the nomenclature for the designations of one or more of its classes of shares.
I. | Additional Information |
This Plan is qualified by and subject to the terms of the then-current prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for the applicable classes; provided, however, that none of the terms set forth in any such prospectus and Statement of Additional Information shall be inconsistent with the terms of the classes contained in this Plan.
J. | Effective Date |
This Plan is effective upon the date set forth above, provided that this Plan shall not become effective with respect to the Fund or a class of shares of the Fund unless first approved by a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not considered interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund (the Independent Trustees). This Plan may be terminated or amended at any time with respect to the Fund or a class of shares thereof by a majority of the Independent Trustees.
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TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
THIS TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is made as of this 11th day of March, 2023, by and between StepStone Private Markets, a Delaware statutory trust (the Fund), and UMB Fund Services, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, its successors and assigns (the Transfer Agent).
WHEREAS, the Fund is a closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act (as defined below) and authorized to issue Shares (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, the Fund and Transfer Agent desire to enter into an agreement pursuant to which Transfer Agent shall provide Services (as defined below) to the Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions In addition to any terms defined in the body of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth hereinafter whenever they appear in this Agreement:
1933 Act shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
1934 Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
1940 Act shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Authorized Person shall mean any individual who is authorized to provide Transfer Agent with Instructions on behalf of the Fund, whose name shall be certified to Transfer Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 3(b) of this Agreement. Any officer of the Fund shall be considered an Authorized Person (unless such authority is limited in a writing from the Fund and received by Transfer Agent) and has the authority to appoint additional Authorized Persons, to limit or revoke the authority of any previously designated Authorized Person, and to certify to Transfer Agent the names of the Authorized Persons from time to time.
Board shall mean the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
Commission shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Custodian shall mean the financial institution appointed as custodian under the terms and conditions of a custody agreement between the financial institution and the Fund, or its successor.
Declaration of Trust shall mean the Declaration of Trust or other similar operational document of the Fund, as the case may be, as the same may be amended from time to time.
Fund Business Day shall mean each day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is open for trading.
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Investment Adviser shall mean the investment adviser or investment advisers to the Fund and includes all sub-advisers or persons performing similar services.
Instructions shall mean an oral communication from an Authorized Person or a written communication signed by an Authorized Person and actually received by Transfer Agent. Instructions shall include manually executed originals, telefacsimile transmissions of manually executed originals or electronic communications.
Offering Price shall mean the price per share that the Shares will be offered for sale to the public calculated in accordance with the Funds then current Prospectus.
Prospectus shall mean the current prospectus and statement of additional information with respect to the Fund (including any applicable amendments and supplements thereto) actually received by Transfer Agent from the Fund with respect to which the Fund has indicated a Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act.
Registration Statement shall mean any registration statement on Form N-2 at any time now or hereafter filed with the Commission with respect to any of the Shares and any amendments and supplements thereto which at any time shall have been or will be filed with the Commission.
Services shall mean the transfer agency and dividend disbursement services described on Schedule B hereto and such additional services as may be agreed to by the parties from time to time and set forth in an amendment to Schedule B.
Shares shall mean such shares of beneficial interest, or class thereof, of the Fund as may be issued from time to time.
Shareholder shall mean a record owner of Shares of the Fund.
2. Appointment and Services
(a) The Fund hereby appoints Transfer Agent as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent of all Shares and hereby authorizes Transfer Agent to provide Services during the term of this Agreement and on the terms set forth herein. Subject to the direction and control of the Board and utilizing information provided by the Fund and its current and prior agents and service providers, Transfer Agent will provide the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Transfer Agent shall not be required to provide any Services or information that it believes, in its sole discretion, to represent dishonest, unethical or illegal activity. In no event shall Transfer Agent provide any investment advice or recommendations to any party in connection with its Services hereunder.
(b) Transfer Agent may from time to time, in its discretion and at its own expense, appoint one or more other parties to carry out some or all of its duties under this Agreement, provided that Transfer Agent shall remain responsible to the Fund for all such delegated responsibilities in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent as if Transfer Agent were itself providing such Services.
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(c) Transfer Agents duties shall be confined to those expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against Transfer Agent hereunder. The Services do not include correcting, verifying or addressing any prior actions or inactions of the Fund or by any other current or prior agent or service provider. To the extent that Transfer Agent agrees to take such actions, those actions shall be deemed part of the Services.
(d) Transfer Agent shall not be responsible for the payment of any original issue or other taxes required to be paid by the Fund in connection with the issuance of any Shares in accordance with this Agreement.
(e) Processing and Procedures
(i) Transfer Agent agrees to accept purchase orders and repurchase requests with respect to the Shares of the Fund via postal mail, telephone, electronic delivery or personal delivery on each Fund Business Day in accordance with the Funds Prospectus; provided, however, that Transfer Agent shall only accept purchase orders from jurisdictions in which the Shares are qualified for sale, as indicated from time to time by the Fund or pursuant to an Instruction. Transfer Agent shall, as of the time at which the net asset value (NAV) of the Fund is computed as of the last business day of each calendar month, issue to the accounts specified in a purchase order in proper form and accepted by the Fund the appropriate number of full and fractional Shares based on the NAV per Share of the Fund specified in a communication received on such Fund Business Day from or on behalf of the Fund. Transfer Agent shall redeem from accounts any Shares tendered for repurchase in accordance with procedures stated in the Funds Prospectus or pursuant to an Instruction. Transfer Agent shall not be required to issue any Shares after it has received from an Authorized Person or from an appropriate federal or state authority written notification that the sale of Shares has been suspended or discontinued, and Transfer Agent shall be entitled to rely upon such written notification. Payment for Shares shall be in the form of a check, wire transfer, Automated Clearing House transfer (ACH) or such other methods to which the parties shall mutually agree.
(ii) Upon receipt of a repurchase request and monies paid to it by the Custodian in connection with a repurchase of Shares, Transfer Agent shall cancel the repurchased Shares and after making appropriate deduction for any withholding of taxes required of it by applicable federal law, make payment in accordance with the Funds repurchase and payment procedures described in the Prospectus.
(iii) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, Transfer Agent will exchange, transfer or repurchase Shares upon presentation to Transfer Agent of instructions endorsed for exchange, transfer or repurchase, accompanied by such documents as Transfer Agent deems necessary to evidence the authority of the person making such exchange, transfer or repurchase. Transfer Agent reserves the right to refuse to exchange, transfer or repurchase Shares until it is satisfied that the endorsement or instructions are valid and genuine. For that purpose, it will require, unless otherwise instructed by an Authorized Person or except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, a Medallion signature guarantee by an Eligible Guarantor Institution as that term is defined by Commission in Rule 17Ad-15. Transfer Agent also reserves the right to refuse to exchange, transfer or repurchase Shares until it is satisfied that the requested exchange, transfer or repurchase is legally authorized, and it shall incur no liability for the refusal, in good faith, to make exchanges, transfers or repurchases which Transfer Agent, in its judgment, deems improper or unauthorized, or until it is satisfied that there is no reasonable basis to any claims adverse to such exchange, transfer or repurchase. Notwithstanding any provision contained in this
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Agreement to the contrary, Transfer Agent shall not be required or expected to require, as a condition to any exchange, transfer or repurchase of any Shares pursuant to an electronic data transmission, any documents to evidence the authority of the person requesting the exchange, transfer or repurchase and/or the payment of any stock transfer taxes, and shall be fully protected in acting in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Section 3(e).
(iv) In connection with each purchase and each repurchase of Shares, Transfer Agent shall send such statements as are prescribed by the federal securities laws applicable to transfer agents or as described in the Prospectus. It is understood that certificates for Shares have not been and will not be offered by the Fund or made available to Shareholders.
(v) Transfer Agent and the Fund shall establish procedures for effecting purchase, repurchase, exchange or transfer transactions accepted from Shareholders by methods consistent with the terms of the Prospectus. Transfer Agent may establish such additional procedures, rules and requirements governing the purchase, repurchase, exchange or transfer of Shares, as it may deem advisable and consistent with the Prospectus and industry practice. Transfer Agent, the Fund, and the Funds distributor (the Distributor) shall establish procedures for effecting commission and additional compensation to selling agents through which the Distributor has a selling group agreement or other financial arrangement with, including any periodic reporting necessary for the Distributor to perform its duties with respect to the Fund. Transfer Agent shall not be liable, and shall be held harmless by the Fund, for its actions or omissions which are consistent with the forgoing procedures if such actions and omissions do not constitute gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct by the Transfer Agent.
(f) Dividends and Distributions
(i) When a dividend or distribution has been declared, the Fund shall give or cause to be given to Transfer Agent a copy of a resolution of the Board that either:
(A) sets forth the date of the declaration of a dividend or distribution, the date of accrual or payment, as the case may be, thereof, the record date as of which Shareholders entitled to payment or accrual, as the case may be, shall be determined, the amount per Share of such dividend or distribution, the payment date on which all previously accrued and unpaid dividends are to be paid, and the total amount, if any, payable to Transfer Agent on such payment date; or
(B) authorizes the declaration of dividends and distributions on a daily or other periodic basis and further authorizes Transfer Agent to rely on a certificate of an Authorized Person setting forth the information described in subparagraph (A) above.
(ii) In connection with a reinvestment of a dividend or distribution of Shares of the Fund, Transfer Agent shall as of each Fund Business Day, as specified in a certificate or resolution described in subparagraph (i), issue Shares of the Fund based on the NAV per Share of the Fund specified in a communication received from or on behalf of the Fund on such Fund Business Day.
(iii) Upon the mail date specified in such certificate or resolution, as the case may be, the Fund shall, in the case of a cash dividend or distribution, cause the Custodian to deposit in an account in the name of Transfer Agent on behalf of the Fund, an amount of cash sufficient for Transfer Agent to make the payment, as of the mail date specified in such certificate or resolution, as the case may be, to the
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Shareholders who were of record on the record date. Transfer Agent will, upon receipt of any such cash, make payment of such cash dividends or distributions to the Shareholders as of the record date. Transfer Agent shall not be liable for any improper payments made in accordance with a certificate or resolution described in the preceding paragraph. If Transfer Agent does not receive from the Custodian sufficient cash to make payments of any cash dividend or distribution to all Shareholders of the Fund as of the record date, Transfer Agent shall, upon notifying the Fund, withhold payment to such Shareholders until sufficient cash is provided to Transfer Agent.
(iv) It is understood that Transfer Agent in its capacity as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent shall in no way be responsible for the determination of the rate or form of dividends or capital gain distributions due to the Shareholders pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. It is further understood that Transfer Agent shall file with the Internal Revenue Service and Shareholders such appropriate federal tax forms concerning the payment of dividend and capital gain distributions but shall in no way be responsible for the collection or withholding of taxes due on such dividends or distributions due to shareholders, except and only to the extent, required by applicable federal law.
(g) Records
(i) Transfer Agent shall keep those records specified in Schedule D hereto in the form and manner, and for such period, as it may deem advisable but not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate government authorities, in particular Rules 31a-2 and 31a-3 under the 1940 Act. Transfer Agent shall destroy records only at the direction of the Fund, and any such destruction shall comply with the provisions of Section 248.30(b) of Regulation S-P (17 CFR 248.1-248.30). Transfer Agent may deliver to the Fund from time to time at Transfer Agents discretion, for safekeeping or disposition by Transfer Agent in accordance with law, such records, papers and documents accumulated in the execution of its duties as transfer agent, as Transfer Agent may deem expedient, other than those which Transfer Agent is itself required to maintain pursuant to applicable laws and regulations. The Fund shall assume all responsibility for any failure thereafter to produce any record, paper, or other document so returned, if and when required. To the extent required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the records specified in Schedule D hereto maintained by Transfer Agent, which have not been previously delivered to the Fund pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, shall be considered to be the property of the Fund, shall be made available upon request for inspection by the trustees, officers, employees, and auditors of the Fund. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Transfer Agent shall be permitted to maintain copies of any such records, papers and documents to the extent necessary to comply with the recordkeeping requirements of federal and state securities laws, tax laws and other applicable laws.
(h) Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Services
(i) Background Although the Fund currently is not subject to detailed anti-money laundering (AML) program obligations under the USA PATRIOT Act, the Fund has sought to implement appropriate controls reasonably designed to prevent the use of the Fund for money laundering or other illicit purposes. To the extent the other provisions of this Agreement require the Transfer Agent to establish, maintain and monitor accounts of investors in the Fund consistent with securities laws, the Transfer Agent shall perform reasonable actions necessary to help the Fund be in compliance with Section 352 of the USA PATRIOT Act, as follows: the Transfer Agent shall: (a) establish and implement written internal policies, procedures and controls reasonably designed to help prevent the Fund from being used
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to launder money or finance terrorist activities; (b) provide for independent testing, by an employee who is not responsible for the operation of the Transfer Agents AML program or by an outside party, for compliance with Transfer Agents established AML Procedures; (c) designate a person or persons responsible for implementing and monitoring the operation and internal controls of the Transfer Agents AML Program; and (d) provide ongoing training of the Transfer Agents personnel relating to the prevention of money-laundering activities.
In order to assist its transfer agency clients with their AML responsibilities under the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, the customer identification program rules jointly adopted by the Commission and the U.S. Treasury Department and other applicable regulations adopted thereunder (the AML Laws), Transfer Agent offers various tools designed to: (a) aid in the detection and reporting of potential money laundering activity by monitoring certain aspects of Shareholder activity; and (b) assist in the verification of persons opening accounts with the Fund and determine whether such persons appear on any list of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations, including the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list (AML Monitoring Activities). In connection with the AML Monitoring Activities, Transfer Agent may encounter Shareholder activity that would require it to file a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) with the Department of the Treasurys Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), as required by 31 CFR 103.15(a)(2) (Suspicious Activity). The Fund has, after review, selected various procedures and tools offered by Transfer Agent to comply with its AML and customer identification program obligations under the AML Laws (the AML Procedures), and desires to implement the AML Procedures as part of its overall AML program and, subject to the terms of the AML Laws, delegate to Transfer Agent the day- to-day operation of the AML Procedures on behalf of the Fund.
(ii) Delegation The Fund acknowledges that it has had an opportunity to review, consider and select the AML Procedures and the Fund has determined that the AML Procedures, as part of the Funds overall AML program, are reasonably designed to prevent the Fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities and to achieve compliance with the applicable provisions of the AML Laws. Based on this determination, the Fund hereby instructs and directs Transfer Agent to implement the AML Procedures on its behalf, as such may be amended or revised from time to time. The customer identification verification component of the AML Procedures applies only to Shareholders who are residents of the United States. The Fund hereby also delegates to Transfer Agent the authority to report Suspicious Activity to FinCEN.
(iii) SAR Filing Procedures
(A) When Transfer Agent observes any Suspicious Activity, Transfer Agent shall prepare a draft of a SAR on Form SAR-SF, and shall send a copy to the Fund for review. Transfer Agent shall complete each SAR in accordance with the procedures set forth in 31 CFR §103.15(a)(3), with the intent to satisfy the reporting obligation of both Transfer Agent and the Fund. Accordingly, the SAR shall include the name of both Transfer Agent and the Fund, and shall include the words, joint filing in the narrative section.
(B) The Fund shall review the SAR and provide comments, if any, to Transfer Agent within a time frame sufficient to permit Transfer Agent to file the SAR in accordance with the deadline set forth in 31 CFR §103.15(b)(3). Upon receipt of final approval from the Fund, Transfer Agent (or its affiliate) shall file the SAR in accordance with the procedures set forth in 31 CFR §103.15(b).
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(C) Transfer Agent shall provide to the Fund a copy of each SAR filed, together with supporting documentation. In addition, Transfer Agent shall maintain a copy of the same for a period of at least five (5) years from the date of the SAR filing.
(D) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent either party from making a determination that such party has an obligation under the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 to file a SAR relating to any Suspicious Activity, and from making such filing independent of the other party hereto.
(iv) Amendment to Procedures It is contemplated that the AML Procedures will be amended from time to time by the parties as directed by the Fund as additional regulations are adopted and/or regulatory guidance is provided relating to the Funds AML responsibilities.
(v) Reporting Transfer Agent agrees to provide to the Fund: (i) prompt notification of any transaction or combination of transactions that Transfer Agent believes, based on the AML Procedures, evidence potential money laundering activity in connection with the Fund or any Shareholder; (ii) prompt notification of any true and complete match of a Shareholder(s) to the names included on the OFAC list or any Section 314(a) search list, or list referenced in Section 2(h)(i), above; (iii) any reports received by Transfer Agent from any government agency or applicable industry self-regulatory organization pertaining to Transfer Agents AML Monitoring Activities; (iv) any action taken in response to AML violations as described above; (v) quarterly reports of its monitoring and verification activities on behalf of the Fund; (vi) all updates to Transfer Agents AML Procedures; and (vii) a summary of the AML training provided for appropriate Transfer Agent personnel. Transfer Agent shall provide such other reports on the verification activities conducted at the direction of the Fund as may be agreed to from time to time by Transfer Agent and the Funds AML officer.
(vi) Inspection The Fund hereby directs, and Transfer Agent agrees to: (1) permit federal regulators access to such information and records maintained by Transfer Agent and relating to Transfer Agents implementation of the AML Procedures on behalf of the Fund, as they may request; and, (2) permit such federal regulators to inspect Transfer Agents implementation of the AML Procedures on behalf of the Fund.
(vii) Disclosure Obligations Regarding SARs Neither Transfer Agent nor the Fund shall disclose any SAR filed or the information included in a SAR to any third party other than affiliates of Transfer Agent or the Fund on a need to know basis and in accordance with applicable law, rule, regulation and interpretation, that would disclose that a SAR has been filed.
3. Representations and Deliveries
(a) The Fund shall deliver or cause the following documents to be delivered to Transfer Agent:
(1) A copy of the Declaration of Trust and By-laws and all amendments thereto, certified by a duly authorized person of the Fund;
(2) Copies of the Funds Registration Statement, as of the date of this Agreement, together with any applications filed in connection therewith;
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(3) A certificate signed by the President and Secretary of the Fund specifying the number of authorized Shares and the number of such authorized Shares issued and currently outstanding, if any, the validity of the authorized and outstanding Shares, whether such Shares are fully paid and non-assessable, and the status of the Shares under the 1933 Act and any other applicable federal law or regulation;
(4) A certified copy of the resolutions of the Board appointing Transfer Agent and authorizing the execution of this Agreement on behalf of the Fund;
(5) A certificate containing the names of the initial Authorized Persons in a form acceptable to Transfer Agent. Any officer of the Fund shall be considered an Authorized Person (unless such authority is limited in a writing from the Fund and received by Transfer Agent) and has the authority to appoint additional Authorized Persons, to limit or revoke the authority of any previously designated Authorized Person, and to certify to Transfer Agent the names of the Authorized Persons from time to time. The certificate required by this paragraph shall be signed by an officer of the Fund and designate the names of the Funds initial Authorized Persons;
(6) Prior written notice of any increase or decrease in the total number of Shares authorized to be issued, or the issuance of any additional Shares of the Fund pursuant to stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations, capital adjustments or similar transactions, if applicable, and to deliver to Transfer Agent such documents, certificates, reports and legal opinions as it may reasonably request; and
(7) All other documents, records and information that Transfer Agent may reasonably request in order for Transfer Agent to perform the Services hereunder.
(b) The Fund represents and warrants to Transfer Agent that:
(1) It is a statutory trust duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware; it is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Trust and By-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement; and all requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
(2) Any officer of the Fund has the authority to appoint additional Authorized Persons, to limit or revoke the authority of any previously designated Authorized Person, and to certify to Transfer Agent the names of such Authorized Persons (unless such authority is limited in a writing from the Fund and received by Transfer Agent).
(3) It is duly registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act.
(4) A Registration Statement under the 1933 Act will be effective before the Fund will issue Shares and will remain effective during such period as the Fund is offering Shares for sale in any public offering. Additionally, appropriate state securities laws filings will be made before Shares are issued in any jurisdiction and such filings will continue to be made, with respect to Shares of the Fund being offered for sale.
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(5) All outstanding Shares are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and when Shares are hereafter issued in accordance with the terms of the Declaration of Trust and the Funds Prospectus, such Shares shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(6) It will conduct its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained (or will timely obtain) all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its Declaration of Trust, By-laws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
(c) During the term of this Agreement, the Fund shall have the ongoing obligation to provide Transfer Agent with a copy of the Funds currently effective Prospectus as soon as it becomes effective. For purposes of this Agreement, Transfer Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of any information contained in any such Prospectus until a reasonable time after it is actually received by Transfer Agent.
(d) The Board, the administrator of the Fund (the Administrator) and the Investment Adviser have and retain primary responsibility for all compliance matters relating to the Fund including but not limited to (as applicable to the specific parties) compliance with the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the policies and limitations of the Fund related to the portfolio investments as set forth in the Prospectus. Transfer Agents Services hereunder shall not relieve the Board, the Administrator and the Investment Adviser of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Transfer Agent will be responsible for its own compliance with such statutes insofar as such statutes are applicable to the Services it has agreed to provide hereunder, and will promptly notify the Fund if it becomes aware of any material non-compliance which relates to the Fund. The Transfer Agent shall provide the Fund with quarterly and annual certifications (on a calendar basis) with respect to the design and operational effectiveness of its compliance and procedures.
(e) The Fund agrees to take or cause to be taken all requisite steps to qualify the Shares for sale in all states in which the Shares shall at the time be offered for sale and require qualification. If the Fund receives notice of any stop order or other proceeding in any such state affecting such qualification or the sale of Shares, or of any stop order or other proceeding under the federal securities laws affecting the sale of Shares, the Fund will give prompt notice thereof to Transfer Agent.
(f) The Fund agrees that it shall advise Transfer Agent in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to affecting any change in any Prospectus which would increase or alter the duties and obligations of Transfer Agent hereunder, and shall proceed with such change only if it shall have received the written consent of Transfer Agent thereto, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(g) Fund Instructions
(i) The Fund shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Funds officers, trustees, Investment Adviser, legal counsel, independent accountants, administrator, fund accountant, Custodian and other service providers and agents, past or present, to cooperate with Transfer Agent and to provide Transfer Agent with such information, documents and communications as necessary and/or appropriate or as requested by Transfer Agent, in order to enable Transfer Agent to perform the Services. In connection with the performance of the Services, Transfer Agent shall (without investigation or verification) be
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entitled, and is hereby instructed to, rely upon any and all Instructions, communications, information or documents provided to Transfer Agent by a representative of the Fund or by any of the aforementioned persons. Transfer Agent shall be entitled to rely on any document that it reasonably believes to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party. Fees charged by such persons shall be an expense of the Fund. Transfer Agent shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any trustee, officer, agent, representative or employee of the Fund, Investment Adviser, Authorized Person or service provider until receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund.
(ii) The Fund shall provide Transfer Agent with an updated certificate evidencing the appointment, removal or change of authority of any Authorized Person, it being understood Transfer Agent shall not be held to have notice of any change in the authority of any Authorized Person until receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund.
(iii) Transfer Agent, its officers, agents or employees shall accept Instructions given to them by any person representing or acting on behalf of the Fund only if such representative is an Authorized Person. The Fund agrees that when oral Instructions are given, it shall, upon the request of Transfer Agent, confirm such Instructions in writing.
(iv) At any time, Transfer Agent may request Instructions from the Fund with respect to any matter arising in connection with this Agreement. If such Instructions are not received within a reasonable time, then Transfer Agent may seek advice from legal counsel for the Fund at the expense of the Fund, or its own legal counsel at its own expense, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in good faith in accordance with such Instructions or in accordance with advice of counsel.
(h) Transfer Agent represents and warrants to the Fund that:
(i) It is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin; it is empowered under applicable law and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement; and all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
(ii) It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its operating documents or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
(iii) Transfer Agent shall maintain a disaster recovery and business continuity plan and adequate and reliable computer and other equipment necessary and appropriate to carry out its obligations under this Agreement, including commercially reasonable cybersecurity systems, policies and procedures designed to prevent the unauthorized or inadvertent disclosure of Fund information. Upon the Funds reasonable request, the Transfer Agent shall provide supplemental information concerning the aspects of its cybersecurity systems, policies and procedures and disaster recovery and business continuity plan that are relevant to the Services.
(iv) It is duly registered as a transfer agent under Section 17A of the 1934 Act to the extent required.
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4. Fees and Expenses
(a) As compensation for the performance of the Services, the Fund agrees to pay Transfer Agent the fees set forth on Schedule C hereto. Fees shall be adjusted in accordance with Schedule C or as otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties from time to time. Fees shall be earned and paid monthly in an amount equal to at least 1/12th of the applicable annual fee. The parties may amend this Agreement to include fees for any additional services requested by the Fund, enhancements to current Services, or to add funds. The Fund agrees to pay Transfer Agents then current rate for Services added to, or for any enhancements to existing Services set forth on Schedule B after the execution of this Agreement. In addition, to the extent that Transfer Agent corrects, verifies or addresses any prior actions or inactions by the Fund or by any prior agent or service provider, Transfer Agent shall be entitled to additional fees as provided in Schedule C. In the event of any disagreement between this Agreement and Schedule C related to fees, the terms of Schedule C shall control.
(b) For the purpose of determining fees payable to Transfer Agent, NAV shall be computed in accordance with the Prospectus and resolutions of the Board. The fee for the period from the day of the month this Agreement is entered into until the end of that month shall be pro-rated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of any month and subject to Section 8(b) of this Agreement, the fee for such part of a month shall be pro-rated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement. Should this Agreement be terminated (other than for cause on the part of the Transfer Agent) or the Fund be liquidated, merged with or acquired by another fund or investment company, any accrued fees shall be immediately payable.
(c) Transfer Agent will bear all expenses incurred by it in connection with its performance of Services, except as otherwise provided herein. Transfer Agent shall not be required to pay or finance any costs and expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, including, but not limited to: taxes; interest; brokerage fees and commissions; salaries, fees and expenses of officers and trustees; Commission fees and state Blue Sky fees; advisory fees; charges of custodians, administrators, fund accountants, dividend disbursing and accounting services agents and other service providers; security pricing services; insurance premiums; outside auditing and legal expenses; costs of organization and maintenance of corporate existence; taxes and fees payable to federal, state and other governmental agencies; preparation, typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of Prospectuses, statements of additional information, supplements, notices, forms and applications and proxy materials for regulatory purposes and for distribution to current Shareholders; preparation, typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing and other costs of Shareholder reports; expenses in connection with the electronic transmission of documents and information including electronic filings with the Commission and the states; research and statistical data services; expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Funds Shareholders and Trustees; fees and expenses associated with internet, e-mail and other related activities; and extraordinary expenses. Expenses incurred for distribution of Shares, including, as applicable, the typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of Prospectuses for persons who are not Shareholders, will be borne by the Fund, except for such expenses permitted to be paid under a distribution plan adopted in accordance with applicable laws. Administrator shall not be required to pay any Blue Sky fees or take any related Blue Sky actions unless and until it has received the amount of such fees from the Fund.
(d) The Fund also agrees to promptly reimburse Transfer Agent for all reasonable out-of- pocket expenses or disbursements reasonably incurred by Transfer Agent in connection with the
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performance of Services under this Agreement. Out-of-pocket expenses shall include, but not be limited to, those items specified on Schedule C hereto. If reasonably requested by Transfer Agent, out-of-pocket expenses are payable in advance. Payment of postage expenses, if prepayment is reasonably requested, is due at least seven (7) days prior to the anticipated mail date. In the event Transfer Agent reasonably requests advance payment, Transfer Agent shall not be obligated to incur such expenses or perform the related Service(s) until payment is received.
(e) The Fund agrees to pay all amounts due hereunder within thirty (30) days of receipt of each invoice for such Services (the Due Date). Except as provided in Schedule C, Transfer Agent shall bill Service fees monthly, and out-of-pocket expenses as incurred (unless prepayment is requested by Transfer Agent). Transfer Agent may, at its option, arrange to have various service providers submit invoices directly to the Fund for payment of reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses.
(f) The Fund is aware that its failure to remit to Transfer Agent all amounts due on or before the Due Date will cause Transfer Agent to incur costs not contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not limited to carrying, processing and accounting charges. Accordingly, in the event that Transfer Agent does not receive any amounts due hereunder by the Due Date, the Fund agrees to pay a late charge on the overdue amount equal to one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month or the maximum amount permitted by law, whichever is less. In addition, the Fund shall pay Transfer Agents reasonable attorneys fees and court costs if any amounts due Transfer Agent in the event that an attorney is engaged to assist in the collection of amounts due. The parties hereby agree that such late charge represents a fair and reasonable computation of the costs incurred by reason of the Funds late payment. Acceptance of such late charge shall in no event constitute a waiver by Transfer Agent of the Funds default or prevent Transfer Agent from exercising any other rights and remedies available to it.
(g) In the event that any charges are disputed, the Fund shall, on or before the Due Date, pay all undisputed amounts due hereunder and notify Transfer Agent in writing of any disputed charges for out-of-pocket expenses which it is disputing in good faith. Payment for such disputed charges shall be due on or before the close of the tenth (10th) Fund Business Day after the day on which Transfer Agent provides documentation which an objective observer would agree reasonably supports the disputed charges (the Revised Due Date). Late charges shall not begin to accrue as to charges disputed in good faith until the first day after the Revised Due Date.
(h) The Fund acknowledges that the fees charged by Transfer Agent under this Agreement reflect the allocation of risk between the parties, including the exclusion of remedies and limitations of liability in Sections 2, 3 and 6. Modifying the allocation of risk from what is stated herein would affect the fees that Transfer Agent charges. Accordingly, in consideration of those fees, the Fund agrees to the stated allocation of risk.
5. Confidential Information
Transfer Agent agrees on behalf of itself and its affiliates, partners, employees, directors and agents to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relative to the Funds Shareholders, not to use such information other than in the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, and not to disclose such information except: (i) when requested to divulge such information by duly-constituted authorities or court process; (ii) when requested by a Shareholder or Shareholders agent with respect to information concerning an account as to which such Shareholder has either a legal or beneficial interest; (iii) when requested by the Fund, the Shareholder, the Shareholders
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agent or the dealer of record with respect to such account; (iv) to seek to prevent fraud and/or money laundering by providing certain shareholder information to other financial institutions; (v) to an affiliate, as defined by Section 248.3(a) of Regulation S-P; or, (vi) pursuant to any other exception permitted by Sections 248.14 and 248.15 of Regulation S-P in the ordinary course of business to carry out the activities covered by the exception under which Transfer Agent received the information. In case of any requests or demands for inspection of the records of the Fund, Transfer Agent will endeavor to notify the Fund promptly and to secure instructions from a representative of the Fund as to such inspection. Records and information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of Transfer Agent or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information which was already in the possession of Transfer Agent prior to receipt thereof, shall not be subject to this section. Any party appointed pursuant to Section 2(b) above shall be required to observe the confidentiality obligations contained herein. Transfer Agent will implement and maintain such appropriate security measures as are necessary for the protection of confidential shareholder information. The obligations of the parties under Section 5 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
6. Limitation of Liability In addition to the limitations of liability contained in Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement:
(a) Transfer Agent shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund or the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except for a loss resulting from Transfer Agents willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Furthermore, Transfer Agent shall not be liable for: (1) any action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with or in reasonable reliance upon Instructions, communications, data, documents or information (without investigation or verification) received by Transfer Agent from any Authorized Person; or, (2) any action taken, or omission by, the Fund, Investment Adviser, any Authorized Person or any past or current service provider (not including Transfer Agent or its affiliates).
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each party hereto will be excused from its obligation to perform any Service or obligation required of it hereunder solely for the duration that such performance is prevented solely by events beyond its reasonable control and shall not be liable for any default, damage, loss of data or documents, errors, delay or any other loss whatsoever caused thereby. Transfer Agent will, however, take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions for any period that such interruption continues beyond its reasonable control.
(c) In no event and under no circumstances shall the Indemnified Parties (as defined below) be liable to anyone, including, without limitation, the other party, under any theory of tort, contract, strict liability or other legal or equitable theory for lost profits, exemplary, punitive, special, indirect or consequential damages for any act or failure to act under any provision of this Agreement regardless of whether such damages were foreseeable and even if advised of the possibility thereof.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Transfer Agent shall have no duty or obligation under this Agreement to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
(i) the legality of the issue or sale of any Shares, the sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor, or the authority of the Fund, as the case may be, to request such sale or issuance;
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(ii) the legality of a transfer, exchange, purchase or repurchase of any Shares, the propriety of the amount to be paid therefor, or the authority of the Fund, as the case may be, to request such transfer, exchange or repurchase;
(iii) the legality of the declaration of any dividend by the Fund, or the legality of the issue of any Shares in payment of any stock dividend;
(iv) the legality of any recapitalization or readjustment of Shares;
(v) Transfer Agents acting upon telephone or electronic instructions relating to the purchase, transfer, exchange or repurchase of Shares received by Transfer Agent in accordance with procedures established in writing by Transfer Agent and the Fund; or
(vi) the offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under the securities laws or regulations of any jurisdiction that such Shares be qualified for sale in such state or in violation of any stop order or determination or ruling by any state with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such state.
(e) Transfer Agent may, in effecting transfers and repurchases of Shares, rely upon those provisions of the Uniform Act for the Simplification of Fiduciary Security Transfers (or such other statutes which protect it and the Fund in not requiring complete fiduciary documentation) and shall not be responsible for any act done or omitted by it in good faith in reliance upon such laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision contained in this Agreement to the contrary, Transfer Agent shall be fully protected by the Fund in not requiring any instruments, documents, assurances, endorsements or guarantees, including, without limitation, any Medallion signature guarantees, in connection with a repurchase, exchange or transfer of Shares whenever Transfer Agent reasonably believes that requiring the same would be inconsistent with the transfer, exchange and repurchase procedures described in the Prospectus.
(f) The obligations of the parties under Section 6 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
7. Indemnification
(a) The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Transfer Agent, its employees, agents, officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and nominees (collectively, Transfer Agent Indemnified Parties) from and against any and all claims, demands, actions and suits, and any and all judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, attorneys fees and other expenses of every nature and character (Losses) which may be asserted against or incurred by any Transfer Agent Indemnified Party or for which any Transfer Agent Indemnified Party may be held liable (a Claim), arising out of or in any way relating to any of the following, except to the extent a Claim resulted from Transfer Agents willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties hereunder:
(i) any action or omission of Transfer Agent;
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(ii) Transfer Agents reasonable reliance on, implementation of, or use of Instructions, communications, data, documents or information (without investigation or verification) received by Transfer Agent from any Authorized Person;
(iii) any action taken, or omission by, the Fund, Investment Adviser, any Authorized Person or any past or current service provider (not including Transfer Agent);
(iv) the Funds refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or any Claim that arises out of the Funds gross negligence or misconduct or breach of any representation or warranty of the Fund made herein;
(v) the legality of the issue or sale of any Shares, the sufficiency of the amount received therefore, or the authority of the Fund, as the case may be, to have requested such sale or issuance;
(vi) the legality of the declaration of any dividend by the Fund, or the legality of the issue of any Shares in payment of any stock dividend;
(vii) the legality of any recapitalization or readjustment of Shares;
(viii) Transfer Agents acting upon telephone or electronic instructions relating to the purchase, transfer, exchange or repurchase of Shares received by Transfer Agent in accordance with written procedures established by Transfer Agent and the Fund;
(ix) the acceptance, processing and/or negotiation of a fraudulent payment for the purchase of Shares unless the result of Transfer Agents or its affiliates willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. In the absence of a finding to the contrary, the acceptance, processing and/or negotiation of a fraudulent payment for the purchase, repurchase, transfer or exchange of Shares shall be presumed not to have been the result of Transfer Agents or its affiliates willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence; and
(x) the offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under the securities laws or regulations of any state or other jurisdiction that such Shares be qualified for sale in such state or in violation of any stop order or determination or ruling by any state with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such state.
(b) Transfer Agent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, its employees, officers, and Board (collectively, the Fund Indemnified Parties and together with the Transfer Agent Indemnified Parties, the Indemnified Parties) from and against any and all Claims against the Fund Indemnified Parties arising out of or in any way relating to Transfer Agents willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement except, in each case, to the extent a Claim resulted from the Funds bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct or breach of any representation or warranty of the Fund made herein.
(c) Promptly after receipt by a party of notice of the commencement of an investigation, action, claim or proceeding, the receiving party shall, if a claim for indemnification in respect thereof is made under this section, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, although the
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failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by the Indemnified Party. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such Loss, but if the indemnifying party elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the indemnifying party and approved by the Indemnified Party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the indemnifying party elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel and notifies the Indemnified Party of such election, the indemnified defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them subsequent to the receipt of the indemnifying partys election. If the indemnifying party does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case the Indemnified Party does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party, or in case there is a conflict of interest between the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Party, the indemnifying party will reimburse the Indemnified Party or Parties named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. The indemnification agreement contained in this Section 7 and the representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares and the termination of this Agreement. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the benefit of each Indemnified Party and their estates and successors. The Fund agrees to promptly notify Transfer Agent of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Fund or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issue and sale of any of the Shares.
(c) The obligations of the parties under this Section 7 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
8. Term
(a) This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Fund as of the date hereof. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund for a two-year period beginning on the date of this Agreement (the Initial Term). Thereafter, if not terminated as provided herein, the Agreement shall continue automatically in effect as to the Fund for successive one-year periods (each a Renewal Term).
(b) In the event this Agreement is terminated by the Fund prior to the end of the Initial Term or any subsequent Renewal Term, the Fund shall be obligated to pay Transfer Agent the remaining balance of the fees payable to Transfer Agent under this Agreement through the end of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may terminate this Agreement: (i) at the end of the Initial Term or at the end of any successive Renewal Term by giving the other party a written notice not less than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the respective term; (ii) upon the material breach of the other party of any term of this Agreement if such breach is not cured within 15 business days of notice of such breach to the breaching party; and (iii) in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for Transfer Agent by regulatory authorities or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon the termination of the Agreement as provided herein or the liquidation, merger or acquisition of the Fund, Transfer Agent shall deliver the records of the Fund to the Fund or its successor service provider at the expense of the Fund in a form that is consistent with Transfer Agents applicable license agreements, and thereafter the Fund or its designee shall be solely responsible for preserving the
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records for the periods required by all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Fund shall be responsible for all expenses associated with the movement (or duplication) of records and materials and conversion thereof to a successor service provider, including all reasonable trailing expenses incurred by Transfer Agent. In addition, in the event of termination of this Agreement, or the proposed liquidation, merger or acquisition of the Fund, and Transfer Agents agreement to provide additional Services in connection therewith, Transfer Agent shall provide such Services and be entitled to such compensation as the parties may mutually agree. Transfer Agent shall not reduce the level of service provided to the Fund prior to termination following notice of termination by the Fund.
(c) In the event such notice is given by the Fund pursuant to subparagraph (b), it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement and designating the successor transfer agent or transfer agents. In the event such notice is given by Transfer Agent, the Fund shall on or before the termination date, deliver to Transfer Agent a copy of a resolution of its Board certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary designating a successor transfer agent or transfer agents. In the absence of such designation by the Fund, the Fund shall be deemed to be its own transfer agent as of the termination date and Transfer Agent shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement.
9. Miscellaneous
(a) Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when received by the other party as set forth below. Such notices shall be sent to the addresses listed below, or to such other location as either party may from time to time designate in writing:
If to Transfer Agent: | UMB Fund Services, Inc. | |||
235 West Galena Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212 Attention: Legal Department | ||||
If to the Fund: | StepStone Private Markets | |||
128 S Tyron St., Suite 1600 | ||||
Charlotte, NC 28202 | ||||
Attention: Fund Accounting Department |
If notice is sent by electronic delivery or facsimile, it shall be deemed to have been given immediately (contingent upon confirmed receipt by the intended recipient). If notice is sent by first-class mail, it shall be deemed to have been given five days after it has been mailed. If notice is sent by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the day it is delivered.
(b) Except as provided to the contrary herein, this Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties with the formality of this Agreement.
(c) This Agreement shall be governed by Delaware law, excluding the laws on conflicts of laws. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be
17
construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the Commission thereunder. Any provision of this Agreement which is determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties.
(d) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original agreement but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The facsimile signature of any party to this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such party.
(e) The services of Transfer Agent hereunder are not deemed exclusive. Transfer Agent may render transfer agency and dividend disbursement services and any other services to others, including other investment companies.
(f) The captions in the Agreement are included for convenience of reference only, and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(g) This Agreement is executed by the Fund and the obligations hereunder are not binding upon any of the trustees, officers or Shareholders of the Fund individually but are binding only upon the Fund to which such obligations pertain and the assets and property of the Fund. All obligations of the Fund under this Agreement shall apply only to the Fund. The Funds Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
(h) This Agreement and the Schedules incorporated herein constitute the full and complete understanding and agreement of Transfer Agent and the Fund and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements with respect to transfer agency and dividend disbursement services.
(i) Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement does not in any way affect any other agreements entered into among the parties hereto and any actions taken or omitted by any party hereunder shall not affect any rights or obligations of any other party hereunder.
(j) Transfer Agent shall retain all right, title and interest in any and all computer programs, screen formats, report formats, procedures, data bases, interactive design techniques, derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patentable or copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise, trade secrets, trademarks and other related legal rights provided, developed or utilized by Transfer Agent in connection with the Services provided by Transfer Agent to the Fund hereunder.
(k) This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns. This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other party, provided; however, that Transfer Agent may, in its sole discretion and upon advance written notice to the Fund, assign all its right, title and interest in this Agreement to an affiliate, parent or subsidiary.
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(l) The person signing below represents and warrants that he/she is duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of the party on whose behalf such person is signing.
(m) The Fund hereby grants to Administrator the limited power of attorney on behalf of the Fund to sign Blue Sky forms and related documents in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer as of the day, month and year first above written.
STEPSTONE PRIVATE MARKETS | ||
(the Fund) | ||
By: /s/ Kimberly Zeitvogel | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
Date: March 9, 2023 | ||
UMB FUND SERVICES, INC. | ||
(Transfer Agent) | ||
By: /s/ Maureen Quill | ||
Title: Executive Vice President | ||
Date: March 16, 2023 |
19
Schedule A
to the
Transfer Agency Agreement
by and between
StepStone Private Markets
and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
[RESERVED]
20
Schedule B
to the
Transfer Agency Agreement
by and between
StepStone Private Markets and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
SERVICES
In addition to, or in connection with, the Services set forth in Section 2 of the Agreement and subject to the direction of, and utilizing information provided by, the Fund, Investment Adviser, and the Funds agents, Transfer Agent will provide the following Services:
Transfer Agency/Investor Servicing
1. | Process Investor Subscriptions |
a. | Monitor and receive subscription documents from investors. |
b. | Review subscription documents for completeness. |
c. | Obtain investor demographic information. |
d. | Receive subscription money and match to subscription document. |
e. | Maintain, monitor, and reconcile DDA and escrow accounts. |
f. | Obtain appropriate approvals and transfer money to the trading account. |
g. | Provide good-order, pending wire, pending sub-docs reports. |
2. | Process Investor Redemptions |
a. | Monitor and receive redemption request. |
b. | Calculate redemption fee as appropriate. |
c. | Monitor tender cap and apply if applicable. |
d. | Calculate holdback percentage as appropriate. |
e. | Receive money from the trading account. |
f. | Obtain approvals and distribute money as appropriate. |
g. | Retain holdback according to Fund documents and distribute as appropriate. |
h. | Provide redemption and holdback reports. |
3. | Generate investor statements and confirmations. |
4. | Receive and respond to investor inquiries by telephone, mail, or email. |
5. | File IRS Forms 1099, 5498, 1042, 1042-S, and 945 with shareholders and/or the IRS. |
USA PATRIOT Act (AML)
1. | Conduct AML screening for new domestic investors, which shall include initial comparison of investor information against Identity Chek, OFAC and other watch lists; provide Fund with any exceptions. Systematically compare updates against investor name for each update of the OFAC list. |
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2. | File Suspicious Activity Reports, if any, with the appropriate reporting authorities. |
3. | Provide AML certification report upon request. |
Internet Services
1. | Provide and maintain a web portal for the fund sponsor, investors, and financial advisors to access account information. |
2. | Allow investors to sign up for electronic document delivery. |
3. | Send email notifications to investors when statements or regulatory documents are available online. |
4. | Post fund documents on the portal for access by investors. |
5. | Send email notifications to investors when documents have been posted online. |
Blue Sky State Filings
Prepare and file state securities qualification/notice compliance filings, with the advice of the Funds legal counsel, upon and in accordance with instructions from the Fund, which instructions will include the states to qualify in, the amounts of shares to initially and subsequently qualify and the warning threshold to be maintained; promptly prepare an amendment to the Funds notice permit to increase the offering amount as necessary.
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Schedule D
to the
Transfer Agency Agreement
by and between
StepStone Private Markets and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
RECORDS MAINTAINED BY TRANSFER AGENT
◾ | Account applications |
◾ | Checks including check registers, reconciliation records, any adjustment records and tax withholding documentation |
◾ | Indemnity bonds for replacement of lost or missing checks |
◾ | Liquidation, repurchase, withdrawal and transfer requests including signature guarantees and any supporting documentation |
◾ | Shareholder correspondence |
◾ | Shareholder transaction records |
◾ | Share transaction history of the Fund |
23
|
1095 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036-6797 +1 212 698 3500 Main +1 212 698 3599 Fax www.dechert.com
|
July 17, 2023
StepStone Private Markets
128 S Tryon St.
Suite 880
Charlotte, NC 28202
Re: | Registration Statement on Form N-2 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to StepStone Private Markets, a Delaware statutory trust (the Fund), in connection with the preparation and filing of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Funds registration statement on Form N-2 (Registration No. 333-265157) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) on July 17, 2023, and Amendment No. 14 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Registration Statement), relating to the issuance of the Funds common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share (the Shares).
In rendering the opinion expressed below, we have examined and relied on originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Fund and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for rendering this opinion, including the following documents:
(i) | the Registration Statement; |
(ii) | the Certificate of Trust of the Fund; |
(iii) | the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Fund; |
(iv) | the By-Laws of the Fund; |
(v) | resolutions of the board of trustees of the Fund relating to, among other things, the authorization and issuance of the Shares; and |
(vi) | a Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Delaware Secretary of State. |
|
July 17, 2023 Page 2 |
As to the facts upon which this opinion is based, we have relied, to the extent we deem proper, upon certificates of public officials and certificates and written statements of officers, trustees, employees and representatives of the Fund.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as original documents and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. In addition, we have assumed (i) the legal capacity of natural persons and (ii) the legal power and authority of all persons signing on behalf of the parties to all documents (other than the Fund).
On the basis of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth in this letter, we are of the opinion that when the Shares are issued and sold in the manner described in the Registration Statement, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
The opinion expressed herein is limited to the Delaware Statutory Trust Act and judicial interpretations thereof. We are not members of the bar of the State of Delaware.
We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the date of this opinion.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption Legal Counsel in the Statement of Additional Information forming a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Dechert LLP
Dechert LLP
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the references to our firm under the captions Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Financial Statements in the Statement of Additional Information, dated July 17, 2023, and included in the Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Form N-2, File No. 333-265157) of StepStone Private Markets (formerly, Conversus StepStone Private Markets) (the Registration Statement).
We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated May 30, 2023, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and financial highlights of StepStone Private Markets included in the Annual Report to Shareholders (Form N-CSR) for the year ended March 31, 2023, into this Registration Statement, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
July 17, 2023
APPENDIX A
StepStone Group LP
StepStone Group Real Assets LP
StepStone Group Real Estate LP
StepStone Group Europe LLP
StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC
Stepstone Group Europe Alternative Investments Limited
StepStone Group Private Debt LLC
Code of Ethics
June 29, 2023
1
Table of Contents
I. |
INTRODUCTION | 3 | ||||
II. |
DEFINITIONS | 3 | ||||
III. |
STANDARD OF BUSINESS CONDUCT | 4 | ||||
IV. |
PROHIBITION AGAINST INSIDER TRADING | 5 | ||||
V. |
REQUIRED PRE-CLEARANCE FOR INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS AND PRIVATE PLACEMENTS | 7 | ||||
VI. |
EMPLOYEE INVESTMENTS IN FIRM-SPONSORED VEHICLES AND TRANSACTIONS | 7 | ||||
VII. |
COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES FOR OTHER PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS | 8 | ||||
VIII. |
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST | 9 | ||||
IX. |
GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT | 12 | ||||
X. |
POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS | 13 | ||||
XI. |
OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES | 13 | ||||
XII. |
SUPERVISED PERSONS INFORMATION DISCLOSURE | 14 |
2
I. | INTRODUCTION |
StepStone Group LP (SSG), StepStone Group Real Assets LP (SIRA), StepStone Group Real Estate LP (SRE), StepStone Group Europe LLP (StepStone Europe), StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC (SPW), Stepstone Group Europe Alternative Investments Limited (SGEAIL) and StepStone Group Private Debt LLC (SPD) (collectively, StepStone or the Firm) each place a high value on the ethical conduct of all its Supervised Persons, as defined below. We have a fiduciary duty to clients to act solely for their benefit. All of StepStones Supervised Persons must put the interests of our clients before their own personal interests and must act honestly and fairly in all respects in dealings with clients. In recognition of StepStones desire to maintain its high ethical standards and fulfill its fiduciary duty to its clients, the Firm has adopted this Code of Ethics (this Code) containing provisions to prevent improper personal trading, to identify conflicts of interest and to provide a means to resolve any actual or potential conflicts in favor of the clients or, in appropriate circumstances, disclose the existence of such conflicts to them. This Code is intended to comply with the provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act), as well as other securities laws, and supersedes other Codes of Ethics adopted by the Firm of an earlier date.
Each Supervised Person upon hire is required to sign an initial certification acknowledging that he or she has received a copy of the Firms Compliance Manual, including this Code, and certifying that he or she has read and understands the policies and procedures of the Compliance Manual and Code and agrees to abide by its provisions. Thereafter, each Supervised Person shall, on an annual basis, attest that such Supervised Person continues to abide by the Firms Compliance Manuals and Codes provisions including those related to the detection and prevention of insider trading and personal securities transactions.
Continued adherence to the Code is considered a basic condition of employment or membership by StepStone. Failure to comply with the Code may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment or membership. If you have any questions concerning the appropriateness of any course of action, you should consult with Bendukai Bouey, as the Chief Compliance Officer of SSG, SIRA, SRE, StepStone Europe, SPW and SPD (the CCO) or Emma Love, Chief Compliance Officer of SGEAIL (the SGEAIL CCO together with the CCO, the CCOs), each of whom is responsible for administering this Code.
II. | DEFINITIONS |
For the purposes of this Code, the following definitions shall apply:
Access Person means a supervised person who has access to nonpublic information regarding clients purchase or sale of securities, is involved in making securities recommendations to clients or who has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic.
Account means any personal investment or trading account of a Supervised Person in which a Supervised Person has any Beneficial Ownership, any investment or trading account for which a Supervised Person is a trustee or custodian and any investment or trading account over which a Supervised Person can exercise any direct or indirect control or influence trading or investment decisions.
Beneficial Ownership means any direct or indirect financial interest in any Reportable Security (as defined below) held or shared, directly or indirectly, through any account, contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise. A Supervised Person is presumed to be a Beneficial Owner of securities that are held by any of his or her family members or domestic partner who resides in the Supervised Persons household or to whom the Supervised Person contributes material financial support.
Compliance Department means the compliance teams that administer the Firms compliance program led by the CCO and the SGEAIL CCO.
3
Reportable Security means any security as defined in Section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act, except that it does not include:
(i) | Direct obligations of the Government of the United States; |
(ii) | Bankers acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and other high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; |
(iii) | Shares issued by money market funds; |
(iv) | Shares of other types of open-end registered mutual funds, unless StepStone or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund; and |
(v) | Units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in mutual funds, unless StepStone or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund. |
Restricted List is the list of publicly traded securities, captured on the Firms third party Compliance software provide, ComplySci, at any point in time that, due to the possession or possible possession within the Firm of information that may be material, non-public information, or for any other reason of law or policy, the CCO, or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, has determined that StepStone Supervised Persons should not be personally purchasing or selling or purchasing or selling on behalf of any client of the Firm, as applicable.
Supervised Person includes members, officers and Partners (natural persons) of StepStone or its affiliates (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions); employees of StepStone or its affiliates; and any other person who provides advice on behalf of StepStone and is subject to StepStones supervision and control. Any temporary employee of StepStone shall not be considered a Supervised Person unless such person (i) has access to nonpublic information regarding any clients purchase or sale of securities, or nonpublic information regarding the current or potential portfolio holdings of any fund or account that StepStone or its controlled affiliates manages; or (ii) is involved in making securities recommendations to clients. Please note that all Supervised Persons of the Firm are deemed Access Persons as defined by Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act.
III. | STANDARD OF BUSINESS CONDUCT |
StepStone places the highest priority on maintaining its reputation for integrity and professionalism. The confidence and trust placed in the Firm and its Supervised Persons by our clients is something we value and endeavor to protect. This Code is intended to comply with the various provisions of the Advisers Act and also requires that all Supervised Persons comply with the various applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).
The Advisers Act requires the establishment and enforcement of policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of material, nonpublic information by investment advisers. Such policies and procedures are contained in this Code. This Code also contains policies and procedures with respect to personal securities transactions of all StepStones Supervised Persons. These procedures cover transactions in Accounts of Supervised Persons or that otherwise involve a Reportable Security over which a Supervised Person has Beneficial Ownership.
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The Advisers Act makes it unlawful for StepStone, its agents, or its Supervised Persons to employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any client or prospective client, or to engage in fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative practices. This Code contains provisions that prohibit these and other enumerated activities and that are reasonably designed to detect and prevent violations of this Code, the Advisers Act, other securities laws, and the rules thereunder.
IV. | PROHIBITION AGAINST INSIDER TRADING |
Trading securities while in possession of material, nonpublic information, or improperly communicating that information to others, may expose Supervised Persons and StepStone to stringent penalties. Criminal sanctions may include a fine and imprisonment. The SEC can recover the profits gained or losses avoided through the illegal trading, impose a penalty of up to three times the illicit windfall, and issue an order permanently barring you from the securities industry. Finally, Supervised Persons and the Firm may be sued by investors seeking to recover damages for insider trading violations. The rules and procedures contained in this Code apply to securities trading and information handling by Supervised Persons of StepStone and their immediate family and household members.
No Supervised Person may trade, either personally or on behalf of others (such as investment funds and private accounts managed by StepStone), while in the possession of material, nonpublic information, nor may a Supervised Person communicate material, nonpublic information to others in violation of the law.
Information is material where there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions. Generally, this includes any information the disclosure of which would have a substantial effect on the price of a companys securities. No simple test exists to determine when information is material; assessments of materiality involve a highly fact-specific inquiry. For this reason, you should direct any questions about whether information is material to the CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable.
Material information often relates to a companys results and operations, including, for example, dividend changes, earnings results, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, liquidation problems, and extraordinary management developments. Material information also may relate to the market for a companys securities. Information about a significant order to purchase or sell securities may, in some contexts, be material. Prepublication information regarding reports in the financial media also may be material.
Information is public when it has been disseminated broadly to investors in the marketplace. For example, information is public after it has become available to the general public through the internet or a television or radio broadcast, a public filing with the SEC or some other government agency, the Dow Jones tape, The Wall Street Journal or some other publication of general circulation, and after sufficient time has passed so that the information has been widely disseminated. It is important to note that information posted on social media sites may not necessarily be considered public to the extent that access to such sites is limited or requires a subscription.
StepStone frequently receives material, non-public information in the course of its due diligence activities (typically, but not exclusively, in connection with potential co-investments) or as part of our research efforts. In this context, it is crucial for Supervised Persons to immediately notify the CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, if the issuer has outstanding public securities, so that they can be placed on the Restricted List. To add an issuer to our Restricted List, send the issuer name and ticker symbol to RTL@stepstonegroup.com.
In general, the Restricted List may consist of the securities of: (i) issuers or companies with respect to which the Firm has been made aware that a Supervised Person has received, expects to receive or may be in a position to receive material non-public information; (ii) issuers or companies on whose board of directors or
5
similar body a Supervised Person serves; (iii) private entities with which the Firm has entered into a confidentiality agreement when information under such agreement may include material non-public information of a public issuer or company; (iv) companies for which any Supervised Person has received material non-public information when evaluating hedging strategies or private positions; and (v) other companies that the Firm, Supervised Persons or clients should not be trading or in which such investments should not be made for various reasons, as may be determined from time to time by the Compliance Department.
Supervised Persons should notify the CCO or SGEAIL CCO or a designee, as applicable, if the general partner or sponsor of a fund that the Firm has put into due diligence has publicly traded securities outstanding, since the due diligence process is likely to involve contact with material, non-public information. This requirement applies even if the security represents only a very small public stub, is obscure and not readily discoverable through internet searches, is listed solely on a remote foreign exchange or not listed on any exchange, and trades only very thinly or not at all. To protect yourself, our clients and the Firm, you should contact the CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, immediately if you believe that you may have received material, nonpublic information concerning a public company. After the CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, has reviewed the issue, the Firm will determine whether the information is material and nonpublic and, if so, what action the Firm will take.
Before executing any trade for yourself or others, including investment funds or private accounts managed by StepStone, or recommending a trade to others, you must determine whether you have access to material, nonpublic information. If you think that you might have access to material, nonpublic information, you are obligated to:
● | Report the information and proposed trade immediately to the CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable. |
● | Refrain from purchasing or selling the securities on behalf of yourself or others, including investment funds or private accounts managed by the Firm. |
● | Avoid communicating the information inside or outside the Firm, other than to the CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable. |
Tender offers represent a particular concern in the law of insider trading for two reasons. First, tender offer activity often produces extraordinary gyrations in the price of the target companys securities. Trading during this time period is more likely to attract regulatory attention (and produces a disproportionate percentage of insider trading cases). Second, the SEC has adopted a rule which expressly forbids trading and tipping while in the possession of material, nonpublic information regarding a tender offer received from the tender offeror, the target company or anyone acting on behalf of either. Supervised Persons should exercise extreme caution any time they become aware of nonpublic information relating to a tender offer.
Supervised Persons as Directors of Portfolio Companies
From time to time, the Firm will obtain representation on the boards of companies in which its clients invest. Specifically, certain Supervised Persons of the Firm may serve as a member of the board of directors of a portfolio company held by the investment vehicles sponsored by the Firm (each such Supervised Person referred to herein as a Firm Representative). Due to the nature of the Firms investment strategy, the Firm is very unlikely to have a Firm Representative who serves as a member of the board of a publicly traded company. However, serving on the board of a portfolio company, whether publicly-traded or privately-held, may create the risk of a Firm Representative coming into material, non-public information. Specifically, ways in which a Firm Representative may obtain material, non-public information include, but is not limited to, when information is acquired regarding: (i) the portfolio company itself; (ii) a public competitor of a portfolio company; (iii) a pending private transaction involving a public company; or (iv) other confidential information involving a public company within the portfolio companys industry or sector. In light of this
6
risk, the Firm has implemented procedures around the flow of material, non-public information if acquired by a Firm Representative, including the following controls:
1. | In the event that a Firm Representative obtains material, non-public information, the Firm Representative is required to notify the CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, immediately; |
2. | Any company about which a Firm Representative obtains material, non-public information will be added to the Firms Restricted List; |
3. | A Firm Representative is prohibited from conveying material, non-public information to anyone within the Firm or any third party, including investors in the Firms fund clients; |
4. | The CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, may, from time to time, participate in the Firm Representatives communications with investors; |
5. | On a periodic basis, a Firm Representative will be required to confirm that they do not have, and have not had, material, non-public information by virtue of their service on a board; |
6. | The CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, will conduct a targeted compliance training regarding the flow of material, non-public information for all applicable staff; and |
7. | In the event that the Firm has a public portfolio company, trading on behalf of clients or personally by Supervised Persons and Operating Partners, in such company will be monitored closely and adhere to the trading requirements as set forth by the policies of such public portfolio company. |
Please note that with respect to a public portfolio company that has a Firm Representative, personal security transactions of Supervised Persons in such company will not be allowed, unless the Supervised Person seeking approval is the Firm Representative and he or she has furnished to the CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, documentation from the General Counsel of the public company confirming that the Firm Representative is free to trade and is not in possession of material, non-public information.
V. | REQUIRED PRE-CLEARANCE FOR INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS AND PRIVATE PLACEMENTS |
A Supervised Person must disclose on StepStones ComplySci web site and obtain approval of the CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, before acquiring in any Account securities in an initial public offering or securities in a limited offering or private placement (other than StepStone employee fund vehicles, as described below in Section VI.). The CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, must be provided with full details of the proposed transaction and, if approved, the position will be subject to continuous monitoring for possible future conflicts. Supervised Persons will be asked to attest on an annual basis whether they continue to hold any private placements.
VI. | EMPLOYEE INVESTMENTS |
Subject to meeting eligibility requirements as established by the Firm from time to time, Supervised Persons may participate in commingled investment vehicles sponsored by the Firm. However, a Supervised Person may not obtain a direct interest in any transaction undertaken by the Firm, other than through participation in a commingled investment vehicle sponsored by the Firm or direct or indirect ownership of the GP commitment made with respect to commingled investment vehicles or separately managed accounts, or as otherwise set forth in the Firms Allocation Policy, set forth at Appendix B of this Manual, except as otherwise approved in writing by the CCO or their designee. Further, Supervised Persons are prohibited from investing in investment vehicles or other transactions made available to, and not pursued by, the Firm, except as otherwise approved in writing by the CCO or their designee.
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VII. COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND PRE-CLEARANCE FOR OTHER PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
StepStone requires pre-clearance of all securities transactions. Supervised Persons are prohibited from executing the transaction if the security is included on the Restricted List.
All Supervised Persons, prior to entering any transaction in a Reportable Security in an Account, must enter on ComplyScis trade pre-clearance screen the Reportable Securitys name, symbol, or other standard identifier, along with the type of transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition). The respective Supervised Persons ComplySci profile will reflect approval or denial of the trade request.
Supervised Persons are prohibited from trading Reportable Securities without such approval.
Every Supervised Person shall (i) grant StepStone authorization to establish a direct feed of his or her Account statements and trade confirmations to ComplySci in order to allow the Compliance Department to surveille all trading activity; or (ii) in those instances where the Supervised Persons broker does not provide a direct feed to ComplySci, manually forward all Account information directly to the Compliance Department. In addition, every Supervised Person shall utilize ComplySci to provide annual and exit holdings reports and quarterly Account reports to the Compliance Department, which must contain the information described below.
Initial and Annual Holdings Reports
Every Supervised Person must, no later than ten (10) days after the person becomes a Supervised Person and no later than forty-five (45) days after year-end thereafter, file a holdings report containing the following information:
● | The name of any broker, dealer or bank, Account name, number and location with whom the supervised person maintained an Account in which any securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Supervised Person; and |
● | The date that the report is submitted by the Supervised Person. |
For initial holdings reports the information submitted must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days before the person became a Supervised Person. For annual holdings reports the information submitted must be as of year-end (December 31st). These requirements may be satisfied by providing a direct feed to ComplySci for all statements for all Accounts with respect to the Supervised Person. If a Supervised Persons broker does not provide a direct electronic feed to ComplySci, such Supervised Person must arrange for his or her broker to provide copies of Account statements directly to the Compliance Department, which will then forward such Account statements to ComplySci for inclusion in the Firms ComplySci site.
Quarterly Account Reports
Every Supervised Person should, no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter, complete on ComplySci a quarterly Account report concerning any Account of the Supervised Person. Accounts over which the Supervised Person has no direct or indirect influence or control do not need to be reported.
It is StepStones policy that each Supervised Person must (i) take all steps necessary to arrange for their brokerage firm or firms to establish a direct feed of all Account statements and trade confirmations to ComplySci; or (ii) in those instances where a broker will not establish a direct feed to ComplySci, send duplicate statements and confirms for all Accounts directly to the attention of the Compliance Department.
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Virtually all U.S.-based brokerage firms are willing to either establish a direct electronic feed to ComplySci or provide Account statements directly to the Compliance Department for delivery to ComplySci. In certain instances, the broker may ask for a request letter from StepStone Compliance (called a Rule 407 letter). Please contact the Compliance Department if you need a Rule 407 letter and one will be prepared and sent to the broker.
The quarterly report will indicate either that there were no Accounts with respect to the Supervised Person open during the prior quarter or one of the following:
● | That the Supervised Person arranged for all relevant brokerage firms to (i) establish an electronic feed of Account statements and trade confirmations to ComplySci; or (ii) send duplicate statements and confirms for all Accounts for the prior quarter to the attention of the CCO, the SGEAIL CCO or a designee; or |
● | That the brokerage firm has refused to establish an electronic feed to ComplySci or provide direct delivery of Account statements and trade confirmations to the CCO, SGEAIL CCO or a designee, but copies of all monthly brokerage statements for all Accounts open during the prior quarter are attached to the report or will be forwarded by the Supervised Person directly to the attention of the CCO, the SGEAIL CCO or a designee. |
Any statement for an Account must list the following information:
● | The date of the transaction, the title and exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount (if applicable) of each Reportable Security; |
● | The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition); |
● | The price of the Reportable Security at which the transaction was effected; |
● | The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected; and |
● | The date the report is submitted by the Supervised Person. |
Monitoring and Review of Personal Securities Transactions
The CCO, SGEAIL CCO, or a designee will monitor and review all reports required under this Code for compliance with StepStones policies regarding Accounts and the applicable SEC rules and regulations. The CCO or SGEAIL CCO may also initiate inquiries of Supervised Persons regarding transactions in Reportable Securities. Supervised persons are required to cooperate with such inquiries and any monitoring or review procedures employed by StepStone. Any transactions for any accounts of the CCO or SGEAIL CCO will be reviewed and approved by another member of the Compliance Department or any other designated supervisory person.
VIII. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
General Principles
As registered investment advisers and fiduciaries to its clients, each of StepStone Group LP, StepStone Group Real Assets LP, StepStone Group Real Estate LP, StepStone Conversus LLC, Stepstone Group Europe Alternative Investments Limited and StepStone Group Private Debt LLC has an affirmative duty of utmost good faith to act solely in the best interests of the client and to make full and fair disclosure of all material facts, particularly where StepStones interests may conflict with those of the client. StepStone Supervised Persons are tasked with treating all information obtained during the investment process as confidential, and are not permitted to share such information with any party. Specific obligations that flow from each of StepStone Group LPs, StepStone Group Real Assets LPs, StepStone Group Real Estate LPs, StepStone
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Conversus LLCs, Stepstone Group Europe Alternative Investments Limiteds and StepStone Group Private Debt LLCs fiduciary duties and factors relating to the Firms fulfillment of those obligations are:
● | A duty to have a reasonable, independent basis for our investment advice. In order to avoid compromising our independence, StepStone does not receive any compensation or payments of any kind from any general partner or partnership that we consider for investment. |
● | A duty to refrain from effecting personal securities transactions inconsistent with client interests. StepStone has established this Code and policies and procedures to avoid insider trading that are applicable to all Supervised Persons. StepStone Supervised Persons do not participate in the same investments recommended to clients, unless either it is required by the client pursuant to written agreement in which case StepStone will invest alongside such client in all investments recommended to such client or if overage is available. |
● | A duty to be loyal to clients, placing their interest foremost in mind. |
Identification of Conflicts
StepStone takes its responsibilities with respect to management of potential conflicts seriously, and has established a robust framework to ensure they are appropriately identified and managed.
All proposed client mandates are reviewed by StepStones legal and compliance teams before they are entered into by StepStone. The legal and compliance teams, having regard for existing mandates will make a determination as to whether or not any real or perceived conflicts exist which may impact the Firms ability to provide its services.
In the event that a potential conflict is identified, the exact nature of the potential conflict is ascertained and the legal and compliance team assesses the ability of StepStone to manage the potential conflict appropriately. In making this assessment, the legal and compliance team Department will liaise with the client relationship lead and the relevant Partners within the firm.
If it is determined that the potential conflict can be appropriately managed, certain protocols will be put in place to ensure that each client receives independent and objective advice. In certain circumstances, where it is determined that conflicts cannot be effectively managed without the consent of the impacted clients, StepStone will seek consent of potentially impacted clients before accepting any such role.
Managing Conflicts through Ethical Dividers
The procedures established to manage confidentiality of client information in connection with a potential conflict of interest will depend on the specific circumstances. In certain circumstances, StepStone may utilize ethical dividers to manage such potential conflicts of interest as follows:
● | An Ethical Divider Memorandum is prepared for each client team affected by the potential conflict of interest. Each member of the relevant client teams signs an Ethical Divider Memorandum to acknowledge their understanding of, and agreement to comply with, the ethical dividers which apply to their specific mandate. |
● | Each of the parties is serviced by a different mandate lead; |
● | Supporting professional staff deal only with one of the parties concerned; |
● | Partners and staff are briefed independently and are under instructions not to discuss confidential matters with any persons outside their specific project team; |
● | All hard and soft copy information relating to each engagement is maintained in a secure manner in order to ensure members of each of the potentially conflicted mandate teams do not have access to the others hard and soft copy information. |
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Allocation of Investment Opportunity
StepStone manages a variety of types of accounts with different strategies and scopes of services, as well as fee structures and other varying arrangements. In situations in which a transaction would be appropriate for multiple mandates but mutually exclusive, the mandate that acts first in time with respect to such transaction will receive priority in that regard. When the amount of an investment opportunity is limited, the Firms decision with regard to allocating the opportunity bears inherent conflicts. In order to mitigate these conflicts, StepStone has adopted an Allocation Policy, included as Appendix B to the Compliance Manual. It has also disclosed the potential for conflicts to clients in each of StepStone Group LPs, StepStone Group Real Assets LPs, StepStone Group Real Estate LPs, StepStone Conversus LLCs, Stepstone Group Europe Alternative Investments Limiteds and StepStone Group Private Debt LLCs Brochure.
Investment Funds and Products
StepStone does not recommend any pooled investment products that it may establish to its advisory clients. In the event that there is interest from the client to invest in any such product, the client is responsible for making the decision to invest, either on its own or in conjunction with any non- StepStone-affiliated advisors or consultants as it sees fit. The Firm would have no participation in the decision or internal discussions of the client with respect to such investment product.
Supervision by the CCOs
The CCO and SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, each (i) provides oversight of StepStones compliance with applicable legal and regulatory standards; (ii) reviews all actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and provides mechanisms to avoid such conflicts of interest or, in the event that complete avoidance is not possible or impractical, provides adequate disclosure of the actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest to the Firms clients; (iii) provides a confidential forum for Supervised Persons of StepStone to report and discuss any perceived issues with respect to the Firms investment process or management practices; and (iv) provides guidance to StepStone with respect to business ethics. You are encouraged to communicate with the CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, at any time with any questions with respect to the Firms compliance obligations or any other matter related to business ethics or regulatory compliance.
Additional Safeguards to Reduce Potential Conflicts of Interest
In order to avoid certain conflicts of interest that could be present in connection with its business, StepStone,
as a matter of policy, will not:
● | Accept revenues, soft-dollars or non-cash, in-kind benefits worth more than a nominal amount or perquisites from investment managers. |
● | Provide services to investment managers (such as selling research or data from our database), as opposed to the limited partner/investor community. |
● | Charge managers to be considered for investment or included in our databases. |
● | Allow managers to sponsor our client meetings. |
● | Recommend services or products sponsored by StepStone. Analysis and recommendation of such products and services, when requested by a client, is performed by the client, the clients general consultant or an independent third party. |
● | Act as a securities broker-dealer. |
● | Have Supervised Persons that are registered representatives of a broker-dealer. |
● | Make political contributions. |
● | Receive revenues as placement agent or finder for managers. |
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IX. | GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT |
Giving, receiving or soliciting gifts in a business setting can give rise to the appearance of impropriety and, in certain settings, may result in serious financial and legal penalties. All gifts and entertainment given or received by Supervised Persons must be logged by Supervised Persons on the Firms ComplySci web site. Any questions concerning the policies described below should be directed to the CCO, SGEAIL CCO, or another member of the Compliance Department.
Gift Policy
● | In general, Supervised Persons may accept or give only gifts of nominal value from or to clients, prospects, vendors, or other entities with which StepStone does or may do business. |
● | No gifts may be made to representatives of public pensions, sovereign wealth funds, state owned enterprises or other public bodies or entities. |
● | Gifts from placement agents, finders or fund managers are not permitted. However, gifts of nominal value that may be consumed by a group may be accepted if made available to the office at large. |
● | As noted above, any gift given or received must be entered on StepStones ComplySci web site. |
● | Annually, Supervised Persons will attest to their compliance with this gift policy. |
Entertainment Policy
● | To qualify as entertainment of a Supervised Person by a third party, the Supervised Person must accompany clients or be accompanied by vendors, placement agents, finders, or fund managers. Otherwise, the value of the entertainment will be treated as a gift subject to the gift policy. |
● | Dining expenses or the cost of admission to entertainment events (such as sports events or the theater) should be reasonable in the circumstances and not lavish. All entertainment given or received must be entered on StepStones ComplySci web site. |
● | Entertainment of representatives of U.S. public pensions or other U.S. public bodies or entities is not permitted without prior consent of the Compliance Department, which will record the consent in the entertainment log. Subject to compliance with the policies and procedures of the relevant party, entertainment of representatives of non-U.S. public pensions, sovereign wealth funds, state-owned enterprises or other non-U.S. public bodies or entities is permitted if under $100 per person without approval. For South Korean based public pensions, state-owned enterprises or entities, this limit is $25 per person. Entertainment expenses in excess of this threshold shall require prior consent of the Compliance Department, which will record the consent in the entertainment log. While the Compliance Department does not require confirmation of the clients own compliance approval, Supervised Persons should note that third party policies and procedures apply in such instances. |
● | A special event is a form of entertainment (often at an attractive location) where the sponsor is willing to pay for the cost or lodging of the attendees. Supervised Persons must obtain prior approval from the Compliance Department before attending a special event. In general, the Compliance Department will permit the sponsor to pay only for lodging and any attendance fees in connection with the event. |
● | Annually, Supervised Persons will attest to their compliance with this entertainment policy. |
Any exception to these rules must be approved by the Compliance Department and recorded in either the Firms entertainment log.
Prohibited Conduct
To ensure compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the UK Bribery Act, and other similar laws in foreign jurisdictions in which the Firm operates, Supervised Persons are prohibited from directly or indirectly paying or giving, offering or promising to pay, give or authorize or approving such offer or payment, of any funds, gifts, services or anything else of any value, no matter how small, or seemingly insignificant, to any Government Official (as such term is defined under the FCPA) for any business or Firm-related reasons. For more information, please refer to Chapter XIII of the Firms Compliance Manual and those sections related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and UK Bribery Act.
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X. | POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
The SEC and numerous states have adopted rules and laws addressing pay to play practices such as making or soliciting campaign contributions or payments to government officials to influence the awarding of investment contracts for managing public pension assets and other governmental investments.
Specifically, Rule 206(4)-5 under the Advisers Act (the Pay-to-Play Rule) addresses practices where an investment adviser or its supervised persons directly or indirectly make contributions or other payments to certain U.S. public officials or candidates for office with the intent of generating investment advisory business. Violations of the Pay to Play Rule can have serious implications on the Firms ability to manage public pension assets and other governmental investments. The Firm can be precluded from managing money for a U.S. state or local government entity or may need to return fees received or waive fees to be received from such government entity for up to two years. The Firm recognizes that it is never appropriate to make or solicit political contributions for the purpose of improperly influencing the actions of public officials.
As a consequence, Supervised Persons and their immediate family members living in their household are prohibited from making, or soliciting others to make, political contributions of any amount to any candidate or official for federal, state or local public office in the United States, as well as any political organization or PAC. This prohibition includes in-kind contributions such as volunteering for a political campaign. Supervised Persons will be required to attest to their compliance with this rule each year. Additionally, Supervised Persons may not use personal or corporate funds to make political contributions on behalf of or in the name of the Firm.
Charitable Contributions Distinguished
Contributions to a charity are not considered political contributions unless made to, through, in the name of or to a fund controlled by a federal, state or local candidate or official. This policy is not intended to impede legitimate, charitable fund-raising activities. Any questions regarding whether an organization is a charity should be directed to the CCO or the SGEAIL CCO, as applicable.
XI. | OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES |
Engaging in business or professional investment activities outside of the scope of StepStones business may present serious conflicts of interest with the Firm or its clients. Such instances of outside business activities include, but are not limited to: (i) serving as an officer, director, trustee or partner of any business organization; or (ii) serving as a Supervised Person or consultant, a teacher or lecturer, a publisher of articles or a radio or television guest.
Supervised Persons are therefore required to disclose upon hire and annually thereafter all outside business activities in which the Supervised Person currently engages or proposes to engage. Supervised Persons are required to notify and obtain the advance written approval of the CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, or a designee prior to participating in any outside business activity, including serving as an officer or director of any public or private company, even if the service is at the request of StepStone. Supervised Persons should also disclose to the CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, or a designee any outside business affiliation or activity or personal interest that might present a conflict of interest or harm the reputation of the Firm. All such disclosures must be made on StepStones ComplySci web site.
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XII. | SUPERVISED PERSONS INFORMATION DISCLOSURE |
To enable the Firm to accurately make its regulatory filings and to ensure adherence to the disqualification and disclosure requirements of Rule 506 of Regulation D, Supervised Persons are required to notify the CCO or SGEAIL CCO, as applicable, if they are currently, or at any time in the future become, the subject of any of the following:
● | Arrest, summons, arraignment, guilty plea, no contest plea or conviction (other than minor traffic violations, but including convictions related to driving while intoxicated). |
● | Bankruptcy proceeding, unsatisfied judgment or lien. |
● | Any temporary or permanent restraining order. |
● | A controlling person of any organization that is subject to any of the above items. |
● | Refusal, denial or bar of membership from a regulatory agency, governmental body or business or professional organization. |
● | Any client complaint or civil litigation or arbitration that materially impacts upon a Supervised Persons ability to perform their role. |
● | Subject of any regulatory or governmental investigation or disciplinary action. |
Supervised Persons will be asked to attest on an annual basis that they have not been the subject of any of these events, including those that may be deemed a disqualifying event under Rule 506.
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APPENDIX B
STEPSTONE GROUP LP
STEPSTONE GROUP REAL ASSETS LP
STEPSTONE GROUP REAL ESTATE LP
STEPSTONE GROUP PRIVATE WEALTH LLC
STEPSTONE GROUP PRIVATE DEBT LLC
SWISS CAPITAL ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS AG
STEPSTONE GROUP EUROPE ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
ALLOCATION OF INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES Effective June 29, 2023
StepStone Group LP, StepStone Group Real Assets LP, StepStone Group Real Estate LP, StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC, StepStone Group Private Debt LLC, Swiss Capital Alternative Investments AG, and Stepstone Group Europe Alternative Investments Limited (each, a Manager and collectively, StepStone) have adopted the following policies and procedures with respect to the allocation of investment opportunities among any or all of its advisory clients, separately managed accounts, comingled funds or other clients (each, a client, and separately managed accounts and comingled funds each, a Fund) as applicable depending on the asset class and investment strategy.
I. | Policies and Procedures |
A. It is StepStones policy that all investment opportunities (regardless of strategy) shall, to the extent practicable, be allocated among StepStones clients on a basis that over a period of time is fair and equitable to each client relative to other clients, taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances, including, without limitation and in no particular order:
● | Differences with respect to investment objectives or current investment strategies, such as objectives or strategies: |
● | regarding return requirements; |
● | emphasizing or limiting exposure to the investment strategy or sub-sector; regarding diversification, including strategy, industry, property type or geographic exposure; |
● | remaining life of the investment vehicle; |
● | regarding specific mandates, such as geographic sub-sectors, emerging managers, middle-market buy-outs, mega buy-outs, venture capital, real estate and others; |
● | differences in the level of fees assessed by a GP; or |
● | differences in the level of control offered to the client. |
● | Differences with respect to the capital available for investment by each client overall and specifically with respect to the specific investments strategy, geography or other sub-sector as identified above or otherwise identified by StepStone at the time the investment is reviewed. |
● | Differences with respect to portfolio plans, including annual deployment plans. |
● | Differences in the risk profile of the opportunity at the time that it is available and evaluated by StepStone for any particular client. |
● | Whether a client has an existing investment in, or relationship to, the investment being allocated (or the sponsor of such investment). |
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● | Minimum and maximum investment amounts. |
● | The source of the opportunity different treatment may be warranted if the opportunity is sourced by a client for its own account or directed by a GP to a particular client account. |
● | The specific requirements of the investment being allocated (e.g., eligibility requirements based on the entity type, domicile or tax characteristics of any given client; the sponsor of such investment (or seller/issuer) exercising discretion to accept or reject certain clients). |
● | Potential conflicts of interest (including whether a client has an existing investment in the opportunity in question). |
● | Operational efficiencies. |
● | Tax, legal or regulatory considerations. |
● | Current and anticipated market conditions. |
Portfolio construction, including allocation suitability, is reviewed and approved by each asset classs Portfolio Management Risk Committee. Portfolio construction is inclusive of anticipated annual capital deployment per account and min/max thresholds per investment.
B. Allocation Among Multiple Clients or Funds. In the event that an investment opportunity has to be allocated among various clients after taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances as outlined I.A. above then the allocation shall be made pro-rata among all such clients based on the proportion that the capital available for investment by each client in the particular investment bears to the total amount of capital available for investment by all clients in the particular investment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, StepStone uses best efforts to defer the allocation of third-party fund investments to the sponsor of the opportunity and advocates to such sponsor that it fully satisfies each clients requested allocation.
.Allocation of Overage offered by StepStone. Depending on the size and other relevant factors associated with an investment opportunity (regardless of asset class or strategy), investment allocation decisions may be further made with respect to potential co-investment in the investment opportunity (including through a co-investment vehicle formed to facilitate such investment) by a current client in an overage relationship, a prospective client, other third party, or otherwise (each, in such capacity, a third party co-investor) or employees of StepStone or any entities which such employees beneficially own (each, a StepStone Supervised Person). In making this determination, StepStone will first ensure that (i) the client(s) receive the full amount of their desired allocation prior to offering any co-investment to a third-party co-investor, and (ii) in turn, such third-party co-investors receive the full amount of their desired allocation prior to any StepStone Supervised Persons. The criteria described above shall be utilized to make this determination. Following this allocation determination, the relevant investment team, in consultation with Legal, may evaluate possible third-party co-investors and StepStone Supervised Persons based on all relevant factors, including those specific to the investment opportunity. The factors to be considered as part of a holistic analysis may include, but are not limited to:
1. | strategic value of a prospective third party co-investor or StepStone Supervised Person to the underlying investment opportunity; |
2. | how quickly a prospective third party co-investor or StepStone Supervised Person is able to conduct its own due diligence and provide a commitment with respect to an investment opportunity; |
3. | whether the prospective third party co-investor or StepStone Supervised Person has the financial and other resources to make the investment; |
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o. | whether the prospective third party co-investor or StepStone Supervised Person has indicated a desire to make investments of the type offered by the investment opportunity; |
1. | whether the prospective third party co-investor or StepStone Supervised Person will represent a good syndicate partner in connection with the clients investment; |
2. | any requirements or restrictions relating to co-investment opportunities in the clients governing documents or side letters with investors in any client; and |
3. | any other factor determined by the relevant investment team, in consultation with the Chief Compliance Officer, to be relevant to the relationship of a particular investment opportunity to a given prospective third party co-investor or StepStone Supervised Person. |
4. | Any overage investment by a third party co-investor or StepStone Supervised Person must be approved by the Chief Compliance Officer, in conjunction with members of the respective asset class leadership team. |
For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 1.C shall be supplemented by section 3 of the side letter dated July 7, 2021 among, inter alia, StepStone Group LP and Shareholder Representative Services LLC; that is, the individuals named therein may participate in overage opportunities subject to such side letter and review and approval by the Chief Compliance Officer.
E. Disposition Opportunities. To the extent that multiple clients hold an interest in the same investment, it is StepStones policy that disposition opportunities with respect to that investment will, to the extent practicable, be allocated among such clients on a basis that over a period of time is fair and equitable to each client relative to other clients, taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances, including, without limitation and in no particular order:
1. | the relative ownership percentages of the clients in the applicable investment; |
2. | the strategies, guidelines and restrictions applicable to each client under its governing documents; |
3. | the relevant provisions in a clients governing documents or in other agreements related to the clients investment in such issuer (such as tag-along and piggyback rights); |
4. | liquidity needs for each client and the investment cycle of a particular client; |
5. | respective holding periods for the investment; |
6. | the nature and size of the disposition opportunity; |
7. | current and anticipated market conditions; and |
8. | tax, legal or regulatory considerations. |
F. Exceptions
(i) | StepStone may depart from the foregoing investment allocation policies in a particular circumstance if the relevant investment team, in consultation with the Chief Compliance Officer, determines that for good reason it would be appropriate to do so, and such a departure would nonetheless be consistent with StepStones fiduciary obligations to its clients and Funds. In the event of any exception, a memorandum documenting the rationale for such exception will be saved in the allocation backup folder in SPI, or, in the case of StepStone Group Private Debt LLC, Swiss Capital Alternative Investments AG, and Stepstone Group Europe Alternative Investments Limited, elsewhere as permitted by the relevant Chief Compliance Officer, in either case, in accordance with Rule 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (Advisers Act). |
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(ii) | Further, each Manager may adopt allocation procedures specific to the relevant asset class and clients of such Manager. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event the provisions of any applicable Manager allocation procedure shall conflict with the foregoing allocation policies, the provisions of the applicable Manager allocation procedure shall control. |
(iii) | Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event the provisions of any applicable client governing documents shall conflict with the foregoing allocation policies, the provisions of the applicable client governing documents shall control. |
II. Administration
The relevant Head of Fund Accounting, or their designee, shall be responsible for the management of the investment allocation process among clients. Managers other than StepStone Group Private Debt LLC, Swiss Capital Alternative Investments AG, and Stepstone Group Europe Alternative Investments Limited shall, in the case of investments other than Fund investments, allocate investments using StepStones SPI allocation tool. Whenever an investment opportunity has to be allocated among various clients after taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances as set forth in Section I above the relevant Head of Fund Accounting, in conjunction with the Chief Compliance Officer, shall approve the allocation. Overage co- investment allocations shall be memorialized by the investment team in the file relating to the relevant investment and maintained in accordance with Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act.
III. Review
The Chief Compliance Officer or their delegate shall review certain of StepStones allocations of investment opportunities among clients from time to time as necessary to determine compliance with the foregoing policy. Moreover, the Chief Compliance Officer shall review this policy annually in accordance with Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act to determine its adequacy and the effectiveness of its implementation.
IV. Interpretation
Any reference to the relevant Head of Fund Accounting or Chief Compliance Officer shall refer to such person or his/her designee, as applicable.
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StepStone Group Valuation Guidelines
StepStone has implemented a valuation policy that is compliant with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures and therefore compliant with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Fair Value, as defined in ASC 820, is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement (or reporting) date. The objective is to estimate the exchange price at which a hypothetical willing buyer and willing seller would agree to transact in the principal market, or if no principal market, the most advantageous market as of the measurement (or reporting) date.
Valuations of private investments are subjective and often require judgments to be made in the estimation of value. StepStone will use all information available and in some cases, make certain judgments that may differ from others that are valuing the same or similar investments. Estimates of the fair value of a private equity investment at any point in time may differ materially from the ultimate value, if any, realized on the investment.
ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions or inputs market participants use in arriving at the fair value estimate and to enhance the consistency and comparability of the related disclosure. In determining a fair value estimate, market participants are to use the highest level of inputs available as defined by the hierarchy below. In certain cases, fair value estimates may be based on inputs from more than one level.
● | Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities |
○ | Level 1 is the highest level of input where the fair value is calculated using a market price times the quantity held |
● | Level 2: Observable prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities |
○ | Assumptions are made in arriving at the fair value estimate based on market data obtained from independent sources |
● | Level 3: Unobservable inputs |
● | Assumptions are made in arriving at the fair value estimate based on the best information available |
The majority of private investments fall under Level 3 given the unobservable nature of the asset class.
ASC 820 also permits a reporting entity to measure the fair value of certain investments using the net asset value per share of the investments, as a Practical Expedient. StepStone will generally value investments in Private Funds or Limited Partnership Investments using the Practical Expedient. Investments reported using the Practical Expedient are excluded from the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820 as the fair value is measured based on the net asset value.
A. Publicly Traded Securities
For securities or investments that are quoted, traded or exchanged in an accessible, active market, StepStone will value the asset by multiplying the number of securities held x the closing price as of the measurement (or reporting) date from the relevant market exchange. StepStone does not apply any liquidity or restriction discount regardless of ownership structure or the ability to control the sale of the asset.
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B. Private Fund or Limited Partnership (LP) Investments
For investments in private funds (Fund) or Limited Partnerships (LP), StepStone will generally use the capital account value provided by the General Partner (GP) as the fair value (the Practical Expedient Value) reported in the financial statements of StepStone managed entities. StepStone funds may invest in Private Company Investments (Section C), Real Estate (Section D), and Credit/Debt/Preferred Equity (Section E), that are held through an entity that also uses the Practical Expedient Value as the fair value. StepStone believes that the most logical starting point for the fair value of a Fund investment is the GP reported value because the GP has access to full information on the underlying portfolio assets past performance and expectations of the future, ongoing access and interaction with the portfolio asset management, and the GP often has the ability to influence activities of the asset and the ultimate outcome for the investment.
While StepStone does not generally receive enough detailed information to adequately value the underlying portfolio investments, a review is conducted to evaluate the GP valuation methodology and process to determine if the Practical Expedient Value provided is reasonable and consistent with the principles of ASC 820. If StepStone believes that the capital account value does not appropriately reflect fair value, the Practical Expedient Value reported in the financial statements will be adjusted.
For investments where StepStone relies on the Practical Expedient Value, StepStone generally reviews the attributes of the annual audits of these investments in alignment with AICPA considerations for the most significant investments driving the value of the Fund investment portfolios.
In certain cases, StepStone vehicles may acquire a Fund investment from a pre-existing investor (a Secondary investment). Transactions of Secondary investments are often completed at a value other than the reported capital account value. Upon completion of the purchase, StepStone will generally value the asset in the financial statements at the fair value estimate of the capital account value as determined through the above described process. Any discount or premium paid for the Secondary, would be reflected as unrealized gain or loss within the financial statements as of the first reporting date following the purchase.
From time to time, StepStone may enter an agreement to sell an investment or portfolio of investments. In such case, StepStone would generally use the agreed upon sales price as the basis of the fair value reported in the financial statements ahead of the transaction close.
StepStone may use an estimated or draft Practical Expedient Value received from a GP or roll forward a valuation from a prior quarter adjusted for cash activity if a capital account balance statement is not received by the time periodic reporting is issued. The estimate will be reviewed for reasonableness based on the financial performance of the fund or company and market.
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C. Private Company Investments
In the estimation of fair value for a private company investment (typically single company assets held through a co-investment structure or direct holding in a private equity, growth equity or venture focused investments), StepStone will often mirror the valuation of the lead or managing sponsor of the private company investment. Similar to the rationale discussed in the Fund section above, the lead sponsor managing the investment will typically have significantly more information about the financial performance of the company and can usually be influential in the companys direction and the ultimate outcome of the investment performance. For PE Co-investments, StepStone will review the assumptions and judgments made by the lead sponsor in estimating fair value by preparing a valuation model for the year end valuations. StepStone will also prepare a valuation model on a quarterly basis for any PE Co-investment on the Watch List*. For the remaining quarters, StepStone will generally mark its investment to be in line with the lead sponsor by applying the investment return multiple provided by the sponsor to our invested capital. For certain asset classes, including growth equity and venture investments, valuations models are prepared quarterly in addition to the annual valuation model. StepStone will make any adjustments deemed necessary to appropriately reflect fair value in the financial statements of the StepStone managed entities.
For investments where the year-end audit is not received in time to be used for the StepStone Funds audit, Stepstone will prepare a valuation model as described above. For these situations, once the audit is received, StepStone will perform back testing to ensure the internally prepared valuations is reasonable compared to the audited financial statements. If StepStone concludes the two valuations are reasonable, StepStone will then use the Practical Expedient Value provided by the GP for the remaining quarters of the year.
The estimation of value for a private company can be derived using a number of methods including: discounting the expected cash flows of the investment; valuing the net assets of the company; reviewing comparable precedent transactions involving similar companies; and using a performance multiple or market based approach. In the performance multiple approach, an appropriate multiple is generally applied toward an operating metric, such as earnings before interest, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) or revenue, to determine the total value (generally referred to as enterprise value) of the company. Performance multiples will be based on the most relevant multiple to the company being valued and will generally consist of either current average public company multiples for similar companies in the industry, or current average multiples for recent private transactions of similar companies in the industry. In certain cases, the original acquisition multiple may be appropriate if relevant public or private transaction multiples cannot be ascertained. Multiples should be adjusted for differences in growth prospects and risk attributes. The obligations of the company (typically debt or other forms of financing) will be deducted from the enterprise value and cash or other significant assets will be added. The net amount remaining after satisfying the obligations of the company will be the value available to equity holders. The equity holders may have characteristics differentiating the preference of different classes (preferred vs. common) that are considered in determining the fair value of the specific security owned by StepStone managed funds. Generally, the common stock equivalent methodology is utilized for determining the fair value of the specific security owned. However, the facts and circumstances of each investment are considered to ensure the investment is carried at fair value.
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For venture or growth equity investments in which a market based approach is not yet relevant given the operating metrics of the company, StepStone will frequently use the enterprise value used in the most recent equity financing round in determining the estimated fair value. The following items will be considered when valuing an investment based on the most recent equity financing:
● | Investment valuations are increased or decreased based on subsequent material equity financings that may include one or more unrelated sophisticated investors, regardless of StepStones participation. Valuations based on a significant investment by a strategic investor paying a premium due to benefits accruing uniquely to itself are reduced by an estimate of such premium. StepStone will also consider inside-only led rounds if the inside-only led round is considered indicative of the current valuation. |
● | If a private financing round will be completed with a high degree of certainty within a short time after the valuation date, and the pricing of the transaction has been substantially agreed, the valuation of the direct company should be adjusted to reflect the General Partners best estimate of the valuation established by the prospective financing. In the case of an increase in value, the financing will normally close before the date that the financial statements are issued. If a direct company executes a sale agreement within a short time after the valuation date and before the financial statements are issued, the valuation should be adjusted to reflect an appropriate discount to the sale price. In the case of a sale, the valuation should be adjusted to reflect escrow provisions and other factors which may impact the final sales proceeds. |
● | The fair value may be reduced if a direct company is performing significantly below expectations at the investment date or last financing round, or there has been a significant reduction in general valuations, such that the General Partner believes that there has been a material and continuing reduction in the value of the investment. |
● | Valuations may be increased absent a financing if a direct company has achieved sustainable positive operating performance and market based performance multiples indicate that a material increase in value has occurred. Increases in valuations based on market multiples would generally not occur within one year of an investment or subsequent equity financing which has established fair value. |
D. Real Estate
The estimation of value for private real estate assets can be derived using a number of methods including: discounting the expected cash flows of the investment; valuing the net assets of the company; reviewing comparable precedent transactions involving similar assets; and using a capitalization rate or market based approach.
In the capitalization rate approach, an appropriate yield is generally applied to the assets net operating income (NOI), to determine the total value (generally referred to as gross asset value) of the assets. The obligations of the vehicle (typically debt) will be deducted from the gross asset value and cash or other significant assets will be added. The net amount remaining after satisfying the obligations of the company will be the value available to equity holders. The equity holders may have characteristics differentiating the preference of different classes (preferred vs. common, manager carried interest) that are considered in determining the fair value of the specific security owned.
In certain cases, StepStone may independently calculate the value of a private vehicle investment using an approached deemed appropriate for the investment or elect to engage third party appraisals to value the assets. In all cases, valuations included in financial reporting from StepStone will be at a value StepStone believes is representative of fair value based on available information.
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E. Credit/Debt/Preferred Equity
In determining the estimated fair value of preferred equity or credit/debt related securities for which there is no actively traded market, StepStones estimate of fair value will consider such factors as the current interest rate environment relative to that of the investment held, the tenor of maturity date of the investment, the operating performance of the issuer, the concern for maintaining any covenant levels embedded in the instrument, the ability of the issuer to call the security (and the associated redemption price) and the general overall credit quality of the security over the life of the investment.
These instruments are often held at accreted cost or par if there has been no material change to the above factors relative to what was anticipated at the time the original securities were priced and structured. However, fair value will be evaluated against the current returns an investor could obtain in the current market for an instrument issued with similar credit and return characteristics.
F. Investment Partnerships in Infrastructure and Real Assets
For the estimation of fair value for Investment Partnerships in private companies that do not fall under item C above (e.g. for Investment Partnerships in infrastructure assets), StepStone will develop a tailored process for undertaking valuations in accordance with GAAP and the clients requirements as applicable. The process will typically involve using a third-party independent valuation firm (the Valuer) selected through a request-for-proposal (RFP) process that StepStone can manage with the client (and based on the clients specifications). A new Valuer is generally selected on a predetermined schedule (e.g. every three or four years).
Throughout each independent valuation process, StepStone will work with the management team of the company to update the business plan, forecasts and financial model, and then liaise with the Valuer as needed throughout its valuation process. The frequency of the independent valuations will be determined in accordance with the clients requirements but will generally be performed at least annually. For Investment Partnerships in infrastructure assets, the valuation methodology will typically be based on a discounted cash flow to equity basis, with other valuation approaches (such as the EBITDA multiple approach) being used as additional methods of support.
For within-cycle valuations, StepStone will undertake an internal valuation process by calculating a roll-forward valuation, typically based upon the same discount rate used in the most recent independent valuation, or if prior to the first independent valuation date, then the acquisition case expected return, in both cases, taking into consideration any material changes in the business or market from the most recent valuation. Where it is determined that it may not be appropriate to roll-forward an assets value, the investment team may recommend to the Valuation Committee to apply a 0% roll-forward rate or prescribe an alternate value either through engagement of an independent Valuer or by other means, sufficient to satisfy the requirements of GAAP (or equivalent Fair Value accounting standards) and the Valuation Committee. The relevant investment team members for a particular asset will undertake or manage this internal valuation process, which shall be subject to oversight by finance/investment operations.
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* StepStone Groups PE Co-investment business has a real-time Watch List for investments that are currently or anticipated to be materially underperforming and are viewed as having the potential to impair capital. Investments are added to the Watch List when there is a material deterioration in current financial performance or there are changes in the industry prospects that could have a material adverse impact on future financial performance. Changes in valuation based on movements in public markets are not reflected in the watch list, unless there is the belief that investments valuation will be permanently impaired resulting in a potential loss of capital. Investments can be added to the Watch List at any time with approval of the PE Co-investment Business Co-Heads and can be removed only once per quarter based on discussion with the PE Valuation Committee. Watch list is updated and maintained on a quarterly basis by evaluating the factors above and recommendation by the valuation committee members
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APPENDIX D
StepStone Group Inc.
and its consolidated subsidiaries
Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery Plan
February 2022
Contingency planning involves advance planning and preparations that are necessary to minimize loss and ensure continuity of an organizations core business procedures and critical operations in the event of a disaster or business interruption. The purpose of this Disaster Recovery Plan (the Plan) is to outline measures necessary to ensure an acceptable level of performance of the core business procedures and critical operations of StepStone Group LP, StepStone Group Real Assets LP, StepStone Group Real Estate LP, StepStone Group Europe LLP, StepStone Conversus LLC and Stepstone Group Europe Alternative Investments Limited (collectively, StepStone or the Company) in the event of an area disaster or other incident causing a business interruption. StepStone has identified its core business procedures and critical operations as those related to monitoring the investments of StepStones clients, maintaining books and records of StepStone and its clients, and otherwise servicing StepStones clients. The Plan has been designed to enable StepStone to continue to perform these procedures and operations during a business interruption. Local offices may use different methodologies when implementing business continuity arrangements in this regard a separate policy is available upon request.
StepStone has designed work flow and processes in such a manner as to allow for high flexibility in working remotely. StepStone has created mechanisms to enable personnel to maintain execution of job responsibilities.
StepStone uses a number of third party service providers to conduct the Companys core business activities. The Plan is designed to incorporate both the activities of StepStone and certain financial institutions and third-party service providers that StepStone has identified as a core service provider in conducting Core Activities (Core Third Party Service Provider).
● | Banking/Financial Institutions: |
StepStone uses a number of financial institutions for banking activity and custodial activity for products including: JPM Chase Bank, N.A.; Citibank, N.A.; Silicon Valley Bank; Comerica Bank; Pacific Western Bank; ING Bank; BMO Financial Group; First Republic Bank; National Australia Bank; Goldman Sachs; Mizuho Bank; Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC; and Merrill Lynch.
The services of each of these institutions are accessible either through online client access portals or via telephone. Activities with these institutions can be managed remotely and do not require an authorized user to be in a physical StepStone location or use StepStone specific equipment.
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● | Service Providers: |
Fund Administration: StepStone uses a number of third party service providers in the management of products. The most critical of these service providers are third party fund administrators (Fund Administrators) including: Bank of Montreal; Citi Private Equity Services, Inc.; Credit Suisse; First Caribbean International Bank; FLSV Fund Administration Services, LLC; SEI Global Services, Inc.; IPES (Guernsey) Limited; Aztec Financial Services (Guernsey) Limited; RBS Global Banking Lux; and Royal Bank of Scotland. The Fund Administrators provide accounting and reporting services for products managed by StepStone.
Each of the Fund Administrators has established data security, data backup, and disaster recovery plans. The oversight of these relationships and activity can be managed remotely and does not require personnel to be in a physical StepStone location.
The Plan employs two levels of disaster contingency planning at StepStone.
a) | First, to the extent possible, StepStone seeks to maintain and/or recover its core business procedures and operations internally. |
b) | Second, StepStone has instituted plans to guard against large scale disasters causing significant business interruption. |
Internal Recovery
StepStones most critical systems are cloud-based and hosted on Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Both Azure and AWS have built-in redundancy and replicate in multiple availability zones to protect data and infrastructure. In the event of an outage at Azure or AWS, StepStone can move to a back-up availability zone and maintain its normal operations with minimal to no downtime. Within the public cloud infrastructure nightly backups of all systems are performed for point-in-time recovery.
To reduce latency with cloud-based servers, StepStone maintains on-site file servers located in its offices around the world. Employees interact with these on-site file servers directly with all changes synced back to Azure storage. In the event of an outage or failure of an on-site file server, employees are automatically redirected to the next closest server. Azure maintains three copies of production data stored in three physical locations. Backups are performed on a continual basis with snapshots executed every five minutes.
Critical systems are designed to be recovered internally in all but the most serious of circumstances. StepStone has developed the following internal recovery procedures that allow StepStone to minimize business disruption during routine outages such as power loss or hardware failure:
● | StepStone and the Critical Third-Party Service Providers conduct back-up procedures for client data of StepStone daily. |
● | StepStone and the Critical Third-Party Service Providers have made provisions for other telecommunications carriers to be available for diverse routing capabilities and maintain other fail-over solutions for data communications and telephones. |
● | StepStone and the Critical Third-Party Service Providers have access to standby hardware and other equipment necessary for operating critical systems. |
● | StepStone and the Critical Third-Party Service Providers maintain Internet redundancy via multiple carriers leveraging different physical mediums where possible. |
● | All employees of StepStone are equipped with mobile phones and laptops with remote access to firm systems. |
● | StepStone provides a virtual desktop environment as a secondary form of remote access to compliment secure VPN connections. |
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External Recovery
While there is a considerable amount of focus placed on internal recovery and redundant infrastructure with regard to StepStone, StepStone recognizes that large scale disasters, government orders or other types of business interruptions could occur. To guard against the risk of a significant business interruption, StepStone has taken the following steps:
● | Storage of Back-up Data and Systems: StepStones most critical systems and data are backed-up daily and stored in its cloud-based environments hosted on Azure and AWS. Daily back-ups are retained for a minimum of 31 days, and monthly back-ups are retained permanently. In the event of a failure or catastrophic loss occurring to the cloud-based environments hosted on Azure or AWS, the back-ups would allow for a quick recovery. |
● | Cross site data replication: StepStone utilizes software that replicates all file shares, in real time, across all offices. In the event of a disaster or other business interruption that prevents access to any business location all data is immediately available in another location. |
● | Remote Access: All StepStone locations allow employees to work remotely and access data and email. With VPN connectivity employees can reach StepStones internal network from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. A secure virtual desktop environment provides a secondary means on remotely accessing firm systems. |
● | Communications: Key personnel have been issued cell phones to maintain communication in the event of office closure. Office telephone lines can be forwarded to another office or mobile device as needed to maintain client and investor communications. StepStone also leverages internet-based communication tools including Microsoft Teams and WebEx. |
● | Identification of Critical Third-Party Service Providers: StepStone has identified the firms listed earlier in this Plan as Critical Third-Party Service Providers. StepStone has reviewed with each of the Critical Third-Party Service Providers StepStones expectations therewith in the event of a significant business interruption. |
● | Alternate Business Location: All of StepStone employees are able to work remotely via internet connections that provide access to StepStones network and information management systems from anywhere in the world. In the event of a disaster or other business interruption that prevents access to our business location we would expect to continue operations from each individuals home in the event of an event that renders any of StepStones current offices uninhabitable (the Alternate Business Location). |
● | Operating Procedures During Significant Business Interruption: StepStone has designated Jason Ment and Jose Fernandez, Co-COOs, as the persons responsible for ensuring systems are accessible from the Alternate Business Location conditioned on internet access and cellular service to provide critical business operations in the event of an event that renders any of StepStones current offices uninhabitable. |
● | Communication with Employees: StepStone has contracted with Preparis, Inc. to provide a system for locating, communicating with, and tracking responses from, staff during a disaster or significant business interruption. Jason Ment and Jose Fernandez, Co-COOs, have been designated as the persons responsible for seeing that the communication is sent, although he may delegate this responsibility to others, depending on the location and nature of the event. Either a predefined template or a newly composed message can be used. The message can be communicated through one or multiple types of alert (SMS text, e-mail and voice) and can be one way or a response can be requested. Recipients can be selected by location, business role or individual name. Responses can be tracked and a follow-up message sent to those who have not responded after a period of time. |
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● | Communications with Third Parties: StepStone has established procedures for communicating with clients, investors, third-party service providers and regulators in the event of a significant business interruption. |
- | StepStone intends to communicate with its clients and investors from the Alternate Business Location via telephone, email, its investor portal and website, and/or through press releases. Jason Ment and Jose Fernandez, Co-COOs have been designated to oversee and coordinate such communications. The communications would include updates on StepStones recovery operations, the status of clients assets and methods by which clients and investors may contact StepStone during the disaster. |
- | StepStone has designated Jason Ment and Jose Fernandez, Co-COOs, as the persons responsible for overseeing communication with the Critical Third-Party Service Providers and StepStones vendors from the Alternate Business Location during a significant business interruption to (i) assess the effect of the business interruption on the services provided by such parties; and (ii) arrange for the continuation or resumption of critical services. A list containing contact and other key information for the Critical Third-Party Service Providers and StepStones vendors is available on StepStones network and in its offices. |
- | StepStone has designated John McGuinness, CCO, as the person responsible for communicating with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulators during a significant business interruption. |
Loss of Key Personnel
The Firm is aware that certain staff competencies are critical to continuing the Firms operations. To the extent possible, the Firm has duplicated these competencies by adequately training certain members of management as critical persons so they are properly prepared to take on a supervisory role in the event that critical persons are lost. In the event of the death or disability of a key member of management of StepStone as the result of a disaster, his or her responsibilities shall be assumed by one or more of the remaining members of management of StepStone.
Other
● | Annual Review of Planthe Plan will be reviewed and updated, if necessary, on an annual basis. |
● | Annual Review by StepStone of Disaster Recovery Plans of Critical Third-Party Service Providers StepStone will review with each of the Critical Third-Party Service Providers their disaster recovery plans. |
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