As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 4, 2017 |
Registration No.333-148723 |
Registration No.811-22172 |
UNITED STATES |
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
Washington, D.C. 20549 |
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | [X] | |
Pre-Effective Amendment No. |
[ ] | |
Post-Effective Amendment No. (241) |
[X] | |
and/or | ||
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | [X] | |
Amendment No. (242) |
[X] |
WORLD FUNDS TRUST |
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) |
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
(804) 267-7400 |
(Registrants Telephone Number) |
The Corporation Trust Co. |
Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801 |
(Name and Address of Agent for Service) |
With Copy to: |
John H. Lively |
The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. |
A member firm of The 1940 Act Law Group TM |
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310 |
Leawood, KS 66211 |
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this filing .
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
[ ] | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b); | |
[ ] | On ______________ pursuant to paragraph (b); | |
[ ] | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1); | |
[X] | on December 8, 2017 pursuant to paragraph (a)(1); | |
[ ] | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2); or | |
[ ] | on ______________ (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485. | |
If appropriate, check the following box: |
| | This post-effective amendment designates
a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
Title
of Securities Being Registered: shares of beneficial interest.
MISSION-AUOUR RISK-MANAGED GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
PROSPECTUS
December ___,
2017
CLASS A SHARES
Ticker:
VEEEX
INVESTOR CLASS SHARES
Ticker: _____
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES
Ticker: _____
CLASS Z SHARES
Ticker:
_____
8730 Stony Point Parkway,
Suite 205
Richmond, Virginia 23235
This prospectus describes the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (the Fund). The Fund is authorized to offer four classes of shares, each of which are offered by this prospectus.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF SUCH STATE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS | PAGE | ||
Fund Summary | 1 | ||
Investment Objective | 1 | ||
Fees and Expenses |
1 | ||
Principal Investment Strategies |
3 | ||
Principal Risks |
7 | ||
Performance Information |
11 | ||
Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser | 12 | ||
Portfolio Managers |
12 | ||
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares |
12 | ||
Tax Information |
13 | ||
Payments to Broker Dealers and other |
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Financial Intermediaries |
13 | ||
Additional Information About Fund Investments | 14 | ||
Additional Information About Risk | 14 | ||
The Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser | 21 | ||
The Portfolio Managers | 24 | ||
How to Buy Shares | 27 | ||
How to Sell Shares | 33 | ||
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes | 36 | ||
Net Asset Value | 39 | ||
Fair Value Pricing | 39 | ||
Frequent Trading | 40 | ||
General Information | 43 | ||
Distribution Arrangements | 44 | ||
Financial Highlights | 45 | ||
For More Information About the Fund | Back Cover |
FUND SUMMARY
Investment Objective
The Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks long term capital appreciation through exposure to global equity markets.
Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) | ||||||||||||||||
Class A
Shares |
Investor
Class Shares |
Institutional
Class Shares |
Class Z
Shares |
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed | 5.75% | None | None | None | ||||||||||||
on Purchases (as a % of offering price) | ||||||||||||||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) | None | None | None | None | ||||||||||||
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
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Class A
Shares |
Investor
Class Shares |
Institutional
Class Shares |
Class Z
Shares |
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Management Fee (1) | 0.60% | 0.60% | 0.60% | 0.60% | ||||||||||||
Distribution (12b-1) and Service Fees | 0.25% | 0.25% | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||||||||||||
Other Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
Shareholder Servicing Plan |
0.12% | 0.12% | 0.08% | 0.00% | ||||||||||||
Other Expenses |
0.69% | 0.69% | 0.69% | 0.69% | ||||||||||||
Total Other Expenses (1) | 0.81% | 0.81% | 0.77% | 0.69% | ||||||||||||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | ||||||||||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (1)(2) | 1.67% | 1.67% | 1.38% | 1.30% | ||||||||||||
Less Fee Waiver and/or Expense | ||||||||||||||||
Reimbursement (2) | (0.21% | ) | (0.21% | ) | (0.17% | ) | (0.17% | ) | ||||||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
After Fee Waiver and/or Expense | ||||||||||||||||
Reimbursement (2) | 1.46% | 1.46% | 1.21% | 1.13% | ||||||||||||
(1) |
The Management Fee, Other Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses have been restated to reflect modifications to the fees provided for under the contractual service arrangements in place
with certain of the Funds service providers.
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(2) |
Mission
Institutional Advisors, LLC, dba Mission Funds Advisors (the Adviser)
has entered into a written expense limitation agreement under which it has agreed
to limit the total
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expenses
of the Fund (exclusive of interest, distribution fees pursuant to Rule 12b-1 Plans,
taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses
and dividend expense on short sales) to an annual rate of 1.20% of the average daily
net assets of the Investor, Class A and Institutional Classes of shares of Fund
and 1.12% of the Class Z shares. The Adviser may not terminate this expense limitation
agreement prior to April 30, 2019. Each waiver or reimbursement of an expense by
the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within three fiscal years following
the fiscal year in which the expense was incurred, provided that the Fund is able
to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time
of the waiver or reimbursement and at the time the waiver or reimbursement is recouped.
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Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The effect of the Advisers agreement to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses is only reflected in the first year of each example shown below. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Funds operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Share Class | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
Class A Shares |
$715 | $1,052 | $1,412 | $2,421 |
Investor Class Shares | $149 | $506 | $888 | $1,959 |
Institutional Class Shares | $123 | $420 | $739 | $1,643 |
Class Z Shares | $115 | $395 | $697 | $1,553 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the example, affect the Funds performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Funds portfolio turnover rate XX.XX% of the average value of its portfolio. For periods prior to November 7, 2017, the Fund was managed by a different investment adviser and sub-adviser.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in exchange traded funds (ETFs) that invest in domestic and foreign (including emerging funds): (i)
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equity securities of any market capitalization (including common stock, preferred stock, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and master limited partnerships (MLPs), (ii) fixed income securities of any credit quality, duration or maturity (including corporate bonds, high-yield bonds (also known as junk bonds), convertible bonds, treasuries and emerging market bonds) and (iii) other income producing securities (including bank loans). The Fund may also invest in these types of securities through other exchange traded products (such as exchange traded notes (ETNs)). The Fund may also utilize options on equity securities and levered and inverse ETFs for the purpose of managing risk associated with the Funds portfolio.
The Funds investment philosophy is focused on the three facets of investing that have shown to drive performance: market participation, asset allocation, and total cost minimization.
Auour (pronounced our) Investments, LLC (Auour or the Sub-Adviser) acts as the sub-advisor of the Fund. Auour uses an investment process called Regime-Based Investing. At the heart of Regime-Based Investing is the belief that market conditions will vary throughout the investment cycle and that the asset allocation should adjust accordingly.
The Sub-Advisers investment process is concentrated on determining the risk regime of the overall market and allocating the assets of the Fund to best match the regime. At the foundation of the process is an investment approach that blends fundamental investment principles with mathematics. In times of expected market duress, the intent is to delink from market movements through the use of cash allocations, with the potential of a 100% cash allocation in the most extreme instances.
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Figure 1: Auour Regime Model
The Auour Regime Model (ARM ), a proprietary risk detection algorithm, resides within the investment process. It evaluates the market risk appetite using nine factors that Auour believes have predictive ability to aid in detecting enduring downturns. The nine factors can be grouped into four general categories: Valuation, Asset Interaction, Credit Market Behavior, and Momentum.
Figure 2: Components of ARM
Based upon ARM , market risk is categorized into risk regimes with each regime having an asset allocation that optimizes to those factors that perform favorably in that particular regime. In certain extreme conditions, the Fund has the flexibility to
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move 100% into investment grade short term fixed income securities or money market instruments. The model is updated daily.
The Fund will normally hold between 10 and 20 securities, offering a broad exposure to the global equity markets. The allocation to any one ETF (other than to investment grade short term fixed income ETFs) is limited to 35% of the Funds assets calculated at the time of rebalancing.
The Fund has the flexibility to invest in any combination of the securities described above. The Fund may invest in a several securities to represent a particular investment category if it determines that investment in a particular ETF for that category is not feasible, or otherwise would not be in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
Principal Risks
It is important that you closely review and understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The Funds net asset value (NAV) and investment return will fluctuate based upon changes in the value of its portfolio securities. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, and the Fund could underperform other investments. There is no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Principal Risks described herein pertain to direct risks of making an investment in the Fund and/or risks of the ETFs in which the Fund will invest. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its objective.
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Equity
Risk
. Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk
that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically,
the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Funds equity
securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report
poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments.
The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response.
These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing
in the Fund.
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Dividend-Paying
Securities Risk
. Investing in dividend-paying securities subjects the Fund to
certain risks. The company issuing such securities may fail and have to decrease
or eliminate its dividend. In such an event, the Fund
may not only lose the dividend payout but the stock price of the company may fall.
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Fixed
Income Securities Risk
. Investing in fixed income securities subjects the Fund
to interest rate risk and credit risk. Interest rate risk is the risk
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that increases
in interest rates could cause the prices of the Funds investments in fixed
income securities to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of bonds may
not be able to meet interest or principal payments when bonds become due.
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High-Yield
Securities Risk
. To the extent the Fund invests in high-yield securities rated
below investment grade by a credit rating agency (junk bonds) it may
experience a lower rate of return as those securities are subject to higher credit
risks and are less liquid than other fixed income securities.
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Geographic
Focus Risk
. To the extent that a Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets
in one country or group of countries, its performance may at times be worse than
the performance of other mutual funds that invest more broadly.
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Foreign
Securities Risk
. The Fund will invest in foreign securities. These investments
may involve financial, economic or political risks that are not ordinarily associated
with investments in U.S. securities. Therefore, the Funds NAV may be affected
by changes in exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar, different
regulatory standards, less liquidity and increased volatility, taxes and adverse
social or political developments.
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Emerging
Market Securities Risk
. The Fund also invests in securities of companies that
trade in emerging and developing markets. In addition to the typical risks that
are associated with investing in foreign securities, companies in developing countries
generally do not have lengthy operating histories. Consequently, these markets may
be subject to more substantial volatility and price fluctuations than securities
traded in more developed markets. Trading volume of the stock exchanges in these
countries may be substantially lower than that in developed markets and the purchase
and sale of portfolio securities may not always be made at an advantageous price.
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Investment
Model Risk
: Like all quantitatively based investment processes, the Sub-Advisers investment model carries a risk that the mathematical model used might be
based on one or more incorrect assumptions. Rapidly changing and unforeseen market
dynamics could also lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the Sub-Advisers
model. No assurance can be given that the fund will be successful under all or any
market conditions.
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Management
Risk
. The Sub-Advisers reliance on its strategy and judgments about the
attractiveness, value, and potential appreciation of the particular securities and
the tactical allocation among the Funds investments may prove to be incorrect
and may not produce the desired results.
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Currency
Risk
. The value of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies
increases or decreases as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the
U.S. dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase
investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile,
and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of
the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls
and speculation.
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Undervalued
Securities Risk
. Undervalued securities are, by definition, out of favor with
investors, and there is no way to predict when, if ever, the securities may return
to favor.
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Master
Limited Partnerships (MLPs) Risk.
Master limited partnerships are
generally considered interest-rate sensitive investments. During periods of interest
rate volatility, these investments may not provide attractive returns. Depending
on the state of interest rates in general, the use of MLPs could enhance or harm
the overall performance of the Fund. To the extent that an MLPs interests
are all in a particular industry (such as the energy sector), the MLP will be negatively
impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry.
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Real
Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk
. REITs may be subject to certain
risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate, including declines in
the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions,
overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating
expenses, and variations in rental income. REITs are subject to management fees
and other expenses, and so when the Fund invests in REITs it will bear its proportionate
share of the costs of the REITs operations. REITS are also subject to heavy
cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation and the possibility
of failing to qualify for the tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal
Revenue Code and to maintain their exemption from registration under the 1940 Act.
Additionally, distributions received by the Fund from REITs may consist of dividends,
capital gains and/or return of capital. Generally, dividends received by the Fund
from REIT shares and distributed to the Funds shareholders will not constitute
qualified income dividends eligible for reduced tax rates applicable
to qualified dividend income; therefore, the tax rate applicable to that portion
of the dividend income attributable to REIT shares held by the Fund that shareholders
of the Fund will receive will be taxed
at a higher rate than dividends eligible for reduced tax rate application to qualified
dividend income. Dividends from REITs are generally not eligible for the reduced
rate of income tax on certain dividends because the income that REITs receive is
primarily rent and interest income. Dividends from REITs are generally taxable as
ordinary
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income because the income that REITs receive is primarily rent and interest
income.
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Mid-Cap
and Small-Cap Company Risk
. To the extent the Fund invests in mid-cap and small-cap
companies, it will be subject to additional risks. The earnings and prospects of
smaller companies are more volatile than larger companies, and smaller companies
may experience higher failure rates than do larger companies. The trading volume
of securities of smaller companies is normally less than that of larger companies
and, therefore, may disproportionately affect their market price, tending to make
prices fall more in response to selling pressure than is the case with larger companies.
Smaller companies may also have limited markets, product lines, or financial resources,
and may lack management experience.
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Options
Risk
. Options are a type of derivative instrument. The value of derivatives
may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments. For some derivatives, it is
possible to lose more than the amount invested in the derivative. If the Fund uses
derivatives to hedge the risk of its portfolio, it is possible that
the hedge may not succeed. Over the counter derivatives are also subject to counterparty
risk, which is the risk that the other party to the contract will not fulfill its
contractual obligation to complete the transaction with the Fund. Other risks of
investments in derivatives include imperfect correlation between the value of these
instruments and the underlying assets; risks of default by the other party to the
derivative transactions; risks that the transactions may result in losses that offset
gains in portfolio positions; and risks that the derivative transactions may not
be liquid. Specific risks that the Fund will seek to manage include the following:
interest rate, liquidity, credit and market risks. By investing in options, the
Fund may be subject to the risk of counterparty default, as well as the potential
for unlimited loss. Certain types of options (such as OTC or over the counter options) may be considered to be illiquid investments.
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Investments
in Other Investment Companies and ETFs Risk
. The Fund will incur higher and
duplicative expenses when it invests in exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
ETFs are investment companies that are traded on stock exchanges similar to stocks.
Typically, ETFs hold assets such as stocks, commodities or bonds, and track an index
such as a stock or bond index. There is also the risk that the Fund may suffer losses
due to the investment practices of the underlying funds. When the Fund invests in
an underlying mutual
fund or ETF, or REIT, the Fund will be subject to substantially the same risks as
those associated with the direct ownership of securities comprising the underlying
fund or index on which the ETF or other vehicle is based and the value of the Funds investments will fluctuate in response to the performance and risks of the
underlying investments or index. In addition to the brokerage costs associated with
the funds purchase and
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sale of the underlying securities, ETFs, closed-end
funds, and REITs incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. As a result,
the Funds shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating
expenses of these investment vehicles in addition to Fund expenses. Because the
Fund is not required to hold shares of underlying funds for any minimum period,
it may be subject to, and may have to pay, short- term redemption fees imposed by
the underlying funds. The Fund has no control over the investments and related risks
taken by the underlying funds in which it invests. The Investment Company Act of
1940 and the rules and regulations adopted under that statute impose conditions
on investment companies which invest in other investment companies, and as a result,
the Fund is generally restricted on the amount of shares of another investment company
to shares amounting to no more than 3% of the outstanding voting shares of such
other investment company.
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In addition
to risks generally associated with investments in investment company securities,
ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to traditional mutual
funds: (i) an ETFs shares may trade at a market price that is above or below
their net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an ETFs shares may
not develop or be maintained; (iii) the ETF may employ an investment strategy that
utilizes high leverage ratios; or (iv) trading of an ETFs shares may be halted
if the listing exchanges officials deem such action appropriate, the shares
are de-listed from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide circuit
breakers (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading
generally (which is a risk of any security that trades on a listed exchange).
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Inverse
and leveraged ETFs are subject to additional risks not generally associated with
traditional ETFs. To the extent that the Fund invests in inverse ETFs, the value
of the Funds investment will decrease when the index underlying the ETFs
benchmark rises, a result that is the opposite from traditional equity or bond funds.
The net asset value and market price of leveraged or inverse ETFs are usually more
volatile than the value of the tracked index or of other ETFs that do not use leverage.
This is because inverse and leveraged ETFs use investment techniques and financial
instruments that may be considered aggressive, including the use of derivative transactions
and short selling techniques. The use of these techniques may cause the inverse
or leveraged ETFs to lose more money in market environments that are adverse to
their investment strategies than other funds that do not use such techniques.
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New
Adviser Risk
. Neither the Advisor nor the Sub-Adviser has previously managed
a mutual fund.
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Performance Information
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The Fund recently retained the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, and as a result, does not have a full calendar year of performance history with these new service providers. Prior to November 7, 2017, the Fund was managed by a different investment adviser and sub-adviser. In the future, performance information of the Fund since the Adviser and Sub-Adviser assumed responsibility for managing the Fund will be presented in this section of the Prospectus. Performance information will contain a bar chart and table that provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Funds performance from year to year and by showing the Funds average annual returns for certain time periods as compared to a broad measure of market performance. Investors should be aware that past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser
Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC, dba Mission Funds Advisors serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser has retained Auour Investments, LLC as sub-adviser, to be responsible for the day to day management of the Funds investments, subject to supervision of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees.
Portfolio Managers
Kenneth J. Doerr, Managing Director of the Sub-Adviser, has served as a portfolio manager to the Fund since November 2017.
Joseph B. Hosler, Managing Director of the Sub-Adviser, has served as a portfolio manager to the Fund since November 2017.
Robert Z. Kuftinec, a Portfolio Manager of the Sub-Adviser, has served as a portfolio manager to the Fund since November 2017.
Purchase and Sale Of Fund Shares
You may purchase, redeem or exchange shares of the Fund on days when the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading through a financial advisor, by mail (Mission Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235), by wire, or by calling toll free at 1-800-628-4077. Purchases and redemptions by telephone are only permitted if you previously established this option on your account. The minimum initial purchase or exchange into the Fund is $[1,000] for Investor Class Shares, $[1,000) for Class A Shares, $[100,000] for Institutional Class Shares, and $[x,xxx] for the Class Z Shares. Subsequent investments
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must be in amounts of $____ or more for Investor Class Shares, and Class A Shares and Institutional Class Shares. Subsequent investments must be in amounts of $_____ or more for Class Z Shares. The Fund may waive minimums for purchases or exchanges through employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that will generally be taxed as ordinary income or capital gain, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account, in which case your distributions generally will be taxed when withdrawn from the tax-deferred account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of a Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend a Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediarys website for more information.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS
The Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks long term capital appreciation through exposure to global equity markets. The Funds investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days written notice to shareholders.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in exchange traded funds (ETFs) that invest in domestic and foreign (including emerging funds) (i) equity securities of any market capitalization (including common stock, preferred stock, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and master limited partnerships (MLPs), (ii) fixed income securities of any credit quality, duration or maturity (including corporate bonds, high-yield bonds (also known as junk bonds), convertible bonds, treasuries and emerging market bonds) and (iii) other income producing securities (including bank loans). The Fund may also invest in these types of securities through other exchange traded products (such as exchange traded notes (ETNs)). ETFs, ETNs and other exchange traded products may be referred to as ETPs. The Fund may also utilize options on equity securities and levered and inverse ETFs for the purpose of managing risk associated with the Funds portfolio.
The Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes in equity securities. For purposes of the foregoing investment requirement, the Fund considers any investment in an ETF to be an equity security.
Additional Information about Risks
It is important that you closely review and understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The Funds net asset value (NAV) and investment return will fluctuate based upon changes in the value of its portfolio securities. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, and the Fund could underperform other investments. There is no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Below are some of the specific risks of investing in the Fund. Insofar as the Fund invests in ETFs or other similar investments, it may be directly subject to the risks described in this section of the prospectus.
Market Risk . The prices of securities held by the Fund may decline in response to certain events taking place around the world, including those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the Fund; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency, interest rate and
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commodity price fluctuations. The growth-oriented equity securities purchased by the Fund may involve large price swings and potential for loss. Investors in the Fund should have a long-term perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value.
Management Risk . The Fund is subject to management risk as an actively-managed investment portfolio. The Sub-Advisers investment approach may fail to produce the intended results. If the Advisers perception of an ETFs, ETNs or other exchange traded products value is not realized in the expected time frame, the Funds overall performance may suffer.
Other Investment Company Securities Risk . When the Fund invests in ETPs, the Fund indirectly will bear their proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the ETPs. Therefore, the Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. In addition, the Fund may be affected by losses of the ETPs and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of the ETPs (such as the use of leverage). The Fund have no control over the investments and related risks taken by the ETPs in which it invests. Because the Fund are not required to hold shares of ETPs for any minimum period, it may be subject to, and may have to pay, short-term redemption fees imposed by the ETPs.
Exchange-Traded Fund Risk . In addition to risks generally associated with investments in investment company securities, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to traditional mutual funds: (i) an ETFs shares may trade at a market price that is above or below their net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an ETFs shares may not develop or be maintained; (iii) the ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; or (iv) trading of an ETFs shares may be halted if the listing exchanges officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are de-listed from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide circuit breakers (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.
Index Management Risk . To the extent the Fund invests in an ETP that is intended to track a target index, it is subject to the risk that the ETP may track its target index less closely. For example, an adviser to the ETP may select securities that are not fully representative of the index, and the ETPs transaction expenses, and the size and timing of its cash flows, may result in the ETPs performance being different than that of its index. Additionally, the ETP will generally reflect the performance of its target index even when the index does not perform well.
Equity Risk . To the extent the Fund invests in ETPs that invest in equity securities, it is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of an
15
ETPs equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility.
Dividend-Paying Securities Risk . To the extent the Fund invests in ETPs that invest in dividend-paying securities it will be subject to certain risks. The company issuing such securities may fail and have to decrease or eliminate its dividend. In such an event, an ETP, and in turn the Fund, may not only lose the dividend payout but the stock price of the company may fall.
Small- and Mid-Cap Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in ETPs that invest in small- and mid-cap companies, the Fund will be subject to additional risks. These include: (1) the earnings and prospects of smaller companies are more volatile than larger companies; (2) smaller companies may experience higher failure rates than do larger companies; (3) the trading volume of securities of smaller companies is normally less than that of larger companies and, therefore, may disproportionately affect their market price, tending to make them fall more in response to selling pressure than is the case with larger companies; and (4) smaller companies may have limited markets, product lines or financial resources and may lack management experience.
Volatility Risk. Equity securities tend to be more volatile than other investment choices. The value of an individual ETP can be more volatile than the market as a whole. This volatility affects the value of the Funds shares.
Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Funds investment strategy involves active trading and will result in a high portfolio turnover rate. A high portfolio turnover can result in correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses. A high portfolio turnover may result in the distribution to shareholders of additional capital gains for tax purposes, some of which may be taxable at ordinary income rates. These factors may negatively affect performance.
Foreign Securities Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in ETPs that invest in foreign securities, they may be subject to additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. These risks may include, among others, currency risk, country risks (political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism, war, social and economic instability, currency devaluations and policies that have the effect of limiting or restricting foreign investment or the movement of assets), different trading practices, less government supervision, less publicly available information, limited trading markets and greater volatility.
Emerging Markets Securities Risk. To the extent that Fund invests in ETPs that
16
invest in issuers located in emerging markets, the risk may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these investments. Emerging markets have been more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. While fixed income securities normally fluctuate less in price than stocks, there have been extended periods of increases in interest rates that have caused significant declines in fixed income securities prices. The values of fixed income securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating or financial condition of their issuers. Generally, the lower the credit rating of a security, the higher the degree of risk as to the payment of interest and return of principal.
Credit
Risk
. The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest
and principal payments when due. Generally, the lower the credit rating of a security,
the greater the risk that the issuer will default on its obligation.
|
|
Change
in Rating Risk
. If a rating agency gives a debt security a lower rating, the
value of the debt security will decline because investors will demand a higher rate
of return.
|
|
Interest
Rate Risk
. The value of the Fund may fluctuate based upon changes in interest
rates and market conditions. As interest rates increase, the value of the Funds
income-producing investments may go down. For example, bonds tend to decrease in
value when interest rates rise. Debt obligations with longer maturities typically
offer higher yields, but are subject to greater price movements as a result of interest
rate changes than debt obligations with shorter maturities.
|
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Duration
Risk
. Prices of fixed income securities with longer effective maturities are
more sensitive to interest rate changes than those with shorter effective maturities.
|
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Prepayment
Risk
. Certain types of fixed income securities such as mortgage-and asset-backed
securities are subject to fluctuations in yield due to prepayment rates that may
be faster or slower than expected.
|
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Income
Risk
. The Funds income could decline due to falling market interest rates.
In a falling interest rate environment, the Fund may be required to invest its assets
in lower-yielding securities. Because interest rates vary, it is impossible to predict
the income or yield of the Fund for any particular period.
|
17
High-Yield Securities (Junk Bond) Risk . To the extent that the Fund invests in ETPs that invest in high-yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as junk bonds), the Fund may be subject to greater levels of interest rate and credit risk than funds that do not invest in such securities. Junk bonds are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuers continuing ability to make principal and interest payments. An economic downturn or period of rising interest rates could adversely affect the market for these securities and reduce the Funds ability to sell these securities (liquidity risk). If the issuer of a security is in default with respect to interest or principal payments, the Fund may lose its entire investment, which will affect the Funds return.
Industry or Sector Focus Risk. To the extent the ETPs in which the Fund invests focus their investments in a particular industry or sector, the Funds shares may be more volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a fund investing in a broader range of securities. One reason for dedicating assets to a specific industry or sector is to capitalize on performance momentum due to significant changes in market conditions, economic conditions, geopolitical conditions, etc. Another reason for dedicating assets to a specific industry or sector would be to reduce downside exposure due to a significant change in market conditions, economic conditions, geopolitical conditions, etc.
Derivatives Risk. The ETPs in the Funds portfolio, may utilize derivatives, such as futures contracts, put and call options on stocks and stock indices, and index futures contracts and options thereon. There is no guarantee such strategies will work.
The value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments. For some derivatives, it is possible to lose more than the amount invested in the derivative. Other risks of investments in derivatives include imperfect correlation between the value of these instruments and the underlying assets; risks of default by the other party to the derivative transactions; risks that the transactions may result in losses that offset gains in portfolio positions; and risks that the derivative transactions may not be liquid.
While futures contracts are generally liquid instruments, under certain market conditions they may become illiquid. As a result, an ETP, may not be able to close out a position in a futures contract at a time that is advantageous. The price of futures can be highly volatile; using them could lower total return, and the potential loss from futures can exceed the ETPs initial investment in such contracts. The ETPs use of derivatives may magnify losses.
If the ETPs are not successful in employing such instruments in managing its portfolio, the Funds performance will be worse than if it did not invest in ETPs
18
employing such strategies. Successful use by an ETP of derivatives will be subject to its ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the securities generally or of a particular market segment. In addition, ETPs will pay commissions and other costs in connection with such investments, which may increase the Funds expenses and reduce the return. In utilizing certain derivatives, an ETPs losses are potentially unlimited. Derivative instruments may also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses.
With respect to fixed income securities, an ETP may use derivatives to seek to manage the risks described below.
Interest
rate risk
. This is the risk that the market value of bonds owned by the ETPs
will fluctuate as interest rates go up and down.
|
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Yield
curve risk
. This is the risk that there is an adverse shift in market interest
rates of fixed income investments held by the ETPs. The risk is associated with
either flattening or steepening of the yield curve, which is a result of changing
yields among comparable bonds with different maturities. If the yield curve flattens,
then the yield spread between long-and short-term interest rates narrows and the
price of a bond will change. If the curve steepens, then the spread between the
long- and short-term interest rates increases which means long-term bond prices
decrease relative to short-term bond prices.
|
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Prepayment
risk
. This is the risk that the issuers of bonds owned by the ETP s will prepay
them at a time when interest rates have declined. Because interest rates have declined,
the ETP s may have to reinvest the proceeds in bonds with lower interest rates,
which can reduce the ETPs and the Funds returns.
|
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Liquidity
risk
. This is the risk that assets held by the Fund may not be liquid.
|
|
Credit
risk
. This is the risk that an issuer of a bond held by the ETPs may default.
|
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Market
risk
. This is the risk that the value of a security or portfolio of securities
will change in value due to a change in general market sentiment or market expectations.
|
|
Inflation
risk
. This is the risk that the value of assets or income will decrease as inflation
shrinks the purchasing power of a particular currency.
|
Commodity Risk. Some of the ETPs may invest directly or indirectly in physical
19
commodities, such as gold, silver, and other precious materials. Accordingly, the Fund may be affected by changes in commodity prices which can move significantly in short periods of time and be affected by new discoveries or changes in government regulation.
In August 2011, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that it would stop issuing private letter rulings authorizing favorable tax treatment for funds that invest indirectly in commodities or derivatives based upon commodities. The IRS has previously issued a number of private letter rulings to funds in this area, concluding that such investments generate qualifying income for RIC qualification purposes. It is unclear how long this suspension will last. The IRS has not indicated that any previously issued rulings in this area will be affected by this suspension. This suspension of guidance by the IRS means that the tax treatment of such investments is now subject to some uncertainty.
RIC Qualification Risk. To qualify for treatment as a RIC under the Code, the Fund must meet certain income source, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements. Among other means of not satisfying the qualifications to be treated as a RIC, the Funds investments in ETFs that invest in physical commodities may make it more difficult for the Fund to meet these requirements. If, in any year, a Fund fails to qualify as a RIC for any reason, the Fund would be taxed as an ordinary corporation and would become (or remain) subject to corporate income tax. The resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce a Funds net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on the Fund and their shareholders. In such case, distributions to shareholders generally would be eligible (i) for treatment as qualified dividend income in the case of individual shareholders, and (ii) for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders, provided certain holding period requirements are satisfied. In such circumstances, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC that is accorded special treatment.
New Strategy Risk . The Funds investment strategies were recently modified. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Funds new investment strategy may not be successful. Additionally, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser may not implement the investment strategy successfully and the Fund, under its new management may fail to attract sufficient assets to realize economies of scale. Any of the foregoing which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such liquidation could have negative tax consequences.
Temporary Investments. To respond to adverse market, economic, political or
20
other conditions, the Fund may invest 100% of their total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities. These short-term debt securities include: treasury bills, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements. While the Fund are in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve their respective investment objectives will be limited. The Fund may also invest a substantial portion of their respective assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies. When the Fund take such a position, they may not achieve their investment objectives.
Adviser Risk . Neither the Adviser nor the Sub-Adviser (Auour Investments, LLC) has previously managed a mutual fund.
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISER
Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC, dba Mission Funds Advisers (the Adviser), located at 2651 North Harwood Street, Suite 525, Dallas, Texas 75201, manages the investments of the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the Advisory Agreement). As of November 30, 2017, the Adviser had approximately $XX million in assets under management. Mr. Michael A. Young is President of the Adviser and Mr. Jeffrey J. Groves is Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser.
The Adviser has entered into a sub-advisory agreement (the Sub-Advisory Agreement) with Auour Investments, LLC located at 162 Main St., Suite 2, Wenham, MA 01984. The Sub-Adviser is controlled by Joseph B Hosler, Robert Z Kuftinec and Kenneth J Doerr. As of November 30, 2017, the Sub-Adviser had approximately $[180] million in assets under management. The Sub-Adviser has provided investment advisory services to high net worth individuals, pension and profit sharing plans and charitable organizations since March 15, 2013.
The Adviser oversees the Sub-Adviser to ensure it complies with the investment policies and guidelines of the Fund and monitors the Sub-Advisers adherence to its investment style. In addition, the Adviser periodically assesses the Funds investment policies and recommends changes regarding the policies to the Board where appropriate. Finally, the Adviser is responsible for executing portfolio transactions for the Fund in accordance with the Sub-Advisers direction on the implementation of the Funds investment program. Under the Advisory Agreement, the monthly compensation paid to the Adviser is accrued daily at an annual rate of 0.60%.
Under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day decision-making with respect to the Funds investment program. The Sub-Adviser, with the Advisers oversight, manages the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, continuously reviews, supervises and administers the
21
investment program of the Fund, determines in its discretion the securities to be purchased or sold and provides the Trust and its agents with records relating to its activities. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser at the annualized rate of 0.45%.
The Adviser has entered into a written expense limitation agreement under which it has agreed to limit the total expenses of the Fund (exclusive of interest, distribution fees pursuant to Rule 12b-1 Plans, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses and dividend expense on short sales) to an annual rate of 1.20% of the average daily net assets of the Investor, Class A and Institutional Classes of shares of Fund and 1.12% of the Class Z shares. The Adviser may not terminate this expense limitation agreement prior to April 30, 2019. Each waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within three fiscal years following the fiscal year in which the expense was incurred, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement and at the time the waiver or reimbursement is recouped. Pursuant to another agreement between the Advisor and the Sub-Adviser, which is described in more detail in the Funds Statement of Additional Information, the Sub-Adviser has agreed that it will forgo its sub-advisory fees until the Adviser, under the terms of the expense limitation agreement, is no longer required to reimburse the Fund expenses. Accordingly, insofar as the assets of the Fund are at a level that requires wavier reimbursement of expense, the Adviser will be waiving its entire fee and the Sub-Advisor will also waive its fee owed to it from the Adviser. However, where assets rise to the level that the Adviser is collecting its fee (either in whole or part), the Sub-Adviser will collect a corresponding amount of its sub-advisory fee. Further, fees that have been waived by the Sub-Adviser can be recaptured for up to three years as asset levels of the Fund increase subject to, among other conditions, the ability of the Adviser to recapture fees waived and expenses reimbursed pursuant to an expense limitation agreement that it has in place for the Fund.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Boards approval of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and the Sub-Advisory Agreement will be available in the Funds annual report to shareholders for the period ended December 31, 2017.
General Information
Historical Performance of Accounts Similar to the Fund.
The table in this section shows supplemental performance data for Instinct Global Equity Composite (Composite), which is intended to assist prospective investors in making informed investment decisions. The table contained does not show performance data for the Fund. The Composite is composed of all accounts that are managed by the Sub-Adviser and that have investment objectives, strategies, and policies substantially similar to the Fund. As of November 30, 2017, the
22
Composite consisted of __ advisory accounts. As of this date, the total assets of the Composite were approximately $___ million. The Composite is presented net of fees and expenses and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
As of August 31, 2017
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
Instinct Global Equity Composite (Gross) | 1.7% | 8.1% | -2.6% | 11.2% | 12.3% |
Instinct Global Equity Composite (Net) | 1.7% | 7.2% | -3.5% | 10.0% | 11.7% |
MSCI ACWI | 1.7% | 4.2% | -2.4% | 7.9% | 14.6% |
As of August 31, 2017
23
Trailing 1 Year | 3 Year (Annualized) | |||
Instinct Global Equity Composite (Gross) | 14.1% | 6.6% | ||
Instinct Global Equity Composite (Net) | 15.2% | 7.6% | ||
MSCI ACWI | 17.1% | 6.2% |
Portfolio Managers
Auour Investments founders are Kenneth J. Doerr, Joseph B. Hosler, and Robert Z. Kuftinec and have a combined 70 years of institutional investment experience. They constitute the investment committee and are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Kenneth J Doerr . Ken Doerr has been with the Auour Investments, LLC for three years. His 27 years of experience includes successfully managing funds with both growth and value mandates, long/short hedge funds, long-only portfolios, quantitative research, and risk modeling. He was a Senior Portfolio Manager Mid/SMid-Cap Growth and Head of Quantitative Research for Evergreen Investments Fundamental Equity Group. Prior to that, Ken was Founding Partner, Chief Investment Officer of Trilene Endeavour Partners, a newly-organized firm offering a Market Neutral U.S. Equity Hedge Fund. Ken was a Portfolio Manager at 2100 Capital Group, a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan, managing the 2100 Capital Endeavour Fund, a market neutral equity hedge fund. Prior to 2100 Capital Group, he was a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Putnam Investments where he managed a $1 billion dollar sub-account of the Mid-Cap Putnam Vista Fund, a growth fund, and a $3.5 billion sub-account of the Specialty Growth Putnam New Opportunities Fund. Ken served as a member of the portfolio team at Equinox Capital Management that managed a $4.5 billion dollar sub-advisor account of Vanguard Windsor II, a large cap-value oriented fund. He was the portfolio manager for the Equinox Mid-Cap Value Fund. Before joining Equinox, Ken was a Senior Quantitative Analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein. He earned an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Brown University and a B.E. in Electrical Engineering from the Cooper Union.
Joseph B. Hosler CFA . Joe Hosler has been with Auour Investments, LLC for four years. Joe brings 24 years of investment experience serving the needs of large institutional clients. His background includes portfolio management and investment analysis, predominantly focused on domestic and international public companies. Prior to the founding of Auour, Joe led investment activities within various sectors at Pioneer, Babson Capital, Putnam Investments, and Independence Investment Associates (IIA). While at IIA, Joe drove the effort to design, develop, and launch one of the first quantitatively driven tax efficient investment approaches focused on individuals and taxable organizations. Joe holds an MBA from The Darden School of the University of Virginia, as well as, a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University. He served on the Board of Trustees and as the Treasurer of Glen Urquhart School and volunteered as an advisor at North Shore InnoVentures.
24
Robert Z. Kuftinec . Robert Kuftinec has been with Auour Investments, LLC for four years. Robert has 25 years of investment experience. He has a background in investing and corporate finance having worked in both investment banking and private equity. Prior to the founding of Auour, Robert was a Managing Director at TransOcean Capital where he was responsible for significant foreign equity and real estate investments in the United States. Prior to TransOcean, he was a Managing Director at Overture Capital Partners, a private equity investment firm focused on the middle market, and a Managing Director at Shields & Company, a Boston-based investment bank. Robert has been active on several corporate Boards of Directors including those at the Deutsche Asset Management Small Cap Fund (NYSE), Stronghaven, Inc., and Halcore Inc. He also has been a board member and treasurer at several non-profit organizations. He has an undergraduate degree from Babson College and earned an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia.
The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers compensation, other accounts managed and ownership of shares of the Fund.
THE TRUST
The Fund is a series of the World Funds Trust, an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on April 9, 2007. The Trustees supervise the operations of the Fund according to applicable state and federal law, and the Trustees are responsible for the overall management of the Funds business affairs.
RULE 12B-1 FEES
The Board has adopted a Distribution and Services Plans for the Funds Investor Class Shares and Class A Shares (collectively, the 12b-1 Plan) in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the 12b-1 Plans, the Fund may finance from the assets of the Investor Class Shares and the Class A Shares certain activities or expenses that are intended primarily to result in the sale of shares of such classes. The Fund finances these distribution and service activities through payments made to the Distributor. The fee reimbursed to the Distributor is computed on an annualized basis reflecting the average daily net assets of the class, up to a maximum of 0.25% for expenses of the Investor Class Shares or Class A Shares. Because these fees are paid out of the Investor Class Shares or Class A Shares assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost more than paying other types of sales charges.
The 12b-1 Plan, while primarily intended to compensate for shareholder services expenses, was adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and they therefore may be used to pay for certain expenditures related to financing distribution related activities of the Fund.
25
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN
The Fund has adopted a shareholder service plan on behalf of its Class A Shares, Investor Class and Institutional Class Shares. Under a shareholder services plan, the Fund may pay an authorized firm up to 0.15% on an annualized basis of average daily net assets attributable to its customers who are shareholders. For this fee, the authorized firms may provide a variety of services, such as: 1) receiving and processing shareholder orders; 2) performing the accounting for the shareholders account; 3) maintaining retirement plan accounts; 4) answering questions and handling correspondence for individual accounts; 5) acting as the sole shareholder of record for individual shareholders; 6) issuing shareholder reports and transaction confirmations; 7) executing daily investment sweep functions; and 8) furnishing investment advisory services.
Because the Fund has adopted the shareholder services plan to compensate authorized firms for providing the types of services described above, the Fund believes the shareholder services plan is not covered by Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which relates to payment of distribution fees. The Fund, however, intends to generally follow the procedural requirements of Rule 12b-1 in connection with the implementation and administration of each shareholder services plan.
An authorized firm generally represents in a service agreement used in connection with the shareholder services plan that all compensation payable to the authorized firm from its customers in connection with the investment of their assets in the Fund will be disclosed by the authorized firm to its customers. It also generally provides that all such compensation will be authorized by the authorized firms customers.
The Fund does not monitor the actual services being performed by an authorized firm under the plan and related service agreement. The Fund also does not monitor the reasonableness of the total compensation that an authorized firm may receive, including any service fee that an authorized firm may receive from the Fund and any compensation the authorized firm may receive directly from its clients.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING
Certain financial intermediaries that maintain street name or omnibus accounts with the Fund provide sub-accounting, recordkeeping and/or administrative services to the Fund and are compensated for such services by the Fund. These service fees may be paid in addition to the fees paid under the 12b-1 Plan. For more information, please refer to the SAI.
26
OTHER EXPENSES
In addition to the 12b-1 fees and the investment advisory fees, the Fund pays all expenses not assumed by the Adviser, including, without limitation, the following: the fees and expenses of its independent accountants and legal counsel; the fees and expenses of its transfer agent, fund accounting agent and administrator; the costs of printing and mailing to shareholders annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information, and supplements thereto; the costs of printing registration statements; bank transaction charges and custodians fees; any proxy solicitors fees and expenses; filing fees; any federal, state, or local income or other taxes; any interest; any membership fees of the Investment Company Institute and similar organizations; fidelity bond and Trustees liability insurance premiums; and any extraordinary expenses, such as indemnification payments or damages awarded in litigation or settlements made.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
A description of the Funds policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds portfolio securities is available in the Funds SAI. Complete holdings (as of the dates of such reports) are available in reports on Form N-Q and Form N-CSR filed with the SEC.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You may purchase Shares of the Fund through financial intermediaries, such as fund supermarkets or through brokers or dealers or banks who are authorized by the First Dominion Capital Corp. (the Distributor) to sell shares of the Fund (collectively, Financial Intermediaries). You may also purchase shares directly from the Distributor. You may request a copy of this prospectus by calling toll-free at (800) 673-0550. Financial Intermediaries who offer Shares of the Fund may require the payment of fees from their individual clients, which may be different from those described in this prospectus. For example, Financial Intermediaries may charge transaction fees or set different minimum investment amounts. Financial Intermediaries may also have policies and procedures that are different from those contained in this prospectus. Investors should consult their Financial Intermediary regarding its procedures for purchasing and selling shares of the Fund as the policies and procedures may be different. The price you pay for a share of the Fund
27
is the net asset value next determined upon receipt of your purchase request by the Transfer Agent or Financial Intermediary. The Fund will be deemed to have received your purchase or redemption order when the Financial Intermediary receives the order. Such Financial Intermediaries are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Funds behalf.
Certain Financial Intermediaries may have agreements with the Fund that allow them to enter confirmed purchase and redemption orders on behalf of clients and customers. Under this arrangement, the Financial Intermediary must send your payment to the Fund by the time the Fund prices its shares on the following business day.
The Fund is not responsible for ensuring that a Financial Intermediary carries out its obligations. You should look to the financial intermediary through whom you wish to invest for specific instructions on how to purchase or redeem shares of the Fund.
Fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are not insured by the FDIC, Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency and are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of principal amount invested. Neither the Fund nor the Funds distributor is a bank. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.
Share Class Alternatives. The Fund offers investors four different classes of shares (Class A Shares, Investor Class Shares, Institutional Class Shares, and Class Z Shares) through this prospectus. The different classes of shares represent investments in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes are subject to different expenses and may have different share prices and minimum investment requirements. When you buy shares, be sure to specify the class of shares in which you choose to invest. Because each share class has a different combination of sales charges, expenses and other features, you should consult your financial adviser to determine which class best meets your financial objectives.
Investor Class Shares
Investor Class Shares are offered with no front-end or contingent deferred sales charge and are subject to a 0.25% Rule 12b-1 fee.
Institutional Class Shares and Class Z Shares
Institutional Class Shares are offered with no front-end or contingent deferred sales charge and are not subject to any Rule 12b-1 fees. Class Z Shares are distinguished from Institutional Class Shares in that they are offered without the imposition of a shareholder services plan fee.
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Class A Shares
Class A Shares are offered subject to the impositions of a front-end sales charge and are subject to a 0.25% Rule 12b-1 fee.
Sales charge as a
percentage of |
||||||
Amount of | ||||||
sales charge | ||||||
re-allowed to | ||||||
dealers as a | ||||||
percentage | ||||||
Amount of purchase at the | Offering | Net amount | of offering | |||
public offering price | Price (1) | invested | price | |||
Less than $50,000 | 5.75% | 6.10% | 5.00% | |||
$50,000 but less than | 4.50% | 4.71% | 3.75% | |||
$100,000 | ||||||
$100,000 but less than | 3.50% | 3.63% | 2.75% | |||
$250,000 | ||||||
$250,000 but less than | 2.50% | 2.56% | 2.00% | |||
$500,000 | ||||||
$500,000 but less than | 2.00% | 2.04% | 1.75% | |||
$1,000,000 | ||||||
$1,000,000 or more | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00 |
(1) The term Offering Price includes the front-end sales charge.
Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers. To receive a reduction or waiver of your initial sales charge, you or your financial consultant must notify the Funds transfer agent (Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., hereinafter the Transfer Agent) or your financial intermediary at the time of purchase that you qualify for such a reduction or waiver. If you do not let your financial intermediary or the Funds Transfer Agent know that you are eligible for a reduction or waiver, you may not receive the reduction or waiver to which you are otherwise entitled. Certain individuals and employer-sponsored retirement plans may link accounts for the purpose of qualifying for lower initial sales charges. You or your financial consultant must provide other account numbers to be considered for Rights of Accumulation, or mark the Letter of Intent section on the account application, or provide other relevant documentation, so that the Funds Transfer Agent can verify your eligibility
29
for the reduction or waiver. In order to receive a reduction or waiver, you may be required to provide your financial intermediary or the Funds Transfer Agent with evidence of your qualification for the reduction or waiver, such as records regarding Fund shares held in accounts with that financial intermediary and other financial intermediaries. Consult the Funds SAI for additional details.
You can reduce your initial sales charge in the following ways:
Right of Accumulation. After making an initial purchase, you may reduce the sales charge applied to any subsequent purchases. Your Class A Shares purchased will be taken into account on a combined basis at the current NAV per share in order to establish the aggregate investment amount to be used in determining the applicable sales charge. Only previous purchases of Class A Shares that are still held in the Fund and that were sold subject to a sales charge will be included in the calculation. To take advantage of this privilege, you must give notice at the time you place your initial order and subsequent orders that you wish to combine purchases. When you send your payment and request to combine purchases, please specify your account number(s).
Statement of Intention. A reduced sales charge on Class A Shares of the Fund, as set forth above, applies immediately to all purchases where the investor has executed a Statement of Intention calling for the purchase within a 13-month period of an amount qualifying for the reduced sales charge. The investor must actually purchase the amount stated in such statement to avoid later paying the full sales charge on shares that are purchased.
Combine with family member. You can also count toward the amount of your investment all investments by your spouse and your children under age 21 (family members), including their rights of accumulation and goals under a letter of intent. Certain other groups may also be permitted to combine purchases for purposes of reducing or eliminating sales charges, such as: a retirement plan established exclusively for the benefit of an Individual, specifically including, but not limited to, a Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Solo 401(k), Keogh plan, or a tax-sheltered 403(b)(7) custodial account; and a qualified tuition plan account, maintained pursuant to Section 529 of the Code, or a Coverdell Education Savings Account, maintained pursuant to Section 530 of the Code (in either case, the account must be established by an Individual or have an Individual named as the beneficiary thereof).
Waiver of Front-End Sales Charges - Class A Shares
No sales charge shall apply to:
30
(1) |
the purchase
of Class A Shares if you were a Class A Shareholder of the Fund prior to September
9, 2002;
|
(2) |
reinvestment
of income dividends and capital gain distributions;
|
(3) |
exchanges
of the Funds shares for those of another fund of the Trust;
|
(4) |
purchases
of Fund shares made by current or former trustees, officers or employees, or agents
of the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, the distributor, and by members of their
immediate families and employees (including immediate family members) of a broker-dealer
distributing Fund shares;
|
(5) |
purchases
of Fund shares by the Funds distributor for their own investment account and
for investment purposes only;
|
(6) |
a qualified
institutional buyer, as that term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities
Act of 1933, including, but not limited to, insurance companies, investment companies
registered under the 1940 Act, business development companies registered under the
1940 Act, and small business investment companies;
|
(7) |
a charitable
organization, as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the
Code), as well as other charitable trusts and endowments, investing $50,000 or
more;
|
(8) |
a charitable
remainder trust, under Section 664 of the Code, or a life income pool, established
for the benefit of a charitable organization as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of
the Code;
|
(9) |
investment
advisers or financial planners who place trades for their own accounts or the accounts
of their clients and who charge a management, consulting or other fee for their
services; and clients of those investment advisers or financial planners who place
trades for their own accounts if the accounts are linked to the master account of
the investment adviser or financial planner on the books and records of the broker
or agent;
|
(10) |
institutional
retirement and deferred compensation plans and trusts used to fund those plans,
including, but not limited to, those defined in section 401(a), 403(b) or 457 of
the Code and rabbi trusts; and
|
(11) |
the purchase
of Fund shares, if available, through certain third-party fund supermarkets. Some
fund supermarkets may offer Fund shares without a sales charge or with a reduced
sales charge. Other fees may be charged by the service-provider sponsoring the fund
supermarket, and transaction charges may apply to purchases and sales made through
a broker-dealer.
|
Additional information regarding the waiver of sales charges may be obtained, free of charge, by calling the Fund at [(800) 673-0550] or by visiting the Funds website at www.themissionfunds.com to access the Funds prospectus.
All account information is subject to acceptance and verification by the Funds distributor.
31
Small Account Balances. If the value of your account falls below the minimum account balance of $2,500, the Fund may ask you to increase your balance. If the account value is still below the minimum balance after 60 days, the Fund may close your account and send you the proceeds. The Fund will not close your account if it falls below this amount solely as a result of Fund performance. Please check with your Financial Intermediary concerning required minimum account balances.
Minimum Investments. The minimum initial investment for Class A Shares is $XX,XXX, $XX,XXX for Investor Class Fund Shares; $XX,XXX for Institutional Class Shares; and $XX,XXX for Class Z Shares. Subsequent investments must be in amounts of $XX or more. The Trust may waive the minimum initial investment requirement for purchases made by trustees, officers and employees of the Trust. The Trust may also waive the minimum investment requirement for purchases by its affiliated entities and certain related advisory accounts and retirement accounts (such as IRAs). The Trust may also change or waive policies concerning minimum investment amounts at any time. The Trust retains the right to refuse to accept an order.
Customer Identification Program. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. This means that when you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask for other identifying documents and may take additional steps to verify your identity. We may not be able to open an account or complete a transaction for you until we are able to verify your identity.
Purchases by Mail. For initial purchases, the account application should be completed, signed and mailed to the Transfer Agent at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235 together with your check payable to the Fund. When you buy shares, be sure to specify the class of shares in which you choose to invest. For subsequent purchases, include with your check the tear-off stub from a prior purchase confirmation or otherwise identify the name(s) of the registered owner(s) and social security number(s).
Investing by Wire. You may purchase shares by requesting your bank to transmit by wire directly to the Transfer Agent. To invest by wire, please call the Fund toll-free at (800) 673-0550 or the Transfer Agent toll-free at (800) 628-4077 to advise the Fund of your investment and to receive further instructions. Your bank may charge you a small fee for this service. Once you have arranged to purchase shares by wire, please complete and mail the account application promptly to the Transfer Agent. This account application is required to complete the Funds records. You will not have access to your shares until the Funds records are complete. Once your account is opened, you may make additional investments using the wire procedure
32
described above. Be sure to include your name and account number in the wire instructions you provide your bank.
General. The Trust reserves the right in its sole discretion to withdraw all or any part of the offering of shares of the Fund when, in the judgment of the Funds management, such withdrawal is in the best interest of the Fund. An order to purchase shares is not binding on, and may be rejected by, the Fund until it has been confirmed in writing by the Fund and payment has been received. Once accepted, the purchase will be effected at the net asset value next determined after the request was received by the Fund. The Fund offers the ability to purchase shares through a Statement of Intention or a Right of Accumulation that may reduce sales charges on your purchases of shares. Review the SAI or call the Fund at (800) 673-0550 for further information. The price you pay for a share of the Fund is the net asset value next determined upon receipt by the Transfer Agent or financial intermediary.
Other Purchase Information. You may purchase and redeem Fund shares, or exchange shares of the Fund for those of another, by contacting any broker authorized by the Distributor to sell shares of the Fund, by contacting the Fund toll-free at (800) 673-0550 or by contacting Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. (the Transfer Agent), the Funds transfer and dividend disbursing agent, at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235 or by telephoning toll-free at (800) 628-4077. Brokers may charge transaction fees for the purchase or sale of the Funds shares, depending on your arrangement with the broker.
Eligibility for Class Z Shares. You may generally open an account and purchase Class Z Shares only through fee-based programs of investment dealers that have special agreements with the Funds Distributor, through financial intermediaries that have been approved by, and that have special arrangements with, the Funds Distributor to offer Z Class Shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may charge a transaction fee to investors, through certain registered investment advisers and through other intermediaries approved by the Funds Distributor. These intermediaries typically charge on-going fees to investors for services they provide. Intermediary fees are not paid by the Fund and are paid by investors and normally range from 0.08% to 0.10% of assets annually, depending on the services offered.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You may redeem your Shares of the Fund at any time and in any amount by contacting your Financial Intermediary or by contacting the Fund by mail or telephone. For your protection, the Transfer Agent will not redeem your shares until it has received all information and documents necessary for your request to be considered in proper order. The Transfer Agent will promptly notify you if your redemption request is not in proper order. The Transfer Agent cannot accept
33
redemption requests which specify a particular date for redemption or which specify any special conditions. The Funds procedure is to redeem shares at the NAV next determined after the Transfer Agent receives the redemption request in proper order. Payment of redemption proceeds will be made promptly as instructed via check, wire or automated clearing house (ACH), but no later than the seventh calendar day following the receipt of the request in proper order. The Fund may suspend the right to redeem shares for any period during which the NYSE is closed or the SEC determines that there is an emergency. In such circumstances, you may withdraw your redemption request or permit your request to be held for processing after the suspension is terminated.
The Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests through cash holdings or cash equivalents and anticipates using these types of holdings on a regular basis. The Fund typically expects to pay redemption proceeds for shares redeemed within the following days after receipt by the transfer agent of a redemption request in proper form: (i) for payment by check, the Fund typically expects to mail the check within two business days; and (ii) for payment by wire or ACH, the Fund typically expects to process the payment within two business days. Payment of redemption proceeds may take up to 7 days as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under unusual circumstances as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or delay payment of redemption proceeds for more than 7 days. When shares are purchased by check or through ACH, the proceeds from the redemption of those shares will not be paid until the purchase check or ACH transfer has been converted to federal funds, which could take up to 15 calendar days.
To the extent cash holdings or cash equivalents are not available to meet redemption requests, the Fund will meet redemption requests by either (i) rebalancing their overweight securities or (ii) selling portfolio assets. In addition, if the Fund determine that it would be detrimental to the best interest of the Funds remaining shareholders to make payment in cash, the Fund may pay redemption proceeds in whole or in part by a distribution-in-kind of readily marketable securities.
If you sell your shares through a securities dealer or investment professional, it is such persons responsibility to transmit the order to the Fund in a timely fashion. Any loss to you resulting from failure to do so must be settled between you and such person.
Delivery of the proceeds of a redemption of shares purchased and paid for by check shortly before the receipt of the redemption request may be delayed until the Fund determines that the Transfer Agent has completed collection of the purchase check, which may take up to 15 days. Also, payment of the proceeds of a redemption request for an account for which purchases were made by wire may be delayed until the Fund receives a completed account application for the account to
34
permit the Fund to verify the identity of the person redeeming the shares and to eliminate the need for backup withholding.
Redemption by Mail. To redeem shares by mail, send a written request for redemption, signed by the registered owner(s) exactly as the account is registered, to: the name of the Fund, Attn: Redemptions, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235. Certain written requests to redeem shares may require signature guarantees. For example, signature guarantees may be required if you sell a large number of shares, if your address of record on the account application has been changed within the last 30 days, or if you ask that the proceeds be sent to a different person or address. Signature guarantees are used to help protect you and the Fund. You can obtain a signature guarantee from most banks or securities dealers, but not from a Notary Public. Please call the Transfer Agent at (800) 628-4077 to learn if a signature guarantee is needed or to make sure that it is completed appropriately in order to avoid any processing delays. There is no charge to shareholders for redemptions by mail.
Redemption by Telephone. You may redeem your shares by telephone provided that you requested this service on your initial account application. If you request this service at a later date, you must send a written request along with a signature guarantee to the Transfer Agent. Once your telephone authorization is in effect, you may redeem shares by calling the Transfer Agent toll-free at (800) 628-4077. There is no charge to shareholders for redemptions by telephone. If it should become difficult to reach the Transfer Agent by telephone during periods when market or economic conditions lead to an unusually large volume of telephone requests, a shareholder may send a redemption request by overnight mail to the Transfer Agent at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235.
Redemption by Wire. If you request that your redemption proceeds be wired to you, please call your bank for instructions prior to writing or calling the Transfer Agent. Be sure to include your name, Fund name, Fund account number, your account number at your bank and wire information from your bank in your request to redeem by wire. The Fund will not be responsible for any losses resulting from unauthorized transactions (such as purchases, sales or exchanges) if it follows reasonable security procedures designed to verify the identity of the investor. You should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately after you receive them. There is no charge for shareholders for redemptions by wire.
Redemption in Kind. The Fund typically expects to satisfy requests by using holdings of cash or cash equivalents or selling portfolio assets. On a less regular basis, and if the Adviser believes it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders not to sell portfolio assets, the Fund may satisfy redemption requests by using short-term borrowing from the Funds custodian to the extent such arrangements are in place with the custodian. These methods normally will be used during both regular and
35
stressed market conditions. In addition to paying redemption proceeds in cash, the Fund reserves the right to make payment for a redemption in securities rather than cash, which is known as a redemption in kind. While the Fund does not intend, under normal circumstances, to redeem its shares by payment in kind, it is possible that conditions may arise in the future which would, in the opinion of the Trustees, make it undesirable for the Fund to pay for all redemptions in cash. In such a case, the Trustees may authorize payment to be made in readily marketable portfolio securities of a Fund. Securities delivered in payment of redemptions would be valued at the same value assigned to them in computing the Funds net asset value per share. Shareholders receiving them may incur brokerage costs when these securities are sold and will be subject to market risk until such securities are sold. An irrevocable election has been filed under Rule 18f-1 of the 1940 Act, wherein the Fund must pay redemptions in cash, rather than in kind, to any shareholder of record of the Fund who redeems during any 90-day period, the lesser of (a) $250,000 or (b) 1% of the Funds net asset value at the beginning of such period. Redemption requests in excess of this limit may be satisfied in cash or in kind at the Funds election.
PURCHASING OR REDEEMING THROUGH A FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY
You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund through an authorized financial intermediary (such as a financial planner or adviser). To purchase or redeem shares at the net asset value of any given day, your financial intermediary must receive your order before the close of regular trading on the NYSE that day. Your financial intermediary is responsible for transmitting all purchase and redemption requests, investment information, documentation, and money to a Fund on time. Your financial intermediary may charge additional transaction fees for its services and/or set different minimum amounts. Financial intermediaries may also have policies and procedures that are different from those contained in this prospectus. Investors should consult their financial intermediary regarding its procedures for purchasing and selling shares of the Fund as the policies and procedures may be different. The price you pay for a share of the Fund is the net asset value next determined upon receipt of your purchase request by the Transfer Agent or financial intermediary. The Fund will be deemed to have received your purchase or redemption order when the financial intermediary receives the order. Such financial intermediaries are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Funds behalf.
Certain financial intermediaries may have agreements with the Fund that allow them to enter confirmed purchase and redemption orders on behalf of clients and customers. Under this arrangement, the financial intermediary must send your payment to the Fund by the time the Fund prices its shares on the following business day.
36
The Fund is not responsible for ensuring that a financial intermediary carries out its obligations. You should look to the financial intermediary through whom you wish to invest for specific instructions on how to purchase or redeem shares of a Fund.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Dividends and Capital Gain Distributions. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually for the Fund. The Fund intends to distribute annually any net capital gain.
Dividends and distributions will automatically be reinvested in additional shares of the Fund, unless you elect to have the distributions paid to you in cash. There are no sales charges or transaction fees for reinvested dividends and all shares will be purchased at NAV. Shareholders will be subject to tax on all dividends and distributions whether paid to them in cash or reinvested in shares. If the investment in shares is made within an IRA, all dividends and capital gain distributions must be reinvested.
Unless you are investing through a tax deferred retirement account, such as an IRA, it is not to your advantage to buy shares of the Fund shortly before the next distribution, because doing so can cost you money in taxes. This is known as buying a dividend. To avoid buying a dividend, check the Funds distribution schedule before you invest.
Taxes. The following information is meant as a general summary of the federal income tax provisions regarding the taxation of the shareholders. Additional tax information appears in the SAI. Shareholders should rely on their own tax advisers for advice about the particular federal, state, and local tax consequences of investing in the Fund.
The Fund will distribute all or substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gain to its shareholders at least annually. Shareholders may elect to take in cash or reinvest in additional Fund shares any dividends from net investment income or capital gains distributions. Although a Fund is not taxed on amounts it distributes, shareholders will generally be taxed on distributions, regardless of whether distributions are paid by the Fund in cash or are reinvested in additional Fund shares. Distributions to non-corporate investors attributable to ordinary income and short-term capital gains are generally taxed as ordinary income, although certain income dividends may be taxed to non-corporate shareholders as qualified dividend income at long-term capital gains rates provided certain holding period requirements are satisfied. Distributions of long-term capital gains are generally taxed as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long a shareholder has held Fund shares. Distributions may be subject to state and local taxes, as well as federal taxes.
37
Taxable distributions paid by the Fund to corporate shareholders will be taxed at corporate tax rates. Corporate shareholders may be entitled to a dividends received deduction (DRD) for a portion of the dividends paid and designated by the Fund as qualifying for the DRD provided certain holding period requirements are met.
In general, a shareholder who sells or redeems shares will realize a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term, depending upon the shareholders holding period for the Fund shares, provided that any loss recognized on the sale of Fund shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares. An exchange of shares may be treated as a sale and any gain may be subject to tax.
Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries which may entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of or exemption from taxes on such income. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax for the Fund in advance since the amount of the assets to be invested within various countries is not known. If more than 50% of the total assets of the Fund at the close of its taxable year consist of foreign stocks or securities, the Fund may pass through to you certain foreign income taxes (including withholding taxes) paid by the Fund. This means that you will be considered to have received as an additional dividend your share of such foreign taxes, but you may be entitled to either a corresponding tax deduction in calculating your taxable income, or, subject to certain limitations, a credit in calculating your federal income tax.
As with all mutual funds, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax (presently at the rate of 28%) on all taxable distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, it is a way in which the IRS ensures it will collect taxes otherwise due. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability.
Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisers to ensure distributions and sale of Fund shares are treated appropriately on their income tax returns.
Cost Basis Reporting. Federal law requires that mutual fund companies report their shareholders cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the IRS on the Funds shareholders Consolidated Form 1099s when covered securities are sold. Covered securities are any regulated investment company and/or dividend reinvestment plan shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012. The Fund has
38
chosen average cost as their standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. A tax lot identification method is the way the Fund will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing net asset values, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Funds standing tax lot identification method is the method covered shares will be reported on your Consolidated Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. You may choose a method different than the Funds standing method and will be able to do so at the time of your purchase or upon the sale of covered shares. Please refer to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service regulations or consult your tax adviser with regard to your personal circumstances.
For those securities defined as covered under current IRS cost basis tax reporting regulations, the Fund is responsible for maintaining accurate cost basis and tax lot information for tax reporting purposes. The Fund is not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of the information for those securities that are not covered. The Fund and its service providers do not provide tax advice. You should consult independent sources, which may include a tax professional, with respect to any decisions you may make with respect to choosing a tax lot identification method.
At the time that this prospectus is being prepared there are various tax reform proposals under consideration. It is not possible at this time to determine whether any of these proposals might become law and if so how they might affect the Fund and its shareholders.
NET ASSET VALUE
The Funds share price, called its NAV per share, is determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) (generally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each business day that the NYSE is open (the Valuation Time). As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund has been informed that the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. NAV per share is computed by adding the total value of the Funds investments and other assets attributable to the Funds Class A, Institutional Class, Investor Class or Class Z Shares, subtracting any liabilities attributable to the applicable class, and then dividing by the total number of applicable classes shares outstanding. Due to the fact that different expenses may be charged against shares of different classes of the Fund, the NAV of the various classes of the Fund may vary.
Shares of the Fund are bought or exchanged at the public offering price per share next determined after a request has been received in proper form. The public offering price of the Funds Shares is equal to the NAV plus the applicable front-end
39
sales charge, if any. Shares of the Fund held by you are sold or exchanged at the NAV per share next determined after a request has been received in proper form, less any applicable deferred sales charge. Any request received in proper form before the Valuation Time, will be processed the same business day. Any request received in proper form after the Valuation Time, will be processed the next business day.
FAIR VALUE PRICING
The Funds securities are valued at current market prices. Investments in securities traded on the national securities exchanges or included in the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last reported sale price. Other securities traded in the over-the-counter market and listed securities for which no sales are reported on a given date are valued at the last reported bid price. Short-term debt securities (less than 60 days to maturity) are valued at their fair market value using amortized cost. Depositary Receipts will be valued at the closing price of the instrument last determined prior to the Valuation Time unless the Trust is aware of a material change in value. Securities for which such a value cannot be readily determined on any day will be valued at the closing price of the underlying security adjusted for the exchange rate. The value of a foreign security is determined as of the close of trading on the foreign exchange on which it is traded or as of the scheduled close of trading on the NYSE, whichever is earlier. Portfolio securities that are listed on foreign exchanges may experience a change in value on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem shares of the Fund. Generally, trading in corporate bonds, U.S. government securities and money market instruments is substantially completed each day at various times before the scheduled close of the NYSE. The value of these securities used in computing the NAV is determined as of such times.
The Trust has a policy that contemplates the use of fair value pricing to determine the NAV per share of the Fund when market prices are unavailable as well as under special circumstances, such as: (i) if the primary market for a portfolio security suspends or limits trading or price movements of the security; and (ii) when an event occurs after the close of the exchange on which a portfolio security is principally traded that is likely to have changed the value of the security. The Trust may use fair value pricing more often due to the Funds global focus.
When the Trust uses fair value pricing to determine the NAV per share of the Fund, securities will not be priced on the basis of quotations from the primary market in which they are traded, but rather may be priced by another method that the Board believes accurately reflects fair value. Any method used will be approved by the Board and results will be monitored to evaluate accuracy. The Trusts policy is intended to result in a calculation of the Funds NAV that fairly reflects security values as of the time of pricing. However, fair values determined pursuant to the
40
Trusts procedures may not accurately reflect the price that the Fund could obtain for a security if it were to dispose of that security as of the time of pricing.
FREQUENT TRADING
Frequent purchases and redemptions (Frequent Trading) of shares of the Fund may present a number of risks to other shareholders of the Fund. These risks may include, among other things, dilution in the value of shares of the Fund held by long-term shareholders, interference with the efficient management by the Adviser of the Funds portfolio holdings, and increased brokerage and administration costs. Due to the potential of an overall adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions affecting the sale price of portfolio securities, the Fund could face untimely losses as a result of having to sell portfolio securities prematurely to meet redemptions. Current shareholders of the Fund may face unfavorable impacts as portfolio securities concentrated in certain sectors may be more volatile than investments across broader ranges of industries as sector-specific market or economic developments may make it more difficult to sell a significant amount of shares at favorable prices to meet redemptions. Frequent Trading may also increase portfolio turnover, which may result in increased capital gains taxes for shareholders of the Fund. These capital gains could include short-term capital gains taxed at ordinary income tax rates.
Funds that invest in foreign securities may be at a greater risk for excessive trading. Investors may attempt to take advantage of anticipated price movements in securities held by the Fund based on events occurring after the close of a foreign market that may not be reflected in the Funds NAV (referred to as price arbitrage). Such arbitrage opportunities may also arise in mutual funds which do not invest in foreign securities. To the extent that the Fund does not accurately value securities, short-term arbitrage traders may dilute the NAV of the Fund, which negatively impacts long-term shareholders. Although the Fund has adopted fair valuation policies and procedures intended to reduce the Funds exposure to price arbitrage and other potential pricing inefficiencies, under such circumstances there is potential for short-term arbitrage trades to dilute the value of Fund shares.
The Trustees have adopted a policy that is intended to identify and discourage Frequent Trading by shareholders of the Fund under which the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer and Transfer Agent will monitor Frequent Trading through the use of various surveillance techniques. Under these policies and procedures, shareholders may not engage in more than four round-trips (a purchase and sale or an exchange in and then out of a Fund) within a rolling twelve-month period. Shareholders exceeding four round-trips will be investigated by the Fund and if, as a result of this monitoring, the Fund believes that a shareholder has engaged in frequent trading, it may, in its discretion, ask the shareholder to stop such activities or refuse to process purchases in the shareholders accounts. The intent of the
41
policies and procedures is not to inhibit legitimate strategies, such as asset allocation, dollar cost averaging or similar activities that may nonetheless result in Frequent Trading of Fund shares. To minimize harm to the Fund and its shareholders, the Fund reserves the right to reject any exchange or purchase of Fund shares with or without prior notice to the account holder. In the event the foregoing purchase and redemption patterns occur, it shall be the policy of the Trust that the shareholders account and any other account with the Fund under the same taxpayer identification number shall be precluded from investing in the Fund (including investment that are part of an exchange transaction) for such time period as the Trust deems appropriate based on the facts and circumstances (including, without limitation, the dollar amount involved and whether the Investor has been precluded from investing in the Fund before); provided that such time period shall be at least 30 calendar days after the last redemption transaction. The above policies shall not apply if the Trust determines that a purchase and redemption pattern is not a Frequent Trading pattern or is the result of inadvertent trading errors.
These policies and procedures will be applied uniformly to all shareholders and, subject to certain permissible exceptions as described above, the Fund will not accommodate abusive Frequent Trading. The policies also apply to any account, whether an individual account or accounts with Financial Intermediaries such as investment advisers, broker dealers or retirement plan administrators, commonly called omnibus accounts, where the intermediary holds Fund shares for a number of its customers in one account. Omnibus account arrangements permit multiple investors to aggregate their respective share ownership positions and purchase, redeem and exchange Fund shares without the identity of the particular shareholder(s) being known to the Fund. Accordingly, the ability of the Fund to monitor and detect Frequent Trading activity through omnibus accounts is very limited and there is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to identify shareholders who may be engaging in Frequent Trading through omnibus accounts or to curtail such trading. However, the Fund will establish information sharing agreements with intermediaries as required by Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act that may require sharing of information about you and your account, and otherwise use reasonable efforts to work with intermediaries to identify excessive short-term trading in underlying accounts.
If the Fund identifies that excessive short-term trading is taking place in a participant-directed employee benefit plan account, the Fund or its Adviser or Transfer Agent will contact the plan administrator, sponsor or trustee to request that action be taken to restrict such activity. However, the ability to do so may be constrained by regulatory restrictions or plan policies. In such circumstances, it is generally not the policy of the Fund to close the account of an entire plan due to the activity of a limited number of participants. However, the Fund will take such actions as deemed appropriate in light of all the facts and circumstances.
42
The Funds policies provide for ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of current policies and surveillance tools, and the Trustees reserves the right to modify these or adopt additional policies and restrictions in the future. Shareholders should be aware, however, that any surveillance techniques currently employed by the Fund or other techniques that may be adopted in the future, may not be effective, particularly where the trading takes place through certain types of omnibus accounts. As noted above, if the Fund is unable to detect and deter trading abuses, the Funds performance, and its long-term shareholders, may be harmed. In addition, shareholders may be harmed by the extra costs and portfolio management inefficiencies that result from Frequent Trading, even when the trading is not for abusive purposes.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Signature Guarantees. To help protect you and the Fund from fraud, signature guarantees are required for: (1) all redemptions ordered by mail if you require that the check be made payable to another person or that the check be mailed to an address other than the one indicated on the account registration; (2) all requests to transfer the registration of shares to another owner; and (3) all authorizations to establish or change telephone redemption service, other than through your initial account application. Signature guarantees may be required for certain other reasons. For example, a signature guarantee may be required if you sell a large number of shares or if your address of record on the account has been changed within the last thirty (30) days.
In the case of redemption by mail, signature guarantees must appear on either: (1) the written request for redemption; or (2) a separate instrument of assignment (usually referred to as a stock power) specifying the total number of shares being redeemed. The Trust may waive these requirements in certain instances.
An original signature guarantee assures that a signature is genuine so that you are protected from unauthorized account transactions. Notarization is not an acceptable substitute. Acceptable guarantors only include participants in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP2000). Participants in STAMP2000 may include financial institutions such as banks, savings and loan associations, trust companies, credit unions, broker-dealers and member firms of a national securities exchange.
Automatic Investment Plan. Existing shareholders, who wish to make regular monthly investments in amounts of $100 or more, may do so through the Automatic Investment Plan. Under the Automatic Investment Plan, your designated bank or other financial institution debits a pre-authorized amount from your
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account on or about the 15th day of each month and applies the amount to the purchase of Fund shares. To use this service, you must authorize the transfer of funds by completing the Automatic Investment Plan section of the account application and sending a blank voided check.
Exchange Privilege. To the extent the Adviser or Sub-Adviser manages other funds in the Trust, you may exchange all or a portion of your shares in the Fund for shares of the same class of certain other funds of the Trust managed by the Adviser having different investment objectives, provided that the shares of the fund you are exchanging into are registered for sale in your state of residence. Your account may be charged $10 for a telephone exchange. An exchange is treated as a redemption and purchase and may result in realization of a gain or loss on the transaction. You wont pay a deferred sales charge on an exchange; however, when you sell the shares you acquire in an exchange, you will pay a deferred sales charge based on the date you bought the original shares you exchanged. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser do not manage any other funds in the Trust.
Frequent purchases and redemptions (Frequent Trading) (as discussed above) can adversely impact Fund performance and shareholders. Therefore, the Trust reserves the right to temporarily or permanently modify or terminate the Exchange Privilege. The Trust also reserves the right to refuse exchange requests by any person or group if, in the Trusts judgment, the Fund would be unable to invest the money effectively in accordance with its investment objective and policies, or would otherwise potentially be adversely affected. The Trust further reserves the right to restrict or refuse an exchange request if the Trust has received or anticipates simultaneous orders affecting significant portions of the Funds assets or detects a pattern of exchange requests that coincides with a market timing strategy. Although the Trust will attempt to give you prior notice when reasonable to do so, the Trust may modify or terminate the Exchange Privilege at any time.
How to Transfer Shares. If you wish to transfer shares to another owner, send a written request to the Transfer Agent at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235. Your request should include: (i) the name of the Fund and existing account registration; (ii) signature(s) of the registered owner(s); (iii) the new account registration, address, taxpayer identification number and how dividends and capital gains are to be distributed; (iv) any stock certificates which have been issued for the shares being transferred; (v) signature guarantees (See Signature Guarantees); and (vi) any additional documents which are required for transfer by corporations, administrators, executors, trustees, guardians, etc. If you have any questions about transferring shares, call the Transfer Agent at (800) 628-4077.
Account Statements and Shareholder Reports. Each time you purchase, redeem or transfer shares of the Fund, you will receive a written confirmation. You will also
44
receive a year-end statement of your account if any dividends or capital gains have been distributed, and an annual and a semi-annual report.
Shareholder Communications. The Fund may eliminate duplicate mailings of portfolio materials to shareholders who reside at the same address, unless instructed to the contrary. Investors may request that the Fund send these documents to each shareholder individually by calling the Fund at (800) 673-0550.
General. The Fund will not be responsible for any losses from unauthorized transactions (such as purchases, sales or exchanges) if it follows reasonable security procedures designed to verify the identity of the investor. You should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately after you receive them.
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
The Fund is offered through financial supermarkets, investment advisers and consultants, financial planners, brokers, dealers and other investment professionals, and directly through the Distributor. Investment professionals who offer shares may request fees from their individual clients. If you invest through a third party, the policies and fees may be different than those described in this prospectus. For example, third parties may charge transaction fees or set different minimum investment amounts. If you purchase your shares through a broker-dealer, the broker-dealer firm is entitled to receive a percentage of the sales charge you pay in order to purchase Fund shares.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Funds financial performance for the past five fiscal years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned [or lost] on an investment in shares of the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
Prior to November ___, 2017, the Fund was managed by a different investment adviser and sub-adviser and, therefore, the financial information presented for periods prior to November ___, 2017 reflect performance achieved by a different investment adviser and sub-adviser. The Funds shareholders approved the contacts with the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser on _____, 2017. The financial highlights for the periods presented have been audited by Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose unqualified report thereon, along with the Funds financial statements, are included in the Funds Annual Report to Shareholders (the Annual Report) and are incorporated by reference into the SAI. Additional performance information for the Fund is included in the Annual Report. The Annual Report and the SAI are available at no cost from the
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Fund at the address and telephone number noted on the back page of this prospectus. The following information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto.
[INSERT FINANCIALS TABLES]
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
The Funds annual and semi-annual reports will contain more information about the Fund. The Funds annual reports will contain a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that had a significant effect on the Funds performance during the last fiscal year.
For more information about the Fund, you may wish to refer to the Funds current Statement of Additional Information (the SAI), which is on file with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You can obtain a free copy of the annual and semi-annual reports, and SAI by writing to World Funds Trust, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, by calling toll free (800) 673-0550, by e-mail at: mail@ccofva.com or on the World Funds Trust website at www.theworldfundstrust.com. General inquiries regarding the Fund may also be directed to the above address or telephone number.
Information about the Trust, including the SAI, can be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. Reports and other information regarding the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Commissions Public Reference Section, Washington D.C. 20549-0102.
Investment Company Act #811-22172
47
MISSION-AUOUR RISK-MANAGED GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
8730 Stony Point Parkway,
Suite 205
Richmond, Virginia 23235
(800) 673-0550
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CLASS A SHARES
Ticker:
VEEEX
INVESTOR CLASS SHARES
Ticker: _____
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES
Ticker: _____
CLASS Z SHARES
Ticker:
_____
December ___, 2017
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus of the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (the Fund) dated December___, 2017 as listed below, as it may be supplemented or revised from time to time. Because this SAI is not itself a prospectus, no investment in shares of the Fund should be made solely upon the information contained herein. This SAI incorporates by reference the Funds Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. Copies of the Funds Prospectus, Annual Report, and/or Semi-Annual Report may be obtained, free of charge, by writing to World Funds Trust, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235 or by calling (800) 673-0550.
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF SUCH STATE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE TRUST | 1 | |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES | 1 | |
DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS | 2 | |
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS | 12 | |
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISER | 14 | |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 16 | |
SERVICE PROVIDERS | 18 | |
TRUSTEES & OFFICERS OF THE TRUST | 20 | |
BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 24 | |
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITIES HOLDERS | 26 | |
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE | 26 | |
DISTRIBUTION | 27 | |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND SALES | 28 | |
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES | 29 | |
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES | 29 | |
TAXES | 30 | |
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES | 43 | |
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES HOLDINGS | 45 | |
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES | 48 | |
PROXY VOTING | 49 | |
CODES OF ETHICS | 50 | |
FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 50 | |
EXHIBIT A (PROXY VOTING POLICIES OF ADVISER) | 51 | |
EXHIBIT B (WORLD FUNDS TRUST PROXY VOTING POLICIES | 54 | |
EXHIBIT C (NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER) | 56 |
THE TRUST
General . World Funds Trust (the Trust) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on April 9, 2007. The Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) and commonly known as a mutual fund. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate series (funds) of shares of beneficial interest (shares). The Trust reserves the right to create and issue shares of additional funds. The fund is a separate mutual fund, and each share of the fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that fund. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any fund and all assets of such fund belong solely to that fund and would be subject to liabilities related thereto. The Fund pays its (i) operating expenses, including fees of its service providers, expenses of preparing prospectuses, proxy solicitation material and reports to shareholders, costs of custodial services and registering its shares under federal and state securities laws, pricing, insurance expenses, brokerage costs, interest charges, taxes and organization expenses; and (ii) pro rata share of the funds other expenses, including audit and legal expenses. Expenses attributable to a specific fund shall be payable solely out of the assets of that fund. Expenses not attributable to a specific fund are allocated across all of the funds on the basis of relative net assets. The other funds of the Trust are described in one or more separate statements of additional information.
The Fund . This SAI relates to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (the Fund), and it should be read in conjunction with the prospectus the Fund. Prior to November ___, 2017, the Fund was designated as the Global Strategic Income Fund. On November 7, 2017, the Board of Trustees of the Trust appointed a new investment adviser and sub-adviser and approved revisions to the Funds strategies. In conjunction with those changes, the Board also approved new and/or modified service provider relationships with certain of the operational service providers. Information about the Funds operations prior to November 7, 2017, reflects times during which the Fund was overseen by the previous investment adviser and sub-adviser. During the period November 7, 2017 to November ___, 2017 the Fund transitioned its operational service relationships. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Funds prospectuses. No investment in shares should be made without reading the prospectuses. The Fund is a separate investment portfolio or series of the Trust. The Fund is diversified as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and the interpretations thereof.
As of the date of this SAI, the Fund is authorized to issue four classes of shares: Class A Shares, imposing a front end sales charge up to a maximum of 5.75% and charging a 0.25% 12b-1 fee; Investor Class Shares, charging a 0.25% 12b-1 fee; Institutional Class Shares charging no 12b-1 or sales charges; and Class Z shares charging no 12b-1 or sales charges.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The Funds investment objective and principal investment strategies are described in the prospectus. The Fund is a diversified series as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the prospectus. For a description of certain permitted investments discussed below, see Description of Permitted Investments in this SAI. To the extent the disclosure in this section descried investments or investment techniques or strategies that the Fund may invest in or utilize, you should interpret such disclosure to mean that these are investments or investment techniques in which an Underlying Fund may invest or utilize.
Portfolio Turnover . Average annual portfolio turnover rate is the ratio of the lesser of sales or purchases to the monthly average value of the portfolio securities owned during the year,
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excluding from both the numerator and the denominator all securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. A higher portfolio turnover rate involves greater transaction expenses to the Fund and may result in the realization of net capital gains, which would be taxable to shareholders when distributed. Although the Sub-Adviser is responsible for selecting securities for the Funds portfolio, the Adviser is responsible for implementing the trades at the Sub-Advisers direction. Accoridngly, the Funds Adviser makes purchases and sales for the Funds portfolio whenever necessary, in the Sub-Advisers opinion, to meet the Funds objective.
DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS
The following discussion of investment techniques and instruments supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the investment information in the Funds prospectus. In seeking to meet its investment objective, the Fund may invest in any type of security whose characteristics are consistent with its investment programs. The Fund generally attempts to implement its investment strategies and achieve its objective by investing in the securities of other investment companies, including index exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds (i.e., Underlying Funds). The Fund will implement its respective investment strategies exclusively by investing in other investment companies and ETFs (defined below) (collectively Underlying Funds). In that regard, certain of the descriptions of the investments or techniques set forth below reflect that the investments and techniques are occurring indirectly through investments in Underlying Funds.
Equity Securities . The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may primarily hold a portfolio of equity securities. Equity securities are common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks, convertible debentures, American Depositary Receipts, rights and warrants. Convertible preferred stock is preferred stock that can be converted into common stock pursuant to its terms. Convertible debentures are debt instruments that can be converted into common stock pursuant to their terms. Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at a specified price valid for a specific time period. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have shorter durations.
Investment Company Securities and ETFs . Subject to the restrictions and limitations of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) and any SEC exemptive orders thereunder, the Fund will invest primarily in the securities of other investment companies (i.e., Underlying Funds). The Fund may invest in other mutual funds, money market funds, and ETFs, including ETFs that hold a portfolio of securities which closely tracks the price performance and/or dividend yield of various indices (described below), and other closed-end funds. When the Fund invests in other investment companies, it will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the investment company. In connection with its investments in other investment companies, a Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. For example, shareholders may incur expenses associated with capital gains distributions by the Fund as well as the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests. Shareholders may also incur increased transaction costs as a result of the Funds portfolio turnover rate and/or because of the high portfolio turnover rates in the Underlying Funds. The Fund is not required to hold securities for any minimum period and, as a result, may incur short-term redemption fees and increased trading costs. When selecting Underlying Funds for investment, the Fund will not be precluded from investing in an Underlying Fund with a higher than average expense ratio. The Fund is independent from any of the Underlying Funds in which it invests and it has no voice in or control over the investment strategies, policies or decisions of the underlying funds. The Funds only option is to liquidate its investment in an Underlying Fund in the event of dissatisfaction with the fund.
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The Underlying Funds (particularly the ETFs) may attempt to replicate the performance of a particular index. An Underlying Fund may not always hold all of the same securities as the index it attempts to track. An Underlying Fund may use statistical sampling techniques to attempt to replicate the returns of an index. Statistical sampling techniques attempt to match the investment characteristics of the index and the fund by taking into account such factors as capitalization, industry exposures, dividend yield, price/earnings (P/E) ratio, price/book (P/B) ratio, and earnings growth. An Underlying Fund may not track the index perfectly because differences between the index and the funds portfolio can cause differences in performance. In addition, expenses and transaction costs, the size and frequency of cash flow into and out of the fund, and differences between how and when the fund and the index are valued can cause differences in performance. When the Fund invests in Underlying Funds they will indirectly bear their proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the Underlying Fund. In connection with its investments in other investment companies, the Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. Furthermore, because the Fund invests in shares of ETFs and Underlying Funds their performance is directly related to the ability of the ETFs and Underlying Funds to meet their respective investment objectives, as well as the allocation of the Funds assets among the ETFs and Underlying Funds by the Adviser. Accordingly, the Funds investment performance will be influenced by the investment strategies of and risks associated with the ETFs and Underlying Funds in direct proportion to the amount of assets the Fund allocates to the ETFs and Underlying Funds utilizing such strategies.
Investments in ETFs involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in a broadly-based portfolio of stocks, including risks that: (1) the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of each unit of the ETF or other instrument; (2) an ETF may not fully replicate the performance of its benchmark index because of the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weightings of securities or number of stocks held; (3) an ETF may also be adversely affected by the performance of the specific index, market sector or group of industries on which it is based; and (4) an ETF may not track an index as well as a traditional index mutual fund because ETFs are valued by the market and, therefore, there may be a difference between the market value and the ETFs net asset value. Additionally, investments in fixed income ETFs involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in fixed income securities, including the risk of fluctuation in market value based on interest rates rising or declining and risks of a decrease in liquidity, such that no assurances can be made that an active trading market for underlying ETFs will be maintained.
The Fund may also invest in leveraged and inverse ETFs, including double inverse (or ultra-short) ETFs. Leveraged ETFs are riskier than traditional ETFs as they use borrowings and derivative instruments to generate a return in multiples of a benchmark index. Investments in inverse and leveraged ETFs may magnify and compound changes in the Funds share price and results in increased volatility and potential loss. Inverse ETFs seek to negatively correlate to the performance of the particular index that they track by using various forms of derivative transactions, including by short-selling the underlying index. Ultra-short ETFs seek to multiply the negative return of the tracked index (e.g., twice the inverse return). As a result, an investment in an inverse ETF will decrease in value when the value of the underlying index rises. By investing in ultra-short ETFs and gaining magnified short exposure to a particular index, the Fund can commit less assets to the investment in the securities represented on the index than would otherwise be required. ETFs that seek to multiply the negative return on the tracked index are subject to a special form of correlation risk which is the risk that for periods greater than one day, the use of leverage tends to cause the performance of the ETF to be either greater than or less than the index performance times the stated multiple in the ETFs investment objective.
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There is also a risk that the Underlying Funds or ETFs may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to the Underlying Fund or ETF, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the Underlying Fund or ETF, and the Underlying Fund or ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. Also, the Underlying Fund or ETF may be dependent upon licenses to use the various indices as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the respective Underlying Fund or ETF may also terminate. In addition, an Underlying Fund or ETF may terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount. Although the Fund believes that in the event of the termination of an Underlying Fund or ETF, it will be able to invest instead in shares of an alternate Underlying Fund or ETF tracking the same market index or another index covering the same general market, there can be no assurance that shares of an alternate Underlying Fund or ETF would be available for investment at that time.
The Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment companies. Such securities will be acquired by the Fund within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act, which with the exception of master/feeder arrangements, fund of fund arrangements and certain money market fund investments, generally include a prohibition that a fund may not acquire shares of another investment company (including ETFs) if, immediately after such acquisition, (i) such fund would hold more than 3% of the other investment companys total outstanding shares, (ii) if such funds investment in securities of the other investment company would be more than 5% of the value of the total assets of the fund, or (iii) if more than 10% of such funds total assets would be invested in investment companies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) has granted orders for exemptive relief to certain ETFs that permit investments in those ETFs by other investment companies (such as the Fund) in excess of these limits. The Fund may invest in ETFs that have received such exemptive orders from the SEC, pursuant to the conditions specified in such orders. Additionally, in accordance with Section 12(d)(1)(F)(i) of the 1940 Act, the Fund may also invest in ETFs and other investment companies that have not received such exemptive orders as long as the Fund (and all of its affiliated persons, including the Adviser) does not acquire more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such Underlying Fund, unless otherwise permitted to do so pursuant to permission granted by the SEC. If the Fund seeks to redeem shares of an Underlying Fund purchased in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F), the Underlying Fund is not obligated to redeem an amount exceeding 1% of the Underlying Funds outstanding shares during a period of less than 30 days.
As of the date of this Registration Statement the SEC has proposed Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act. Subject to certain conditions, proposed Rule 12d1-4 would provide an exemption to permit acquiring funds to invest in ETFs in excess of the limits of section 12(d)(1), including those described above.
Exchange-Traded Notes and Privately Issued Notes (collectively, ETNs) . The Fund or the Underlying Funds in which the Fund may invest may invest in ETNs, which are debt securities of an issuer that are listed and traded on U.S. stock exchanges or otherwise traded in the over-the-counter market. Privately issued notes are similar to ETNs except that they are not listed and traded on U.S. stock exchanges or otherwise traded in the over-the-counter market. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of ETNs and privately issued note is uncertain in many respects. The IRS has issued very limited guidance. Most ETN prospectuses, PPMs, and SAIs decline to address issues applicable to a RICs investment in an ETN in light of the uncertainty.
Although ETNs and privately issued notes are in form indebtedness, they are generally not treated as debt for tax purposes because the return on such a note does not have a clear interest
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component that is based primarily upon the time value of money. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, in most cases the issuer of the ETN or privately issued note and the investors agree to treat all such notes, except certain currency ETNs, as prepaid executory contracts (such as a forward contract) with respect to the relevant index. If such a note were treated in this manner, investors would recognize gain or loss upon the sale, redemption, or maturity of their note in an amount equal to the difference between the amount they receive at such time and their tax basis in the note. Investors generally agree to treat such gain or loss as capital gain or loss, except with respect to those notes for which investors agree to treat such gain or loss as ordinary. Investors in instruments characterized as prepaid forward contracts typically, although not invariably, take the position that they are not required to accrue any income other than stated coupons, if any.
One key question is whether the income generated by an ETN or privately issued notes is good income for purposes of the RIC qualification tests. There is some uncertainty on this subject. The general approach in this regard is to look to the underlying benchmark or strategy. Certain benchmarks or strategies are similar to investments that produce good income and thus the thinking is that the ETNs or privately issued notes would produce good income. On the other hand, other benchmarks or strategies are similar to investments that do not produce good income and thus such ETNs or privately issued notes would not produce good income. Note, however, that there is no guidance on this subject.
Common Stocks . The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in common stocks. Common stocks represent units of ownership in a company. Common stocks usually carry voting rights and earn dividends. Unlike preferred stocks, which are described below, dividends on common stocks are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the companys board of directors.
Preferred Stock . The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in preferred stock, which is a class of capital stock that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights.
Most preferred stock is cumulative; if dividends are passed (not paid for any reason), they accumulate and must be paid before common dividends. A passed dividend on non-cumulative preferred stock is generally gone forever. Participating preferred stock entitles its holders to share in profits above and beyond the declared dividend, along with common shareholders, as distinguished from non-participating preferred, which is limited to the stipulated dividend.
Adjustable rate preferred stock pays a dividend that is adjustable, usually quarterly, based on changes in the Treasury bill rate or other money market rates.
Convertible Securities . The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in convertible securities and considers such securities to be equity securities for purposes of its investment strategies. Traditional convertible securities include corporate bonds, notes and preferred stocks that may be converted into or exchanged for common stock, and other securities that also provide an opportunity for equity participation. These securities are convertible either at a stated price or a stated rate (that is, for a specific number of shares of common stock or other security). As with other fixed income securities, the price of a convertible security generally varies inversely with interest rates. While providing a fixed income stream, a convertible security also affords the investor an opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the common stock into which it is convertible. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis and so may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common
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stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the price of a convertible security tends to rise as a reflection of higher yield or capital appreciation. In such situations, the Fund may have to pay more for a convertible security than the value of the underlying common stock.
Warrants . The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in warrants. A warrant gives the right to buy a stock and specifies the amount of the underlying stock, the purchase (or exercise) price, and the date the warrant expires. If the price of the underlying stock does not rise above the exercise price before the warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and the Fund loses any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may involve more risk than investments in common stock. Warrants may trade in the same markets as their underlying stock; however, the price of the warrant does not necessarily move with the price of the underlying stock.
Illiquid Securities . The Fund (and the Underlying Funds) may hold up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose, the term illiquid securities means securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the amount which the Fund has valued the securities. Illiquid securities include generally, among other things, certain written over-the-counter options, securities or other liquid assets as cover for such options, repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days, certain loan participation interests and other securities whose disposition is restricted under the federal securities laws.
Master Limited Partenrships (MLPs) . The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in MLPs. MLPs are limited partnerships or limited liability companies, whose partnership units or limited liability interests are listed and traded on a U.S. securities exchange, and are treated as publicly traded partnerships for federal income tax purposes. To qualify to be treated as a partnership for tax purposes, an MLP must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources as set forth in Section 7704(d) of the Code. These qualifying sources include activities such as the exploration, development, mining, production, processing, refining, transportation, storage and marketing of mineral or natural resources. MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. MLPs that are formed as limited liability companies generally have two analogous classes of owners, the managing member and the members. For purposes of this section, references to general partners also apply to managing members and references to limited partners also apply to members. The general partner is typically owned by a major energy company, an investment fund, the direct management of the MLP or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and management of the MLP through an equity interest of as much as 2% in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners own the remainder of the MLP through ownership of common units and have a limited role in the MLPs operations and management.
MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum amount (minimum quarterly distributions or MQD). Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common and general partner interests have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the MQD; however, subordinated units do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in excess of the MQD paid to both common and subordinated units is distributed to both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis. The general partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner operates the business in a manner which results in distributions paid per common unit
6
surpassing specified target levels. As the general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general partner receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions. A common arrangement provides that the general partner can reach a tier where it receives 50% of every incremental dollar paid to common and subordinated unit holders. These incentive distributions encourage the general partner to streamline costs, increase capital expenditures and acquire assets in order to increase the partnerships cash flow and raise the quarterly cash distribution in order to reach higher tiers. Such results benefit all security holders of the MLP.
General partner interests of MLPs are typically retained by an MLPs original sponsors, such as its founders, corporate partners, entities that sell assets to the MLP and investors such as the Fund. A holder of general partner interests can be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of the holders investment in the general partner interest. General partner interests often confer direct board participation rights and in many cases, operating control, over the MLP. These interests themselves are not publicly traded, although they may be owned by publicly traded entities. General partner interests receive cash distributions, typically 2% of the MLPs aggregate cash distributions, which are contractually defined in the partnership agreement. In addition, holders of general partner interests typically hold incentive distribution rights (IDRs), which provide them with a larger share of the aggregate MLP cash distributions as the distributions to limited partner unit holders are increased to prescribed levels. General partner interests generally cannot be converted into common units. The general partner interest can be redeemed by the MLP if the MLP unit-holders choose to remove the general partner, typically with a supermajority vote by limited partner unit-holders.
Fixed Income Securities . The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may hold a portfolio of fixed income securities. Fixed income securities include corporate debt securities, high yield debt securities, convertible debt securities, municipal securities, U.S. government securities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, zero coupon bonds, financial industry obligations, repurchase agreements, and participation interests in such securities. Preferred stock and certain common stock equivalents may also be considered to be fixed income securities. Fixed income securities are generally considered to be interest rate sensitive, which means that their value will generally decrease when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. Securities with shorter maturities, while offering lower yields, generally provide greater price stability than longer-term securities and are less affected by changes in interest rates.
1. Corporate Debt Securities . Corporate debt securities include bonds, notes, debentures and investment certificates issued by corporations and other business organizations, including business trusts and equipment trusts, in order to finance their credit needs. Corporate debt securities include commercial paper which consists of short term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. Underlying Funds may invest in investment grade or below investment grade debt securities. Investment grade debt securities generally have adequate to strong protection of principal and interest payments. In the lower end of this category, credit quality may be more susceptible to potential future changes in circumstances and the securities have speculative elements.
2. High Yield Debt Securities (Junk Bonds) . Investments in junk bonds are more vulnerable to economic downturns or increased interest rates. An economic downturn could severely disrupt the market for high yield securities and adversely affect the value of outstanding securities and the ability of the issuers to repay principal and interest.
7
The prices of high yield securities have been found to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated investments, and more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. Also, during an economic downturn or substantial period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress which would adversely affect their ability to service their principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals, and to obtain additional financing. If the issuer of a security defaulted, the Underlying Fund could incur additional expenses to seek recovery. In addition, periods of economic uncertainty and changes can be expected to result in increased volatility of market prices of high yield securities and the Underlying Funds asset value. Furthermore, in the case of high yield securities structured as zero coupon or pay-in-kind securities, their market prices are affected to a greater extent by interest rate changes and thereby tend to be more volatile than securities which pay interest periodically and in cash. High yield securities also present risks based on payment expectations. For example, high yield securities may contain redemption or call provisions. If an issuer exercises these provisions in a declining interest rate market, an Underlying Fund would have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. Conversely, a high yield securitys value will decrease in a rising interest rate market, as will the value of the Underlying Funds assets.
In addition, to the extent that there is no established retail secondary market, there may be thin trading of high yield securities, and this may have an impact on an Underlying Funds ability to accurately value high yield securities and the funds assets and on the funds ability to dispose of the securities. Adverse publicity and investor perception, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of high yield securities especially in a thinly traded market.
Finally, there are risks involved in applying credit ratings as a method for evaluating high yield securities. For example, credit ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments, not market value risk of high yield securities. Also, since credit rating agencies may fail to timely change the credit ratings to reflect subsequent events.
3. U.S. Government Securities . U.S. government securities may be backed by the credit of the government as a whole or only by the issuing agency. U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills and some agency securities, such as those issued by the Federal Housing Administration and the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government as to payment of principal and interest and are the highest quality government securities. Other securities issued by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, such as securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Banks and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, are supported only by the credit of the agency that issued them, and not by the U.S. government. Securities issued by the Federal Farm Credit System, the Federal Land Banks, and the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) are supported by the agencys right to borrow money from the U.S. Treasury under certain circumstances, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
4. Zero Coupon and Pay-in-Kind Bonds . Corporate debt securities and municipal obligations include so-called zero coupon bonds and pay-in-kind bonds. Zero coupon bonds do not make regular interest payments. Instead they are sold at a deep discount from their face value. Because a zero coupon bond does not pay current income, its price can be very volatile when interest rates change.
The Federal Reserve creates Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (STRIPS) by separating the coupon payments and the principal payment from an outstanding Treasury security and selling them as individual securities. A broker-dealer creates a derivative zero by depositing a Treasury security with a custodian for safekeeping and then selling
8
the coupon payments and principal payment that will be generated by this security separately. Examples are Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities (CATs), Treasury Investment Growth Receipts (TIGRs) and generic Treasury Receipts (TRs). These derivative zero coupon obligations are not considered to be government securities unless they are part of the STRIPS program. Original issue zeros are zero coupon securities issued directly by the U.S. government, a government agency or by a corporation.
Pay-in-kind bonds allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. The value of zero coupon bonds and pay-in-kind bonds is subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in market interest rates than bonds which make regular payments of interest. Both of these types of bonds allow an issuer to avoid the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments. Accordingly, such bonds may involve greater credit risks than bonds which make regular payment of interest.
Foreign Securities . The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in Underlying Funds that hold a portfolio of foreign securities. To the extent that a Fund has exposure to foreign equity or fixed income securities, it will be subject to certain considerations and risks that are not typically associated with investing in Underlying Funds that invest solely in domestic securities. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than a domestic one, and foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. There may also be less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies than exists in the United States. Interest and dividends paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may decrease the net return on such investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to the Fund by domestic companies or the U.S. government. There may be the possibility of expropriations, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries. Finally, the establishment of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions could adversely affect the payment of obligations.
Securities trading on overseas markets present time zone arbitrage opportunities when events affecting portfolio security values occur after the close of the overseas market, but prior to the close of the U.S. market. Fair valuation of an Underlying Funds portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of an Underlying Funds net asset value (NAV) by short term traders.
Emerging Markets Securities . To the extent the Fund invests in Underlying Funds that invest in emerging markets securities it will be subject to additional risks. Investing in emerging market securities imposes risks different from, or greater than, risks of investing in foreign developed countries. These risks include: smaller market capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; possible repatriation of investment income and capital. In addition, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales; future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or creation of government monopolies. The currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by a fund. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.
9
Additional risks of emerging markets securities may include: greater social, economic and political uncertainty and instability; more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation; unavailability of currency hedging techniques; companies that are newly organized and small; differences in auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers; and less developed legal systems. In addition, emerging securities markets may have different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions. Settlement problems may cause a fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, or be delayed in disposing of a portfolio security. Such a delay could result in possible liability to a purchaser of the security.
Options . The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may enter into option transactions. The Underlying Funds may mainly purchase and sell options on securities indices. An option involves either (a) the right or the obligation to buy or sell a specific instrument at a specific price until the expiration date of the option, or (b) the right to receive payments or the obligation to make payments representing the difference between the closing price of a market index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple until the expiration date of the option. Options are sold (written) on securities and market indices. The purchaser of an option on a security pays the seller (the writer) a premium for the right granted but is not obligated to buy or sell the underlying security. The purchaser of an option on a market index pays the seller a premium for the right granted, and in return the seller of such an option is obligated to make the payment. Options are traded on organized exchanges and in the over-the-counter market. The use of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.
Options on securities indices are similar to options on a security or other instrument except that, rather than settling by physical delivery of the underlying instrument, they settle by cash settlement, i.e., an option on an index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the excess of the closing price of the index over the exercise price of the option, which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price movements in the instruments making up the market, market segment, industry or other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than price movements in individual securities, as is the case with respect to options on securities.
Because certain derivatives may be viewed as creating leverage, that is, the amount invested may be smaller than the full economic exposure of the derivative instrument and an Underlying Fund could lose more than it invested, federal securities laws, regulations and guidance may require a Fund or Underlying Fund to earmark assets to reduce the risks associated with derivatives or to otherwise hold instruments that offset the Underlying Funds obligations under the derivatives instrument. This process is known as cover. An Underlying Fund should not enter into any derivative transaction unless it can comply with SEC guidance regarding cover, and, if SEC guidance so requires, an Underlying Fund will generally earmark cash or liquid assets with a value sufficient to cover its obligations under a derivative transaction or otherwise cover the transaction in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. If a large portion of an Underlying Funds assets is used for cover, it could affect portfolio management or the Funds ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations. The leverage involved in certain derivative
10
transactions may result in an Underlying Funds net asset value being more sensitive to changes in the value of the related investment.
Futures Contracts . The Fund or the Fund may invest in Underlying Funds that may purchase and sell futures contracts to hedge against changes in prices. The Underlying Funds may utilize Treasury futures to hedge against interest rate risk and inflation risk.
The Underlying Funds may engage in futures transactions for speculative or hedging purposes. The Underlying Funds may also write call options and purchase put options on futures contracts as a hedge to attempt to protect securities in its portfolio against decreases in value. Writing a call option on a futures contract is undertaking the obligation of selling a futures contract at a fixed price at any time during a specified period if the option is exercised. Conversely, as purchaser of a put option on a futures contract, the funds are entitled (but not obligated) to sell a futures contract at the fixed price during the life of the option.
When the Underlying Fund purchases futures contracts, an amount of cash and cash equivalents equal to the underlying commodity value of the futures contracts (less any related margin deposits) will be segregated on the books and records of the funds to collateralize the position and thereby insure that the use of such futures contract is unleveraged. When the Underlying Fund sells futures contracts or related option contracts, it will either own or have the right to receive the underlying future or security, or will make deposits to collateralize the position as discussed above. When futures and options on futures are used as hedging devices, there is a risk that the prices of the securities subject to the futures contracts may not correlate perfectly with the prices of the securities in the funds portfolio. This may cause the futures contract and any related options to react differently than the portfolio securities to market changes. In addition, an investment adviser could be incorrect in its expectations about the direction or extent of market factors such as stock price movements. In these events, the Underlyng Fund may lose money on the futures contract or option. It is not certain that a secondary market for positions in futures contracts or for options will exist at all times. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange or otherwise will exist for any particular futures contract or option at any particular time. An Underlying Funds ability to establish and close out futures and options positions depends on this secondary market. The Fund is being operated by an investment adviser that has claimed an exemption from registration with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act, and therefore the investment adviser is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under that Act. This claim of exemption from registration as a commodity pool operator is pursuant to Rule 4.5 promulgated under the Commodity Exchange Act. Specifically, in accordance with the requirements of Rule 4.5(b)(1), the Fund will limit its use of commodity futures contracts and commodity options contracts to no more than (i) five percent (5%) of the Funds liquidation value being committed as aggregate initial premium or margin for such contracts or (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of the Funds liquidation value in aggregate net notional value of commodity futures, commodity options and swaps positions.
Cash Equivalents . The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds that invest in cash and high-quality short-term fixed-income securities. All money market instruments can change in value when interest rates or an issuers creditworthiness change dramatically. These short-term fixed-income securities are described below:
a. Repurchase Agreements . Repurchase agreements are agreements by which a fund purchases a security and obtain a simultaneous commitment from the seller to repurchase the security at an agreed upon price and date. The resale price is in excess of the purchase price and reflects an agreed upon market rate unrelated to the coupon rate on the purchased security.
11
Repurchase agreements must be fully collateralized and can be entered into only with well-established banks and broker-dealers that have been deemed creditworthy by the Advisor. Repurchase transactions are intended to be short-term transactions, usually with the seller repurchasing the securities within seven days. Repurchase agreements that mature in more than seven days are subject to a funds limit on illiquid securities. When a fund enters into a repurchase agreement it may lose money if the other party defaults on its obligation and the fund is delayed or prevented from disposing of the collateral. A loss may be incurred if the value of the collateral declines, and it might incur costs in selling the collateral or asserting its legal rights under the agreement. If a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or became insolvent, disposition of collateral might be delayed pending court action.
b. Bank Obligations . Bank obligations include bankers acceptances, negotiable certificates of deposit and non-negotiable time deposits, including U.S. dollar-denominated instruments issued or supported by the credit of U.S. or foreign banks or savings institutions. All investments in bank obligations are limited to the obligations of financial institutions having more than $1 billion in total assets at the time of purchase, and investments by the respective Fund in the obligations of foreign banks and foreign branches of U.S. banks will not exceed 10% of the respective Funds total assets at the time of purchase.
c. Commercial Paper . The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds that hold commercial paper. Commercial paper will consist of issues rated at the time of investment as A-1 and/or P-1 by S&P, Moodys or similar rating by another nationally recognized rating agency. In addition, the Underlying Fund may acquire unrated commercial paper and corporate bonds.
d. Investment Company Securities . (See Above) . The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds such as money market funds and short-term bond funds.
Temporary Investments . To maintain cash for redemptions and distributions and for temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest in money market mutual funds and in investment grade short-term fixed income securities including short-term U.S. government securities, negotiable certificates of deposit, commercial paper, bankers acceptances and repurchase agreements.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
Fundamental . The investment limitations described below have been adopted by the Trust with respect to the Fund and are fundamental (Fundamental), i.e ., they may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As used in the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information, the term majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund means the lesser of: (1) 67% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a Fund is present or represented at such meeting; or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a Fund. Other investment practices which may be changed by the Board of Trustees without the approval of shareholders to the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or regulatory policy are considered non-fundamental (Non-Fundamental).
The Fund: | ||
1. |
The Fund shall
be a diversified company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, as
interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities from time to time.
|
12
2. |
The Fund may
not underwrite securities issued by others except to the extent the Fund may be
deemed to be an underwriter under the federal securities laws, in connection with
the disposition of portfolio securities.
|
|
3. |
The Fund may
not purchase or sell physical commodities or commodity futures contracts, except
as permitted by the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority
having jurisdiction, from time to time.
|
|
4. |
The Fund may
not borrow money except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified
by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
|
|
5. |
The Fund may
not make loans to others, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted
or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
|
|
6. |
The Fund may
not invest more than 25% of the value of its net assets in any one industry or group
of industries (except that securities of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities
are not subject to these limitations.
|
|
7. |
The Fund may
not issue any senior security to others, except as permitted under the 1940 Act,
and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from
time to time.
|
|
8. |
The Fund may
not purchase or sell real estate except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as
interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to
time.
|
Except with respect to borrowing and circumstances where the Fund is required to cover its positions, if a percentage or rating restriction on investment or use of assets set forth herein or in the Prospectus is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentage resulting from any cause other than actions by the Fund will not be considered a violation. Currently, subject to modification to conform to the 1940 Act as interpreted or modified from time to time, the Fund is permitted, consistent with the 1940 Act, to borrow, and pledge its Shares to secure such borrowing, provided, that immediately thereafter there is asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings by a Fund from a bank. If borrowings exceed this 300% asset coverage requirement by reason of a decline in net assets of a Fund, the Fund will reduce its borrowings within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the 300% asset coverage requirement. The 1940 Act also permits the Fund to borrow for temporary purposes only in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of its total assets at the time when the loan is made. A loan shall be presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed. To the extent outstanding borrowings of a Fund exceed 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund, the Fund will not make additional purchases of securities the foregoing shall not be construed to prevent the Fund from settling portfolio transactions or satisfying shareholder redemptions orders. The SEC has indicated, however, that certain types of transactions, which could be deemed borrowings (such as firm commitment agreements and reverse repurchase agreements), are permissible if a Fund covers the agreements by establishing and maintaining segregated accounts.
Currently, with respect to senior securities, the 1940 Act and regulatory interpretations of relevant provisions of the 1940 Act establish the following general limits, subject to modification to conform to the 1940 Act as interpreted or modified from time to time: Open-end registered
13
investment companies such as the Fund is not permitted to issue any class of senior security or to sell any senior security of which they are the issuers. The Trust is, however, permitted to issue separate series of Shares (the Fund is a series of the Trust) and to divide those series into separate classes. The Fund has no intention of issuing senior securities, except that the Trust has issued its Shares in separate series and may divide those series into classes of Shares. Collateral arrangements with respect to forward contracts, futures contracts or options, including deposits of initial and variation margin, are not considered to be the issuance of a senior security for purposes of this restriction.
With respect to the percentages adopted by the Trust as maximum limitations on its investment policies and limitations, an excess above the fixed percentage will not be a violation of the policy or limitation unless the excess results immediately and directly from the acquisition of any security or the action taken. This paragraph does not apply to the borrowing policy set forth in paragraph 1 above.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing limitations, any investment company, whether organized as a trust, association or corporation, or a personal holding company, may be merged or consolidated with or acquired by the Trust, provided that if such merger, consolidation or acquisition results in an investment in the securities of any issuer prohibited by said paragraphs, the Trust shall, within ninety days after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or acquisition, dispose of all of the securities of such issuer so acquired or such portion thereof as shall bring the total investment therein within the limitations imposed by said paragraphs above as of the date of consummation.
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISER
The Adviser Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC, dba Mission Funds Advisors (the Adviser), located at 2651 North Harwood Street, Suite 525, Dallas, Texas 75201, manages the investments of the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the Advisory Agreement). The Adviser is a limited liability company and was organized in _____, 2017. As of November 30, 2017, the Adviser had approximately $XX million in assets under management. Mr. Michael A. Young is President of the Adviser and Mr. Jeffrey J. Groves is Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser.
The Adviser assumed responsibility for managing the Fund pursuant to an interim advisory agreement on November 7, 2017. Under the terms of the interim advisory agreement, the Adviser was entitlted to receive compensation at the rate of 1.25%, which was the annualized fee rate in place for the previous investment adviser to the Fund; however, the Adviser voluntarily waived fees such that the compensation during the interim period accrued at the rate of 0.60% - all compensation during the interim period was held in an escrow account. On December 7, 2017, shareholders of the Fund approved the Advisory Agreement and that agreement became effective on December 8, 2017.
Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser manages the investment portfolio of the Fund, subject to the policies adopted by the Trusts Board of Trustees. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Trust, furnishes office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and executive personnel necessary for managing the assets of the Fund. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser assumes and pays all ordinary expenses of the Fund, except that the Fund pays all management fees, brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, interest expense, Underlying Fund fees and expenses, all expenses which it is
14
authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and extraordinary or non-recurring expenses. The Adviser is authorized, subject to approval by the Board and if applicable shareholders of the Fund.
For its services with respect to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual management fee calculated daily and payable monthly, as a percentage of the Funds average daily net assets at the rate of 0.60%. The Adviser retains the right to use the names Mission and Auour or any derivative thereof in connection with another investment company or business enterprise with which the Adviser is or may become associated. The Trusts right to use the names Mission and Auour or any derivative thereof automatically ceases ninety days after termination of the Advisory Agreement and may be withdrawn by the Adviser on ninety days written notice. The services furnished by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and the Adviser is free to perform similar services for others.
The Adviser may make payments to banks or other financial institutions that provide shareholder services and administer shareholder accounts. If a bank or other financial institution were prohibited from continuing to perform all or a part of such services, management of the Fund believes that there would be no material impact on the Fund or its shareholders. Financial institutions may charge their customers fees for offering these services to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authorities, and the overall return to those shareholders availing themselves of the financial institutions services will be lower than to those shareholders who do not. The Fund may from time to time purchase securities issued by financial institutions that provide such services; however, in selecting investments for the Fund, no preference will be shown for such securities.
Effective December 8, 2017, the Adviser entered into a written expense limitation agreement under which it has agreed to limit the total expenses of the Fund (exclusive of interest, distribution fees pursuant to Rule 12b-1 Plans, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses and dividend expense on short sales) to an annual rate of 1.20% of the average daily net assets of the Investor, Class A and Institutional Classes of shares of Fund and 1.12% of the Class Z shares. The Adviser may not terminate this expense limitation agreement prior to April 30, 2019. Each waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within three fiscal years following the fiscal year in which the expense was incurred, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement and at the time the waiver or reimbursement is recouped.
Prior to November 7, 2017, the Fund was managed by another investment adviser at the annual rate of 1.25% on the first $500 million of average daily net assets and 1.00% of average daily net assets over $500 million of the Fund. The previous investment adviser received the following payments for each of the years set forth below ending on December 31:
2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||
Gross Advisory Fees | $178,199 | $213,905 | $268,811 | |||
Waivers and reimbursements | $107,124 | $192,856 | $157,563 | |||
Net Advisory fees | $ 71,075 | $ 21,049 | $111,248 | |||
The Adviser has retained the services of Auour Investments, LLC (Sub-Adviser), 162 Main St., Suite 2, Wenham, MA 01984, pursuant to the terms of a sub-advisory agreement (the
15
Sub-Advisory Agreement) to serve as sub-adviser to the Fund. The Sub-Adviser is controlled by Joseph B Hosler, Robert Z Kuftinec and Kenneth J Doerr. As of November 30, 2017, the Sub-Adviser had approximately $[180] million in assets under management. The Sub-Adviser has provided investment advisory services to high net worth individuals, pension and profit sharing plans and charitable organizations since March 15, 2013. The Sub-Adviser began providing sub-advisory services on November 7, 2017. At a meeting held on December 7, 2018, shareholders of the Fund approved the Sub-Advisory Agreement and that agreement became effective on December ___, 2017. Under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day decision-making with respect to the Funds investment program although the Adviser retains the authority and responsibility to execute portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser, with the Advisers oversight, manages the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, continuously reviews, supervises and administers the investment program of the Fund, determines in its discretion the securities to be purchased or sold and provides the Trust and its agents with records relating to its activities. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser at the annualized rate of 0.45% for average daily net assets of the Fund. During the interm period described herein, the Sub-Adviser was not compensated by the Adviser under the interim sub-advisory agreement.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Boards approval of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and the Sub-Advisory Agreement will be available in the Funds annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2017.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Portfolio Manager - As described in the prospectus, Messrs. Joseph B Hosler, Robert Z Kuftinec and Kenneth J Doerr, serve as the Portfolio Managers responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the Fund and have done so since November 7, 2017 under the terms of an interim agreement and effective as of December ___, 2017 pursuant to the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement. This section of the SAI includes information about the Portfolio Managers, including information about other accounts they manage, the dollar range of Fund shares owned and compensation.
The following table provides information as of November 30, 2017, regarding any other accounts managed by the portfolio manager for the Fund. As noted in the table, the portfolio manager managing the Fund may also manage or be a member of management teams for other similar accounts.
16
Portfolio
Manager (Fund) |
Registered Investment Companies |
Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles |
Other Accounts | |||
Number
of
Accounts |
Total
Assets
(in millions) |
Number
of
Accounts |
Total
Assets
(in millions) |
Number
of
Accounts |
Total
Assets (in millions) |
|
Joseph B Hosler | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 100 | $350 |
Accounts where compensation is based upon account performance | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
Robert Z Kuftinec | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 100 | $350 |
Accounts where compensation is based upon account performance | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
Kenneth J Doerr | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 100 | $350 |
Accounts where compensation is based upon account performance | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
As of November 30, 2017, Messrs. Hosler, Kutinec and Doerr did not beneficially own shares of the Fund.
Conflicts of Interests . The Portfolio Managers management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with his management of a Funds investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts may have the same investment objective as the Fund. Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby the Portfolio Manager could favor one account over another. Another potential conflict could include the Portfolio Managers knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby the Portfolio Manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund. However, the Adviser has established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are fairly and equitably allocated.
Compensation . The Portfolio Managers do not receive compensation that is based upon the Fund, any separate account strategy, partnership or any other commingled accounts, or any private accounts pre- or after-tax performance, or the value of the assets held by such entities. The Portfolio Managers do not receive any special or additional compensation from the Adviser for his service as Portfolio Manager. The Portfolio Managers receives a salary from the Adviser. In addition to base salary, the Portfolio Managers may receive additional bonus compensation which is tied to the overall financial operating results of the Adviser.
Fund Shares Owned by the Portfolio Managers. The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Portfolio Managers in the Fund as of November 30, 2017.
Name of Portfolio Manager | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund / Name of Fund |
Joseph B Hosler | None |
Robert Z Kuftinec | None |
Kenneth J Doerr | None |
17
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Administrator, Fund Accountant and Transfer Agent . Pursuant to a Fund Services Agreement, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. (CFS), 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, serves as the Funds administrator, transfer agent and accounting agent.
In its capacity as administrator, CFS supervises all aspects of the operations of the Fund except those performed by the Adviser. CFS will provide certain administrative services and facilities for the Fund, including preparing and maintaining certain books, records, and monitoring compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements. CFS, as administrative agent for the Fund, will provide shareholder, recordkeeping, administrative and blue-sky filing services.
As transfer agent, CFS provides certain shareholder and other services to the Fund, including furnishing account and transaction information and maintaining shareholder account records. CFS will be responsible for processing orders and payments for share purchases. CFS will mail proxy materials (and receive and tabulate proxies), shareholder reports, confirmation forms for purchases and redemptions and prospectuses to shareholders. CFS will disburse income dividends and capital distributions and prepare and file appropriate tax-related information concerning dividends and distributions to shareholders.
CFS also provides accounting services to the Fund. CFS will be responsible for accounting relating to the Fund and its investment transactions; maintaining certain books and records of the Fund; determining daily the net asset value per share of the Fund; and preparing security position, transaction and cash position reports. CFS also monitors periodic distributions of gains or losses on portfolio sales and maintains a daily listing of portfolio holdings. CFS is responsible for providing expenses accrued and payment reporting services, tax-related financial information to the Trust, and for monitoring compliance with the regulatory requirements relating to maintaining accounting records.
CFS receives, for administrative services, an asset-based fee based computed daily and paid monthly on the average daily net assets of the Fund, subject to a minimum fee plus out-of-pocket expenses. CFS receives, for transfer agency services, per account fees computed daily and paid monthly, subject to a minimum fee plus out-of-pocket expenses. CFS receives, for fund accounting services, an asset-based fee, computed daily and paid monthly on the average daily net assets of the Fund, subject to a minimum fee plus out-of-pocket expenses.
Prior to November ___, 2017, CFS only provided administrative and transfer agency services to the Fund. The following table provides information regarding administrative services and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to CFS during the periods indicated.
Prior to _______________, 2017, pursuant to a Custodian Agreement and the Accounting Agency Agreement with the Trust, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (BBH), 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, acts as the custodian of the Funds securities and cash and as the Funds accounting services agent.
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31, |
Fees Paid
for
Administrative Services* |
Fees Paid
for Transfer
Agent Services* |
Fees Paid
for
Accounting Services** |
2016 | $30,000 | $50,091 | |
2015 | $30,000 | $58,522 | |
2014 | $41,695 | $68,050 |
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Custodian . Fifth Third Bank (the Custodian), 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263, serves as the custodian of the Funds assets. The Custodian has entered into a foreign sub-custody arrangement with The Bank of New York, as the approved foreign custody manager (the Delegate) to perform certain functions with respect to the custody of the Funds assets outside of the United States of America. The Delegate shall place and maintain the Funds assets with an eligible foreign custodian; provided that, the Delegate shall be required to determine that the Funds assets will be subject to reasonable care based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market.
Distributor and Principal Underwriter . First Dominion Capital Corp. (FDCC or the Distributor), located at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement (the Distribution Agreement). Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor serves as the Funds principal underwriter and acts as exclusive agent for the Fund in selling its shares to the public on a best efforts basis and then only in respect to orders placed that is, the Distributor is under no obligations to sell any specific number of Shares. The continuance of the Distribution Agreement must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Trustees or by a vote of the shareholders of the Fund and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the Distribution Agreement or any related agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
FDCC is registered as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The offering of the Funds shares is continuous. The Distributor may receive distribution 12b-1 and service fees from the Fund, as described in the prospectus and this SAI. FDCC is entitled to a portion of the front-end sales charge on the sale of Class A Shares as described in the prospectus and this SAI. FDCC is also entitled to the payment of deferred sales charges upon the redemption of Fund shares as described in the Funds prospectus and in this SAI. For its underwriting services, the Distributor my receive compensation from the Funds 12b-1 Plan to the extent that such plan generates sufficient fees to compensate for these services; otherwise, the Funds Adviser is responsible for payment for such underwriting services.
The table below shows the total compensation that the Fund paid to FDCC for the last three fiscal years:
Fiscal year
ended
December 31: |
Net underwriting
discounts and concessions |
Compensation
on
redemptions and repurchases |
Brokerage
commissions |
Other
compensation (1) |
2016 | $12 | $24 | None | $37,666 |
2015 | $518 | $312 | None | $45,749 |
2014 | $838 | $474 | None | $59,560 |
19
Legal Counsel . The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc., a member firm of The 1940 Act Law Group TM , 11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310, Leawood, KS 66211, serves as legal counsel to the Trust and the Fund.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . The Funds independent registered public accounting firm, Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, audits the Funds annual financial statements, assists in the preparation of certain reports to the SEC, and prepares the Trusts tax returns. Tait, Weller & Baker LLP is located at 1818 Market Street, Suite 2400, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.
TRUSTEES & OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
Trustees and Officers . The Trust is governed by the Board, which is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The trustees are experienced businesspersons who meet throughout the year to oversee the Trusts activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the Fund and review performance. The names, addresses and ages of the trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal occupations during the past five years, are listed below.
Each Trustee was nominated to serve on the Board of Trustees based on their particular experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills. Generally, the Trust believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience; (ii) qualifications; (iii) attributes; and (iv) skills. Mr. David J. Urban has been a Professor of Education since 1989. His strategic planning, organizational and leadership skills help the Board set long-term goals. Ms. Mary Lou H. Ivey has business experience as a practicing tax accountant since 1996 and, as such, brings tax, budgeting and financial reporting skills to the Board. Mr. Theo H. Pitt has experience as an investor, including his role as trustee of several other investment companies and business experience as Senior Partner of a financial consulting company, as a partner of a real estate partnership and as an Account Administrator for a money management firm. The Trust does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustees qualifications, but that the collective experience of each Trustee makes them each highly qualified.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees is Ms. Ivey, who is not an interested person of the Trust, within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Trust also has an independent Audit Committee that allows the Board to access the expertise necessary of oversee the Trust, identify risks, recognize shareholder concerns and needs and highlight opportunities. The Audit Committee is able to focus Board time and attention to matters of interest to shareholders and, through its private sessions with the Trusts auditor, Chief Compliance Officer and legal counsel, stay fully informed regarding management decisions.
Mutual funds face a number of risks, including investment risk, compliance risk and valuation risk. The Board oversees management of the Funds risks directly and through its officers. While day-to-day risk management responsibilities rest with the the Funds Chief Compliance Officer, investment advisers and other service providers, the Board monitors and tracks risk by: (1) receiving and reviewing quarterly reports related to the performance and operations of the Fund; (2) reviewing and approving, as applicable, the compliance policies and procedures of the Trust, including the Trusts valuation policies and transaction procedures; (3) periodically meeting with the portfolio manager to review investment strategies, techniques and
20
related risks; (4) meeting with representatives of key service providers, including the Funds investment advisers, administrator, distributor, transfer agent and the independent registered public accounting firm, to discuss the activities of the Fund; (5) engaging the services of the Chief Compliance Officer of the the Fund to monitor and test the compliance procedures of the Trust and its service providers; (6) receiving and reviewing reports from the Trusts independent registered public accounting firm regarding the Funds financial condition and the Trusts internal controls; and (7) receiving and reviewing an annual written report prepared by the Chief Compliance Officer reviewing the adequacy of the Trusts compliance policies and procedures and the effectiveness of their implementation. The Board has concluded that its general oversight of the investment advisers and other service providers as implemented through the reporting and monitoring process outlined above allows the Board to effectively administer its risk oversight function.
Following is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust and their principal occupation over the last five years. The mailing address of each Trustee and officer is 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond VA, 23235, unless otherwise indicated.
NAME,
AGE
AND POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST |
TERM
OF
OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS |
NUMBER
OF FUNDS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY TRUSTEE |
David J. Urban
(62) Trustee |
Indefinite, Since June 2010 | Dean, Jones College of Business, Middle Tennessee State University since July 2013; Virginia Commonwealth University, Professor of Marketing from 1989 to 2013. | 50 | None |
Mary Lou H.
Ivey
(59) Trustee |
Indefinite, Since June 2010 | Accountant, Harris, Hardy & Johnstone, P.C., accounting firm, since 2008. | 50 | None |
Theo H. Pitt,
Jr.
(81) Trustee |
Indefinite; Since August 2013 | Senior Partner, Community Financial Institutions Consulting (bank consulting) 1997 to present. | 50 | Independent Trustee of Chesapeake Investment Trust for the one series of that trust; Leeward Investment Trust for the one series of that trust; Hillman Capital Management Investment Trust for the one series of that trust; and Starboard Investment Trust for the 17 series of that trust; (all registered investment companies). |
21
NAME,
AGE
AND POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST |
TERM
OF
OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS |
NUMBER
OF FUNDS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY TRUSTEE |
David A.
Bogaert (53) President and Principal Executive Officer |
Indefinite, Since August 2017 | Managing Director of Business Development, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., October 2013 present; Senior Vice President of Business Development and other positions for Huntington Asset Services, Inc. from 1986 to 2013. | N/A | N/A |
Karen M. Shupe
(53) Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer |
Indefinite, Since June 2008 | Managing Director of Fund Operations, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 2003 - present. | N/A | N/A |
Ann T.
MacDonald (62) Assistant Treasurer |
Indefinite, Since November 2015 | Director, Fund Administration and Fund Accounting, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 2003 present. | N/A | N/A |
John H. Lively
(48) Secretary |
Indefinite, Since November 2013 | Attorney, The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. (law firm), March 2010 to present: | N/A | N/A |
Holly B.
Giangiulio (54) Assistant Secretary |
Indefinite, Since May 2015 | Managing Director, Corporate Operations, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., January 2015 to present; Corporate Accounting and HR Manager from 2010 to 2015. | N/A | N/A |
Julian G.
Winters (48) Chief Compliance Officer |
Indefinite, Since August 2013 | Managing Member of Watermark Solutions, LLC (investment compliance and consulting) , March 2007 to present. | N/A | N/A |
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees oversees the Trust and certain aspects of the services provided by the Adviser and the Funds other service providers. Each Trustee will hold office until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Each officer of the Trust serves at the pleasure of the Board and for a term of one year or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.
The Trust has a standing Audit Committee of the Board composed of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey and Mr. Pitt. The functions of the Audit Committee are to meet with the Trusts independent auditors to review the scope and findings of the annual audit, discuss the Trusts accounting policies, discuss any recommendations of the independent auditors with respect to the Trusts management practices, review the impact of changes in accounting standards on the Trusts financial statements, recommend to the Board the selection of independent registered public accounting firm, and perform such other duties as may be assigned to the Audit Committee by the Board. For the Funds most recent period ended December 31, 2016, the Audit Committee met eight times.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey and Mr. Pitt. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees purposes, duties and powers are set forth in its written charter, which is described in Exhibit C the charter also describes the process by which shareholders of the Trust may make nominations. For the Funds most recent period ended December 31, 2016, the Committee met once.
The Valuation Committee is comprised of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey and Mr. Pitt. The Valuation Committee meets as needed in the event that the Fund holds any securities that are subject to valuation and it reviews the fair valuation of such securities on an as needed basis. For the Funds most recent period ended December 31, 2016, the Committee did not meet.
The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee is comprised of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey and Mr. Pitt. The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee receives, investigates, and makes recommendations as to the appropriate remedial action in connection with any report of evidence of a material violation of the securities laws or breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Trust, its officers, Trustees, or agents. For the Funds most recent period ended December 31, 2016, the Committee did not meet.
Trustee Compensation . Each Trustee who is not an interested person of the Trust may receive compensation for their services to the Trust. All Trustees are reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings. Effective July 1, 2017, each Trustee receives a retainer fee at the annualized rate of $50,000. Additionally, each Trustee receives a fee of $2,500 per special in person meeting and $1,250 per special telephonic meeting. Compensation received from the Trust for the year ended December 31, 2016 is as follows:
23
(1) The Fund Complex consists of the Trust, which is comprised of the 58 Funds.
Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares The table below shoes for each Trustee, the amount of Fund equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee, and the aggregate value of all investments in equity securities of the Fund of the Trust, as of December 31, 2016, and stated as one of the following ranges: A = None; B = $1-$10,000; C = $10,001-$50,000; D = $50,001-$100,000; and E = over $100,000 .
Name of Trustee |
Dollar
Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund |
Aggregate
Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in all Registered Investment Companies Overseen by the Trustees in Family of Investment Companies |
Non-Interested Trustees | ||
David J. Urban | A | A |
Mary Lou H. Ivey | A | A |
Theo H. Pitt, Jr. | A | A |
Sales Loads . No front-end or deferred sales charges are applied to purchase of Fund shares by current or former trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust, the Adviser or the principal underwriter and by the members of their immediate families.
Policies Concerning Personal Investment Activities . The Fund, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics, pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that permit investment personnel, subject to their particular code of ethics, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, for their own account.
24
The Codes of Ethics are on file with, and can be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D. C. In addition, the Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet website at http://www.sec.gov .
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITIES HOLDERS
A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of a Fund or acknowledges the existence of such control. As a controlling shareholder, each of these persons could control the outcome of any proposal submitted to the shareholders for approval, including changes to a Funds fundamental policies or the terms of the management agreement with the Adviser.
As of ________, 2017, the following persons were record owners (or to the knowledge of the Trust, beneficial owners) of 5% or more of each of the classes of shares of the Fund.
[INSERT TABLE]
As of the date of this SAI, none of the other classes of shares of the Fund have been offered to the public and therefore they do not have any shareholders who beneficially own of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund. As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers of the Trust beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
General Policy . The Fund adheres to Section 2(a)(41), and Rule 2a-4 thereunder, of the 1940 Act with respect to the valuation of portfolio securities. In general, securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at current market value, and all other securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board. In complying with the 1940 Act, the Trust relies on guidance provided by the SEC and by the SEC staff in various interpretive letters and other guidance.
Equity Securities . Securities listed on a securities exchange, market or automated quotation system for which quotations are readily available (except for securities traded on NASDAQ), including securities traded over the counter, are valued at the last quoted sale price on the primary exchange or market (foreign or domestic) on which they are traded on valuation date (or at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET if a securitys primary exchange is normally open at that time), or, if there is no such reported sale on the valuation date, at the most recent quoted bid price. For securities traded on NASDAQ, the NASDAQ Official Closing Price will be used. If such prices are not available or determined to not represent the fair value of the security as of a Funds pricing time, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Trusts Board of Trustees.
Money Market Securities and other Debt Securities . If available, money market securities and other debt securities are priced based upon valuations provided by recognized independent, third-party pricing agents. Such values generally reflect the last reported sales price if the security is actively traded. The third-party pricing agents may also value debt securities by employing methodologies that utilize actual market transactions, broker-supplied valuations, or
25
other methodologies designed to identify the market value for such securities. Such methodologies generally consider such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings and developments relating to specific securities in arriving at valuations. Money market securities and other debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less may be valued at their amortized cost, which approximates market value. If such prices are not available or determined to not represent the fair value of the security as of the Funds pricing time, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Trusts Board of Trustees.
Use of Third-Party Pricing Agents . Pursuant to contracts with the Administrator, market prices for securities held by the Fund is generally provided daily by third-party independent pricing agents that are approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The valuations provided by third-party independent pricing agents are reviewed daily by the Administrator.
DISTRIBUTION
The Distributor may from time to time offer incentive compensation to dealers (which sell shares of the Fund that are subject to sales charges) allowing such dealers to retain an additional portion of the sales load. A dealer who receives all of the sales load may be considered an underwriter of a Funds shares.
In connection with promotion of the sales of the Fund, the Distributor may, from time to time, offer (to all broker dealers who have a sales agreement with the Distributor) the opportunity to participate in sales incentive programs (which may include non-cash concessions). The Distributor may also, from time to time, pay expenses and fees required in order to participate in dealer sponsored seminars and conferences, reimburse dealers for expenses incurred in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising, and may, from time to time, pay or allow additional promotional incentives to dealers as part of pre-approved sales contests.
Statement of Intention . The reduced sales charge and public offering price applicable to Class A Shares, as set forth in the prospectus, applies to purchases of $50,000 or more made within a 13-month period pursuant to the terms of a written Statement of Intention in the form provided by the Distributor and signed by the purchaser. The Statement of Intention is not a binding obligation to purchase the indicated amount. Class A Shares equal to 4.50% (declining to 0.00% after an aggregate of $1,000,000 has been purchased under the Statement of Intention) of the dollar amount specified in the Statement of Intention will be held in escrow and capital gain distributions on these escrowed shares will be credited to the shareholders account in shares (or paid in cash, if requested). If the intended investment is not completed within the specified 13-month period, the purchaser will remit to the Distributor the difference between the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge which would have been paid if the total purchases had been made at a single time. If the difference is not paid within 20 days after written request by the Distributor or the securities dealer, the appropriate number of escrowed Class A Shares will be redeemed to pay such difference.
In the case of purchase orders by the trustees of certain employee plans by payroll deduction, the sales charge for the investments made during the 13-month period will be based on the following: total investments made the first month of the 13-month period times 13; as the period progresses the sales charge will be based (1) on the actual investment made previously during the 13-month period, plus (2) the current months investments times the number of months
26
remaining in the 13-month period. There will be no retroactive adjustments in sales charge on investments previously made during the 13-month period.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND SALES
Purchasing Shares . You may purchase shares of the Fund directly from the Distributor. You may also buy shares through accounts with brokers and other institutions (authorized institutions) that are authorized to place trades in Fund shares for their customers. If you invest through an authorized institution, you will have to follow its procedures. Your institution may charge a fee for its services, in addition to the fees charged by the Fund. You will also generally have to address your correspondence or questions regarding the Fund to your authorized institution. The offering price per share is equal to the NAV next determined after the Fund or authorized institution receives your purchase order, plus any applicable sales charge.
Your authorized institution is responsible for transmitting all subscription and redemption requests, investment information, documentation and money to the Fund on time. Certain authorized institutions have agreements with the Fund that allow them to enter confirmed purchase or redemption orders on behalf of clients and customers. Under this arrangement, the authorized institution must send your payment to the Fund by the time it prices its shares on the following day. If your authorized institution fails to do so, it may be responsible for any resulting fees or losses.
The Fund reserve the right to reject any purchase order and to suspend the offering of shares. Under certain circumstances the Trust or the Adviser may waive the minimum initial investment for purchases by officers, trustees, and employees of the Trust and its affiliated entities and for certain related advisory accounts and retirement accounts (such as IRAs). The Fund may also change or waive policies concerning minimum investment amounts at any time.
Exchanging Shares . If you request the exchange of the total value of your account from one fund to another, we will reinvest any declared but unpaid income dividends and capital gain distributions in the new fund at its net asset value. Backup withholding and information reporting may apply. Information regarding the possible tax consequences of an exchange appears in the tax section in this SAI.
If a substantial number of shareholders sell their shares of a Fund under the exchange privilege, within a short period, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities that it would otherwise have held, thus incurring additional transactional costs. Increased use of the exchange privilege may also result in periodic large inflows of money. If this occurs, it is a Funds general policy to initially invest in short-term, interest-bearing money market instruments.
However, if the Adviser believes that attractive investment opportunities (consistent with a Funds investment objective and policies) exist immediately, then it will invest such money in portfolio securities in as orderly a manner as is possible.
The proceeds from the sale of shares of the Fund may not be available until the third business day following the sale. The fund you are seeking to exchange into may also delay issuing shares until that third business day. The sale of Fund shares to complete an exchange will be effected at net asset value of the Fund next computed after your request for exchange is received in proper form.
27
Eligible Benefit Plans . An eligible benefit plan is an arrangement available to the employees of an employer (or two or more affiliated employers) having not less than 10 employees at the plans inception, or such an employer on behalf of employees of a trust or plan for such employees, their spouses and their children under the age of 21 or a trust or plan for such employees, which provides for purchases through periodic payroll deductions or otherwise. There must be at least 5 initial participants with accounts investing or invested in Fund shares and/or certain other funds.
The initial purchase by the eligible benefit plan and prior purchases by or for the benefit of the initial participants of the plan must aggregate not less than $2,500 and subsequent purchases must be at least $50 per account and must aggregate at least $250. Purchases by the eligible benefit plan must be made pursuant to a single order paid for by a single check or federal funds wire and may not be made more often than monthly. A separate account will be established for each employee, spouse or child for which purchases are made. The requirements for initiating or continuing purchases pursuant to an eligible benefit plan may be modified and the offering to such plans may be terminated at any time without prior notice.
Selling Shares . You may sell your shares by giving instructions to the Transfer Agent by mail or by telephone. The Fund will use reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine and, if the procedures are followed, will not be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transactions.
The Funds procedure is to redeem shares at the NAV next determined after the Transfer Agent receives the redemption request in proper order, less any applicable deferred sales charge on purchases held for less than one year and for which no sales charge was paid at the time of purchase. Payment will be made promptly, but no later than the seventh day following the receipt of the redemption request in proper order. The Board may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment during any period when (a) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted as determined by the SEC or such exchange is closed for other than weekends and holidays, (b) the SEC has by order permitted such suspension, or (c) an emergency, as defined by rules of the SEC, exists during which time the sale of Fund shares or valuation of securities held by the Fund is not reasonably practicable.
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
The Adviser or the Distributor and their affiliates may, out of their own resources and without additional cost to the Fund or its shareholders, pay a solicitation fee to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
As described briefly in the applicable prospectus, the Fund offer the following shareholder services:
Regular Account . The regular account allows for voluntary investments to be made at any time. Available to individuals, custodians, corporations, trusts, estates, corporate retirement plans and others, investors are free to make additions and withdrawals to or from their account as often as they wish. Simply use the account application provided with the prospectus to open your account.
Telephone Transactions . A shareholder may redeem shares or transfer into another fund by telephone if this service is requested at the time the shareholder completes the initial account
28
application. If it is not elected at that time, it may be elected at a later date by making a request in writing to the Transfer Agent and having the signature on the request guaranteed. The Fund employs reasonable procedures designed to confirm the authenticity of instructions communicated by telephone and, if it does not, it may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. As a result of this policy, a shareholder authorizing telephone redemption or transfer bears the risk of loss which may result from unauthorized or fraudulent transactions which the Fund believes to be genuine. When requesting a telephone redemption or transfer, the shareholder will be asked to respond to certain questions designed to confirm he shareholders identity as the shareholder of record. Cooperation with these procedures helps to protect the account and the Fund from unauthorized transactions.
Automatic Investment Plan . Any shareholder may utilize this feature, which provides for automatic monthly investments into your account. Upon your request, the Transfer Agent will withdraw a fixed amount each month from a checking or savings account for investment into the Fund. This does not require a commitment for a fixed period of time. A shareholder may change the monthly investment, skip a month or discontinue the Automatic Investment Plan as desired by notifying the Transfer Agent at (800) 628-4077.
Retirement Plans . Fund shares are available for purchase in connection with the following tax-deferred prototype retirement plans:
1. Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) . IRAs are available for use by individuals with compensation for services rendered who wish to use shares of the Fund as the funding medium for individual retirement savings. IRAs include traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs and Rollover IRAs.
2. Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEPs) . SEPs are a form of retirement plan for sole proprietors, partnerships and corporations.
For information about eligibility requirements and other matters concerning these plans and to obtain the necessary forms to participate in these plans, please call the Trust at 800-673-0550. Each plans custodian charges nominal fees in connection with plan establishment and maintenance. These fees are detailed in the plan documents. You may wish to consult with your attorney or other tax adviser for specific advice concerning your tax status and plans.
Exchange Privilege . To the extent that the Advisermanages other funds in the Trust, shareholders may exchange their shares for shares of any other series of the Trust managed by the Adviser, provided the shares of the Fund the shareholder is exchanging into are registered for sale in the shareholders state of residence. Each account must meet the minimum investment requirements. As of the date of this prospectus, the Adviser manages 5 funds in the Trust. Also, to make an exchange, an exchange order must comply with the requirements for a redemption or repurchase order and must specify the value or the number of shares to be exchanged. Your exchange will take effect as of the next determination of the Funds NAV per share (usually at the close of business on the same day). The Transfer Agent will charge your account a $10 service fee each time you make such an exchange. The Trust reserves the right to limit the number of exchanges or to otherwise prohibit or restrict shareholders from making exchanges at any time, without notice, should the Trust determine that it would be in the best interest of its shareholders to do so. For tax purposes, an exchange constitutes the sale of the shares of the fund from which you are exchanging and the purchase of shares of the fund into which you are exchanging. Consequently, the sale may involve either a capital gain or loss to the shareholder for federal
29
income tax purposes. The exchange privilege is available only in states where it is legally permissible to do so.
TAXES
The following discussion is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders. The discussion reflects applicable federal income tax laws of the U.S. as of the date of this SAI, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS), possibly with retroactive effect. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. income, estate or gift tax, or foreign, state or local tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning large positions in the Fund). The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.
In addition, no attempt is made to address tax concerns applicable to an investor with a special tax status such as a financial institution, real estate investment trust, insurance company, regulated investment company (RIC), individual retirement account, other tax-exempt entity, dealer in securities or non-U.S. investor. Furthermore, this discussion does not reflect possible application of the alternative minimum tax (AMT). Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes shares of the Fund is held by U.S. shareholders and that such shares are held as capital assets.
At the time this SAI was being prepared, the President and members of Congress have introduced various tax reform proposals. At this time, it not possible to predict if any of these proposals will become a law or, if so, how such proposals might affect the Fund and its shareholders.
A U.S. shareholder is a beneficial owner of shares of the Fund that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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a citizen
or individual resident of the United States (including certain former citizens and
former long-term residents);
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a corporation
or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created
or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the
District of Columbia;
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an estate,
the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its
source; or
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a trust with
respect to which a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision
over its administration and one or more U.S. shareholders have the authority to
control all of its substantial decisions or the trust has made a valid election
in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
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A Non-U.S. shareholder is a beneficial owner of shares of the Fund that is an individual, corporation, trust or estate and is not a U.S. shareholder. If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of the Fund, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally depends upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective shareholder who is a partner of a partnership holding the Fund shares should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of its Fund shares.
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Taxation as a RIC. The Fund intends to qualify and remain qualified as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Internal Revenue Code). The Fund will qualify as a RIC if, among other things, it meets the source-of-income and the asset-diversification requirements. With respect to the source-of-income requirement, the Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income (including tax-exempt interest) from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such shares, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership. A qualified publicly traded partnership is generally defined as a publicly traded partnership under Internal Revenue Code section 7704. However, for these purposes, a qualified publicly traded partnership does not include a publicly traded partnership if 90% or more of its income is described in (i) above. Income derived from a partnership (other than a qualified publicly traded partnership) or trust is qualifying income to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership or trust which would be qualifying income if realized by the Fund in the same manner as realized by the partnership or trust.
The Fund intends to invest in ETFs that are taxable as RICs under the Code. Accordingly, the income the Fund receive from such ETFs should be qualifying income for purposes of the Fund satisfying the 90% Test described above. However, the Fund may also invest in one or more ETFs that are not taxable as RICs under the Code and that may generate non-qualifying income for purposes of satisfying the 90% Test. The Fund anticipates monitoring its investments in such ETFs so as to keep the Funds non-qualifying income within acceptable limits of the 90% Test, however, it is possible that such non-qualifying income will be more than anticipated which could cause the Fund to inadvertently fail the 90% Test thereby causing the Fund to fail to qualify as a RIC. In such a case, the Fund would be subject to the rules described below.
If a RIC fails this 90% source-of-income test as long as such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect it is no longer subject to a 35%. Instead, the amount of the penalty for non-compliance is the amount by which the non-qualifying income exceeds one-ninth of the qualifying gross income.
With respect to the asset-diversification requirement, the Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (i) at least 50% of the value of the Funds total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Funds total assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Funds total assets is invested in the securities other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs of (a) one issuer, (b) two or more issuers that are controlled by the Fund and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (c) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.
If a RIC fails this asset-diversification test, such RIC, in addition to other cure provisions previously permitted, has a 6-month period to correct any failure without incurring a penalty if such failure is de minimis, meaning that the failure does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the RICs assets, or $10 million.
Similarly, if a RIC fails this asset-diversification test and the failure is not de minimis, a RIC can cure failure if: (a) the RIC files with the Treasury Department a description of each asset
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that causes the RIC to fail the diversification tests; (b) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect; and (c) the failure is cured within six months (or such other period specified by the Treasury). In such cases, a tax is imposed on the RIC equal to the greater of: (a) $50,000 or (b) an amount determined by multiplying the highest rate of tax (currently 35%) by the amount of net income generated during the period of diversification test failure by the assets that caused the RIC to fail the diversification test.
If the Fund qualifies as a RIC and distributes to its shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of the sum of (i) its investment company taxable income as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code (which includes, among other things, dividends, taxable interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses and certain net foreign exchange gains as reduced by certain deductible expenses) without regard to the deduction for dividends paid, and (ii) the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain deductions attributable to such interest that are otherwise disallowed, the Fund will be relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gain, distributed to shareholders. However, any ordinary income or capital gain retained by the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate federal income tax rates (currently at a maximum rate of 35%). The Fund intends to distribute at least annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt interest, and net capital gain.
The Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the portion of its undistributed ordinary income with respect to each calendar year and undistributed capital gains if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to the one-year period ending on October 31 in that calendar year. To avoid the 4% federal excise tax, the required minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of (i) 98% of the Funds ordinary income (computed on a calendar year basis), (ii) 98.2% of the Funds capital gain net income (generally computed for the one-year period ending on October 31) and (iii) any income realized, but not distributed, and on which we paid no federal income tax in preceding years. The Fund generally intends to make distributions in a timely manner in an amount at least equal to the required minimum distribution and therefore, under normal market conditions, does not expect to be subject to this excise tax.
The Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which it does not receive cash. For example, if the Fund holds debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with payment in kind interest or, in certain cases, with increasing interest rates or that are issued with warrants), the Fund must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by the Fund in the same taxable year. Because any original issue discount accrued will be included in the Funds investment company taxable income (discussed above) for the year of accrual, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to its shareholders to satisfy the distribution requirement, even though it will not have received an amount of cash that corresponds with the income earned.
To the extent that the Fund has capital loss carryforwards from prior tax years, those carryforwards will reduce the net capital gains that can support a Funds distribution of Capital Gain Dividends. If the Fund uses net capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning on or before December 22, 2010 (pre-2011 losses), those carryforwards will not reduce a Funds current earnings and profits, as losses incurred in later years will. As a result, if the Fund then makes distributions of capital gains recognized during the current year in excess of net capital gains (as reduced by carryforwards), the portion of the excess equal to pre-2011 losses factoring into net capital gain will be taxable as an ordinary dividend distribution, even though that distributed excess amount would not have been subject to tax if retained by the Fund. Capital loss carryforwards are
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reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether the Fund retains or distributes such gains. Beginning in 2011, a RIC is permitted to carry forward net capital losses indefinitely and may allow losses to retain their original character (as short or as long-term). For net capital losses recognized prior to such date, such losses are permitted to be carried forward up to 8 years and are characterized as short-term. These capital loss carryforwards may be utilized in future years to offset net realized capital gains of the Fund, if any, prior to distributing such gains to shareholders.
Except as set forth in Failure to Qualify as a RIC, the remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund will qualify as a RIC for each taxable year.
Failure to Qualify as a RIC. If the Fund is unable to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement or otherwise fails to qualify as a RIC in any year, it will be subject to corporate level income tax on all of its income and gain, regardless of whether or not such income was distributed. Distributions to a Funds shareholders of such income and gain will not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In such event, a Funds distributions, to the extent derived from the Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits, would constitute ordinary dividends, which would generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders, and non-corporate shareholders would generally be able to treat such distributions as qualified dividend income eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation, if holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
Distributions in excess of a Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholders tax basis in their Fund shares, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. To qualify as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, the Fund would be required to satisfy the source-of-income, the asset diversification, and the annual distribution requirements for that year and dispose of any earnings and profits from any year in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC. Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under the Internal Revenue Code for at least one year prior to disqualification and that requalify as a RIC no later than the second year following the nonqualifying year, the Fund would be subject to tax on any unrealized built-in gains in the assets held by it during the period in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC that are recognized within the subsequent 10 years, unless the Fund made a special election to pay corporate-level tax on such built-in gain at the time of its requalification as a RIC.
Taxation for U.S. Shareholders. Distributions paid to U.S. shareholders by the Fund from its investment company taxable income (which is, generally, the Funds ordinary income plus net realized short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses) are generally taxable to U.S. shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Funds earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Such distributions (if designated by the Fund) may qualify (i) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders under Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent that the Funds income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations, excluding distributions from tax-exempt organizations, exempt farmers cooperatives or real estate investment trusts or (ii) in the case of individual shareholders, as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at reduced rates under Section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code (which provides for a maximum 20% rate) to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income, and provided in each case certain holding period and other requirements are met. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations ( e.g., generally, foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a qualified comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States, or the stock with respect to
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which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A qualified foreign corporation generally excludes any foreign corporation, which for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a passive foreign investment company. Distributions made to a U.S. shareholder from an excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital losses (capital gain dividends), including capital gain dividends credited to such shareholder but retained by the Fund, are taxable to such shareholder as long-term capital gain if they have been properly designated by the Fund, regardless of the length of time such shareholder owned the shares of the Fund. The maximum tax rate on capital gain dividends received by individuals is generally 20%. Distributions in excess of the Funds earnings and profits will be treated by the U.S. shareholder, first, as a tax-free return of capital, which is applied against and will reduce the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. shareholders shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to the U.S. shareholder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). The Fund is not required to provide written notice designating the amount of any qualified dividend income or capital gain dividends and other distributions. The Forms 1099 will instead serve this notice purpose.
As a RIC, the Fund will be subject to the AMT, but any items that are treated differently for AMT purposes must be apportioned between the Fund and the shareholders and this may affect the shareholders AMT liabilities. The Fund intends in general to apportion these items in the same proportion that dividends paid to each shareholder bear to the Funds taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction).
For purpose of determining (i) whether the annual distribution requirement is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that year, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If the Fund makes such an election, the U.S. shareholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by the U.S. shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.
The Fund intends to distribute all realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund were to retain any net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the federal income tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If such an event occurs, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally be increased by the difference between the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholders gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholders.
Sales and other dispositions of the shares of the Fund generally are taxable events. U.S. shareholders should consult their own tax adviser with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in the shares of the Fund is properly treated as a sale or exchange for federal income tax purposes, as the following discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transactions. The sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund will generally result in capital gain or loss to the shareholder equal to the difference between the amount realized and his adjusted tax basis in the shares sold or exchanged,
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and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) by such shareholder with respect to such shares. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund generally will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares are acquired within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed. In such case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gain of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income of corporations. For non-corporate taxpayers, short-term capital gain will currently be taxed at the rate applicable to ordinary income, while long-term capital gain generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of 20%. Capital losses are subject to certain limitations.
Federal law requires that mutual fund companies report their shareholders cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the Internal Revenue Service on the Funds shareholders Consolidated Form 1099s when covered securities are sold. Covered securities are any regulated investment company and/or dividend reinvestment plan shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012.
The Fund has chosen average cost as the standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. A tax lot identification method is the way the Fund will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing net asset values, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Fund has chosen average cost as its standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. The Funds standing tax lot identification method is the method covered shares will be reported on your Consolidated Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. You may choose a method different than the Funds standing method and will be able to do so at the time of your purchase or upon the sale of covered shares. Please refer to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service regulations or consult your tax advisor with regard to your personal circumstances
For those securities defined as covered under current Internal Revenue Service cost basis tax reporting regulations, the Fund is responsible for maintaining accurate cost basis and tax lot information for tax reporting purposes. The Fund is not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of the information for those securities that are not covered. The Fund and their service providers do not provide tax advice. You should consult independent sources, which may include a tax professional, with respect to any decisions you may make with respect to choosing a tax lot identification method.
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2013, certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their net investment income, which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the Fund. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.
Straddles. When the Fund enters into an offsetting position to limit the risk on another position, the straddle rules usually come into play. An option or other position entered into or held by a Fund in conjunction with any other position held by the Fund may constitute a straddle for Federal income tax purposes. In general, straddles are subject to certain rules that may affect the character and timing of the Funds gains and losses with respect to straddle positions. The key features of the straddle rules are as follows:
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The Fund may have to wait to deduct any losses . If the Fund has a capital gain in one position of a straddle and a capital loss in the other, the Fund may not recognize the loss for federal income tax purposes until the Fund disposes of both positions. This might occur, for example, if the Fund had a highly appreciated stock position and the Fund purchased protective put options (which give the Fund the right to sell the stock to someone else for a period of time at a predetermined price) to offset the risk. If the stock continued to increase in value and the put options expired worthless, the Fund must defer recognition of the loss on its put options until the Fund sells and recognizes the gain on the original, appreciated position.
The Funds capital gain holding period may be limited . The moment the Fund enters into a typical straddle, the capital gains holding period on its offsetting positions is frozen. If the Fund held the original position for one year or less (thus not qualifying for the long-term capital gains rate), not only is the holding period frozen, it starts all over again when the Fund disposes of the offsetting position.
Losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions that would otherwise constitute short-term capital losses may be treated as long-term capital losses . This generally has the effect of reducing the tax benefit of such losses.
The Fund may not be able to deduct any interest expenses or carrying charges . During the offsetting period, any interest or carrying charges associated with the straddle are not currently tax deductible, but must be capitalized (added to cost basis).
Original Issue Discount, Pay-In-Kind Securities, Market Discount and Commodity-Linked Notes. Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount (OID) is treated as interest income and is included in a Funds taxable income (and required to be distributed by the Fund) over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security.
Some debt obligations (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligations issued with OID, its revised issue price) over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt obligation having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the accrued market discount on such debt obligation. Alternatively, the Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Fund will be required to include the accrued market discount in a Funds income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in a Funds income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects. In the case of higher-risk securities, the amount of market discount may be unclear. See Higher-Risk Securities.
Some debt obligations (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as having acquisition discount (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price), or OID in the case of certain types of debt obligations. The Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount, or
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OID, in income (as ordinary income) over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt obligations having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.
In addition, payment-in-kind securities will, and commodity-linked notes may, give rise to income that is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.
If the Fund holds the foregoing kinds of securities, they may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions.
Higher-Risk Securities. To the extent such investments are permissible for the Fund, the Fund may invest in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities and how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income. In limited circumstances, it may also not be clear whether the Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, and if so, what amount of market discount the Fund should recognize. These and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
Issuer Deductibility of Interest. A portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high yield discount obligations owned by the Fund may not be deductible to (and thus, may affect the cash flow of) the issuer. If a portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high yield discount obligations is not deductible, that portion will be treated as a dividend for purposes of the corporate dividends-received deduction. In such cases, if the issuer of the high yield discount obligations is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by the Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction to the extent of the deemed dividend portion of such accrued interest.
Interest paid on debt obligations owned by the Fund, if any, that are considered for U.S. tax purposes to be payable in the equity of the issuer or a related party will not be deductible to the issuer, possibly affecting the cash flow of the issuer.
Tax-Exempt Shareholders. A tax-exempt shareholder could recognize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 514(b). Furthermore, a tax-exempt shareholder may recognize UBTI if the Fund recognizes excess inclusion income derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds a Funds investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).
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In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) that invest in regulated investment companies that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in section 664 of the Internal Revenue Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year, must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI solely as a result of investing in the Fund that recognizes excess inclusion income. Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in the Fund that recognizse excess inclusion income, then the regulated investment company will be subject to a tax on that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders, at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholders distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholders interest in the Fund. The Fund has not yet determined whether such an election will be made. CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisers concerning the consequences of investing in the Fund.
Foreign Taxation. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes.
The ETFs in which the Fund invests may invest in foreign securities. Dividends and interest received by an ETFs holding of foreign securities may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If the ETF in which the Fund invests is taxable as a RIC and meets certain other requirements, which include a requirement that more than 50% of the value of such ETFs total assets at the close of its respective taxable year consists of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, then the ETF should be eligible to file an election with the IRS that may enable its shareholders, including the Fund in effect, to receive either the benefit of a foreign tax credit, or a tax deduction, with respect to any foreign and U.S. possessions income taxes paid the by Fund, subject to certain limitations.
A qualified fund of funds is a RIC that has at least 50% of the value of its total interests invested in other RICs at the end of each quarter of the taxable year. If the Fund satisfies this requirement or if it meets certain other requirements, which include a requirement that more than 50% of the value of a Funds total assets at the close of its taxable year consist of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, then the Fund should be eligible to file an election with the IRS that may enable its shareholders to receive either the benefit of a foreign tax credit, or a tax deduction, with respect to any foreign and U.S. possessions income taxes paid by the Fund, subject to certain limitations.
Foreign Shareholders. Capital Gain Dividends are generally not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax. Absent a specific statutory exemption, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends paid by the Fund to a shareholder that is not a U.S. person within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code (such shareholder, a foreign shareholder) are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by
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income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly, would not be subject to withholding.
A regulated investment company is not required to withhold any amounts (i) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to a foreign person (w) that does not provide a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (x) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign person is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (y) that is within a foreign country that has inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (z) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign person and the foreign person is a controlled foreign corporation) from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign person, to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders (interest-related dividends), and (ii) with respect to distributions (other than (a) distributions to an individual foreign person who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (b) distributions subject to special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests as described below) of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses to the extent such distributions are properly reported by the regulated investment company (short-term capital gain dividends). If the Fund invests in an Underlying Fund that pays such distributions to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to foreign persons.
The Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. These exemptions from withholding will not be available to foreign shareholders of the Fund that do not currently report their dividends as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends.
In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders. Foreign persons should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.
Under U.S. federal tax law, a beneficial holder of shares who is a foreign shareholder generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of the Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends unless (i) such gain or dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests (USRPIs) apply to the foreign shareholders sale of shares of the Fund or to the Capital Gain Dividend the foreign shareholder received (as described below).
Special rules would apply if the Fund were either a U.S. real property holding corporation (USRPHC) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition thereof. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporations USPRIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other assets. USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or former USRPHC.
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If the Fund were a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the exceptions referred to above, any distributions by the Fund to a foreign shareholder (including, in certain cases, distributions made by the Fund in redemption of its shares) attributable to gains realized by the Fund on the disposition of USRPIs or to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier regulated investment company or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands generally would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions ( e.g ., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholders current and past ownership of the Fund. On and after January 1, 2012, this look-through USRPI treatment for distributions by the Fund, if it were either a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of the exceptions referred to above, to foreign shareholders applies only to those distributions that, in turn, are attributable to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier REIT, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise.
In addition, if the Fund were a USRPHC or former USRPHC, it could be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.
Whether or not the Fund is characterized as a USRPHC will depend upon the nature and mix of a Funds assets. The Fund does not expect to be a USRPHC. Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the application of these rules to their investment in the Fund.
If a beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder has a trade or business in the United States, and the dividends are effectively connected with the beneficial holders conduct of that trade or business, the dividend will be subject to U.S. federal net income taxation at regular income tax rates.
If a beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by that beneficial holder in the United States.
To qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or for lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from backup withholding, a foreign shareholder must comply with special certification and filing requirements relating to its non-US status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute form). Foreign shareholders in the Fund should consult their tax advisers in this regard.
A beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the federal tax on income referred to above.
Backup Withholding. The Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding tax rate is currently 28%.
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Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.
Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations. Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Funds shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Shareholder Reporting Obligations With Respect to Foreign Financial Assets. Certain individuals (and, if provided in future guidance, certain domestic entities) must disclose annually their interests in specified foreign financial assets on IRS Form 8938, which must be attached to their U.S. federal income tax returns for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010. The IRS has not yet released a copy of the Form 8938 and has suspended the requirement to attach Form 8938 for any taxable year for which an income tax return is filed before the release of Form 8938. Following Form 8938s release, individuals will be required to attach to their next income tax return required to be filed with the IRS a Form 8938 for each taxable year for which the filing of Form 8938 was suspended. Until the IRS provides more details regarding this reporting requirement, including in Form 8938 itself and related Treasury regulations, it remains unclear under what circumstances, if any, a shareholders (indirect) interest in the Funds specified foreign financial assets, if any, will be required to be reported on this Form 8938.
Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements. Rules enacted in March 2010 require the reporting to the IRS of direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts and foreign entities by U.S. persons. Failure to provide this required information can result in a 30% withholding tax on certain payments (withholdable payments) made after December 31, 2013. Specifically, withholdable payments subject to this 30% withholding tax include payments of U.S.-source dividends and interest made on or after January 1, 2014, and payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposal of property that can produce U.S.-source dividends or interest made on or after January 1, 2015.
The IRS has issued only very preliminary guidance with respect to these new rules; their scope remains unclear and potentially subject to material change. Very generally, it is possible that distributions made by the Fund after the dates noted above (or such later dates as may be provided in future guidance) to a shareholder, including a distribution in redemption of shares and a distribution of income or gains otherwise exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to non-U.S. shareholders described above (e.g., Capital Gain Dividends, Short-Term Capital Gain Dividends and interest-related dividends, as described above) will be subject to the new 30% withholding requirement. Payments to a foreign shareholder that is a foreign financial institution will generally be subject to withholding, unless such shareholder enters into a timely agreement with the IRS. Payments to shareholders that are U.S. persons or foreign individuals will generally not be subject to withholding, so long as such shareholders provide the Fund with such certifications or other documentation, including, to the extent required, with regard to such shareholders direct and indirect owners, as the Fund requires to comply with the new rules. Persons investing in the Fund through an intermediary should contact their intermediary regarding the application of the new reporting and withholding regime to their investments in the Fund.
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Shareholders are urged to consult a tax advisor regarding this new reporting and withholding regime, in light of their particular circumstances.
Shares Purchased through Tax-Qualified Plans. Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans, and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.
FATCA . Payments to a shareholder that is either a foreign financial institution (FFI) or a non-financial foreign entity (NFFE) within the meaning of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on: (a) income dividends paid by the Fund after June 30, 2014 and (b) certain capital gain distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares paid by the Fund after December 31, 2016. FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, subject to any applicable intergovernmental agreement or other exemption, if it enters into a valid agreement with the IRS to, among other requirements, report required information about certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reports information relating to them. The Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of a Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative and administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal income, estate or gift taxes, or foreign, state, local taxes or other taxes.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
Brokerage Transactions . Generally, equity securities are bought and sold through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable. Purchases from underwriters will include the underwriting commission or concession, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a dealers mark-up or reflect a dealers mark-down. The purchase price for securities bought from dealers serving as market makers will similarly include the dealers mark up or reflect a dealers mark down. When the Fund executes transactions in the over-the-counter market, it will generally deal with primary market makers unless prices that are more favorable are otherwise obtainable.
In selecting brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions, the Adviser may consider research and brokerage services furnished to the Adviser or its affiliates. The Adviser may not consider sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers, but may place portfolio transactions with brokers and dealers that promote or sell a Funds shares so long as such transactions are done in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Trustees that are designed to ensure that the selection is based on the quality of execution and not
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on sales efforts. When placing portfolio transactions with a broker or dealer, the Adviser may aggregate securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other advisory accounts managed by the Adviser. In aggregating such securities, the Adviser will average the transaction as to price and will allocate available investments in a manner that the Adviser believes to be fair and reasonable to the Fund and such other advisory accounts. An aggregated order will generally be allocated on a pro rata basis among all participating accounts, based on the relative dollar values of the participating accounts, or using any other method deemed to be fair to the participating accounts, with any exceptions to such methods involving the Trust being reported to the Trustees.
Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act permits the Adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause the Fund to pay a broker or dealer a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction in recognition of the value of brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. In addition to agency transactions, the Adviser may receive brokerage and research services in connection with certain riskless principal transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. Brokerage and research services include: (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, Fund strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody). In the case of research services, the Adviser believes that access to independent investment research is beneficial to its investment decision-making processes and, therefore, to the Fund.
To the extent that research services may be a factor in selecting brokers, such services may be in written form or through direct contact with individuals and may include information as to particular companies and securities as well as market, economic, or institutional areas and information which assists in the valuation and pricing of investments. Examples of research-oriented services for which the Adviser might utilize Fund commissions include research reports and other information on the economy, industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, political developments, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis. The Adviser may use research services furnished by brokers in servicing all client accounts and not all services may necessarily be used in connection with the account that paid commissions to the broker providing such services. Information so received by the Adviser will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Funds Adviser under the Advisory Agreement. Any advisory or other fees paid to the Adviser are not reduced as a result of the receipt of research services.
In some cases the Adviser may receive a service from a broker that has both a research and a non-research use. When this occurs, the Adviser makes a good faith allocation, under all the circumstances, between the research and non-research uses of the service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions, while the Adviser will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, the Adviser faces a potential conflict of interest, but the Adviser believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that it appropriately allocates the anticipated use of such services to their research and non-research uses.
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From time to time, the Fund may purchase new issues of securities in a fixed price offering. In these situations, the seller may be a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling securities, provide the Adviser with research services. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has adopted rules expressly permitting these types of arrangements under certain circumstances. Generally, the seller will provide research credits in these situations at a rate that is higher than that which is available for typical secondary market transactions. These arrangements may not fall within the safe harbor of Section 28(e).
During the past three fiscal years, the Fund paid brokerage commissions as follows:
2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||
$20,704 | $16,257 | $15,513 | ||||
Brokerage with Fund Affiliates . The Fund may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker-dealer affiliates of either the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 1934 Act) and rules promulgated by the SEC. These rules further require that commissions paid to the affiliate by the Fund for exchange transactions not exceed usual and customary brokerage commissions. The rules define usual and customary commissions to include amounts which are reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time. The Trustees, including those who are not interested persons of the Fund, have adopted procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of commissions paid to affiliates and review these procedures periodically.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, the Fund paid no brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions effected by affiliated brokers.
Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers The Fund is required to identify any securities of its regular brokers and dealers (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) which the Fund may hold at the close of its most recent fiscal year. As of December 31, 2017, the Fund did not hold any securities of regular broker dealers.
Allocation . When two or more clients managed by the Adviser are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the transactions are allocated in a manner deemed equitable to each client. In some cases this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the Fund is concerned. In other cases, however, the ability to participate in volume transactions will be beneficial to the Fund. The Board believes that these advantages, when combined with the other benefits available because of the Advisers organization, outweigh the disadvantages that may exist from this treatment of transactions.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES HOLDINGS
This Disclosure of Portfolio Securities Holdings Policy (the Policy) shall govern the disclosure of the portfolio securities holdings of each Fund series of the Trust. The Trust maintains this Policy to ensure that disclosure of information about portfolio securities is in the best interests of the Fund and the Funds shareholders. The Board reviews these policies and procedures as necessary and compliance will be periodically assessed by the Board in connection with a report
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from the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer. In addition, the Board has reviewed and approved the provision of portfolio holdings information to entities described below that may be prior to and more frequently than the public disclosure of such information (i.e., non-standard disclosure). The Board has also delegated authority to the officers of the Trust and Adviser to provide such information in certain circumstances (see below).
The Trust is required by the SEC to file its complete portfolio holdings schedule with the SEC on a quarterly basis. This schedule is filed with the Trusts annual and semi-annual reports on Form N-CSR for the second and fourth fiscal quarters and on Form N-Q for the first and third fiscal quarters. The portfolio holdings information provided in these reports is as of the end of the respective quarter. Form N-CSR must be filed with the SEC no later than ten (10) calendar days after the Trust transmits its annual or semi-annual report to its shareholders. Form N-Q must be filed with the SEC no later than sixty (60) calendar days after the end of the applicable quarter.
Additionally, the Trusts service providers which have contracted to provide services to the Trust and its funds, including, for example, the custodian, fund accountants, and other service providers assisting with materials utilized in the Boards 15c processes that require portfolio holdings information in order to perform those services, may receive non-standard disclosure. Non-standard disclosure of portfolio holdings information may also be provided to a third-party when the Trust has a legitimate business purpose for doing so. The Trust has the following ongoing arrangements with certain third parties to provide the Funds portfolio holdings information:
1. |
to the Trusts auditors within sixty (60) days after the applicable fiscal period or other
periods as necessary for use in providing audit opinions and other advice related
to financial, regulatory, or tax reporting;
|
|
2. | to financial printers within sixty (60) days after the applicable fiscal period for the purpose of preparing Trust regulatory filings; and | |
3. | to the Trusts administrator, custodian, transfer agent and accounting services provider on a daily basis in connection with their providing services to the Fund. |
The Trusts service providers may also disclose non-public portfolio holdings information if such disclosure is required by applicable laws, rules or regulations, or by regulatory authorities. Additionally, the Adviser may establish ongoing arrangements with certain third parties to provide the Funds portfolio holdings information that the Adviser determines that the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for doing so and the recipient is subject to a duty of confidentiality. These third parties may include:
1. | financial data processing companies that provide automated data scanning and monitoring services for the Fund; | |
2. | research companies that allow the Adviser to perform attribution analysis for the Fund; and | |
3. | the Advisers proxy voting agent to assess and vote proxies on behalf of the Fund. |
From time to time, employees of the Adviser may express their views orally or in writing on the Funds portfolio securities or may state that the Fund has recently purchased or sold, or continues to own, one or more securities. The securities subject to these views and statements may be ones that were purchased or sold since a Funds most recent quarter-end and therefore may not be reflected on the list of the Funds most recent quarter-end portfolio holdings. These views and statements may be made to various persons, including members of the press, brokers and other
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financial intermediaries that sell shares of the Fund, shareholders in the Fund, persons considering investing in the Fund or representatives of such shareholders or potential shareholders, such as fiduciaries of a 401(k) plan or a trust and their advisers, and other entities for which the Adviser may determine. The nature and content of the views and statements provided to these persons may differ. From time to time, employees of the Adviser also may provide oral or written information (portfolio commentary) about the Fund, including, but not limited to, how the Funds investments are divided among various sectors, industries, countries, investment styles and capitalization sizes, and among stocks, bonds, currencies and cash, security types, bond maturities, bond coupons and bond credit quality ratings. This portfolio commentary may also include information on how these various weightings and factors contributed to Fund performance. The Adviser may also provide oral or written information (statistical information) about various financial characteristics of the Fund or its underlying portfolio securities including, but not limited to, alpha, beta, R-squared, coefficient of determination, duration, maturity, information ratio, sharpe ratio, earnings growth, payout ratio, price/book value, projected earnings growth, return on equity, standard deviation, tracking error, weighted average quality, market capitalization, percent debt to equity, price to cash flow, dividend yield or growth, default rate, portfolio turnover, and risk and style characteristics. This portfolio commentary and statistical information about the Fund may be based on the Funds portfolio as of the most recent quarter-end or the end of some other interim period, such as month-end. The portfolio commentary and statistical information may be provided to various persons, including those described in the preceding paragraph. The nature and content of the information provided to these persons may differ.
Additionally, employees of the Adviser may disclose one or more of the portfolio securities of the Fund when purchasing and selling securities through broker-dealers, requesting bids on securities, obtaining price quotations on securities, or in connection with litigation involving the Funds portfolio securities. The Adviser does not enter into formal non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements in connection with these situations; however, the Fund would not continue to conduct business with a person who the Adviser believed was misusing the disclosed information.
The Adviser or its affiliates may manage products sponsored by companies other than itself, including investment companies, offshore funds, and separate accounts and affiliates of the Adviser may provide investment related services, including research services, to other companies, including other investment companies, offshore funds, institutional investors and other entities. In each of these instances, the sponsors of these other companies and the affiliates of the Adviser may receive compensation for their services. In many cases, these other products are managed in a similar fashion to the Fund and thus have similar portfolio holdings, and the other investment related services provided by affiliates of the Adviser may involve disclosure of information that is also utilized by the Adviser in managing the Fund. The sponsors of these other products may disclose the portfolio holdings of their products at different times than the Adviser discloses portfolio holdings for the Fund, and affiliates of the Adviser may provide investment related services to its clients at times that are different than the times disclosed to the Fund.
The Trust and the Adviser currently have no other arrangements for the provision of non-standard disclosure to any party or shareholder. Other than the non-standard disclosure discussed above, if a third-party requests specific, current information regarding the Funds portfolio holdings, the Trust will refer the third-party to the latest regulatory filing.
All of the arrangements above are subject to the policies and procedures adopted by the Board to ensure such disclosure is for a legitimate business purpose and is in the best interests of the Trust and its shareholders. The Trusts CCO is responsible for monitoring the use and disclosure of information relating to Portfolio Securities. Although no material conflicts of interest
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are believed to exist that could disadvantage the Fund and its shareholders, various safeguards have been implemented to protect the Fund and its shareholders from conflicts of interest, including: the adoption of Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act designed to prevent fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative acts by officers and employees of the Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor in connection with their personal securities transactions; the adoption by the Adviser and Distributor of insider trading policies and procedures designed to prevent their employees misuse of material non-public information; and the adoption by the Trust of a Code of Ethics for Officers that requires the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Trust to report to the Board any affiliations or other relationships that could potentially create a conflict of interest with the Fund. There may be instances where the interests of the Trusts shareholders respecting the disclosure of information about portfolio holdings may conflict or appear to conflict with the interests of the Adviser, any principal underwriter for the Trust or an affiliated person of the Trust, the Adviser or the Distributor. In such situations, the conflict must be disclosed to the Board and the Board will attempt to resolve the situation in a manner that it deems in the best interests of the Fund.
Affiliated persons of the Trust who receive non-standard disclosure are subject to restrictions and limitations on the use and handling of such information, including requirements to maintain the confidentiality of such information, pre-clear securities trades and report securities transactions activity, as applicable. Except as provided above, affiliated persons of the Trust and third party service providers of the Trust receiving such non-standard disclosure will be instructed that such information must be kept confidential and that no trading on such information should be allowed.
Neither the Trust, the Fund nor the Adviser receives compensation or other consideration in connection with the non-standard disclosure of information about portfolio securities.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on April 9, 2007. The Trusts Agreement and Declaration of Trust authorizes the Board to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest in the Trust and to classify or reclassify any unissued shares into one or more series of shares. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust further authorizes the trustees to classify or reclassify any series of shares into one or more classes. The Trusts shares of beneficial interest have no par value.
The Fund is authorized to issue four classes of shares, which are described earlier in this SAI.
Shares have no preemptive rights and only such conversion or exchange rights as the Board may grant in its discretion. When issued for payment as described in the applicable prospectus, shares will be fully paid and non-assessable. In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Trust or an individual fund, shareholders of a fund are entitled to receive the assets available for distribution belonging to the particular fund, and a proportionate distribution, based upon the relative asset values of the respective fund, of any general assets of the Trust not belonging to any particular fund which are available for distribution.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held, and a proportionate fractional vote for each fractional share held, and will vote in the aggregate and not by class, except as otherwise expressly required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted on affects only the interests of shareholders of a particular class. Voting rights are not cumulative and,
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accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate of the Trusts outstanding shares may elect all of the trustees, irrespective of the votes of other shareholders.
Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the fund affected by the matter. A particular fund is deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of the fund in the matter are substantially identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the fund. Under the Rule, the approval of an investment management agreement or any change in an investment objective, if fundamental, or in a fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a fund only if approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of such fund. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the appointment of independent public accountants, the approval of principal underwriting contracts and the election of trustees may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series or class.
The Trust does not presently intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. Upon the written request of shareholders owning at least 25% of the Trusts shares, the Trust will call for a meeting of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more trustees and other certain matters. To the extent required by law, the Trust will assist in shareholder communication in such matters.
The Board has full power and authority, in its sole discretion, and without obtaining shareholder approval, to divide or combine the shares of any class or series thereof into a greater or lesser number, to classify or reclassify any issued shares or any class or series thereof into one or more classes or series of shares, and to take such other action with respect to the Trusts shares as the Board may deem desirable. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust authorizes the trustees, without shareholder approval, to cause the Trust to merge or to consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or other organization in order to change the form of organization and/or domicile of the Trust or to sell or exchange all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, in dissolution of the Trust, or any series or class thereof. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class of the Trust by the trustees without shareholder approval. However, the exercise of such authority by the Board without shareholder approval may be subject to certain restrictions or limitations under the 1940 Act.
PROXY VOTING
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund to the Adviser, which in turn has delegated such responsibility to the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which are included in Exhibit A to this SAI. The Board of Trustees will periodically review the Funds proxy voting record. The proxy voting policies and procedures of the Trust are included as Exhibit B to this SAI.
The Trust is required to disclose annually the Funds complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX. Any material changes to the proxy policies and procedures will be submitted to the Board for approval. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ending June 30, will be available (1) without charge, upon request by calling 800-628-40 or by writing to the Fund at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235; and (2) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov .
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CODES OF ETHICS
The Board of Trustees, on behalf of the Trust, has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Adviser and Distributor have each adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1. These Codes of Ethics apply to the personal investing activities of trustees, officers and certain employees (access persons). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes of Ethics are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by access persons. Under each Code of Ethics, access persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. The personnel subject to the Codes are permitted to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. In addition, certain access persons are required to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings or private placements, or are prohibited from making such investments. Copies of these Codes of Ethics are on file with the SEC, and are available to the public on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet website at http://www.sec.gov .
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a continuation of another fund that was organized in a different investment company (the Predecessor Fund) and, therefore, the Funds financial information includes results of the Predecessor Fund. The Predecessor Fund commenced operations on February 15, 1996 for Class A Shares. Shareholders of the Predecessor Fund approved the reorganization into the Fund on July 29, 2014 and received shares of the Fund on August 15, 2014.
The audited financial statements of the Fund and Predecessor Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, including the financial highlights appearing in the Annual Report to shareholders, have been adopted by the Fund and are incorporated by reference and made a part of this document. The Funds semi-annual report for the fiscal period ending June 30, 2016 is also incoroproated herein by reference.
All performance results achieved prior to November 7, 2017 were achieved by investment advisers and sub-advisers other than the Adviser and Sub-Adviser. Performance results achieved prior to December 8, 2017 were achieved while the Fund had in place a different investment objective and investment strategies.
You may request a copy of the annual and semi-annual reports for the Fund at no charge by calling the Fund at:
Mission-Auour Risk-Managed
Global Equity Fund
c/o World Funds Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205
Richmond, Virginia 23235
Telephone: 800-628-4077
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EXHIBIT A
PROXY VOTING POLICY
Of
Auour Investments, LLC
PROXY VOTING |
Auour Investments, LLC (Auour) as a matter of policy and as a fiduciary to our clients, has responsibility for voting proxies for portfolio securities consistent with the best economic interests of the clients. Our firm maintains written policies and procedures as to the handling, research, voting and reporting of proxy voting and makes appropriate disclosures about our firms proxy policies and practices. Our 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 making information available to clients about the voting of proxies for their portfolio securities and maintaining relevant and required records.
Background
Proxy voting is an
important right of shareholders and reasonable care and diligence must be undertaken
to ensure that such rights are properly and timely exercised. Investment advisers
registered with the SEC, and which exercise voting authority with respect to client
securities, are required by Rule 206(4)-6 of the Advisers Act to (a) adopt and implement
written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that client
securities are voted in the best interests of clients, which must include how an
adviser addresses material conflicts that may arise between an advisers interests
and those of its clients; (b) to disclose to clients how they may obtain information
from the adviser with respect to the voting of proxies for their securities; (c)
to describe to clients a summary of its proxy voting policies and procedures and,
upon request, furnish a copy to its clients; and (d) maintain certain records relating
to the advisers proxy voting activities when the adviser does have proxy voting
authority.
Responsibility
Joseph Hosler has
the responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of our proxy voting policy,
practices, disclosures and record keeping, including outlining our voting guidelines
in our procedures.
Procedure
Auour has adopted procedures
to implement the firms policy and reviews to monitor and insure the firms
policy is observed, implemented properly and amended or updated, as appropriate,
which include the following:
| All associated persons will forward any proxy materials received on behalf of clients to Joseph Hosler; | ||
| Joseph Hosler will determine which client accounts hold the security to which the proxy relates; |
50
|
Absent material
conflicts, Joseph Hosler, CFA, will determine how Auour should vote the proxy in
accordance with applicable voting guidelines, complete the proxy and vote the proxy
in a timely and appropriate manner.
|
Disclosure
Auour will provide
information in its Form ADV Part 2A summarizing this proxy voting policy and procedures,
including a statement that clients may request information regarding how Auour Investments
voted a clients proxies, and that clients may request a copy of these policies
and procedures.
Client Requests for Information
All client requests for information regarding proxy votes, or policies and procedures,
received by any associated person should be forwarded to Joseph Hosler.
In response to any request, Mr. Hosler will prepare a written response to the client with the information requested, and as applicable will include the name of the issuer, the proposal voted upon, and how Auour voted the clients proxy with respect to each proposal about which client inquired.
Voting Guidelines
In the absence
of specific voting guidelines from the client, Auour will vote proxies in the best
interests of each particular client. Auours policy is to vote all proxies
from a specific issuer the same way for each client absent qualifying restrictions
from a client. Clients are permitted to place reasonable restrictions on Auours
voting authority in the same manner that they may place such restrictions on the
actual selection of account securities.
As a general policy, Auour believes that the management of each of the invested companies makes proxy voting recommendations that are in the best interest for the company and its shareholders. Auour will therefore, as a matter of procedure, vote in a manner that is consistent with management recommendations except in certain specific situations where Auour determines management recommendation is not consistent with its clients interests. Any vote cast inconsistent with management recommendations will be specifically documented.
Conflicts of Interest
Auour will
identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of the adviser and the client
by reviewing the relationship of Auour with the issuer of each security to determine
if Auour or any of its associated persons has any financial, business or personal
relationship with the issuer.
If a material conflict of interest exists, the Managing Principals 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.
Auour will maintain a record of the voting resolution of any conflict of interest.
51
Recordkeeping
Auour will manage
the record keeping of its proxy voting. Auour Investments retains records in accordance
with the SECs five-year retention requirement and can be accessed at any time.
| Each proxy statement that Auour receives; | ||
| A record of each vote that Auour casts; |
Furthermore, Auour will retain any records that relate to the following.
| Any document Auour created that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies inconsistent with management recommendations. | ||
| A copy of each written request from a client for information on how Auour voted such clients proxies, and a copy of any written response. |
52
EXHIBIT B
World Funds Trust
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
The World Funds Trust (the Trust) is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act). The Trust offers multiple series (each a Fund and, collectively, the Fund). Consistent with its fiduciary duties and pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act (the Proxy Rule), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board) has adopted this proxy voting policy on behalf of the Trust (the Policy) to reflect its commitment to ensure that proxies are voted in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Funds shareholders.
Delegation of Proxy Voting Authority to Fund Advisers
The Board believes that the investment advisor [SHOULDNT THIS BE THE SUB-ADVISER] of the Fund (each an Adviser and, collectively, the Advisers), as the entity that selects the individual securities that comprise its Funds portfolio, is the most knowledgeable and best-suited to make decisions on how to vote proxies of portfolio companies held by that Fund. The Trust shall therefore defer to, and rely on, the Adviser of the Fund to make decisions on how to cast proxy votes on behalf of such Fund.
The Trust hereby designates the Adviser of the Fund as the entity responsible for exercising proxy voting authority with regard to securities held in the Funds investment portfolio. Consistent with its duties under this Policy, the Adviser shall monitor and review corporate transactions of corporations in which the Fund has invested, obtain all information sufficient to allow an informed vote on all proxy solicitations, ensure that all proxy votes are cast in a timely fashion, and maintain all records required to be maintained by the Fund under the Proxy Rule and the 1940 Act. Each Adviser shall perform these duties in accordance with the Advisers proxy voting policy, a copy of which shall be presented to this Board for its review. Each Adviser shall promptly provide to the Board updates to its proxy voting policy as they are adopted and implemented.
Conflict of Interest Transactions
In some instances, an Adviser may be asked to cast a proxy vote that presents a conflict between the interests of a Funds shareholders, and those of the Adviser or an affiliated person of the Adviser. In such case, the Adviser is instructed to abstain from making a voting decision and to forward all necessary proxy voting materials to the Trust to enable the Board to make a voting decision. When the Board is required to make a proxy voting decision, only the Trustees without a conflict of interest with regard to the security in question or the matter to be voted upon shall be permitted to participate in the decision of how the Funds vote will be cast. In the event that the Board is required to vote a proxy because an Adviser has a conflict of interest with respect to the proxy, the Board will vote such proxy in accordance with the Advisers proxy voting policy, to the extent consistent with the shareholders best interests, as determined by the Board in its discretion. The Board shall notify the Adviser of its final decision on the matter and the Adviser shall vote in accordance with the Boards decision.
53
Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records Available to Fund Shareholders
If a Fund has a website, the Fund may post a copy of its Advisers proxy voting policy and this Policy on such website. A copy of such policies and of the Funds proxy voting record shall also be made available, without charge, upon request of any shareholder of the Fund, by calling the applicable Funds toll-free telephone number as printed in the Funds prospectus. The Trusts administrator shall reply to any Fund shareholder request within three business days of receipt of the request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.
Each Adviser shall provide a complete voting record, as required by the Proxy Rule, for each series of the Trust for which it acts as adviser, to the Trusts administrator within 30 days following the end of each 12-month period ending June 30. The Trusts administrator will file a report based on such record on Form N-PX on an annual basis with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than August 31 st of each year.
Adopted: November 26, 2013
Amended: January
26, 2015
54
EXHIBIT C |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter |
World Funds Trust |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Membership | |||
1. |
The Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee of World Funds Trust (the Trust)
shall be composed entirely of Independent Trustees.
|
||
Board Nominations and Functions
|
|||
1. |
The Committee
shall make nominations for Trustee membership on the Board of Trustees, including
the Independent Trustees. The Committee shall evaluate candidates qualifications
for Board membership and their independence from the investment advisers to the
Trusts series portfolios and the Trusts other principal service providers.
Persons selected as Independent Trustees must not be interested person
as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, nor shall Independent
Trustee have and affiliations or associations that shall preclude them from voting
as an Independent Trustee on matters involving approvals and continuations of Rule
12b-1 Plans, Investment Advisory Agreements and such other standards as the Committee
shall deem appropriate. The Committee shall also consider the effect of any relationships
beyond those delineated in the 1940 Act that might impair independence,
e.g.
, business, financial or family relationships with managers or service providers.
See Appendix A for Procedures with Respect to Nominees to the Board.
|
||
2. |
The Committee
shall periodically review Board governance procedures and shall recommend any appropriate
changes to the full Board of Trustees.
|
||
3. |
The Committee
shall periodically review the composition of the Board of Trustees to determine
whether it may be appropriate to add individuals with different backgrounds or skill
sets from those already on the Board.
|
||
4. |
The Committee
shall periodically review trustee compensation and shall recommend any appropriate
changes to the Independent Trustees as a group.
|
||
Committee Nominations and Functions | |||
1. |
The Committee
shall make nominations for membership on all committees and shall review committee
assignments at least annually.
|
||
2. |
The Committee
shall review, as necessary, the responsibilities of any committees of the Board,
whether there is a continuing need for each committee, whether there is a need for
additional committees of the Board, and whether committees should be combined or
reorganized. The Committee shall make recommendations for any such action to the
full Board.
|
||
Other Powers and Responsibilities | |||
1. |
The Committee
shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities,
including authority to retain special counsel and other experts or consultants at
the expense of the Trust.
|
55
2. | The Committee shall review this Charter at least annually and recommend any changes to the full Board of Trustees. |
Adopted: August 2, 2013
56
APPENDIX A TO THE NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
COMMITTEE CHARTER |
WORLD FUNDS TRUST |
PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO NOMINEES TO THE BOARD
I. |
Identification
of Candidates
. When a vacancy on the Board of Trustees exists or is anticipated,
and such vacancy is to be filled by an Independent Trustee, the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee shall identify candidates by obtaining referrals from such
sources as it may deem appropriate, which may include current Trustees, management
of the Trust, counsel and other advisors to the Trustees, and shareholders of the
Trust who submit recommendations in accordance with these procedures. In no event
shall the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consider as a candidate
to fill any such vacancy an individual recommended by any investment adviser of
any series portfolio of the Trust, unless the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee has invited management to make such a recommendation.
|
||
II. |
Shareholder
Candidates.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall, when identifying
candidates for the position of Independent Trustee, consider any such candidate
recommended by a shareholder if such recommendation contains: (i) sufficient background
information concerning the candidate, including evidence the candidate is willing
to serve as an Independent Trustee if selected for the position; and (ii) is received
in a sufficiently timely manner as determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee in its discretion. Shareholders shall be directed to address any such
recommendations in writing to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee, c/o the Secretary of the Trust. The Secretary shall retain copies of
any shareholder recommendations which meet the foregoing requirements for a period
of not more than 12 months following receipt. The Secretary shall have no obligation
to acknowledge receipt of any shareholder recommendations.
|
||
III. |
Evaluation
of Candidates
. In evaluating a candidate for a position on the Board of Trustees,
including any candidate recommended by shareholders of the Trust, the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee shall consider the following: (i) the candidates knowledge in matters relating to the mutual fund industry; (ii) any experience
possessed by the candidate as a director or senior officer of public companies;
(iii) the candidates educational background; (iv) the candidates reputation
for high ethical standards and professional integrity; (v) any specific financial,
technical or other expertise possessed by the candidate, and the extent to which
such expertise would complement the Boards existing mix of skills, core competencies
and qualifications; (vi) the candidates perceived ability to contribute to
the ongoing functions of the Board, including the candidates ability and commitment
to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the
Board; (vii) the candidates ability to qualify as an Independent Trustee and
any other actual or potential conflicts of interest involving the candidate and
the Trust; and (viii) such other factors as the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee determines to be relevant in light of the existing composition of the
Board and any anticipated vacancies. Prior to making a final recommendation to the
Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall conduct personal
interviews with those candidates it concludes are the most qualified candidates.
|
57
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
(a)(1) |
Certificate
of Trust of World Funds Trust (formerly, Abacus World Funds Trust) (the Registrant) dated April 9, 2007. (filed herewith)
|
|
(a)(2) |
Certificate
of Amendment dated January 7, 2008 to the Registrants Certificate of Trust
dated April 9, 2007. (filed herewith)
|
|
(a)(3) |
Registrants Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated April 9, 2007, and amended
on June 23, 2008 and November 16, 2016.
41
|
|
(b) |
Registrants Amended and Restated By-Laws dated November 16, 2016.
41
|
|
(c) |
Not applicable.
|
|
(d)(1) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Union Street Partners, LLC with respect
to the Union Street Partners Value Fund.
17
|
|
(d)(2) |
Investment
Sub-Advisory Agreement between Union Street Partners, LLC and McGinn Investment
Management, Inc. with respect to the Union Street Partners Value Fund.
17
|
|
(d)(3) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Perkins Capital Management, Inc.
2
|
|
(d)(4) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher &
Co., LLC with respect to the DGHM All-Cap Value Fund. (filed herewith)
|
|
(d)(5) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher &
Co., LLC with respect to the DGHM V2000 SmallCap Value Fund. (filed herewith)
|
|
(d)(6) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher &
Co., LLC with respect to the DGHM MicroCap Value Fund.
24
|
|
(d)(7) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and B. Riley Asset Management, a division
of B. Riley Capital Management, LLC with respect to the B. Riley Diversified Equity
Fund.
16
|
|
(d)(8) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Toreador Research & Trading,
LLC with respect to the Toreador Core Fund, Toreador International Fund, Toreador
Explorer Fund and Toreador Select Fund (collectively, the Toreador Funds)
(filed herewith)
|
|
(d)(9) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Capital Management, LLC
with respect to the Global Strategic Income Fund.
4
|
|
(d)(10) |
Investment
Sub-Advisory Agreement between Commonwealth Capital Management, LLC and Shikiar
Asset Management, Inc. with respect to the Global Strategic Income Fund.
21
|
|
(d)(11) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Real Estate Management Services Group,
LLC with respect to the REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund. (filed
herewith)
|
|
(d)(12) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Real Estate Management Services Group,
LLC with respect to the REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund.
5
|
|
(d)(13) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Real Estate Management Services Group,
LLC with respect to the REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.
18
|
(d)(14) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Real Estate Management Services Group,
LLC with respect to the Select Value Real Estate Securities Fund. (to be filed by
amendment)
|
|
(d)(15) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Clifford Capital Partners, LLC with
respect to the Clifford Capital Partners Fund.
18
|
|
(d)(16) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Strategic Asset Management, Ltd. with
respect to the Strategic Global Long/Short Fund.
19
|
|
(d)(17) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect
to the CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect Strategy Fund, CBOE Vest
Defined Distribution Strategy Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect
Strategy (January) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect Strategy
(February) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect Strategy (March)
Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect Strategy (April) Fund, CBOE
Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect Strategy (May) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P
500
®
Buffer Protect Strategy (June) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect Strategy (July) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer
Protect Strategy (August) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect
Strategy (September) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect Strategy
(October) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect Strategy (November)
Fund and CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect Strategy (December) Fund
(collectively the CBOE Vest Funds).
27
|
|
(d)(18) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect
to the CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Enhanced Growth Strategy Fund, CBOE Vest
S&P 500
®
Enhanced Growth Strategy (January) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P
500® Enhanced Growth Strategy (February) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Enhanced Growth Strategy (March) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy
(April) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Enhanced Growth Strategy (May)
Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Enhanced Growth Strategy (June) Fund, CBOE
Vest S&P 500
®
Enhanced Growth Strategy (July) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Enhanced Growth Strategy (August) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P
500
®
Enhanced Growth Strategy (September) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Enhanced Growth Strategy (October) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Enhanced Growth Strategy (November) Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Enhanced Growth Strategy (December) Fund (collectively the CBOE Vest Enhanced
Growth Funds).
46
|
|
(d)(19) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect
to the CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund.
39
|
|
(d)(20) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect
to the CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Monthly Range Capture Fund. (to be filed
by amendment)
|
|
(d)(21) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect
to the CBOE Vest Digital Coins Strategy Fund. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(d)(22) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Systelligence, LLC with respect to
The E-Valuator Very Conservative RMS Fund, The E-Valuator Conservative RMS Fund,
The E-Valuator Tactically Managed RMS Fund, The E-Valuator Moderate RMS Fund, The
E-Valuator Growth RMS Fund and The E-Valuator Aggressive Growth RMS Fund (collectively
The E-Valuator Funds).
23
|
|
(d)(23) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Secure Investment Management, LLC,
with respect to the SIM U.S. Core Managed Volatility Fund, SIM Global Core Managed
Volatility Fund, SIM Global Moderate Managed Volatility Fund, SIM Global
Growth Fund and SIM Income Balance Fund (The SIM Funds). (to be filed
by amendment)
|
(e)(1) |
Principal
Underwriter Agreement dated February 18, 2016 between the Registrant and First Dominion
Capital Corp.
19
|
|
(e)(2) |
Schedule A
to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 18, 2016 between the Registrant
and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to the Union Street Value Fund.
31
|
|
(e)(3) |
Schedule A
to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 18, 2016 between the Registrant
and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to the Clifford Capital Partners Fund.
30
|
|
(e)(4) |
Schedule A
to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 18, 2016 between the Registrant
and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to the Perkins Discovery Fund.
26
|
|
(e)(5) |
Schedule A
to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 18, 2016 between the Registrant
and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to the Strategic Global Long/Short
Fund.
19
|
|
(e)(6) |
Schedule A
to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 18, 2016 between the Registrant
and First Dominion Capital Corp. with respect to the B. Riley Diversified Equity
Fund.
20
|
|
(e)(7) |
Schedule A
to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 18, 2016 between the Registrant
and First Dominion Capital Corp. with respect to the Global Strategic Income Fund.
21
|
|
(e)(8) |
Schedule A
to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 18, 2016 between the Registrant
and First Dominion Capital Corp. with respect to the REMS International Real Estate
Value-Opportunity Fund, the REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund and the REMS Real
Estate Value-Opportunity Fund (collectively the REMS Funds).
22
|
|
(e)(9) |
Schedule A
to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated August 15, 2017 between the Registrant
and First Dominion Capital Corp. with respect to the Select Value Real Estate Securities
Fund. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(e)(10) |
Schedule A
to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated April 21, 2016 between the Registrant
and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to the DGHM All-Cap Value Fund, the
DGHM V2000 SmallCap Value Fund and the DGHM MicroCap Value Fund (collectively the
DGHM Funds).
24
|
|
(e)(11) |
Schedule A
to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated April 21, 2016 between the Registrant
and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to the CBOE Vest Funds.
27
|
|
(e)(12) |
Schedule A
to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated August 24, 2016 between the Registrant
and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to the CBOE Vest Enhanced Growth Funds.
28
|
|
(e)(13) |
Amended Principal
Underwriter Agreement dated July 14, 2017 between the Registrant and First Dominion
Capital Corp with respect to the CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Dividend Aristocrats
Target Income Fund.
39
|
|
(e)(14) |
Amended Principal
Underwriter Agreement dated July 14, 2017 between the Registrant and First Dominion
Capital Corp with respect to the CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Monthly Range
Capture Fund. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(e)(15) |
Amended Principal
Underwriter Agreement dated July 14, 2017 between the Registrant and First Dominion
Capital Corp with respect to CBOE Vest Digital Coins Strategy Fund. (to be filed
by amendment)
|
|
(e)(16) |
Schedule A
to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated April 21, 2016 between the Registrant
and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to The E-Valuator Funds.
23
|
(e)(17) |
Schedule A
to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 18, 2016 between the Registrant
and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to the Toreador Funds.
25
|
|
(e)(18) |
Schedule A
to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated September 20, 2017 between the Registrant
and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to The SIM Funds. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(f) |
Not applicable.
|
|
(g)(1) |
Custody Agreement
dated July 30, 2008 between the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A. (filed herewith)
|
|
(g)(2) |
Amended Appendix
B and revised Appendix C to the Custody Agreement, dated July 30, 2008, between
the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A., to include the Union Street Partners Value Fund.
2
|
|
(g)(3) |
Amended Appendix
B and revised Appendix C to the Custody Agreement, dated July 30, 2008, between
the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A., to include the Perkins Discovery Fund.
2
|
|
(g)(4) |
Amended Appendix
B and revised Appendix C to the Custody Agreement, dated July 30, 2008, between
the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A., to include the B. Riley Diversified Equity Fund.
2
|
|
(g)(5) |
Custodian
Agreement dated July 25, 2005 between the Funds prior Registrant and Brown
Brothers Harriman with respect to Toreador International Fund and the Global Strategic
Income Fund.
10
|
|
(g)(6) |
Novation Agreement
dated August 15, 2014 for Custodian Services between the Registrant and Brown Brothers
Harriman with respect to Toreador International Fund and the Global Strategic Income
Fund.
10
|
|
(g)(7) |
Amended Appendix
B and revised Appendix C to the Custody Agreement, dated August 15, 2014 between
the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A., to include the REMS Real Estate Income 50/50
Fund.
5
|
|
(g)(8) |
Amended Appendix
B and revised Appendix C to the Custody Agreement, dated August 15, 2014 between
the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A., to include the REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity
Fund.
6
|
|
(g)(9) |
Amended Appendix
B and revised Appendix C to the Custody Agreement, dated August 15, 2017 between
the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A., to include the respect to the Select Value Real
Estate Securities Fund. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(g)(10) |
Amended Appendix
B and revised Appendix C dated January 26, 2016 to the Custody Agreement between
the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A., to include the Strategic Global Long/Short Fund.
(to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(g)(11) |
Custody Agreement
dated April 22, 2015 between the Registrant and Fifth Third Bank on behalf of the
Toreador Core Fund and the Toreador Explorer Fund.
14
|
|
(g)(12) |
Amended Exhibit
A to the Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Fifth Third Bank on behalf
of certain portfolio series. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(h)(1) |
Fund Services
Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services,
Inc.
19
|
|
(h)(2) |
Exhibit A
to the Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Union Street Partners Value Fund.
31
|
(h)(3) |
Exhibit A
to the Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Perkins Discovery Fund.
26
|
|
(h)(4) |
Exhibit A
to the Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the B. Riley Diversified Equity Fund.
20
|
|
(h)(5) |
Exhibit A
to the Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Global Strategic Income Fund.
21
|
|
(h)(6) |
Amendment
No. 1 to the Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant
and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Global Strategic Income Fund.
35
|
|
(h)(7) |
Exhibit A
to the Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the REMS Funds.
22
|
|
(h)(8) |
Fund Services
Agreement dated August 15, 2017 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services,
Inc. on behalf of the Select Value Real Estate Securities Fund. (to be filed by
amendment)
|
|
(h)(9) |
Fund Services
Agreement dated November 10, 2015 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services,
Inc. on behalf of the Clifford Capital Partners Fund.
18
|
|
(h)(10) |
Exhibit A
to the Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Strategic Global Long/Short Fund.
19
|
|
(h)(11) |
Amended Fund
Services Agreement dated March 1, 2017 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund
Services, Inc. on behalf of the DGHM Funds.
37
|
|
(h)(12) |
Exhibit A
to the Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the CBOE Vest Funds.
27
|
|
(h)(13) |
Exhibit A
to the Fund Services Agreement dated August 24, 2016 between the Registrant and
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the CBOE Vest Enhanced Growth Funds.
28
|
|
(h)(14) |
Amended Fund
Services Agreement dated July 14, 2017 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund
Services, Inc. on behalf of the CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Dividend Aristocrats
Target Income Fund.
39
|
|
(h)(15) |
Amended Fund
Services Agreement dated July 14, 2017 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund
Services, Inc. on behalf of the CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Monthly Range
Capture Fund. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(h)(16) |
Amended Fund
Services Agreement dated July 14, 2017 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund
Services, Inc. on behalf of the CBOE Vest Digital Coins Strategy Fund. (to be filed
by amendment)
|
|
(h)(17) |
Exhibit A
to the Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of The E-Valuator Funds.
23
|
|
(h)(18) |
Exhibit A
to the Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Toreador Funds.
25
|
|
(h)(19) |
Amended Fund
Services Agreement dated September 20, 2017 between the Registrant and Commonwealth
Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of The SIM Funds. (to be filed by amendment)
|
(h)(20) |
Accounting
Services Agreement dated August 23, 2006 between the prior Funds Registrant
and Brown Brothers Harriman with respect to Toreador International Fund and the
Global Strategic Income Fund.
10
|
|
(h)(21) |
Novation Agreement
dated August 15, 2014 for Accounting Services between the Registrant and Brown Brothers
Harriman with respect to Toreador International Fund and the Global Strategic Income
Fund.
10
|
|
(h)(22) |
Amended and
Restated Schedule A dated October 31, 2014 to the Accounting Services Agreement
between the Registrant and UMB Fund Services, Inc. with respect to REMS International
Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.
7
|
|
(h)(23) |
Amended and
Restated Schedule A dated January 26, 2016 to the Accounting Services Agreement
between the Registrant and UMB Fund Services, Inc. with respect to Strategic Global
Long/Short Fund. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(h)(24) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and Union Street Partners, LLC with respect to
the Class A Shares and Class C Shares of the Union Street Partners Value Fund. (filed
herewith).
|
|
(h)(25) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and Perkins Capital Management, Inc. with respect
to shares of the Perkins Discovery Fund.
40
|
|
(h)(26) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co.,
LLC with respect to the DGHM Funds.
37
|
|
(h)(27) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co.,
LLC with respect to the DGHM MicroCap Value Funds.
24
|
|
(h)(28) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC
with respect to the REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund, and REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity
Fund.
36
|
|
(h)(29) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC
with respect to the REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund. (filed
herewith)
|
|
(h)(30) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and B. Riley Asset Management, a division of B.
Riley Capital Management, LLC with respect to the B. Riley Diversified Equity Fund.
52
|
|
(h)(31) |
Amended Expense
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Toreador Research & Trading,
LLC with respect to the Toreador Funds. (filed herewith)
|
|
(h)(32) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Capital Management, LLC with respect
to the Global Strategic Income Fund.
35
|
|
(h)(33) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and Strategic Asset Management, Ltd. with respect
to the Strategic Global Long/Short Fund.
19
|
|
(h)(34) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect to the
CBOE Vest Funds.
27
|
|
(h)(35) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect to the
CBOE Vest Enhanced Growth Funds.
28
|
|
(h)(36) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect to the
CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund.
39
|
(h)(37) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect to the
CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Monthly Range Capture Fund. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(h)(38) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect to the
CBOE Vest Digital Coins Strategy Fund. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(h)(39) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and Systelligence, LLC, with respect to The E-Valuator
Funds.
29
|
|
(h)(40) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and Secure Investment Management, LLC, with respect
to The SIM Funds. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(h)(41) |
Shareholder
Services Plan, dated August 2, 2013 as amended April 21, 2016, with respect to Investor
Class Shares of the DGHM Funds.
24
|
|
(h)(42) |
Shareholder
Services Plan, dated April 21, 2016, with respect to the CBOE Vest Funds Class A
Shares and Class C Shares.
27
|
|
(h)(43) |
Shareholder
Services Plan, dated August 24, 2016, with respect to the CBOE Vest Enhanced Growth
Funds Class A Shares and Class C Shares.
28
|
|
(h)(44) |
Amended Shareholder
Services Plan, dated July 14, 2017, with respect to the CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional
and Investor Class Shares.
39
|
|
(h)(45) |
Amended Shareholder
Services Plan, dated July 14, 2017, with respect to the CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Monthly Range Capture Fund Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional
Class Shares, and Investor Class Shares. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(h)(46) |
Amended Shareholder
Services Plan with respect to the CBOE Vest Digital Coins Strategy Fund Class A
Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional Class Shares and Investor Class Shares. (to
be filed by amendment)
|
|
(h)(47) |
Amended Shareholder
Services Plan with respect to the REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund, REMS Real
Estate Value-Opportunity Fund and the REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity
Fund.
38
|
|
(h)(48) |
Shareholder
Services Plan, dated April 21, 2016, with respect to The E-Valuator Funds Investor
Class Shares and Institutional Class Shares.
23
|
|
(i)(1) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for Union Street Partners Value Fund. (filed herewith)
|
|
(i)(2) |
Consent of
Legal Counsel for Union Street Partners Value Fund.
31
|
|
(i)(3) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for Perkins Discovery Fund. (filed herewith)
|
|
(i)(4) |
Consent of
Legal Counsel for Perkins Discovery Fund.
40
|
|
(i)(5) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for DGHM All-Cap Value Fund and DGHM V2000 Small Cap Value
Fund. (filed herewith)
|
|
(i)(6) |
Consent of
Legal Counsel for DGHM Funds.
37
|
|
(i)(7) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for DGHM MicroCap Value Fund.
24
|
|
(i)(8) |
Consent of
Legal Counsel for B. Riley Diversified Equity Fund.
34
|
|
(i)(9) |
Consent of
Legal Counsel for Toreador Funds.
41
|
(i)(10) |
Opinion of
Legal Counsel for Toreador International Fund.
12
|
|
(i)(11) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for Toreador Core Fund.
12
|
|
(i)(12) |
Opinion of
Legal Counsel for Toreador Core Fund.
12
|
|
(i)(13) |
Opinion and
Consent of Counsel regarding tax matters for the reorganization of the Toreador
Core Fund from the Unified Series Trust into World Funds Trust.
13
|
|
(i)(14) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for Toreador Explorer Fund.
11
|
|
(i)(15) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for Toreador Select Fund.
25
|
|
(i)(16) |
Consent of
Legal Counsel for the Global Strategic Income Fund.
35
|
|
(i)(17) |
Opinion of
Legal Counsel for the European Equity Fund (now the Global Strategic Income Fund).
9
|
|
(i)(18) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.
(filed herewith)
|
|
(i)(19) |
Consent of
Legal Counsel for REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.
15
|
|
(i)(20) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund.
5
|
|
(i)(21) |
Opinion of
Legal Counsel for REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund.
9
|
|
(i)(22) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.
6
|
|
(i)(23) |
Opinion of
Legal Counsel for REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.
9
|
|
(i)(24) |
Consent of
Legal Counsel for REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund, REMS Real
Estate Income 50/50 Fund and REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.
38
|
|
(i)(25) |
Opinion and
Consent for Select Value Real Estate Securities Fund. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(i)(26) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for Clifford Capital Partners Fund.
18
|
|
(i)(27) |
Consent of
Legal Counsel for Clifford Capital Partners Fund.
30
|
|
(i)(28) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for Strategic Global Long/Short Fund.
19
|
|
(i)(29) |
Consent of
Legal Counsel for Strategic Global Long/Short Fund.
32
|
|
(i)(30) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for CBOE Vest Funds.
27
|
|
(i)(31) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for CBOE Vest Enhanced Growth Funds.
28
|
|
(i)(32) |
Consent of
Legal Counsel for CBOE Vest Funds and CBOE Vest Enhanced Growth Funds.
33
|
|
(i)(33) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Dividend Aristocrats
Target Income Fund.
39
|
|
(i)(34) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Monthly Range Capture
Fund. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(i)(35) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect Strategy
Fund, CBOE Vest Defined Distribution Strategy Fund, CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Enhanced
Growth Strategy Fund, and CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Dividend Aristocrats
Target Income Fund with respect to the Class Y Shares. (to be filed by amendment)
|
(i)(36) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for CBOE Vest Digital Coins Strategy Fund. (to be filed
by amendment)
|
|
(i)(37) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for The E-Valuator Funds.
23
|
|
(i)(38) |
Consent of
Legal Counsel for The E-Valuator Funds.
29
|
|
(i)(39) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for The SIM Funds. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(j)(1) |
Consent of
independent public accountants for Union Street Partners Value Fund.
31
|
|
(j)(2) |
Consent of
independent public accountants for Perkins Discovery Fund.
40
|
|
(j)(3) |
Consent of
independent public accountants for DGHM Funds.
37
|
|
(j)(4) |
Consent of
Independent Certified Public Accountants, Grant Thornton LLP for the DGHM MicroCap,
G.P.
24
|
|
(j)(5) |
Consent of
Independent Certified Public Accountants, Grant Thornton LLP for the DGHM MicroCap,
G.P.
37
|
|
(j)(6) |
Consent of
independent public accountants for REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity
Fund, REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund, and REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity
Fund.
38
|
|
(j)(7) |
Consent of
Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for B. Riley Diversified Equity Fund.
34
|
|
(j)(8) |
Consent of
Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for the Toreador Funds.
41
|
|
(j)(9) |
Consent of
Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for the Global Strategic Income Fund.
35
|
|
(j)(10) |
Consent of
Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for Clifford Capital Partners Fund.
30
|
|
(j)(11) |
Consent of
Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for CBOE Vest S&P 500® Buffer
Protect Strategy Fund and CBOE Vest Defined Distribution Strategy Fund.
33
|
|
(j)(12) |
Consent of
auditor for The E-Valuator CIF Financial Statements.
29
|
|
(j)(13) |
Consent of
Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for The E-Valuator Funds.
29
|
|
(j)(14) |
Consent of
Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for Strategic Global Long/Short Fund.
32
|
|
(k) |
Not applicable.
|
|
(l) |
Not applicable.
|
|
(m)(1) |
Amended Schedule
A to the Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Union Street Partners Value
Fund.
7
|
|
(m)(2) |
Fixed Compensation
Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Perkins Discovery Fund.
2
|
(m)(3) |
Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Investor Class Shares and Class C Shares of
the DGHM Funds.
24
|
|
(m)(4) |
Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated November 26, 2013, for the Investor Class Shares
of the B. Riley Diversified Equity Fund.
3
|
|
(m)(5) |
Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated December 21, 2016, for the Investor Class Shares
and Class C Shares of the Toreador Funds.
41
|
|
(m)(6) |
Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated August 15, 2014, for the Class A Shares and Class
C Shares of the Global Strategic Income Fund.
4
|
|
(m)(7) |
Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated August 15, 2014, for the Platform Class Shares
of the REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund.
5
|
|
(m)(8) |
Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated August 15, 2014, for the Platform Class Shares
of the REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.
6
|
|
(m)(9) |
Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated May 16, 2017, for the Platform Class Shares of
the REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.
38
|
|
(m)(10) |
Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated May 16, 2014, for the Class A Shares, of the
B. Riley Diversified Equity Fund.
3
|
|
(m)(11) |
Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated November 10, 2015, for the Clifford Capital Partners
Fund.
18
|
|
(m)(12) |
Amended Distribution
and Shareholder Services Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated February 18, 2016, for
the Strategic Global Long/Short Fund.
19
|
|
(m)(13) |
Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated July 6, 2016, for the CBOE Vest Funds.
27
|
|
(m)(14) |
Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated August 24, 2016, for the CBOE Vest Enhanced Growth
Funds.
28
|
|
(m)(15) |
Amended Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated July 14, 2017 for the CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund.
39
|
|
(m)(16) |
Amended Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated July 14, 2017 for the CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Monthly Range Capture Fund. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(m)(17) |
Amended Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated July 14, 2017 for the CBOE Vest Digital Coins
Strategy Funds. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(m)(18) |
Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated April 21, 2016, for The E-Valuator Funds.
23
|
|
(n)(1) |
Rule 18f-3
Multiple Class Plan for the Union Street Partners Value Fund.
17
|
|
(n)(2) |
Rule 18f-3
Multiple Class Plan for the DGHM Funds.
37
|
|
(n)(3) |
Rule 18f-3
Multiple Class Plan for the B. Riley Diversified Equity Fund.
34
|
|
(n)(4) |
Rule 18f-3
Multiple Class Plan for the Toreador Funds.
41
|
|
(n)(5) |
Rule 18f-3
Multiple Class Plan for the Global Strategic Income Fund.
35
|
|
(n)(6) |
Amended Rule
18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for the REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund, REMS International
Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund and the REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.
38
|
(n)(7) |
Rule 18f-3
Multiple Class Plan for the Clifford Capital Partners Fund.
18
|
|
(n)(8) |
Rule 18f-3
Multiple Class Plan for the Strategic Global Long/Short Fund.
19
|
|
(n)(9) |
Rule 18f-3
Multiple Class Plan for the CBOE Vest Funds.
27
|
|
(n)(10) |
Rule 18f-3
Multiple Class Plan for the CBOE Vest Enhanced Growth Funds.
28
|
|
(n)(11) |
Amended Rule
18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for the CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Dividend Aristocrats
Target Income Fund.
39
|
|
(n)(12) |
Amended Rule
18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for the CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Monthly Range
Capture Fund. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(n)(13) |
Amended Rule
18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for the CBOE Vest Digital Coins Strategy Fund. (to be
filed by amendment)
|
|
(n)(14) |
Rule 18f-3
Multiple Class Plan for The E-Valuator Funds.
23
|
|
(o) |
Reserved.
|
|
(p)(1) |
Code of Ethics
for the Registrant.
41
|
|
(p)(2) |
Code of Ethics
for Union Street Partners, LLC. (filed herewith)
|
|
(p)(3) |
Code of Ethics
for McGinn Investment Management, Inc.
5
|
|
(p)(4) |
Code of Ethics
for Perkins Capital Management, Inc. (filed herewith)
|
|
(p)(5) |
Code of Ethics
for Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC.
38
|
|
(p)(6) |
Code of Ethics
for B. Riley Asset Management, a division of B. Riley Capital Management, LLC. (filed
herewith)
|
|
(p)(7) |
Code of Ethics
for Toreador Research & Trading, LLC.
8
|
|
(p)(8) |
Code of Ethics
for Commonwealth Capital Management, LLC.
4
|
|
(p)(9) |
Code of Ethics
for Shikiar Asset Management, Inc.
35
|
|
(p)(10) |
Code of Ethics
for Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC. (filed herewith)
|
|
(p)(11) |
Code of Ethics
for Strategic Asset Management, Ltd.
7
|
|
(p)(12) |
Code of Ethics
for Clifford Capital Partners, LLC.
18
|
|
(p)(13) |
Code of Ethics
for CBOE Vest Financial LLC (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(p)(14) |
Code of Ethics
for Systelligence, LLC
23
|
|
(p)(15) |
Code of Ethics
for Secure Investment Management, LLC (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(q) |
Powers of
Attorney. (filed herewith)
|
|
1. | Incorporated by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 30, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172). | |
2. | Incorporated by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July 29, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172). |
3. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August
1, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
4. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August
15, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
5. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August
15, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
6. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August
15, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
7. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October
31, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
8. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on December
29, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
9. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January
28, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
10. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on March
31, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
11. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April
29, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
12. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on May
8, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
13. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August
6, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
14. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August
28, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
15. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on September
16, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
16. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November
6, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
17. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November
20, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
18. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February
8, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
19. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February
23, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
20. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April
29, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
21. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April
29, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
22. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April
29, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
23. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on May
26, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
24. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on May
31, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
25. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June
30, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
26. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July
29, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
27. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August
23, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
28. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on December
12, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
29. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on December
23, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
30. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January
30, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
31. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January
30, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
32. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January
30, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
33. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February
28, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
34. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April
28, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
35. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April
28, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
36. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April
28, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
37. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June
28, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
38. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June
29, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
39. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July
24, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
40. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July
31, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
41. |
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August
28, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
Item 29. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control With Registrant
None. |
Item 30. Indemnification
See Article VIII, Section 2 of the Registrants Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the section titled Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, Employees and Other Agents in the Registrants By-Laws.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Declaration of Trust or otherwise, the Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and, therefore, is unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by trustees, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense of any act, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustees, officers or controlling persons in connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant 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 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issues.
Item 31. Business and other Connections of the Investment Adviser
The list required by this Item 31 as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each of the investment advisers and sub-advisers, and each director, officer or partner of such investment advisers or sub-advisers, is or has been engaged within the last two fiscal years for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is incorporated herein by reference to Schedules A and D of each investment advisers or sub-advisers Form ADV listed opposite such investment advisers or sub-advisers name below, which is
currently on file with the SEC as required by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
Name of Investment Adviser / Sub-Adviser | Form ADV File No. |
Union Street Partners, LLC | 801-72120 |
McGinn Investment Management, Inc. | 801-40578 |
Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC | 801-62895 |
Perkins Capital Management, Inc. | 801-22888 |
B. Riley Asset
Management, a division of B. Riley
Capital Management, LLC |
801-78852 |
Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC | 801-61061 |
Commonwealth Capital Management, LLC | 801-60040 |
Shikiar Asset Management, Inc. | 801-44062 |
Toreador Research & Trading, LLC | 801-66461 |
Strategic Asset Management, Ltd. | 801-70903 |
Clifford Capital Partners, LLC | 801-78911 |
CBOE Vest Financial LLC | 801-77463 |
Systelligence, LLC | 801-107695 |
Secure Investment Management, LLC |
801-80752
|
Item 32. Principal Underwriters
a) |
First Dominion
Capital Corp. also acts as underwriter to The World Funds, Inc.
|
||
b) |
First Dominion
Capital Corp. The information required by this Item 32(b) with respect to each director,
officer or partner of FDCC is incorporated herein by reference to Schedule A of
Form BD, filed by FDCC with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (File No. 8-33719).
|
||
c) | Not applicable. |
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
The accounts, books or other documents of the Registrant required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder are kept in several locations:
a) |
Commonwealth
Fund Services, Inc., 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235
(records relating to its function as transfer agent to the Funds).
|
|
b) |
First Dominion
Capital Corporation, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235
(records relating to its function as distributor to the Funds).
|
|
c) |
Union Street
Partners LLC, 1421 Prince Street, Suite 400 Alexandria, VA 22314. (records relating
to its function as investment adviser to the Union Street Partners Value Fund).
|
|
d) |
McGinn Investment
Management, Inc., 201 North Union Street, Suite 101, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
(records relating to its function as sub-adviser to the Union Street Partners Value
Fund).
|
|
e) |
Perkins Capital
Management, Inc., 730 East Lake Street, Wayzata, MN 55391-1769 (records relating
to its function as investment adviser to the Perkins Discovery Fund).
|
|
f) |
Dalton, Greiner,
Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC, 565 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2101, New York, NY 10017
(records relating to its function as the investment adviser to the DGHM Funds).
|
|
g) |
Real Estate
Management Services Group, LLC, 1100 Fifth Avenue, South, Suite 301, Naples, FL
34102-6407 (records relating to its function as the investment adviser to the REMS
International
|
Real Estate
Value-Opportunity Fund; REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund and REMS Real Estate
Value-Opportunity Fund).
|
||
h) |
B. Riley Asset
Management, a division of B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, 11100 Santa Monica Blvd.,
Suite 800, Los Angeles, California 90025 (records relating to its function as the
investment adviser to the B. Riley Diversified Equity Fund).
|
|
i) |
Toreador Research
& Trading, LLC, 7493 N. Ingram Avenue, Suite 104, Fresno, California 93711
(records relating to its function as the investment adviser to the Toreador Funds).
|
|
j) |
Commonwealth
Capital Management, LLC, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235
(records relating to its function as the investment adviser to the Global Strategic
Income Fund).
|
|
k) |
Shikiar Asset
Management, Inc., 1185 Avenue of the Americas, 18
th
Floor, New York,
New York 10036 (records relating to its function as sub-adviser to the Global Strategic
Income Fund ).
|
|
l) |
Strategic
Asset Management, Ltd., Calle Ayacucho No. 277, La Paz, Bolivia (records relating
to its function as the investment adviser to the Strategic Latin America Fund and
Strategic Global Long/Short Fund).
|
|
m) |
Clifford Capital
Partners, LLC, 40 Shuman Boulevard, Suite 256, Napierville, Illinois, 60563 (records
relating to its function as the investment adviser to the Clifford Capital Partners
Fund).
|
|
n) |
CBOE Vest
Financial LLC, 1765 Greensboro Station Pl, 9th Floor, McLean, Virginia 22102 (records
relating to its function as the investment adviser to the CBOE Vest Funds).
|
|
o) |
Systelligence,
LLC, 7760 France Avenue South, Suite 810, Bloomington, Minnesota 55435 (records
relating to its function as the investment adviser to The E-Valuator Funds).
|
|
p) |
Secure Investment
Management, LLC, 3067 W Ina Road., Suite 125, Tucson, Arizona 85741 (records relating
to its function as the investment adviser to The SIM Funds).
|
Item 34. Management Services
There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Parts A or B of this Form. |
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 241 to the Registrants Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Richmond, Commonwealth of Virginia on the 4th day of October, 2017.
WORLD FUNDS TRUST |
By: /s/ David A. Bogaert |
David A. Bogaert |
President and Principal Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 241 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Exhibit List
(a)(1) |
Certificate
of Trust of World Funds Trust (formerly, Abacus World Funds Trust) dated April 9,
2007.
|
|
(a)(2) |
Certificate
of Amendment dated January 7, 2008 to the Registrants Certificate of Trust
dated April 9, 2007
|
|
(d)(4) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher &
Co., LLC with respect to the DGHM All-Cap Value Fund.
|
|
(d)(5) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher &
Co., LLC with respect to the DGHM V2000 SmallCap Value Fund.
|
|
(d)(8) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Toreador Research & Trading,
LLC with respect to the Toreador Funds
|
|
(d)(11) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Real Estate Management Services, Group,
LLC with respect to the REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund
|
|
(g)(1) |
Custody Agreement
dated July 30, 2008 between the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A.
|
|
(h)(24) |
Expense Limitation
Agreement between the Registrant and Union Street Partners, LLC with respect to
the Class A Shares and Class C Shares of the Union Street Partners Value Fund
|
|
(h)(29) |
Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC with respect to the REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund. (filed herewith)
|
|
(h)(31) |
Amended Expense
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Toreador Research & Trading,
LLC with respect to the Toreador Funds
|
|
(i)(1) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for Union Street Partners Value Fund
|
|
(i)(3) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for Perkins Discovery Fund
|
|
(i)(5) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for DGHM All-Cap Value Fund and DGHM V2000 Small Cap Value
Fund
|
|
(i)(18) |
Opinion and
Consent of Legal Counsel for REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund
|
|
(p)(2) |
Code of Ethics
for Union Street Partners, LLC
|
|
(p)(4) |
Code of Ethics
for Perkins Capital Management, Inc.
|
|
(p)(6) |
Code of Ethics
for B. Riley Asset Management, a division of B. Riley Capital Management, LLC.
|
|
(p)(10) |
Code of Ethics
for Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC.
|
|
(q) |
Powers of
Attorney
|
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
OF
Abacus World Funds Trust
This Certificate of Trust of Abacus World Funds Trust, a statutory trust (the Trust), executed by the undersigned trustee, and filed under and in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act (12 DEL. C. SS.3801 et seq.) (the Act), sets forth the following:
FIRST: The name of the statutory trust formed hereby is Abacus World Funds Trust.
SECOND: The address of the registered office of the Trust in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The name of the Trusts registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.
THIRD: The Trust formed hereby is or will become an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (15 U.S.C. SS.80a-1 et seq.).
FOURTH: Pursuant to and in accordance with Section 3804 of the Act, the debts, liabilities, obligations, costs, charges, reserves and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to a particular series created as provided in Section 3806(b)(2) of the Act , whether such series is now authorized and existing pursuant to the governing instrument of the Trust or is hereafter authorized and existing pursuant to said governing instrument, shall be enforceable against the assets associated with such series only, and not against the assets of the Trust generally or any other series thereof, and, except as otherwise provided in the governing instrument of the Trust, none of the debts, liabilities, obligations, costs, charges, reserves and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to the Trust generally or any other series thereof shall be enforceable against the assets of such series.
In witness whereof, the undersigned, being the sole trustee of Abacus World Funds Trust, has duly executed this Certificate of Trust as of the 9th day of April, 2007.
/s/ Franklin A. Trice, III | |
Franklin A. Trice, III, Sole Trustee |
STATE OF
DELAWARE
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
Pursuant to Title 12, Section 3810(b) of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, the undersigned Trust executed the following Certificate of Amendment:
1. | Name of Statutory Trust: Abacus World Funds Trust | ||
2. | The Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Trust is hereby amended as follows: | ||
Article First of the Certificate of Trust shall be amended to read as set forth below: | |||
The name of the statutory trust formed hereby is World Funds Trust. | |||
3. | This Certificate of Amendments shall be effective upon filing. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Amendment on the 7th day of January, 2008.
/s/ Franklin A. Trice, III | |
Franklin A. Trice, III, Sole Trustee |
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
This Agreement, which was first entered into and made effective as of August 2, 2013, by and between the World Funds Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the Trust), on behalf of the series portfolio of the Trust set forth on Schedule A (the Fund), and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as Advisor).
WHEREAS , the Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act);
WHEREAS , the Advisor is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (Advisers Act), and engages in the business of asset management; and
WHEREAS , the Trust desires to retain the Advisor to render certain investment management services to the Fund, and the Advisor is willing to render such services;
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Obligations of Investment Advisor .
(a)
Services.
The Advisor agrees to perform the following services (the Services)
for the Trust:
|
||||
(1) manage
the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund;
|
||||
(2) continuously
review, supervise, and administer the investment program of the Fund;
|
||||
(3) determine,
in its discretion, the securities to be purchased, retained or sold (and implement
those decisions) with respect to the Fund;
|
||||
(4) provide
the Trust and the Fund with records concerning the Advisors activities under
this Agreement which the Trust and the Fund are required to maintain;
|
||||
(5) render
regular reports to the Trusts trustees and officers concerning the Advisors discharge
of the foregoing responsibilities; and
|
||||
(6) perform
such other services as agreed by the Advisor and the Trust from time to time.
|
||||
The Advisor shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the control
of the trustees and officers of the Trust and in compliance with (i) such policies
as the trustees may from time to time establish; (ii) the Funds objectives,
policies, and limitations as set forth in its prospectus (Prospectus)
and statement of additional information (Statement of Additional Information), as the same may be amended from time to time; and (iii) with all applicable
laws and regulations. All Services to be furnished by the Advisor under this Agreement
may be furnished through the medium of any directors, officers or employees of the
Advisor or through such other parties as the Advisor may determine from time to
time.
|
1
(b) Expenses and Personnel . The Advisor agrees, at its own expense or at the expense of one or more of its affiliates, to render the Services and to provide the office space, furnishings, equipment and personnel as may be reasonably required in the judgment of the trustees and officers of the Trust to perform the Services on the terms and for the compensation provided herein. The Advisor shall authorize and permit any of its officers, directors and employees, who may be elected as trustees or officers of the Trust, to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Except to the extent expressly assumed by the Advisor herein and except to the extent required by law to be paid by the Advisor, the Trust shall pay all costs and expenses in connection with its operation.
(c) Books and Records . All books and records prepared and maintained by the Advisor for the Trust and the Fund under this Agreement shall be the property of the Trust and the Fund and, upon request therefore, the Advisor shall surrender to the Trust and the Fund such of the books and records so requested.
2. Fund Transactions . The Advisor is authorized to select the brokers or dealers that will execute the purchases and sales of portfolio securities for the Fund. With respect to brokerage selection, the Advisor shall seek to obtain the best overall execution for fund transactions, which is a combination of price, quality of execution and other factors. The Advisor may, in its discretion, purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers and dealers who provide the Advisor with brokerage, research, analysis, advice and similar services, and the Advisor may pay to these brokers and dealers, in return for such services, a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers and dealers, provided that the Advisor determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms either of that particular transaction or of the overall responsibility of the Advisor to the Fund and its other clients and that the total commission paid by the Fund will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund and its other clients over the long-term. The Advisor will promptly communicate to the officers and the trustees of the Trust such information relating to portfolio transactions as they may reasonably request.
3. Compensation of the Advisor . The Fund will pay monthly to the Advisor an investment advisory fee (the Fee) equal to an annualized rate of that percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund as set forth on Schedule A attached hereto. The Fee shall be calculated as of the last business day of each month based upon the average daily net assets of the Fund determined in the manner described in the Funds Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information, and shall be paid to the Advisor by the Fund within five (5) days after such calculation.
4. Status of Investment Advisor . The services of the Advisor to the Trust and the Fund are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Advisor shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its Services to the Trust and the Fund are not impaired thereby. The Advisor shall be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Trust or the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust or the Fund. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any director, officer or employee of the Advisor, who may also be a trustee, officer or employee of the Trust, to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar nature or a dissimilar nature.
5. Permissible Interests . Trustees, agents, and stockholders of the Trust are or may be interested in the Advisor (or any successor thereof) as directors, partners, officers, or stockholders, or otherwise; and directors, partners, officers, agents, and stockholders of the Advisor are or may be interested in the Trust as trustees, stockholders or otherwise; and the Advisor (or any successor) is or may be interested in the Trust as a stockholder or otherwise.
2
6. Limits of Liability; Indemnification . The Advisor assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the Services called for hereunder. The Advisor shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on its part in the performance of, or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under, this Agreement. It is agreed that the Advisor shall have no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the Trusts registration statement under the Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act), except for information supplied by the Advisor for inclusion therein. The Trust agrees to indemnify the Advisor to the full extent permitted by the Trusts Declaration of Trust.
Any liability of the Advisor to the Fund shall not automatically impart liability on the part of the Advisor to any other series portfolio of the Trust. The Fund shall not be liable for the obligations of any other series portfolio of the Trust, nor shall any other series portfolio of the Trust be liable for the obligations of the Fund. The limitations of liability provided under this section are not to be construed so as to provide for limitation of liability for any liability (including liability under U.S. federal securities laws that, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith) to the extent (but only to the extent) that such limitation of liability would be in violation of applicable law, but will be construed so as to effectuate the applicable provisions of this section to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
7. Liability of Shareholders . Notice is hereby given that, as provided by applicable law, the obligations of or arising out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the shareholders of the Trust individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust and that the shareholders shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to the same limitation on personal liability as shareholders of private corporations for profit.
8. Term . This Agreement shall remain in effect for an initial term of two years from the date the Fund commences operation, and from year to year thereafter provided such continuance is approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of the trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons (as defined in the Act) of the Trust, which vote must be cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; provided, however, that:
(a) the Trust
may, at any time and without the payment of any penalty, terminate this Agreement
upon 60 days written notice of a decision to terminate this Agreement by (i) the
Trusts trustees; or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund;
|
|
(b) the Agreement
shall immediately terminate in the event of its assignment (within the meaning of
the Act);
|
|
(c) the Advisor
may, at any time and without the payment of any penalty, terminate this Agreement
upon 60 days written notice to the Trust and the Fund; and
|
|
(d) the terms
of paragraph 6 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
9. Amendments . No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved by vote of the holders of a majority of the Trusts outstanding voting securities.
3
10. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the principles of the conflict of laws or the choice of laws.
11. Representations and Warranties .
(a) Representations and Warranties of the Advisor . The Advisor hereby represents and warrants to the Trust as follows: (i) the Advisor is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is fully authorized to enter into this Agreement and carry out its duties and obligations hereunder; and (ii) the Advisor is registered as an investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Advisers Act, and shall maintain such registration in effect at all times during the term of this Agreement.
(b) Representations and Warranties of the Trust . The Trust hereby represents and warrants to the Advisor as follows: (i) the Trust has been duly organized as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware and is authorized to enter into this Agreement and carry out its terms; (ii) the Trust is registered as an investment company with the SEC under the Act; (iii) shares of each Fund are (or will be) registered for offer and sale to the public under the 1933 Act; and (iv) such registrations will be kept in effect during the term of this Agreement.
12. Structure of Agreement . The Trust is entering into this Agreement solely on behalf of the Fund. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing: (a) no breach of any term of this Agreement shall create a right or obligation with respect to any series of the Trust other than the Fund; (b) under no circumstances shall the Advisor have the right to set off claims relating to the Fund by applying property of any other series of the Trust; and (c) the business and contractual relationships created by this Agreement, consideration for entering into this Agreement, and the consequences of such relationship and consideration relate solely to the Trust and the Fund.
13. Use of Names . The Trust acknowledges that all rights to the name DGHM belongs to the Advisor, and that the Trust is being granted a limited license to use such words in its name, the name of its series and the name of its classes of shares.
14. Severability . 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.
15. Notice . Notices of any kind to be given to the Trust hereunder by the Advisor shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to World Funds Trust at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235, Attention: (Chairman of the Board of Trustees) or to such other address or to such individual as shall be so specified by the Trust to the Advisor. Notices of any kind to be given to the Advisor hereunder by the Trust shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC, 565 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2101, New York, New York 10017, Attention: Timothy G. Dalton, or at such other address or to such individual as shall be so specified by the Advisor to the Trust. Notices shall be deemed received when delivered in person or within four (4) days after being deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested or upon receipt of proof of delivery when sent by overnight mail or overnight courier, addressed as stated above.
16. Notice of Change in Membership . The Advisor is hereby obligated to notify the Trust if there is a change in the Advisors partnership, whether of general or limited partners, within a reasonable time after such change takes place.
4
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and the year first written above.
DALTON, GREINER,
HARTMAN, MAHER & CO., LLC
|
WORLD FUNDS TRUST | ||
/s/ B Geller | /s/ John Pasco III | ||
By: Bruce H. Geller | By: John Pasco III | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | Title: Chairman |
5
Schedule A
to the
Amended Investment Advisory Agreement
As of August 2, 2013
DGHM AllCap Value Fund: | 0.65% of the average daily net assets of the Fund |
6
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
This Agreement, which was first entered into and made effective as of August 2, 2013, by and between the World Funds Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the Trust), on behalf of the series portfolio of the Trust set forth on Schedule A (the Fund), and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as Advisor).
WHEREAS , the Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act);
WHEREAS , the Advisor is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (Advisers Act), and engages in the business of asset management; and
WHEREAS , the Trust desires to retain the Advisor to render certain investment management services to the Fund, and the Advisor is willing to render such services;
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Obligations of Investment Advisor .
(a) Services. The Advisor agrees to perform the following services (the Services) for the Trust: | ||||
(1) manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund; | ||||
(2) continuously review, supervise, and administer the investment program of the Fund; | ||||
(3) determine, in its discretion, the securities to be purchased, retained or sold (and implement those decisions) with respect to the Fund; | ||||
(4) provide the Trust and the Fund with records concerning the Advisors activities under this Agreement which the Trust and the Fund are required to maintain; | ||||
(5) render regular reports to the Trusts trustees and officers concerning the Advisors discharge of the foregoing responsibilities; and | ||||
(6) perform such other services as agreed by the Advisor and the Trust from time to time. | ||||
The Advisor shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the control of the trustees and officers of the Trust and in compliance with (i) such policies as the trustees may from time to time establish; (ii) the Funds objectives, policies, and limitations as set forth in its prospectus (Prospectus) and statement of additional information (Statement of Additional Information), as the same may be amended from time to time; and (iii) with all applicable laws and regulations. All Services to be furnished by the Advisor under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any directors, officers or employees of the Advisor or through such other parties as the Advisor may determine from time to time.
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(b) Expenses and Personnel . The Advisor agrees, at its own expense or at the expense of one or more of its affiliates, to render the Services and to provide the office space, furnishings, equipment and personnel as may be reasonably required in the judgment of the trustees and officers of the Trust to perform the Services on the terms and for the compensation provided herein. The Advisor shall authorize and permit any of its officers, directors and employees, who may be elected as trustees or officers of the Trust, to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Except to the extent expressly assumed by the Advisor herein and except to the extent required by law to be paid by the Advisor, the Trust shall pay all costs and expenses in connection with its operation.
(c) Books and Records . All books and records prepared and maintained by the Advisor for the Trust and the Fund under this Agreement shall be the property of the Trust and the Fund and, upon request therefore, the Advisor shall surrender to the Trust and the Fund such of the books and records so requested.
2. Fund Transactions . The Advisor is authorized to select the brokers or dealers that will execute the purchases and sales of portfolio securities for the Fund. With respect to brokerage selection, the Advisor shall seek to obtain the best overall execution for fund transactions, which is a combination of price, quality of execution and other factors. The Advisor may, in its discretion, purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers and dealers who provide the Advisor with brokerage, research, analysis, advice and similar services, and the Advisor may pay to these brokers and dealers, in return for such services, a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers and dealers, provided that the Advisor determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms either of that particular transaction or of the overall responsibility of the Advisor to the Fund and its other clients and that the total commission paid by the Fund will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund and its other clients over the long-term. The Advisor will promptly communicate to the officers and the trustees of the Trust such information relating to portfolio transactions as they may reasonably request.
3. Compensation of the Advisor . The Fund will pay monthly to the Advisor an investment advisory fee (the Fee) equal to an annualized rate of that percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund as set forth on Schedule A attached hereto. The Fee shall be calculated as of the last business day of each month based upon the average daily net assets of the Fund determined in the manner described in the Funds Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information, and shall be paid to the Advisor by the Fund within five (5) days after such calculation.
4. Status of Investment Advisor . The services of the Advisor to the Trust and the Fund are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Advisor shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its Services to the Trust and the Fund are not impaired thereby. The Advisor shall be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Trust or the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust or the Fund. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any director, officer or employee of the Advisor, who may also be a trustee, officer or employee of the Trust, to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar nature or a dissimilar nature.
5. Permissible Interests . Trustees, agents, and stockholders of the Trust are or may be interested in the Advisor (or any successor thereof) as directors, partners, officers, or stockholders, or otherwise; and directors, partners, officers, agents, and stockholders of the Advisor are or may be interested in the Trust as trustees, stockholders or otherwise; and the Advisor (or any successor) is or may be interested in the Trust as a stockholder or otherwise.
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6. Limits of Liability; Indemnification . The Advisor assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the Services called for hereunder. The Advisor shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on its part in the performance of, or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under, this Agreement. It is agreed that the Advisor shall have no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the Trusts registration statement under the Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act), except for information supplied by the Advisor for inclusion therein. The Trust agrees to indemnify the Advisor to the full extent permitted by the Trusts Declaration of Trust.
Any liability of the Advisor to the Fund shall not automatically impart liability on the part of the Advisor to any other series portfolio of the Trust. The Fund shall not be liable for the obligations of any other series portfolio of the Trust, nor shall any other series portfolio of the Trust be liable for the obligations of the Fund. The limitations of liability provided under this section are not to be construed so as to provide for limitation of liability for any liability (including liability under U.S. federal securities laws that, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith) to the extent (but only to the extent) that such limitation of liability would be in violation of applicable law, but will be construed so as to effectuate the applicable provisions of this section to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
7. Liability of Shareholders . Notice is hereby given that, as provided by applicable law, the obligations of or arising out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the shareholders of the Trust individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust and that the shareholders shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to the same limitation on personal liability as shareholders of private corporations for profit.
8. Term . This Agreement shall remain in effect for an initial term of two years from the date the Fund commences operation, and from year to year thereafter provided such continuance is approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of the trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons (as defined in the Act) of the Trust, which vote must be cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; provided, however, that:
(a) the Trust may, at any time and without the payment of any penalty, terminate this Agreement upon 60 days written notice of a decision to terminate this Agreement by (i) the Trusts trustees; or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund;
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(b) the Agreement shall immediately terminate in the event of its assignment (within the meaning of the Act);
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(c) the Advisor may, at any time and without the payment of any penalty, terminate this Agreement upon 60 days written notice to the Trust and the Fund; and
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(d) the terms of paragraph 6 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
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9. Amendments . No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved by vote of the holders of a majority of the Trusts outstanding voting securities.
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10. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the principles of the conflict of laws or the choice of laws.
11. Representations and Warranties .
(a) Representations and Warranties of the Advisor . The Advisor hereby represents and warrants to the Trust as follows: (i) the Advisor is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is fully authorized to enter into this Agreement and carry out its duties and obligations hereunder; and (ii) the Advisor is registered as an investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Advisers Act, and shall maintain such registration in effect at all times during the term of this Agreement.
(b) Representations and Warranties of the Trust . The Trust hereby represents and warrants to the Advisor as follows: (i) the Trust has been duly organized as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware and is authorized to enter into this Agreement and carry out its terms; (ii) the Trust is registered as an investment company with the SEC under the Act; (iii) shares of each Fund are (or will be) registered for offer and sale to the public under the 1933 Act; and (iv) such registrations will be kept in effect during the term of this Agreement.
12. Structure of Agreement . The Trust is entering into this Agreement solely on behalf of the Fund. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing: (a) no breach of any term of this Agreement shall create a right or obligation with respect to any series of the Trust other than the Fund; (b) under no circumstances shall the Advisor have the right to set off claims relating to the Fund by applying property of any other series of the Trust; and (c) the business and contractual relationships created by this Agreement, consideration for entering into this Agreement, and the consequences of such relationship and consideration relate solely to the Trust and the Fund.
13. Use of Names . The Trust acknowledges that all rights to the name DGHM belongs to the Advisor, and that the Trust is being granted a limited license to use such words in its name, the name of its series and the name of its classes of shares.
14. Severability . 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.
15. Notice . Notices of any kind to be given to the Trust hereunder by the Advisor shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to World Funds Trust at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235, Attention: (Chairman of the Board of Trustees) or to such other address or to such individual as shall be so specified by the Trust to the Advisor. Notices of any kind to be given to the Advisor hereunder by the Trust shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC, 565 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2101, New York, New York 10017, Attention: Timothy G. Dalton, or at such other address or to such individual as shall be so specified by the Advisor to the Trust. Notices shall be deemed received when delivered in person or within four (4) days after being deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested or upon receipt of proof of delivery when sent by overnight mail or overnight courier, addressed as stated above.
16. Notice of Change in Membership . The Advisor is hereby obligated to notify the Trust if there is a change in the Advisors partnership, whether of general or limited partners, within a reasonable time after such change takes place.
4
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and the year first written above.
DALTON, GREINER, HARTMAN, MAHER & CO., LLC | WORLD FUNDS TRUST | ||
/s/ B Geller | /s/ John Pasco III | ||
By: Bruce H. Geller | By: John Pasco III | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | Title: Chairman |
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Schedule A
to the
Amended Investment Advisory Agreement
As of August 2, 2013
DGHM V2000 SmallCap Value Fund: | 0.80% of the average daily net assets of the Fund |
6
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (the Agreement) made by and between World Funds Trust (the Trust), a Delaware statutory trust registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and Toreador Research and Trading, LLC (the Adviser), a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business in Key West, Florida, as of the dates noted on Schedule A to this Agreement with respect to each series portfolio of the Trust (each a Fund and collectively, the Funds).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees (the Board) of the Trust has selected the Adviser to act as investment adviser to the Funds set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement, as such schedule may be amended from time to time upon mutual agreement of the parties, and to provide certain related services, as more fully set forth below, and to perform such services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set forth herein, the Trust and the Adviser do hereby agree as follows:
1. | THE ADVISERS SERVICES . | |||
(a) |
Discretionary
Investment Management Services
. The Adviser shall act as investment adviser
with respect to each Fund. In such capacity, the Adviser shall, subject to the supervision
of the Board, regularly provide each Fund with investment research, advice and supervision
and shall furnish continuously an investment program for each Fund, consistent with
the respective investment objectives and policies of each Fund. The Adviser shall
determine, from time to time, what securities shall be purchased for each Fund,
what securities shall be held or sold by each Fund and what portion of each Funds assets shall be held uninvested in cash, subject always to the provisions
of the Trusts Agreement and Declaration of Trust (Declaration of Trust), as amended and supplemented (the Declaration of Trust), Bylaws
and its registration statement on Form N-1A (the Registration Statement)
under the 1940 Act, and under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933
Act), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission), and with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of each Fund,
as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect. To carry out such obligations,
and to the extent not prohibited by any of the foregoing, the Adviser shall exercise
full discretion and act for each Fund in the same manner and with the same force
and effect as each Fund itself might or could do with respect to purchases, sales
or other transactions, as well as with respect to all other such things necessary
or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or other transactions.
No reference in this Agreement to the Adviser having full discretionary authority
over each Funds investments shall in any way limit the right of the Board,
in its sole discretion, to establish or revise policies in connection with the management
of a Funds assets or to otherwise exercise its right to control the overall
management of a Fund.
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(b) |
Compliance
. The Adviser agrees to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act), the 1933 Act, the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and the
respective rules and regulations thereunder, as applicable, as well as with all
other applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations that relate to the
services and relationships described hereunder and to the conduct of its business
as a registered investment adviser. The Adviser also agrees to comply with the objectives,
policies and restrictions set forth in the Registration Statement, as amended or
supplemented, of each Fund, and with any policies, guidelines, instructions and
procedures approved by the Board and provided to the Adviser in writing. In selecting
each Funds portfolio securities and performing the Advisers obligations
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1
hereunder,
the Adviser shall cause the Fund to comply with the diversification and source of
income requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the Code), for qualification as a regulated investment company. The
Adviser shall maintain compliance procedures that it reasonably believes are adequate
to ensure its compliance with the foregoing. No supervisory activity undertaken
by the Board shall limit the Advisers full responsibility for any of the foregoing.
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(c)
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Recordkeeping
. The Adviser agrees to preserve any Trust records that it creates or possesses
that are required to be maintained under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder (Fund Books and Records) for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under
the 1940 Act. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act,
the Adviser agrees that all such records are the property of the Trust and will
surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trusts request.
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(d)
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Holdings
Information and Pricing
. The Adviser shall provide regular reports regarding
Fund holdings, and shall furnish, at the request of the Board, such information
and reports as shall reasonably be requested by the Board from time to time. The
Adviser agrees to notify the Trust as soon as practicable if the Adviser reasonably
believes that the value of any security held by a Fund may not reflect fair value.
The Adviser agrees to provide any pricing information of which the Adviser is aware
to the Trust, its Board and/or any Fund pricing agent to assist in the determination
of the fair value of any Fund holdings for which market quotations are not readily
available or as otherwise required in accordance with the 1940 Act or the Trusts valuation procedures for the purpose of calculating the Fund net asset value
in accordance with procedures and methods established by the Board.
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(e)
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Cooperation
with Agents of the Trust
. The Adviser agrees to cooperate with and provide reasonable
assistance to the Trust, any Trust custodian or foreign sub-custodians, any Trust
pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Trust with respect
to such information regarding each Fund as such entities may reasonably request
from time to time in the performance of their obligations, provide prompt responses
to reasonable requests made by such persons and use appropriate interfaces established
by such persons so as to promote the efficient exchange of information and compliance
with applicable laws and regulations.
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(f)
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Delegation
of Authority
. Any of the duties, responsibilities and obligations of the Adviser
specified in this Section 1 and throughout the remainder of this Agreement with
respect to one or more Funds may be delegated by the Adviser, at the Advisers
expense, to an appropriate party (a Sub-Adviser), subject to such approval
by the Board and shareholders of the applicable Funds to the extent required by
the 1940 Act. The Adviser shall oversee the performance of delegated duties by any
Sub-Adviser and shall furnish the Board with periodic reports concerning the performance
of delegated responsibilities by such Sub- Adviser. The retention of a Sub-Adviser
by the Adviser pursuant to this Paragraph 1(f) shall in no way reduce the responsibilities
and obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement and the Adviser shall be responsible
to the Trust for all acts or omissions of any Sub-Adviser to the same extent the
Adviser would be liable hereunder. Insofar as the provisions of this Agreement impose
any restrictions, conditions, limitations or requirements on the Adviser, the Adviser
shall take measures through its contract with, or its oversight of, the Sub-Adviser
that attempt to impose similar (insofar as the circumstances may require) restrictions,
conditions, limitations or requirements on the Sub-Adviser.
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2.
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CODE OF ETHICS
. The Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics (Advisers Code of Ethics) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, which it has provided to the Trust. The Adviser has adopted procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with the Advisers Code of Ethics. Upon request, the Adviser shall provide the Trust with a
(i) copy of the Advisers Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time, and any proposed amendments thereto that the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of the Trust determines should be
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presented to the Board, and (ii) certification that it has adopted procedures reasonably
necessary to prevent Access Persons from engaging in any conduct prohibited by the
Advisers Code of Ethics. Annually, the Adviser shall furnish a written report
to the Board, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1, concerning the
Advisers Code of Ethics. The Adviser shall respond to requests for information
from the Trust as to violations of the Advisers Code of Ethics by Access Persons
and the sanctions imposed by the Adviser. The Adviser shall notify the Trust as
soon as practicable after it becomes aware of any material violation of the Advisers Code of Ethics, whether or not such violation relates to a security held by any Fund.
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3.
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INFORMATION AND REPORTING
. The Adviser shall provide the Trust and its respective
officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Adviser has assumed
under this Agreement as the Trust may from time to time reasonably request.
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(a)
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Notification
of Breach / Compliance Reports
. The Adviser shall notify the Trusts CCO
promptly upon detection of: (i) any material failure to manage any Fund in accordance
with its investment objectives and policies or any applicable law; or (ii) any material
breach of any of each Funds or the Advisers policies, guidelines or
procedures with respect to the Fund. In addition, the Adviser shall respond to quarterly
requests for information concerning the Funds compliance with its investment
objectives and policies, applicable law, including, but not limited to the 1940
Act and Subchapter M of the Code, and the Funds policies, guidelines or procedures
as applicable to the Advisers obligations under this Agreement. The Adviser
agrees to correct any such failure promptly and to take any action that the Board
may reasonably request in connection with any such breach. Upon request, the Adviser
shall also provide the officers of the Trust with supporting certifications in connection
with such certifications of Fund financial statements and disclosure controls pursuant
to the Sarbanes- Oxley Act. The Adviser will promptly notify the Trust in the event:
(x) the Adviser is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding,
inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board,
or body, involving the affairs of the Trust (excluding class action suits in which
a Fund is a member of the plaintiff class by reason of the Funds ownership
of shares in the defendant) or the compliance by the Adviser with the federal or
state securities laws; or (y) of an actual change in control of the Adviser resulting
in an assignment (as defined in Section 15) that has occurred or is
otherwise proposed to occur.
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(b)
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Board and
Filings Information
. The Adviser will also provide the Trust with any information
reasonably requested regarding its management of each Fund required for any meeting
of the Board, or for any shareholder report on Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, Form N-PX,
Form N-SAR, Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, proxy statement, prospectus
supplement, or other form or document to be filed by the Trust with the Commission.
The Adviser will make its officers and employees available to meet with the Board
from time to time on a reasonable basis on due notice to review its investment management
services to each Fund in light of current and prospective economic and market conditions
and shall furnish to the Board such information as may reasonably be necessary in
order for the Board to evaluate this Agreement or any proposed amendments thereto.
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(c)
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Transaction
Information
. The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust such information concerning
portfolio transactions as may be reasonably necessary to enable the Trust or its
designated agent to perform such compliance testing on each Fund and the Advisers services as the Trust may, in its sole discretion, determine to be appropriate.
The provision of such information by the Adviser to the Trust or its designated
agent in no way relieves the Adviser of its own responsibilities under this Agreement.
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4.
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BROKERAGE
.
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(a) |
Principal
Transactions
. In connection with purchases or sales of securities for the account
of a Fund, neither
the Adviser nor any of its directors, officers or employees will act as a principal
or agent or receive any commission except as permitted by the 1940 Act.
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(b)
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Placement
of Orders
. The Adviser shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities for each Funds account with brokers or dealers selected by the
Adviser. The Adviser will not execute transactions with a broker dealer which is
an affiliated person of the Trust except in accordance with procedures adopted
by the Board. The Adviser shall use its best efforts to seek to execute portfolio
transactions at prices which are advantageous to each Fund and at commission rates
which are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In selecting brokers
or dealers qualified to execute a particular transaction, brokers or dealers may
be selected who also provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are
defined in Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act) to each Fund and/or the other accounts
over which the Adviser or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The Adviser
is authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research
services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for each Fund which
is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged
for effecting that transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such
amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and
research services provided by such broker or dealer. This determination may be viewed
in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities which
the Adviser and its affiliates have with respect to accounts over which they exercise
investment discretion. The Board shall periodically review the commissions paid
by each Fund to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of
time were reasonable in relation to the benefits received by each Fund.
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5.
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CUSTODY
. Nothing in this Agreement shall permit the Adviser to take or receive
physical possession of cash, securities or other investments of a Fund.
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6.
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ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES
. The Adviser will bear its own costs of
providing services hereunder. Other than as herein specifically indicated or otherwise
agreed to in a separate signed writing, the Adviser shall not be responsible for
a Funds expenses, including brokerage and other expenses incurred in placing
orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments.
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7.
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REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
.
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(a)
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Properly
Registered
. The Adviser is registered with the Commission as an investment adviser
under the Advisers Act, and will remain so registered for the duration of this Agreement.
The Adviser is not prohibited by the Advisers Act or the 1940 Act from performing
the services contemplated by this Agreement, and to the best knowledge of the Adviser,
there is no proceeding or investigation pending or threatened that is reasonably
likely to result in the Adviser being prohibited from performing the services contemplated
by this Agreement. The Adviser agrees to promptly notify the Trust of the occurrence
of any event that would disqualify the Adviser from serving as an investment adviser
to an investment company. The Adviser is in compliance in all material respects
with all applicable federal and state law in connection with its investment management
operations.
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(b)
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ADV Disclosure
. The Adviser has provided the Board with a copy of its Form ADV and will, promptly
after amending its Form ADV, furnish a copy of such amendments to the Trust. The
information contained in the Advisers Form ADV is accurate and complete in
all material respects and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.
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(c)
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Fund Disclosure
Documents
. The Adviser will, upon request, review the Registration Statement
and any amendments or supplements thereto, the annual or semi- annual reports to
shareholders, other reports filed with the Commission and any marketing material
of a Fund
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(collectively
the Disclosure Documents), prior to any such Disclosure Documents being
filed or otherwise released to the public, and will use its best efforts to ensure
that with respect to disclosure about the Adviser, the manner in which the Adviser
manages the Fund or information relating directly or indirectly to the Adviser,
such Disclosure Documents will not contain, as of the date thereof, any untrue statement
of any material fact and will not omit any statement of material fact which was
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained therein
not misleading.
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(d)
|
Use of
the Name Toreador Research & Trading, LLC
. The Adviser has
the right to use the name Toreador Research & Trading, LLC or any
derivation thereof in connection with its services to the Trust and, subject to
the terms set forth in Section 8 of this Agreement, the Trust shall have the right
to use the name Toreador in connection with the management and operation
of each Fund. The Adviser is not aware of any actions, claims, litigation or proceedings
existing or threatened that would adversely affect or prejudice the rights of the
Adviser or the Trust to use the name Toreador Research & Trading, LLC.
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(e)
|
Insurance
. The Adviser maintains errors and omissions insurance coverage in the amount
disclosed to the Trust in connection with the Boards approval of the Agreement
and shall provide prior written notice to the Trust: (i) of any material changes
in its insurance policies or insurance coverage; or (ii) if any material claims
will be made on its insurance policies. Furthermore, the Adviser shall, upon reasonable
request, provide the Trust with any information it may reasonably require concerning
the amount of or scope of such insurance.
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(f)
|
No Detrimental
Agreement
. The Adviser represents and warrants that it has no arrangement or
understanding with any party, other than the Trust, that would influence the decision
of the Adviser with respect to its selection of securities for a Fund and its management
of the assets of the Fund, and that all selections shall be done in accordance with
what is in the best interest of the Fund as determined in good faith by the Adviser.
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(g)
|
Conflicts
. The Adviser shall act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of
its clients and the Fund. The Adviser maintains a Code of Ethics which defines the
standards by which the Adviser conducts its operations consistent with its fiduciary
duties and other obligations under applicable law.
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(h)
|
Representations
. The representations and warranties in this Section 7 shall be deemed to be
made on the date this Agreement is executed and at the time of delivery of each
quarterly compliance report required by Section 3(a), whether or not specifically
referenced in such report.
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8.
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THE NAME Toreador
. The Adviser grants to the Trust a license
to use the name Toreador (the Name) as part of the name
of any Fund during the term of this Agreement. The foregoing authorization by the
Adviser to the Trust to use the Name as part of the name of any Fund is not exclusive
of the right of the Adviser itself to use, or to authorize others to use, the Name;
the Trust acknowledges and agrees that, as between the Trust and the Adviser, the
Adviser has the right to use, or authorize others to use, the Name. The Trust shall:
(i) only use the Name in a manner consistent with uses approved by the Adviser;
(ii) use its best efforts to maintain the quality of the services offered using
the Name; and (iii) adhere to such other specific quality control standards as the
Adviser may from time to time promulgate. At the request of the Adviser, the Trust
will (i) submit to the Adviser representative samples of any promotional materials
using the Name, and (ii) change the name of any Fund within three months of its
receipt of the Advisers request, or such other shorter time period as may
be required under the terms of a settlement agreement or court order, so as to eliminate
all reference to the Name and will not thereafter transact any business using the
Name in the name of any Fund. As soon as practicable following the termination of
this Agreement, but in no event longer than three months, the Trust shall cease
the use of the Name and any related logos or any confusingly similar name and/or logo in connection with
the marketing or operation of the Funds.
|
5
9.
|
ADVISERS COMPENSATION
. Each Fund shall pay to the Adviser, as compensation
for the Advisers services hereunder, a fee, determined as described in Schedule
A that is attached hereto and made a part hereof. Such fee shall be computed daily
and paid not less than monthly in arrears by each Fund. The method for determining
net assets of a Fund for purposes hereof shall be the same as the method for determining
net assets for purposes of establishing the offering and redemption prices of Fund
shares as described in the Funds Registration Statement. In the event of termination
of this Agreement, the fee provided in this Section 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.
|
|||||
10.
|
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
. In the performance of its duties hereunder, the Adviser
is and shall be an independent contractor and, unless otherwise expressly provided
herein or otherwise authorized in writing, shall have no authority to act for or
represent the Trust or any Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed to be an agent
of the Trust or any Fund. If any occasion should arise in which the Adviser gives
any advice to its clients concerning the shares of a Fund, the Adviser will act
solely as investment counsel for such clients and not in any way on behalf of the
Fund.
|
|||||
11.
|
ASSIGNMENT AND AMENDMENTS
. This Agreement shall automatically terminate, without
the payment of any penalty, in the event of its assignment (as defined
in Section 15 of the 1940 Act). This Agreement may not be added to or changed orally
and may not be modified or rescinded except by a writing signed by the parties hereto
and in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, when applicable.
|
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12.
|
DURATION AND TERMINATION
.
|
|||||
(a)
|
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date executed and shall remain in
full force and effect continually thereafter, subject to renewal as provided in
Section 12(a)(ii) hereof and unless terminated automatically as set forth in Section
11 hereof or until terminated as follows:
|
|||||
i.
|
Either party
hereto may, at any time on sixty (60) days prior written notice to the other,
terminate this Agreement, without payment of any penalty. With respect to a Fund,
termination may be authorized by action of the Board or by an affirmative
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined
in Section 15); or
|
|||||
ii.
|
This Agreement
shall automatically terminate two years from the date of its execution unless the
terms of such contract and any renewal thereof is specifically approved at least
annually thereafter by: (i) a majority vote of the Trustees, including a majority
vote of such Trustees who are not parties to the Agreement or interested persons (as defined in Section 15) of the Trust or the Adviser, at an in-person meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval; or (ii) the vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund; provided, however, that if the
continuance of this Agreement is submitted to the shareholders of each Fund for
their approval and such shareholders fail to approve such continuance of this Agreement
as provided herein, the Adviser may continue to serve hereunder as to each Fund
in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
|
|||||
(b)
|
In the event of termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Adviser shall,
immediately upon notice of termination or on such later date as may be specified
in such notice, cease all
|
6
activity on
behalf of the Fund and with respect to any of its assets, except as otherwise required
by any fiduciary duties of the Adviser under applicable law. In addition, the Adviser
shall deliver the Fund Books and Records to the Trust by such means and in accordance
with such schedule as the Trust shall direct and shall otherwise cooperate, as reasonably
directed by the Trust, in the transition of portfolio asset management to any successor
of the Adviser.
|
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13.
|
NOTICE
. Any notice or other communication required by or permitted to be given
in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be delivered in
person or sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the respective parties at
their last known address, or by e-mail or fax to a designated contact of the other
party or such other address as the parties may designate from time to time. Oral
instructions may be given if authorized by the Board and preceded by a certificate
from the Trusts Secretary so attesting. Notices to the Trust shall be directed
to Commonwealth Companies, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA, 23235
Attention: President; and notices to the Adviser shall be directed to 422 Fleming
Street, Suite 7, Key West, Florida 33040, Attention: Chief Compliance Officer.
|
||
14.
|
CONFIDENTIALITY
. The Adviser agrees on behalf of itself and its employees
to treat confidentially all records and other information relative to the Trust
and its shareholders received by the Adviser in connection with this Agreement,
including any non-public personal information as defined in Regulation S-P, and
that it shall not use or disclose any such information except for the purpose of
carrying out the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that the Adviser may
disclose such information as required by law or in connection with any requested
disclosure to a regulatory authority with appropriate jurisdiction after prior notification
to the Trust.
|
||
15.
|
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
. For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms affirmative
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, assignment and interested person shall have their respective meanings as
defined in the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder, subject, however,
to such exemptions as may be granted by the Commission under the 1940 Act or any
interpretations of the Commission staff..
|
||
16.
|
LIABILITY OF THE ADVISER
. Neither the Adviser nor its officers, directors,
employees, agents, affiliated persons or controlling persons or assigns shall be
liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of
any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of securities transactions
of a Fund; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the
Adviser against any liability to a Fund or its shareholders to which the Adviser
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of its duties or obligations hereunder or by reason
of its reckless disregard of its duties or obligations hereunder.
|
||
17.
|
RELATIONS WITH THE TRUST
. It is understood that the Trustees, officers and
shareholders of the Trust are or may be or become interested persons of the Adviser
as directors, officers or otherwise and that directors, officers and stockholders
of the Adviser are or may be or become interested persons of the Fund, and that
the Adviser may be or become interested persons of the Fund as a shareholder or
otherwise.
|
||
18.
|
ENFORCEABILITY
. If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is held to
be illegal, in conflict with any law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion
or portions shall be considered severable and not be affected, and the rights and
obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did
not contain the particular part, term or provision held to be illegal or invalid.
This Agreement shall be severable as to each Fund.
|
||
19.
|
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
. The Adviser is expressly put on notice of the limitation
of liability as set forth in the Declaration of Trust or other Trust organizational
documents and agrees that the obligations assumed by each Fund pursuant to this
Agreement shall be limited in all
|
7
cases to each
Fund and each Funds respective assets, and the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction
of any such obligation from shareholders or any shareholder of each Fund. In addition,
the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligations from the Trustees
of the Trust or any individual Trustee. The Adviser understands that the rights
and obligations of any Fund under the Declaration of Trust or other organizational
document are separate and distinct from those of any of and all other Funds.
|
||
20.
|
NON-EXCLUSIVE
SERVICES
. The services of the Adviser to the Trust are not deemed exclusive,
and the Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others, to the extent
that such service does not affect the Advisers ability to perform its duties
and obligations hereunder.
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|
21.
|
GOVERNING
LAW
. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed to be in accordance with
the laws of the State of Delaware, without preference to choice of law principles
thereof, and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. 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. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement
having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940
Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and
to any interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or in the absence
of any controlling decision of any such court, by the Commission or its staff. In
addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision
of this Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation, order or interpretation of the
Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect
of such revised rule, regulation, order or interpretation.
|
|
22.
|
PARAGRAPH
HEADINGS; SYNTAX
. All Section headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience
of reference only, do not form a part of this Agreement and will not affect in any
way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Words used herein, regardless
of the number and gender specifically used, will be deemed and construed to include
any other number, singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine, feminine,
or neuter, as the contract requires.
|
|
23.
|
COUNTERPARTS
. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which,
when so executed, shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall
together constitute but one and the same instrument.
|
|
Signature Page to Follow
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be signed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
|
|||||
/s/ David A. Bogaert
|
|||||
Signature | |||||
By: David A. Bogaert
|
|||||
Title: President and Principal Executive Officer
|
|||||
TOREADOR RESEARCH & TRADING, LLC.
|
|||||
/s/ Paul Blinn | |||||
Signature | |||||
By:
|
Paul Blinn | ||||
Title: | Managing Director | ||||
9
Schedule A
Investment
Advisory Agreement
between
World Funds Trust (the Trust) and
Toreador
Research & Trading, LLC (the Adviser)
Dated as of December 21, 2016
The Trust will pay to the Adviser as compensation for the Advisers services rendered, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the average daily net assets of the respective Fund in accordance the following fee schedule:
Fund | Asset Breakpoint | Rate | Date Agreement Executed With Respect to the Particular Fund |
Toreador Core
Fund
Toreador Explorer Fund Toreador International Fund Toreador Select Fund |
None
None None None |
0.90%
1.14% 1.15% 0.90% |
September
12, 2017
September 12, 2017 September 12, 2017 March 1, 2016 |
10
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT |
REMS International Real Estate Value Opportunity Fund |
THIS INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT is made as of the 26th day of December, 2013 by and between the World Funds Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the Trust), on behalf of the Trusts REMS International Real Estate Value Opportunity Fund series (the Fund) and Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC (the Advisor).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS , the Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Investment Company Act); and
WHEREAS , the Fund is a series of the Trust having separate assets and liabilities; and
WHEREAS , the Advisor is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the Advisers Act) and is engaged in the business of supplying investment advice as an independent contractor; and
WHEREAS , the Trust desires to retain the Advisor to render advice and services to the Fund pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and the Advisor desires to furnish said advice and services;
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties to this Agreement, intending to be legally bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF ADVISOR. The Trust hereby employs the Advisor and the Advisor hereby accepts such employment, to render investment advice and related services with respect to the assets of the Fund for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement, subject to the supervision and direction of the Trusts Board of Trustees (the Board of Trustees).
2. DUTIES OF ADVISOR.
(a)
General Duties
. The Advisor shall act as investment adviser to the Fund and shall supervise
investments of the Fund on behalf of the Fund in accordance with the investment
objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund as set forth in the Funds
and Trusts governing documents, including, without limitation, the Trusts
Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws; the Funds prospectus, statement
of additional information and undertakings; and such other limitations, policies
and procedures as the Trustees may impose from time to time in writing to the Advisor
(collectively, the Investment Policies). In providing such services,
the Advisor shall at all times adhere to the provisions and restrictions contained
in the federal securities laws, applicable state securities laws, the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, the Uniform Commercial Code and other applicable law.
|
|
Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the Advisor shall: (i) furnish the Fund with advice
and recommendations with respect to the investment of the Funds assets and
the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the Fund, including the taking
of such steps as may be necessary to implement such advice and recommendations (i.e.,
placing the orders); (ii) manage and oversee the investments of the Fund, subject
to the ultimate supervision and direction of the Trusts Board of Trustees;
(iii) vote proxies for the Fund, file ownership reports under Section 13 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 1934 Act) for the Fund, and take
other actions on behalf of the Fund; (iv) maintain the books and records required
to be maintained by the Fund except to the extent arrangements have been made for
such books and records to be maintained by the administrator or another agent of
the Fund; (v) furnish reports, statements and other data on securities, economic
conditions and other matters related
|
1
to the investment
of the Funds assets which the Funds administrator or distributor or
the officers of the Trust may reasonably request; and (vi) render to the Trusts
Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports with respect to the Funds
investment activities as the Board may reasonably request, including at least one
in-person appearance annually before the Board of Trustees.
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|
(b)
Brokerage
.
The Advisor shall be responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the
Fund, for broker-dealer selection, and for negotiation of brokerage commission rates,
provided that the Advisor shall not direct orders to an affiliated person of the
Advisor without general prior authorization to use such affiliated broker or dealer
from the Trusts Board of Trustees. The Advisors primary consideration
in effecting a securities transaction will be execution at the most favorable price.
In selecting a broker-dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Advisor
may take the following into consideration: the best net price available; the reliability,
integrity and financial condition of the broker-dealer; the size of and difficulty
in executing the order; and the value of the expected contribution of the broker-dealer
to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing basis. The price to the
Fund in any transaction may be less favorable than that available from another broker-dealer if the difference is reasonably justified by other aspects of the portfolio
execution services offered.
|
|
Subject to
such policies as the Board of Trustees of the Trust may determine and consistent
with Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, the Advisor shall not be deemed to have acted
unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely
by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a broker or dealer that provides
(directly or indirectly) brokerage or research services to the Advisor an amount
of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission
another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the
Advisor determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in
relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker
or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Advisors overall responsibilities with respect to the Trust. Subject to the same policies
and legal provisions, the Advisor is further authorized to allocate the orders placed
by it on behalf of the Fund to such brokers or dealers who also provide research
or statistical material, or other services, to the Trust, the Advisor, or any affiliate
of either. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Advisor
shall determine, and the Advisor shall report on such allocations regularly to the
Trust, indicating the broker-dealers to whom such allocations have been made and
the basis therefor.
|
|
On occasions
when the Advisor deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest
of the Fund as well as of other clients, the Advisor, to the extent permitted by
applicable laws and regulations, may aggregate the securities to be so purchased
or sold in order to obtain the most favorable price or lower brokerage commissions
and the most efficient execution. In such event, allocation of the securities so
purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be
made by the Advisor in the manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent
with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients.
|
3. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ADVISOR.
(a) The Advisor
shall use its best judgment and efforts in rendering the advice and services to
the Fund as contemplated by this Agreement.
|
|
(b) The Advisor
shall maintain all licenses and registrations necessary to perform its duties hereunder
in good order.
|
|
(c) The Advisor
shall conduct its operations at all times in conformance with the Advisers Act,
the Investment Company Act, and any other applicable state and/or self-regulatory
organization regulations.
|
2
(d) The Advisor
shall maintain errors and omissions insurance in an amount at least equal to that
disclosed to the Board of Trustees in connection with their approval of this Agreement.
|
4. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. The Advisor shall, for all purposes herein, be deemed to be an independent contractor, and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided and authorized to do so, have no authority to act for or represent the Trust or the Fund in any way, or in any way be deemed an agent for the Trust or for the Fund. It is expressly understood and agreed that the services to be rendered by the Advisor to the Fund under the provisions of this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Advisor shall be free to render similar or different services to others so long as its ability to render the services provided for in this Agreement shall not be impaired thereby.
5. ADVISORS PERSONNEL. The Advisor shall, at its own expense, maintain such staff and employ or retain such personnel and consult with such other persons as it shall from time to time determine to be necessary to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the staff and personnel of the Advisor shall be deemed to include persons employed or retained by the Advisor to furnish statistical information, research, and other factual information, advice regarding economic factors and trends, information with respect to technical and scientific developments, and such other information, advice and assistance as the Advisor or the Trusts Board of Trustees may desire and reasonably request and any compliance staff and personnel required by the Advisor.
6. EXPENSES.
(a) With respect
to the operation of the Fund, the Advisor shall be responsible for (i) the Funds organizational expenses; (ii) providing the personnel, office space and equipment
reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund; (iii) the expenses of printing
and distributing extra copies of the Funds prospectus, statement of additional
information, and sales and advertising materials (but not the legal, auditing or
accounting fees attendant thereto) to prospective investors (but not to existing
shareholders) to the extent such expenses are not covered by any applicable plan
adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act (each, a 12b-1
Plan); (iv) the costs of any special Board of Trustees meetings or shareholder
meetings convened for the primary benefit of the Advisor; and (v) any costs of liquidating
or reorganizing the Fund (unless such cost is otherwise allocated by the Board of
Trustees). If the Advisor has agreed to limit the operating expenses of the Fund,
the Advisor also shall be responsible on a monthly basis for any operating expenses
that exceed the agreed upon expense limit.
|
|
(b) The Fund
is responsible for and has assumed the obligation for payment of all of its expenses,
other than as stated in Subparagraph 6(a) above, including but not limited to: fees
and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance, registration and transfer
of its shares; brokerage and commission expenses; all expenses of transfer, receipt,
safekeeping, servicing and accounting for the cash, securities and other property
of the Trust for the benefit of the Fund including all fees and expenses of its
custodian, shareholder services agent and accounting services agent; interest charges
on any borrowings; costs and expenses of pricing and calculating its daily net asset
value and of maintaining its books of account required under the Investment Company
Act; taxes, if any; a pro rata portion of expenditures in connection with meetings
of the Funds shareholders and the Board of Trustees that are properly payable
by the Fund; salaries and expenses of officers of the Trust, including without limitation
the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer, and fees and expenses of members of the
Board of Trustees or members of any advisory board or committee who are not members
of, affiliated with or interested persons of the Advisor; insurance premiums on
property or personnel of the Fund which inure to its benefit, including liability
and fidelity bond insurance; the cost of preparing and printing reports, proxy statements,
prospectuses and statements of additional information of the Fund or other communications
for distribution to existing shareholders which are covered by any 12b-1 Plan; legal,
auditing and accounting fees; all or any portion of trade association dues or educational
program expenses determined appropriate by the Board of Trustees; fees and expenses
(including legal
|
3
fees) of registering
and maintaining registration of its shares for sale under applicable securities
laws; all expenses of maintaining and servicing shareholder accounts, including
all charges for transfer, shareholder recordkeeping, dividend disbursing, redemption,
and other agents for the benefit of the Fund, if any; and all other charges and
costs of its operation plus any extraordinary and non-recurring expenses, except
as herein otherwise prescribed.
|
|
(c) The Advisor
may voluntarily or contractually absorb certain Fund expenses.
|
|
(d) To the
extent the Advisor incurs any costs by assuming expenses which are an obligation
of the Fund as set forth herein, the Fund shall promptly reimburse the Advisor for
such costs and expenses, except to the extent the Advisor has otherwise agreed to
bear such expenses. To the extent the services for which the Fund is obligated to
pay are performed by the Advisor, the Advisor shall be entitled to recover from
the Fund to the extent of the Advisors actual costs for providing such services.
In determining the Advisors actual costs, the Advisor may take into account
an allocated portion of the salaries and overhead of personnel performing such services.
|
|
(e) The Advisor
may not pay fees in addition to any Fund distribution or servicing fees to financial
intermediaries, including without limitation banks, broker-dealers, financial advisors,
or pension administrators, for sub-administration, sub-transfer agency or any other
shareholder servicing or distribution services associated with shareholders whose
shares are held in omnibus or other group accounts, except with the prior authorization
of the Trusts Board of Trustees. Where such arrangements are authorized by
the Trusts Board of Trustees, the Advisor shall report regularly to the Trust
on the amounts paid and the relevant financial institutions.
|
7. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT FEE.
(a) The Fund
shall pay to the Advisor, and the Advisor agrees to accept, as full compensation
for all services furnished or provided to such Fund pursuant to this Agreement,
an annual management fee at the rate set forth in Schedule A to this Agreement.
|
|
(b) The management
fee shall be accrued daily by the Fund and paid to the Advisor on the first business
day of the succeeding month.
|
|
(c) The initial
fee under this Agreement shall be payable on the first business day of the first
month following the effective date of this Agreement and shall be prorated as set
forth below. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the end of any month, the
fee to the Advisor shall be prorated for the portion of any month in which this
Agreement is in effect which is not a complete month according to the proportion
which the number of calendar days in the month during which the Agreement is in
effect bears to the number of calendar days in the month, and shall be payable within
ten (10) days after the date of termination.
|
|
(d) The fee
payable to the Advisor under this Agreement will be reduced to the extent of any
receivable owed by the Advisor to the Fund and as required under any expense limitation
applicable to the Fund.
|
|
(e) The Advisor
voluntarily may reduce any portion of the compensation or reimbursement of expenses
due to it pursuant to this Agreement and may agree to make payments to limit the
expenses which are the responsibility of the Fund under this Agreement. Any such
reduction or payment shall be applicable only to such specific reduction or payment
and shall not constitute an agreement to reduce any future compensation or reimbursement
due to the Advisor hereunder or to continue future payments. Any such reduction
will be agreed to prior to accrual of the related expense or fee and will be estimated
daily and reconciled and paid on a monthly basis.
|
4
(f) Any such
reductions made by the Advisor in its fees or payment of expenses which are the
Funds obligation are subject to reimbursement by the Fund to the Advisor,
if so requested by the Advisor, in subsequent fiscal years if the aggregate amount
actually paid by the Fund toward the operating expenses for such fiscal year (taking
into account the reimbursement) does not exceed the applicable limitation on Fund
expenses. Under the expense limitation agreement, the Advisor may recoup reimbursements
made in any fiscal year of the Fund over the following three fiscal years. Any such
reimbursement is also contingent upon Board of Trustees review and approval at time
the reimbursement is made. Such reimbursement may not be paid prior to the Funds payment of current ordinary operating expenses.
|
|
(g) The Advisor
may agree not to require payment of any portion of the compensation or reimbursement
of expenses otherwise due to it pursuant to this Agreement. Any such agreement shall
be applicable only with respect to the specific items covered thereby and shall
not constitute an agreement not to require payment of any future compensation or
reimbursement due to the Advisor hereunder.
|
8. NO SHORTING; NO BORROWING. The Advisor agrees that neither it nor any of its officers or employees shall take any short position in the shares of the Fund. This prohibition shall not prevent the purchase of such shares by any of the officers or employees of the Advisor or any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for such persons or affiliates thereof, at a price not less than the net asset value thereof at the time of purchase, as allowed pursuant to rules promulgated under the Investment Company Act. The Advisor agrees that neither it nor any of its officers or employees shall borrow from the Fund or pledge or use the Funds assets in connection with any borrowing not directly for the Funds benefit. For this purpose, failure to pay any amount due and payable to the Fund for a period of more than thirty (30) days shall constitute a borrowing.
10. REPORTS AND ACCESS. The Advisor agrees to supply such information to the Funds administrator and to permit such compliance inspections by the Funds administrator as shall be reasonably necessary to permit the administrator to satisfy its obligations and respond to the reasonable requests of the Board of Trustees.
11. ADVISORS LIABILITIES AND INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) The Advisor
shall have responsibility for the accuracy and completeness (and liability for the
lack thereof) of the statements in the Funds offering materials (including
the prospectus, the statement of additional information, advertising and sales materials),
except for information supplied by the administrator or the Trust or another third
party for inclusion therein.
|
|
(b) The Advisor
shall be liable to the Fund for any loss (including brokerage charges) incurred
by the Fund as a result of any improper investment made by the Advisor in contradiction
of the Investment Policies.
|
|
(c) In the
absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence, or reckless disregard of
the obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the Advisor, the Advisor shall
not be subject to liability to the Trust or the Fund or to any shareholder of the
Fund for any act or omission in the course of, or
|
5
connected
with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the
purchase, holding or sale of any security by the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
federal securities laws and certain state laws impose liabilities under certain
circumstances on persons who have acted in good faith, and therefore nothing herein
shall in any way constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights which the Trust,
the Fund or any shareholder of the Fund may have under any federal securities law
or state law.
|
|
(d) Each party
to this Agreement shall indemnify and hold harmless the other party and the shareholders,
directors, officers and employees of the other party (any such person, an Indemnified
Party) against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including the
reasonable cost of investigating and defending any alleged loss, liability, claim,
damage or expenses and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith)
arising out of the Indemnifying Partys performance or non-performance of any
duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed
to protect any Indemnified Party against any liability to which such Indemnified
Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or
negligence in the performance of duties hereunder or by reason of reckless disregard
of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
|
|
(e) No provision
of this Agreement shall be construed to protect any Trustee or officer of the Trust,
or officer of the Advisor, from liability in violation of Sections 17(h) and (i)
of the Investment Company Act.
|
12.
NON-EXCLUSIVITY; TRADING
FOR ADVISORS OWN ACCOUNT.
The Trusts employment of the Advisor is
not an exclusive arrangement. The Trust may from time to time employ other individuals
or entities to furnish it with the services provided for herein. Likewise, the Advisor
may act as investment adviser for any other person, and shall not in any way be
limited or restricted from buying, selling or trading any securities for its or
their own accounts or the accounts of others for whom it or they may be acting;
provided, however, that the Advisor expressly represents that it will undertake
no activities which will adversely affect the performance of its obligations to
the Fund under this Agreement; and provided further that the Advisor will adhere
to a code of ethics governing employee trading and trading for proprietary accounts
that conforms to the requirements of the Investment Company Act and the Advisers
Act and has been approved by the Board of Trustees.
13.
TRANSACTIONS
WITH OTHER INVESTMENT ADVISERS.
The Advisor is not an affiliated person of any
investment adviser responsible for providing advice with respect to any other series
of the Trust, or of any promoter, underwriter, officer, director, member of an advisory
board or employee of any other series of the Trust. The Advisor shall not consult
with the investment adviser of any other series of the Trust concerning transactions
for the Fund or any other series of the Trust.
14. TERM.
(a) This Agreement
shall become effective at the time the Fund commences operations pursuant to an
effective amendment to the Trusts Registration Statement under the Securities
Act of 1933 and shall remain in effect for a period of two (2) years, unless sooner
terminated as hereinafter provided. This Agreement shall continue in effect thereafter
for additional periods not exceeding one (l) year so long as such continuation is
approved at least annually by (i) the Board of Trustees or by the vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (ii) the vote of a majority
of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement nor interested
persons thereof, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such approval. The terms majority of the outstanding voting securities
and interested persons shall have the meanings set forth in the Investment
Company Act.
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(b) The Fund
may use the name REMS International Real Estate Value Opportunity Fund
or any name derived from or using the name Perkins only for so long
as this Agreement or any extension,
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renewal or
amendment hereof remains in effect. Within sixty (60) days from such time as this
Agreement shall no longer be in effect, the Fund shall cease to use such a name
or any other name connected with the Advisor.
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15. TERMINATION; NO ASSIGNMENT.
(a) This
Agreement may be terminated by the Trust on behalf of the Fund at any time without
payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, upon sixty (60) days written notice
to the Advisor, and by the Advisor upon sixty (60) days written notice to
the Fund. In the event of a termination, the Advisor shall cooperate in the orderly
transfer of the Funds affairs and, at the request of the Board of Trustees,
transfer any and all books and records of the Fund maintained by the Advisor on
behalf of the Fund.
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(b) This Agreement
shall terminate automatically in the event of any transfer or assignment thereof,
as defined in the Investment Company Act.
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16.
NONPUBLIC PERSONAL INFORMATION.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Advisor agrees on
behalf of itself and its managers, members, officers, and employees (1) to treat
confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust (a) all records and other
information relative to the Funds prior, present, or potential shareholders
(and clients of said shareholders) and (b) any Nonpublic Personal Information, as
defined under Section 248.3(t) of Regulation S-P (Regulation S-P), promulgated
under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the G-L-B Act); and (2) except after
prior notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, not to use such records
and information for any purpose other than the performance of its responsibilities
and duties hereunder, or as otherwise permitted by Regulation S-P or the G-L-B Act,
and if in compliance therewith, the privacy policies adopted by the Trust and communicated
in writing to the Advisor. Such written approval shall not be unreasonably withheld
by the Trust and may not be withheld where the Advisor may be exposed to civil or
criminal contempt or other proceedings for failure to comply after being requested
to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities.
17. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE. The Advisor acknowledges that, in compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, the USA PATRIOT Act, and any implementing regulations thereunder (together, AML Laws), the Trust has adopted an Anti-Money Laundering Policy. The Advisor agrees to comply with the Trusts Anti-Money Laundering Policy and the AML Laws, as the same may apply to the Advisor, now and in the future. The Advisor further agrees to provide to the Trust and/or the administrator such reports, certifications and contractual assurances as may be reasonably requested by the Trust. The Trust may disclose information regarding the Advisor to governmental and/or regulatory or self-regulatory authorities to the extent required by applicable law or regulation and may file reports with such authorities as may be required by applicable law or regulation.
18. CERTIFICATIONS; DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. The Advisor acknowledges that, in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), and the implementing regulations promulgated thereunder, the Trust and the Fund are required to make certain certifications and have adopted disclosure controls and procedures. To the extent reasonably requested by the Trust, the Advisor agrees to use its best efforts to assist the Trust and the Fund in complying with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and implementing the Trusts disclosure controls and procedures. The Advisor agrees to inform the Trust of any material development related to the Fund that the Advisor reasonably believes is relevant to the Funds certification obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
19. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute or rule, or shall be otherwise rendered invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
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20. CAPTIONS. The captions in this 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.
21. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles of Delaware or any other jurisdiction; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to preempt, or to be inconsistent with, any federal law, regulation or rule, including the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers, all on the day and year first above written.
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
On behalf of
the
REMS International Real Estate Value Opportunity Fund
By:
/s/ John
Pasco, III
Name: John Pasco, III
Title: Chairman
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT SERVICES GROUP, LLC
By:
/s/ Edward W. Turville
Name:
Edward W. Turville
Title: Managing Member
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SCHEDULE A |
Series or Fund of World Funds Trust Annual Fee Rate |
REMS International Real Estate Value Opportunity Fund 1.00% of average daily net assets |
9
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
Dated
July 30th, 2008
Between UMB BANK, N.A.
And
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
This agreement made as of this 30th day of July 2008, between UMB Bank, n.a., a national banking association with its principal place of business located in Kansas City, Missouri (hereinafter Custodian), and World Funds Trust, a Delaware trust (the Trust), on behalf of each of its investment portfolios (individually, a Fund and collectively, the Funds) as listed on Appendix B hereof (as such Appendix B may be, from time to time, supplemented or amended).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to appoint Custodian as the custodian for the custody of each Funds Assets (as hereinafter defined) owned by such Fund which Assets are to be held in such accounts as such 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 Trust hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as custodian of Assets belonging to each Fund which have been or may be from time to time deposited with 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.
2. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings so indicated:
(a) Security or Securities shall mean stocks, bonds, bills, rights, script, warrants, interim certificates and all negotiable or nonnegotiable paper commonly known as Securities and other instruments or obligations.
(b) Assets shall mean Securities, monies and other property held by the Custodian for the benefit of a Fund.
(c)(1) Instructions, as used herein, shall mean: (i) a tested telex, a written (including, without limitation, facsimile transmission) request, direction, instruction or certification signed or initialed by or on behalf of a Fund by an Authorized Person; (ii) a telephonic or other oral communication from a person the Custodian reasonably believes to be an Authorized Person; or (iii) a communication effected directly between an electro-mechanical or electronic device or system (including, without limitation, computers) on behalf of a Fund. Instructions in the form of oral communications shall be confirmed by the
1
appropriate Fund by tested telex or in writing in the manner set forth in clause (i) 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 Trust, on behalf of each Fund, authorizes the Custodian to record any and all telephonic or other oral Instructions communicated to the Custodian.
(c)(2) Special Instructions, as used herein, shall mean Instructions countersigned or confirmed in writing by the President, Vice President or Treasurer of the Trust and any other person, whether or not such person is an officer of the Trust, duly authorized in writing by the Board of Directors of the Trust, which countersignature or confirmation shall be included on the same instrument containing the Instructions or on a separate instrument relating thereto.
(c)(3) Instructions and Special Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian at the address and/or telephone, facsimile transmission or telex number agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and each Fund.
(c)(4) Where appropriate, Instructions and Special Instructions shall be continuing instructions.
3. DELIVERY OF CORPORATE 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, articles of association or bylaws and all required corporate action to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been taken.
The Trust has furnished the Custodian with copies, properly certified or authenticated, with all amendments or supplements thereto, of the following documents:
(a) Declaration of Trust as in effect on the date hereof;
(b) By-Laws (if applicable) of the Trust as in effect on the date hereof;
(c) Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Trust appointing the Custodian and approving the form of this Agreement; and
(d) Each Funds current prospectus and statements of additional information.
Each Fund shall promptly furnish the Custodian with copies of any updates, amendments or supplements to the foregoing documents.
In addition, the Trust has delivered or will promptly deliver to the Custodian, copies of the Resolution(s) of its Board of Directors or Trustees and all amendments or supplements thereto, properly certified or authenticated, designating certain officers or employees of each such 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 each Fund, and (b) the names, titles and signatures of those persons authorized to countersign or confirm Special Instructions on behalf of each 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. 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
2
persons 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 a Fund will be deemed to authorize or permit any director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of such Fund to withdraw any of the Assets of such Fund upon the mere receipt of such authorization, Special Instructions or Instructions from such director, trustee, officer, employee or agent
4. POWERS AND DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN AND DOMESTIC SUBCUSTODIAN.
Except for Assets held by any Subcustodian appointed pursuant to Sections 5(b), (c), or (d) 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 each Fund which are delivered to it from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a Fund held or received by such Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
(b) Manner of Holding Securities.
(1) The Custodian shall at all times hold Securities of each Fund either: (i) by physical possession of the share certificates or other instruments representing such Securities in registered or bearer form; or (ii) in book-entry form by a Securities System (as hereinafter defined) 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 appropriate Fund or its nominee, or in the name of the Custodian or its nominee, for whose actions such 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 fiduciary 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 appropriate Fund or only assets held by the Custodian as a fiduciary, 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 a Fund in, and each Fund hereby approves use of: (a) The Depository Trust Company; (b) The Participants Trust Company; and (c) any book-entry system as provided in (i) Subpart O of Treasury Circular No. 300, 31 CFR 306.115, (ii) Subpart B of Treasury Circular Public Debt Series No. 27-76, 31 CFR 350.2, or (iii) the book-entry regulations of federal agencies substantially in the form of 31 CFR 306.115. Upon the receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian may deposit and/or maintain domestic Securities owned by a Fund in any other domestic clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or as 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) which 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
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Appendix A. Use of a Securities System shall be in accordance with 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) The Custodian shall deposit and/or maintain the Securities in a Securities System, provided that such Securities are represented in an account (Account) of the Custodian in the Securities System that includes only assets held by the Custodian as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers.
(iii) The books and records of the Custodian shall at all times identify those Securities belonging to any one or more Funds which are maintained in a Securities System.
(iv) The Custodian shall pay for Securities purchased for the account of a 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 such Fund. The Custodian shall transfer Securities sold for the account of a 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 such Fund. Copies of all advices from the Securities System relating to transfers of Securities for the account of a Fund shall be maintained for such Fund by the Custodian. The Custodian shall deliver to a Fund on the next succeeding business day daily transaction reports that shall include each days transactions in the Securities System for the account of such Fund. Such transaction reports shall be delivered to such Fund or any agent designated by such Fund pursuant to Instructions, by computer or in such other manner as such Fund and Custodian may agree.
(v) The Custodian shall, if requested by a Fund pursuant to Instructions, provide such 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.
(vi) Upon receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian shall terminate the use of any Securities System on behalf of a Fund as promptly as practicable and shall take all actions reasonably practicable to safeguard the Securities of such Fund maintained with such Securities System.
(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 a Funds transactions and to transfer such Assets to such broker, dealer, Subcustodian, bank, agent, Securities System or otherwise as specified in such Special Instructions.
(d) Exchange of Securities.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian will exchange portfolio Securities held by it for a Fund for other Securities or cash paid in connection with any reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, or conversion of convertible Securities, and will deposit any such Securities in accordance with the terms of any reorganization or protective plan.
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Without 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 a Funds account for which the purchase was made, but only insofar as monies are available therein for such purpose, and receive the portfolio Securities so purchased. Unless the Custodian has received Special Instructions to the contrary, such payment will be made only upon receipt of Securities by 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: (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 Interest Bearing Deposits, currency deposits, and other deposits, foreign exchange transactions, futures contracts or options, pursuant to Sections 4(g), 4(h), 4(l), and 4(m) hereof, the Custodian may make payment therefor before receipt of an advice of transaction; and (iii) in the case of Securities as to which payment for the Security and receipt of the instrument evidencing the Security are under generally accepted trade practice or the terms of the instrument representing the Security expected to take place in different locations or through separate parties, such as commercial paper which is indexed to foreign currency exchange rates, derivatives and similar Securities, the Custodian may make payment for such Securities prior to delivery thereof in accordance with such generally accepted trade practice or the terms of the instrument representing such Security.
(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 a Fund as provided in Instructions.
(f) Sales of Assets.
(1)Securities Sold. In accordance with Instructions, the Custodian will, with respect to a sale, deliver or cause to be delivered the Securities thus designated as sold to the broker or other person 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, 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
5
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 a 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 confirmations or other documents, if any, evidencing the purchase or writing of the option by a 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 such 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 appropriate 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 such Funds Instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) receive and retain confirmations 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 appropriate 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.
(h) Futures Contracts.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall enter into a futures margin procedural agreement among the appropriate Fund, the Custodian and the designated futures commission merchant (a Procedural Agreement). Under the Procedural Agreement the Custodian shall: (a) receive and retain confirmations, if any, evidencing the purchase or sale of a futures contract or an option on a futures contract by such Fund; (b) deposit and maintain in a segregated account cash, Securities and/or other Assets designated as initial, maintenance or variation margin deposits intended to secure such Funds performance of its obligations under any futures contracts purchased or sold, or any options on futures contracts written by such Fund, in accordance with the provisions of any Procedural Agreement designed to comply with the provisions of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any commodity exchange or contract market (such as the Chicago Board of Trade), or any similar organization(s), regarding such margin deposits; and (c) release Assets from and/or transfer Assets into such margin accounts only in accordance with any such Procedural Agreements. The appropriate Fund and such futures commission merchant shall be responsible for determining the type and amount of Assets held in the segregated account or paid to the broker-dealer in compliance with applicable margin maintenance requirements and the performance of any futures contract or option on a futures contract in accordance with its terms.
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(i) 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 a Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred Assets of such 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), 4(h) and 4(n) and (ii) for the purpose of compliance by such Fund with the procedures required by the SEC Investment Company Act Release Number 10666 or any subsequent release or releases 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.
(j) Depositary Receipts.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall surrender or cause to be surrendered Securities to the depositary 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 depositary 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.
(k) 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.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Custodian shall take all necessary action, unless otherwise directed to the contrary in Instructions, to comply with the terms of all mandatory or compulsory exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions, or similar rights of security ownership, and shall notify the appropriate Fund of such action in writing by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as such Fund and Custodian may agree in writing.
The Fund agrees that if it gives an Instruction for the performance of an act on the last permissible date of a period established by any optional offer or on the last permissible date for the
7
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.
(l) Interest Bearing Deposits.
Upon receipt of Instructions directing the Custodian to purchase interest bearing fixed term and call deposits (hereinafter referred to, collectively, as Interest Bearing Deposits) for the account of a Fund, the Custodian shall purchase such Interest Bearing Deposits in the name of such Fund 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 such Fund may direct pursuant to Instructions. Such Interest Bearing Deposits may be denominated in U.S. dollars or other currencies, as such Fund may determine and direct pursuant to Instructions. The responsibilities of the Custodian to a 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 other than those issued by the Custodian, (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.
(m) Foreign Exchange Transactions.
(l) The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, hereby appoints the Custodian as its agent in the execution of all currency exchange transactions. The Custodian agrees to provide exchange rate and U.S. Dollar information, in writing, to the Funds. Such information shall be supplied by the Custodian at least by the business day prior to the value date of the foreign exchange transaction, provided that the Custodian receives the request for such information at least two business days prior to the value date of the transaction.
(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 a Fund with such currency brokers or Banking Institutions as such Fund may determine and direct pursuant to Instructions. If, in its Instructions, a 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.
(3) Each 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 with which a Fund deals or the performance of such brokers or Banking Institutions.
(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.
(5) The Custodian shall not be obligated to enter into foreign exchange transactions as principal. However, if the Custodian has made available to a Fund its services as a principal in foreign exchange transactions and subject to any separate agreement between the parties relating to such transactions, the Custodian shall enter into 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 the Custodian as principal.
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(n) Pledges or Loans of Securities.
(1) Upon receipt of Instructions from a 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 such 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 Special Instructions, and execution of a separate Securities Lending Agreement, the Custodian will release Securities held in custody to the borrower designated in such Instructions and may, except as otherwise provided below, deliver such Securities prior to the receipt of collateral, if any, for such borrowing, provided that, in case of loans of Securities held by a Securities System that are secured by cash collateral, the Custodians instructions to the Securities System shall require that the Securities System deliver the Securities of the appropriate Fund to the borrower thereof only upon receipt of the collateral for such borrowing. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of Securities prior to the receipt of collateral. Upon receipt of Instructions and the loaned Securities, the Custodian will release the collateral to the borrower.
(o) 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.
(p) Routine Dealings.
The Custodian will, in general, attend to all routine and mechanical matters in accordance with industry standards in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer, or other dealings with Securities or other property of each Fund except as may be otherwise provided in this Agreement or directed from time to time by Instructions from any particular 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 appropriate Fund.
(q) Collections.
The Custodian shall (a) collect amounts due and payable to each Fund with respect to portfolio Securities and other Assets; (b) promptly credit to the account of each Fund all income and other payments relating to portfolio 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 any particular Fund; (c) promptly endorse and deliver any instruments required to effect such collection; and (d) promptly execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal, state, local and foreign tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to portfolio
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Securities and other Assets, or in connection with the transfer of such Securities or other Assets; provided, however, that with respect to portfolio 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 any such Fund. The Custodian shall notify a Fund in writing by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as such Fund and Custodian may agree in writing if any amount payable with respect to portfolio 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 portfolio Securities or other Assets that are in default.
(r) Bank Accounts.
Upon Instructions, the Custodian shall open and operate a bank account or accounts on the books of the Custodian; provided that such bank account(s) shall be in the name of the Custodian or a nominee thereof, for the account of one or more Funds, and shall be subject only to draft or order of the Custodian. The responsibilities of the Custodian to any one or more such Funds for deposits accepted on the Custodians books shall be that of a U.S. bank for a similar deposit.
(s) Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions.
To enable each Fund to pay dividends or other distributions to shareholders of each such Fund and to make payment to shareholders who have requested repurchase or redemption of their shares of each such 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 each such 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 each such Fund in such Special Instructions.
(t) Proceeds from Shares Sold.
The Custodian shall receive funds representing cash payments received for shares issued or sold from time to time by each Fund, and shall credit such funds to the account of the appropriate Fund. The Custodian shall notify the appropriate Fund of Custodians receipt of cash in payment for shares issued by such Fund by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as such 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 such Fund; and (b) make federal funds available to a Fund as of specified times agreed upon from time to time by such Fund and the Custodian, in the amount of checks received in payment for shares which are deposited to the accounts of such Fund.
(u) Proxies and Notices; Compliance with the Shareholders Communication Act of 1985.
The Custodian shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the appropriate Fund all forms of proxies, all notices of meetings, and any other notices or announcements affecting or relating to Securities owned by such Fund that are received by the Custodian, any Subcustodian, or any nominee of either of them, and, upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall execute and deliver, or cause such 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 or nominee 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 any 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 any such Fund unless a particular Fund directs the Custodian otherwise in writing.
(v) 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 Investment Company Act of 1940 (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 appropriate 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 each Fund and the Custodian.
(w) Opinion of Funds Independent Certified Public Accountants.
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action as each Fund may request to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from each such Funds independent certified public accountants with respect to the Custodians activities hereunder and in connection with the preparation of each such Funds periodic reports to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements of the SEC.
(x) Reports by Independent Certified Public Accountants.
At the request of a Fund, the Custodian shall deliver to such Fund a written report 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 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 such Fund and as may reasonably be obtained by the Custodian.
(y) Bills and Other Disbursements.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall pay, or cause to be paid, all bills, statements, or other obligations of a Fund.
5. SUBCUSTODIANS.
From time to time, in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Agreement, the Custodian may appoint one or more Domestic Subcustodians, Foreign Subcustodians, Special Subcustodians, or Interim Subcustodians (as each are hereinafter defined) to act on behalf of any one or more Funds. A Domestic Subcustodian, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, may also appoint a Foreign Subcustodian, Special Subcustodian, or Interim Subcustodian to act on behalf of any one or more Funds. For purposes of this Agreement, all Domestic Subcustodians, Foreign Subcustodians, Special Subcustodians and Interim Subcustodians shall be referred to collectively as Subcustodians.
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(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 meet 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 any one or more Funds as a subcustodian for purposes of holding Assets of such Fund(s) and performing other functions of the Custodian within the United States (a Domestic Subcustodian). Each 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(s). Each such duly approved Domestic Subcustodian shall be listed on Appendix A attached hereto, as it may be amended, from time to time.
(b) Foreign Subcustodians
The Custodian may at any time appoint, or cause a Domestic Subcustodian to appoint, any bank, trust company or other entity meeting the requirements of an eligible foreign custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder to act for the Custodian on behalf of any one or more Funds as a subcustodian or sub-subcustodian (if appointed by a Domestic Subcustodian) for purposes of holding Assets of the Fund(s) and performing other functions of the Custodian in countries other than the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as a Foreign Subcustodian in the context of either a subcustodian or a sub-subcustodian); provided that the Custodian shall have obtained written confirmation from each Fund of the approval of the Board of Directors or other governing body of each such Fund (which approval may be withheld in the sole discretion of such Board of Directors or other governing body or entity) with respect to (i) the identity of any proposed Foreign Subcustodian (including branch designation), (ii) the country or countries in which, and the securities depositories or clearing agencies (hereinafter Securities Depositories and Clearing Agencies), if any, through which, the Custodian or any proposed Foreign Subcustodian is authorized to hold Securities and other Assets of each such Fund, and (iii) the form and terms of the subcustodian agreement to be entered into with such proposed Foreign Subcustodian. Each such duly approved Foreign Subcustodian and the countries where and the Securities Depositories and Clearing Agencies through which they may hold Securities and other Assets of the Fund(s) shall be listed on Appendix A attached hereto, as it may be amended, from time to time. Each Fund shall be responsible for informing the Custodian sufficiently in advance of a proposed investment which is to be held in a country in which no Foreign Subcustodian is authorized to act, in order that there shall be sufficient time for the Custodian, or any Domestic Subcustodian, to effect the appropriate arrangements with a proposed Foreign Subcustodian, including obtaining approval as provided in this Section 5(b). In connection with the appointment of any Foreign Subcustodian, the Custodian shall, or shall cause the Domestic Subcustodian to, enter into a subcustodian agreement with the Foreign Subcustodian in form and substance approved by each such Fund. The Custodian shall not consent to the amendment of, and shall cause any Domestic Subcustodian not to consent to the amendment of, any agreement entered into with a Foreign Subcustodian, which materially affects any Funds rights under such agreement, except upon prior written approval of such Fund pursuant to Special Instructions.
(c) Interim Subcustodians.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a Fund shall invest in an Asset to be held in a country in which no Foreign Subcustodian is authorized to act, the Custodian shall notify such Fund in writing by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as such Fund and the Custodian shall agree in writing of the unavailability of an approved Foreign Subcustodian in such country; and upon the receipt of Special Instructions from such Fund, the Custodian shall, or shall cause its Domestic Subcustodian to, appoint or approve an entity (referred to herein as an Interim Subcustodian) designated in such Special Instructions to hold such Security or other Asset.
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(d) Special Subcustodians.
Upon receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian shall, on behalf of a Fund, appoint one or more banks, trust companies or other entities designated in such Special Instructions to act for the Custodian on behalf of such 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 such 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 shall enter into a subcustodian agreement with the Special Subcustodian in form and substance approved by the appropriate Fund in Special Instructions. The Custodian shall not amend any subcustodian agreement entered into with a Special Subcustodian, or waive any rights under such agreement, except upon prior approval pursuant to Special Instructions.
(e) Termination of a Subcustodian.
The Custodian may, at any time in its discretion upon notification to the appropriate Fund(s), terminate any Subcustodian of such Fund(s) in accordance with the termination provisions under the applicable subcustodian agreement, and upon the receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian will terminate any Subcustodian in accordance with the termination provisions under the applicable subcustodian agreement.
(f) Certification Regarding Foreign Subcustodians.
Upon request of a Fund, the Custodian shall deliver to such Fund a certificate stating: (i) the identity of each Foreign Subcustodian then acting on behalf of the Custodian; (ii) the countries in which and the Securities Depositories and Clearing Agencies through which each such Foreign Subcustodian is then holding cash, Securities and other Assets of such Fund; and (iii) such other information as may be requested by such Fund, and as the Custodian shall be reasonably able to obtain, to evidence compliance with rules and regulations under the 1940 Act.
6. STANDARD OF CARE.
(a) General Standard of Care.
The Custodian shall be liable to a Fund for all losses, damages and reasonable costs and expenses suffered or incurred by such Fund resulting from the negligence or willful misfeasance of the Custodian; provided, however, in no event shall the Custodian be liable for special, indirect or consequential damages arising under or in connection with this Agreement.
(b) Actions Prohibited by Applicable Law, Events Beyond Custodians Control, Sovereign Risk, Etc.
In no event shall the Custodian or any Domestic Subcustodian incur liability hereunder (i) if the Custodian or any Subcustodian or Securities System, or any subcustodian, Securities System, Securities Depository or Clearing Agency utilized by the Custodian or 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
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omitted to be performed, by reason of: (a) 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 (b) any event beyond the control of the Custodian or other Person such as armed conflict, riots, strikes, lockouts, labor disputes, equipment or transmission failures, natural disasters, or failure of the mails, transportation, communications or power supply; or (ii) for any loss, damage, cost or expense resulting from Sovereign Risk. A Sovereign Risk shall mean nationalization, expropriation, currency devaluation, revaluation or fluctuation, confiscation, seizure, cancellation, destruction or similar action by any governmental authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment, promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, taxes, levies or other charges affecting a Funds Assets; or acts of armed conflict, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or any other act or event beyond the Custodians or such other Persons control.
(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 a 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 such 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 any Fund and upon statements of such 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) 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 Directors or 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 any Fund hereunder a certificate signed by any officer of such Fund authorized to countersign or confirm Special Instructions.
(g) 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:
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(i) the validity of the issue of any Securities purchased by or for any Fund, the legality of the purchase thereof or evidence of ownership required to be received by any such Fund, or the propriety of the decision to purchase or amount paid therefor;
(ii) the legality of the sale of any Securities by or for any 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 any 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 the Declaration of Trust, Partnership Agreement, Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws or votes or proceedings of the shareholders, trustees, partners or directors of the Trust, or any such Funds currently effective Registration Statement on file with the SEC.
7. LIABILITY OF THE CUSTODIAN FOR ACTIONS OF OTHERS
(a) Domestic Subcustodians
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 a Fund for any loss or damage to such 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.
(c) Securities Systems, Interim Subcustodians, Special Subcustodians, Securities Depositories and Clearing Agencies.
The Custodian shall not be liable to any Fund for any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by such Fund resulting from or occasioned by the actions or omissions of a Securities System, Interim Subcustodian, Special Subcustodian, or Securities Depository and Clearing Agency unless such loss, damage or expense is caused by, or results from, the negligence or willful misfeasance of the Custodian.
(d) Defaults or Insolvencys of Brokers, Banks, Etc.
The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by any Fund resulting from or occasioned by the actions, omissions, neglects, defaults or insolvency of 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 Securities Depository and Clearing Agency, for whose actions the liability of the Custodian is set out elsewhere in this Agreement) unless such loss, damage or expense is caused by, or results from, the negligence or willful misfeasance of the Custodian.
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(e) Reimbursement of Expenses.
Each Fund agrees to reimburse the Custodian for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Custodian in connection with this Agreement, but excluding salaries and usual overhead expenses.
8. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) Indemnification by Fund.
Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, each 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 any 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 such Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some other form, such 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 and in addition to the obligations provided in Sections 6 and 7, the Custodian agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Fund from all losses, damages and expenses suffered or incurred by each such Fund caused by the negligence or willful misfeasance of the Custodian.
9. ADVANCES.
This Section 9 is limited to the eligible Funds and each such Funds borrowing limitation as listed on Appendix C of this Agreement. In the event that, pursuant to Instructions, the Custodian or any Subcustodian, Securities System, or Securities Depository or Clearing Agency 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 any 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 any such Fund, the Custodian may, in its discretion without further Instructions, provide an advance (Advance) to any such 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. Any such Advance shall not exceed a Funds or the 1940 Acts limitation concerning borrowings. The duty to ensure that the Advance did not exceed a Funds or the 1940 Acts limitations concerning borrowing shall be on the applicable Funds investment adviser and not a duty of the Trust or the Custodian. In addition, in the event the Custodian is directed by Instructions to make any payment or transfer of funds on behalf of any Fund as to which it is subsequently determined that such 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 such Fund and the Custodian, and shall accrue interest from the date of the Advance to the date of payment by such Fund to the Custodian at a rate agreed upon in writing from time to time by the Custodian and such Fund. 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
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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 each of the Funds 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 a Fund. The Custodian shall promptly notify the appropriate Fund of any Advance. Such notification shall be sent by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as such Fund and the Custodian may agree.
10. LIENS.
Subject to the provisions of Section 16(j) of this Agreement, the Custodian shall have a lien on the Property in a Custody Account to secure payment of fees and expenses for the services rendered under this Agreement. If the Custodian advances cash or securities to a Fund for any purpose or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, except such as may arise from its or its nominees negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, any Property at any time held for the Custody Account of such Fund shall be security therefore and such Fund hereby grants a security interest therein to the Custodian. The applicable Fund shall promptly reimburse the Custodian for any such advance of cash or securities or any such taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities upon request for payment, but should such Fund fail to so reimburse the Custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to dispose of such Property to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement. The Custodian shall be entitled to debit any account of such Fund with the Custodian including, without limitation, the applicable Funds Custody Account, in connection with any such advance and any interest on such advance as the Custodian deems reasonable.
11. COMPENSATION.
Each Fund will pay to the Custodian such compensation as is agreed to in writing by the Custodian and the Trust from time to time. Such compensation, together with all amounts for which the Custodian is to be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7(e), shall be billed to each such Fund and paid in cash to the Custodian.
Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, any amount owed by a Fund to the Custodian (including a Domestic Sub-Custodian, Foreign Sub-Custodian, Securities System, Interim Sub-Custodian, Special Sub-Custodian, Securities Depository and/or Clearing Agency) arising out of an Account of such Fund shall be paid only out of the Assets of such Fund.
12. POWERS OF ATTORNEY.
Upon request, each 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. TERMINATION AND ASSIGNMENT.
The Trust, on behalf of any Fund, or the Custodian may terminate this Agreement by notice in writing, delivered or mailed, postage prepaid (certified mail, return receipt requested) to the other not less than 90 days prior to the date upon which such termination shall take effect. Upon termination of this Agreement, the appropriate 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
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termination of this Agreement, the Custodian shall deliver, at the terminating partys expense, all Assets held by it hereunder to the appropriate Fund or as otherwise designated by such 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.
This Agreement may not be assigned by the Custodian or the Trust without the respective consent of the other, duly authorized by a resolution by its Board of Directors or Trustees.
14. ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
An additional Fund or Funds may become a party to this Agreement after the date hereof by an instrument in writing to such effect signed by the Trust, on behalf of such Fund or Funds and the Custodian. If this Agreement is terminated as to one or more of the Funds (but less than all of the Funds) or if an additional Fund or Funds shall become a party to this Agreement, there shall be delivered to each party an Appendix B or an amended Appendix B, signed by the Trust, on behalf of each of the additional Funds (if any) and each of the remaining Funds as well as the Custodian, deleting or adding such Fund or Funds, as the case may be. The termination of this Agreement as to less than all of the Funds shall not affect the obligations of the Custodian and the remaining Funds hereunder as set forth on the signature page hereto and in Appendix B as revised from time to time.
15. NOTICES.
As to each Fund, notices, requests, instructions and other writings delivered to the Trust, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, postage prepaid, or to such other address as any particular Fund may have designated to the Custodian in writing, shall be deemed to have been properly delivered or given to a Fund.
Notices, requests, instructions and other writings delivered to the Securities Administration department of the Custodian at its office at 928 Grand Blvd., 5th Floor, Attn: Bonnie Johnson, Kansas City, Missouri 64106, postage prepaid, or to such other addresses as the Custodian may have designated to each 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.
16. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement is executed and delivered in the State of Missouri 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, Foreign Subcustodians, Special Subcustodians, and Securities Depositories and Clearing Agencies 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.
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(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) The following terms are defined terms within the meaning of this Agreement, and the definitions thereof are found in the following sections of the Agreement:
Term Section Account 4(b)(3)(ii) ADRS 4(j) Advance 9 Assets 2(b) Authorized Person 3 Banking Institution 4(1) Domestic Subcustodian 5(a) Foreign Subcustodian 5(b) Instruction 2(c)(1) Interim Subcustodian 5(c) Interest Bearing Deposit 4(1) Liens 10 OCC 4(g)(1) Person 6(b) Procedural Agreement 4(h) SEC 4(b)(3) Securities 2(a) Securities Depositories and Clearing Agencies 5(b)(ii) Securities System 4(b)(3) Shares 4(s) Sovereign Risk 6(b) Special Instruction 2(c)(2) Special Subcustodian 5(d) Subcustodian 5 1940 Act 4(v)
(h) 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.
(i) This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and accordingly supersedes, as of the effective date of this Agreement, any custodian agreement heretofore in effect between the Fund and the Custodian.
(j) Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, any amount owed by a Fund to the Custodian (including a Domestic Sub-Custodian, Foreign Sub-Custodian, Securities System, Interim Sub-Custodian, Special Sub-Custodian, Securities Depository and/or Clearing Agency) arising out of an Account of such Fund shall be paid only out of the Assets of such Fund.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Custody Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers.
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
By: /s/ Franklin A. Trice, III
Name:
Franklin A. Trice, III
Title: Chairman
Date: July 30, 2008
Attest: /s/ Julia J. Gibbs
UMB BANK, N.A.
By: /s/ Ralph R. Santoro
Name: Ralph
R. Santoro
Title: Senior Vice President
Date: July 15, 2008
Attest: /s/ Bonnie L. Johnson
19
APPENDIX A
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
DOMESTIC SUBCUSTODIANS:
Citibank (Foreign Securities Only)
SECURITIES SYSTEMS:
Federal Book Entry
Depository Trust Company
SPECIAL SUBCUSTODIANS:
SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES COUNTRIES
FOREIGN
SUBCUSTODIANS
CLEARING AGENCIES
Euroclear
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
By: /s/ Franklin A. Trice, III
Name:
Franklin A. Trice, III
Title: Chairman
Date: July 30, 2008
UMB BANK, N.A.
By: /s/ Ralph R. Santoro
Name: Ralph
R. Santoro
Title: Senior Vice President
Date: July 30, 2008
20
APPENDIX B
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
The following portfolios (Funds) are hereby made parties to the Custody Agreement dated July 30, 2008, with UMB Bank, n.a. (Custodian) and World Funds Trust, and agree to be bound by all the terms and conditions contained in said Agreement:
COMMONWEALTH SMALL CAP FUND
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
By: /s/ Franklin A. Trice, III
Name:
Franklin A. Trice, III
Title: Chairman
Date: July 30, 2008
Attest: /s/ Julia J. Gibbs
UMB BANK, N.A.
By: /s/ Ralph R. Santoro
Name: Ralph
R. Santoro
Title: Senior Vice President
Date: July 30, 2008
Attest: /s/ Bonnie L. Johnson
21
APPENDIX C
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
Eligible Funds and Borrowing Limitations - World Funds Trust
Fund Name Acceptable Reason Limitation Commonwealth Small Cap Fund Temporary emergency only Limited to extent allowed under the 1940 Act
22
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT , effective as of the dates set forth on Schedule A by and between Union Street Partners, LLC (the Adviser) and World Funds Trust (the Trust) (Agreement), on behalf of the series of the Trust set forth in Schedule A attached hereto (each a Fund, and collectively, the Funds).
WHEREAS, the Trust is a Delaware statutory trust, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company of the series type, and each Fund is a series of the Trust;
WHEREAS, the Trust, with respect to each of the Funds, and the Adviser have entered into an Advisory Agreement (Advisory Agreement), pursuant to which the Adviser provides investment management services to each Fund for compensation based on the value of the average daily net assets of each such Fund;
WHEREAS , the Trust and the Adviser have determined that it is appropriate and in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders to maintain the expenses of each Fund at a level no greater than the level to which each such Fund would normally be subject in order to maintain each Funds expense ratio at the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit (as hereinafter defined) specified in Schedule A hereto;
NOW THEREFORE , the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | Expense Limitation. | |||
a. |
Applicable
Expense Limit
. To the extent that the aggregate expenses of every character
incurred by a Fund in any fiscal year, including but not limited to investment
advisory fees of the Adviser (but excluding interest, expenses incurred under a
plan of distribution adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, taxes,
acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, dividend expenses on short
sales, and other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in
the ordinary course of such Funds business) (Fund Operating Expenses),
exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit, as defined in Section 1.2 below,
such excess amount (the Excess Amount) shall be the liability of the Adviser.
|
|||
b. |
Maximum
Annual Operating Expense Limit
. The Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit
with respect to each Fund shall be the amount specified in Schedule A based on a
percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund.
|
|||
c. |
Method
of Computation
. To determine the Advisers liability with respect to the
Excess Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses for each Fund shall be annualized
as
|
1
of the
last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses for any month of
a Fund exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of such Fund, the Adviser
shall first waive or reduce its investment advisory fee for such month by an amount
sufficient to reduce the annualized Fund Operating Expenses to an amount no higher
than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit. If the amount of the waived or
reduced investment advisory fee for any such month is insufficient to pay the Excess
Amount, the Adviser may also remit to the appropriate Fund or Funds an amount that,
together with the waived or reduced investment advisory fee, is sufficient to pay
such Excess Amount.
|
||||
d. |
Year-End
Adjustment
. If necessary, on or before the last day of the first month of each
fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall be made by the appropriate party in order
that the amount of the investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other payments
remitted by the Adviser to the Fund or Funds with respect to the previous fiscal
year shall equal the Excess Amount.
|
|||
2. |
Reimbursement of Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements.
|
|||
a. |
Reimbursement
. If, during any fiscal quarter in which the Advisory Agreement is still in
effect, the estimated aggregate Fund Operating Expenses of such Fund for the fiscal
quarter are less than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit for that quarter,
the Adviser shall be entitled to reimbursement by such Fund, in whole or in part
as provided below, of the investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other
payments remitted by the Adviser to such Fund pursuant to Section 1 hereof. The
total amount of reimbursement to which the Adviser may be entitled (Reimbursement
Amount) shall equal, at any time, the sum of all investment advisory fees previously
waived or reduced by the Adviser and all other payments remitted by the Adviser
to the Fund, pursuant to Section 1 hereof, during any of the previous three (3)
fiscal years, less any reimbursement previously paid by such Fund to the Adviser,
pursuant to this Sections 2.1, with respect to such waivers, reductions, and payments.
The Reimbursement Amount shall not include any additional charges or fees whatsoever,
including, e.g., interest accruable on the Reimbursement Amount. To the extent
any reimbursement is made pursuant to this Section 2.a., such reimbursement shall
not cause the Fund Operating Expenses to exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense
Limit that was in place at the time the Adviser waived or reduced its advisory
fees or reimburse other expenses of the Fund.
|
|||
b. |
Method
of Computation
. To determine each Funds accrual, if any, to reimburse
the Adviser for the Reimbursement Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses
of each Fund shall be annualized as of the last day of the month. If the annualized
Fund Operating Expenses of a Fund for any month are less than the Maximum Annual
Operating Expense Limit of such Fund, such Fund shall accrue into its net asset
value an amount payable to the Adviser sufficient to increase the annualized Fund
Operating
|
2
Expenses
of that Fund to an amount no greater than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense
Limit of that Fund, provided that such amount paid to the Adviser will in no event
exceed the total Reimbursement Amount. For accounting purposes, amounts accrued
pursuant to this Section 2 shall be a liability of the Fund for purposes of determining
the Funds net asset value.
|
||||
c. |
Payment
and Year-End Adjustment
. Amounts accrued pursuant to this Agreement shall be
payable to the Adviser as of the last day of each month. If necessary, on or before
the last day of the first month of each fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall
be made by the appropriate party in order that the actual Fund Operating Expenses
of a Fund for the prior fiscal year (including any reimbursement payments hereunder
with respect to such fiscal year) do not exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense
Limit.
|
|||
d. |
Limitation
of Liability
. The Adviser shall look only to the assets of the Fund for which
it waived or reduced fees or remitted payments for reimbursement under this Agreement
and for payment of any claim hereunder, and neither the Fund, nor any of the Trusts trustees, officers, employees, agents, or shareholders, whether past, present
or future shall be personally liable therefor.
|
|||
3. |
Term and Termination of Agreement.
|
|||
This Agreement
with respect to each of the Funds shall continue in effect until the expiration
date set forth on Schedule A (the Expiration Date). With regard to the
Operating Expense Limits, the Trusts Board of Trustees and the Advisor may
terminate or modify this Agreement prior to the Expiration Date only by mutual
written consent. This Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the termination
of the Advisory Agreement; provided, however, that the obligation of the Trust
to reimburse the Adviser with respect to the Fund shall survive the termination
of this Agreement unless the Trust and the Adviser agree otherwise.
|
||||
4. | Miscellaneous. | |||
a. |
Captions
. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only
and in no other way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise
affect their construction or effect.
|
|||
b. |
Interpretation
. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust or the Funds
to take any action contrary to the Trusts Agreement and Declaration of Trust
or by-laws, as amended from time to time, or any applicable statutory or regulatory
requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive
the Trusts Board of Trustees of its responsibility for and control of the
conduct of the affairs of the Trust or the Funds. The parties to this Agreement
acknowledge and agree that all litigation arising hereunder, whether direct or
indirect, and of any and every nature whatsoever shall be satisfied solely out
of the assets of the affected Fund and that no Trustee, officer or holder of shares
of beneficial interest of the Fund shall be personally
|
3
liable
for any of the foregoing liabilities. The Trusts Agreement and Declaration
of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Agreement
and Declaration of Trust and by-laws describe in detail the respective responsibilities
and limitations on liability of the Trustees, officers, and holders of shares of
beneficial interest.
|
||||
c. |
Definitions.
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement, including but not limited to the investment advisory fee, the computations of net
asset values, and the allocation of expenses, having a counterpart in or otherwise
derived from the terms and provisions of the Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act,
shall have the same meaning as and be resolved by reference to such Advisory Agreement
or the 1940 Act.
|
|||
d. |
Enforceability.
Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in
any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction be ineffective to the extent of
such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the
remaining terms or provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability
of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
|
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be signed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.
World Funds Trust, on behalf of each Fund Listed on Schedule A | |
By: /s/John Pasco, III | |
Name: John Pasco, III | |
Title: President | |
Union Street Partners, LLC | |
By: /s/ Shawn McLaughlin | |
Name: Shawn P. McLaughlin | |
Title: Managing Member |
4
SCHEDULE A
to the
EXPENSE LIMITATION
AGREEMENT (the Agreement)
between
WORLD FUNDS TRUST (the Trust)
and
Union Street Partners, LLC (advisor)
This Agreement relates to the following Funds of the Trust:
Fund |
Maximum
Annual Operating
Expense Limit |
Effective Date | Expiration Date |
Union Street Partners Value Fund | 1.50% | November 15, 2016 | January 31, 2018 |
Effective May 1, 2017, the table above is modified as follows
Fund |
Maximum
Annual Operating
Expense Limit |
Effective Date | Expiration Date |
Union Street Partners Value Fund | 1.35% | May 1, 2017 | January 31, 2018 |
5
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT , effective as of the dates set forth on Schedule A by and between Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC (the Adviser) and World Funds Trust (the Trust) (Agreement), on behalf of the series of the Trust set forth in Schedule A attached hereto (each a Fund, and collectively, the Funds).
WHEREAS, the Trust is a Delaware statutory trust, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company of the series type, and each Fund is a series of the Trust;
WHEREAS, the Trust, with respect to each of the Funds, and the Adviser have entered into an Advisory Agreement (Advisory Agreement), pursuant to which the Adviser provides investment management services to each Fund for compensation based on the value of the average daily net assets of each such Fund;
WHEREAS , the Trust and the Adviser have determined that it is appropriate and in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders to maintain the expenses of each Fund at a level no greater than the level to which each such Fund would normally be subject in order to maintain each Funds expense ratio at the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit (as hereinafter defined) specified in Schedule A hereto;
NOW THEREFORE , the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | Expense Limitation. | |||
a. |
Applicable
Expense Limit
. To the extent that the aggregate expenses of every character
incurred by a Fund in any fiscal year, including but not limited to investment
advisory fees of the Adviser (but excluding interest, expenses incurred under a
plan of distribution adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, taxes,
acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, dividend expenses on short
sales, and other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in
the ordinary course of such Funds business) (Fund Operating Expenses),
exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit, as defined in Section 1.2 below,
such excess amount (the Excess Amount) shall be the liability of the Adviser.
|
|||
b. |
Maximum
Annual Operating Expense Limit
. The Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit
with respect to each Fund shall be the amount specified in Schedule A based on a
percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund.
|
|||
c. |
Method
of Computation
. To determine the Advisers liability with respect to the
Excess Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses for each Fund shall be annualized
as
|
1
of the
last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses for any month of
a Fund exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of such Fund, the Adviser
shall first waive or reduce its investment advisory fee for such month by an amount
sufficient to reduce the annualized Fund Operating Expenses to an amount no higher
than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit. If the amount of the waived or
reduced investment advisory fee for any such month is insufficient to pay the Excess
Amount, the Adviser may also remit to the appropriate Fund or Funds an amount that,
together with the waived or reduced investment advisory fee, is sufficient to pay
such Excess Amount.
|
||||
d. |
Year-End
Adjustment
. If necessary, on or before the last day of the first month of each
fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall be made by the appropriate party in order
that the amount of the investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other payments
remitted by the Adviser to the Fund or Funds with respect to the previous fiscal
year shall equal the Excess Amount.
|
|||
2. |
Reimbursement of Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements.
|
|||
a. |
Reimbursement
. If, during any fiscal quarter in which the Advisory Agreement is still in
effect, the estimated aggregate Fund Operating Expenses of such Fund for the fiscal
quarter are less than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit for that quarter,
the Adviser shall be entitled to reimbursement by such Fund, in whole or in part
as provided below, of the investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other
payments remitted by the Adviser to such Fund pursuant to Section 1 hereof. The
total amount of reimbursement to which the Adviser may be entitled (Reimbursement
Amount) shall equal, at any time, the sum of all investment advisory fees previously
waived or reduced by the Adviser and all other payments remitted by the Adviser
to the Fund, pursuant to Section 1 hereof, during any of the previous three (3)
fiscal years, less any reimbursement previously paid by such Fund to the Adviser,
pursuant to this Sections 2.1, with respect to such waivers, reductions, and payments.
The Reimbursement Amount shall not include any additional charges or fees whatsoever,
including, e.g., interest accruable on the Reimbursement Amount. To the extent
any reimbursement is made pursuant to this Section 2.a., such reimbursement shall
not cause the Fund Operating Expenses to exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense
Limit that was in place at the time the Adviser waived or reduced its advisory
fees or reimburse other expenses of the Fund.
|
|||
b. |
Method
of Computation
. To determine each Funds accrual, if any, to reimburse
the Adviser for the Reimbursement Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses
of each Fund shall be annualized as of the last day of the month. If the annualized
Fund Operating Expenses of a Fund for any month are less than the Maximum Annual
Operating Expense Limit of such Fund, such Fund shall accrue into its net asset
value an amount payable to the Adviser sufficient to increase the annualized Fund
Operating
|
2
Expenses
of that Fund to an amount no greater than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense
Limit of that Fund, provided that such amount paid to the Adviser will in no event
exceed the total Reimbursement Amount. For accounting purposes, amounts accrued
pursuant to this Section 2 shall be a liability of the Fund for purposes of determining
the Funds net asset value.
|
||||
c. |
Payment
and Year-End Adjustment
. Amounts accrued pursuant to this Agreement shall be
payable to the Adviser as of the last day of each month. If necessary, on or before
the last day of the first month of each fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall
be made by the appropriate party in order that the actual Fund Operating Expenses
of a Fund for the prior fiscal year (including any reimbursement payments hereunder
with respect to such fiscal year) do not exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense
Limit.
|
|||
d. |
Limitation
of Liability
. The Adviser shall look only to the assets of the Fund for which
it waived or reduced fees or remitted payments for reimbursement under this Agreement
and for payment of any claim hereunder, and neither the Fund, nor any of the Trusts trustees, officers, employees, agents, or shareholders, whether past, present
or future shall be personally liable therefor.
|
|||
3. | Term and Termination of Agreement. | |||
This Agreement
with respect to each of the Funds shall continue in effect until the expiration
date set forth on Schedule A (the Expiration Date). With regard to the
Operating Expense Limits, the Trusts Board of Trustees and the Advisor may
terminate or modify this Agreement prior to the Expiration Date only by mutual
written consent. This Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the termination
of the Advisory Agreement; provided, however, that the obligation of the Trust
to reimburse the Adviser with respect to the Fund shall survive the termination
of this Agreement unless the Trust and the Adviser agree otherwise.
|
||||
4. | Miscellaneous. | |||
a. |
Captions
. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only
and in no other way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise
affect their construction or effect.
|
|||
b. |
Interpretation
. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust or the Funds
to take any action contrary to the Trusts Agreement and Declaration of Trust
or by-laws, as amended from time to time, or any applicable statutory or regulatory
requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive
the Trusts Board of Trustees of its responsibility for and control of the
conduct of the affairs of the Trust or the Funds. The parties to this Agreement
acknowledge and agree that all litigation arising hereunder, whether direct or
indirect, and of any and every nature whatsoever shall be satisfied solely out
of the assets of the affected Fund and that no Trustee, officer or holder of shares
of beneficial interest of the Fund shall be personally
|
3
liable
for any of the foregoing liabilities. The Trusts Agreement and Declaration
of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Agreement
and Declaration of Trust and by-laws describe in detail the respective responsibilities
and limitations on liability of the Trustees, officers, and holders of shares of
beneficial interest.
|
||||
c. |
Definitions.
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement, including but not limited to the investment advisory fee, the computations of net
asset values, and the allocation of expenses, having a counterpart in or otherwise
derived from the terms and provisions of the Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act,
shall have the same meaning as and be resolved by reference to such Advisory Agreement
or the 1940 Act.
|
|||
d. |
Enforceability.
Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in
any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction be ineffective to the extent of
such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the
remaining terms or provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability
of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
|
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be signed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.
World Funds
Trust, on behalf of each Fund Listed on Schedule A
|
|
By: /s/ John Pasco, III | |
Name: John Pasco, III | |
Title: President | |
Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC | |
By: /s/ John Webster | |
Name: John Webster | |
Title: President |
4
SCHEDULE A
to the
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the Agreement)
between
WORLD FUNDS TRUST (the
Trust)
and
Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC
This Agreement relates to the following Funds of the Trust:
Fund | Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit | Effective Date | Expiration Date |
REMS International Real Estate Value Opportunity Fund | 0.25% | May 1, 2017 | December 31, 2017 |
5
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
AMENDED EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT , effective as of the dates set forth on Schedule A by and between Toreador Research and Trading, LLC (the Adviser) and World Funds Trust (the Trust) (Agreement), on behalf of the series of the Trust set forth in Schedule A attached hereto (each a Fund, and collectively, the Funds).
WHEREAS, the Trust is a Delaware statutory trust, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company of the series type, and each Fund is a series of the Trust;
WHEREAS, the Trust, with respect to each of the Funds, and the Adviser have entered into an Advisory Agreement (Advisory Agreement), pursuant to which the Adviser provides investment management services to each Fund for compensation based on the value of the average daily net assets of each such Fund;
WHEREAS , the Trust and the Adviser have determined that it is appropriate and in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders to maintain the expenses of each Fund at a level no greater than the level to which each such Fund would normally be subject in order to maintain each Funds expense ratio at the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit (as hereinafter defined) specified in Schedule A hereto;
NOW THEREFORE , the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | Expense Limitation. | |||
a. |
Applicable
Expense Limit
. To the extent that the aggregate expenses of every character
incurred by a Fund in any fiscal year, including but not limited to investment
advisory fees of the Adviser (but excluding interest, expenses incurred under a
plan of distribution adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, fees paid
pursuant to any administrative services plan, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses,
brokerage commissions, dividend expenses on short sales, and other expenditures
which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Funds business) (Fund Operating Expenses), exceed the Maximum Annual Operating
Expense Limit, as defined in Section 1.2 below, such excess amount (the Excess
Amount) shall be the liability of the Adviser.
|
|||
b. |
Maximum
Annual Operating Expense Limit
. The Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit
with respect to each Fund shall be the amount specified in Schedule A based on a
percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund.
|
|||
c. |
Method
of Computation
. To determine the Advisers liability with respect to the
Excess Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses for each Fund shall be annualized
as
|
1
of the
last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses for any month of
a Fund exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of such Fund, the Adviser
shall first waive or reduce its investment advisory fee for such month by an amount
sufficient to reduce the annualized Fund Operating Expenses to an amount no higher
than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit. If the amount of the waived or
reduced investment advisory fee for any such month is insufficient to pay the Excess
Amount, the Adviser may also remit to the appropriate Fund or Funds an amount that,
together with the waived or reduced investment advisory fee, is sufficient to pay
such Excess Amount.
|
||||
d. |
Year-End
Adjustment
. If necessary, on or before the last day of the first month of each
fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall be made by the appropriate party in order
that the amount of the investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other payments
remitted by the Adviser to the Fund or Funds with respect to the previous fiscal
year shall equal the Excess Amount.
|
|||
2. |
Reimbursement of Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements.
|
|||
a. |
Reimbursement
. If, during any fiscal quarter in which the Advisory Agreement is still in
effect, the estimated aggregate Fund Operating Expenses of such Fund for the fiscal
quarter are less than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit for that quarter,
the Adviser shall be entitled to reimbursement by such Fund, in whole or in part
as provided below, of the investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other
payments remitted by the Adviser to such Fund pursuant to Section 1 hereof. The
total amount of reimbursement to which the Adviser may be entitled (Reimbursement
Amount) shall equal, at any time, the sum of all investment advisory fees previously
waived or reduced by the Adviser and all other payments remitted by the Adviser
to the Fund, pursuant to Section 1 hereof, during any of the previous three (3)
fiscal years, less any reimbursement previously paid by such Fund to the Adviser,
pursuant to this Sections 2.1, with respect to such waivers, reductions, and payments.
The Reimbursement Amount shall not include any additional charges or fees whatsoever,
including, e.g., interest accruable on the Reimbursement Amount. To the extent
any reimbursement is made pursuant to this Section 2.a., such reimbursement shall
not cause the Fund Operating Expenses to exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense
Limit that was in place at the time the Adviser waived or reduced its advisory
fees or reimburse other expenses of the Fund.
|
|||
b. |
Method
of Computation
. To determine each Funds accrual, if any, to reimburse the
Adviser for the Reimbursement Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses of
each Fund shall be annualized as of the last day of the month. If the annualized
Fund Operating Expenses of a Fund for any month are less than the Maximum Annual
Operating Expense Limit of such Fund, such Fund shall accrue into its net asset
value an amount payable to the Adviser sufficient to increase the annualized Fund
Operating
|
2
Expenses
of that Fund to an amount no greater than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense
Limit of that Fund, provided that such amount paid to the Adviser will in no event
exceed the total Reimbursement Amount. For accounting purposes, amounts accrued
pursuant to this Section 2 shall be a liability of the Fund for purposes of determining
the Funds net asset value.
|
||||
c. |
Payment
and Year-End Adjustment
. Amounts accrued pursuant to this Agreement shall be
payable to the Adviser as of the last day of each month. If necessary, on or before
the last day of the first month of each fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall
be made by the appropriate party in order that the actual Fund Operating Expenses
of a Fund for the prior fiscal year (including any reimbursement payments hereunder
with respect to such fiscal year) do not exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense
Limit.
|
|||
d. |
Limitation
of Liability
. The Adviser shall look only to the assets of the Fund for which
it waived or reduced fees or remitted payments for reimbursement under this Agreement
and for payment of any claim hereunder, and neither the Fund, nor any of the Trusts trustees, officers, employees, agents, or shareholders, whether past, present
or future shall be personally liable therefor.
|
|||
3. |
Term and Termination of Agreement.
|
|||
This Agreement
with respect to each of the Funds shall continue in effect until the expiration
date set forth on Schedule A (the Expiration Date). With regard to the
Operating Expense Limits, the Trusts Board of Trustees and the Advisor may
terminate or modify this Agreement prior to the Expiration Date only by mutual
written consent. This Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the termination
of the Advisory Agreement; provided, however, that the obligation of the Trust
to reimburse the Adviser with respect to the Fund shall survive the termination
of this Agreement unless the Trust and the Adviser agree otherwise.
|
||||
4. |
Miscellaneous.
|
|||
a. |
Captions
. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only
and in no other way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise
affect their construction or effect.
|
|||
b. |
Interpretation
. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust or the Funds
to take any action contrary to the Trusts Agreement and Declaration of Trust
or by-laws, as amended from time to time, or any applicable statutory or regulatory
requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive
the Trusts Board of Trustees of its responsibility for and control of the
conduct of the affairs of the Trust or the Funds. The parties to this Agreement
acknowledge and agree that all litigation arising hereunder, whether direct or
indirect, and of any and every nature whatsoever shall be satisfied solely out
of the assets of the affected Fund and that no Trustee, officer or holder of shares
of beneficial interest of the Fund shall be personally
|
3
liable
for any of the foregoing liabilities. The Trusts Agreement and Declaration
of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Agreement
and Declaration of Trust and by-laws describe in detail the respective responsibilities
and limitations on liability of the Trustees, officers, and holders of shares of
beneficial interest.
|
||||
c. |
Definitions.
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement, including but not limited to the investment advisory fee, the computations of net
asset values, and the allocation of expenses, having a counterpart in or otherwise
derived from the terms and provisions of the Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act,
shall have the same meaning as and be resolved by reference to such Advisory Agreement
or the 1940 Act.
|
|||
d. |
Enforceability.
Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in
any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction be ineffective to the extent of
such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the
remaining terms or provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability
of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
|
4
SCHEDULE A
5
World Funds
Trust, on behalf of each Fund Listed on Schedule A
By:
/s/
David A. Bogaert
Name: David
A. Bogaert
Title: President
and Principal Executive Officer
Toreador Research
and Trading, LLC
By:
/s/
Paul Blinn
Name: Paul
Blinn
Title: Managing
Director
to the
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the Agreement)
between
WORLD FUNDS TRUST (the
Trust)
and
Toreador Research and Trading, LLC
Fund
Maximum
Annual
Operating Expense Limit
Effective
Date
Expiration
Date
Toreador Core
Fund
0.95%
August 15,
2014
August 31,
2019
Toreador Explorer
Fund
0.83%
October 1,
2017
August 31,
2019
Toreador International
Fund
1.75%
August 15,
2014
August 31,
2019
Toreador Select
Fund
0.75%
October 1,
2017
August 31,
2019
John H. Lively | |
The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. | |
A member firm of The 1940 Act Law Group | |
2041 West 141st Terrace, Suite 119 | |
Leawood, KS 66224 | |
Phone: 913.660.0778 Fax: 913.660.9157 | |
john.lively@1940actlawgroup.com |
December 8, 2010
World Funds Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway
Suite 205
Richmond, VA 23235
RE: Opinion of Counsel regarding the Registration Statement filed on Form N-1A under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) and Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to World Funds Trust (the Trust), a statutory trust organized under the laws of the state of Delaware and registered under the 1940 Act as an open-end series management investment company.
This opinion relates to the Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the Registration Statement and is given in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) of a post-effective amendment under the Securities Act and an amendment under the 1940 Act (collectively, the Amendment), each to the Registration Statement. The Amendment relates to the registration of an indefinite number of shares of beneficial interest (collectively, the Shares), with no par value per share, of the Union Street Partners Value Fund (the Fund), a new series portfolio of the Trust. We understand that the Amendment will be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and that our opinion is required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
In reaching the opinions set forth below, we have examined, among other things, copies of the Trusts Certificate of Trust, Agreement and Declaration of Trust, applicable resolutions of the Board of Trustee, and originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other documents, records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion. We have also examined the prospectus and statement of additional information for the Fund, substantially in the form in which they are to be filed in the Amendment (collectively, the Prospectus).
As to any facts or questions of fact material to the opinions set forth below, we have relied exclusively upon the aforesaid documents and upon representations and declarations of the officers or other representatives of the Trust. We have made no independent investigation whatsoever as to such factual matters.
The Prospectus provides for issuance of the Shares from time to time at the net asset value thereof, plus any applicable sales charge. In reaching the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that upon sale of the Shares, the Trust will receive the net asset value thereof.
We have also assumed, without independent investigation or inquiry, that:
(a) | all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic; all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents; all signatures on all documents submitted to us for examination are genuine; and all documents and public records reviewed are accurate and complete; and | |
(b) | all representations, warranties, certifications and statements with respect to matters of fact and other factual information (i) made by public officers; or (ii) made by officers or representatives of the Trust are accurate, true, correct and complete in all material respects. |
The Delaware Statutory Trust Act provides that shareholders of the Trust shall be entitled to the same limitation on personal liability as is extended under the Delaware General Corporation Law to stockholders of private corporations for profit. There is a remote possibility, however, that, under certain circumstances, shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust may be held personally liable for that trusts obligations to the extent that the courts of another state which does not recognize such limited liability were to apply the laws of such state to a controversy involving such obligations. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any shareholder, or to call upon any shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the shareholder may at any time agree to pay. Therefore, the risk of any shareholder incurring financial loss beyond his investment due to shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund is unable to meet its obligations and the express limitation of shareholder liabilities is determined not to be effective.
Based on our review of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date of this letter:
(a) | The Shares to be offered for sale pursuant to the Prospectus are duly and validly authorized by all necessary actions on the part of the Trust; and | |
(b) | The Shares, when issued and sold by the Trust for consideration pursuant to and in the manner contemplated by the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trusts Registration Statement, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, subject to compliance with the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, and the applicable state laws regulating the sale of securities |
We express no opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdiction other than the federal law of the United States of America and the Delaware Statutory Trust Act.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm under the caption Legal Counsel in the Statement of Additional Information for the Fund, which is included in the Registration Statement.
/s/ John H. Lively |
On behalf of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc.
|
John H. Lively |
The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. | |
A member firm of The 1940 Act Law Group | |
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310 | |
Leawood, KS 66211 | |
Phone: 913.660.0778 Fax: 913.660.9157 | |
john.lively@1940actlawgroup.com |
October 25, 2012
World Funds Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway,
Suite 205
Richmond, VA 23235
RE: Opinion of Counsel regarding the Registration Statement filed on Form N-1A under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) and Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to the World Funds Trust (the Trust), a statutory trust organized under the laws of the state of Delaware and registered under the 1940 Act as an open-end series management investment company.
This opinion relates to the Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the Registration Statement and is given in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) of a post-effective amendment under the Securities Act and an amendment under the 1940 Act (collectively, the Amendment ), each to the Registration Statement. The Amendment relates to the registration of an indefinite number of shares of beneficial interest (collectively, the Shares), with no par value per share, of the Perkins Discovery Fund (the Fund), a new series portfolio of the Trust. We understand that the Amendment will be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and that our opinion is required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
In reaching the opinions set forth below, we have examined, among other things, copies of the Trusts Certificate of Trust, Agreement and Declaration of Trust, applicable resolutions of the Board of Trustees, and originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other documents, records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion. We have also examined the prospectus and statement of additional information for the Fund, substantially in the form in which they are to be filed in the Amendment (collectively, the Prospectus).
As to any facts or questions of fact material to the opinions set forth below, we have relied exclusively upon the aforesaid documents and upon representations and declarations of the officers or other representatives of the Trust. We have made no independent investigation whatsoever as to such factual matters.
The Prospectus provides for issuance of the Shares from time to time at the net asset value thereof, plus any applicable sales charge. In reaching the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that upon sale of the Shares, the Trust will receive the net asset value thereof.
We have also assumed, without independent investigation or inquiry, that:
(a) | all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic; all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents; all signatures on all documents submitted to us for examination are genuine; and all documents and public records reviewed are accurate and complete; and | ||
(b) | all representations, warranties, certifications and statements with respect to matters of fact and other factual information (i) made by public officers; or (ii) made by officers or representatives of the Trust are accurate, true, correct and complete in all material respects. |
The Delaware Statutory Trust Act provides that shareholders of the Trust shall be entitled to the same limitation on personal liability as is extended under the Delaware General Corporation Law to stockholders of private corporations for profit. There is a remote possibility, however, that, under certain circumstances, shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust may be held personally liable for that trusts obligations to the extent that the courts of another state which does not recognize such limited liability were to apply the laws of such state to a controversy involving such obligations. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any shareholder, or to call upon any shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the shareholder may at any time agree to pay. Therefore, the risk of any shareholder incurring financial loss beyond his investment due to shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund is unable to meet its obligations and the express limitation of shareholder liabilities is determined not to be effective.
Based on our review of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date of this letter:
(a) | The Shares to be offered for sale pursuant to the Prospectus are duly and validly authorized by all necessary actions on the part of the Trust; and | ||
(b) | The Shares, when issued and sold by the Trust for consideration pursuant to and in the manner contemplated by the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trusts Registration Statement, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, subject to compliance with the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, and the applicable state laws regulating the sale of securities |
We express no opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdiction other than the federal law of the United States of America and the Delaware Statutory Trust Act.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm under the caption Legal Counsel in the Statement of Additional Information for the Fund, which is included in the Registration Statement.
On behalf of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. | |
/s/ John H. Lively |
|
John H. Lively |
The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. | |
A member firm of The 1940 Act Law Group TM | |
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310 | |
Leawood, KS 66211 | |
Phone: 913.660.0778 Fax: 913.660.9157 | |
john.lively@1940actlawgroup.com |
October 23, 2013
World Funds Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway
Suite 205
Richmond, VA 23235
RE: Opinion of Counsel regarding the Registration Statement filed on Form N-1A under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) and Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to World Funds Trust (the Trust), a statutory trust organized under the laws of the state of Delaware and registered under the 1940 Act as an open-end series management investment company.
This opinion relates to the Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the Registration Statement and is given in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) of a post-effective amendment under the Securities Act and an amendment under the 1940 Act (collectively, the Amendment), each to the Registration Statement. The Amendment relates to the registration of an indefinite number of shares of beneficial interest (collectively, the Shares), with no par value per share, of the DGHM All-Cap Value Fund and DGHM V2000 SmallCap Value Fund (the Funds), each a new series portfolio of the Trust. We understand that the Amendment will be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and that our opinion is required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
In reaching the opinions set forth below, we have examined, among other things, copies of the Trusts Certificate of Trust, Agreement and Declaration of Trust, applicable resolutions of the Board of Trustees, and originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other documents, records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion. We have also examined the prospectus and statement of additional information for the Funds, substantially in the form in which they are to be filed in the Amendment (collectively, the Prospectus).
As to any facts or questions of fact material to the opinions set forth below, we have relied exclusively upon the aforesaid documents and upon representations and declarations of the officers or other representatives of the Trust. We have made no independent investigation whatsoever as to such factual matters.
The Prospectus provides for issuance of the Shares from time to time at the net asset value thereof, plus any applicable sales charge. In reaching the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that upon sale of the Shares, the Trust will receive the net asset value thereof.
We have also assumed, without independent investigation or inquiry, that:
(a) |
all documents
submitted to us as originals are authentic; all documents submitted to us as certified
or photostatic copies conform to the original documents; all signatures on all documents
submitted to us for examination are genuine; and all documents and public records
reviewed are accurate and complete; and
|
|
(b) |
all representations,
warranties, certifications and statements with respect to matters of fact and other
factual information (i) made by public officers; or (ii) made by officers or representatives
of the Trust are accurate, true, correct and complete in all material respects.
|
The Delaware Statutory Trust Act provides that shareholders of the Trust shall be entitled to the same limitation on personal liability as is extended under the Delaware General Corporation Law to stockholders of private corporations for profit. There is a remote possibility, however, that, under certain circumstances, shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust may be held personally liable for that trusts obligations to the extent that the courts of another state which does not recognize such limited liability were to apply the laws of such state to a controversy involving such obligations. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any shareholder, or to call upon any shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the shareholder may at any time agree to pay. Therefore, the risk of any shareholder incurring financial loss beyond his investment due to shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Funds are unable to meet their obligations and the express limitation of shareholder liabilities is determined not to be effective.
Based on our review of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date of this letter:
(a) |
The Shares
to be offered for sale pursuant to the Prospectus are duly and validly authorized
by all necessary actions on the part of the Trust; and
|
|
(b) |
The Shares,
when issued and sold by the Trust for consideration pursuant to and in the manner
contemplated by the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trusts Registration
Statement, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, subject to
compliance with the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, and the applicable state laws
regulating the sale of securities
|
We express no opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdiction other than the federal law of the United States of America and the Delaware Statutory Trust Act.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm under the caption Legal Counsel in the Statement of Additional Information for the Funds, which is included in the Registration Statement.
/s/ John H. Lively
On
behalf of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc.
|
John H. Lively |
The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. | |
A member firm of The 1940 Act Law Group TM | |
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310 | |
Leawood, KS 66211 | |
Phone: 913.660.0778 Fax: 913.660.9157 | |
john.lively@1940actlawgroup.com |
December 23, 2013
World Funds Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway
Suite 205
Richmond, VA 23235
RE: Opinion of Counsel regarding the Registration Statement filed on Form N-1A under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) and Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to World Funds Trust (the Trust), a statutory trust organized under the laws of the state of Delaware and registered under the 1940 Act as an open-end series management investment company.
This opinion relates to the Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the Registration Statement and is given in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) of a post-effective amendment under the Securities Act and an amendment under the 1940 Act (collectively, the Amendment), each to the Registration Statement. The Amendment relates to the registration of an indefinite number of shares of beneficial interest (collectively, the Shares), with no par value per share, of the REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund (the Fund), a new series portfolio of the Trust. We understand that the Amendment will be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and that our opinion is required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
In reaching the opinions set forth below, we have examined, among other things, copies of the Trusts Certificate of Trust, Agreement and Declaration of Trust, applicable resolutions of the Board of Trustees, and originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other documents, records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion. We have also examined the prospectus and statement of additional information for the Fund, substantially in the form in which they are to be filed in the Amendment (collectively, the Prospectus).
As to any facts or questions of fact material to the opinions set forth below, we have relied exclusively upon the aforesaid documents and upon representations and declarations of the officers or other representatives of the Trust. We have made no independent investigation whatsoever as to such factual matters.
The Prospectus provides for issuance of the Shares from time to time at the net asset value thereof, plus any applicable sales charge. In reaching the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that upon sale of the Shares, the Trust will receive the net asset value thereof.
World Funds Trust
December 23, 2013
We have also assumed, without independent investigation or inquiry, that:
(a) |
all documents
submitted to us as originals are authentic; all documents submitted to us as certified
or photostatic copies conform to the original documents; all signatures on all documents
submitted to us for examination are genuine; and all documents and public records
reviewed are accurate and complete; and
|
|
(b) |
all representations,
warranties, certifications and statements with respect to matters of fact and other
factual information (i) made by public officers; or (ii) made by officers or representatives
of the Trust are accurate, true, correct and complete in all material respects.
|
The Delaware Statutory Trust Act provides that shareholders of the Trust shall be entitled to the same limitation on personal liability as is extended under the Delaware General Corporation Law to stockholders of private corporations for profit. There is a remote possibility, however, that, under certain circumstances, shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust may be held personally liable for that trusts obligations to the extent that the courts of another state which does not recognize such limited liability were to apply the laws of such state to a controversy involving such obligations. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any shareholder, or to call upon any shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the shareholder may at any time agree to pay. Therefore, the risk of any shareholder incurring financial loss beyond his investment due to shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund is unable to meet their obligations and the express limitation of shareholder liabilities is determined not to be effective.
Based on our review of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date of this letter:
(a) |
The Shares
to be offered for sale pursuant to the Prospectus are duly and validly authorized
by all necessary actions on the part of the Trust; and
|
|
(b) |
The Shares,
when issued and sold by the Trust for consideration pursuant to and in the manner
contemplated by the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trusts Registration
Statement, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, subject to
compliance with the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, and the applicable state laws
regulating the sale of securities
|
We express no opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdiction other than the federal law of the United States of America and the Delaware Statutory Trust Act.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
/s/ John H. Lively
On
behalf of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc.
Code of Ethics
(A) General
The Code of Ethics is predicated on the principle that Union Street Partners LLC (USPLLC) owes a fiduciary duty to its clients. Accordingly, USPLLCs employees must avoid activities, interests and relationships that run contrary (or appear to run contrary) to the best interests of clients. At all times, USPLLC must:
|
Place
client interests ahead of USPLLCs
As a fiduciary, USPLLC must serve
in its clients best interests. In other words, USPLLC employees may not benefit
at the expense of advisory clients. This concept is particularly relevant when employees
are making personal investments in securities traded by advisory clients.
|
||
|
Engage
in personal investing that is in full compliance with USPLLCs Code of Ethics
Employees must review and abide by USPLLCs Personal Security Transaction
and Insider Trading Policies.
|
||
|
Avoid
taking advantage of your position
Employees must not accept investment
opportunities, gifts or other gratuities from individuals seeking to conduct business
with USPLLC, or on behalf of an advisory client.
|
Any questions with respect to USPLLCs Code of Ethics should be directed to senior management and/or USPLLCs designated compliance officer, Shawn McLaughlin.
(B) Gifts
Employees may not accept investment opportunities, gifts or other gratuities from individuals seeking to conduct business with USPLLC, or on behalf of an advisory client. However, employees may accept gifts from a single giver in aggregate amounts not exceeding $100, and may attend business meals, sporting events and other entertainment events at the expense of a giver, as long as the expense is reasonable and both the giver(s) and the employee(s) is present.
(C) Personal Security Transaction Policy
Employees may not purchase or sell any security in which the employee has a beneficial ownership unless the transaction occurs in an exempted security or the employee has complied with the Personal Security Transaction Policy set forth below.
Securities and Instruments that are not Securities
USPLLC will regard the following as securities for purposes of complying with this policy: Any note, stock, treasury security, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or
participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any options, or in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a security.
Commodities, futures and options traded on a commodities exchange, including currency futures or not considered securities. However, futures and options on any group or index of securities shall be considered securities.
Exempt Securities
Investments in Treasury securities, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and other similar money market instruments and shares of open-end mutual fund companies are not required to be reported by employees under the Personal Security Transaction Policy.
Beneficial Ownership
Employees are considered to have beneficial ownership of securities if they have or share a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the securities. Employees shall have a pecuniary interest in securities if they have the ability to directly or indirectly profit from a securities transaction.
The following
are examples of indirect pecuniary interests in securities:
|
|||
|
Securities
held by members of employees immediate family sharing the same household.
Immediate family means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent,
spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law
or sister-in-law. Adoptive relationships are included;
|
||
|
Employees interests as a general partner in securities held by a general or limited
partnership; and
|
||
|
Employees interests as a manager/member in the securities held by a limited liability
company.
|
||
Employees do not have an indirect pecuniary interest in securities held by entities in which they hold an equity interest unless they are a controlling equity holder or they have a share investment control over the securities held by the entity.
The following circumstances constitute beneficial ownership by employees of securities held by a trust:
|
Ownership
of securities as a trustee where either the employee or members of the employees immediate family have a vested interest in the principal or income of the
trust;
|
||
|
Ownership
of a vested beneficial interest in a trust; and
|
||
|
An employees status as a settler of a trust, unless the consent of all of the beneficiaries
is required in order for the employee to revoke the trust.
|
Exempt Transactions | |||
The following transactions are considered exempt transactions: | |||
|
Any transaction
in an account over which the employee does not have any direct or indirect influence
or control. For example, presuming that such relatives do not reside in the same
household as the employee, accounts of family members outside of the immediate family
would not be subject to review.
|
||
|
Purchases
of securities in DRIPS (dividend reinvestment plans).
|
||
|
Purchases
of securities by the exercise of rights issued to holders of a class of securities
on a pro-rata basis.
|
||
|
Acquisitions
or dispositions of securities as a result of a stock dividend, stock split, etc.
|
||
|
Purchases
or sales of exchange-traded options on broadly-based indices (Indices with average
notional open interest during the preceding calendar quarter in excess of $1 billion).
|
||
|
Purchases
or sales of shares of registered closed-end investment companies (including ETFs).
|
||
|
From time
to time, USPLLCs designated compliance officer may exempt certain transactions
on a trade-by-trade basis.
|
Initial Public Offerings
No employees shall acquire beneficial ownership of securities in an initial public offering.
Private Placements
Employees wishing to acquire beneficial ownership of securities in a private placement must seek written approval to do so from a designated officer at USPLLC. In determining whether to grant the approval, the official will seek to determine whether or not the employees acquisition of the security precluded advisory clients from purchasing the security. In addition, the officer must determine that the investment was not being offered to the employee strictly by virtue of the employees position at USPLLC.
Reporting
Employees may only personally trade securities through a registered broker/dealer or through a company sponsored DRIP. Each employee must require its broker/dealer to send USPLLC account statements no less frequently than quarterly. Employees must also arrange for duplicate confirmations to be sent to USPLLC after each security transaction.
New employees are required to disclose all of their personal securities holdings at the commencement of their employment. ATIA shall maintain these records in accordance with the recordkeeping rule.
All employees are required to annually disclose all of their personal securities holdings. ATIA will complete the annual verification in January, coinciding with employees fourth quarter reporting requirement.
Trading and Review
USPLLC does not expect its employees to engage in frequent or short-term (60 days) trading. In addition, USPLLC does not expect its employees to trade opposite of clients and/or firm recommendations. USPLLC strictly forbids front running client accounts, which is a practice generally understood to be employees personally trading ahead of client accounts. Employees must wait 48 hours after the initial position of a security is purchased for the majority of client accounts before they are allowed to purchase the security in their personal trading accounts.
If USPLLC discovers that an employee is personally trading contrary to the policies set forth above, the employee shall meet with the appropriate officers of USPLLC to review the facts surrounding the transactions. This meeting shall help USPLLC to determine the appropriate course of action.
Remedial Actions
USPLLC takes the potential for conflicts of interest caused by personal investing very seriously. As such, USPLLC has implemented remedial actions that are designed to discourage its employees from violating the Personal Security Transaction Policy. Employees should be aware that USPLLC reserves the right to impose varied sanctions on policy violators depending on the severity of the policy violation.
| 1 st Violation Verbal warning; | ||
| 2 nd Violation Written warning that will be included in the employees file, and disgorgement of profits to a charity specified by the employee; and | ||
| 3 rd Violation Written warning, disgorgement of profits to a charity and monetary fine to be donated to a charity specified by the employee; and | ||
| 4 th Violation Possible termination of employment. | ||
(D) | Insider Trading Policy | ||
(1) General
Section 204A of the Advisers Act requires every investment adviser to establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed, taking into consideration the nature of such investment advisers business, to prevent the misuse of material, nonpublic information by such investment adviser or any person associated with such investment adviser. In accordance with Section 204A, USPLLC has instituted procedures to prevent the misuse of nonpublic information.
Although insider trading is not defined in securities laws, it is generally thought to be described as trading either personally or on behalf of others on the basis of material non-public information or communicating material non-public information to others in violation of the law.
In the past, securities laws have been interpreted to prohibit the following activities:
|
Trading
by an insider while in possession of material non-public information; or
|
||
|
Trading
by a non-insider while in possession of material non-public information, where the
information was disclosed to the non-insider in violation of an insiders duty
to keep it confidential; or
|
||
|
Communicating
material non-public information to others in breach of a fiduciary duty.
|
USPLLCs Insider Trading Policy applies to all of its employees. Any questions should be directed to the Chief Compliance Officer, Shawn McLaughlin or the Chief Investment Officer, Bernard McGinn.
(2) Whom Does the Policy Cover?
This policy covers all of USPLLCs employees (covered persons) as well as any transactions in any securities participated in by family members, trusts or corporations directly or indirectly controlled by such persons. In addition, the policy applies to transactions engaged in by corporations in which the covered person is an officer, director or 10% or greater stockholder and a partnership of which the covered person is a partner unless the covered person has no direct or indirect control over the partnership.
(3) What Information is Material?
Individuals may not be held liable for trading on inside information unless the information is material. Material information is generally defined as information for which there is a substantial likelihood that an investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions, or information that is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a companys securities.
Advance knowledge of the following types of information is generally regarded as material: | |||
- | Dividend or earnings announcements | ||
- | Write-downs or write-offs of assets | ||
- | Additions to reserves for bad debts or contingent liabilities | ||
- | Expansion or curtailment of company or major division operations | ||
- | Merger, joint venture announcements | ||
- | New product/service announcements | ||
- | Discovery or research developments | ||
- | Criminal, civil and government investigations and indictments | ||
- | Pending labor disputes | ||
- | Debt service or liquidity problems | ||
- | Bankruptcy or insolvency problems | ||
- | Tender offers, stock repurchase plans, etc. | ||
- | Recapitalization |
Information provided by a company could be material because of its expected effect on a particular class of a companys securities, all of the companys securities, the securities of another company, or the securities of several companies. The misuse of material non-public information applies to all types of securities, including equity, debt, commercial paper, government securities and options.
Material information does not have to relate to a companys business. For example, material information about the contents of an upcoming newspaper column may effect the price of a security, and therefore be considered material.
(4) What Information is Non-Public?
In order for issues concerning insider trading to arise, information must not only be material, but also non-public. Non-public information generally means information that has not been available to the investing public. Once material, non-public information has been effectively distributed to the investing public, it is no longer classified as material, non-public information. However, the distribution of non-public information must occur through commonly recognized channels for the classification to change. In addition, the information must not only be publicly disclosed, there must be adequate time for the public to receive and digest the information. Lastly, non-public information does not change to public information solely by selective dissemination.
USPLLCs employees must be aware that even where there is no expectation of confidentiality, a person may become an insider upon receiving material, non-public information. Whether the tip made to the employee makes him/her a tippee depends on whether the corporate insider expects to benefit personally, either directly or indirectly, from the disclosure. The benefit is not limited to a present or future monetary gain, it could be a reputational benefit or an expectation of a quid pro quo from the recipient by a gift of the information. Employees may also become insiders or tippees if they obtain material, non-public information by happenstance, at social gatherings, by overhearing conversations, etc.
(5) Penalties for Insider Information
Severe penalties exist for firms and individuals that engage in the act of insider trading, including civil injunctions, treble damages, disgorgement of profits and jail sentences. Further, fines for individuals and firms found guilty of insider trading are levied in amounts up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided, and up to the greater of $1,000,000 or three times the profit gained or loss avoided, respectively.
(6) Procedures to Follow if an Employee Believes that They Possess Material, Non-Public Information
If an employee has questions as to whether they are in possession of material, non-public information, they must inform Mr. USPLLC as soon as possible. From this point, the employee and appropriate officer of USPLLC will conduct research to determine if the information is likely to be considered important to investors in making investment decisions, and whether the information has been publicly disseminated.
Given the severe penalties imposed on individuals and firms engaging in insider trading, employees:
|
Shall not
trade the securities of any company in which they are deemed insiders who may possess
material, non-public information about the company.
|
||
|
Shall not
engage in securities transactions of any company, except in accordance with USPLLCs Personal Security Transaction Policy and the securities laws.
|
| Shall submit personal security trading reports in accordance with the Personal Security Transaction Policy. | ||
| Shall not discuss any potentially material, non-public information to colleagues, except as specifically required by their position. | ||
| Shall immediately report the potential receipt of non-public information to Mr. USPLLC. | ||
| Shall not proceed with any research, trading, etc. until Mr. USPLLC informs the employee of the appropriate course of action. |
(E) Serving as Officers, Trustees and Directors of Outside Organizations
Employees may, under certain circumstances, be granted permission to serve as directors, trustees or officers of outside organizations. These organizations can include public or private corporations, partnerships, charitable foundations and other not-for-profit institutions. Employees may also receive compensation for such activities.
At certain times, USPLLC may determine that it is in its clients best interests for an employee(s) to serve as officers or on the board of directors of outside organizations. For example, a company held in clients portfolios may be undergoing a reorganization that may affect the value of the companys outstanding securities and the future direction of the company. Service with organizations outside of USPLLC can, however, raise serious regulatory issues and concerns, including conflicts of interest and access to material non-public information.
As an outside board member or officer, an employee may come into possession of material non-public information about the outside company, or other public companies. It is critical that a proper information barrier be in place between USPLLC and the outside organization, and that the employee does not communicate such information to other USPLLC employees in violation of the information barrier.
Similarly, USPLLC may have a business relationship with the outside organization or may seek a relationship in the future. In those circumstances, the employee must not be involved in the decision to retain or hire USPLLC.
USPLLC employees are prohibited from engaging in such outside activities without the prior written approval from the appropriate USPLLC officer or director. Approval will be granted on a case by case basis, subject to proper resolution of potential conflicts of interest. Outside activities will be approved only if any conflict of interest issues can be satisfactorily resolved and all of the necessary disclosures are made on Part II of Form ADV.
(F) Initial/Annual Acknowledgement of Receipt and Compliance with the Code of Ethics
All employees must sign the Acknowledgement Form included in the Appendix.
APPENDIX
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
I have read and understand the Code of Ethics, recognize that it applies to me and agree to comply in all respects with the procedures described therein. Furthermore, I certify hereby that I have complied with the requirements of the Code of Ethics in effect during the preceding year (except to the extent that I may have been specifically notified by USPLLC Investment Management, Inc. that I have not complied with certain of such requirements). Lastly, I certify that I have received a copy of USPLLC Investment Management, Inc.s Compliance Manual.
Employee: ___________________________________________________________ (PRINT NAME) |
Signature: _________________________________________________________ |
Date: ______________________________________________________________ |
Perkins Capital Management,
Inc.
Code of Ethics
Adopted October 4, 2006
Background:
Perkins Capital Management, Inc. (PCM) is a federally registered investment adviser and as such must comply with Rule 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 requiring adoption of a Code of Ethics. Pursuant to the rule, this Code of Ethics will set forth standards of conduct expected of all employees of PCM. This Code of Ethics will work in conjunction with the PCM Compliance Manual.
Covered Persons:
All employees
of PCM are covered by the rules set forth in this Code of Ethics and the PCM Compliance
Manual.
Standards of Conduct:
The general principles of this Code of Ethics include
but are not limited to:
| The duty to always place the clients interest first; | ||
| The requirement that all personal securities transactions be conducted in such a manner as to be consistent with the Code of Ethics and the PCM Compliance Manual; | ||
| The principle that all PCM employees should not take inappropriate advantage of their positions; | ||
| The fiduciary principle that all client information is confidential; | ||
| The principle that independence in the investment decision-making process is paramount; and | ||
| The principles of honesty, integrity and professionalism shall be followed in all of our business activities. | ||
Prohibitions under Rule 204A-1 are: | |||
| To employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud a client; | ||
| To mislead any client, including making statements that are untrue or omit material facts; | ||
| To engage in any act, practice or course of business conduct which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon a client; | ||
| To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to any client; or | ||
| To engage in any manipulative practice with regard to securities, including price manipulation. |
Failure to comply with the Code of Ethics or the PCM Compliance Manual may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
Specific Areas of Coverage:
Listed are some of the more specific areas of compliance. For more detailed information please refer to the PCM Compliance Manual.
Privacy: In accordance with Regulation SP, all employees must follow the Privacy Policy set forth in the PCM Compliance Manual.
Personal Securities Trading: The guidelines for Personal Trading are outlined in full detail in the PCM Compliance Manual. Some specific trading guidelines to keep in mind are as follows:
| IPOs: No employees of PCM may invest in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) | ||
| Private Placements: Employees who invest in the private financing of public or private companies must have their investment pre-approved by the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). | ||
| Reporting Requirements: All employees must follow the detailed reporting requirements outlined in the PCM Compliance Manual to ensure that transactions will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. | ||
| Blackout Periods: All employees must adhere to the blackout period maintained by the CCO for companies that have PCM employees on the Board of Directors. |
March 10, 2016
Compliance Specific to the Mutual Fund and Employee Personal Transactions:
Individual Securities Blackout Periods: No purchases and sales (including short sales) of an individual security (except U.S. Government securities), including related securities such as options, warrants or convertible preferred securities, may be made by an employee if he or she is aware that a security of the same issuer is recommended for purchase or sale by the Fund. If the Fund is engaged in a buy or sell program or has recently purchased or sold a security, the same security (and any related security) cannot be purchased or sold by an employee until the business day following the completion of all Fund transactions. Employees may participate with the Fund in a bunched transaction if such participation will not adversely affect the terms received by the fund.
Trading versus Investment: Trading by employees, as distinct from investment , is prohibited in securities which are owned by the Fund. If a security (or related security) owned by an employee is also owned by the Fund, or if an employee acquires a security held by the Fund, the employee will be expected to hold that security for at least thirty days, and if the employee sells the security they may not reinvest for at least thirty days. However, if an employee has held a security that is also in the Fund for less than 30 days they may only sell shares:
| if the Funds entire security position is being sold, the employee can participate with the Fund in a bunched transaction provided the employees participation does not adversely affect the price received by the Fund; or | ||
| if the Funds entire security position is being sold, the employee can subsequently liquidate his or her position on the business day following completion of the Funds transaction if they are not able to participate in a bunched transaction. |
Directorships: No employee may serve on the board of directors for any private or public company whose securities are owned by the Fund without prior written permission from the CCO. No securities of a company of which an employee is a director shall be acquired by the Fund without the prior written permission of the CCO.
Educating Employees and Code Review:
The Code of Ethics must be reviewed by each employee on an annual basis. After review, the employee is required to sign a statement affirming the review and understanding of this Code and acknowledge they have access to a copy of the PCM Compliance Manual. If an employee has questions regarding the information in this Code of Ethics, they may refer to the PCM Compliance Manual or to PCMs CCO.
In the event that there is a modification to the code, the CCO will maintain a copy of the old code and dates of changes to the Code and request all employees to review and affirm the new Code.
Sanctions:
Any material violation of this Code of Ethics may result in the following actions:
| The employee will be required to review and sign an acknowledgement of receipt of the Code of Ethics. | ||
| A written reprimand will be placed in the employee file. | ||
| An employee may be suspended from employment. | ||
| An employee may be terminated from employment. |
Acknowledge and Agreed:
I have reviewed and understand the terms of this Code of Ethics and have access to a current copy of the PCM Compliance Manual.
By: ______________________________________ |
Printed name: _____________________________ |
Title: _____________________________________ |
Date: ____________________________________ |
March 10, 2016
B. Riley Capital Management
Code of Ethics
April 2017
5.3.2 Code of Ethics
5.3.2.1 Standard of Business Conduct
The Code of Ethics is based on the principle that BRCM and each of its employees
owe a fiduciary duty to its clients and a duty to comply with federal and state
securities laws and all other applicable laws. These duties include the obligation
of Access Persons to conduct their personal securities transactions in a manner
that does not interfere with the transactions of any client or otherwise to take
unfair advantage of their relationship with clients. In recognition of this duty,
BRCM hereby adopts the following general principles to guide the actions of the
Access Persons:
| Access Persons have the duty at all times to place the interests of clients first. | ||
| Access Persons have the duty to conduct all personal securities transactions in a manner consistent with these Procedures and in such a manner to avoid any actual or potential conflict or abuse of a position of trust and responsibility. | ||
| Access Persons must refrain from actions or activities that allow a person to profit or benefit from his or her position with respect to a client, or that otherwise bring into question the Access Persons independence or judgment. | ||
| All personal securities transactions by Access Persons must be accomplished so as to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interests with the client. |
These duties extend beyond fiduciary obligations, personal trading and compliance with laws discussed above. Each employee additionally is obligated to:
| Share his or her knowledge with others and present factual and objective information to management to the best of his or her ability. | ||
| Accept full responsibility for work that he or she performs. | ||
| Not misuse the authority entrusted to in him or her. | ||
| Be honest in all his or her professional relationships. | ||
| Take appropriate action in regard to any illegal or unethical practices that come to his or her attention. | ||
| Cooperate with others in achieving understanding and in identifying problems. | ||
| Not use or take credit for the work of others without specific acknowledgement and authorization. | ||
| Insure that the products of his or her work are used in a socially responsible way. | ||
| Never misrepresent or withhold information that is germane to a problem or situation of public concern. | ||
| Not use knowledge of a confidential or personal nature in any unauthorized manner or to achieve personal gain. | ||
| Make every effort to ensure that he or she has the most current knowledge and that the proper expertise is available when needed. | ||
| Avoid conflict of interest and insure that BRCM is aware of any potential conflicts. | ||
| Present a fair, honest, and objective viewpoint. | ||
| Protect the privacy and confidentiality of all information entrusted to him or her. |
5.3.2.2 Definitions of Terms in the Code
of Ethics
[SEC Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Section 16; Investment Company
Act of 1940 Section 2(a)(9); Investment Advisers Act of 1940 Section 202(a)(18)]
| Access Person means: | ||||
o | each director, partner or officer of BRCM; | ||||
o | each supervised person of BRCM who, (i) has access to nonpublic information regarding any clients purchase or sale of securities, or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any mutual fund advised or distributed by BRCM or an affiliate, or (ii) is involved in making securities recommendations to clients, or who has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic; and | ||||
o | any spouse, minor child, and any relative resident in the household of a person named above. | ||||
| Automatic Investment Plan means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically from investment accounts in accordance with a pre-determined schedule or allocation. An Automatic Investment Plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan. | ||||
| Beneficial Ownership means a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a security, as set forth in Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A person, for example, would be deemed to have a beneficial ownership of securities if he or she directly owns the securities, his or her spouse or minor children own the securities, or if such person, by contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship, has sole or shared voting or investment power over the securities held by such person. | ||||
| Client means any person who has entered an Investment Advisory Contract with BRCM. | ||||
| Control means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company. A person is deemed to exercise control who has a 25% or more ownership position of a companys equity securities, or otherwise controls a company as defined in Section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. | ||||
| Market Timing means frequent buying or selling shares of the same mutual fund, or buying or selling mutual fund shares in order to exploit inefficiencies in mutual fund pricing. | ||||
| Related Security means any security convertible within sixty (60) days into a Security and any future or option on the Security. | ||||
| Security means a security as defined in Section 202(a)(18) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, except that it does not include: | ||||
o | direct obligations of the U.S. Government; | ||||
o | any security issued by a mutual fund (other than a mutual fund advised by BRCM or an affiliate) or a unit investment trust that invests exclusively in one or more unaffiliated mutual funds; | ||||
o | interests in a 529 Plan, provided BRCM nor any companies under its common control manage, distribute, market or underwrite the 529 Plan or the investments and strategies underlying the 529 Plan; and | ||||
o | any money market fund securities or money market instruments, including bankers acceptances, certificates of deposit, and commercial paper. | ||||
| Supervised Person means employees and other persons who provide advice on behalf of BRCM and are subject to the supervision and control of BRCM. |
5.3.2.3 Prohibitions
5.3.2.3.1 Investment Recommendations
No Access Person shall in connection with the recommendation of a Security held
or to be acquired or sold by any Client shall:
| employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud such Client; | ||
| make any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the recommendation made not misleading; | ||
| engage in any act, practice, or course of business that would operate as a fraud or deceit upon such Client; or | ||
| engage in any manipulative practice with respect to such Client. |
5.3.2.3.2 Investment Opportunity
An Access Person must offer an investment opportunity first to clients before
he or she or BRCM may act on that opportunity.
5.3.2.3.3 Market Timing and Short-Swing
Trading
No employee may engage in prohibited market timing of the shares
of a mutual fund without approval from the Chief Compliance Officer, and such Chief
Compliance Officer shall withhold such approval if the mutual funds are affiliated
with BRCM.
5.3.2.3.4 Personal Securities Transactions
No Access Person may:
| purchase or sell, directly or indirectly, a Security for his or her own account on the same day that the same Security or Related Security is being purchased or sold by any Client at a price better than the price received by the client |
No exception shall be granted to personal securities transaction procedures without the written approval of the Chief Compliance Officer and a senior manager of BRCM, who shall not grant such approval unless they have concluded that the transaction will not adversely impact any pending order for clients or any pending consideration given by BRCM to place an order on behalf of clients.
5.3.2.3.5 Interest in Securities
No Access Person shall recommend any transaction in any Securities by any Client
without having disclosed his or her interest, if any, in such Securities or the
issuer thereof, including:
| the Access Persons Beneficial Ownership of any Securities of such issuer; | ||
| any contemplated transaction by the Access Person in such Securities; | ||
| any position the Access Person has with such issuer; and | ||
| any present or proposed business relationship between such issuer and the Access Person (or a party that the Access Person has a significant interest in). |
5.3.2.3.6 Client Trade Information
No Access Person shall reveal any proposed transactions in Securities by one
Client to another Client, any employee of BRCM, or any other person.
5.3.2.3.7 IPOs and Private Placements
No Access Person may:
| acquire a Security in an initial public offering or a private placement without the written consent of the Chief Compliance Officer; | ||
| acquire a Security in an initial public offering if he or she is a registered representative of a broker-dealer; | ||
| make a wrongful arrangement or a wrongful quid pro quo of any kind with clients in exchange for IPO allocations; or | ||
| share profits or losses with a client who receives an IPO allocation or allocations. |
| Pre-Clearance. Each Access Person may not purchase or sell any Security without first: | ||||
o | submitting a request via the Firms employee trade entry program, and | ||||
o | obtaining approval | ||||
| Exemptions . The preclearance requirements shall not apply to the following transactions: | ||||
o | Purchase or sale of Securities over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control; | ||||
o | Purchase or sale of Securities that are non-volitional on the part of the Access Person (e.g., purchases made pursuant to an automatic dividend reinvestment plan); | ||||
o | Purchase or sale of Securities that are not eligible for purchase by any Client; and | ||||
o | Purchase of Securities effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its Securities. | ||||
| Preclearance Discretion. The Chief Compliance Officer or a designated person in the compliance department shall preclear transactions that appear, upon reasonable inquiry, to present no reasonable likelihood of harm to any Client. |
5.3.2.5 Reporting of Securities Trades and Holdings
5.3.2.5.1 Access Person Reporting
Each Access Person shall report on the Securities Transaction Report Form all
transactions in Securities in which such Access Person has acquired any direct or
indirect Beneficial Ownership, unless such report would duplicate information contained
in trade confirmations or account statements that BRCM holds in its records, provided
BRCM has received those confirmations or statements not later than 30 days after
the close of the calendar quarter in which the transaction takes place.
5.3.2.5.2 Report Deadline
Reports
shall be filed with the Chief Compliance Officer within 30 days after the end of
each calendar quarter. An Access Person need not file a report covering a quarterly
period if he or she had no personal securities transactions during that quarter.
5.3.2.5.3 Securities Transaction Report
Form
The Securities Transaction Report Form filed pursuant to this Section
shall contain the following information:
| Name of the Access Person making the report; | ||
| Date of the transaction; | ||
| Title and number of shares involved; | ||
| Exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP of shares; | ||
| Principal amount of each Security involved; | ||
| Nature of the transaction (buy or sell); | ||
| Price at which transaction was effected; and | ||
| Name of the broker-dealer, bank or other financial institution through whom the transaction was effected. |
Each Access Person must file a report of his or her personal securities holdings (i) at the time the person became an Access Person; and (ii) at least once a year thereafter in the Annual Securities Transaction Report Form. Such reports must be current as of a date not more than 45 days prior to the individual becoming an Access Person or the date the Annual Securities Transaction Report is submitted.
5.3.2.5.4 Broker-Dealer Confirmations
and Account Statements
Every Access Person who opens an account at a broker-dealer
or other financial institution to personally trade securities shall:
| immediately notify the Chief Compliance Officer of the opening of such account; and | ||
| send a Broker Confirmation Letter to each such broker-dealer or other financial institution directing them to provide BRCM with a duplicate copy of each confirmation and periodic account statement issued to such Access Person. |
5.3.2.5.5 Private Placements
Each Access Person who owns Securities acquired in a private placement shall disclose
such ownership to the Chief Compliance Officer if such person is involved in any
subsequent consideration of an investment in the issuer by a Client.
5.3.2.6 Reporting Violations
An employee of BRCM must promptly report to the Chief Compliance Officer any violations
of the Code of Ethics. Any employee of BRCM who is the subject of a Code of Ethics
violation report and who retaliates against the reporting employee shall be subject
to serious sanctions, including termination of employment. Reports of violations
will be investigated and appropriate actions will be taken by the Chief Compliance
Officer. When investigating a possible violation, of BRCMs personal trading
rules, the Chief Compliance Officer will give such person an opportunity to supply
additional information regarding the transaction in question.
| Periodic Review. The Chief Compliance Officer shall periodically review and compare reported transactions of random Access Persons in Securities with the transactions of: | ||||
o | the Access Person indicated on his or her confirmations and account statements; | ||||
o | comparable clients of BRCM; | ||||
o | the securities on any watch or restricted lists; and | ||||
o | the securities of issuers recently engaged in making IPOs. | ||||
| Suspected Violations. If the Chief Compliance Officer suspects that an Access Person has violated these Procedures, he or she shall investigate the alleged violation, and, as a part of that investigation, allow the Access Person an opportunity to explain why the violation occurred or did not occur. | ||||
| Violation Report. If the Chief Compliance Officer concludes that an Access Person has violated these Procedures, he or she shall submit a report of such violation, his or her investigation of such violation, and his or her recommendation on what steps should be taken to address such violation, including recommending sanctions against the violator. | ||||
| Patterns. The Chief Compliance Officer shall periodically review trades of the Access Person in past periods in an effort to find patterns or deviation from patterns ( e.g ., a spike in personal trades). |
1. | New Employees. Each newly hired or newly designated Access Person shall receive a copy of these Procedures and shall be required to certify within 30 days of receipt of such Procedures that he or she has read and understands the Procedures. | ||
2. | New Employee Review. The Chief Compliance Officer shall review the Procedures with any newly hired or newly designated Access Person. A new employee may not make a personal trade until he or she has received this training. | ||
3. | Annual Training. At least annually, the Chief Compliance Officer shall conduct a training seminar reviewing the requirements of the Procedures and the required duties of the Access Persons. |
5.3.2.9 Access Person List
The
Chief Compliance Officer shall maintain a list of employees and officers of BRCM
who are Access Persons in this manual in the Chapter entitled DESIGNATION OF
SUPERVISORS & SERVICE PROVIDERS.
5.3.2.10 Sanctions
Upon discovering
a violation of these Code of Ethics, the senior management of BRCM may impose such
sanctions as they deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, forfeiture of
future discretionary compensation or profit, canceling trades, selling positions
at a loss, internal reprimand, a letter of censure, fine or suspension or termination
from employment.
5.3.2.11 Relying Adviser Code of Ethics
This Code of Ethics applies to and is administered for all investment advisers
related to the Firm that are filing advisers or relying advisers as though all of
such advisers are a single entity. In so applying and administering this Code of
Ethics, the Firm may take into account the fact that a relying adviser may be operating
in a jurisdiction that has obligations that differ from the filing adviser or another
relying adviser.
5/12/2017 to Current
Table of Contents | |
1 - Statement of General Policy | 3 |
2 - Standards of Business Conduct | 4 |
3 - Chief Compliance Officers Designee | 5 |
4 - Access Persons | 6 |
5 - Prohibition Against Insider Trading | 7 |
6 - Service as an Officer or Director | 9 |
7 - Personal Securities Trading Limitations | 10 |
8 - Personal Trading Compliance Procedures | 11 |
9 - Custodial Account Reporting | 13 |
10 - Preclearance | 14 |
11 - Blackout Periods | 15 |
12 - Participation in Unaffiliated Private Placements or Limited Offerings | 16 |
13 - Participation in IPOs | 17 |
14 - Pre-Approval Process for Affiliated Private Fund Investments | 18 |
15 - Rumor Mongering | 19 |
16 - Gifts and Entertainment | 21 |
17 - Political Contributions | 22 |
18 - Covered Associates | 24 |
19 - Fair Dealing | 25 |
20 - Protecting the Confidentiality of Client Information | 26 |
21 - Social Media | 28 |
22 - Fraternization | 29 |
23 - Whistleblower Policy | 30 |
24 - Reporting Violations and Sanctions | 31 |
25 - Records | 32 |
26 - Acknowledgement | 33 |
27 - Definitions | 34 |
2
5/12/2017 to Current
Statement of General Policy
This Code of Ethics (Code) has been adopted by Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC (DGHM) and is designed to comply with Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act).
This Code establishes rules of conduct for all employees of DGHM and is designed to, among other things; govern personal securities trading activities in the accounts of employees, their immediate family/household accounts and accounts in which an employee has a beneficial interest. The Code is based upon the principle that DGHM and its employees owe a fiduciary duty to DGHMs clients to conduct their affairs, including their personal securities transactions, in such a manner as to avoid (i) serving their own personal interests ahead of clients, (ii) taking inappropriate advantage of their position with the Firm and (iii) any actual or potential conflicts of interest or any abuse of their position of trust and responsibility.
The Code is designed to ensure that the high ethical standards long maintained by DGHM continue to be applied. The purpose of the Code is to preclude activities which may lead to or give the appearance of conflicts of interest, insider trading and other forms of prohibited or unethical business conduct. The excellent name and reputation of our Firm continues to be a direct reflection of the conduct of each employee.
Pursuant to Section 206 of the Advisers Act, both DGHM and its employees are prohibited from engaging in fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative conduct. Compliance with this section involves more than acting with honesty and good faith alone. It means that DGHM has an affirmative duty of utmost good faith to act solely in the best interest of its clients.
DGHM and its employees are subject to the following specific fiduciary obligations when dealing with clients:
| the duty to have a reasonable, independent basis for the investment advice provided; | |
| the duty to obtain best execution for a clients transactions where the Firm is in a position to direct brokerage transactions for the client; | |
| the duty to ensure that investment advice is suitable to meeting the clients individual objectives, needs and circumstances; and | |
| a duty to be loyal to clients. |
In meeting its fiduciary responsibilities to its clients, DGHM expects every employee to demonstrate the highest standards of ethical conduct for continued employment with DGHM. Strict compliance with the provisions of the Code shall be considered a basic condition of employment with DGHM. DGHMs reputation for fair and honest dealing with its clients has taken considerable time to build. This standing could be seriously damaged as the result of even a single securities transaction being considered questionable in light of the fiduciary duty owed to our clients. Employees are urged to seek the advice of Erika Donalds, the Chief Compliance Officer, for any questions about the Code or the application of the Code to their individual circumstances. Employees should also understand that a material breach of the provisions of the Code may constitute grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment with DGHM.
The provisions of the Code are not all-inclusive. Rather, they are intended as a guide for employees of DGHM in their conduct. In those situations where an employee may be uncertain as to the intent or purpose of the Code, he/she is advised to consult with Erika Donalds. Erika Donalds may grant exceptions to certain provisions contained in the Code only in those situations when it is clear beyond dispute that the interests of our clients shall not be adversely affected or compromised. All questions arising in connection with personal securities trading should be resolved in favor of the client even at the expense of the interests of employees.
Recognizing the importance of maintaining the Firms reputation and consistent with our fundamental principles of honesty, integrity and professionalism, the Firm requires that a supervised person advise the Chief Compliance Officer immediately if he or she becomes involved in or threatened with litigation or an administrative investigation or legal proceeding of any kind. To the extent permissible by law and applicable regulations, DGHM shall endeavor to maintain such information on a confidential basis.
Erika Donalds shall periodically report to senior management and the Board of Directors of DGHM to document compliance with this Code.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Standards of Business Conduct
DGHM places the highest priority on maintaining its reputation for integrity and professionalism. That reputation is a vital business asset. The confidence and trust placed in our Firm and its employees by our clients is something we value and endeavor to protect. The following Standards of Business Conduct set forth policies and procedures to achieve these goals. 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 (SEC).
Section 204A of 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. The Code also contains policies and procedures with respect to personal securities transactions of all DGHMs supervised persons as defined herein. These procedures cover transactions in a reportable security in which a supervised person has a beneficial interest in or accounts over which the supervised person exercises control as well as transactions by members of the supervised persons immediate family and/or household.
Section 206 of the Advisers Act makes it unlawful for DGHM or its agents or employees 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 the Code, the Advisers Act and rules thereunder.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Chief Compliance Officers Designee
In accordance with regulatory requirements, each access persons personal trades (including preclearance requests and post-trade monitoring) and associated reports may be reviewed by Erika Donalds and/or such other persons authorized by the CCO as the access persons designated reviewer.
The CCO has identified the following individuals as her designees:
| Dolores Casaletto | |
| Bruce Geller | |
| Jeffrey Baker |
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5/12/2017 to Current
Access Persons
For purposes of complying with DGHMs Code of Ethics, generally all supervised persons of the Firm are regarded as access persons and are therefore subject to all applicable personal securities trading procedures and reporting obligations as set forth in this Code.
Please note that most compliance requirements as they relate to personal securities trading activities by access persons are expected to be completed through DGHMs interface with the Personal Securities Trading Module (PSTM), an automated pre-approval, monitoring and reporting system used by the Firm to oversee personal trading. All access persons have access to the PSTM.
Specific policies governing many personal trading-related practices are set forth in the Code, including (i) Holdings Report and Transaction Report Attestations; (ii) Custodial Account Reporting; (iii) Preclearance of Personal Trades; (iv) Participation in IPOs; (v) Short-Term Trading Profits; (vi) Personal Securities Trading Limitations; (vii) Margin Transactions; and (viii) Limit Orders, among others.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Prohibition Against Insider Trading
Introduction
Trading securities while in possession of material, nonpublic information, or improperly communicating that information to others may expose supervised persons and DGHM to stringent penalties. Criminal sanctions may include the imposition of a monetary fine and/or 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/or issue an order censuring, suspending or permanently barring you from the securities industry. Finally, supervised persons and DGHM may be sued by investors seeking to recover damages for insider trading violations.
The rules contained in this Code apply to securities trading and information handling by supervised persons of DGHM and their immediate family members.
The law of insider trading is unsettled and continuously developing. An individual legitimately may be uncertain about the application of the rules contained in this Code in a particular circumstance. Often, a single question can avoid disciplinary action or complex legal problems. You must notify Erika Donalds immediately if you have any reason to believe that a violation of this Code has occurred or is about to occur.
General Policy
No supervised person may trade, either personally or on behalf of others (such as investment funds and private accounts managed by DGHM), while in the possession of material, nonpublic information, nor may any personnel of DGHM communicate material, nonpublic information to others in violation of the law.
1. What is Material Information?
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 will 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 Erika Donalds. | |
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 press also may be material. For example, the United States Supreme Court upheld the criminal convictions of insider trading defendants who capitalized on prepublication information about The Wall Street Journals Heard on the Street column. | |
You should also be aware of the SECs position that the term material nonpublic information relates not only to issuers but also to DGHMs securities recommendations and client securities holdings and transactions. |
2. What is Nonpublic Information?
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, a public filing with the SEC or some other government agency, the Dow Jones tape or The Wall Street Journal or some other publication of general circulation, and after sufficient time has passed so that the information has been disseminated widely. |
3. Identifying Inside Information
Before executing any trade for yourself or others, including investment funds or private accounts managed by DGHM (client accounts), you must determine whether you have access to material, nonpublic information. If you think that you might have access to material, nonpublic information, you should take the following steps: |
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| Report the information and proposed trade immediately to Erika Donalds. | |
| Do not purchase or sell the securities on behalf of yourself or others, including investment funds or private accounts managed by the Firm. | |
| Do not communicate the information inside or outside the Firm, other than to Erika Donalds. | |
| After Erika Donalds has reviewed the issue, the Firm shall determine whether the information is material and nonpublic and, if so, what action the Firm will take. |
You should consult with Erika Donalds before taking any action. This high degree of caution will protect you, our clients, and the Firm. |
4. Contacts with Public Companies
Contacts with public companies may represent an important part of our research efforts. The Firm may make investment decisions on the basis of conclusions formed through such contacts and analysis of publicly available information. Difficult legal issues arise, however, when, in the course of these contacts, a supervised person of DGHM or other person subject to this Code becomes aware of material, nonpublic information. This could happen, for example, if a companys Chief Financial Officer prematurely discloses quarterly results to an analyst, or an investor relations representative makes selective disclosure of adverse news to a handful of investors. In such situations, DGHM must make a judgment as to its further conduct. To protect yourself, our clients and the Firm, you should contact Erika Donalds immediately if you believe that you may have received material, nonpublic information. |
5. Tender Offers
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 of DGHM and others subject to this Code should exercise extreme caution any time they become aware of nonpublic information relating to a tender offer. |
6. Restricted/Watch Lists
Although DGHM does not typically receive confidential information from portfolio companies, it may, if it receives such information take appropriate procedures to establish restricted or watch lists in certain securities. | |
Erika Donalds may place certain securities on a restricted list. Securities issued by companies about which a number of supervised persons are expected to regularly have material, nonpublic information should generally be placed on the restricted list. | |
Erika Donalds may place certain securities on a watch list. Securities issued by companies about which a limited number of supervised persons possess material, nonpublic information should generally be placed on the watch list. | |
Supervised persons are prohibited from personally, or on behalf of an advisory account, purchasing or selling such securities during any period they are listed on a restricted list or a watch list. |
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5/12/2017 to Current
Service as an Officer or Director
No supervised person shall serve as an officer or on the board of directors of any publicly or privately traded company without prior authorization by Erika Donalds or a designated supervisory person based upon a determination that any such board service or officer position would be consistent with the interest of DGHMs clients. Where board service or an officer position is approved, DGHM shall implement a Chinese Wall or other appropriate procedure to isolate such person from making decisions relating to the companys securities.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Personal Securities Trading Limitations
General Policy
DGHM has adopted the following principles governing personal investment activities by DGHMs supervised persons:
| the interests of client accounts shall at all times be placed first; | |
| all personal securities transactions shall be conducted in such manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an individuals position of trust and responsibility; and | |
| supervised persons must not take inappropriate advantage of their positions. |
As previously stated, DGHMs fiduciary duty to clients and the obligation of all Firm employees to uphold that fundamental duty, includes first and foremost the duty at all times to place the interests of clients first. As such, DGHM expects all employees to work diligently in meeting client expectations and fulfilling their job responsibilities.
The Code of Ethics rule mandates pre-approval of the following types of investments:
Although DGHMs policy does not impose strict limitations as to the number of transactions an access person is permitted to execute during a defined timeframe, the scope and volume of personal trading by access persons shall be periodically assessed. The Firm also recognizes that excessive trading may impede the ability of an individual to fulfill his or her primary obligation to our clients. In such circumstances DGHM retains the discretionary authority to impose limitations on the personal trading activities of the access person. Furthermore and as part of DGHMs oversight and monitoring of personal trading by access persons, the Firm may impose heightened supervision and or trading restrictions on an access person if it believes that such actions are warranted.
Any questions concerning this policy should be directed to Erika Donalds or the access persons designated reviewer.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Personal Trading Compliance Procedures
1. Initial Holdings Report
Every supervised person shall, no later than ten (10) days after the person becomes a supervised person, file an initial holdings report containing the following information:
| the title and type of security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the number of shares and principal amount of each reportable security in which the supervised person had any direct or indirect beneficial interest ownership when the individual becomes a supervised person; | |
| the account name and the name of any broker, dealer or bank, 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. |
The information submitted must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days before the person became a supervised person.
2. Annual Holdings Report
Every supervised person shall, by January 31, file an annual holdings report containing the same information required in the initial holdings report as described above. The information submitted must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days before the annual report is submitted.
3. Quarterly Transaction Reports
Every supervised person must, no later than ten (10) days after the end of each calendar quarter, file a quarterly transaction report containing the following information:
With respect to any transaction during the quarter in a reportable security in which the supervised persons had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:
| the date of the transaction, the title, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the interest rate and maturity date, the number of shares and the principal amount 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. |
If, however, the access person has arranged for Erika Donalds or other designee to receive brokerage statement information through NRS ComplianceGuardian for all covered accounts, then the access person is only required to file a quarterly attestation.
4. Exempt Transactions
A supervised person need not submit a report with respect to:
| transactions effected for, securities held in, any account over which the person has no direct or indirect influence or control (the access person may be required to submit a Personal Securities Reporting Exemption form or letter for each such account); | |
| transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan, e.g., a dividend retirement plan; and | |
| a quarterly transaction report if the report would duplicate information contained in securities transaction confirmations or brokerage account statements that DGHM holds in its records so long as the Firm receives the confirmations or statements no later than 30 days after the end of the applicable calendar quarter. |
5. Monitoring and Review of Personal Securities Transactions
Erika Donalds, or such other individual(s) designated in this Code of Ethics, shall monitor and review all reports required under the Code for compliance with DGHMs policies regarding personal securities transactions and applicable SEC rules and regulations. Erika Donalds may also initiate inquiries of supervised persons regarding personal securities trading. Supervised persons are required to cooperate with such inquiries and any monitoring or review procedures employed by DGHM. Any transactions for any accounts of Erika Donalds shall be reviewed and approved by the Chief Compliance Officers designee. Erika Donalds shall
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at least annually identify all supervised persons who are required to file reports pursuant to the Code and shall inform such supervised persons of their reporting obligations.
6. Education
As appropriate, DGHM will provide employees with periodic training regarding the Firms Code of Ethics and related issues to remind employees of their obligations, and/or in response to amendments and regulatory changes.
7. General Sanction Guidelines
It should be emphasized that all required filings and reports under the Firms Code of Ethics shall be monitored by the CCO or such other individual(s) designated in the Code. The CCO shall receive and review report(s) of violations periodically. Violators may be subject to an initial written notification, while a repeat violator shall receive reprimands including administrative warnings, heightened supervision, suspension or limitations of personal trading privileges, demotions, suspensions, a monetary fine, or dismissal of the person involved.
These are guidelines only, allowing DGHM to apply any appropriate sanction depending upon the circumstances, up to and including dismissal.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Custodial Account Reporting
All access persons are required to notify the Compliance Department prior to or at the time of establishing a new custodial account or the closing of an existing custodial account, providing the following details:
1. | Account Name | |
2. | Name of Broker, Dealer or Bank | |
3. | Date Established (or) | |
4. | Date Closed |
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5/12/2017 to Current
Preclearance
DGHM has instituted a policy whereby supervised persons are prohibited from purchasing any reportable securities for a covered account unless preclearance for each such transaction is granted by the CCO or other designee. Any questions whatsoever regarding this policy should be directed to either the CCO or other designee. A supervised person is permitted, without obtaining preclearance, to purchase or sell any exempt (non-reportable) security.
A supervised person may, directly or indirectly, dispose of beneficial ownership of such reportable securities only if such purchase or sale has been approved by the CCO or her designee and the approved transaction is completed within the Firms permissible trade window of 1 day. If, however, the trade is not executed within the trade window, the approval lapses and the request for the proposed transaction must be resubmitted.
Clearance for such transactions must be obtained by completing and signing the Preclearance Form provided for that purpose by Erika Donalds through NRS ComplianceGuardian. Erika Donalds or other designee monitors all transactions by all supervised persons in order to ascertain any pattern of conduct which may evidence conflicts or potential conflicts with the principles and objectives of this Code, including a pattern of front-running.
Advance trade clearance in no way waives or absolves any supervised person of the obligation to abide by the provisions, principles and objectives of this Code.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Blackout Periods
Supervised persons are required to adhere to DGHMs policy concerning restricted trading periods that may be in place from time to time. This policy may prohibit supervised persons from engaging in transactions in securities on DGHMs blackout list until the stated blackout period has elapsed.
The blackout period is seven (7) calendar days before and two (2) calendar days after any client trades in the security. For exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the blackout period is two (2) calendar days before and two (2) calendar days after.
No supervised person shall purchase or sell, directly or indirectly, any security in which he or she has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial interest within the blackout period unless all of the transactions contemplated by the client in that security have been completed prior to such transaction. If a securities transaction is executed by a client within the blackout period after an access person executed a transaction in the same security, Erika Donalds or other designee shall review the supervised persons and the clients transactions to determine whether the supervised person did not meet his or her fiduciary duties to the client in violation of this Code.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Participation in Unaffiliated Private Placements or Limited Offerings
No supervised person shall acquire beneficial ownership of any securities in an unaffiliated limited offering or private placement without the prior written approval of Erika Donalds and/or his or her designee who has been provided with full details of the proposed transaction (including written certification that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the supervised persons activities on behalf of a client) and, if approved, shall be subject to continuous monitoring for possible future conflicts.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Participation in IPOs
As previously set forth in the Firms Code, employees owe a fiduciary duty to our clients to conduct their affairs, including their personal securities transactions in such a manner as to avoid (i) serving their own personal interests ahead of clients, (ii) taking inappropriate advantage of their position with the Firm and (iii) any actual or potential conflicts of interest.
Initial public offerings (IPOs) of equity securities are frequently of limited size and availability. As such, these securities are often highly sought after and often trade at a premium on the secondary market.
Consistent with DGHMs overarching commitment to our clients and to prevent any potential misappropriation of an investment opportunity, no access person may purchase securities issued in an IPO.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Pre-Approval Process for Affiliated Private Fund Investments
DGHM currently manages one or more private funds. Because DGHM encourages employees to personally invest in the same portfolios and securities that are held by our clients, access persons of the Firm are permitted to invest in such limited offerings.
An access person is required to complete the requisite subscription documents prior to any initial investment in the private fund. Acceptance and approval of the access persons subscription documents shall constitute the Firms requisite preclearance requirements.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Rumor Mongering
Spreading false rumors to manipulate the market is illegal under U.S securities laws. Moreover, this type of activity is considered by regulators to be a highly detrimental form of market abuse damaging both investor confidence and companies constituting important components of the financial system. This form of market abuse is vigorously investigated and prosecuted. Although there may be legitimate reasons to discuss rumors under certain circumstances; for example, to attempt to explain observable fluctuations in the market or a particular issuers share price, the dissemination of false information in the market in order to capitalize on the effect of such dissemination for personal or client accounts is unethical and shall not be tolerated. Firms are required to take special care to ensure that personnel neither generate rumors nor pass on rumors to clients or other market participants in an irresponsible manner.
Even where a rumor turns out to be true, among other things, trading on unsubstantiated information also creates a risk that the Firm may trade on inside information which was leaked in violation of the law.
General Policy
It is DGHMs policy that unverified information be communicated responsibly, if at all, and in a manner which will not distort the market. No supervised person of DGHM shall originate a false or misleading rumor in any way, or pass-on an unsubstantiated rumor about a security or its issuer for the purpose of influencing the market price of the security.
Communications issued from DGHM should be professional at all times, avoiding sensational or exaggerated language. Factual statements which could reasonably be expected to impact the market should be carefully verified, if possible, before being issued in accordance with the procedures set forth below. Verification efforts should be documented in writing and maintained in the Firms records.
These guidelines apply equally to written communications, including those issued via Bloomberg, instant messaging, email, chat rooms or included in published research notes, articles or newsletters, as well as to verbal communications. Statements which can reasonably be expected to impact the market include those purporting to contain factual, material or non-public information or information of a price-sensitive nature. The facts and circumstances surrounding the statement will dictate the likelihood of market impact.
For example, times of nervous or volatile markets increase both the opportunity for and the impact of rumors. If a supervised person is uncertain of the likely market impact of the dissemination of particular information, he/she should consult the Chief Compliance Officer or a member of senior management.
What Is a Rumor? In the context of this policy, rumor means either a false or misleading statement which has been deliberately fabricated or a statement or other information purporting to be factual but which is unsubstantiated. A statement is not a rumor if it is clearly an expression of opinion, such as an analysts view of a companys prospects. Rumors often originate from but are not limited to the Internet.
When Is a Rumor Unsubstantiated? In the context of this policy, a rumor is unsubstantiated when it is:
| not published by widely circulated public media, or | |
| the source is not identified in writing, and | |
| there has been no action or statement by a regulator, court or legal authority lending credence to the rumor, or | |
| there has been no acknowledgement or comment on the rumor from an official spokesperson or senior management of the issuer. |
When May a Rumor Be Communicated? Rumors may be discussed legitimately within the confines of the Firm, for example, within an Investment Committee Meeting, when appropriate, for example, to explain or speculate regarding observable market behavior.
A rumor may also be communicated externally, that is, with clients or other market participants such as a broker or other counterparty, only:
| as set forth in these procedures, | |
| when a legitimate business purpose exists for discussing the rumor. |
Legitimate Business Purposes for Communicating a Rumor Externally : Legitimate business purposes for discussing rumors outside of the confines of the Firm include:
| when a client is seeking an explanation for erratic share price movement or trading conditions of a security which could be explained by the rumor, or | |
| discussions among market participants seeking to explain market or trading conditions or ones views regarding the validity of a rumor. |
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Form in Which Rumor Can Be Communicated Externally : Where a legitimate business purpose exists for discussing a rumor externally, care should be taken to ensure that the rumor is communicated in a manner that:
| provides the origin of the information (where possible); | |
| gives it no additional credibility or embellishment; | |
| makes clear that the information is a rumor; and | |
| makes clear that the information has not been verified. |
Trading : Where a decision to place a trade in a client account is based principally on a rumor, the portfolio manager or trader must obtain the prior approval of a member of senior management.
Reporting and Monitoring : In order to ensure compliance with this policy, DGHM may seek to uncover the creation and/or dissemination of false or misleading rumors by supervised persons for the purpose of influencing the market price of the security through targeted monitoring of communications and/or trading activities. For example, the Chief Compliance Officer may proactively select and review random emails or conduct targeted word searches of emails, or Bloomberg/instant messages. She may also flag trading pattern anomalies or unusual price fluctuations and retrospectively review emails, phone calls, Bloomberg/instant messages, etc., where highly unusual and apparently fortuitous profit or loss avoidance is uncovered.
A supervised person is required to report to the Chief Compliance Officer or a member of senior management when he or she has just cause to suspect that another supervised person of DGHM has deliberately fabricated and disseminated a false or misleading rumor or otherwise communicated an unsubstantiated rumor about a security or its issuer for the purpose of influencing the market price of the security.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Gifts and Entertainment
Giving, receiving or soliciting gifts or entertainment in a business setting may create an appearance of impropriety or may raise a potential conflict of interest. DGHM has adopted the policies set forth below to guide supervised persons in this area.
General Policy
DGHMs policy with respect to gifts and entertainment is as follows:
| giving, receiving or soliciting gifts in a business may give rise to an appearance of impropriety or may raise a potential conflict of interest; | |
| no supervised person may give or accept cash gifts or cash equivalents to or from a client, prospective client, or any entity that does, or seeks to do, business with or on behalf of DGHM; | |
| supervised persons should not accept or provide any gifts, entertainment or favors that might influence the decisions you or the recipient must make in business transactions involving DGHM, or that others might reasonably believe would influence those decisions; | |
| modest gifts, entertainment and favors, which would not be regarded by others as improper, may be accepted or given on an occasional basis. Entertainment that satisfies these requirements and conforms to generally accepted business practices also is permissible; and | |
| where there is a law or rule that applies to the conduct of a particular business or the acceptance of gifts or entertainment of even nominal value, the law or rule must be followed. |
Reporting Requirements
| Any supervised person who accepts, directly or indirectly, anything of value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of DGHM, including gifts, entertainment or gratuities with a value in excess of 250 US Dollars per year* must obtain consent from Erika Donalds or alternate designee before accepting such gift or entertainment. | |
| DGHMs policy prohibits a supervised person seeking to provide or offer any gift to existing clients, prospective clients, or any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of DGHM without obtaining pre-approval from Erika Donalds or alternate designee. | |
| These pre-approval and reporting requirements do not apply to bona fide dining or bona fide entertainment if, during such dining or entertainment, you are accompanied by the person or representative of the entity that does business with DGHM. | |
| The gift reporting requirements are for the purpose of helping DGHM monitor the activities of its employees. However, the reporting of a gift does not relieve any supervised person from the obligations and policies set forth in this Section or anywhere else in this Code. If you have any questions or concerns about the appropriateness of any gift or entertainment, please consult Erika Donalds. |
*According to the DOLs Enforcement Manual, gifts and entertainment from one individual or entity that have an aggregate annual value of less than $250 ( and that do not violate any plan policy or provision ) are considered insubstantial and are generally not treated as violations of Section 406(b)(3). Advisers are required to report gifts to certain Taft-Hartley plan trustees to the DOL (e.g., payments of $250 or more per year per person must be reported on Form LM-10).
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5/12/2017 to Current
Political Contributions
In July 2010, the SEC adopted the Pay-to-Play Rule which imposes restrictions on political contributions made by investment advisers that seek to manage assets of state and local governments. The rule is intended to prevent undue influence through political contributions and places limits on the amounts of campaign contributions that the investment adviser and/or certain of its employees (covered associates) can give to state and local officials or candidates that have the ability to award advisory contracts to the Firm.
The following summarizes DGHMs Political Contributions policies which are contained in their entirety in the Firms Policies and Procedures Manual. Accordingly, the following terms apply to these policies:
Contribution is defined as any gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money, or anything of value made for (i) the purpose of influencing any election for federal, state, or local office; (ii) the payment of debt incurred in connection with any such election; or (iii) transition or inaugural expenses incurred by a successful candidate for state or local office.
Covered associate means (i) any general partner, managing member, executive officer of the Firm, or other individual with a similar status or function; (ii) any employee who solicits a government entity for the adviser and any person who supervises, directly or indirectly, such employee; and (iii) any political action committee (PAC) controlled by the adviser or by any of its covered associates.
The rule contains three major prohibitions: (1) if the adviser or a covered associate makes a contribution to an official of a government entity who is in a position to influence the award of the government entitys business, the adviser is prohibited from receiving compensation for providing advisory services to that government entity for two years thereafter (otherwise known as a timeout period); (2) an adviser and its covered associates are prohibited from engaging in a broad range of fundraising activities for Government Officials or political parties in the localities where the adviser is providing to or seeking business from a Government Client; and (3) limits the ability of an adviser and its covered associates to compensate a third party (such as a placement agent) to solicit advisory business or an investment from a government entity client unless the third party is a registered broker-dealer, registered municipal adviser or registered investment adviser.
Importantly, the Rule specifically includes a blanket prohibition that restricts the adviser and its covered associates from doing anything indirectly which, if done directly would violate the Rule. This reflects the SECs concern about indirect payments and puts advisers on notice about the heightened regulatory focus that such practices will receive.
The Rule includes a de minimis exception applicable to the two-year timeout, that allows an advisers covered associate that is a natural person to contribute: (i) up to $350 to a candidate or an official per election (with primary and general elections counting separately) if the covered associate was entitled to vote for the candidate or official at the time of the contribution; and (ii) up to $150 to a candidate or an official per election (with primary and general elections counting separately) if the covered associate was not entitled to vote for the candidate or official at the time of the contribution.
General Policy
It is DGHMs policy to permit the Firm, and its covered associates, to make political contributions to elected officials, candidates and others, consistent with this policy and regulatory requirements.
DGHM recognizes that it is never appropriate to make or solicit political contributions, or provide gifts or entertainment for the purpose of improperly influencing the actions of public officials. Accordingly, the Firms policy is to restrict certain political contributions made to government officials and candidates of state and state political subdivisions who can influence or have the authority for hiring an investment adviser. Furthermore, DGHMs supervised persons are prohibited from soliciting political contributions from vendors or service providers.
Political Contributions to Candidates and Organizations Recommended by Clients . Making a political contribution to a candidate recommended by a client, particularly if the candidate can be influential in seeing that DGHM obtains or maintains its business with the client, can create a potential conflict of interest and may violate Pay-to-Play principles. DGHM will not make any political contribution to candidates or organizations recommended by clients. Organizing individual employee contributions for purposes of contributing to a candidate recommended by a client is also prohibited.
Because violations of the Rule can potentially result in substantial legal and monetary sanctions for the Firm and/or its related persons, DGHMs practice is to restrict and monitor any political contributions to government officials over the de minimis amounts.
| Erika Donalds, or other designee, shall determine who is deemed to be a covered associate of the Firm, |
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each such person shall be promptly informed of his or her status as a covered associate; | ||
| Erika Donalds, or other designee, shall obtain appropriate information from new employees (or employees promoted or otherwise transferred into positions) deemed to be covered associates, regarding any political contributions made within the preceding two years (from the date s/he becomes a covered associate); such review may include an online search of the individuals contribution history as part of the Firms general background check; and | |
| at least annually, Erika Donalds, or other designee, will require covered associates to confirm that such person(s) have reported any and all political contributions. |
Reporting of Political Contributions by Covered Associates
No covered associate shall make a political contribution exceeding the de minimis exception without filing a Political Contribution Report.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Covered Associates
For purposes of complying with DGHMs Political Contributions policies and procedures, generally all supervised persons of the Firm are regarded as covered associates (as that term is defined in the preceding section) and are therefore subject to all applicable procedures and reporting obligations as set forth in this Code.
In addition, and solely for the purpose of complying with DGHMs Political Contributions reporting and preclearance requirements, a covered associates spouse is also considered to be a covered associate of the Firm.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Fair Dealing
It is DGHMs policy to compete aggressively in each business in which it is engaged, but to compete ethically, fairly, and honestly. DGHM seeks to succeed through superior performance, service, diligence, effort, and knowledge, not through unfair advantage. To this end, DGHM is committed to dealing fairly with its clients, customers, vendors, competitors, and employees. No supervised person may take unfair advantage of any other person or business through any unfair business practice, including through improper coercion, manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, or misrepresentation of material fact.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Protecting the Confidentiality of Client Information
Confidential Client Information
In the course of investment advisory activities of DGHM, the Firm gains access to nonpublic information about its clients. Such information may include a persons status as a client, personal financial and account information, the allocation of assets in a client portfolio, the composition of investments in any client portfolio, information relating to services performed for or transactions entered into on behalf of clients, advice provided by DGHM to clients, and data or analyses derived from such non-public personal information (collectively referred to as Confidential Client Information). All Confidential Client Information, whether relating to DGHMs current or former clients, is subject to the Codes policies and procedures. Any doubts about the confidentiality of information must be resolved in favor of confidentiality.
Non-Disclosure Of Confidential Client Information
All information regarding DGHMs clients is confidential. Information may only be disclosed when the disclosure is consistent with the Firms policy and the clients direction. DGHM does not share Confidential Client Information with any third parties, except in the following circumstances:
| as necessary to provide service(s) that the client requested or authorized, or to maintain and service the clients account. DGHM shall require that any financial intermediary, agent or other service provider utilized by DGHM (such as broker-dealers or sub-advisers) comply with substantially similar standards for non-disclosure and protection of Confidential Client Information and use the information provided by DGHM only for the performance of the specific service requested by DGHM; | |
| as required by regulatory authorities or law enforcement officials who have jurisdiction over DGHM, or as otherwise required by any applicable law. In the event DGHM is compelled to disclose Confidential Client Information, the Firm shall provide prompt notice to the clients affected, so that the clients may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy. If no protective order or other appropriate remedy is obtained, DGHM shall disclose only such information, and only in such detail, as is legally required; and | |
| to the extent reasonably necessary to prevent fraud, unauthorized transactions or liability. |
Employee Responsibilities
All supervised persons are prohibited, either during or after the termination of their employment with DGHM, from disclosing Confidential Client Information to any person or entity outside the Firm, including family members, except under the circumstances described above. A supervised person is permitted to disclose Confidential Client Information only to such other supervised persons who need to have access to such information to deliver the DGHMs services to the client.
Supervised persons are also prohibited from making unauthorized copies of any documents or files containing Confidential Client Information and, upon termination of their employment with DGHM, must return all such documents to DGHM.
Any supervised person who violates the non-disclosure policy described above shall be subject to disciplinary action, including possible termination, whether or not he or she benefited from the disclosed information.
Security Of Confidential Personal Information
DGHM enforces the following policies and procedures to protect the security of Confidential Client Information:
| the Firm restricts access to Confidential Client Information to those supervised persons who need to know such information to provide DGHMs services to clients; | |
| any supervised person who is authorized to have access to Confidential Client Information in connection with the performance of such persons duties and responsibilities is required to keep such information secure from unauthorized access; | |
| all electronic or computer files containing any Confidential Client Information shall be password secured and firewall protected from access by unauthorized persons; and | |
| any conversations involving Confidential Client Information, if appropriate at all, must be conducted by supervised persons in private, and care must be taken to avoid any unauthorized persons overhearing or intercepting such conversations. |
Privacy Policy
As a registered investment adviser, DGHM and all supervised persons, must comply with SEC Regulation S-P,
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which requires investment advisers to adopt policies and procedures to protect the nonpublic personal information of natural person clients. Nonpublic information, under Regulation S-P, includes personally identifiable financial information and any list, description, or grouping that is derived from personally identifiable financial information. Personally identifiable financial information is defined to include information supplied by individual clients, information resulting from transactions, any information obtained in providing products or services. Pursuant to Regulation S-P DGHM has adopted policies and procedures to safeguard the information of natural person clients.
Furthermore and pursuant to the SECs adoption of Regulation S-ID: Identity Theft Red Flag Rules, all financial institutions and creditors (as those terms are defined under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)) must develop and implement a written identity theft prevention program designed to detect, prevent, and mitigate identity theft in connection with certain existing accounts or the opening of new accounts (covered accounts). DGHM has conducted an initial assessment of its obligations under Regulation S-ID and to the extent such rules are applicable, has incorporated appropriate policies and procedures in compliance with the Red Flags regulations.
Enforcement and Review of Confidentiality and Privacy Policies
Erika Donalds is responsible for reviewing, maintaining and enforcing DGHMs confidentiality and privacy policies and is also responsible for conducting appropriate employee training to ensure adherence to these policies. Any exception to this policy requires the written approval of Erika Donalds.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Social Media
Social media and/or methods of publishing opinions or commentary electronically are dynamic methods of mass communication. Social media is an umbrella term that encompasses various activities that integrate technology, social interaction and content creation. Social media may use many technologies, including, but not limited to, blogs, microblogs, wikis, photos and video sharing, podcasts, social networking, and virtual worlds. The terms social media, social media sites, sites, and social networking sites are used interchangeably herein.
The proliferation of such electronic means of communication presents new and ever changing regulatory risks for our Firm. As a registered investment adviser, use of social media by our Firm and/or related persons of the Firm must comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to the anti-fraud, compliance and record keeping provisions.
For example, business or client related comments or posts made through social media may breach applicable privacy laws or be considered advertising under applicable regulations triggering content restrictions and special disclosure and recordkeeping requirements. Employees should be aware that the use of social media for personal purposes may also have implications for our Firm, particularly where the employee is identified as an officer, employee or representative of the Firm. Accordingly, DGHM seeks to adopt reasonable policies and procedures to safeguard the Firm and our clients.
General Policy
Approved Participation. Employees are required to obtain approval prior to establishing a social networking account and/or participating on a pre-existing social media site for business purposes.
Employee Usage Guidelines, Content Standards and Monitoring
| Unless otherwise prohibited by federal or state laws, DGHM will request or require employees provide Erika Donalds or other designated person with access to such approved social networking accounts. | |
| We maintain a database containing approved communications that may be used on social networking sites. | |
| Static content posted on social networking sites must be preapproved by Erika Donalds or other designee. | |
| Employees are prohibited from: |
o | posting any misleading statements; any information about our Firms clients, investment recommendations (including past specific recommendations), investment strategies, products and/or services offered by our Firm; or trading activities; | |
o | soliciting comments or postings regarding DGHM that could be construed as testimonials; | |
o | soliciting client recommendations on LinkedIn; employees are prohibited from publicly posting a clients recommendation to their LinkedIn profile; and | |
o | employees cannot link from a personal blog or social networking site to DGHMs internal or external website. |
Use of Personal Sites
DGHM prohibits employees from creating or maintaining any individual blogs or network pages on behalf of the Firm.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Fraternization
Fraternization occurs when two employees are involved in an intimate or dating relationship.
DGHM respects the privacy of its employees. However, as a result of the public profile of the Firm and the concern that fraternization among employees could result in allegations of sexual harassment, it is DGHMs policy to discourage fraternization between employees and their supervisors and co-workers.
DGHM further believes that, due to its small number of employees, fraternization could lead to allegations of favoritism, adversely affect the morale and professionalism of the work environment, and otherwise disrupt the workplace.
Employees who become involved in an intimate relationship must notify the Management Committee, and one of the employees must then tender a written resignation. The employees involved in the relationship should determine who will tender his or her resignation. The Management Committee may then, at its discretion, determine whether or not to accept the resignation. Failure to report such a relationship to the Management Committee is grounds for termination for cause.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Whistleblower Policy
As articulated in this Codes Statement of General Policy and Standards of Business Conduct, central to our Firms compliance culture is an ingrained commitment to fiduciary principles. The policies and procedures set forth here and in our Policies and Procedures Manual, and their consistent implementation by all supervised persons of DGHM evidence the Firms unwavering intent to place the interests of clients ahead of self-interest for DGHM, our management and staff.
Every employee has a responsibility for knowing and following the Firms policies and procedures. Every person in a supervisory role is also responsible for those individuals under his/her supervision. The Firms principal or a similarly designated officer, has overall supervisory responsibility.
Recognizing our shared commitment to our clients, all employees are required to conduct themselves with the utmost loyalty and integrity in their dealings with our clients, customers, stakeholders and one another. Improper conduct on the part of any employee puts the Firm and company personnel at risk. Therefore, while managers and senior management ultimately have supervisory responsibility and authority, these individuals cannot stop or remedy misconduct unless they know about it. Accordingly, all employees are not only expected to, but are required to report their concerns about potentially illegal conduct as well as violations of our companys policies.
Reporting Potential Misconduct
To ensure consistent implementation of such practices, it is imperative that supervised persons have the opportunity to report any concerns or suspicions of improper activity at the Firm (whether by a supervised person or other party) confidentially and without retaliation.
DGHMs Whistleblower Policy covers the treatment of all concerns relating to suspected illegal activity or potential misconduct.
Supervised persons may report potential misconduct by submitting a Report a Violation form available on the main web portal of NRS ComplianceGuardian. By default, the report shall be submitted anonymously unless the individual unchecks the box that indicates the sender wishes to remain anonymous. Reports of violations or suspected violations must be reported to Erika Donalds or, provided the CCO also receives such reports, to other designated members of senior management. Supervised persons may report suspected improper activity by the CCO to the Firms other senior management.
Responsibility of the Whistleblower
A person must be acting in good faith in reporting a complaint or concern under this policy and must have reasonable grounds for believing a deliberate misrepresentation has been made regarding accounting or audit matters or a breach of the Firms Policies and Procedures Manual or Code of Ethics. A malicious allegation known to be false is considered a serious offense and shall be subject to disciplinary action that may include termination of employment.
Handling of Reported Improper Activity
The Firm shall take seriously any report regarding a potential violation of Firm policy or other improper or illegal activity, and recognizes the importance of keeping the identity of the reporting person from being widely known. Supervised persons are to be assured that the Firm will appropriately manage all such reported concerns or suspicions of improper activity in a timely and professional manner, confidentially and without retaliation.
In order to protect the confidentiality of the individual submitting such a report and to enable DGHM to conduct a comprehensive investigation of reported misconduct, supervised persons should understand that those individuals responsible for conducting any investigation are generally precluded from communicating information pertaining to the scope and/or status of such reviews.
No Retaliation Policy
It is the Firms policy that no supervised person who submits a complaint made in good faith will experience retaliation, harassment, or unfavorable or adverse employment consequences. A supervised person who retaliates against a person reporting a complaint will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include termination of employment. A supervised person who believes she or he has been subject to retaliation or reprisal as a result of reporting a concern or making a complaint is to report such action to the CCO or to the Firms other senior management in the event the concern pertains to the CCO.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Reporting Violations and Sanctions
All supervised persons shall promptly report to Erika Donalds or, provided the CCO also receives such reports, to an alternate designee all apparent or potential violations of the Code. Any retaliation for the reporting of a violation under this Code shall constitute a violation of the Code.
Erika Donalds shall promptly report to the Management Committee and Board of Directors all apparent material violations of the Code. When Erika Donalds finds that a violation otherwise reportable to senior management could not be reasonably found to have resulted in a fraud, deceit, or a manipulative practice in violation of Section 206 of the Advisers Act, she may, in her discretion, submit a written memorandum of such finding and the reasons therefore to a reporting file created for this purpose in lieu of reporting the matter to the Management Committee and Board of Directors.
Senior management shall consider reports made to it hereunder and shall determine whether or not the Code has been violated and what sanctions, if any, should be imposed. Possible sanctions may include reprimands, monetary fine or assessment, or suspension or termination of the employees employment with the Firm.
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5/12/2017 to Current
Records
Erika Donalds shall maintain and cause to be maintained in a readily accessible place the following records:
| a copy of any Code of Ethics adopted by the Firm pursuant to Advisers Act Rule 204A-1 which is or has been in effect during the past five years; | |
| a record of any violation of DGHMs Code and any action that was taken as a result of such violation for a period of five years from the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurred; | |
| a record of all written acknowledgements of receipt of the Code and amendments thereto for each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, a supervised person which shall be retained for five years after the individual ceases to be a supervised person of DGHM; | |
| a copy of each report made pursuant to Advisers Act Rule 204A-1, including any brokerage confirmations and account statements made in lieu of these reports; | |
| a list of all persons who are, or within the preceding five years have been, access persons; and | |
| a record of any decision and reasons supporting such decision to approve an access persons acquisition of securities or limited offerings within the past five years after the end of the fiscal year in which such approval is granted. |
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5/12/2017 to Current
Acknowledgement
Initial Acknowledgement
All supervised persons shall be provided with a copy of the Code and must initially acknowledge in writing to Erika Donalds that they have: (i) received a copy of the Code; (ii) read and understand all provisions of the Code; and (iii) agree to abide by the Code. | |
Additionally, a newly designated access person is required to provide an initial holdings report containing all information as required by the Code, which includes applicable attestations as to the completeness and accuracy of such report. | |
Acknowledgement of Amendments | |
All supervised persons shall receive any amendments to the Code and must acknowledge to Erika Donalds in writing that they have: (i) received a copy of the amendment; (ii) read and understood the amendment; (iii) and agreed to abide by the Code as amended. | |
Annual Acknowledgement | |
All supervised persons must annually acknowledge in writing to Erika Donalds that they have: (i) read and understood all provisions of the Code and (ii) complied with all applicable requirements of the Code. | |
Additionally, all access persons must annually provide a holdings report containing all information as required by the Code, which includes applicable attestations as to the completeness and accuracy of such report. | |
Further Information | |
Supervised persons should contact Erika Donalds regarding any inquiries pertaining to the Code or the policies established herein. |
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5/12/2017 to Current
Definitions
For the purposes of this Code, the following definitions shall apply:
| 1933 Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. | |
| 1934 Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. | |
| Access person means any supervised person of the Firm who: has access to nonpublic information regarding any clients purchase or sale of securities, or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any Reportable fund the Firm or its control affiliates manage or has access to such recommendations; or is involved in making securities recommendations to clients that are nonpublic. Due to the manner in which the Firm conducts its business, every employee should assume that he or she is subject to the code unless the Chief Compliance Officer specifies otherwise. | |
| Account or covered account means accounts of any supervised person of the Firm deemed to be an access person and includes accounts of such access persons immediate family (e.g., a spouse or domestic partner, the spouses or domestic partners children residing in the same household, or to whom the access person, spouse or domestic partner contributes substantial support), and any account in which he or she has a direct or indirect beneficial interest, such as trusts and custodial accounts or other accounts in which the access person has a beneficial interest, exercises investment discretion, controls, or could reasonably be expected to be able to exercise influence or control. | |
| Advisers Act means the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. | |
| Advisory persons means employees and certain control persons (and their employees) who make; participate in, or obtain information regarding fund securities transactions or whose functions relate to the making of recommendations with respect to fund transactions. | |
| Automatic investment plan means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An automatic investment plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan. | |
| Beneficial interest shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in determining whether a person has a beneficial interest in a security for purposes of Section 16 of such Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. | |
| Beneficial ownership shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in determining whether a person is the beneficial owner of a security for purposes of Section 16 of such Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. | |
| Blackout period represents a time frame during which access persons are prohibited from trading in securities in which client transactions in the same security are being considered or traded. | |
| Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) refers to DGHMs Chief Compliance Officer, Erika Donalds. | |
| Confidential Client Information refers to nonpublic information about the Firms clients. Such information may include a persons status as a client, personal financial and account information, the allocation of assets in a client portfolio, the composition of investments in any client portfolio, information relating to services performed for or transactions entered into on behalf of clients, advice provided by DGHM to clients, and data or analyses derived from such non-public personal information. | |
| Contribution means any gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value made for (i) the purpose of influencing any election for federal, state or local office; (ii) payment of debt incurred in connection with any such election; or (iii) transition or inaugural expenses of the successful candidate for state or local office. (See SEC Rule 206(4)-5; Political Contributions by Certain Investment Advisers.) | |
Note: A contribution by a limited partner or a limited partnership adviser, a non-managing member of a limited liability company adviser or a shareholder of a corporate adviser is not covered unless such person is also an executive officer or solicitor (or supervisor thereof), or the contribution is an indirect contribution by the adviser, executive officer, solicitor or supervisor. | ||
| Control means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company. | |
| Covered associate means (i) any general partner, managing member or executive officer, or other individual with a similar status or function; (ii) any employee who solicits a government entity for the adviser and person who supervises, directly or indirectly, such employee; and (iii) any political action committee (PAC) controlled by the adviser or by any such persons described in clauses (i) or (ii). (See SEC Rule 206(4)-5; Political Contributions by Certain Investment Advisers.) | |
| Covered investment pool means (i) an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (e.g., mutual fund) that is an investment option of a plan or program of a government entity; or (ii) any company that is exempt from registering under the Investment Company Act because it either (a) has less than 100 shareholders (3(c)(1) funds); (b) has only qualified purchasers (3(c)(7) funds); or (c) is a collective investment fund maintained by a bank (3(c)(11) funds). (See SEC Rule 206(4)-5; Political Contributions by Certain Investment Advisers.) | |
| Front running can occur when an individual purchases at a lower price or sells at a higher price before (i) execution of a significant securities transaction by some purchaser or seller in a size sufficient to move the market or (ii) issuance or change in an investment advisers securities recommendation to purchase or sell a security while in possession of material nonpublic information. | |
| Government entity means any state or political subdivision of a state, including (i) any agency, authority, or instrumentality of the state or political subdivision; (ii) any pool of assets sponsored or |
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established by any of the foregoing (including, but not limited to a defined benefit plan and a state general fund); (iii) any participant-directed investment program or plan sponsored or established by any of the foregoing; and (iv) officers, agents, or employees of the state or political subdivision or any agency, authority or instrumentality thereof, acting in their official capacity. (See SEC Rule 206(4)-5; Political Contributions by Certain Investment Advisers.) | ||
| Initial public offering (IPO) means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. | |
| Inside information means non-public information (i.e., information that is not available to investors generally) that there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider to be important in deciding whether to buy, sell or retain a security or would view it as having significantly altered the total mix of information available. | |
| Insider is broadly defined as it applies to DGHMs Insider Trading policy and procedures. It includes our Firms officers, directors and employees. In addition, a person can be a temporary insider if he or she enters into a special confidential relationship in the conduct of the companys affairs and, as a result, is given access to information solely for DGHMs purposes. A temporary insider can include, among others, DGHMs attorneys, accountants, consultants, and the employees of such organizations. Furthermore, DGHM may become a temporary insider of a client it advises or for which it performs other services. If a client expects DGHM to keep the disclosed non-public information confidential and the relationship implies such a duty, then DGHM will be considered an insider. | |
| Insider trading is generally understood to refer to the effecting of securities transactions while in possession of material, non-public information (regardless of whether one is an insider) or to the communication of material, non-public information to others. | |
| Investment person means a supervised person of DGHM who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of securities for client accounts (e.g., portfolio manager) or provides information or advice to portfolio managers, or who help execute and/or implement the portfolio managers decision (e.g., securities analysts, traders, and portfolio assistants); and any natural person who controls DGHM and who obtains information concerning recommendations made regarding the purchase or sale of securities for client accounts. | |
| Investment-related means activities that pertain to securities, commodities, banking, insurance, or real estate (including, but not limited to, acting as or being associated with an investment adviser, broker-dealer, municipal securities dealer, government securities broker or dealer, issuer, investment company, futures sponsor, bank, or savings association). | |
| Limited offering means an offering of securities that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(5) or pursuant to Rule 504, 505, or Rule 506 under the Securities Act of 1933. | |
| Management Committee means the following DGHM professionals: Timothy Dalton, Chairman; Bruce Geller, Chief Executive Officer; Jeffrey Baker, Chief Investment Officer; and Erika Donalds, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer. | |
| Official means any person (including any election committee for the person) who was, at the time of the contribution, an incumbent, candidate or successful candidate for elective office of a government entity, if the office (i) is directly or indirectly responsible for, or can influence the outcome of, the hiring of an investment adviser by a government entity; or (ii) has authority to appoint any person who is directly or indirectly responsible for, or can influence the outcome of, the hiring of an investment adviser by a government entity. (See SEC Rule 206(4)-5; Political Contributions by Certain Investment Advisers.) | |
| Plan or program of a government entity means any participant-directed investment program or plan sponsored or established by a state or political subdivision or any agency, authority or instrumentality thereof, including, but not limited to, a qualified tuition plan authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 529), a retirement plan authorized by Section 403(b) or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 403(b) or 457), or any similar program or plan. (See SEC Rule 206(4)-5; Political Contributions by Certain Investment Advisers.) | |
| Private fund means an issuer that would be an investment company as defined in Section 3 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 but for Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of that Act. | |
| Registered fund means an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act. | |
| Reportable fund means any registered investment company, i.e., mutual fund, for which our Firm, or a control affiliate, acts as investment adviser or sub-adviser, as defined in Section 2(a) (20) of the Investment Company Act, or principal underwriter. | |
| Reportable security means any security as defined in Section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act, except that it does not include: (i) transactions and holdings in 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) transactions and holdings in shares of other types of open-end registered mutual funds, unless DGHM or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund; (v) transactions in units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in mutual funds, unless DGHM or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund; and (vi) 529 Plans, unless DGHM or a control affiliate manages, distributes, markets or underwrites the 529 Plan or the investments (including a fund that is defined as a reportable fund under Rule 204A-1) and strategies underlying the 529 Plan that is a college savings plan. | |
| Restricted list typically represents a list of issuers about which an adviser has inside information, and results in prohibitions on effecting either client or personal trades in such securities. |
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| Supervised person means any directors, officers and partners of DGHM (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions); employees of DGHM; and any other person who provides advice on behalf of DGHM and is subject to DGHMs supervision and control. | |
| Sector Specialist means a supervised person who is principally responsible for investment decisions with respect to any of DGHMs clients. | |
| Tipping means communication of material nonpublic information to others. | |
| Watch list typically represents a list of issuers currently being evaluated as potential investment opportunities. Advisers may restrict trading in such securities by one or more of the Firms securities analysts or may more broadly apply the restriction to some or all access persons. |
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
WHEREAS, the World Funds Trust, a statutory trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter referred to as the Trust), periodically files amendments to its Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby revokes any previous appointments and appoints Karen M. Shupe, Holly Giangiulio, David A. Bogaert, and Ann T. MacDonald his attorney for him and in his name, place and stead, and in his office and capacity in the Trust, hereby giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present at the doing thereof, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this power of attorney shall empower the appointee to execute and file any amendment(s) and supplements to the Trusts Registration Statement (including but not limited to registration statements on Form N-1A and Form N-14, and any pre-effective amendments to registration statements) and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the same with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any amendments and supplements thereto and applications thereunder, and any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the offer and sale of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust (including, without limitation, regulatory authorities in any and all states in which shares of any shares of any series of the Trust are sold), any such amendment or registration statement and any and all supplements thereto or to any prospectus or statement of additional information forming a part of the registration statement, as well as any and all exhibits and other documents necessary or desirable to the amendment or supplement process on his behalf.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 26 th day of September, 2017.
/s/ David J. Urban | ||||||||
David J. Urban, Trustee | ||||||||
STATE OF | ) | |||||||
TENNESSEE | ) | |||||||
) | ss: | |||||||
CITY OF MURFREESBORO |
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said city and state, personally appeared David J. Urban, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that he executed and delivered the same for the purposes therein expressed.
WITNESS my hand and official seal this 26 day of September, 2017.
/s/ Angela A. Price | |
Notary Public | |
State of Tennessee | |
My Commission Expires:12-16-18 |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
WHEREAS, the World Funds Trust, a statutory trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter referred to as the Trust), periodically files amendments to its Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby revokes any previous appointments and appoints Karen M. Shupe, Holly Giangiulio, David A. Bogaert, and Ann T. MacDonald her attorney for her and in her name, place and stead, and in her office and capacity in the Trust, hereby giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do if personally present at the doing thereof, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this power of attorney shall empower the appointee to execute and file any amendment(s) and supplements to the Trusts Registration Statement (including but not limited to registration statements on Form N-1A and Form N-14, and any pre-effective amendments to registration statements) and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the same with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any amendments and supplements thereto and applications thereunder, and any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the offer and sale of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust (including, without limitation, regulatory authorities in any and all states in which shares of any shares of any series of the Trust are sold), any such amendment or registration statement and any and all supplements thereto or to any prospectus or statement of additional information forming a part of the registration statement, as well as any and all exhibits and other documents necessary or desirable to the amendment or supplement process on her behalf.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set her hand this 20 th day of September, 2017.
/s/ Mary Lou H. Ivey | ||||||
Mary Lou H. Ivey, Trustee | ||||||
COMMONWEALTH OF | ) | |||||
VIRGINIA | ) | |||||
) | ss: | |||||
CITY OF RICHMOND | ) |
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said city and state, personally appeared Mary Lou H. Ivey, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that she executed and delivered the same for the purposes therein expressed.
WITNESS my hand and official seal this 20 th day of September, 2017.
/s/ Dollie H. Walden | |
Notary Public | |
Commonwealth of Virginia | |
My Commission Expires: 2/29/2020 | |
Reg #223160 |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
WHEREAS, the World Funds Trust, a statutory trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter referred to as the Trust), periodically files amendments to its Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby revokes any previous appointments and appoints Karen M. Shupe, Holly Giangiulio, David A. Bogaert, and Ann T. MacDonald his attorney for him and in his name, place and stead, and in his office and capacity in the Trust, hereby giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present at the doing thereof, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this power of attorney shall empower the appointee to execute and file any amendment(s) and supplements to the Trusts Registration Statement (including but not limited to registration statements on Form N-1A and Form N-14, and any pre-effective amendments to registration statements) and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the same with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any amendments and supplements thereto and applications thereunder, and any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the offer and sale of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust (including, without limitation, regulatory authorities in any and all states in which shares of any shares of any series of the Trust are sold), any such amendment or registration statement and any and all supplements thereto or to any prospectus or statement of additional information forming a part of the registration statement, as well as any and all exhibits and other documents necessary or desirable to the amendment or supplement process on his behalf.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 20 th day of September, 2017.
/s/ Theo H. Pitt, Jr. | ||||||
Theo H. Pitt, Jr., Trustee | ||||||
COMMONWEALTH OF | ) | |||||
VIRGINIA | ) | |||||
) | ss: | |||||
CITY OF RICHMOND | ) | |||||
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said city and state, personally appeared Theo H. Pitt, Jr., known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that he executed and delivered the same for the purposes therein expressed.
WITNESS my hand and official seal this 20 th day of September, 2017.
/s/ Dollie H. Walden | |
Notary Public | |
Commonwealth of Virginia | |
My Commission Expires: 2/29/2020 | |
Reg #223160 |